What colleges are best for the IPAP and ROTC program to make me more competitive?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 15:51:42 -0500

Hi, I am a senior in High School, and enlisted into the reserves and went to basic last year. I'm now looking at colleges and had a few questions with the the ROTC and Minuteman program, and the IPAP program.

I already have completed over 30 college credits, have an average GPA of 3.75, got promoted during basic, however did not go to AIT, due to being split-ops.

I was wondering if there are colleges that have a better ROTC program than others? I'm studying to become a PA, so that you're aware of, do some ROTC programs favor more in the medical side, offering shadowing, or is it generally all the same?

Now because I am looking at the IPAP program, would it be beneficial to get a degree in biology, or get my nursing license? Or should I just go for a two year, get my AA and the prerequisites done and try to apply? What would make me more competitive?

To sum it up, what can I do to try to improve my chances of getting into the IPAP program, starting now, with what colleges would look best?

I understand that the IPAP program is very competitive, so any recommendations or advice would be very much appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jan 29 at 2022 5:15 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 17:15:27 -0500

In personal opinion, you need to take a step back about your career. IPAP and college ROTC are two different programs. ROTC does have some medical career opportunity (e.g. nursing, compete for educational delay for MD, etc.), but not specifically for physicians assistant. Before deciding "which college", look at other aspects of your own life

Family?
Finances?
Location?
Current reserve status?
Which specific medical path?

Talk to both an IPAP and ROTC recruiter to see which path is better. I will put URLs below for info

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2022 5:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 17:21:01 -0500

Best of luck on your Military plans.

Response by MAJ Roland McDonald made Jan 29 at 2022 5:48 PM

MAJ Roland McDonald — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 17:48:01 -0500

University of North Georgia has a pre PA program in addition it has a 2+2 nursing program it is also one of the 6 military colleges. Which has better options for active commissioning. Attached is a link for their pre PA program also is look at their website you will see the nursing program.
https://ung.edu/biology/pre-professional/pre-physician-assistant.php

Pre-Physician Assistant

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2022 4:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 04:56:44 -0500

If you're applying to the IPAP, at no point is the college you attend, one of the deciding factors in your selection. You can attend an Ivy league school and your scores will be judged the same as someone who took all their classes online. So, find a school you will do well in.

IPAP is competitive. If you're in the Reserves now, you're competing against all the rest of the Reserves for a class seat. If you're in the NG, you're competing for even fewer seats that your state has. What makes you more competitive than the other person? You'd have to see their packet to know that. Some of the people you're competing against already have degrees, 5-10 years of experience as a combat medic with a deployment or two, or nursing degrees. The beat way to get the best chance is to compete against a large pool like in the Active Duty Army. Since you're already obligated to the component you're in, all you can do is get the best scores you can get before applying. Get your GPA higher, and most importantly, make sure your STEM GPA is high.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2022 8:22 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 20:22:37 -0500

As someone who has applied and not been accepted the first time and about to go work at the Med COE, I'd tell you the same thing I tell any young person: Take courses and work toward the goal you have, but consider the what if I don't get what I want? I have a BS in Biology and I can tell you aside from getting a Masters' and teaching or getting a lab job, Biology tends to be limited. Consider either a business degree, minoring in Bio or do the Bio degree and minor in business. The reality is for a lot of medical profession schools, the admissions board is sometimes looking for a type of candidate. You won't know what they're looking for. The best thing you can do is make contingency plans.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 31 at 2022 10:34 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 10:34:08 -0500

Virginia Military Institute
https://www.vmi.edu/

Virginia Military Institute