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emskid said:
This means that USU students are typically selected over HPSP students for military residencies, however, if a position is available and HPSP students obtain a military residency, they have to withdraw from the civilian ones. (again, according to my HPSP recruiter)
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This is not good gouge. The selections are solely based on the points system and nowhere is "attended USUHS" in the point system. The benefits for residency for USUHS students has been noted elsewhere but basically boils down to the fact that you may have more interaction with the actual programs than an HPSP student. USUHS students are definitely not "selected over" HPSP students, it's better students being "selected over" not as good students. I know plenty of USUHS people who didn't get their internship of first choice.
 
emskid said:
my recruiter told me that the HPSP bonus won't be granted until after completing MedSchool.
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This isn't true either FWIW. You will receive the HPSP bonus at most a few months after starting med school.
 
emskid said:
Yeah, USU doesn't give the 20K sign-on bonus, however, my recruiter told me that the HPSP bonus won't be granted until after completing MedSchool. You get all the individual benefits for doing HPSP (they reimburse everything if it isn't covered upfront) but nothing for family members except life insurance if something happens to you.
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I have a sizeable savings account that would disagree.
 
emskid: you need to find yourself a different recruiter. If they have been this far off on these two huge things I can only imagine what else they have missed the mark on.
 
I thought I's put this out here for those who are looking for a deal on their ABUs (Air Force duty uniform). LA Police Gear has them for 29.99 for each piece (top/bottom).

http://www.lapolicegear.com/closeouts.html

I think this is cheaper than they sell them on base.
 
That's a great price on ABU's - if we wanted to order from there, how should we judge sizing? Is this risky without trying them on? I have a base somewhat near me, but I'm unsure how much they have since they are a reserve base.
 
So I'm guessing from the lack of activity on this thread that no one has seen any movement on the waitlist? Anyone have any information? News?

Just fishing for any information that might be out there. (I'm NROTC and I'm supposed to be commissioned on the eighth of May but need a spot to open up before I can actually receive a commission. So I'm a little anxious since most movement wont be till after the fifteenth.)
 
SirGecko said:
So I'm guessing from the lack of activity on this thread that no one has seen any movement on the waitlist? Anyone have any information? News?

Just fishing for any information that might be out there. (I'm NROTC and I'm supposed to be commissioned on the eighth of May but need a spot to open up before I can actually receive a commission. So I'm a little anxious since most movement wont be till after the fifteenth.)
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That's odd. For Army ROTC, commissioning isn't contingent upon a school acceptance, because you've already earned the commission. You're just screwed if you don't get accepted anywhere by October or something, in which case they make you a 2lt in a branch of their choosing.
 
SirGecko said:
So I'm guessing from the lack of activity on this thread that no one has seen any movement on the waitlist? Anyone have any information? News?

Just fishing for any information that might be out there. (I'm NROTC and I'm supposed to be commissioned on the eighth of May but need a spot to open up before I can actually receive a commission. So I'm a little anxious since most movement wont be till after the fifteenth.)
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Yeah, I don't think your actual graduation (commissioning date) matter so much. What really matters is your community assignment and orders: once you have those, you're locked in. So the question is, when are you assigned to a community (what warfare community are you going to) and when will you get orders? If you can delay this process a bit to buy yourself some time, then you should be ok. If they want to assign you to a ship right after your commissioning, then you might be in trouble. If this is the case, I'd advise you call the admissions office to see what they think. I'm not sure that they'd be able to help . . . but it's worth a shot.

I haven't heard of any movement either. I have two dates:

4/15: After this point, they will not consider anyone who is medically disqualified (so your waiver has to be complete by this point!)

5/15: After this point, applicants can/must commit to one school. So after this point, the waitlist will move (although by how much, and how fast is still anybody's guess).

Good luck in waiting all! (Find something to do to pass the time, seriously. GuitarHero Metallica just came out, that'll do for me.)
 
DrMetal said:
Yeah, I don't think your actual graduation (commissioning date) matter so much. What really matters is your community assignment and orders: once you have those, you're locked in. So the question is, when are you assigned to a community (what warfare community are you going to) and when will you get orders? If you can delay this process a bit to buy yourself some time, then you should be ok. If they want to assign you to a ship right after your commissioning, then you might be in trouble. If this is the case, I'd advise you call the admissions office to see what they think. I'm not sure that they'd be able to help . . . but it's worth a shot.

