I recently got my BFE from USAFA and learned that I have until the 15th to make a decision on my offer, but I also have appointments to USNA and USMA and I'm having a tough time deciding. I plan on being a Chemistry or Biology major and pursuing an occupation in the medical field, eventually I want to become a surgeon. Each academy can lead me down this path and I will be happy as long as I can serve my country so I'm a bit impartial to the branch, but whatever way I choose I'm looking at 10 years of service and so I'm thinking much more long term.
Can anyone give me advice based on medical standings or personal experience? I have 13 days to decide the next 15 years of my life
and I appreciate the input, thanks!
I graduated USAFA in 2010 with a major in Biochemistry (the degree is a BS in Chemistry with a biochemistry track [other two are materials science and chemistry only)]) I applied to both Med schools and grad schools. Was able to get an interview at Harvard for medicine shockingly. After that interview, I decided I no longer was seeking to go into medicine and drops my other med school apps in lieu of attending grad school. Currently in my 2nd of three years pursuing a PhD at RAND.
For USAFA, we rarely fill our medical school slots. This is due to the number of people actually qualified. The year I took organic chemistry (2007-2008), we had something like a 100 people taking that course. The failure rate was 1/3, the D or worse rate was 50%. Lots of people from other majors taking Orgo attempting to go to medical school. It was the weed-out course for both chemistry and medical school wanna-be people. Personally, I think I peaked in my chemistry career in Orgo as PChem and my other courses were dull to me.
Regardless....for those that are qualified, most will get into a MD or DO program. I have several friends at UofVirginia (UVA), NOVA, Baylor, UofTexas, etc. I stayed with two grads at Harvard med when I went to interview. I think the typical spread in MCAT scores for us was 27-35. In my year the highest score (UVA person) got a 37 and the lower scores people usually went into DO programs.
In my year we had 14 Chemistry majors of which 9 were biochemistry. I think only three of us biochem majors didn't go to med school (I went to RAND, one went to missiles, one went to AFIT for a masters to become an AF scientist). Biochem majors are the largest represented group among our med school people.
Keep in mind that your medical specialty will also be limited by the needs of the service you are in. They need to have an opening in that specialty as well as a residency for you to go through.
As far as schools, if you do well, high quality schools are more than happy to take our grads. Most are very successful in med school as well.
Ten years is quite the underestimate.
Breakdown at the MINIMUM:
4 years USAFA (for instance)
4 years med school (HPSP for the lower commitment)
1-2 years internships
3+ years for residency
~4+ years commitment
I'm using what I remember and someone like kp2001 can give a more accurate description, but that's 15+ years easy right there. That's looking at the minimum you could probably do.
