Guest Burningsnowaz Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 I am finishing my prerequisites (A&P, Gen Chem, O Chem) for entry to a PA program. I am a civilian with no military service. I have been corresponding with a recruiter and IPAP director about the possibilities of enlisting to apply for IPAP. I have been told that there are waivers for service time which are frequently given. From the threads on here, it sounds as if the IPAP program is extremely competitive (350 applicants for 60 seats). However, most of the civilian PA programs I have looked into seem to have worse ratios of acceptance (800 applicants for 30 seats). I don't have a medical background but I do have a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling (3.48 GPA in Bachelors program and 3.74 GPA in Masters program). SAT will be retaken in two weeks but my previous scores were just under 1900 (>10 yrs ago). I've always had a strong desire to serve in the military so the thought of enlisting doesn't worry me. However, my goal is to get my PA degree, not serve in the military. The reasons I am drawn to IPAP is the thought of graduating with no debt and having built in experience when my service in complete. The IPAP also seems to be a good fit for individuals with families, which I have. Sorry for the length of my post. I am just really hoping to get a perspective from some individuals with a Military background on whether they think I should pursue this program through the IPAP or civilian schools? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 26, 2008 Moderator Share Posted November 26, 2008 Sorry to throw water on your fire but the chance of getting into IPAP as a civilian is minimal to none. anyone who tells you anything else, say a recruiter, is LYING....there are guys who been been military medics for 10 yrs who can't get into IPAP...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradtPA Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Or in my case, 20 years;). I had to retire and then go to school.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Burningsnowaz Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Wow! Thanks for the input. Better to hear this information BEFORE I enlist. Anyone have a differing view or is this general concensus out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prospective PA Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 General consensus...search on the military thread about IPAP...there is a wealth of info there. Most would agree that it is basically impossible to get in and certainly not just going into the military...even after many years very highly qualified dont get accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMAESE Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 im SHOCKED that the recruiter would lead you on like that. i bet he even wanted you to be enlisted rather than to go officer. :rolleyes:as you can gather, yes it is really difficult to enter the military and get into IPAP your first tour. most would say impossible. there are stats available online as to the class stats and you can see the gpa, experience, time in service ect. and see for yourself rather than trusting a recruiter. i understand your motives for IPAP but there are other ways to get the same benefits without IPAP. i would recommend attending a civilian pa school. your odds of getting in are vastly greater. judging by your stats you are head and shoulders above the typical applicant. take out loans to pay for it and then you can enter the military and have them pay off your loans for only a 3 year commitment. search military loan repayment for details. plus you get advanced rank for your master degree. good luck in which ever path you choose to follow. pablo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prospective PA Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Burning, there is a specific forum on here for those accepted or interested in IPAP, look there and interact with the people there for more specific answers... And definitely go officer not enlisted after civilian PA school. see link: TEXAS: Interservice, Academy of Health Sciences, US Army Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausidmt Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 Alas Burningsnow, what you have been told by others is true. If being a PA in the military is what you would like to do in the end I would try contacting a medical recruiter and see what they have to say about your chances of joining after PA School, and discuss loan repayment, etc. While my time was spent as an enlisted person, and I enjoyed it thoroughly, you will find that being an officer has its perks, LOL! Speaking with any run of the mill recruiter you find in the yellow pages, they will promise you anything and everything under the sun to get you to sign on the dotted line. So go in with an open mind but having done your homework. Or you could be guarding a gate in the sandbox with your head spinning wondering how you got there. Not that there is anything wrong with that! Hats off to all that are doing the job, and if you read this come home soon and be safe! Cheers, Haus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradtPA Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 The Air Force will only accept enlisted for IPAP. The Army is not so particular (I trained with 2 officers in their clinicals and mine at Fort Bragg). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPAP1 Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 Hi, I am the IPAP Program Manager and I would never encourage someone to enlist to apply for IPAP :) Periord :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabRat26 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Burningsnow, Take a look at this website http://navmedmpte.med.navy.mil/accessions/index.cfm. This is what I did. Served enlisted 7 yrs Navy, got out at end of tour and went to a civilian program. The HPSP paid for everything and gave a monthly stipend. My pay back is 3 years and I'm looking forward to starting as a Navy Officer (0-2) March 2009. PM me if I can offer anymore information regarding this program. Cheers! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2010PA Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 I wouldn't discourage this guy if he wants to enlist to go for a PA program, however with that said, yes you will be waiting a while. Reason being, the PA board looks at the "whole person", not just scholastic achievements. EPRs are a factor in the acceptance portion and without any way proving you are serious and seperating yourself from your peers won't help in the decision making process for the board. But good luck trying if you're applying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DanyelleS Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 From the threads on here, it sounds as if the IPAP program is extremely competitive (350 applicants for 60 seats). However, most of the civilian PA programs I have looked into seem to have worse ratios of acceptance (800 applicants for 30 seats). I don't have a medical background but I do have a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling (3.48 GPA in Bachelors program and 3.74 GPA in Masters program). SAT will be retaken in two