I haven't heard of any movement either. I have two dates:

4/15: After this point, they will not consider anyone who is medically disqualified (so your waiver has to be complete by this point!)

5/15: After this point, applicants can/must commit to one school. So after this point, the waitlist will move (although by how much, and how fast is still anybody's guess).

Good luck in waiting all! (Find something to do to pass the time, seriously. GuitarHero Metallica just came out, that'll do for me.)
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say I commit to USUHS, and then get off one of my wailists after 5/15, can you still get out of USUHS like you would a civilian school?
 
drcarter77 said:
say I commit to USUHS, and then get off one of my wailists after 5/15, can you still get out of USUHS like you would a civilian school?
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Yes, I think. After 5/15, you can stay committed to only 1 school (so changing to another school is permitted, but you have to release your acceptance from the previous commitment). There is of course the issue of commissioning and officer training. So I think they'd like an answer sometime by June. Call admissions and ask, I'm not sure how they handle people in limbo. (I suppose if you decide last minute to go to USU, you can go and go to officer training the following summer, but I'm not sure if this is permissible).

Now, each school probably also has a no-****-you-have-to-commit deadline, that'll require a hefty deposit . . . but the exact details of this will vary from school to school. I don't think USUHS has such a deadline nor a deposit, so you could give up your spot even just before the start of classes.
 
DrMetal said:
Yes. After 5/15, you can stay committed to only 1 school (so changing to another school is permitted, but you have to release your acceptance from the previous commitment).

Now, each school probably also has a no-****-you-have-to-commit deadline, that'll require a hefty deposit . . . but the exact details of this will vary from school to school. I don't think USUHS has such a deadline nor a deposit, so you could give up your spot even just before the start of classes.
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what about once you've started ODS, or your respective officer training? My situation is i'm waitlisted at Cornell, but really would probaly rather be at USUHS than any other school. I'm told I have a better than average at least chance for getting off the cornell waitlist, but my concern was that if i were to be offered a spot in late june/early July and i've already started training in the military than i would have already had to enter into some more binding form of commitment to the military, that they are not goign to let me get out of because I ended up getting in to my first choice school (which I would be doing HPSP for).
 
drcarter77 said:
what about once you've started ODS, or your respective officer training? My situation is i'm waitlisted at Cornell, but really would probaly rather be at USUHS than any other school. I'm told I have a better than average at least chance for getting off the cornell waitlist, but my concern was that if i were to be offered a spot in late june/early July and i've already started training in the military than i would have already had to enter into some more binding form of commitment to the military, that they are not goign to let me get out of because I ended up getting in to my first choice school (which I would be doing HPSP for).
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Ok, if you're deciding b/w HPSP and USUHS, then this is how I'd try to work it: Get commissioned, go to ODS. If while you're there, you get into Cornell and decide to go via HPSP, then that's fine. You can finish ODS, and you'll be ahead in that sense vs the rest of your HPSP counterparts. [You wouldn't have to go to ODS the summer following MS1, b/c you already completed it!]. This'll buy you some time (till late July). I would think that is gameplan is ok, but don't take my word for it. Verify w/ recruiters and USUHS admin office!

Now, if you're deciding b/w Milmed and not-milmed, then you're decision's a little tougher. If you get commissioned and go to ODS, I think you're committing to either HPSP or USU. So then your next question probably is: Can I hang on to my USU acceptance and not get commissioned, not go to ODS in June, so that I can wait for other (non-milmed) routes? That I don't know, better to field that one with USU admissions. (They may not like the idea, but it might work. I've heard of USU students getting commissioned just before classes start and going to ODS the summer after MSI, instead of before).
 
DrMetal said:
4/15: After this point, they will not consider anyone who is medically disqualified (so your waiver has to be complete by this point!)
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im guessing this is for those with a conditional acceptance to still be considered? as you know, im alt listed but they're still working on my waiver and ms. patterson didn't seem in a rush for either the alt list or for future clearance/. What do you think?

