Joining the military before med school

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Hey,
I am thinking about joining the navy for four years after college. It's something that I have really wanted to do. I am studying bioengineering at UPENN right now. I was wondering if joining the navy would help my chances of getting into a medical school after?
Or would it be better to try to apply and get into a med school after college</p>

2

<p>If you’ve got a great undergrad record and MCATs, the Navy would be an excellent way to spend some time off. Med schools seem to adore nontraditional applicants, and spending a few years in the Navy would definitely be nontraditional.</p>

<p>Makes you stand out.</p>

3

<p>You could also consider applying to USUHS (Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences) and join the Navy that way - get them to pay for med school, and then you would be on active duty for your repayment period as a commissioned doc.</p>

4

<p>I second the suggestion of the USUHS. You might also explore whether four years in the Navy would help you get in there. Free med school in exchange for years of service that you are planning on anyway suggests try them now.</p>

5

<p>Navy would pay for you too.<br>
Make sure you go in as an officer. Do you have ROTC where you are at?
We have a couple of x Navy Corp Men at our school and they are great.</p>

6

<p>You can do Navy without being ROTC, too. You would have to go to Officer Candidate/Training School after college – it’s something like 3-4 months of training, and then you would be an officer. However, if you are already in college, ROTC would be ideal. You can join any time before your senior year and you can even apply for an ROTC scholarship that will cover your tuition and fees.</p>

<p>The Navy also has scholarships to send civilians to medical school, after which time they become medical personnel in the Navy - like this one: <a href=“http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/amsa/USNavyMinutes.pdf[/url]”>http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/amsa/USNavyMinutes.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>I want to do SEAL, most likely as an officer, but i would go enlisted if i have to. I am going to UPENN.
Do you think 4 years in the navy would be too big of an educational gap for med school?</p>

8

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<p>Definitely not - we have med students at my school of all ages, from just out of college to mid-40’s.</p>

9

<p>I know this post is 3 years old, but for future reference about anyone considering med school with prior military service as a SEAL. It is in fact a mandatory 8 year commitment for special forces. This is because of the amount of training and time they invest into the individual; they will not train you for 2 years and require only 2 years service. Food for thought anyone contemplating a stint as a special operator. I have considered it myself and instead am going to OCS for the USMC. </p>

<p>P.S. Folks who are special operators tend to stay in for the long haul.</p>

10

<p>Closing old thread.</p>