>Are you currently on scholarship for 2, 3, or 4 years?
I'm currently a 4 year scholarship recipient. If you want to have the 4 year make sure to apply the year you're applying to medical school.... If you are planning on attending med school this coming fall, apply this year... due date is March 2003.
>How extensive is the application process ie. letters of rec, personal state, gpa, mcat, ...?
It is not based on GPA, MCAT, State. It is based on your profile as to whether or not you're the type of person they want to have... you'll understand once you get an application. It's about 10-15 page "bubble in"/multiple choice kind of application.
>Are chances good for securing a job after completing your obligation if you wish to stay on?
There's always HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area), thus the answer to your question is YES.... There's always a job and the NHSC would love it if you continue on with that site.
>How much is the monthly stipend while in school?
I opted for them to take away all taxes.... thus it started out at approx $800 per month. But it goes up.... I think the reason is you're considered as a commissioned officer of the US Public Health Service.... Though, you're really not (you have the option later to be a uniformed officer - I think only 8% of scholars to this). Currently my stipend is a little over $1000 per month. This is after taxes are taken out.
Also remember that they pay for your entire tuition PLUS you get a lump sum of money around Oct/Nov depending on what your financial aid office estimates would be your cost for the year.... which includes books, OMM table, boards, etc ("other reasonable cost")
>At what point in time do you choose your site and what are the chances of securing a first choice?
You choose your site after your residency. Although I was told that typically you end up serving at the state to which you did your residency at.... But this does not limit you to which site to go. It just gives you preference for that state first before everyone else (or so I'm told). As for securing a first choice, that's up to you. You will be receiving a list of sites after residency and then YOU call up the site and negotiate YOUR salary.
>If I am not granted a scholarship for service, can I still apply for
the loan repayment program?
Yes you can still apply for the loan repayment program.... Remember, you don't get everything paid for with the loan repayment program.... just a portion with a contracted amount of year to serve.
>From what I've found on the NHSC website, its a bit unclear as to how the sites are assigned, first come first serve, the postings seem to be continuously updated etc._ If you do not get a prefered site, can you wait until another opens up?
Unfortunately, I don't think you can.... once you're done with residency you have to serve at an open HPSA. I may be wrong.... The reason it's unclear how the sites are assigned is because there's rules and laws governing how areas can be designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas.... As far as I was told most people get what they want....
>I know this is quite a bit but thanks for any feedback. Hope classes are going well.
You're welcome.... classes are going and going at a fast pace specially with boards coming up....
Just ask more and I'll do my best to answer them or clarify anything I stated above.
Later,
