<p>I’m not sure how well this question can really be answered, but everyone can take their best shot at it.</p>
<p>I’ve been interested in being a physician since I was really little. And now I’m extremely interested in becoming an Air Force Physician. Now, I’d like to attend the academy for more then one reason, but I have one concern at the moment. On the admission’s webpage it says that only three percent of graduates go on to healthcare careers. Is that an absolute maximum? Like…are people turned away from wanted to become doctors/nurses/pharmacists becuase the academy quota has been filled? I realize that this is what happens in many of the potential post-academy careeers (the pilots/navigators for example), but I’m just wondering if it applies to the medical field. Also, another question I have…maybe this is easier to answer for some of you guys…but is there a big interest in medicine at the academy? Or is it limited at three percent becuase only three percent actually ‘want’ to go to medical school, compared to the fifty percent that become pilots/navigators becuase there’s such an interest.</p>
<p>My ALO today said she didn’t really know the answers to these questions at the interview today, so I’m hoping you guys could shed some light on it. I’ve got to email admissions soon anyways, so I’ll ask them, but I was wondering if I could get a cadet/gradute view first.</p>
<p>The issue comes from whether the AF is willing to let you go to med school immeditely after going to the SA. The selection process for med school on the AF dime is limited to a very few select individuals, thus the low percentages of cadets going to the medical field immediately after the AFA. </p>
<p>There are a few here who may have further and more detailed information on this topic. I'm also sure there are curret and past AFA cadets on this site who may be interested in a similiar career path. Anything info to help this young person out?</p>
<p>What Bullet said hits the mark. They allow a small portion of the graduating class who do well in class rank etc, and the MCAT to proceed to the UHS Med School, but that doesn't mean your chance of being an MD are shot if your not in that first cut. Some Grads will go into the AF MSC (Medical Service Corp) and after a few years service will be accepted to either UHS or find a Med School slot at another institution. </p>
<p>I began my enlisted career working in the AF medical system, and worked with a lot of great Academy Grad Doc's. I have always thought they were among the best Doc's around.</p>
<p>30 cadet slots are allotted a year for medical school. The Commadant must approve a cadet in order for them to be released to med school. Cadets are then allowed to apply to any school, UHSMS or civilian. However, if one goes to UHSMS, it incurs an additional 7 years commitment on top of the USAFA 5 years (and time at school does NOT count). Civilian is 4 years. The difference is that you are paid as a LT at UHSMS whereas you receive a stipend of sorts at a civilian school. At graduation of both, you will be immediately promoted to Captain. </p>
<p>As a new contact of mine told me, it is a good idea to contact the head guy for assigning bases as that improves your chances of going where you want. </p>
<p>As far as interest, there are many cadets interested. The minimum GPA to be considered is 3.2, but a 3.5 is the realistic number. You must have 2 semesters of organic chemistry lecture and at least one of lab. One year of biology. Any major is allowed as long as above requirements are met. Organic is a huge killer and many people in my class have already lost their chance thus far because they cannot get the necessary grades. I chose my major not only because I would have regardless (I LOVE chemistry), but because 100% of qualified, yes ONE HUNDRED PERCENT, biochem majors that want medical school get it! In fact, they usually don't fill the slots up every year! So, most people qualified do get to go, its a tough path though.</p>
<p>My top choice (at the moment) is to go med school and become a flight doc. We'll see if that remains the case. It's a tough choice between pilot and doc for me. Every day the flight medicine path looks better and better. </p>
<p>Last semester I got a B+ in orgo lecture, A in lab. I have a 3.8 GPA. SO, for the time being I am still in the qualified group. </p>
<p>Let me know if you have anymore questions.</p>
<p>P.S. ds, you have another explosives person on your hands! I have figured out how to turn my edge dressing for my boots into TNT. :) I love chemistry.</p>
<p>You know as a former AF Fire Chief I have an obligation to tell my old friend and Chief Fire Inspector at USAFA your playing with flammables JK :) I am sure Duckie would be proud.</p>
<p>Ummm...it depends on how you want to define "cool". If that interest you, yeah, you'll probably enjoy them. But if you're like me and would prefer to write a 5 page paper instead of doing a chem lab, then you may not find it as interesting.</p>
<p>There's a 4-dig in my squad that's working really hard to get a slot to go into medicine. She's going to declare Bio as her major, so that is a route too. Needless to say, she's one of the cadets with a high GPA in my squad.</p>
<p>Funny the how certain classes shape your direction Falcon. Potter thought she would be a techie, but physics this year makes her question that. She really enjoyed Behavioral Science, and now she thinks she wants to go fuzzy.</p>
<p>Oh and you can only tease her about being short if Redhead is around and she has sufficient support. JK:) she did say you were really tall though.</p>
<p>haha, yeah, redhead isn't the only person I have teased about being short. She knows I was just kidding though. </p>
<p>Sounds like potter and I are in the same boat. I thought I'd enjoy Physics, but I hate that subject more than any other class I have. The class itself is fine, it's just the homework that's killing me.</p>
<p>I watched my friends take physics and felt very sorry. It's horribly run IMO. Too much attention to format than actual physics.</p>
<p>Zach, one of the main solvents in edge dressing is Toluene (the other being ethanol). Nitric acid alone won't cut it, you need battery acid (sulfuric acid) to form the NO2 species. Need I involve more nerdiness here?</p>
<p>haha, I remember chem 222. One day we had a lab (where each student had to make their own proceedures). We had all come up with a plan...then class started. One of the underlying assumed reactions didn't actually work! It sent about half the class back. I stood around, looking at my notes for about 2/3 of the lab period. I figured out a simple proceedure in time to pull of the lab! Gosh, sometimes I hated chem. You either got it, or created a reaction that made you go "Wait, that shouldn't have happened!"</p>
<p>I loved Physics 110 (kinematics and projectile motion!), but 215 felt like bashing my head against the desk...repeatedly.</p>
<p>If I didn't already know that I was on the AFA site at CC, I'd have to report half of you all to Homeland Defense or the FBI. "Yeah, there we're this bunch of guys on this on-line forum discussing how to make explosives! OMG. I'm so worried. You guys better get over there and stop them!"</p>
<p>Of course I jest. I wouldn't dare tell you guys that when my squadron mates and I go out in the woods for "social events", we have been rumored to bring along a certain device called a "potato gun". Oh, the things youcan do with lots of time and creativity! :)</p>
<p>For my physics 110 class we used a potato gun of sorts. That was fun. Especially launching a fresh book of contrails across the parade field. :)</p>
<p>I read a posting (I believe on the USAFA website) that listed the graduate programs and medical schools the class of 2007 were accepted to and was very impressed. Nearly all going to medical school were attending what I would consider to be upper tier "national" medical schools. Hornetguy's advice is sound. Completion of the core curriculum plus one additional bio course and organic chemistry takes care of premed requirements. Chem majors do rule.</p>