Where do I begin?

[Mi Chiamo Tiff]

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I am in my junior year of undergrad. A brief bit about me..my husband is active duty so throughout our moves, I've managed to slowly continue my college education. I should be graduating with my undergrad in 2012-early 2013. We will be overseas, so I will have another year and a half or so to paddle around trying to make my medschool app as perfect as can be, this includes getting my masters..I have a few questions and also would like any suggestions that you may have as to if what I'm doing is on the right path...

1-Has anyone ever applied to medschool while living overseas?

2-I want to specialize in psychiatry, is this MD or DO, same thing? I'm not sure.

3-I'm considering going the HPSP route, if you're familiar with that, please tell me your advice or experiences...

4-Will having my Master's give me a better shot of being accepted to my ideal school as opposed to only having my bach?

 

[CopaceticOne]

1-Has anyone ever applied to medschool while living overseas?

2-I want to specialize in psychiatry, is this MD or DO, same thing? I'm not sure.

3-I'm considering going the HPSP route, if you're familiar with that, please tell me your advice or experiences...

4-Will having my Master's give me a better shot of being accepted to my ideal school as opposed to only having my bach?

1 - yes
2 - you can do it with either
3 - dunno a thing about it
4 - for the most part not really

 

[aSagacious]

1-Has anyone ever applied to medschool while living overseas?

I have not, so I won't address this point.

2-I want to specialize in psychiatry, is this MD or DO, same thing? I'm not sure.

Either an MD or a DO can become a psychiatrist.

3-I'm considering going the HPSP route, if you're familiar with that, please tell me your advice or experiences...

There is a great FAQ page for the HPSP in the military forum.

4-Will having my Master's give me a better shot of being accepted to my ideal school as opposed to only having my bach?

Any consistent successful performance in academics will put you in a good position when applying to schools. In my opinion a master's will not make you any more or less competitive than would a second major, two minors, an extra year as an undergrad, etc. Do a master's because you want to do a master's, not because you think admissions committees would like it.

 

[rmnanon]

1. I've never applied overseas. Most of the correspondence during the application cycle is via email. The one problem I could see has to do with $$. Say you get several interviews in the U.S. The airfare might cost a lot! You could always send "in the area" emails in order to go on multiple interviews in one trip.

2. As others said, it doesn't matter if you go MD or DO. You can still become a psychiatrist. Keep in mind you may change your specialty during med school. In fact, it's pretty likely you will.

3. HPSP is a great option. Also check out USUHS. It's THE "military med school." Both will result in military payback time, but it sounds like you are already acquainted with the military lifestyle.

4. Depends on how your grades are. Some people do these to show that they can handle the graduate level course load. I, myself, did not do a master's program.

My biggest recommendation would be to get SUBSTANTIVE health care experience during your "time off." And, try not to think of making your application "as perfect as possible." Instead, engage in experiences you really ENJOY! I don't know the specifics of how things work at military hospitals, but you could try to get a job or a volunteer position there to gain more experience!

 

[Mi Chiamo Tiff]

thank you everyone for the helpful information. I am planning on volunteering at the mil hospital to get a better understanding of how military medicine works compared to the civilian world. I also want to learn more about the medical field. I am very excited to do all of this, just a bit overwhelmed with all that has to be done. It will be worth it in the long run.

 

[tabascosauce]

Hey. I have been in the military for a long time. What makes you want to go into the service?

 

[Mi Chiamo Tiff]

my husband is AD so I'm familiar with the military spouse life..I want to join for 2 main reasons..1 to have medschool paid for by HPSP or FAP or something like those, and 2 to travel

 

[tabascosauce]

All right!