some basic info wanted about hpsp

[the4ork]

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Hello all,

Im a prior service enlisted AF vet, just turned 31 years of age, and I graduate with a BS in small business management from university of phoenix in 8 months.

I dont really have a whole lot of resources at my disposal in medicine, my family is all pilots, so please excuse any ignorance you may perceive, as I am unfortunately very ignorant of the field.

I really have my heart set on the next step and its to attend an optometry school.

There doesnt seem to be a whole lot of information about hpsp, and although I just found out about it today, I thought I'd ask the community.

So here I am, I'm looking for any advice on where to start, who to talk to, what to read, what to avoid - That sort of thing.

My first and foremost question is however, what is my next immediate step? Do i need to finish a masters program? do i need to take some more core medical related courses? (bio, chem, math)

Again, sorry for sounding ignorant but i really dont know who to talk to about this basic info, thats why I'm here.

 

[optsuker]

Prior HPSP doc here:

Step 1: Check out opted.org to learn about the profession (includes list of all schools and what courses you'll need to take before applying.
Step 2: Shadow a couple OD's in different settings (private practice, corporate, hospital)

If you're still interested, you'll need to take the pre-requisite classes and take the OAT (entrance test). With a business degree, you'll have a lot of science/chem to take before trying to take the OAT test. Don't really need to do it as part of a masters program
As a prior enlisted, you'd have a leg up on landing a HPSP scholarship, but you need to be accepted and enrolled at an accredited optometry school BEFORE you can apply for HPSP.
Covers nearly all costs for school, plus a stipend. You'll owe 4 years on active duty, plus some reserve time when done, but many prior service guys are well on their way to qualifying for retirement & stay long enough for that.

Local recruiting office will not know much about HPSP, but can put you in touch with a Medical Service recruiter that will. Expect that they won't put a lot of effort into recruiting you until you're in an optometry school.

 

[SunA21]

I'll add my two cents:

HPSP is available for Army and Navy. Air Force technically has one too but they're not taking any applicants this year (nor did they take any last year, not enough spots, i guess). There are 4, 3, and 2-year scholarships. If you have a 2 or 3-year scholarship you owe 3 years active duty when you get out, and a 4-year scholarship is 4 years active duty like optsuker said before.

I went through the Navy HPSP process last year and my Medical Service recruiter was very helpful even before I got accepted. I think I got most of the paperwork and such out of the way before I attended any interviews at least.

For you it sounds like you can't apply to optometry school until at least next summer since you're still working on your BS and need to take the OAT. But definitely shadow first, lots of different optometrists, just to make sure you really want this. Schools will also ask you "why optometry" and shadowing experience is the strongest type of answer.

Feel free to PM me with questions