2008-2009 OHSU Secondary Application Thread

[m_rivera84]

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Does anyone know if OHSU is very strict on their genetic requirement? Is it possible to get in without having taken a pure genetics course but rather a 1/3 course dedication to the topic?

 

[Timus]

Haha, not quite. At this point people are more likely to ask me "Wait, what? How many years? Are you ever going to graduate?!" than "how much time do you have left?"

As for you Timus, glad you liked the tour! I felt excessively random during it so it's good to know people didn't walk away thinking, "dear god, who was that loon?"

At any rate, I hope you both liked OHSU!

Nah, I have never met a MD/PhD student before so I always thought they might be little spooky. But you were cool, very very normal person.👍. Actually everyone I met over there was nice and friendly. Its a very nice academic enviornment except that cryptic quote on the wall near lecture hall. I am still scratching my head over it.😀

 

[URHere]

Does anyone know if OHSU is very strict on their genetic requirement? Is it possible to get in without having taken a pure genetics course but rather a 1/3 course dedication to the topic?

I may be wrong, but I believe that the genetics requirement is a pretty strict one. If you haven't taken genetics yet and you want to go to OHSU, you might want to register for one next semester, over the summer, or see if you can pick one up at a community college somewhere (you may want to check with the school before going the cc route, but I don't think it would be a problem).

Nah, I have never met a MD/PhD student before so I always thought they might be little spooky. But you were cool, very very normal person.👍. Actually everyone I met over there was nice and friendly. Its a very nice academic enviornment except that cryptic quote on the wall near lecture hall. I am still scratching my head over it.😀

Haha, "the greatest obstacle to discovery is the illusion of knowledge" one? Oddly enough I started seeing that quote everywhere right before getting in to OHSU (in my magazine, on the wall of another school's library, etc), so I tend to associate it with good things.

Anyway, my take on that quote is that the only way to progress in science, research, or anything really is to never assume that you already have all of the facts. If you think there is nothing else to learn, you have completely annihilated your chances of discovering anything new. That's just my take...but OHSU kind of view the "process" of learning and becoming a physician as the keystone of everything they do so I think it's relevant. 🙂

PS - MD/PhD kids are not "spooky" we are nerdily eccentric, and we keep the wandering around in lab coats, scrawling on windows, and babbling to ourselves at a minimum when interacting with applicants...🙄

 

[RGMass03]

Haha, not quite. At this point people are more likely to ask me "Wait, what? How many years? Are you ever going to graduate?!" than "how much time do you have left?"

As for you Timus, glad you liked the tour! I felt excessively random during it so it's good to know people didn't walk away thinking, "dear god, who was that loon?"

At any rate, I hope you both liked OHSU!

Yeah I loved OHSU! I live in portland so OHSU is hands down my number one choice. But anyways this may be a difficult question to answer because it can be so arbitrary. But from what you've seen with your current classmates at OHSU, do the kids that interview before January have any better idea or advantage of where they will stand in the acceptance list? I'm asking this because all my friends that are currently attending OHSU interviewed between January and April. And from what they told me when they interviewed the Dean of Admissions told them there were still plenty of spots open. So I'm kinda curious what has been the history with the kids that interviewed in the first 4 months instead of the latter 4. I know this question is up in the air but I just wanted an idea of whats gonna happen to me. I guess I'm just fearful of being in the hold list til May 15th.

 

[gandhic541]

any pointers? I submitted secondary 4-5 weeks ago and I still have not gotten the postcard that says I've completed my file. Called them and left 2 msgs but no calls back. Getting a bit nervous.

 

[doubleE]

any pointers? I submitted secondary 4-5 weeks ago and I still have not gotten the postcard that says I've completed my file. Called them and left 2 msgs but no calls back. Getting a bit nervous.

don't forget how slow they are! i bet you will hear from them in the next couple weeks. however, they send a complete email instead of a postcard now. calling isn't really a great way to get ahold of them. i know the lady that checks their voicemail and she said she checks it only about once a week...

