All Branch Topic (ABT) HPSP

[Ag1625]

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Hi, so I want to know actual requirements for the HPSP. Are the GPA and MCAT requirements like set in stone? Also, how do you obtain the scholarship after your first year of medical school? I currently don’t have the minimum gpa for the HPSP but I hope my chances aren’t shot in the ground. Also, if I wasn’t able to qualify for HPSP can I still join the military and go to medical school? What are my options? All help is wanted! Thanks

 

[Ziehl-Neelsen]

Are the GPA and MCAT requirements like set in stone?

No. The minimum requirements allow for automatic approval of the scholarship from the individual services' medical commands. If you don't meet the requirements, a waiver can be granted by the medical commands. Whether the waiver is granted is entirely dependent on how much they need you. If they don't have enough prospective scholarship-takers to meet a projected future need, they'll likely grant a waiver. If they have more than enough projected scholarship-takers, they probably won't grant you a waiver.

Also, how do you obtain the scholarship after your first year of medical school?

You call a medical recruiter and tell the recruiter that you are in the midst of your MS-1 year and would like to apply for a 3 year scholarship.

Also, if I wasn’t able to qualify for HPSP can I still join the military and go to medical school?

Obviously, whether or not you are granted admittance to a medical school determines whether you will be going to medical school. If you are not selected for an HPSP scholarship and are not granted admittance to USUHS, the military will not be directly paying for you to attend medical school and there won't be a direct path for you to serve as a military physician after graduation. If you finish medical school and still want to be a physician in the military, there are programs like FAP that allow you to serve as a military physician after the completion of residency. Once again, the first step to accessing this pathway is contacting a military medical recruiter.

 

[Ag1625]

No. The minimum requirements allow for automatic approval of the scholarship from the individual services' medical commands. If you don't meet the requirements, a waiver can be granted by the medical commands. Whether the waiver is granted is entirely dependent on how much they need you. If they don't have enough prospective scholarship-takers to meet a projected future need, they'll likely grant a waiver. If they have more than enough projected scholarship-takers, they probably won't grant you a waiver.


You call a medical recruiter and tell the recruiter that you are in the midst of your MS-1 year and would like to apply for a 3 year scholarship.


Obviously, whether or not you are granted admittance to a medical school determines whether you will be going to medical school. If you are not selected for an HPSP scholarship and are not granted admittance to USUHS, the military will not be directly paying for you to attend medical school and there won't be a direct path for you to serve as a military physician after graduation. If you finish medical school and still want to be a physician in the military, there are programs like FAP that allow you to serve as a military physician after the completion of residency. Once again, the first step to accessing this pathway is contacting a military medical recruiter.

I’ve talked to plenty but they keep bringing up these minimum requirements

 

[Ag1625]

No. The minimum requirements allow for automatic approval of the scholarship from the individual services' medical commands. If you don't meet the requirements, a waiver can be granted by the medical commands. Whether the waiver is granted is entirely dependent on how much they need you. If they don't have enough prospective scholarship-takers to meet a projected future need, they'll likely grant a waiver. If they have more than enough projected scholarship-takers, they probably won't grant you a waiver.


You call a medical recruiter and tell the recruiter that you are in the midst of your MS-1 year and would like to apply for a 3 year scholarship.


Obviously, whether or not you are granted admittance to a medical school determines whether you will be going to medical school. If you are not selected for an HPSP scholarship and are not granted admittance to USUHS, the military will not be directly paying for you to attend medical school and there won't be a direct path for you to serve as a military physician after graduation. If you finish medical school and still want to be a physician in the military, there are programs like FAP that allow you to serve as a military physician after the completion of residency. Once again, the first step to accessing this pathway is contacting a military medical recruiter.

I’m just trying to see if I’ll ever have chance at the HPSP at all and by the requirements
It looks like I won’t but then people act like all you need is an acceptance letter

 

[militaryPHYS]

people act like all you need is an acceptance letter

Definitely not the case. At least currently while downsizing is rampant. But if you really want to try you should submit for the waiver. Worst they can say is No.

 

[hungrydoc710]

If you went this route, but decided that during basic training that it isn't for you - can you leave?

Someone I know is doing this now after completing first year med school, and is realizing she was lied to and that specialities are as possible thru this military/army route.

What is the protocol for paying them back the first year that they orig paid for?

 

[USAFDoc24]

If you went this route, but decided that during basic training that it isn't for you - can you leave?

Someone I know is doing this now after completing first year med school, and is realizing she was lied to and that specialities are as possible thru this military/army route.

What is the protocol for paying them back the first year that they orig paid for?

It’s in my contract that it is not allowed to repay the government for the scholarship because you decide you don’t want to do it anymore. You signed a contract and committed to it. It’s expected that you see this commitment through.

 

[hungrydoc710]

It’s in my contract that it is not allowed to repay the government for the scholarship because you decide you don’t want to do it anymore. You signed a contract and committed to it. It’s expected that you see this commitment through.

Lol ok

 

[95ragtop]

I’m just trying to see if I’ll ever have chance at the HPSP at all and by the requirements
It looks like I won’t but then people act like all you need is an acceptance letter

I required a waiver when I applied due to a low CARS score on my MCAT. I'm pretty sure the waiver was a memo by the recruiter's BN Commander, took a couple weeks to get. I had an acceptance in hand when I applied, which I believe helped a lot (along with being prior service).

 

[Helpful Troll]

... she was lied to and that specialities are as possible thru this military/army route.

@hungrydoc710 - What specialties is she considering that are not possible through the military/army route? Plastic Surgery Integrated? Thoracic Surgery Integrated? Internal Medicine/Pediatrics combined?

 

[Gastrapathy]

If someone signs up nowadays with all the info here, caveat emptor.

 

[armytrainingsir]

If someone signs up nowadays with all the info here, caveat emptor.

LOL, if anyone goes into medicine nowadays, caveat emptor.