Hi everyone,
I'm currently a graduating senior deciding between enlisting for 5 years, commissioning for 3 years, or going directly to medical school after 1-2 gap years. I will be graduating from a T20 undergrad with 3 majors and a first author publication, as well as a unique extracurricular. I believe my application is fairly strong and I would love the opportunity to see this hard work come to fruition and have the opportunity to attend a top medical school.
It's also been a long-term goal of mine to serve in the military, especially through the 18x program. I've physically pushed myself and stayed disciplined through this goal for the past three years, and I am confident that I fit the physical requirements to pass SFAS. I've met with a recruiter to discuss this extensively and the only step I have next is to sign.
However, I am worried about the professional and personal setbacks this will set me. I understand the risks that come with the job. I understand that I will be devoting my life to my career in the army and my personal life will no longer be a priority. However, I am in a relationship and my girlfriend will be going to med school this year and I want to see if anyone has overcome the challenges that came with this combo. I've scoured the internet and have come to an impasse, hence the crossroads.
Here are some of the pros and cons I've come up with. Please feel free to add or challenge any as you see fit. They are not in any particular order.
18x->med school:
OCS->commission->med school:
undergrad->gap years->med school:
I'm currently a graduating senior deciding between enlisting for 5 years, commissioning for 3 years, or going directly to medical school after 1-2 gap years. I will be graduating from a T20 undergrad with 3 majors and a first author publication, as well as a unique extracurricular. I believe my application is fairly strong and I would love the opportunity to see this hard work come to fruition and have the opportunity to attend a top medical school.
It's also been a long-term goal of mine to serve in the military, especially through the 18x program. I've physically pushed myself and stayed disciplined through this goal for the past three years, and I am confident that I fit the physical requirements to pass SFAS. I've met with a recruiter to discuss this extensively and the only step I have next is to sign.
However, I am worried about the professional and personal setbacks this will set me. I understand the risks that come with the job. I understand that I will be devoting my life to my career in the army and my personal life will no longer be a priority. However, I am in a relationship and my girlfriend will be going to med school this year and I want to see if anyone has overcome the challenges that came with this combo. I've scoured the internet and have come to an impasse, hence the crossroads.
Here are some of the pros and cons I've come up with. Please feel free to add or challenge any as you see fit. They are not in any particular order.
18x->med school:
Pros:
GI/Post-9/11
Unique life experience that I can take with me for the rest of my life
Mastery of discipline and drive
Opportunity to serve
Cons:
Lots of uncertainty (high risk of not passing the Q course, injury, death, etc.)
5 years without much freedom
5 years of missed attending salary
OCS->commission->med school:
Pros:
GI/Post-9/11
Leadership skills
Opportunity to serve
Cons:
3-4 years of missed attending salary
Middle ground with not as unique of a life experience
Big army
undergrad->gap years->med school:
Pros:
Potential to keep publishing
Will be able to keep strengthening application
Higher probability of staying with my significant other
Cons:
Medical school debt
General dissatisfaction with taking the safe route