<p>With all of my undergraduate debt...medical school debt would probably crush me. Is the military a viable alternative for students that would like to knock down medical school costs? If so, are there any cons (besides commiting to so many years of military service)?</p>
<p>well, first, i want to say i am not any kind of expert, only someone who has looked into this option extensively. The programs out there are described in detail on every branche's website, so start there bc there are just SO many ways the military is able to pay back loans/stop loans from even being taken out. The only thing is...you are an officer FIRST, not a doctor. If you werent a doctor, would you want to be an officer in the armed forces? think about it. Cons...not all residencies offered (most are), no way to back out, slim chance of fellowship/specializing in the future (until service is set), if you want a long residency (psych) that lasts longer than time owed, then time is tacked on (2 for every 1, i think), medicine is made into a giant system of molasses-like processes, money is less (except for some professions), rounds in med schools are at military hospitals, no control over location, you might be sent to iraq, etc. Pros...no malpractice, patients dont worry about paying, 30 days paid vacation a yr, a lot of honor, travel advantages, no debt, no practice to agonize over, etc. I hope i was able to help.</p>
<p>other debt options...federal job programs, work with indian reservations, work in rural areas, work in a field with a lack of physicians (geriatrics), army reserve, peace corps-type oppurtunities, etc. remember, by the time you are out of the military, you will be in your 30s. if you want a family, this is a big consideration, esp. since there are other options out there. good luck finding out a bit more about the issue.</p>