Do I hate COT as a Medical Student?? (HPSP) (feat: thebrittnyway)

[@sevenmileshome]

I appreciate you making this video. I think it's possible that as your career goes on you will look back and see COT as one of the easiest challenges you faced. CPT Gurredo (sp?) is spot on, listen to what he is saying. It is the key to being successful and mentally strong in the military. Regardless of why you decided to take the HPSP scholarship, you will be in the military for a few years. It will make your life easier (and everyone's around you) if you try to laugh off the dumb stuff and work hard to be a positive influence. Best of luck, possible we will work together someday.

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Thanks! I am really enjoying my time in COT. I've learned tons and I can't wait to see what comes next.

[@studentdoctorfeery4485]

Great video Lt Maar!

[@TheWellsent]

Awesome vid man. Keep it up!

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

TheWellsent thanks man!

[@mandyads]

So, I might be a familiar face since I've commented on your channel before. Due to COVID, I've found out that I actually won't be able to start COT this summer and I'm trying to decide when to defer. It looks like the overall consensus is to go ahead and do it between 1st and 2nd year. What was this like for you? My biggest worry is missing some of those CV opportunities and... the burnout. I was really betting on having a mental break during that summer, especially since COVID has stolen any potential to "vacay" or whatever else before school starts.

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Hey! Familiar faces are always good! I actually went to COT before I started med school! Its more like a stressful summer camp, but trust me, you will have a great time and meet a ton of awesome people that you'll stay friends with for the rest of your life! But it can get a little stressful.

[@jbris16]

Hurry up and wait

[@mrrazrback2471]

I’m debating applying for the HPSP scholarship either through Army or Air Force. Have you enjoyed your experience with it and would you recommend picking the AF? I’m a senior in college at the moment.

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

I've enjoyed my experience and I definitely recommend Airforce by far, but im also biased

[@lexxxr8612]

These are great! I was worried to go to COT but this is reassuring. What made you choose HPSP over FAP? Im entering Navy and contrary to others, a GMO tour seems interesting and unique experience to me and I wouldn't get that chance with FAP. But FAP does provide more time to make sure you want to commit to military med given I think a lot can happen during med school.

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

The main reason I chose HPSP was the paying for med school in addition to the pay increase you get as a resident (Plus the very generous $20,000 bonus). The FAP only gives you a better salary as a resident. I'm not super familiar with how fap works, but I did do enough research to realize it wasnt for me and committing early was the best path! Dont forget to subscribe! Hope this helps!

[@lexxxr8612]

Student Physician Network Student Physician Network thank you so much! Appreciate the response, I’m on the same mindset as you. Loved the collab with Student Doc Feery 😊🙌🏼

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Lexxx R haha thanks!! We're going to AMP together next year and are going to try to knock out a bunch of videos. It's crazy that we ended up at COT together!

[@ErikaCorrea]

So are you not allowed to drink coffee?

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

You will get caffeine privileges granted eventually. It took my flight 2.5 weeks to get granted caffeine privileges

[@dylanslifeinavlog884]

Thx for the video I can't wait to join I wanna be a air Force jag

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Nice! I'll try an interview one of the JAGs here in my next video!

[@dylanslifeinavlog884]

Thx

[@whoanelly5716]

Yes! I will be joing the Air Force JAG as well.

[@dylanslifeinavlog884]

Whoa Nelly cool

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Whoa Nelly I'll see if I can get that footage for you! I'm running out of time. But I'll try hard!!

[@kathylala05]

as a physician assistant with a bachelors are there positions for me in the air force or would i be put into something different?

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

I believe your program would also be HPSP, if not very similar to HPSP! You would be an officer and would have a time requirement for every year you would be on scholarship. To be sure I would 1st talk to a recruiter in your area, but be mindful of what they promise you cause they can be decieving, 2nd do research on what the recruiter tells you or come back and ask me questions about it! Hope this helps! Dont forget to subscribe😊🤙

[@saleemchoudry5922]

How long is officer training school for Army HPSP?

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

They do it differently the airforce. As far as i know I believe it is 2 summers of 5 weeks.

[@saleemchoudry5922]

@@StudentPhysicianNetwork thank you!

[@maryduet5798]

Can you not wear contacts? I noticed a lot of people wearing glasses.

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Mary Duet you can totally wear contacts. I just didn't get my prescription done before I left. Don't forget to subscribe!

[@CompiChao]

Hello! Thank you for the video. Just wondering, do I need to study OTSMAN before I attend COT? And what else I need to study? Thank you for your answer!

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

You could study the OTSMAN if you wanted, but you'll have plenty of time to learn everything while you're at COT. I really wouldn't recommend studying ahead of time. The material isnt too bad to learn, just make sure to pay attention in class and take good notes!

[@HoldUrColours]

it's too bad that COT is being discontinued. Everything will be integrated into the 8-week TFOT.

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Yeah we actually heard about that about a week after making this video! Kinda wish I woul've just called this video OTS instead! But oh well! I wonder how that program will be considering it's an 8 week course

[@HoldUrColours]

I’m interested as well! Just out of curiousity, how did you set up your commissioning ceremony? Was it through your recruiter? Did you have to arrange it with anyone?

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

My recruiter just asked me when a good day was, then asked if I knew any commissioned officers/retired officers. So I contacted a physician I shadowed and he performed my commissioning ceremony. It was really low-key. My recruiter didn't tell me much either, it eventually just happened.

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

@Grande Vista I'm sorry, I'm not aware of anything! However, from what I heard it will be almost identical to a traditional 8 week OTS. The only difference is that since you are commissioned you will be place in charge of your flights/duties. The TFOTers will report to you and then the rest of the cadets will report to them. Hope this helps! Dont forget to subscribe!

