Should I apply?

[Lanisem]

I entered college with the intention of one day Maybe going to medical school. Lately i've been in tune to my goals, and I realized that I would like to serve my country in the military through the medical field. My father is a retired masterchief so I've always had the Navy in mind since I was a kid. In High School, I was into aviation and was a Jrotc Male Fancy Drill Team commander. I loved flying that Cessna 172, and the hours were free; however, I was only able to obtain 17 hours flight time.

I've had a really bumpy education, but I'm transferring to UCSD in the Winter. My Gpa is around 3.0 and my Major is Biochemistry, although I'm trying to get into bioengineeringremed.

Is it a good idea to apply for the BDCP program? This is my third year in college, but I do have approx. 2.5 years left before I graduate... I've read some of the forums regarding BDCP, and I know the basics, but I just want others' opinions as to where I stand. Also, is it still possible for me (at this point) to enroll in a NROTC program? I'd appreciate your opinions. THanx everyone for your time.

 

[TheBubba]

On BDCP:

If you want to be a medical officer, no. Should you want to go the medical route, apply for the HPSP scholarship when you get accepted to med school. If you want more info about that, shoot me a PM.

If you want to go into aviation, yes... apply.

On NROTC: Not sure.

Welcome to the boards and good luck with it all.

Cheers,
Bubba

 

[nublett]

Lanisem, the USN really needs good docs. I don't know what the specific programs are called, you should talk to a recruiter about them, but I do know that you can apply and do med school before or after commissioning.

Are you feeling burnt out? Is that the reason you are contemplating BDCP and mentioning that you still have 2 1/2 yrs. to go? If so, I urge you to stick it out. You can be of great service to your country as a healer. If you still had the urge to fly there are billets in all branches for MDs that permit them to at least deploy and travel.

 

[zab1001]

I was into aviation and was a Jrotc Male Fancy Drill Team commander

...uh...

 

[TheBubba]

Lanisem, the USN really needs good docs.

Yeah... its true. The medical commissioning programs are hurting for people right now. 14% projected goal if memory serves me right.

Its probably never been easier to get a medical scholarship through the Navy. Mind you, they aren't just handing them out, but they are looking for alot of quality people.

If you're even thinkng about being a Navy Doctor, now's the time to apply.

BTW... "Docs" are FMF Corpsman...

 

[Lanisem]

Thanx

Thank you everyone for taking the time to give your opinions. Yes I am aware of the medical scholarship the Navy is giving out. I DO want to go to medical school, and the Navy should grant that scholarship to those who achieve competetive MCAT scores; however the thing is I HAVE to get into a med school for the scholarship to do me any good. With my current GPA (3.0) I am hardly competetive for med school (nor BDCP so I was told).

Yes, I do love aviation and yes, I am feeling a little burnt out from the premed curriculum (but I am not giving up just yet). I still will take the MCAT and apply, but if I apply and happen to get accepted for the BDCP, I can forget about Med school because it's gonna be Florida for me after graduation

on that note, I finally spoke to a medical officer recruiter here in the Point Loma base. I was made aware of different programs, and what kind of people apply. It turns out that one of the current recipients of the medical scholarship is an O-4 naval pilot who wants to go to medical school! He was premed during his undergrad and is retaking courses for prep.

One more thing! I wear contacts and my vision is not perfect. BDCP stresses aviation programs, and I was told by my father that the military won't allow anyone without perfect vision to become pilots. Would Lasik surgury make things ok?

 

[Lanisem]

I do know that you can apply and do med school before or after commissioning.

Are you feeling burnt out? Is that the reason you are contemplating BDCP and mentioning that you still have 2 1/2 yrs. to go?

nublett. YES. I AM feeling like that. About the "can do med school after commisioning" part... what?

 

[Thisguy]

Would Lasik surgury make things ok?

No, but PRK would...as long as your diopters aren't greater than +/- 8.00

 

[BrandonJ1780]

Lots of info on this site re: Lasik. As Thisguy said, don't go that route if you've got any desire to fly...Read up on PRK as much as you can.

 

[Lanisem]

The officer recruiter also mentioned PRK and said that is what they do. He also mentioned that I'd go in as an E-5 under BDCP. From my understanding, you go in as an E-3 right? Is my recruiter tryin to pull something? or does he expect me to already know about the possible pay advancements (E-5 with refferal AND deans honors list or E-4 with deans honor list). Thanx!

 

[Thisguy]

Unless something's changed, it should be E-3...upon graduation you'll be bumped up to E-5 until you commission regardless of referrals/deans list.

 

[TheBubba]

Here's something for you... flight doc at VT-4 said this, and has been echoed by other flight docs who were NOF's or NA's in past lives:

You can do both. If you want to fly AND be a doc, go aviation first. Fly for a bit, then become flight surgeon.

 

[Lanisem]

Here's something for you... flight doc at VT-4 said this, and has been echoed by other flight docs who were NOF's or NA's in past lives:

You can do both. If you want to fly AND be a doc, go aviation first. Fly for a bit, then become flight surgeon.

