What happens if you don't get accepted into med school after ROTC?

Ben Lee — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 19:37:04 -0400

I'm a junior in HS right now and am planning to join ROTC in college to get that paid for. I know you have to serve 4 years afterward, unless you get accepted into medical school, which then you would study, then serve as a doctor. But what happens if you don't get accepted into medical school immediately after college? Do you just need to serve in the military and try to get into med school after your 4 years? Can you delay your service to try and get into med school after another year?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Mar 15 at 2022 7:41 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 19:41:54 -0400

You would serve out your contract. If you're on active duty, that complicates the timing of pursuing med school more so than being in the Reserves or NG. You likely could pursue med school while still under contract, without necessarily incurring more of a service commitment.

You should talk to an ROTC instructor and a medical recruiter (from whichever branch of the military you're considering) to see what options you might have coming out of ROTC. They can provide much more clarity.

Response by MAJ Roland McDonald made Mar 15 at 2022 8:24 PM

MAJ Roland McDonald — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 20:24:31 -0400

I believe the military has slots in certain med school. And if you are accepted to one the military pays and you get a longer time to serve as a result of that. That length of services depends on total schooling including residences. I would recommend contacting one of the 6 senior military schools ROTC recruiting office they can explain it better. The 6 senior military schools are from north to south to west, Norwich in Vermont, Virginia Tech in Virginia as is VMI, Citadel in SC, University of North Georgia in Georgia and Texas A&M in Texas. They have alot more information. But you can check with any school that has ROTC program and pre-med bachelors degree and if the are a feeder to a med school. Makes getting accepted easier. But check with the senior military colleges first as they deal with it alot and would have the most up to date info.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 15 at 2022 9:00 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 21:00:54 -0400

It’s not an automatic, you have to request and receive an education delay through your PMS. Predicated on being accepted.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Mar 16 at 2022 12:39 PM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 12:39:56 -0400

I have an old friend who was a Physician's Assistant (PA) when we met. He parlayed that into Medical School and became a Physician. Going through ROTC, you might consider becoming a PA, and using that to advance yourself towards becoming an MD.
While I'm on the subject, I also urge you to consider making the military your career. I realize that it's not the same as a private practice, but the Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, Veteran and Retiree are all a bunch of really wonderful people, and your service to them would be gratefully appreciated. Even better, when you get out (or, preferably, retire) you could easily continue with a private practice that has a ready source of potential patience that could be built from any community's veterans and/or retirees who don't have access to a VA hospital (I believe that such an option is open in this case; albeit, I could be wrong). And (even better) you come out with a good reputation.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Mar 16 at 2022 4:02 PM

CSM William Everroad — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:02:51 -0400

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis hit the high points on PA to MD in the military.

Look into Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, I believe you are service connected from start to finish. A recruiter can fill you in on the scholarship opportunities from undergrad to graduate and what happens to your contract.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 21 at 2022 1:50 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:50:46 -0400

1st off-putting the cart before the horse son. You have to be accepted into a college and ROTC. Then you will have to pass all the prelim requirements for whatever med school you want. You talk to your ROTC Command/recruiter and see what you can do from there. If you fail entry to Med school, you will go to whatever Branch they think fits you. You either accept it or get out. If paid any scholarship cash they can take it back.