Oh, and DoDmerb finally got their referral from the specialist - how long do you reckon it would take to get from there through a waiver authority and cleared?
 
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TheGoose said:
im guessing this is for those with a conditional acceptance to still be considered?
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Applies to everybody. If you're cond accepted and not medically-qualified, I think at this point they revoke (or consider revoking) your acceptance. If you're on the wait or alt. list and not medically qualitified, they'll just pass you up as spots open.

TheGoose said:
Oh, and DoDmerb finally got their referral from the specialist - how long do you reckon it would take to get from there through a waiver authority and cleared?
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Rebecca was really good w/ me. Got my waiver no problem. Are you trying to dispute the DODMERB findings (by further examination, trying to go to a specialist)??? It sounds like that's what you're trying to do . If that's the case, then Rebecca can't really do anything. She has nothing to do with the DODMERB physicals/re-physicals etc. So I'd advise against this at this point.

Instead, I'd advise going through the route of asking USU for a waiver, which is what Rebecca handles and does so very well. She knocked mine out in 2 weeks. With a granted waiver, your considered 'medically qualified', regardless of the original DODMERB findings.
 
TheGoose said:
im guessing this is for those with a conditional acceptance to still be considered? as you know, im alt listed but they're still working on my waiver and ms. patterson didn't seem in a rush for either the alt list or for future clearance/. What do you think?

Oh, and DoDmerb finally got their referral from the specialist - how long do you reckon it would take to get from there through a waiver authority and cleared?
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I went through the waivor process with having to get a referal from a specialist and it took about 3 week from Rebecca and DoDMERB acknowledging reciept of my medical documents in order for them to give me the final "waiver granted" status.

In reference to Dr. Metals last post, I got the impression from rebecca that the kind of waivors that you can push through in about 2-3 weeks were generally not the kind that required specialist consultations, but I could easily have been mistaken, best of luck!
 
drcarter77 said:
In reference to Dr. Metals last post, I got the impression from rebecca that the kind of waivors that you can push through in about 2-3 weeks were generally not the kind that required specialist consultations, but I could easily have been mistaken, best of luck!
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Yeah come to think of it, you might be right. Of course it all depends on what you got DQ'd for. If it was for something serious--something that could really preclude your military service, like say current & severe asthma--then you may not be able to simply get a waiver from USUHS. You may need further examination. If that's your case, then continue working it as you've been doing. As far as the 4/15 deadline goes, I'd call them just to let them know you're still working on it.

If you got DQ'd for something simple (my case) and that's easily waiverable, by all means, pursue that via USUHS. Don't try to fight DODMERB just b/c you're peeved.
 
DrMetal said:
Yeah, I don't think your actual graduation (commissioning date) matter so much. What really matters is your community assignment and orders: once you have those, you're locked in. So the question is, when are you assigned to a community (what warfare community are you going to) and when will you get orders? If you can delay this process a bit to buy yourself some time, then you should be ok. If they want to assign you to a ship right after your commissioning, then you might be in trouble. If this is the case, I'd advise you call the admissions office to see what they think. I'm not sure that they'd be able to help . . . but it's worth a shot.
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Well my official "kill date" is June 1st. After that I have to change my service selection. I'm not sure what my status will be until the 1st if I don't get in off of the waitlist but I do know I have been told I will not get a commission till I actually have a spot. Service selection happened in November and I was assigned Medical Corps but its contingent on getting a spot. (the SWOs did ship selection a couple of weeks ago) I think they may still let me do the ceremony with my class even if I'm not officially commissioned then but I'm not sure. (that's my major concern on that 8 May date, my family is flying out for that and then leaving before graduation so it would suck to not do the ceramony)

Oh and I did call the admissions office and they are aware that NROTC has the June kill date but obviously cannot do anything till some people start dropping their Navy spots. (so you fence sitters start dropping those Navy spots!😀) Its just tough because I'll hate having to scramble for a ship in June if I don't get in off of the waitlist.

Side note: Army has till October to get in? Must be nice!
 
