Hi all, I've been accepted to an in-state program (University of Kansas School of Medicine). I am wondering if there was any advice in taking the HPSP scholarship vs. attending USUHS. Most of the information I have found is quite outdated, and I would like to know if any alumni from either program had any thoughts. I intend to pay my way through medical school via the uniformed services, but I am having a difficult time deciding which path to pursue. Thank you sincerely for your time.
HPSP vs. USUHS
- Thread starter mcreed
- Start date
At least it'd be nice to not have a sticky that was from approximately 10 years ago, plus a pro and con from people who are/have gone through each respective program...
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2012
- Messages
- 273
- Reaction score
- 43
I am a USUHS grad and enjoyed my time there. HPSP gives you less payback and 4 less years of the military environment while in school, although USUHS was not exactly bootcamp- we still had PT tests, formations, mil med classes, rare field training exercises, etc. Only way USUHS would be better is if you were prior enlisted, already had ROTC/Academy, or had family issues where you needed healthcare for your 5 kids, or if you planned on making the military a career (which you couldn't possibly know at this stage). If USUHS was your only choice I would take it but you have a choice.
I don't think there is a huge advantage getting into residency if you are USUHS but I acknowledge it seems that way from the HPSP side. The issue is USUHS grads MUST do their internship in the DoD by law but HPSP folks can be deferred. The Air Force defers more training than the Army and Navy to the best of my knowledge.
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2004
- Messages
- 4,573
- Reaction score
- 485
That information in the stickies is not outdated in the least. One of the few things you can count on is that not much changes in the military. Oh, we do have new uniforms in the Air Force from when I joined ~9 years ago.
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2003
- Messages
- 3,688
- Reaction score
- 128
The only thing that you talk about in your post is utilizing DoD to pay for your school. Those that take the scholarship for money tend to be very unhappy when time comes for active duty service.
Having said that, you are graduating in 2018. The whole medical corps is in flux, and the changes are NOT for the better. It's anyone's guess what this cluster will look like in July 2018
Having said that, you are graduating in 2018. The whole medical corps is in flux, and the changes are NOT for the better. It's anyone's guess what this cluster will look like in July 2018
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2000
- Messages
- 3,525
- Reaction score
- 323
you make less money with HPSP, but at least have a fighting chance of getting out if the military situation isn't to your liking (for whatever reason). USUHS you are nearly committed to a career (depending on residency) though you will make more money while in school. It's not 100%, but most USUHS grads I know have stuck around-- mainly due to attrition.
a sidenote and issue I have with USUHS is the inbreeding that occurs due to the "everything in house" mentality. for better or worse, nearly all of their experience is with military medicine. they can do some electives, but when all of their peds experience (for example) is at a small hospital with essentially zero inpatients that is not a quality rotation for a medstudent. similarly, rotating through an "ER" in the military (unless you are in a couple of specific places" is not what a normal ER is like. you can argue that since most USUHS folks are going to stay in that this is ok, but to me it's a downside.
the stickies were started a long time ago (didn't realize it was *that* long) and in addition to being constantly added to I think they provide a good history/log of the military's medical environment. there are many threads dealing with the USUHS vs HPSP question, and it has not really changed in the past 10 years. it boils down to 1) money and 2) trying to predict your tolerance for an unknown military medical culture close to a decade away from the time you accept the scholarship or slot-- which if you are good enough to predict that you should be in business instead.
good luck with whatever you choose
--your friendly neighborhood forum oldster caveman
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2005
- Messages
- 16,791
- Reaction score
- 26,057
I'm a USUHS graduate and have had a mostly positive experience thus far. No real regrets.
However, you have an acceptance to an in-state public allopathic school. I don't know what U of K's tuition and fees are, but I bet it's not on the outrageous end of the spectrum. I'd guess it's pretty far over on the cheap side, actually.
Unless you have prior military service already, or have a very strong desire to serve in the military, my default recommendation would be to go to U of K and pay for it with loans. If at a later time you still want to be in the military, consider FAP or direct accession.
However, you have an acceptance to an in-state public allopathic school. I don't know what U of K's tuition and fees are, but I bet it's not on the outrageous end of the spectrum. I'd guess it's pretty far over on the cheap side, actually.
Unless you have prior military service already, or have a very strong desire to serve in the military, my default recommendation would be to go to U of K and pay for it with loans. If at a later time you still want to be in the military, consider FAP or direct accession.
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2011
- Messages
- 860
- Reaction score
- 294
I could agree more with pgg; there is no solid reason for HPSP to be in the discussion at all with in-state tuition. I'm at USUHS and I have no issues, but I am also prior with a fair amount of time on my clock already so it was a no brainer for me.
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2008
- Messages
- 192
- Reaction score
- 36
I am a USU grad. Honestly, it was 4 of the best years of my life. We all bring our own psychological baggage into these decisions and I feel like there is the possibility your situation is similar to mine. I had a choice between a far from stellar, state, midwestern medical school (allopathic), in my home state. I had never left this midwestern paradise (sarcasm) through college. I would have received a good medical education at said state school. I wanted to get out due to the fear I would never leave if I didn't. USU was great for a hick like me, as it got me far away from the vortex that is my home state. The military part of it assured that I would never go back, at least not any time soon.