[@taylornunn2872]

Just FYI, I go to COT in June for 5 weeks. The info I’ve got is the flight are integrated (commissioned officers and yet-to-be commissioned prior-E’s) but HPSP’s off-ramp at 5 weeks for the foreseeable future. We don’t have time in curriculum to do the full 8 unless you attend prior to Med School day 1. Eventually, they’ll slide HPSP selection up so more people can attend before but as of yet it’s just not possible for most.

[@edream2513soccer]

Is there a way to study beforehand so there's less studying to do at COT? (could you access material beforehand) Did anyone get sent home during your time there? Also, do the people at the base (who are NOT there for hpsp) think COT is a joke? I think that's how it should be.. I am commissioning as a doctor, not a frontline fighter.. Also, do females find it hard to marry when pursuing med school this way? I only ask b/c honestly, ppl generally think it's a negative thing that I am doing hpsp b/c i will give up control in my life. Obviously makes having a family and such more difficult when u add the element of unknown to your life (b/c we don't have full control during those years). I am still very young lol 21 y/o but still I do think about these things! any incite would be greatly appreciated :)

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Theres not really any way to study beforehand because they change the material almost every time they have a class. The studying isnt awful and you should be able to get it all done. If you can study for medschool then you can for sure make it through this. There were a number of people that got sent home. Most were from not passing their physical training test. Others were for not passing the exams. I'd probably say 30-40 people were sent home. Some people think it's a joke... it is NOT. Yes there are some things that you will be taught that arent applicable to your career, but much of the information is very useful. You will also develop very necessary leadership skills as well. Do not go in with the mindset that this is a joke. It will only make your time there harder. Take it serious. It shouldn't be anymore difficult than it would be if you're trying to marry during med school in general. It's a tough time, but they will work with you to make sure you and your spouse are happy. "Giving up control" is a very misleading and untrue statement. Yes, the airforce can suggest that you go into a field that they need, but if you're a competitive applicant and youre very determined and respected then you wont have trouble going into your desired field. It is as competitive if not less competitive than the civilian world. Jeep this in mind. Many people would like to think that the airforce has ultimate control of your future, but the truth is they're more flexible and considerate than one would think. Just like a civilian residency theres uncertainty. You ultimately dont have control on which program accepts you and often people just go to the program that does. It very similar in the airforce. Let me know if these sparked any other interests or questions I'd be happy to discuss them! Dont forget to subscribe!!!

[@edream2513soccer]

30 - 40 PPL WERE SENT HOME?! What happens if that happens? u lose the hpsp scholarship? not passing the physical exam is ridiculous b/c the standards are not hard lol. But I have no clue how hard the exams are / time you have to study. There's nothing you can study beforehand?

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

E K roughly that many. The exams arent bad. As long as you take them seriously you'll do just fine. Uou need to get an average of 80% on both the exams to pass and if you dont you'll have to take a comprehensive review exam that has some of the same questions from the other exams it's pretty easy. Since you're already commissioned as an officer they cant just take your scholarship away. They will make you come back though until you pass. You'll want to be prepared the first time. Theres really nothing that could help you study. They keep all the materials they give you. And the quizlets online are normally out of dat and not useful.

[@edream2513soccer]

Ohh so they don't take it away? then that's fine by me. No the goal would never be to do poorly, but it would be v problematic to just lose the scholarship. I don't know that my time management skills are the best, but I also know I went to a hard undergrad. I once took a summer course at a school near my house and I hardly studied at all/ didn't open a book and got an A, so I was like wow some schools are not as hard as my university (ie: the average ACT score of my undergrad is a 32-34), but my experience was that I would have to study late at night and i know you're not allowed to do that. I am just about to start med school, so we will see how my time management skills are soon. I know that's important, so I have been working on it.

[@edream2513soccer]

I wish we could study beforehand, that would take away any potential issues. For example, you don't just show up at COT without ever having run or practiced the physical standards. I wish u could prepare in the same way for the info

[@Arkyark672]

OMG MY LAST NAME IS HEARD TOO!!!!!!!! And I just started following Brittany! Lol I got to MSU so we cant stand Florida sorry 🤦🏾‍♀️ #HailState!

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Haha that's crazy! Are you guys related?! Yeah I was NOT a fan of Florida😂 but Brittny is pretty cool! Glad you liked the video!

[@mstrode4449]

Do not do it. It will be the biggest mistake of your life. I am serving my commitment currently and it had destroyed my career. The military for surgeons at least and even worser for other professions is a terrible thing . STAY AWAY!!! ITS NOT WORTH IT

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

I believe this is a skewed view. I'm arguing this is not for everyone, but the vast majority of people who do decide to go into the program enjoy their experience. Im sorry you did not have a good experience. Perhaps elaborating on what went wrong for you.

[@mstrode4449]

Student Physician Network it’s not skewed at all. Ask ANY military surgeon right now in the army if they are happy? You will not find a single one. Surgeons are generally disrespected and treated like garbage. You are constantly deployed and doing virtually zero cases while deployed. At home you average about 20% of the avg civilian surgeon and that is published data. You are also assured to be mapped to forscom units where you will also be pulled to do useless training. The list goes on and on. We will be lucky to find a job when we can get out with these numbers. If you pay attention to the news, check out the slew of articles published recently by Steve Sternberg in the US News and World Report.

[@princess287love]

Is it also bad for CRNAs as well?

[@ServiceBeforeSelf]

COT was terrible.

[@StudentPhysicianNetwork]

Service Before Self haha it wasnt too bad, but I agree😂