DrMetal said:
Yeah come to think of it, you might be right. Of course it all depends on what you got DQ'd for. If it was for something serious--something that could really preclude your military service, like say current & severe asthma--then you may not be able to simply get a waiver from USUHS. You may need further examination. If that's your case, then continue working it as you've been doing. As far as the 4/15 deadline goes, I'd call them just to let them know you're still working on it.

If you got DQ'd for something simple (my case) and that's easily waiverable, by all means, pursue that via USUHS. Don't try to fight DODMERB just b/c you're peeved.
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not that its important but the DQ is for having taken a mild headache prescription 2.8 years ago. they sent me to a neurologist for the remedial referral and we'll see what happens ...
 
DrMetal said:
Ok, if you're deciding b/w HPSP and USUHS, then this is how I'd try to work it: Get commissioned, go to ODS. If while you're there, you get into Cornell and decide to go via HPSP, then that's fine. You can finish ODS, and you'll be ahead in that sense vs the rest of your HPSP counterparts. [You wouldn't have to go to ODS the summer following MS1, b/c you already completed it!]. This'll buy you some time (till late July). I would think that is gameplan is ok, but don't take my word for it. Verify w/ recruiters and USUHS admin office!

Now, if you're deciding b/w Milmed and not-milmed, then you're decision's a little tougher. If you get commissioned and go to ODS, I think you're committing to either HPSP or USU. So then your next question probably is: Can I hang on to my USU acceptance and not get commissioned, not go to ODS in June, so that I can wait for other (non-milmed) routes? That I don't know, better to field that one with USU admissions. (They may not like the idea, but it might work. I've heard of USU students getting commissioned just before classes start and going to ODS the summer after MSI, instead of before).
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That sounds like it would be cool option does anybody know if that would really be doable? I'm definitely set on military medicine, It really just that i'm trying to still go to the med school that I think I would most enjoy/get the most out of personally, over the next 4 years
 
drcarter77 said:
That sounds like it would be cool option does anybody know if that would really be doable? I'm definitely set on military medicine, It really just that i'm trying to still go to the med school that I think I would most enjoy/get the most out of personally, over the next 4 years
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Just to reiterate: I don't know if what I suggested above--going to ODS pre MSI, as a potential USUHS student, then taking an acceptance elsewhere and going HPSP instead--is permissible. Again, check with your HPSP people to see what they think. There may be some crazy rule that prohibits HPSPers from going to ODS pre-MSI, thus forcing your hand to go to USUHS after all . . . or may result in you having to repeat ODS post-MSI [I know, this sounds ridiculuous, but stranger things have happened in this business.] Just check with your recruiter to make sure that getting commissioned and going to ODS in this state of 'limbo' is permissible.

And even if it is permissible, I'm not so sure (after giving it some more thought) that it's a good idea, for your own sanity. It would be nice to have made that decision in June, before ODS, so you can transition more smoothly (you got things to move, maybe family to tend to, significant others, etc etc).

If you think Cornell is really going to accept you--and if they've told you that you're a 'high' applicant, then this isn't such a bad assumption--then pretend for the moment that you're in. And make the decision USUHS vs. Cornell sometime in the next 6 weeks. I mean do this mentally, don't release your acceptance from USUHS or any other schools until you have a bonefide acceptance, of course!
 
pkchax said:
Hey, I was wondering if USUHS students get the same $20K signing bonus that HPSP students do. I thought I remembered someone saying we did but I'm not exactly sure.
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Someone should really double check this. Dr. Calloway visited my school this year and in my notes I have a $20,000 sign-on bonus. Worth looking into?
 
Brocimus said:
Someone should really double check this. Dr. Calloway visited my school this year and in my notes I have a $20,000 sign-on bonus. Worth looking into?
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Nope, no bonus for USUHS.
 
Brocimus said:
Someone should really double check this. Dr. Calloway visited my school this year and in my notes I have a $20,000 sign-on bonus. Worth looking into?
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There's definitely no signing bonus for USUHS. She was probably speaking in the context of HPSP. (If there is, then I'm driving to Bethesda and chaining myself to the admissions office until they admit me!)
 
^^ I'd bet she was referring to HPSP, because Dr. Calloway herself was a HPSP student.
 
