Med School opportunities after the USNA

navy2010
Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:39:34 +0000

I think the pros and cons have been teased out across many posts. One considering the pursuit of medical school, with USNA as the conduit, would be well served to shift through EVERY POST to weigh out those pros and cons - most carefully.

Having said that, I would like to add further comment on a few statements that may or may not be true.



Yet, my guess is that those who are dead set on achieving this goal are pretty special people to start off with.



I would bet that the majority of students entering USNA would put themselves in that category on I-Day, regardless of where they see themselves heading. Where they sit at the end of 4 years is another story, even with the best of intent at the get-go.



Either that, or severely deluded, with an unrealistic view of their abilities.

USNA will provide the necessary reality check, and in short order.



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.



Also, at these civilian schools, there is intense competition (even sabotage) amongst the students trying to get into medical school. That does not exist in the least bit at the Naval Academy.

One needs only to look into the halls of Mother B to realize that is simply not true, despite our collective wish to “wish it so.” I will give you that it is “less” prominent at the USNA [ship, shipmate, self], however there are still plenty who put that sequence in reverse. Sabotage at USNA is most subtle and passive aggressive, and while not prevalent, enough of a presence to rear its ugly head each and every semester.



There is no student-vs.-student competition for medical school at the Naval Academy. There are generally fewer trying to get into the Medical Corps than there are spots available.

As mentioned, over time it becomes a self-selective process. However, that is just the start of the process. Even the USNA grad needs to gain acceptance into Med-school, and that requires a certain GPA and MCAT score. USNA on the diploma only goes so far.



Also, at West Point, during the Junior year they choose which Cadets will apply to Medical School. If you do not have the blessing of the Army then you won’t get support to attend interviews etc.

No such restriction is placed on the civilian side of the equation. Grades not good enough for US med school? No problem! Apply to foreign med schools, then come back to US for your internship and residency. We get PLENTY of our interns and residents from that route each and every year! Again, an option from civilian undergrad programs- NOT an option from USNA or West Point.

In the big picture, there are better ways of accomplishing the “I want to be a doctor” goal, even with limited funds. NRTOC scholarship to a good undergrad school, with a true pre-med curriculum, will still get you on the path to med school with less demands on your time, and without the obligation to complete a core of engineering course work that is required at USNA, and still on the governments dime. My question to the candidate is WHY they are not seeking that route as a first choice IF medical school is the “desired goal.”

WHich brings me back full circle for sure.
Be sure of what you want, to the best of your ability, and then weigh the BEST ROUTE to get you there- most carefully I will add.