Med School opportunities after the USNA

Memphis9489
Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:47:28 +0000

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In another case, the individual put Medical Corps as his first choice but he had not, as of yet, been accepted into any medical school and he only had a 3.4 GPA - good, but actually somewhat unimpressive for your typical medical school applicant. Plus, he seemed to indicate that he was disappointed with his MCAT scores.

One can only wonder how this student would have faired IF they did not have the other components and responsibilities associated with a USNA curriculum and REQUIRED demands on their time. Perhaps, without those added pressures, their GPA would be more competitive in the bigger pool of med-school applicants, which is the point many have raised. Again, if med-school is the goal, it would stand to reason one would be better served to give themselves the best advantage possible to prep for it.

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No doubt about it - if a student would find the rigors of academy life a hindrance to preparing himself for medical school - he should not attend the academy.

But that is exactly the type of thing that a medical school admissions board would understand, appreciate, and respect.

I think that the best way to approach it is this: There is nothing wrong with going to the Naval Academy with your primary goal being getting into the Medical Corps, as long you are willing to acceptable an alternative service selection.

I think you’d have to say the same thing about an NROTC midshipman pursuing the Medical Corps.

Sure - the Naval Academy is more difficult than most civilian universities. But, like I said before, in some ways it offers less distractions and less opportunities to jump of the track.

During my years at the academy, I know that I never missed studying for a big exam because I attended some big frat party. Nor was I ever recovering from a hangover on Monday morning. Nor did I have any difficulty finding a peaceful environment conducive to studying.

This past summer, I ran into a 2/C midshipman who was at the Academy for the sole purpose of preparing for his MCAT. I think the Naval Academy is not as hostile to those who are seriously pursuing the Medical Corps.

There has been some mention in this thread about the Naval Academy not permitting a midshipman to interview for med school. Really? I seriously doubt that they will deny him that opportunity.