Cool, I didnt know that. I'm going to ask about that too. I got an email from the recruiter I talked to saying that he wants me to take the ASTB sometime soon. I looked at some forums regarding ASTB prep and I keep seeing "marine gouge".. what is this and what does gouge mean? I'm not too worried about the math/verbal part, but I have yet to be exposed to the other material covered by the test such as the aviation stuff. I've had ground school in high school, but I never got around to actually taking the FAA written. Will that knowledge be relevant to the ASTB? thanx everyone!

 

[Lanisem]

Here I am, a year later.

Some changes since last year: I'm SURE I want to be a Naval aviator =).

I'm still in the same school (ucsd), same major, roughly the same Gpa.. I still have a lot of things to do, I've studied Arco's Flight Aptitude book, and I now have a testing date for ASTB. I will be applying for BDCP, I have 1.5 years until I graduate.

I was slightly discouraged last year, because I spoke to an officer recruiter who straight told me "You're near sighted? you WILL NOT be a pilot..", even though I've mentioned PRK to him. A couple months ago at school, I saw a usmc flyer from the officer team here in SD. I gave the capt. a call, and she told me pilot is possible with PRK. I was so happy, I spoke with my folks asap, and got PRK done.

5th week recovery now, my eye doc who's a Naval F.Surg. helped me to ultimately decide (realize) that I want to be an aviator, and that Docs generally do not become aviators, but some aviators DO become docs =). So now, my primary goal is flight school.. not medical school, though I hope my motivation for physician stays glowing if I have the privilege to fly for 8-10 years.. if not, then I'd eventually get to Med. school and go for a flight surgeon residency because I know some of them get to be up there and I NEED TO BE UP THERE.

Now that I'm actually going for BDCP, it seems kind of unreal.. (PRK, studying for ASTB) like a dream that I once had and is once again in my reach.. I have this uneasy feeling of "can I pull this off"?? I'm relying on my technical major, 17hrs flight time (but no PPL) and some e.c.'s like Hosp. Volunteering. My Gpa sux, but I can get it up still (3.0-ish).

I've been in contact with usmc team and got started working out, but I am not cleared yet by MEPS, so nothing is official.. I also realized that I want to be a Naval officer. Nothing is wrong with being a Marine, but I have to say, I grew up in a Navy family and I'm just used to the lifestyle exposure of the Navy, so I got in touch with a local Naval officer recruiter at Point Loma (SD).

I'm grateful for this site and all the folks that help me on here.. all the info (though I don't post much) really had an impact on my decisions, especially the decision to get PRK. I owe a lot to you guys!

 

[Creatre]

Here I am, a year later.

Some changes since last year: I'm SURE I want to be a Naval aviator =).

I'm still in the same school (ucsd), same major, roughly the same Gpa.. I still have a lot of things to do, I've studied Arco's Flight Aptitude book, and I now have a testing date for ASTB. I will be applying for BDCP, I have 1.5 years until I graduate.

I was slightly discouraged last year, because I spoke to an officer recruiter who straight told me "You're near sighted? you WILL NOT be a pilot..", even though I've mentioned PRK to him. A couple months ago at school, I saw a usmc flyer from the officer team here in SD. I gave the capt. a call, and she told me pilot is possible with PRK. I was so happy, I spoke with my folks asap, and got PRK done.

5th week recovery now, my eye doc who's a Naval F.Surg. helped me to ultimately decide (realize) that I want to be an aviator, and that Docs generally do not become aviators, but some aviators DO become docs =). So now, my primary goal is flight school.. not medical school, though I hope my motivation for physician stays glowing if I have the privilege to fly for 8-10 years.. if not, then I'd eventually get to Med. school and go for a flight surgeon residency because I know some of them get to be up there and I NEED TO BE UP THERE.

Now that I'm actually going for BDCP, it seems kind of unreal.. (PRK, studying for ASTB) like a dream that I once had and is once again in my reach.. I have this uneasy feeling of "can I pull this off"?? I'm relying on my technical major, 17hrs flight time (but no PPL) and some e.c.'s like Hosp. Volunteering. My Gpa sux, but I can get it up still (3.0-ish).

I've been in contact with usmc team and got started working out, but I am not cleared yet by MEPS, so nothing is official.. I also realized that I want to be a Naval officer. Nothing is wrong with being a Marine, but I have to say, I grew up in a Navy family and I'm just used to the lifestyle exposure of the Navy, so I got in touch with a local Naval officer recruiter at Point Loma (SD).

I'm grateful for this site and all the folks that help me on here.. all the info (though I don't post much) really had an impact on my decisions, especially the decision to get PRK. I owe a lot to you guys!

It's nice to see someone that was here on the site a year ago, just starting to consider it and then here a year later completely dedicated. I hope that in a year I will be in a similar case, however just a bit ahead and my packet will have been sent out. You just add to my already high motivation. I wish the best to you and that you get accepted!