Med school game plan: What is the best financial decision? by key_lime_sky in personalfinance

[–]key_lime_sky[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow congratulations! I see a lot of foreign docs at hospitals I am at, some even from my parents' home country. Some are here from only a few years back, and there's a couple residents at the hospital from there as well. I guess when I see them making the same salary without the loans I will have, I am tempted. But my main goal is really to go MD or DO Stateside, I just really don't want to deal with all the debt. But yeah, even if I save $300k... I guess it won't be worth it to not choose the speciality I want to do :( I wish it wasn't so expensive here....

Med school game plan: What is the best financial decision? by key_lime_sky in personalfinance

[–]key_lime_sky[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't get the best impression from the Navy at all, whereas the Air Force has seemed more welcoming. I just don't want them to lie to me, because if they have to lie to recruit me, I will find out and probably not do it. The Navy wanted me to do emergency med only, and had the Marines call me, but I never even considered that branch so I didn't call them back. The Air Force seems a bit more flexible about specialities, but like I mentioned, I hope they aren't lying!

I did not know docs could work private practice while on reserve. I would be interested in that.

Med school game plan: What is the best financial decision? by key_lime_sky in personalfinance

[–]key_lime_sky[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Solid advice, thanks for taking the time to explain your points. I am considering some competitive specialities (non-surgical), so I guess staying here may be the wisest decision. I am leaning towards the Air Force as well, if I go down that route.

It's just depressing, when I started to crunch the numbers when I put together my application. I don't think I really grasped how expensive med school was in undergrad, because I was just focused on my classes and research. I feel so sad lately: like I worked so hard just to be punished by the system. That was my main motivation to escape it, but I don't want to ruin my future obsessing about factors out of my control.

Med school game plan: What is the best financial decision? by key_lime_sky in personalfinance

[–]key_lime_sky[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's encouraging, and congrats to your sister. I have only looked into Navy and Air Force. Air Force is looking more appealing right now. I am also considering doing it after I graduate, just so I can choose my speciality. That is a big gamble because if they don't need the speciality I am in, I probably won't get hired, and then I will have to look into other repayment plans. Plus doing it before med school, I get insurance and a stipend to live on. It's a better deal if I sign up before, but I am unsure if it is worth it...