i dont have the money to pay for college, so can i become a doctor through the military in a reasonble time?

Question

i just signed up for the american airforce because they promised to pay 100%of my tuition. i wish to become a doctor but my family struggles with financial problems so the airforce seems liked a smart decision considering the expenses of a medical education. i really cant afford one right now.

i want an outside view because, obviously, the airforce is not going to give me any negative information about this.

so, is it possible for me to become a doctor/surgeon through the military in a reasonable time? (i dont want to spend 30 years trying to become one by using the military if other avenues exist that are affordable). i have a major goal and passion in life, and that is to become a doctor.

Answer 1

My friend tried to get into the air force program that pays for med school. Didn't get in. However, it's an awesome deal. It doesn't take any longer than normal. The "restriction" is that you're required to work as a doc for the air force for a few years (4 or 5, can't remember) after you're done with school.

Ok, you won't be paid what a regular doctor would be, but it's not that bad. You get free housing and food. They give you a uniform. You've got no expenses. So, the little you do make goes entirely into your savings. Plus, you get military benefits as well.

I'm not sure you knew exactly what you signed up for. If you haven't gone to college yet, you get a certain amount, but it's still going to cost you 4 years of service before you even apply to med school. You don't automatically get into med school and if you want them to pay for med school, you gotta reapply and commit to more years. It sounds like you just got your undergrad paid for, in exchange for 4 years of service. Tack on the 4 years if you get into the air force med program, you're signing up for 8 extra years of serving in the air force before you can do what you want.

If you're debt free cuz of that, maybe it's a good deal for you.

Most kids take loans though. Maybe do the airforce and get your undergrad paid for. Do you 4 years and then apply to med school. However, for med school, just take out loans like the vast majority of med students do. As a doc, you'll make enough to pay it back.

Answer 2

I am retired from the military. I know where you are coming from, the short answer is NO. The long answer and some explainations and insite. I attained my degree in accounting while serving. I was not able to take too many classes early in my career. No matter what anybody says or how long you are in the military; it is a career; maybe for only 3 years, but a career nonetheless. As a private, airman in your case, you do all the work. So, you have little time for school. After almost 20 years, I was able to attend college regularly. You have to understand, the United States is at war and that has priority, you going to college comes second. They did not lie, they will pay 100% of tuition, when you are able to go. I was lucky to be able to get an assignment (and some rank) to be able to attend college at night and work during the day. I had no life. Every day after work, I would be in class until 9 pm, then it was home to do homework, and back up to work again. I was taking 2 sometimes 3 classes a session. A session was 6 weeks, classes were Monday thru Thursday; Monday & Wednesday being the same cass and Tuesday & Thursday the same. When I stated taking classes full time, it took me 3 years to get my bachelors degree. The common won't be a problem, like math, english, science, and such. Your issue is getting the pre med classes and making sure they will be accepted by the medical school you want to attend. I think you should join for the new GI Bill (touse when you get out) and try to take as much common core classes as you can. If you know where you want to get your under graduate degree from, check out their curriculum to make sure they will accept all your classes.

Answer 3

It's a great way to go. If the passion is to save lives and not get rich 'soon' then not only will you learn medical skills, you will get so much more... so very much more.

You also will get a lot more experience doing surgery on "healthy" patients which will be a big plus because on the outside you will have plenty of old sick types.

You really need to talk to a "retired" or old doc that went the military route. I guarantee they have a tremendous amount of pride of what they did and it wasn't "because I did it myself."

I don't think you can make a mistake with this one.

Besides you will lessen the burden on your folks and eliminate any guilt/regret they might have. If I was your dad I would be very proud of your decision.

Answer 4

You will have to spend 4 years in the military and then 8 years is college and medical school.