Why am I struggling so much as a college student?

[goatface13]

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I'm in so much financial struggle, reconsidered the service just to get my schooling paid for, and even thought about dropping out a good university (U Illinois Champaign) to attend a community college. On top of that I applied to 20 places this summer and only 1 interview, -300 bucks in a bank due in a couple days (school charged me for extra stuff), but my parents are gone the entire summer so they aren't any help. The rest of my family is poor. I'm a pre-med student, and if i do consider the service I won't be able to attend med school at all because of time commitment right after college. I see a lot of people around me and they all have jobs, cars, and stability overall. I don't have any of that, no one in my family will let me use a car. I know I'm not the only one with this problem I'm just frustrated and unhappy.

Also my decision for med school is very strong and i feel like if I do end up going to a community college then 1) I will lose my leadership position that i hold right now, 2) won't be able to start an organization and keep it running for 3 years, and 3) med schools frown upon taking pre-med classes at community colleges.

Although I don't have money out of pocket for school I do qualify for loans, but I got rejected so many times weeks ago and was lucky that one lending institution accept my loan request. My future seems a little unstable at the moment...i don't know what to do anymore

 

[Rumalum]

your registrar's office should have some sort of financial counselor...why can't you get federal loans?

 

[mimelim]

I will not offer advice on this as I feel like it would not be very helpful as I have little experience dealing with this situation. However, I would like to mention one thing. I do not think military service will interfere with medical school. There are many medical students who have their entire medical school paid for by the military in exchange for service years after graduation. There are very specific requirements and limitations. I do know of people that had undergrad partially or completely paid for by the military and went straight into medical school. I would investigate this and be sure to read the fine print. It is a real option. Not for everyone, but an option.

 

[goatface13]

your registrar's office should have some sort of financial counselor...why can't you get federal loans?

i did get federal loans for 6,500 overall

 

[goatface13]

I will not offer advice on this as I feel like it would not be very helpful as I have little experience dealing with this situation. However, I would like to mention one thing. I do not think military service will interfere with medical school. There are many medical students who have their entire medical school paid for by the military in exchange for service years after graduation. There are very specific requirements and limitations. I do know of people that had undergrad partially or completely paid for by the military and went straight into medical school. I would investigate this and be sure to read the fine print. It is a real option. Not for everyone, but an option.

Eventually yes, but I want to get into the HPSP though. If I do get involved with the military know I'm afraid it may interfere. I already talked to a few officers and they told me that If I do, for example, rotc I HAVE to serve after graduation. That means I can't go to med school right away. I'd have to wait 3-4 years--that's too long

 

[UCFKnight]

Eventually yes, but I want to get into the HPSP though. If I do get involved with the military know I'm afraid it may interfere. I already talked to a few officers and they told me that If I do, for example, rotc I HAVE to serve after graduation. That means I can't go to med school right away. I'd have to wait 3-4 years--that's too long

You need to talk to a recruiter if you are seriously considering service to pay for education. I know you said you HAVE to serve after undergraduate graduation, but I know that that is not true. I don't think you are talking to the right people. I know for a fact (my very close friend did it; he's at Temple now) that they will pay for your undergraduate and medical education in exchange for ~4 years of service after graduation. Of course you will have to prove to them that you are actually capable of attending medical school. However, that will be easy since you will apply and most likely be accepted (assuming you have strong grades, mcat, ECs, etc.) before undergraduate graduation in the first place.

Also, have you considered getting a job? It doesn't have to be medical-based. It could be as a waitress/waiter, secretary, etc. It will actually look better on applications to have worked a job while taking a full load of classes and applying to medical school. It shows your dedication.

Keep your head up! Everything happens for a reason. Don't ever give up on yourself!! Many people have been in the exact same situation you are in right now and many more have been in a lot worse. You will make it. It may not be easy, but this is not supposed to be easy. I don't even know you, and I have faith in you. If you want any more info/advice, I would be more than happy to call up my friend at Temple to find out exactly what he had to do. Just let me know.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I'm almost positive you can defer service to go to med school.

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[235788]

I'm almost positive you can defer service to go to med school.

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Why would you want to? You ahve to repay it sometime

 

[Doctor Strange]

Well, I only suggested it because the OP's concern is having to be committed right after college and not being able to go to medical school because of the military issue.

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[theseeker4]

Why would you want to? You ahve to repay it sometime

If the choice is taking a ~4 year break between undergrad and med school to get in service, and having to pay for med school with loans, or deferring service, practicing as a doctor for the military after med school and residency, and having no loans to pay off from either undergrad or med school, sounds like the latter would be a better option to me...

 

[Gastrapathy]

I'm almost positive you can defer service to go to med school.

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Don't do ROTC if you want to go to med school. They are trying to grow line officers and don't have to let you do anything else.

 

[LupaCupcake]

I don't know how much school you have left undergrad wise and how bad the money situation truly is, but one option is open to you. If you join the military as active duty, once you get past basic and AIT (job training) you go to your first duty station. You can then start taking classes to finish your undergrad work and us TA (tuition assistance) from the military which will pay for 100% of your college except for books which you usually have to buy on your own. Once your contract time is done in the military you will have a GI Bill to take with you that you can apply towards medical school. It will not pay for 100% of med school because it does have a cut off amount and I am assuming most likely the med school you attend will have a higher cost than the cut off, but it is possible that your tuition might not be over the cut off mark and BAM...gi bill pays for medical school after TA paid for undergrad.

If you are hurting that badly for cash....it is a possibility, but I will warn you it is not easy to juggle the military and school. I speak from personal experience.

Best of luck to you. Whatever you do, just keep pushing forward 😎