Importance of applying early?

[DynamicDental]

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I just wanted to get clarification on the idea that applying early to the HPSP scholarships will help your chances at receiving the scholarship. When people say that, do they mean get it in early for the first board because that is when there are the most scholarships and therefore your chances are better than if you were to wait a month afterward? Or do they mean as early as possible because that means, when the board comes, they will see yours first. For example, if someone were to finish their packet now and another was was to finish it next month (both are before the first board) would the person who completed it now, in September have any benefit? This may be a dumb question, but I hope someone can provide a clear answer. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tooth Ferry]

The first part is correct.

 

[Incis0r]

I just wanted to get clarification on the idea that applying early to the HPSP scholarships will help your chances at receiving the scholarship. When people say that, do they mean get it in early for the first board because that is when there are the most scholarships and therefore your chances are better than if you were to wait a month afterward? Or do they mean as early as possible because that means, when the board comes, they will see yours first. For example, if someone were to finish their packet now and another was was to finish it next month (both are before the first board) would the person who completed it now, in September have any benefit? This may be a dumb question, but I hope someone can provide a clear answer. Thanks in advance!

I'll give you an example.

I applied for the Navy HPSP last year. The Navy has one 4-year HPSP selection board before Dec. 1, and the rest after it.
To be considered on the pre-Dec board, you need a 22+ on your DAT.

In that first board, there were ~65 4-year scholarships available.
There were only five applicants.

By March/April, Navy was handing out alternate spots.

So in this case, yes, the earlier the better.

 

[deleted696582]

I was in the same situation as @Incis0r. If you play your cards right with the DAT and early board for the Navy, you're almost guaranteed a scholarship since you'll be one of a few people applying then. Not only does your DAT score have to be high, but you also have to want the scholarship and be aware that there even is an early board before December 1st. After that things get real competitive.

 

[DynamicDental]

Thank you all for the responses. It is much more clear now. A little off the topic of the original post, but since the Navy scholarship was brought up, I have a few questions about my situation and applying to the Navy.

I contacted a recruiter several months ago and told me it was a little early to start the application (It was like February) and told me to give him a call during the summer. I recently tried to give him a call and the number was changed to someone else and was no longer a dental recruiter. So I used Navy's website to find the closest one in my area and finally got in contact with a recruiter who was not a dental recruiter, I think he said he was a nursing and something else recruiter and that he would 'work on my application in the mean time". He seemed to know nothing at all. I asked him questions and had to constantly go back to his supervisor. I asked about the 22+ DAT score (I have a 23) and told me I needed an acceptance. I asked if I could transfer my approved DODMERB physical (I did this through the Air Force) and he told me I had to go back to MEPS, because he said the Navy has different standards and wanted me to change my answers to these forms because of their standards? I told him kindly, "No thank you, I'm not doing that". I then started to talk to a Army recruiter and had none of these problems what so ever! Basically I am asking, should I contact him again and ask to speak to a dental recruiter specifically , or should I try to find a recruiter out of my area? And how would this work?? Any advice would be great, thanks in advance!

 

[Incis0r]

I asked if I could transfer my approved DODMERB physical (I did this through the Air Force) and he told me I had to go back to MEPS, because he said the Navy has different standards and wanted me to change my answers to these forms because of their standards?

This makes no sense.
I had my physical done through the AF (at MEPS) and they transferred it to the Navy no problem.

Basically I am asking, should I contact him again and ask to speak to a dental recruiter specifically , or should I try to find a recruiter out of my area? And how would this work?? Any advice would be great, thanks in advance!

PM me where you are located and I can try to find you a recruiter.

 

[caffeine jitters]

My recruiter told me my packet had to be turned in by September 14th to be considered for the first selection board. He also mentioned that packets would need to be submitted before October 10th to "increase chances of being selected" during the second board. He said things were being run a little differently this year, which makes me think there may be more than 1 pre-December board meeting for the Navy.

 

[DynamicDental]

This is interesting, this is for Navy correct? Because I recently spoke with a recruiter who said the first board for Navy was January?

 

[caffeine jitters]

This is interesting, this is for Navy correct? Because I recently spoke with a recruiter who said the first board for Navy was January?

Yes this is for the Navy.

 

[ShortShortsDad]

It always helps to apply early. My situation was a bit unique since my undergrad was associated with the university dental school via an early acceptance program - I essentially had an acceptance to dental school early on during junior year. Since that is the last thing that your packet needs to go to the board they were able to board me months early thru a different AMEDD speciality. Again, unique situation but you see how it works out. When you have an acceptance earlier than your peers you are considered a stronger candidate and they want you more so your likelihood of getting the scholarship goes up the earlier your packet is complete and can be sent to the board (with that last step of having a dental school acceptance).

 

[DynamicDental]

It always helps to apply early. My situation was a bit unique since my undergrad was associated with the university dental school via an early acceptance program - I essentially had an acceptance to dental school early on during junior year. Since that is the last thing that your packet needs to go to the board they were able to board me months early thru a different AMEDD speciality. Again, unique situation but you see how it works out. When you have an acceptance earlier than your peers you are considered a stronger candidate and they want you more so your likelihood of getting the scholarship goes up the earlier your packet is complete and can be sent to the board (with that last step of having a dental school acceptance).

Which program were you apart of? I am currently in one as well that sounds like the same situation as yours. Was there anything additional you had to do because of it?

 

[Armyhealth]

I just wanted to get clarification on the idea that applying early to the HPSP scholarships will help your chances at receiving the scholarship. When people say that, do they mean get it in early for the first board because that is when there are the most scholarships and therefore your chances are better than if you were to wait a month afterward? Or do they mean as early as possible because that means, when the board comes, they will see yours first. For example, if someone were to finish their packet now and another was was to finish it next month (both are before the first board) would the person who completed it now, in September have any benefit? This may be a dumb question, but I hope someone can provide a clear answer. Thanks in advance!

For Army it works a little different, we have a once a year board in late January so everyone applying has the same chance at getting accepted. Still good to start the process early because things can hold up the packet like your physical or scroll but as long as you make it to that January board you have a good shot.

 

[caffeine jitters]

Update: today my Navy recruiter told me that there is 1 board meeting per month and they will continue to meet each month until all 60 scholarships have been awarded.