Hi,
I just finished my NHSC scholarship application today. I am just a first year student so I am not a huge expert. I just read the application booklet and went for it. I posted some questions on this topic last semester but only received a hail of negative messages from people who heard from somebody who knew someone who said it totally sucks.
🙄 It will definitely not be cushy but I want to work in the middle of nowhere so I think resources will be scarce no matter what I do.
I have been reassured that the area I prefer (Montana Idaho Wyoming) is so unpopular that I should not have a problem getting the spot I want - always assuming a spot like that is open when I get done with residency. It is scary to think that I could end up working in a federal prison rather than rural Montana, but I will worry about that after I get the scholarship. They are actually pretty competative (1 in 7 get a spot) so who knows.
The specialties:
Family Practice
General Internal Medicine
ObGyn
General Pediatrics
General Psychiatry
I don't know that any others are accepted but you can call. They are very good about answering questions that I have had so far. 1(800) 638-0824.
A lot of information is available at their web site
http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/.
The NHSC also has programs where you can shadow a doctor for a few weeks in the state you want to serve in. Information relating to these preceptorships is available at
http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/join_us/preceptor.asp.
I am going to try to do that this summer but I have not applied yet.
I would also love to hear from someone in the program.
Good luck