Medical Which plan is better to get into medical school?

[MusicDOc124]

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I'm currently an undergrad but plan on either a) obtaining my nursing degree and studying for the MCAT/retaking classes, or b) joining the military as a combat medic and studying for the MCAT/retaking classes. The benefit to b) would be that it seems many schools look upon military applicants favorably, and there are financial benefits as well. However, it would take longer. What do you guys think?

I think both are poor ideas.

a) You obviously want to be a doctor, so why go through nursing school, taking a seat away from someone who wants to be a nurse? The classes will not prepare you for medical school, nor for the MCAT. Nursing courses are also difficult in their own way, and you will have enough work on your plate with nursing school and being full time that you also will not be able to retake classes at the same time, delaying the inevitable.

b) In the military, you will not have the time like you may think you will to take classes/retake classes (especially less opportunity for taking them in person), let along study properly for the MCAT. What you write also screams that you only want to do it for financial reasons and to have a better chance of getting in.. both of which you literally state. The fact that you didn't lead with the military or state something like it's something you've already wanted to do, etc.... then you will be miserable, and if thats the mentality you have, you will be miserable to be around for those serving who actually want to be there to serve.


What you should do is study harder in what you're doing now to have the GPA and MCAT score you need to be successful and not rely on figuring ways to scoot around the system thinking it will help.

Yes vets are favorable in many cases, but vets still dont get in if they have a poor GPA or MCAT.

Nurses have a hard time in many cases due to simply being a nurse for whatever reasons that are out there. Someone else may be able to elaborate on this more.

TLDR: Don't do either of these.

 

[MusicDOc124]

I also want to add that with the military, if you go active duty... thats mostly what I'm referring to in that you will not have the time you think you will have. It's also a 4 year contract of full time which will ensure you won't be going to medical school for 4 years from now. And if you dont finish your degree prior, that is just extra time you will need after prior to applying. If you were to go reserve, you'd be able to keep up with undergrad, but you'd be pausing it for 1 year for your training which would be bootcamp and some sort of additional training prior to going to school to become a medic, which is upwards of a year long - I'm not sure whether or not prior experience is required in any way, but its still long. Then you'd have time to continue undergrad, but you will take away from your studies going away for a weekend each month and 2 weeks in the summers. If you end up deploying, add another delay. If you continue with your studied and finish "on time" even (i quote it because its going to have an inevitable delay form the initial training), then even if you went right into med school, you will have a very difficult time having to leave for a weekend each month in the setting of not being a medical student through the military, but rather being a regular member in any other job. Those who do a special program MDSSP or HPSP have flexibility in that being a medical student is priority, and people only get to do those post-acceptance which defeats your reasoning. Being a regular member of the service, there is no flexibility, and it will negatively impact you. Reserves is a 6 year commitment instead of 4 like active duty.




That all being said. I'm supportive of people wanting to join for the right reasons. I'm a veteran myself. It's just per your post, it appears to be for the wrong reasons.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I agree: why not just pursue a strong biomedical science major and do well enough to be a strong HPSP candidate?

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