What would YOU decide?

[kaos]

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USUHS or University of Maryland? 😕

I'm just curious what other people would decide in my place (Maryland resident) and why.

 

[Bob Dole]

University of Maryland ()for sure.

It's a great state school, and tuition is lower compared to private schools. USUHS might have a better deal for tuition (I'm not sure, but that's just what I'm assuming) but do you really want to commit your future to the army and such?

😀

 

[Kovox]

UMaryland

The law school, pharm school and dentistry skewl is right near you, so much nice eye candy mmmmmmmmmmm.

Haha, okay on a more serious note, I agree with what Bob said, you won't have to commit to the army if you attend UMaryland.😀

oh did I mention that as Umaryland med student, you can use UMBC's recreational center hehe.

 

[DW]

you really have to be committed to military medicine if you do usuhs. the payback is even greater than hpsp (7 years active plus another 13 inactive reserves). dont do usuhs just cause its free i would say.

as much as i found military medicine interesting, i'm leaning towards turning it down. i'm just not sure i'm ready to limit my options once i pick residencies and such yet, maybe i'll come back and work for uncle sam later. but if you're committed to military service, go for it 🙂

 

[Neuronix]

Definately UMaryland. It's a really good school and you'll get a great exposure to medicine in Baltimore in the series of excellent hospitals in the area. Further, there is great research there, albiet shadowed a bit by Hopkins.

 

[doepug]

Maryland all the way. Don't look back. I'd choose Maryland over USUHS in a heartbeat.

Go for it!
-doepug

 

[kaos]

Thanks for ur input, guys. All in favor of U of MD so far!

 

[postman]

I would choose USUHS over UMD any time of the day. It is the patriotic thing to do and Uncle Sam really wants you. On another note, does anyone know the USMLE I pass rate at USUHS?

 

[kaos]

OH! I forgot to mention that if I go to U of MD, I'll be doing HPSP. He he! 😀

 

[johnstoner]

why would you want to do hpsp for a state school? its not worth it financially unless you are doing it b/c you want the military experience. if thats the case then go to usuhs.

make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. my bro is in the army and he has to work christmas eve and christmas last minute too. and what if they send you to the boonies for a couple of years...thats not good.

 

[Jet915]

Kaos,
Unless you really want to be in the military really badly, I wouldnt do HPSP for a state school. What I would do is complete medical school and then apply to the fee assistance program (FAP) through the military and that way they will pay you like 40,000 extra during each year of your residency and afterwards you can still serve in the armed forces.

Jetson

 

[republicandr]

I was fortunate enough to be accepted to some private and state schools including my own (University of Washington). I was also accepted to USUHS. I think USUHS is a wonderful school and provides a great opportunity as a medical student. I spent several months examining USUHS and am probably not going to go there.

I am married with children and look to the seven years of payback. I know the military will move us every 2-3 years, some of which may be in Germany. Also, I may be deployed for up to one year without being able to be with my family.

My wife is interested in going back to school to obtain a pharmacy degree at some point, she would not be able to do that if I chose to go to USUHS, because I could be deployed or moved during her studies and we don't want to live apart. For my children, I think it would be better for them not to have to move so much.

Most of my reasons are based on family issues, if I were single, I would probably go USUHS. If I am interested later on, I could always join up (I could be a doctor and my wife a pharmacist) for the military.

Good luck, and don't rush the decision, you have until May 15th.

 

[johnstoner]

in your case i would go to maryland and if i still want to be in the military then do FAP like above post...it makes the most sense since UMD is pretty good school and the doctors there are cool (I had surgery there once by thoracic chair) he's cool

 

[phil413ru]

If you are not prior service, I would go to UofMD. USUHS is a wonderful school , but I would NOT go unless you are interested in having a military medicial career. USUHS is full blown military. Although I love it, I have experienced military, and it is definately not something you want to walk into unless absolutely SURE. HPSP theoretically after residency you only owe four year. HPSP also has 80% ECS rate--people leaving the miltary. Military life is especially hard if you have a familiy. YOu are a soldier first, doctor second. Military is first. Military life is not for everyone. If you know FOR SURE that you LOVE the military, and you would enjoy practicing medicine and being a U.S Army Officer, then do USUHS, otherwise do HPSP. Both routes lead to the military, only HPSP leaves a closer escape route.

Best luck! Feel free to PM if you want me to talk about Army!

 

[kaos]

Originally posted by Jet915
Kaos,
Unless you really want to be in the military really badly, I wouldnt do HPSP for a state school. What I would do is complete medical school and then apply to the fee assistance program (FAP) through the military and that way they will pay you like 40,000 extra during each year of your residency and afterwards you can still serve in the armed forces.

Jetson

Hmmm....I hadn't considered FAP. How does that work? I'm already doing the HPSP application for Air Force.

 

[Jet915]

I'm also currently applying to HPSP for the Air Force but I am only gonna go through with it if I plan on going to a private medical school. If I go to USUHS or a UC, then I will not do HPSP but will instead contemplate FAP (if it's a UC) and I let my recruiter know that and he understands. As for FAP, from what I know (and im not an expert) is that it really depends on what specialty you choose to do. If the armed forces needs doctors from your specialty, then you will have a very good chance of getting into FAP. Obviously, if you they dont need you, then you wont get in so it's definitely not a lock. It's based on demand. I think what happens is they pay you like 40,000 extra on top of your residency pay for your years in residency and for each year they pay you, you have to serve them. Im not sure about the actual money figure but it's somewhere around there. You should look it up on the internet or something.......I remember a poster whose name was like orthomudphud? was planning on doing FAP or is currently in it. Hope that helps.

Jetson