I have a few questions about the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) with the active duty USN, hoping anyone currently in this program or a graduate of it can give me more info:
1) How competitive is it to get into this program? I know other branches (such as the Army) are hurting for physicians right now and will pay off med school debt similar to HPSP but I also know the USN is usually more competitive overall.

2) Does the USN differentiate between allopathic and osteopathic (MD/DO) programs when considering applicants? If so, is there discrimination towards students in osteopathic programs and are allopathic students more competitive?

3) How important is the MCAT in the application process? I know USMLE step 1 scores won't be available since they're not taken until after the second year so I'm guessing the decision panel only considers MCAT and GPA in terms of academics??

Thanks!

If you go to the following sites you can get in contact with people who have applied and have accepted HPSP. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=277317

As far as your questions
1.) The programs are pretty competitive. The last stats I had seen the average was a 3.5 and MCAT of 29. As far as the navy being more competitive Im not quite sure.
2.) The navy HPSP will pay for DO/MD school. I personally worked with 2 DO when I was in the military and one had a 3.2 with a 26R and the other had a 3.5 with a 31M.
3.) The MCAT is VERY Important as its a strong indicator on how well you wil do on the USMLE. The MCAT is not the only thing they look at though GPA is equally as important.

It's competitive both Army and Navy (I applied for the Army too in case I didn't get picked up with the Navy) but your MCAT scores are VERY VERY important.

What is the time line during and after you graduate from medical school? (i.e. is the six week officer training really boot camp?)

Do you complete residency at a civilian hospital and then enter active duty?

Where are medical graduates typically stationed?

Appreciate the help.

You are required to apply for a military residency. You can also request deferral for civilian training. If, however, the military selects you for an active duty residency, then you have to withdraw from the civilian match, and go train where you are told. If you are given a deferral for civilian training, then it must be in what you requested (as in, you cannot request deferral for civilian Neurosurgery, then decide to match into civilian Pediatrics). As far as where they are typically stationed Bethsada, Portsmouth, and San Diego!