Given my goal of becoming an Army surgeon, should I stay at VMI or go elsewhere to try to get a higher GPA so I can pursue HPSP?

Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 11:38:54 -0500

I am currently in ROTC at a Senior Military College hoping to be a surgeon in the Army. In order to go to USUHS or obtain a HPSP scholarship you need to be outstanding academically. It is my understanding that most people going for HPSP don't even do ROTC because they want to fully focus on their academics for getting into med school. Being at a Senior Military College takes a lot of time, effort, and extra money versus continuing Biology at my in state school. I see the value in ROTC, but while I am not contracted should I stay or go try to get a higher GPA elsewhere? Thanks for the read.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 11:47 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 11:47:11 -0500

I would talk to your PMS about the strain and about your considerations. Maybe they can find a common ground so that you can stay. Going elsewhere might be risky and/or waste time...

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 14 at 2020 12:01 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:01:22 -0500

It depends! Are you contracted? Does VMI has a good pre-med or natural sciences program? How is your academic achievement / aptitude? Doe it represent a good picture to embrace medical school? Etc...

If you are up to the task great!!!

Like CPT Private RallyPoint Member stated, have an honest conversation with your PMS and weight all of your options.

Best of lucks on your future endeavors!!!!

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 14 at 2020 12:15 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:15:39 -0500

Graduating from VMI is worthy on your resume and commissioning as well goes a long way. I suggest you stay and make it all happen. The road to being an Army surgeon is long hours and so much studying. Being at VMI will help you develop habits that will help you succeed in medicine. The sooner you embrace the suck the sooner it will become norm when you show to the hospital at 0430, work till 2200 and have to do that for 5-6years in residency. A surgical residency is one of the toughest residencies and I believe you are in a good place to make that happen.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 12:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:57:01 -0500

I was ROTC at Vanderbilt and ended up with an HPSP scholarship to attend medical school, so it’s possible. This was a number of years ago, but I found my ROTC cadre to be supportive of my goals. That said, understand that most of an ROTC cadre probably doesn’t have a significant understanding of what is required of someone going into the medical field, so it’s your job to communicate that to them. Suggest a course of action that helps you, but doesn’t appear to minimize their efforts to train you. A lot of docs in the military are seen as “not real officers” because we tend to come across as self-important and non-conforming/compliant. Don’t be that guy and it will help you tremendously with your non-medical peers.

Also, while you are interested in gen surgery now, take it one step at a time. Residency programs aren’t going to care much how you did in college. They will care about your performance and ranking in medical school. So go step by step and focus now on acceptance to medical school and on your specialty once you get there. A lot of people change their mind along the way.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 1:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 13:44:00 -0500

I would forego the ROTC and apply straight to USUHS when you finish your state school. USUHS will directly commission you upon acceptance. Of course, you have a better chance of getting accepted if you are already a member of one of the services. The Army has an enlisted program that allows you to complete a post bachelor at the USUHS school for two years and prep for the MCATS in order to apply. But, probably the simplest way is to contact an AMEDD recruiter once you finish your bachelor degree to obtain a scholarship in return for a commission

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Jan 14 at 2020 4:12 PM

COL Dana Hampton — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 16:12:03 -0500

Good questions to ask and I believe MAJ VanWyck gave you very good advice.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Jan 14 at 2020 6:37 PM

CPT Brad Wilson — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 18:37:32 -0500

The question is does VMI give you the classes you need to get into medical school? If so then stay there you will get the military experience and the education you need for medical school. If not go where you need to to get to medical school then do a direct commission when you finish medical school

Response by LTC Vincent Moore made Jan 14 at 2020 8:15 PM

LTC Vincent Moore — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 20:15:44 -0500

Having attended West Point, then Med School, I agree with the above comments. If your goal is to be an Army surgeon/ doc, you’re right on track. USUHS and HPSP will look highly favorably upon your military undergraduate experience. If you’re hoping to go to Harvard then that is a whole different animal.

Response by COL Roxanne Arndt made Jan 16 at 2020 1:34 PM

COL Roxanne Arndt — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 13:34:46 -0500

I really don't have an opinion on your main topic, I would just like to applaud the fact that you have some outstanding goals and seem to be focused on the path you want to take. I personally think that you should stay the course, VMI is a great institution and I think being in ROTC teaches you many other things that will impact you down the road as you follow your career goals. The Army Medical Department is changing, and don't make a decision based on what you know today because tomorrow it may be different!

Retired Army Nurse!!!

Response by LTC Ken Bowers made Jan 24 at 2020 1:03 PM

LTC Ken Bowers — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 13:03:08 -0500

Do I sense a lack of commitment? In the ROTC class ahead of me there were twin sisters (one was pre-law and the other was pre-med. They were on ROTC scholarships. They were heavily involved in ROTC (Drill team and leadership lab) They busted ass, both carried a 4.0 average, and both earned Reserve Officer Scholarships to attend Law school and Med. school. Don't worry about the outcome you can't control it! Jump in, get involved and bust ass!