<p>I am really interested in the medical field and was wondering if anyone could tell me about the process of getting into medical school after the four years at the Academy. Also, how your military obligation afterwards works?</p>
<p>I think it's similar to a regular undergrad school (just take right Prereqs and do well on MCAT). Realize though that you will get extra years on top of your med school and residency. It can be a great choice, just remember that the service commitment is going to go up more because Uncle Sam has more invested into you.</p>
<p>Also, i think hornetguy said that if you (are able to) major in chemistry, you are pretty much assured a med slot.</p>
<p>I can help with the obligation after. If you go through the academy, you are required five years of active service no matter where you go. If you go to medical school, you're going to get an AF Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). Through this, you get four more years. So you're looking at nine by the time you're an intern. If you go into a long residency* it could be more, but that's where things get hazy.</p>
<p>*Certain issues can come up with residency selection when you go with HPSP. The needs of the AF (or other brach) will come before what 'some' doctors want. But, its just part of the risk you take when you sign your name on the schlorship line.</p>
<p>My advice, read this:</p>
<p>Health</a> Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)</p>
<p>Capt. Ballard didn't go to the academy and it's a bit out of date, but it gives a good "post-undergraduate" look at AF medicine....you're going to have to wait for Hornet for the actual workings within the academy to get a medicine slot....can't help you there. (I do want to see the answer though.)</p>
<p>I am currently on the USAFA version of "pre-med." It requires two semesters of organic chemistry, 2 semesters of biology, and a minimum of 3.2(?) GPA. The deal with chemistry is that all qualified medical applicants that were chemistry majors have been able to go to med school (literally, 100%). However, it is a very difficult major for most. From the 25 or so that originally declared, only 14 of us are left in 2010 for chemistry (mainly due to organic chemistry failures) and I suspect it to drop to 12 by the end of this semester or next. </p>
<p>I have had PM discussions with Crano on some of this stuff if you want more specific information.</p>
<p>bolt08,</p>
<p>what other institutions, besides USAFA, are you looking at to attend?</p>
<p>Hornetguy,</p>
<p>How would you persue a chance at becoming an air force neurosurgeon. I am a bit interested in that.</p>
<p>You would go to med school like any other cadet and HOPE the AF needs people in neurosurgery when it comes time to choose your specialty. Your specialty is based somewhat on what you want and mostly on the needs of the AF.</p>
<p>zzztriplenickel,</p>
<p>i have already accepted my appointment to the academy! I haven't quite decided whether or not i want to go down the medical route...I have always been interested in the sciences especially chemistry.</p>
<p>Chemistry is a blast. I am currently synthesizing VIOXX in my organic chem lab course. Others are doing Capsacin, ibuprofen, procaine, gingerol, and coconut oil.</p>
<p>Do you know off the top of your head or have any idea, about how long it would take to complete a neurosurgery degree?</p>
<p>So do you declare your major after your fourth class year and how does that work?</p>
<p>USAFAbound,</p>
<p>Neurosurgery residency: physican in the family says "two years of general surgery, plus another (give or take one) five years of specifically neuro......but they believe that most are going to be seven years long.</p>
<p>That's a LONG time to be a resident....</p>
<p>Bolt- I personally declared one month into 4 dig year. TECHNICALLY, you have until halfway through sophomore year to declare, however, chemistry majors are HIGHLY suggested to declare before their sophomore year (due to the requirement to take organic).</p>
<p>Yes it is a long time. It if something I want to do if I am not able to fly. I just want to know what my options are before i go there. It looks like I just need to decide to major in chemistry regardless that way if i cant fly I can go the medical route.</p>
<p>hornet-thanks for the great advice-one last question-I was reading some ofthe other threads and saw that you were part of the EMT....I don't know exactly what to call it...but what exactly does that entail and how did you become part of it?</p>
<p>Is it the same commitment for nursing, and what percentage of grads decide to go the USUHS route?</p>
<p>We apply for our EMT program at the end of our freshman year. If accepted (about 20 people), we do classes the next semester, certifying by the end of the semester. For 2010, the classes were about 2 hours every other day. </p>
<p>We work events like BCT, recognition, football games, etc.</p>
<p>If I certify as an EMT before I enter the academy, will I still have to take classes at the academy?
I'm already taking the necessary classes to do so.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Nope, we have some freshman that previously got their EMT cert prior to the academy on the team. Same goes for a few people in each class.</p>