TheGoose said:
im guessing this is for those with a conditional acceptance to still be considered? as you know, im alt listed but they're still working on my waiver and ms. patterson didn't seem in a rush for either the alt list or for future clearance/. What do you think?

Oh, and DoDmerb finally got their referral from the specialist - how long do you reckon it would take to get from there through a waiver authority and cleared?
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In reference to the question of waivers after 4/15, I recently asked Rebecca and received the following response in regards to those with a conditional acceptance:
"The April 15th date is when admissions won't extend an offer to applicants who aren't yet qualified. This doesn't apply if you already have an offer."

Also, in my experience working with Rebecca, the USUHS medical reviewers generally get back to you within 1-2 weeks. I have been told that DoDMERB can take up to 3 weeks.

Hope that helps.
 
Hi all,

Just wanted to update: Interview 2/5, waitlisted 3/25.

I put AF as top choice but would be equally happy with Army or Navy. For those of you old timers, any words of wisdom/sage advice? I really want to do miltary med and would LOVE to get in to USUHS. Is an update letter a good idea? How my research is going/new grades/etc?

To the rest of you who are waiting, good luck!
 
erawka said:
Hi all,

Just wanted to update: Interview 2/5, waitlisted 3/25.

I put AF as top choice but would be equally happy with Army or Navy. For those of you old timers, any words of wisdom/sage advice? I really want to do miltary med and would LOVE to get in to USUHS. Is an update letter a good idea? How my research is going/new grades/etc?

To the rest of you who are waiting, good luck!
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Call the admissions office and let them know you're willing to go with other services (which is permissible if you don't have any prior service. If you do, you have to stick with your original branch of service). As of a few weeks ago, there were still some army spots open. They're probably gone by now, but that means the army waitlist will likely move faster.
 
If you're prior service, is it really detrimental to your chances if you choose a different service?
 
NoMoreAMCAS said:
If you're prior service, is it really detrimental to your chances if you choose a different service?
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I've been told so, yes. If you're currently active duty or active reserve, you'd have to do an interservice transfer (the board of which I think i twice a year, so you might have to wait to the following year). if you're prior service was from long ago, i think the same applies, but am not sure. I guess it wouldn't hurt to call the admissions office and ask.
 
anyone who's been accepted start looking for housing yet? do we need to do this before we arrive at USUHS in august? i know we'll have time to look online during obc/bolcIII, but should i start looking now? just a little concerned as to how the housing thing is going to work out
 
GoIrish00 said:
anyone who's been accepted start looking for housing yet? do we need to do this before we arrive at USUHS in august? i know we'll have time to look online during obc/bolcIII, but should i start looking now? just a little concerned as to how the housing thing is going to work out
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I've looked into it in only the most general sense, just browsing some websites. To be honest I've been seriously thinking about buying a small place given the current economic conditions of unprecedentedly low mortgage rates, very low housing prices, and an 8k tax credit for first time buyers.
 
Is there any place to put family affiliations with the military on the secondary. If so, does this play any significant role if a parent is a high ranking officer?

Also, is it OK to put up my profile and get some opinions about my chances here...its my top choice.
 
BigD311 said:
Is there any place to put family affiliations with the military on the secondary. If so, does this play any significant role if a parent is a high ranking officer?

Also, is it OK to put up my profile and get some opinions about my chances here...its my top choice.
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i was told its a minor factor in that it gives the school an idea that you know a little more of what you are getting in to. I don't recall a specific section to list family affiliations, but you have to write an essay explaining why military medicine, so I certainly included my family's tradition of military medicine in my essay.
 
BigD311 said:
Is there any place to put family affiliations with the military on the secondary. If so, does this play any significant role if a parent is a high ranking officer?

Also, is it OK to put up my profile and get some opinions about my chances here...its my top choice.
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Yes, as drcarter77 said, it would definitely be relevant for the secondary essay. And the topic also came up in both of my interviews. I don't think it's going to raise your chances significantly though. It's not going to make up for really low numbers but will make it clear that you have an idea about what the military is like and the commitment it entails.

It's definitely okay to post your mdapps profile and get comments... go for it. There are a bunch of helpful and knowledgeable people here who give great advice.
 
