Right so, I’ve heard that serving in the military could possibly improve my chances of getting into medical school. Anyone know if there's any truth to this? And if so, any idea which branch would be the best option?
Yes, serving in the military can potentially increase your chances of getting into medical school, but not solely because it's seen as an impressive extracurricular. What med school admissions are ultimately looking for are experiences that show you've developed key skills and characteristics like leadership, problem solving, communication, and empathy — all of which can definitely be developed in a military environment.
The military also offers unique experiences that can be related to a medical career. For instance, you may have the opportunity to serve in a medical capacity within the military, gaining hands-on medical and patient care experience. This could make your application stand out as you will have real-life experiences to draw on.
Regarding which branch to choose, it would be essential to consider your personal interests and career goals rather than trying to optimize for med school admissions. Each branch offers various programs and roles so do some research to pick the one that aligns best with your goals. For instance, if you are specifically interested in a career as a military doctor, you might want to look into the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), which covers the cost of medical school in exchange for a service commitment.
However, joining the military is a significant commitment and not a decision to be made lightly. It should align with your long-term goals and interests, not just serve as a means to bolster your medical school application. Remember, you will have to fulfill your commitment to the military, which typically lasts at least a few years, and may include deployments overseas. So, it's a decision that requires serious consideration and should align with your personal career aspirations and life plans.
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