- Joined
- May 31, 2017
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
So I'm a graduating senior now who wants to become an orthodontist. I've wanted to become this for years for various reasons.
I know becoming an orthodontist is extremely competitive so I'm attending the Citadel, which is the military college of South Carolina next semester. The Citadel is unique because it is one of the few colleges where I can do ROTC for 4 years and not have any requirements to serve in the armed forces. In fact, 2/3 of the students never enter the military. I plan to major in Biology for preparation for dentistry. I plan to minor in whatever is close to the classes i'm already already taking. I've been in JROTC for 4 years and am very confident that I will excel in the military environment.
Here's my problem,
I'm out of state, and the total tuition is very expensive. I've filled out my FASFA and received 5,500 total of tuition assistance per year. The Citadel costs yearly about 50,000. There's possibilities of receiving scholarships while attending the Citadel but this isn't guaranteed. This will potentially land me in almost $200k debt. Then debt will then grow when I go to dental and orthodontics school, i haven't yet calculated total estimated debt. I have residency in North Carolina which means I can potentially get in state tuition for UNC Chapel Hill which is home to a great dental program.
I'm under the impression that if I attend the Citadel I'll be building a great reputation, building myself as a person, and a creating an extremely competitive resume to get accepted into a dental and ortho program.
Is it wise to join the Army Reserves for my next 10 years of schooling?
From my understanding:
I'm participating in a skype "meeting" with a recruiter from the Army Reserves, a recruiter from the Citadel, and my loving mother so even if you're not an expert, but you have questions that you think I should ask please let me know below and I'll ask.
I'll be sure to keep this forum updated as I figure things out.
I know becoming an orthodontist is extremely competitive so I'm attending the Citadel, which is the military college of South Carolina next semester. The Citadel is unique because it is one of the few colleges where I can do ROTC for 4 years and not have any requirements to serve in the armed forces. In fact, 2/3 of the students never enter the military. I plan to major in Biology for preparation for dentistry. I plan to minor in whatever is close to the classes i'm already already taking. I've been in JROTC for 4 years and am very confident that I will excel in the military environment.
Here's my problem,
I'm out of state, and the total tuition is very expensive. I've filled out my FASFA and received 5,500 total of tuition assistance per year. The Citadel costs yearly about 50,000. There's possibilities of receiving scholarships while attending the Citadel but this isn't guaranteed. This will potentially land me in almost $200k debt. Then debt will then grow when I go to dental and orthodontics school, i haven't yet calculated total estimated debt. I have residency in North Carolina which means I can potentially get in state tuition for UNC Chapel Hill which is home to a great dental program.
I'm under the impression that if I attend the Citadel I'll be building a great reputation, building myself as a person, and a creating an extremely competitive resume to get accepted into a dental and ortho program.
Is it wise to join the Army Reserves for my next 10 years of schooling?
From my understanding:
- They will pay a large sum of my schooling.. dropping me down to almost no debt straight out of orthodontics school
- I'll receive a monthly check for being in the reserves, while in school, which I can save up, helping me purchase/open a practice
- While I'm in school, my education won't be seriously interrupted
- I don't need to participate in the "boot camp" the army reserves has due to me being in the Citadel
- I'll attend a weekend of drill per month, shadowing a 2nd LT or higher, who is in the dentistry field (granting me competitive resume experience)
- 10 years of part time army reserves while in school commits me to an additional 10 years of part time reserves after graduation (which is a guaranteed income)
- Upon graduation of the Citadel I'll be an officer (due to the 4 years of ROTC)
- Upon graduation of dentistry school/ortho school I'll be considered a doctor, granting me the rank of Captain or higher (with the pay)
- It's unlikely that I will be deployed even after graduation, which allows me to work with other orthodontists in my area or allows me to open a practice
- 10 years of schooling reserves, plus the 10 years of required reserves grants me access to the 20 year retirement plan
I'm participating in a skype "meeting" with a recruiter from the Army Reserves, a recruiter from the Citadel, and my loving mother so even if you're not an expert, but you have questions that you think I should ask please let me know below and I'll ask.
I'll be sure to keep this forum updated as I figure things out.