So what do you all think? Here is what I have here. I am very service oriented and will stress this in my app.

Current cGPA is a 3.50...I started off college with a very poor first year. I had a 3.0, but seriously picked it up my second year and this past semester, never getting below a 3.65. The last two semesters I have been able to get a 3.75+. It has been a significant and maintained upward trend with As in my science courses. I can bring this up to a 3.54 by the end of THIS year. I am currently a Junior.

My science GPA is a 3.3 which was initially hurt by a C+ with calc II my first year. I have done very well in my science courses since. Recently secured an A in physics and a B+ in orgo. I can bring this up to maybe a 3.35 by the end of THIS year.

Both projected GPAs are pretty realistic and pretty conservative. Maintained a very strong upward trend.

predicted MCAT based on practices has been 12 V 10 BS 10 PS. Hope I can nail a few more points

Now for the rest: Major: History (3.70 GPA) Minor: Chemistry

Attend a top tier University

ECs: EMT for the past 4 years, EMS experience since 2002. Numerous awards including delivery of a baby girl and agency excellent service award. Oversee fundraising committee for my volunteer agency and am a youth squad advisor/mentor. I will have had 3000-4000+ hours of experience when I apply. Very strong LOR (Volunteer since 2002 but I also am paid at a number of places--(2007-present)

President and founder of health organization-2 years

Crisis hotline volunteer/trainer-2 years

Research on rape kit analysis 1 year, will be co-authoring a publication-LOR

Shadowing 2+ years-Very strong LOR. Two separate hospital specialties-4 hrs/week.

History research led to a significant personal accomplishment.

Peer Teacher for Bio 1 year

HS recruitment representative for my school 2 years

TA and intern for honor and ethics course--worked with Dean of Students 2+ years LOR

Resident Adviser- 1 year

Brother is a Navy Officer, Father is a Marine Col. (retired). I was ready to enlist out of high school but the recruiter told me to go to college...haha
 
your application is more than adequate. The only advice I would give you is to apply as early as possible. If you're not already signed up for it I would definitely try to take the MCAT this May (i think they offer it then) that way you're not waiting until August or September to submit your application. USUHS does interviews and admissions on a rolling basis so get in before the curve gets steep. If you interview in September (the first 2 sessions for interviews) you'll be just fine. You'll probably be ok after that, but there are people that interviewed later with apps like yours that were either wait-listed or alt-listed. So APPLY EARLY!

Also, mentioning you're related to or know I high-ranking military officer will not impact your application. Like was said earlier it might lend more support to your familiarity w/ the military but they're not going to say "Oh, this is the son of COL, CAPT, GEN, ADM. So and So, we have to admit him." They tell you this on the secondary--Not to have high-ranking officers who don't know you in a way significant to your application write LORs cause it wont help. Now if you shadowed CAPT. XXXX around a Navy MEDCEN 3x a week for 6 months, then sure, get him to write your letter.

Aside from applying early the only thing I would stress more is to know, and be able to articulate, why you want to go into military medicine. This will be the topic of the secondary essay and you will get asked it when you interview. Know a little bit about the current state of milmed and some of its downsides (this will come in to play when you interview, esp. if you're interviewing w/ AD docs).

Feel free to PM, or anyone else on this board for that matter, i dont think anyone would mind answering your questions, if you have some more questions. APPLY EARLY!!! Start your AMCAS in May when it opens so you're finished the first or 2nd week of June (you dont have to be nuts and submit it at 12:01 on June 1st or whenever, just reasonably soon).
 
BigD311 said:
Is there any place to put family affiliations with the military on the secondary. If so, does this play any significant role if a parent is a high ranking officer?

