Pre-Med Option

NROTC Navy Pre-Med Program Option

The Medical Corps (MC) Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC) Navy-Pre-medical option scholarship program is available to students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and admission to medical school via a Navy student pipeline via Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) or Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (AFHPSP). 

Requirements

Navy Pre-Med Option scholarship program applicants must meet all NROTC scholarship application eligibility standards. Additionally, Navy Pre-Med Option applicants must have achieved a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or a minimum SAT score of 1300, or composite ACT score of 28.

Full-time college students at NROTC-affiliated educational institutions not already on an NROTC scholarship may apply through their educational institution’s NROTC unit for a Navy Pre-Med Option scholarship if, at the conclusion of their first (2 semesters/3 quarters) or second (4 semesters/6 quarters) academic year they are maintaining a college GPA of 3.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Once selected and accessed into the NROTC program, Midshipmen participating in the program must satisfy all NROTC commissioning requirements for regular Navy-Option Midshipmen.
 

Application Note

• Navy Pre-Med Option Applicants apply as Navy Option Midshipmen and Opt-In to the Navy Pre-Med Option during the application process.  Navy Pre-Med Option Midshipmen who do not gain acceptance to an appropriately accredited medical school will be commissioned into a designator in which the selectee can best serve the Navy. Interested Applicants should read Program Authorization 113A in full. 
• The Pre-Med OPT IN selection will not be visible if you do not meet the minimum requirements for GPA or SAT/ACT score.
• If you are interested in the Pre-Med OPT IN and qualify, all materials for complete application submission must be in for board consideration no later than 31 December.
• For Pre-Med consideration this includes your online application and all other required documentation through your recruiter/coordinator.
• If the NROTC selection board does not receive your complete package by 31 December, you will not be considered for Pre-Med.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Who is the Navy Pre-Med Scholarship for?
  A: The NROTC Pre-med Option is designed for students aspiring to pursue a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), which are the only degrees qualifying for a commission in the Medical Corps. Other doctorate-level healthcare professionals, excluding dentists and nurses, typically commission into the Medical Service Corps. This corps encompasses a range of allied healthcare professionals, including Doctors of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Doctors of Optometry (O.D.), Clinical Psychologists (Psy.D.), Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT), and others.
  
  For more information on opportunities for allied healthcare professionals, such as through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), please contact a Medical Department recruiter.
• Q: Are Pre-med applicants considered for the Navy 4-year Scholarship?
  A: Yes. Pre-med applicants are considered for both the Navy 4-year Scholarship and the Navy Pre-med Option. If not selected for Pre-med or the Navy 4-year Scholarship in January, they will still be considered for the 4-year Scholarship until the board cycle ends.
• Q: Can applicants choose any medical school?
  A: Yes! Midshipmen may apply to the Uniformed Services University (USU) or any accredited medical school in the U.S. or Puerto Rico through the Armed Forces Health Profession Scholarship Program (HPSP). More info on HPSP is available at MyNavyHR under "Program Authorizations" (PA-130).
• Q: Do applicants need a traditional Pre-med major?
  A: No. Midshipmen can work with their NROTC unit to develop a degree plan that includes all required Pre-med courses. While many schools have dedicated Pre-med programs, majoring in humanities is possible with extra effort to meet prerequisites.
• Q: Can the Pre-med Option be used for dental school?
  A: No, but HPSP is available for dental school. A limited number of Navy 4-year students are allowed to attend dental school via HPSP each year.
• Q: What’s the career path for Midshipmen who attend USU?
  A: NROTC Pre-med students have a 5-year commitment, and attending USU adds 7 more years, for a total of 12. While at USU, they serve as Active Duty Ensigns and are promoted to Lieutenant upon graduation. They receive full pay and benefits during medical school. However, time at USU doesn’t count toward the 20-year service needed for retirement. USU-trained physicians who serve 20 years afterward will retire with 24 years of credit.
• Q: What’s the career path for Midshipmen attending civilian medical school with HPSP?
  A: NROTC Pre-med students have a 5-year commitment, and HPSP adds 4 more years, for a total of 9. While in civilian medical school using HPSP, they are Ensigns in the IRR. Upon completing medical school, they are commissioned as Lieutenants. HPSP includes full tuition, a $20,000 accession bonus, and a $2,870 monthly stipend (as of September 12, 2024).
• Q: Does this program cover both the bachelor’s degree and medical school?
  A: Yes. NROTC covers the bachelor’s degree, while USU or HPSP pays for medical school with benefits including a stipend, bonus, and tuition.
• Q: What happens if a Midshipman isn’t accepted into medical school?
  A: They will commission as a URL officer but can reapply to USU or HPSP after fulfilling their initial service obligation. Many Navy physicians have prior service, bringing valuable experience to Navy Medicine.