Navy HPSP 3 year or $20,000

[jjdd]

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I am fortunate enough to receive the 3 year Navy HPSP. However, to receive the $20,000 signing bonus you need to sign a 4 year contract. I am currently leaning towards taking the 3 year HPSP as I do not see the Navy as a long term career. I am very excited to serve my country, but overall I would like to get out into private practice eventually. Can anyone offer insight into potential plusses or minus to taking the bonus? Or just staying with the 3 year commitment? Thanks in advance. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[LFA20]

Do the 3 year

 

[Incis0r]

I am fortunate enough to receive the 3 year Navy HPSP. However, to receive the $20,000 signing bonus you need to sign a 4 year contract. I am currently leaning towards taking the 3 year HPSP as I do not see the Navy as a long term career. I am very excited to serve my country, but overall I would like to get out into private practice eventually. Can anyone offer insight into potential plusses or minus to taking the bonus? Or just staying with the 3 year commitment? Thanks in advance. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Congratulations!!
I'd probably stick to the 3-year then since you get into private practice one year sooner.

 

[matty675]

No Brainer in my opinion. Don't take the bonus.

 

[ktran17]

I would take the 3 year HPSP. You can always renew your contract when your ADSO is up.

 

[navydentist]

3 year. You have more leverage with them. If you decide you like it and want to do another tour you can get a retention bonus on the backend.

 

[jjdd]

Thanks for the help guys. I am leaning towards the 3 year as well. Recruiter obviously wants me to rethink it. Does anyone know what the retention bonus is if I decide to stay in?

 

[Incis0r]

Thanks for the help guys. I am leaning towards the 3 year as well. Recruiter obviously wants me to rethink it. Does anyone know what the retention bonus is if I decide to stay in?

Depends on your specialty. For example, if you go COMP (2 yr AEGD) and commit four more years, it is 50K/yr.

 

[matty675]

Also, One thing that I did not consider in my last response is the incentive pay of $20k/yr that you will receive while on active duty. I believe that you must sign a 4yr contract to receive it.

 

[IlDestriero]

Also, One thing that I did not consider in my last response is the incentive pay of $20k/yr that you will receive while on active duty. I believe that you must sign a 4yr contract to receive it.

I'm not sure what pay you are referring to, but 3 and 4 year HPSPs get paid the same on active duty. The big bonus only comes when you sign on for 4 more years after you're commitment is up. I did 3 BTW and highly recommend it!

 

[matty675]

I'm sorry, I went back and looked and the Incentive Pay does not require you to sign a 4 year contract. It does; however, contract you to serve an entire year from the date of accepting IP.

 

[Redskins5]

Can you apply for 3 or 4 year HPSP before dental school or is the 3 year only for first year dental students??

Also if I wanted to do an AEGD or GPR would the 3 or 4 year be better?

 

[jjdd]

I applied to the 4 year HPSP program but ended up being accepted to UoP and they were able to change in to a 3 year commitment without the signing bonus (If you take the bonus you are required to commit to 4 years). I know of people that were not accepted for their first year of dental school so they applied during first year and got the 3 year scholarship to cover the cost of the remaining 3 years.

I have heard that 4 year is better if you want to do AEGD or any other specialty. They are more likely to choose someone with more time to serve as it makes a better investment for them in the long run. You wouldn't want to train someone and then loose them a year or two earlier than another candidate. Makes sense to choose those that will be around longer.

 

[NAVY_HLTHCR_NY]

take the 3 year, no bonus, since you are already looking forward to getting out.... might as well

 

[Hedgy]

If you plan on doing an AEGD/GPR, you will add a year, so 4 years. So, shoot for a 3-year tour overseas, Marines, or shore duty (good luck on that). If no AEGD/GPR, credentialing tour for 1 year, 2 year duty-ship/SeaBees/Stateside Marines. I wouldn't recommend the bonus if you are planning on getting out.

 

[jjdd]

Any insight into where I will be stationed for the credentialing tour???

 

[Incis0r]

Any insight into where I will be stationed for the credentialing tour???

I know this wasn't your question, but I've read that the AEGDs in the military are AMAZING programs, and multiple military dentists have confirmed this for me on private message.

I know you want to get out and into Private Practice ASAP, but I'd really think carefully before turning down an AEGD. There is a chance that you may get the experience of an AEGD unofficially if you do a credentialing tour at a location where a 1-year AEGD is located, but an AEGD gives you the certainty that you can tackle MANY different kinds of procedures, it has the nice formal CE credits associated with it, and it can help you a lot when you go into private practice.

 

[WhizKid90]

Two weeks after I emailed my recruiter about the possibility of a 3 year scholarship he replied with "We don't offer three year spots but if something changes I will notify you". Preeetty sure this guy is full of it since I KNOW people that currently have a 3 year scholarship... any suggestions SDN?

 

[jjdd]

Never trust anything the recruiter says. They come off nice and helpful but only look after themselves. They will be on your case until you apply and then you can't get them to respond for just about anything unless they need more info to submit your package. I'm not sure if Navy has a straight 3 year scholarship. Mine was a 4-year then was changed due to my school selection. I know airforce has a 3-year that many people apply for after their first year. The military won't give you a 3 year scholarship until after (Apply during) your first year. Maybe he thinks you are apply for a 3 year for a 4 year school. You'd be missing money for the 4th year of school.

 

[vellnueve]

Two weeks after I emailed my recruiter about the possibility of a 3 year scholarship he replied with "We don't offer three year spots but if something changes I will notify you". Preeetty sure this guy is full of it since I KNOW people that currently have a 3 year scholarship... any suggestions SDN?

Just because people are on 3 year scholarships doesn't mean they're available now. The Navy is overstuffed on GDs due to higher retention. They don't need to attract more people with the 3 year scholarships.