weeks but my previous scores were just under 1900 (>10 yrs ago). First, you're comparing apples to oranges. The members competing for IPAP are, for the most part, currently enlisted members already in an enlistment contract and thus only applying to that one program. Civilians, on the other hand, apply to several schools at once (if they're smart). So, say you have 6 different schools that accept 30 people each per year, and all the same people applied to each of those six different schools, you could potentially have 180 applicants to each school if each person were going to get accepted to one of those six schools and fill the seats. This is not realistic, of course, but it shows you the difference in numbers (those 180 applying for 30 seats could potentially all be accepted at the six different schools whereas 290 of the IPAP applicants definately WON'T get accepted to the program). My second observation is that you say you got just under 1900 on the SAT 10 years ago... from what I recall, the maximum score was a 1600, so what was your trick? ;) In the Coast Guard (which I am in), only enlisted members can compete for the IPAP. So if you were to join as an officer, it would not be an option for you. You would qualify for the GI bill, though, I believe (I'm not too savvy on officer benefits) which would pretty much pay for your education at a state school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drjay88 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 hi my name is jay i just got enlisted for NJ army guard but not to get PA admission I join as 68W as medical care specialist but I have MBBS and MD degree but unable to get into residency in any medicine or psychiatry program but soon i m going for my basics and AIT training for six month then i will be back and i m intersted getting in to PA program any civilian for army . plz guid me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeason Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 hi my name is jay i just got enlisted for NJ army guard but not to get PA admission I join as 68W as medical care specialist but I have MBBS and MD degree but unable to get into residency in any medicine or psychiatry program but soon i m going for my basics and AIT training for six month then i will be back and i m intersted getting in to PA program any civilian for army .plz guid me what? what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drjay88 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 hi jbeason plz guidw me for PA admission . thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwgirl Posted December 25, 2008 Share Posted December 25, 2008 In the Coast Guard (which I am in), only enlisted members can compete for the IPAP. So if you were to join as an officer, it would not be an option for you. You would qualify for the GI bill, though, I believe (I'm not too savvy on officer benefits) which would pretty much pay for your education at a state school. For the Army, officers are eligible to apply for IPAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex2348 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 hi my name is jay i just got enlisted for NJ army guard but not to get PA admission I join as 68W as medical care specialist but I have MBBS and MD degree but unable to get into residency in any medicine or psychiatry program but soon i m going for my basics and AIT training for six month then i will be back and i m intersted getting in to PA program any civilian for army .plz guid me WHAT? MD DEGREE BUT COULD NOT GET INTO A RESIDENCY??? ARE WE MISSING SOMETHING?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest foreverLaur Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I have been toying with the idea of joining the Army as a RN after I get my BSN and pass the NCLEX. It seems to have a lot of positives. If anyone could give me a first-hand view of what it is like to be a nurse (or medical professional) in the Army, I'd appreciate it. Recruiters seem to paint a very pretty picture. After I put in my few years as a RN in the Army, would I qualify to apply to IPAP? Any tips on studying for the SAT? When I took the ACT/SAT in high school, my scores didn't match up at all (at least according to comparison charts). I got a 33 (give or take a point - don't quite remember) on the ACT, but only a 1120 on the SAT (which corresponds to a 1650 on the new SAT) which obviously isn't nearly high enough! My 33 ACT score equates to a 2190 SAT score but my SAT score equates to a 24 ACT score! Don't know what went wrong there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrthoSurgeryPA Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Recruiters seem to paint a very pretty picture. After I put in my few years as a RN in the Army, would I qualify to apply to IPAP? FWIW: Two points: 1) Recruiters have no control over who gets in to IPAP. Period. Disregard everything they say unless it is verified by the IPAP PD or someone else directly in the change of command at IPAP. 2) Officers can apply to IPAP in the Army. You will have to get "permission" to apply since you hold a commission (read: mission impact). You will have to agree to the applicable service obligation and rank re-appointment according to constructive service credit. Refer to this: http://www.usarec.army.mil/armypa/application.htm Being in milmed is not medicine in green. There are very distinct differences and you would do well to listen to those who know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest foreverLaur Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 This is one area that I know absolutely nothing about. I'm hoping to learn as much as possible about joining the Army as a RN, what life is like as an Army Nurse, and what I would then have to do to enter IPAP and what my chances would be (would holding a commission hurt my chances? Is permission had to get?) :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrthoSurgeryPA Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Click on "Officer Memo" and read carefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrthoSurgeryPA Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 This is one area that I know absolutely nothing about. I'm hoping to learn as much as possible about joining the Army as a RN, what life is like as an Army Nurse, and what I would then have to do to enter IPAP and what my chances would be (would holding a commission hurt my chances? Is permission had to get?) :confused: I wish you luck in your journey. I had to get out for a few months to go to a civilian PA school and come back in (HPSP) after 12 years as a medic (4N). Maybe send IPAP1 a pm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest foreverLaur Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I wish you luck in your journey. I had to get out for a few months to go to a civilian PA school and come back in (HPSP) after 12 years as a medic (4N). Maybe send IPAP1 a pm? I have no idea who that is, but I'll look up the user name. I appreciate the help! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrthoSurgeryPA Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 IPAP1 = IPAP PD (Army) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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