military scholarship advice?

[lilnoelle]

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I am a mother of two. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old. I am headed to medical school in the fall and considering applying for a military scholarship with the air force. I'm not a stranger to the military because my husband was in the Marine reserves which is a far cry from active duty (since he was never activated.) I'm concerned how being a medical doctor and in the military and a mother will affect my small children. (It doesn't help that my parents think that it will devastate my family). What do you think?

 

[QuikClot]

I think you are right to be concerned. What speciality are you interested in? If it's a primary care residency, you could get similar financial support for a similar time commitment, from an NIH scholarship, but without the risk of being seperated from your young childern for a year and a half or more.

 

[robh]

I am a mother of two. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old. I am headed to medical school in the fall and considering applying for a military scholarship with the air force. I'm not a stranger to the military because my husband was in the Marine reserves which is a far cry from active duty (since he was never activated.) I'm concerned how being a medical doctor and in the military and a mother will affect my small children. (It doesn't help that my parents think that it will devastate my family). What do you think?

You do know about NIH scholarships right? Medical school and residency are going to be hard enough on your family. The AF is going to ship you all over. At least with NIH you can stay home.

 

[lilnoelle]

You do know about NIH scholarships right? Medical school and residency are going to be hard enough on your family. The AF is going to ship you all over. At least with NIH you can stay home.

I'm leaning toward going into primary healthcare but am not absolutely positive that is what I'll end up doing. If I sign up with a state or with NHSC (not sure what NIH is) then I'm obligated to go into primary healthcare. I know there are other ways of getting loans reimbursed after residency, such as with a state or hospital, but the big benefit of the military is the fact that they cover everything (not just tuition) and that they give the monthly stipend. Considering my husband doesn't have a high paying job, he's gonna have a hard time providing for our needs while I'm in medical school so I'll have to take out loans for us to live on. Do you know, do programs that repay loans post-residency also pay for loans that aren't tuition or fees but are still in a school's financial aid package (i.e. gas, daycare expenses, etc)

 

[QuikClot]

Loans aren't the end of the world. This is your choice ultimately, but what would be the deal-breaker for me, apart from the prospect of being injured or killed, being obligated to participate in unjust and violent acts, and the fact that, at the end of the day, the military often doesn't do want it promises or care for its people, would be the prospect of an indefinite separation from my childern. That's not OK -- for Mom or Dad. It's one thing if you really, really believe that we belong in the Middle East fighting wars for Israel, or you are in and committed, or you can't find anything better. But there are other ways to pay for med school.

 

[robh]

I'm leaning toward going into primary healthcare but am not absolutely positive that is what I'll end up doing. If I sign up with a state or with NHSC (not sure what NIH is) then I'm obligated to go into primary healthcare. I know there are other ways of getting loans reimbursed after residency, such as with a state or hospital, but the big benefit of the military is the fact that they cover everything (not just tuition) and that they give the monthly stipend. Considering my husband doesn't have a high paying job, he's gonna have a hard time providing for our needs while I'm in medical school so I'll have to take out loans for us to live on. Do you know, do programs that repay loans post-residency also pay for loans that aren't tuition or fees but are still in a school's financial aid package (i.e. gas, daycare expenses, etc)

As far as I know they are the same. NIH is the umbrella, and the scholarship is for the NHSC. Yes you must do primary care and you must serve in an underserved area but just like the military, they will pay your tuition and a stipend. Actually there are two ways you can go about it. You can apply before med school and if they give you the scholarship it will pay tuition and a stipend, or you can apply after med school and it will repay your loans.

It is my understanding that residency can get kind of wacky in the military. As I recall, if you want to do a residency they don't need or want, they may make you do an intern year and then right to your first assignment. You will then be forced to complete your residency after the completion of your service commitment. Please verify this for yourself, as I heard this second hand.

I am not at all opposed to the military. I was in the Air Force at one time, but I don't think it is a great place for a mom with young children. I think you really need to weigh the costs against the benefits. Loans are not the end of the world. You will likely make a good living as a physician. Your loan repayments will be a manageable burden. A military career is not something you should embark upon solely to pay your medical school bills. It is a calling. If you don't believe in what you are doing, the sacrifices will be too much.

On the other hand, if you decide you want to go the military route, I salute you. Pay no attention to the xenophobic hypocrites who dance in the blood of the people who secure their freedom.

 

[Homunculus]

hey there. i noticed this thread when perusing the forums tonight. i used an army HPSP scholarship, and am currently in residency. honestly if i were in your situation, i would forego HPSP and take out loans. if you decide the miitary is what you really want to do, they have a financial assitance program that you can sign up under and get portions of your loans paid off.

feel free to PM any questions you may have, or to post in the military medicine forum.

--your friendly neighborhood military forum moderating admin caveman