should I take the Navy HPSP offer

[Boronew]

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Hello! I was put on the waitlist for the Navy HPSP for the dental program, and yesterday, I got a call from my recruiter that I was offered the scholarship. The recruiter said if I get commissioned by next Tuesday, the Navy will be able to pay the Fall semester tuition as well, meaning it will be considered as the 4-year Navy HPSP.

I chose my instate school over my dream school due to the cost because, at that time, I wasn't offered the scholarship. Since now I have it, I don't know what to do with it. I've been always interested in the Navy since I was a kid, but since my school is in-state, the loan that I will be having by the time I graduate would be around 350K. I read a few posts that HPSP would be very worth it if your loan is more than 450K~500K.

If you guys are on the HPSP as well, what made you choose it? I want some insights on it! Thank you

 

[averageasian]

1. Are you ok with being deployed? living on a ship for 7-9 months? Moving somewhere you dont want to be?

I have had an overall positive experience in the navy but you have to know what you're signing up for. I've visited some amazing countries, qualified on multiple weapons systems, and fast roped out of a helicopter. All while being debt free. I wouldnt trade my experience for anything else.

If you dont want to do any of the things I listed, turn down your scholarship so someone can take it.

I have about had it with fellow junior officers who suck up HPSP money yet cower at the idea of leaving the comforts of a clinic if involves being deployed or being on a ship. I have done both, its not that bad.

 

[Boronew]

1. Are you ok with being deployed? living on a ship for 7-9 months? Moving somewhere you dont want to be?

I have had an overall positive experience in the navy but you have to know what you're signing up for. I've visited some amazing countries, qualified on multiple weapons systems, and fast roped out of a helicopter. All while being debt free. I wouldnt trade my experience for anything else.

If you dont want to do any of the things I listed, turn down your scholarship so someone can take it.

I have about had it with fellow junior officers who suck up HPSP money yet cower at the idea of leaving the comforts of a clinic if involves being deployed or being on a ship. I have done both, its not that bad.

Thanks for the response.
I'm not gonna lie, the navy uniform is the coolest uniform that I've ever seen in my life. It would be a huge honor to wear that as an officer and provide dental care for other sailors and their families.
You've been roped out of a helicopter as a dentist?! That's so cool. Can any Navy dentist do that?

 

[D1Bound]

Thanks for the response.
I'm not gonna lie, the navy uniform is the coolest uniform that I've ever seen in my life. It would be a huge honor to wear that as an officer and provide dental care for other sailors and their families.
You've been roped out of a helicopter as a dentist?! That's so cool. Can any Navy dentist do that?

The military will offer you some great opportunities. You’ll be debt free essentially immediately and you could moonlight. You could pretty well bring home 300k ish. You can receive great education and training in dentistry. There’s tons of military discounts and benefits, VA loan, etc. On the other hand, you will deal with many useless online trainings and courses you have to complete. You will be inundated with sexual harassment training. You will face countless headaches and incompetence when trying to accomplish simple administrative tasks. You will have no control of where you live, but you’ll have opportunities to live cool places. In the aftermath of our disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the military doesn’t exactly display strength and leadership. Weigh this choice carefully. Like anything else in life, there are pros and cons.

 

[averageasian]

Thanks for the response.
I'm not gonna lie, the navy uniform is the coolest uniform that I've ever seen in my life. It would be a huge honor to wear that as an officer and provide dental care for other sailors and their families.
You've been roped out of a helicopter as a dentist?! That's so cool. Can any Navy dentist do that?

depends what unit and billet you get paired with and if they are open to letting you do cool stuff.

 

[yappy]

Hello! I was put on the waitlist for the Navy HPSP for the dental program, and yesterday, I got a call from my recruiter that I was offered the scholarship. The recruiter said if I get commissioned by next Tuesday, the Navy will be able to pay the Fall semester tuition as well, meaning it will be considered as the 4-year Navy HPSP.

