Pre Med USMA?

soccerboy97

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Oct 13, 2015
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Is it possible to do your med/dental school requirements without being a life science major? I want to go to med school, but I really don't want to major in biology.
 
You want to go to medical school and not major in biology?

Look at other majors and see what is happening.

I know they do a medical school program, and you can always do it after USMA, in the Army.

I may be completely wrong.

Good luck.
 
They don't have a biology major at USMA.

http://www.usma.edu/curriculum/SitePages/Home.aspx

There is a list of the majors offered at USMA^.

It says on this page that the cadets who want the medical usually select either the Chemistry Major or Life Science Major.

http://www.usma.edu/chemistry/sitepages/medical school option.aspx

It says on this page^ that the cadets who get the medical option usually select either the Chemistry Major or Life Science Major.

It also says on that page that only up to 2% of each class can take the medical school option. If you are set on becoming a doctor, USMA might not be the place for you because there is probably a very high chance that you don't become a part of that 2%.
 
I know they do a medical school program, and you can always do it after USMA, in the Army.
I don't think this is true. Since only 2% of each graduating class can take the medical school option, I would guess that there are cadets, and probably a good number of them, that don't get to medical school option.

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/branch-night-class-of-2016.45559/

Only 20 people got medical services in the class of 2016. 139 people got field artillery. I read about a lot more people on here that want to go to medical school after USMA than people that want to be in field artillery after USMA. From what I can tell, the interest in medical school is high while the number of slots is low.
 
med school has certain courses they want to see in your college transcript, so being biology or chemistry major at West Point makes it easier to take those courses. If not, just have take addition courses. Those courses will also help with MCAT.

As for the confusion, it's about when

If you want to go right after West Point graduation, the only option is making the 2% allowed

If you want to wait a couple or more, there is Uniformed Services Medical school / scholarship that will allowed you to attend medical school before your military obligation is up. This scholarship comes with additional service obligation as a doctor.

Or after your military obligation is up, just apply to any medical school you want.
 
In addition to the excellent info given by MemberLG. Those cadets who want to major in Life Sciences are identified early. Almost during their second semester of Plebe year. During that first year, cadets are recognized for their strengths and weakness academically. When you complete Affirmation is the trigger point the Army will look at you as a viable candidate. If a cadet wants to pursue Life Sciences they will follow that path of prerequisite courses. (as stated above by MemberLG) By law only 2% from that class are given the opportunity to branch. It is not competitive, what I mean, the major it self will weed the weak out. There are approximately 40 to 45 cadets who qualify, now, there is a civilian in that department who holds the keys, he gives the green light to that cadet. So politics has a play. A cadet can follow a path of being a physician, physicians assistant, dentistry or veterinarian career. Yes, being a vet in the Army is very important. Why? A dirty secret about the Army. The Army conducts almost more humanitarian missions than force or combat missions. Livestock is very important and the health of the animals is a concern for the locals.

In my opinion, this path is very inefficient. You would be better off attending ROTC or OSC.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Might also be good to consider if you would be happy attending any SA if you did NOT get your chosen career field. There is no guarantee you will get your first choice and some (like the medical field) are far more selective. Many older threads also touch on this topic so probably good to review those.

Need to ask yourself if your primary interest is military service or becoming a doctor?
 
I sure miss ScoutPilot. Where has he been? He loved these Service Academy route to Med School threads.
 
Need to ask yourself if your primary interest is military service or becoming a doctor?

OP... thanks for your opening question. Posters... thanks for your insights. This past year I have read some Med School threads. SO... any insight here would help. I'm trying to remain neutral as it's a big decision for DD.

She wants to serve in the military as an emergency medicine doctor. DD is fully qualified with nominations to West Point and the Naval Academy. Last week she received a full tuition merit scholarship at a favorite school, (no room or board) and she is over the top excited. The only requirement to keep the scholarship is good behavior and a 3.2 GPA. She has till Jan 31st to decide. But she's not sure if she should accept the scholarship or wait it out to find out if she has an academy appointment.

West Point has always been tops on her list; the 2% acceptance rate is okay with her for med school, but she is wondering if it is the right path for wanting to pursue the medical field. OCS, ROTC and other options are starting to look good. She has been working the Plan A, B, C, etc.

I am ok with whatever plan she chooses as I know she will do well. Any insights?
 
The usual path to military MD career is via Health Professional Scholarship Program, attending civilian college, then civilian medical school using HPSP. USUHS, the military medical school, is another route. The key thing if she attends an SA, knowing it's a very long shot to get a med corps slot, is she perfectly fine and happy branching something else, setting aside or deferring her ER doc dream for many years. She is in a great strategic position, and the challenge becomes which road becomes "the road not taken." What does she want to gamble on - she will have to work out those pro's and cons and set herself up for the path that suits her best.

Plenty of threads on here, as noted, that relate to MD paths.
And here is the link for Army HPSP:
http://m.goarmy.com/amedd/education/hpsp.m.html
 
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soccerboy97 and Midwest -

Here are some of the matriculation facts for the USUHS Class of 2018 https://www.usuhs.edu/medschool/matriculation-facts

Of the 24 that entered directly from Service Academies, 12 were from USMA and have an Army commitment. I have heard at least two of them majored in Psychology.

Consider getting your undergraduate degree without a military commitment. Major in anything you like that incorporates a moderate to large number of the Med School prerequisites that have been changing over the last few years.

Read this thread among others.....if you take the ROTC scholarship or go to a SA and are successful into medicine you have a commitment until well into your thirties based on decisions made as a 17 year old.....http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/rotc-to-become-a-doctor.45747/#post-451832
 
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She is in a great strategic position, and the challenge becomes which road becomes "the road not taken." What does she want to gamble on - she will have to work out those pro's and cons and set herself up for the path that suits her best.

Consider getting your undergraduate degree without a military commitment. Major in anything you like that incorporates a moderate to large number of the Med School prerequisites that have been changing over the last few years.

Thanks Capt MJ and AROTC Parent for your feedback. I will be passing the links on to my DD. She applied for several college and community scholarships, so it should be interesting to see what else shows up. DD said the application and interview process for the full college scholarship was a cakewalk compared to the rigor of the academy applications, nomination interviews, etc. She gets misty eyed when she thinks of West Point, but I think that's because she had a blast at SLE this past year.
 
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