Also, is it OK to put up my profile and get some opinions about my chances here...its my top choice.
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Discussing your family affiliation with the military in the context of why you want to join is fine. Hinting, even slightly, that you are entitled to special consideration because of a "high ranking" family member is an exceedingly bad idea. Besides, the children of the USMC Commandant and a Congressman have gone to USUHS. O6s are a dime a dozen my friend.
 
mslall said:
Feel free to PM, or anyone else on this board for that matter, i dont think anyone would mind answering your questions, if you have some more questions. APPLY EARLY!!! Start your AMCAS in May when it opens so you're finished the first or 2nd week of June (you dont have to be nuts and submit it at 12:01 on June 1st or whenever, just reasonably soon).
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I'll agree with this too. You look great...just have fun interviewing, APPLY EARLY, and don't be afraid to name drop a little, it just won't make up for anything really bad. Should be smooth sailing (or flying...or boot stomping) for you.
 
eschott said:
You look great...just have fun interviewing, APPLY EARLY, and don't be afraid to name drop a little, it just won't make up for anything really bad.
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Name dropping has more potential to harm you than help you.

One of the biggest pet peeves of adcoms anywhere (military or civilian) is applicants with a sense of entitlement. Name dropping smacks of entitlement.

If you have a killer name to drop ("My dad being a Joint Chief really made me realize...") might pull some weight, but as Gastrapathy said, O6's are dime a dozen, especially in WDC.

You can mention being the child of a military officer in the context of having some familiarity with the military lifestyle, but if you drop the name of your O6 parent and give a look like it's supposed to carry some weight, you'll more likely harm your application than help it.
 
I forgot to mention that I plan on submitting on June 1. My LORs are all ready good to go in interfolio, including my clinical letter that I know USUHS wants...I actually have 2 for that. One from the NYPD, which I thought may actually be looked upon very well since I am familiar with providing medical care in an organization with a chain of command and some semblence of customs and courtesies...though they could probably learn something from the military haha. I will also be taking my MCAT in 2 weeks, so my app should be complete for AMCAS within a few days after it opens. My PS is completed as well. This has been something I have been anticipating for YEARS!

I wouldn't name drop, I know how that looks. I only added it on here because I wanted to indicate that I have a pretty good familiarity with a military life. It would probably find a way into an essay since it is a big part of my life, but beyond that it doesnt make sense. Something about vacationing on bases must have messed with me...

I know USUHS gets a good number of apps (especially from my school) from people who think the no tuition is a sweet deal but don't think about the actual commitment until their acceptance arrives.

I am kinda upset USUHS doesn't have an EDP, I would be all over that.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone...you will definitely be hearing from me if I get some good news from USUHS.

Any other thoughts?
 
mslall said:
chill....
Click to expand...
Good advice ^^^.

Nail your MCAT, apply early, and never get your heart set on one medical school, even USUHS. There's a level of subjectivity to the process, so over-focusing on one school can be a mistake and lead to heartache. Having a #1 is great, but don't make #2 a distant second that you'll "settle" for.

Med school of any stripe is all you need to become an excellent military physician. Attending or not attending USUHS will not make or break a milmed career. You're 90% there, so don't stress too much.
 
haha sorry. Moving on. You know what its like...sorry to have become "that guy".

So how about them yankees....
 
notdeadyet said:
Name dropping has more potential to harm you than help you.

One of the biggest pet peeves of adcoms anywhere (military or civilian) is applicants with a sense of entitlement. Name dropping smacks of entitlement.

If you have a killer name to drop ("My dad being a Joint Chief really made me realize...") might pull some weight, but as Gastrapathy said, O6's are dime a dozen, especially in WDC.

You can mention being the child of a military officer in the context of having some familiarity with the military lifestyle, but if you drop the name of your O6 parent and give a look like it's supposed to carry some weight, you'll more likely harm your application than help it.
Click to expand...


YES YES YES!!! Coming in with any sense of entitlement is a big no no, makes you look really arrogant and immature. I was going more for being free to talk about people and your experiences with them (how that's changed your life or given new insight, etc.) Be humble and happy, everything will be great!

Oh yeah, and don't forget to apply early. That's probably the most important thing at USUHS.
 
This is off-topic, but there is a lot of talk about the new federal budget for FY2010 and just wanted to know if anyone heard anything about how funding of military GME, USUHS, etc. is affected by it (if at all).

I know the VA system got billions more...

Anyone heard/read anything?
 
if you have no prior service what does the USUHS salary end up being after taxes? sorry if this is already posted, I tried searching and couldn't find anything.
 
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