Is the HPSP now competitive?

[Modonnell121]

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[umfc7181]

All I can say is there are a lot more people applying which means get everything processed as soon as possible. I had many problems with Navy recruiting in my area that led to a long delay to get my application sent in, got approved but am an alternate ( for a 3 year which has a lot less slots) because they filled their quota.

 

[Modonnell121]

All I can say is there are a lot more people applying which means get everything processed as soon as possible. I had many problems with Navy recruiting in my area that led to a long delay to get my application sent in, got approved but am an alternate ( for a 3 year which has a lot less slots) because they filled their quota.

That's what I'm gonna do. So I plan on applying to med school in like June, when do applications open for HPSP? Can I apply before I have been accepted to a school?

 

[Red Lobster Actual]

That's what I'm gonna do. So I plan on applying to med school in like June, when do applications open for HPSP? Can I apply before I have been accepted to a school?

It's always "open" so to speak since the process takes so darn long. But a new batch of spots are offered every October with the government's fiscal year.

You can apply before your acceptance and and this is highly encouraged.

 

[DJones13]

Just got accepted for Army HPSP with 29 MCAT 3.6 GPA for a DO program. I was accepted out of the March 16th review board.

I believe that the Army has the most spots to give but am not 100% sure on that , so take it with a grain of salt.

Definitely apply early before you have an acceptance in hand.

 

[Modonnell121]

Just got accepted for Army HPSP with 29 MCAT 3.6 GPA for a DO program. I was accepted out of the March 16th review board.

I believe that the Army has the most spots to give but am not 100% sure on that , so take it with a grain of salt.

Definitely apply early before you have an acceptance in hand.

So are you starting med school this year?

 

[DJones13]

So are you starting med school this year?

Yes, I'll be starting in August. Feel free to PM me and I'll help as best I can.

 

[Modonnell121]

Yes, I'll be starting in August. Feel free to PM me and I'll help as best I can.

Thanks for the help, I'll do that if I need to.

 

[Modonnell121]

If anybody else wants to share the stats they got accepted with (or rejected) in last few years, that would be helpful.

 

[packersfans]

I was selected in March selection board. I have average stats, above average ECs (including some military related ones). I believe the selection board for the branch I applied went something like 60%, 73%, 97% and maybe upper 90% for the last one. (Im pulling those number off the cuff based on what I remember from my recruiter telling me). My recruiter expected 100% for the last selection since there were spots to fill, but said there were actually people rejected (he seemed surprised). I was told 10 years ago it was something like 40-50% selection rates on average, I guess there is just alot less applicants.

My anecdotal guess is if you are competitive enough to get into school, you are competitive enough to get selected for HPSP. Most the people who were not selected probably were not selected because the board didn't feel they met the mission. There is a short personal statement you have to write with the app (why you want to join, what you hope to offer), as long as your answer is about how you want "free" money I think you are good.

@Modnnell121 you can apply before being accepted to a medical school if you are "matrix" qualified. Something like 31 MCAT 3.6 GPA. Apply early. I had small hiccups along the way that were no fault of my own and got delayed to a later selection board.

 

[Modonnell121]

I was selected in March selection board. I have average stats, above average ECs (including some military related ones). I believe the selection board for the branch I applied went something like 60%, 73%, 97% and maybe upper 90% for the last one. (Im pulling those number off the cuff based on what I remember from my recruiter telling me). My recruiter expected 100% for the last selection since there were spots to fill, but said there were actually people rejected (he seemed surprised). I was told 10 years ago it was something like 40-50% selection rates on average, I guess there is just alot less applicants.

My anecdotal guess is if you are competitive enough to get into school, you are competitive enough to get selected for HPSP. Most the people who were not selected probably were not selected because the board didn't feel they met the mission. There is a short personal statement you have to write with the app (why you want to join, what you hope to offer), as long as your answer is about how you want "free" money I think you are good.

@Modnnell121 you can apply before being accepted to a medical school if you are "matrix" qualified. Something like 31 MCAT 3.6 GPA. Apply early. I had small hiccups along the way that were no fault of my own and got delayed to a later selection board.

lol I think you meant to write "not about how you want free money". thanks for those selection rate numbers, that's very interesting. it seems like the early boards may be more selective, can you apply multiple times?

 

[packersfans]

lol I think you meant to write "not about how you want free money". thanks for those selection rate numbers, that's very interesting. it seems like the early boards may be more selective, can you apply multiple times?

Correct should have said "not" about the free money.

I'm not sure if early boards are generally more selective or maybe just a result of small applicant pool in the early stages. The application can be pretty onerous, I have a hard time believing they get as many apps in the early part of the year compared to late. My app was rather complicated due to alot of documentation I had to gather. Not sure about applying multiple times, if I was not selected I probably wouldnt attempt to apply again. I'd just take it as a sign lol

 

[HighPriest]

Even when I made the mistake of taking the HPSP contract many years ago there were rumors and heresay about how competative it was. My recruiters told me you needed an MCAT score of 30 to be strongly considered. After I was accepted, I found out that a lot of my colleagues didn't meet that expectation. Luckily there is a sure-fire, never miss way to find out if you have a chance of getting accepted: apply. Its a guaranteed answer. The only downside is that you might do a little work and then not get an offer. If that isn't worth the risk, then don't apply.

 

[Modonnell121]

Even when I made the mistake of taking the HPSP contract many years ago there were rumors and heresay about how competative it was. My recruiters told me you needed an MCAT score of 30 to be strongly considered. After I was accepted, I found out that a lot of my colleagues didn't meet that expectation. Luckily there is a sure-fire, never miss way to find out if you have a chance of getting accepted: apply. Its a guaranteed answer. The only downside is that you might do a little work and then not get an offer. If that isn't worth the risk, then don't apply.

That's true, I am definitely going to apply very soon; I'm just curious about my chances.

 

[HighPriest]

That's true, I am definitely going to apply very soon; I'm just curious about my chances.

Roger. I understand it is stressful. The only real answer is that you either have a 100% chance or a 0% chance. Believe me when I say that looking for an exact answer to what your chances are is only going to result in conflicting information and more stress. I've been there.

 

[Modonnell121]

Thanks for the input everybody. I have a stupid question: can someone tell me where to apply for the HPSP? Do I have to go to a recruiting office to do this or is there an online app?

 

[DJones13]

Thanks for the input everybody. I have a stupid question: can someone tell me where to apply for the HPSP? Do I have to go to a recruiting office to do this or is there an online app?

You'll have to get in touch with the recruiter. There are a lot of forms to fill out in addition to providing fingerprints, hard copies of your birth certificate, SS card, etc.

 

[packersfans]

If you Google "Navy HPSP", "Army HPSP" or "Air Force HPSP" there is a contact form on the website. They will call you. Make sure you are clear that you are looking to apply to HPSP when you are on the phone with them. I ended up talking to someone for a month who thought I was someone in high school looking to enlist (asked me all sort of strange stuff and generally treated me like dirt lol).

 

[Modonnell121]

Thanks guys, I'm on it.