What options are there for Pre-Med in ROTC?

[Nick0726]

Could I use the 4 year AROTC schoalrship to pay for my undergrad major (Biology), commission and serve my four years, then to to Medical School?

Are there any Army options that give scholarships to applicants that pay for undergrad degree as well as medical school? And in return, you are an Army doctor?

How much of a need is there for doctors in the Army?

 

[Aglahad]

First off, why major in Biology? Do you have a passion for it or probably more likely, do you think it will help your chances at med school? As a little bit of advice, it won't. I have met more non-science majors get into med school than science with biology majors being almost dead last in annual MCAT scorers. It's added stress of a difficult major with no gain on your application. All that med schools require are stellar pre-req grades, high MCAT scores and the usual extra curriculars.

Yes, you can go to med school after ROTC under the education delay program.

Yes, I can almost guarantee the Army will give you a HPSP scholarship to pay for med school.

Yes, the Army needs doctors.

Now the fun part? Getting into med school with the usual pre-med attrition rate (from freshman year to med school graduation) being 95-98%. Good luck.

 

[Nick0726]

Biology, because I've seen several Pre-Med students who have picked up a Bio major since their Medical School prerequisites almost would have been a major anyway.

I know most med schools at least prefer a minor in physical sciences, and you might as well because you're already taki the necessary classes. Thanks for the advice! 98% attrition rate? Wow.....

 

[Aglahad]

Biology, because I've seen several Pre-Med students who have picked up a Bio major since their Medical School prerequisites almost would have been a major anyway.

I know most med schools at least prefer a minor in physical sciences, and you might as well because you're already taki the necessary classes. Thanks for the advice! 98% attrition rate? Wow.....

Pre-med or actual medical students? Pre-med doesn't mean anything. Med schools nowadays like to see well rounded students and Biology doesn't fit the bill.

Pre-med requires 1 year of General Biology which is hardly enough for a biology major. Major in something you like and excel in your pre med classes because when you hit cellular/molecular bio and comparative anatomy your GPA will suffer and med schools will not care that you took those classes.

As an anecdote my roommate was pre-med and majored in Biology, with a crushing 4 years of Bio overkill and a 3.1 GPA/so-so MCAT he failed to get into med school and is now a MS Army officer. He kicks himself everyday for going into what he thought was the standard "doctor" undergrad degree.

 

[Nick0726]

Okay I'm still exploring possible majors, so I'll definitely keep my options open! Is the HSPS scholarship only awarded when you're actually accepted to Medical School?

 

[Aglahad]

Okay I'm still exploring possible majors, so I'll definitely keep my options open! Is the HSPS scholarship only awarded when you're actually accepted to Medical School?

Yes, otherwise it would have no use.

 

[paradoxer]

Follow your passion

Okay I'm still exploring possible majors, so I'll definitely keep my options open! Is the HSPS scholarship only awarded when you're actually accepted to Medical School?

Follow your passion so you will do well. Develop your people skills. There's a real push for med schools to admit students that will have strong caring skills not just high test scores/GPA. Also you really need to consider the mission of the med schools as they will focus on interviewing those with good fit for the stated mission. As you choose your EC's during undergraduate years consider this as well so you can build towards those mission statements. Your major will be low on the list. I've been a part of about 80 interviews this past year for a med school and not once did I know the major of the person interviewed. You do need to be articulate, able to process information quickly, compassionate, have broad people experience and exude some confidence which are all life skills not usually learned from sitting in a classroom but required for success. Might be some things ROTC builds towards as well.