Should I go for NHSC?

[Saint Richie]

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Alright, so I just started my D2 year. I applied for the NHSC scholarship a few months ago, and now I'm a finalist for a 3-year scholarship contract. They're asking for my electronic signature, which isn't valid until the secretary also signs it, but I assume that this is my last chance to have an option (as in, if they say I got it, I can't back out).

I'm an OOS student who will be racking up about $420k of loans before I graduate and before interest. On one hand, its great to have only my first year's tuition to worry about. I believe I could easily pay that off by the time I finish my contract assuming I live "like a student." I'm also fond of community service. On the other hand, I'm concerned about how much choice and freedom I get with this contract. I understand there are huge repercussions if I don't hold a job during the 3 years.

I guess my biggest worry is about "missing out" before I even got started. I can't say whether or not someone will approach me with a job before I graduate that is enticing. I originally wanted to become an associate so that I could have a mentor figure during my first years out of school. Then once I got more experience and know-how, I'd open my own practice. Now, I believe that I shouldn't worry about having to put down a good offer from someone else because I'm under NHSC - whatever salary or benefits they have, I feel, would be hard to beat no monthly payments or debt (or in my case, very small payments).

I want to love where I work, the people I work with, and the people I'll treat. My only job experience has been bussing tables and taking out trash - and although I worked with people I hated, bosses and coworkers alike, I also liked going to those same jobs cause of customers or coworkers and bosses I enjoyed. I easily worked 40 hours a week at those jobs, and for a time, I worked 2 jobs for a total of 75 hours a week just so I could go to Europe with my mother - I'm not one to complain about work, just that it needs to be done and be done well. I figured it'd be the same here, but I feel like its even more important I like my workplace because this will be my first 3 years out of school - learning how to patient care, manage, finance, etc. Maybe I'm overthinking it - afterall, 3 years to be debt-free is not too bad or too long, even considering that I'm free to transfer jobs so long as I find myself a new one.

I don't know, I've freaked myself out with all the horror stories I've heard from people who took the scholarship, and I don't want that to be me. I want to make the right decision, but I'm only into my second year of my dental career - I have no wisdom or insight to be certain if taking the scholarship is good or bad. People in my class told me it seems like a good deal when I talked to them briefly about it. And its late right now, but I was going to call some family this weekend as well.

I have until Monday to tell NHSC what my decision is. I would like more insight though.

 

[cooliyak]

Alright, so I just started my D2 year. I applied for the NHSC scholarship a few months ago, and now I'm a finalist for a 3-year scholarship contract. They're asking for my electronic signature, which isn't valid until the secretary also signs it, but I assume that this is my last chance to have an option (as in, if they say I got it, I can't back out).

I'm an OOS student who will be racking up about $420k of loans before I graduate and before interest. On one hand, its great to have only my first year's tuition to worry about. I believe I could easily pay that off by the time I finish my contract assuming I live "like a student." I'm also fond of community service. On the other hand, I'm concerned about how much choice and freedom I get with this contract. I understand there are huge repercussions if I don't hold a job during the 3 years.

I guess my biggest worry is about "missing out" before I even got started. I can't say whether or not someone will approach me with a job before I graduate that is enticing. I originally wanted to become an associate so that I could have a mentor figure during my first years out of school. Then once I got more experience and know-how, I'd open my own practice. Now, I believe that I shouldn't worry about having to put down a good offer from someone else because I'm under NHSC - whatever salary or benefits they have, I feel, would be hard to beat no monthly payments or debt (or in my case, very small payments).

I want to love where I work, the people I work with, and the people I'll treat. My only job experience has been bussing tables and taking out trash - and although I worked with people I hated, bosses and coworkers alike, I also liked going to those same jobs cause of customers or coworkers and bosses I enjoyed. I easily worked 40 hours a week at those jobs, and for a time, I worked 2 jobs for a total of 75 hours a week just so I could go to Europe with my mother - I'm not one to complain about work, just that it needs to be done and be done well. I figured it'd be the same here, but I feel like its even more important I like my workplace because this will be my first 3 years out of school - learning how to patient care, manage, finance, etc. Maybe I'm overthinking it - afterall, 3 years to be debt-free is not too bad or too long, even considering that I'm free to transfer jobs so long as I find myself a new one.

I don't know, I've freaked myself out with all the horror stories I've heard from people who took the scholarship, and I don't want that to be me. I want to make the right decision, but I'm only into my second year of my dental career - I have no wisdom or insight to be certain if taking the scholarship is good or bad. People in my class told me it seems like a good deal when I talked to them briefly about it. And its late right now, but I was going to call some family this weekend as well.

I have until Monday to tell NHSC what my decision is. I would like more insight though.