I chose my instate school over my dream school due to the cost because, at that time, I wasn't offered the scholarship. Since now I have it, I don't know what to do with it. I've been always interested in the Navy since I was a kid, but since my school is in-state, the loan that I will be having by the time I graduate would be around 350K. I read a few posts that HPSP would be very worth it if your loan is more than 450K~500K.

If you guys are on the HPSP as well, what made you choose it? I want some insights on it! Thank you

If military service appeals to you then 100% you should take the scholarship. It’s a great opportunity.

 

[LFA20]

Hello! I was put on the waitlist for the Navy HPSP for the dental program, and yesterday, I got a call from my recruiter that I was offered the scholarship. The recruiter said if I get commissioned by next Tuesday, the Navy will be able to pay the Fall semester tuition as well, meaning it will be considered as the 4-year Navy HPSP.

I chose my instate school over my dream school due to the cost because, at that time, I wasn't offered the scholarship. Since now I have it, I don't know what to do with it. I've been always interested in the Navy since I was a kid, but since my school is in-state, the loan that I will be having by the time I graduate would be around 350K. I read a few posts that HPSP would be very worth it if your loan is more than 450K~500K.

If you guys are on the HPSP as well, what made you choose it? I want some insights on it! Thank you

I'd still do it. 350k is still a ton of money.

I got into my state school years ago and my COA was less than $300k and I still did it.

 

[knewstance]

If you think you'd love the Navy, go for it.

If you're very confident in your future clinical abilities (speed, skill, ect) and your people skills, you'd come out ahead of the game by going into private practice from the start. If the motivation and execution is proper (and available opportunities), the money has a much higher potential out of the military.

 

[DDS.230]

Private practice has a higher ceiling in terms of earning potential but also a hit or miss, depending on which area you’re practicing. You can also get stuck at a ****ty associate position, where the owner hounds you for production and will eventually take away your base pay so you’re responsible for everything in terms of salary. On top of that you have days where patients cancel, no show, or just don’t want to spend the time/money that day to start treatment. Things really have to line up for you in order to make a lot of money right away, and even then some things are just out of your control. If you really want to increase earning potential, ownership is the way to go. If you want consistent pay and great benefits without the stress of selling treatment, then take the scholarship. It’s all about perspective and what’s important for you. If you have a family and kids, then military may be more appealing due to the benefits you get, health insurance, PTO, etc. good luck!

 

[Boronew]

So I accepted the offer last Tuesday. After that, the recruiter said "That's wonderful news, I will inform the team", and then she mentioned she was doing the congressional review (?) and said it might take a while. Since last Tuesday, it's been deadly silent from her, and this morning I texted her for the status update, and I haven't heard back from her.

Is this normal to take this long to process the offer? Is it possible for them to say "Ah nevermind, we changed our mind, and we're not going to offer you the scholarship anymore"
Thank you.

 

[D1Bound]

So I accepted the offer last Tuesday. After that, the recruiter said "That's wonderful news, I will inform the team", and then she mentioned she was doing the congressional review (?) and said it might take a while. Since last Tuesday, it's been deadly silent from her, and this morning I texted her for the status update, and I haven't heard back from her.

Is this normal to take this long to process the offer? Is it possible for them to say "Ah nevermind, we changed our mind, and we're not going to offer you the scholarship anymore"
Thank you.

It’s normal you’re fine.

 

[Greyangel6]

I've been a Navy dentist for about 5 years, going on 6th. There will be a lot of waiting and periods of rushing things. Just don't let it get to you. Even if you are not offered the scholarship, the other branches may offer 3-year ones when you start school. So if you really want to serve, that's not going to stop you.

 

[Pablo Sanchez]

If you are passionate about serving in the military, take the scholarship and run! I thank all of those serving for their service. It is very noble and it’s something to be proud of.

If you were motivated to apply for HPSP primarily out of financial interest, I’d probably recommend going into private practice. I’m a little over two years out of school, found a good associate position, and paid off my loans last year. I’d still be paying back my loans with service had I done the HPSP. I admit that I am lucky. There are plenty of associate positions that aren’t as lucrative as mine, but if you work hard, the money in private practice should be plentiful.