sharktoothIE
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- Oct 22, 2019
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Hello,
I have been scouring the threads for a couple of days now, and finally decided the best approach was to lay out my situation and see what you guys think/have to say.
I am 18 and in my senior year of high school, applying to colleges.
I am sure that I want to be a doctor and go to med school, which is essentially priority number 1. But I have always felt something of an obligation or a want to serve my country in some capacity, even something little. I think that the experience and life lessons that come with it are essential, the commitment is proudly fulfilling, and (of course) could look good on applications of any type.
I have debated between AFROTC, but what I don't really want is to do ROTC then have a 4-year active-duty commitment, on top of the possibility of several more years of service if I would do HSPS for med school. It would be nice to have school paid for, but that is not my first priority.
-is it realistic to sign up for the AF Reserves now, then go to basic in the summer, then come back and do reserves throughout my 4 years of college?
-And what about the 2 years I would have left on my (assuming that I am right about having to serve 6 years) contract? Would it be possible to be in the reserves while in medical school? Or should I take 1 or even 2 years between college and medical school?
-If I do take 1-2 years off before med school, would this be a negative aspect to schools I am applying to? And am I correct in assuming that I would have the freedom and time to find some sort of extracurricular/medically related job to fill this 1-2 year gap with the reserves?
I don't mean to sound unpatriotic, but I am quite certain that I want a civilian medical career. I do not want to have 8-12 years of active service just to have my education paid for, due to the fact that by the time I get out and would be able to start a civilian medical career, I would be practically near retirement.
I realize all of these things are years off, but I would like to know my (even theoretical) options so that I can make the best and most informed decision before I sign a portion of the next 6 years away.
Any information or advice is greatly appreciated, thank you so much!
I have been scouring the threads for a couple of days now, and finally decided the best approach was to lay out my situation and see what you guys think/have to say.
I am 18 and in my senior year of high school, applying to colleges.
I am sure that I want to be a doctor and go to med school, which is essentially priority number 1. But I have always felt something of an obligation or a want to serve my country in some capacity, even something little. I think that the experience and life lessons that come with it are essential, the commitment is proudly fulfilling, and (of course) could look good on applications of any type.
I have debated between AFROTC, but what I don't really want is to do ROTC then have a 4-year active-duty commitment, on top of the possibility of several more years of service if I would do HSPS for med school. It would be nice to have school paid for, but that is not my first priority.
-is it realistic to sign up for the AF Reserves now, then go to basic in the summer, then come back and do reserves throughout my 4 years of college?
-And what about the 2 years I would have left on my (assuming that I am right about having to serve 6 years) contract? Would it be possible to be in the reserves while in medical school? Or should I take 1 or even 2 years between college and medical school?
-If I do take 1-2 years off before med school, would this be a negative aspect to schools I am applying to? And am I correct in assuming that I would have the freedom and time to find some sort of extracurricular/medically related job to fill this 1-2 year gap with the reserves?
I don't mean to sound unpatriotic, but I am quite certain that I want a civilian medical career. I do not want to have 8-12 years of active service just to have my education paid for, due to the fact that by the time I get out and would be able to start a civilian medical career, I would be practically near retirement.
I realize all of these things are years off, but I would like to know my (even theoretical) options so that I can make the best and most informed decision before I sign a portion of the next 6 years away.
Any information or advice is greatly appreciated, thank you so much!
