Medical school as a reservist

2015-06-09T21:57:59-04:00

Has anyone gone to medical school as a Reservist? Is it possible? I am contemplating applying for Palace CHASE (degree done, but next to impossible to do prerequisites on a campus at current duty station), but don't want to get into any conflicting obligations. Any thoughts on this would be very helpful.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jun 10 at 2015 4:09 AM

2015-06-10T04:09:51-04:00

I am sure it has been done TSgt Andrew Chaney --- wishing you all the best in your endeavor!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 12:43 PM

2015-06-10T12:43:11-04:00

Look into the HPSP (Health Professions Scholarship Program). I believe you can apply for the program as a reservist and attend medical school as a reservist. However once you graduate, I do not know if you can remain a reservist. Hope the info helps and good luck!!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 12:01 AM

2015-06-18T00:01:34-04:00

I did my first year of medical school as a reservist. Drilling during year 1 was fine, especially since I hadn't been to BOLC yet and didn't have a lot of responsibility in my unit. BOLC overlapped with my school year, so I had to take the year off after year 1. This worked out really well for me, because it got me to apply for a year-long research fellowship that has been an amazing experience. You may not need to go to BOLC, but it does seem likely that at some point your reserve obligations will conflict with school in a major way. I have decided to apply for the HPSP before I start year 2, because time only gets tighter with each year in med school. I don't think I can do justice to my responsibilities in the Reserve with the load imposed by medical school. That's me. Your responsibilities in the Reserve may be lighter, your commander may let you spend your drill weekend studying, etc. Under certain circumstances and with a little luck, it may be feasible. I think for most people, it would be wiser to apply for the HPSP.

Response by 1LT David Wurbel made Jun 18 at 2015 1:19 AM

2015-06-18T01:19:07-04:00

I went into the IRR/Ready Reserve when I entered medical school last year. I would recommend that you not try to continue to do Reserve drills while doing medical school. Think about medical school as if you are on active duty. Medical school should be the only job that you have. Also as mentioned by others on here, look in the HPSP program.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jun 25 at 2015 3:38 PM

2015-06-25T15:38:38-04:00

TSgt Andrew Chaney I'm looking at doing the same thing, except I'm looking at the National Guard route. From what I understand, serving in the National Guard while attending Medical School has a stipulation that prevents them from pulling you how of school for any type of activation. There's also numerous State benefits that can be used to your advantage since you know you'll be living in the state for at least 4 years.

I strongly recommend against using any of the military funded programs, because it incurs an ACTIVE DUTY (6 years if I remember correctly) service obligation. I'll be using my GI Bill for medical school, and without additional assistance (ex: yellow ribbon program, state assistance, loans, vocational rehab, scholarships, etc) it will cover everything except the last 3 months. Using this path will enable me to choose my own path after medical school, and not worrying about the service obligation (at your enlisted rank) if for ANY reason I fail to complete medical school. I like to have control over my life, and not make obligations 8 years out (medical school, residency, and THEN the service obligation = 14 years....until freedom). Even if I have to take out a student loan (which I doubt I will) for the last 3 months, you will be graduating with 90% less debt than most of the students.