I say just do it. You’ll be in a better place financially after 3 years than most of your classmates after 10. If you hate where you work, you can either find somewhere else or put up with it while taking advantage of the benefits knowing it’s short term. I’m just beginning my 3rd year of service and it has flown by (for the most part).

 

[Ms.2:30]

Depends on you. I met dentists that regrets doing it because the population is so tough and management is ****. I have seen some on SDN say it's A-OK.
You do you

 

[Jlm50]

Alright, so I just started my D2 year. I applied for the NHSC scholarship a few months ago, and now I'm a finalist for a 3-year scholarship contract. They're asking for my electronic signature, which isn't valid until the secretary also signs it, but I assume that this is my last chance to have an option (as in, if they say I got it, I can't back out).

I'm an OOS student who will be racking up about $420k of loans before I graduate and before interest. On one hand, its great to have only my first year's tuition to worry about. I believe I could easily pay that off by the time I finish my contract assuming I live "like a student." I'm also fond of community service. On the other hand, I'm concerned about how much choice and freedom I get with this contract. I understand there are huge repercussions if I don't hold a job during the 3 years.

I guess my biggest worry is about "missing out" before I even got started. I can't say whether or not someone will approach me with a job before I graduate that is enticing. I originally wanted to become an associate so that I could have a mentor figure during my first years out of school. Then once I got more experience and know-how, I'd open my own practice. Now, I believe that I shouldn't worry about having to put down a good offer from someone else because I'm under NHSC - whatever salary or benefits they have, I feel, would be hard to beat no monthly payments or debt (or in my case, very small payments).

I want to love where I work, the people I work with, and the people I'll treat. My only job experience has been bussing tables and taking out trash - and although I worked with people I hated, bosses and coworkers alike, I also liked going to those same jobs cause of customers or coworkers and bosses I enjoyed. I easily worked 40 hours a week at those jobs, and for a time, I worked 2 jobs for a total of 75 hours a week just so I could go to Europe with my mother - I'm not one to complain about work, just that it needs to be done and be done well. I figured it'd be the same here, but I feel like its even more important I like my workplace because this will be my first 3 years out of school - learning how to patient care, manage, finance, etc. Maybe I'm overthinking it - afterall, 3 years to be debt-free is not too bad or too long, even considering that I'm free to transfer jobs so long as I find myself a new one.

I don't know, I've freaked myself out with all the horror stories I've heard from people who took the scholarship, and I don't want that to be me. I want to make the right decision, but I'm only into my second year of my dental career - I have no wisdom or insight to be certain if taking the scholarship is good or bad. People in my class told me it seems like a good deal when I talked to them briefly about it. And its late right now, but I was going to call some family this weekend as well.

I have until Monday to tell NHSC what my decision is. I would like more insight though.

I'm an NHSC scholar, just started D2.
I think it's all about mind set, honestly. Don't expect the NHSC to bend over backwards and be lenient about the expectations. Find a job that is approved within 6 months, work the required amount, and submit your paperwork on time. It's an awesome deal. My classmates will have taken out 450k at the end of the 4 year and if you pay that bak in 20 years, you will have paid almost 2 million dollars according to financial aid. 2 MILLION DOLLARS this scholarship is potentially saving me from. So if I don't completely LOVE where I'm at for 4 years... for 2 million dollars I'll suck it up.

 

[TanMan]

Alright, so I just started my D2 year. I applied for the NHSC scholarship a few months ago, and now I'm a finalist for a 3-year scholarship contract. They're asking for my electronic signature, which isn't valid until the secretary also signs it, but I assume that this is my last chance to have an option (as in, if they say I got it, I can't back out).

I'm an OOS student who will be racking up about $420k of loans before I graduate and before interest. On one hand, its great to have only my first year's tuition to worry about. I believe I could easily pay that off by the time I finish my contract assuming I live "like a student." I'm also fond of community service. On the other hand, I'm concerned about how much choice and freedom I get with this contract. I understand there are huge repercussions if I don't hold a job during the 3 years.

I guess my biggest worry is about "missing out" before I even got started. I can't say whether or not someone will approach me with a job before I graduate that is enticing. I originally wanted to become an associate so that I could have a mentor figure during my first years out of school. Then once I got more experience and know-how, I'd open my own practice. Now, I believe that I shouldn't worry about having to put down a good offer from someone else because I'm under NHSC - whatever salary or benefits they have, I feel, would be hard to beat no monthly payments or debt (or in my case, very small payments).

I want to love where I work, the people I work with, and the people I'll treat. My only job experience has been bussing tables and taking out trash - and although I worked with people I hated, bosses and coworkers alike, I also liked going to those same jobs cause of customers or coworkers and bosses I enjoyed. I easily worked 40 hours a week at those jobs, and for a time, I worked 2 jobs for a total of 75 hours a week just so I could go to Europe with my mother - I'm not one to complain about work, just that it needs to be done and be done well. I figured it'd be the same here, but I feel like its even more important I like my workplace because this will be my first 3 years out of school - learning how to patient care, manage, finance, etc. Maybe I'm overthinking it - afterall, 3 years to be debt-free is not too bad or too long, even considering that I'm free to transfer jobs so long as I find myself a new one.

I don't know, I've freaked myself out with all the horror stories I've heard from people who took the scholarship, and I don't want that to be me. I want to make the right decision, but I'm only into my second year of my dental career - I have no wisdom or insight to be certain if taking the scholarship is good or bad. People in my class told me it seems like a good deal when I talked to them briefly about it. And its late right now, but I was going to call some family this weekend as well.

I have until Monday to tell NHSC what my decision is. I would like more insight though.

Do they pay you well, and how long do you have to commit to the program? Look at opportunity cost of PP v. debt free.

I'm an NHSC scholar, just started D2.
I think it's all about mind set, honestly. Don't expect the NHSC to bend over backwards and be lenient about the expectations. Find a job that is approved within 6 months, work the required amount, and submit your paperwork on time. It's an awesome deal. My classmates will have taken out 450k at the end of the 4 year and if you pay that bak in 20 years, you will have paid almost 2 million dollars according to financial aid. 2 MILLION DOLLARS this scholarship is potentially saving me from. So if I don't completely LOVE where I'm at for 4 years... for 2 million dollars I'll suck it up.

20 years is extreme, why would anyone take 20 years to pay it back or have to, for that matter? Aren't student loans usually on a 10 year repayment plan?

 

[lemoncurry]

Just do it. 4 years is NOTHING. I wish I could go back and do it again and apply for it.

 

[TanMan]

Just do it. 4 years is NOTHING. I wish I could go back and do it again and apply for it.

I beg to differ. That's gotta be 4-8% (assume 50-100 year life span) of your life and a large chunk of your prime working life. 4 years in your 20's and 30's are pretty valuable to me.

 

[Vicviper]

I'm doing the NHSC loan forgiveness for people who already graduated, aka, 25k per year. I love working in public health so for me its just extra free money. If I was in your shoes I would sign in a heartbeat. Just do your due diligence when you're applying for jobs, some health centers are great, some suck. I also consider the public health patient population to be much easier to work with, and often much more appreciative of your work than with higher end private practice, that's for sure. Like Lemon said, If I could pay off my loans in 4 years, I would do it in a heartbeat, as long as the working conditions don't totally suck.

I'm here doing PSLF with the occasional NHSC money infusion, not nearly as good of a situation as the 3 year program! If my kids want to be dentists, I'll tell them to do military or NHSC. The amount of debt that dental school is putting people into is not realistic anymore. If you're working in private practice you're not going to be making the extra 300K over 3 years you'd essentially be giving up by not doing this program, and remember, that's not counting taxes.

 

[lemoncurry]

I beg to differ. That's gotta be 4-8% (assume 50-100 year life span) of your life and a large chunk of your prime working life. 4 years in your 20's and 30's are pretty valuable to me.

I wouldn't say it is prime working life. You're still figuring out how to do real world dentistry and build up your speed and skills. Plus if you are in your 20's, that means your spirit of adventure should still be pretty high, and what better than to take you out of your comfort zone and put you in an underserved area where you need that spirit of adventure to expand your horizons beyond the typical weekend at the club in LA or NYC.

 

[averageasian]

Do it. people on here justify turning down HPSP etc. b/c "ill just work hard/save hard" in DS and ill make 150K after graduation. This is so unrealistic. The kids at my school on loans are the ones with the most expensive phones etc. and only wear figs. Please do not be this stupid.

I know someone who turned down HPSP and is attending MUSC as OOS (google their tuition if you're hypotensive). This is probably as bad as attending USC Tufts NYU and their COA.

Then again, I don’t want you in my navy or an impoverished community if youre just there for the money and will make me miserable

 

[TanMan]

I wouldn't say it is prime working life. You're still figuring out how to do real world dentistry and build up your speed and skills. Plus if you are in your 20's, that means your spirit of adventure should still be pretty high, and what better than to take you out of your comfort zone and put you in an underserved area where you need that spirit of adventure to expand your horizons beyond the typical weekend at the club in LA or NYC.

I suppose "prime working life"could be definied as being in your physical/mental prime where you have more physical strength/energy and mental endurance to work harder/longer to make more money if you have the discipline to do so. If working in an underserved area was more profitable and gave you tremendous work experience, then why not? 4 years is still a lot to sacrifice though if it meant losing money or experience, under the assumption that you live to be 50 or even 60.