 

[doubleE]

Yeah I loved OHSU! I live in portland so OHSU is hands down my number one choice. But anyways this may be a difficult question to answer because it can be so arbitrary. But from what you've seen with your current classmates at OHSU, do the kids that interview before January have any better idea or advantage of where they will stand in the acceptance list? I'm asking this because all my friends that are currently attending OHSU interviewed between January and April. And from what they told me when they interviewed the Dean of Admissions told them there were still plenty of spots open. So I'm kinda curious what has been the history with the kids that interviewed in the first 4 months instead of the latter 4. I know this question is up in the air but I just wanted an idea of whats gonna happen to me. I guess I'm just fearful of being in the hold list til May 15th.

remember that ohsu only accepts about 15% of the class before may. so there are plenty of spots open in january through april. there is a possibility that you will be in that lucky 15% but there is also a good chance that you will get a "hold" and have to wait until may for their final decision. so, i guess the only real difference is that you could end up waiting a lot longer for that final decision than someone who interviews in march. good luck!

 

[Loon]

As for you Timus, glad you liked the tour! I felt excessively random during it so it's good to know people didn't walk away thinking, "dear god, who was that loon?"

For those of you who were wondering, it wasn't me. I just got my OHSU secondary into the mail today.

 

[olivesolivia]

For those of you who were wondering, it wasn't me. I just got my OHSU secondary into the mail today.

Considering the context, I think she meant loon as in a crazy person, and was not referring to any specific person...

 

[Timus]

For those of you who were wondering, it wasn't me. I just got my OHSU secondary into the mail today.

😀 Haha.. I am PRETTY sure she was not referring to you. When you go for your interview ask for URHere as your tour guide..SDN represent!!👍

 

[wandernkind]

Okay, So I have read this thread about a million times and I still have a few questions.

1. I am applying 2009-2010 and I am only applying to OHSU. My partner will be finishing a BSN program and I am not willing to move until they are done. If I don't get into OHSU my first year I will apply widely the next. I will be taking the summer 2009 MCAT and I am wondering when to take it. I plan on taking a prep course but I will not be done with my pre-recs until the middle of June. It seems as though OHSU is not rolling admissions, so would it be safe to take an august MCAT and still be considered competitive?

2. I have lived in Oregon since 2006, I am under 24 and my parents live in another state. I lived in Oregon for a full year before attending school. I have a car registered in Oregon, I have an Oregon drivers license, I am an Oregon voter, I am registered in a domestic partnership in Oregon and I pay Oregon taxes. I am still contesting residency at PSU. When I apply, who should I talk to about determining if OHSU considers me a resident or not? Has anyone had a similar situation? Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[RGMass03]

Okay, So I have read this thread about a million times and I still have a few questions.

1. I am applying 2009-2010 and I am only applying to OHSU. My partner will be finishing a BSN program and I am not willing to move until they are done. If I don't get into OHSU my first year I will apply widely the next. I will be taking the summer 2009 MCAT and I am wondering when to take it. I plan on taking a prep course but I will not be done with my pre-recs until the middle of June. It seems as though OHSU is not rolling admissions, so would it be safe to take an august MCAT and still be considered competitive?

2. I have lived in Oregon since 2006, I am under 24 and my parents live in another state. I lived in Oregon for a full year before attending school. I have a car registered in Oregon, I have an Oregon drivers license, I am an Oregon voter, I am registered in a domestic partnership in Oregon and I pay Oregon taxes. I am still contesting residency at PSU. When I apply, who should I talk to about determining if OHSU considers me a resident or not? Has anyone had a similar situation? Thanks so much for all your help!

From what I read when I was doing my secondary for OHSU, you have to be residing in oregon for at least one year prior to your matriculation date in order to be considered a resident and during this year your main reason for living in Oregon cannot be for education purposes. So I'm guessing since you lived in Oregon for a year before you started school you'll be considered a resident. Read this link for more info: http://www.ohsu.edu/registrar/residencypolicy06-04.pdf

But to truly find out if youre considered to be a resident or not contact the registrars office. Heres a link to their main page: http://www.ohsu.edu/registrar/

In regards to your MCAT, I would just make sure to take it no later than august. You'll be sending in your secondaries a little later but like you said OHSU is a modified rolling admissions so you'll still have an opportunity to get in. Hope this helps!!

 

[olivesolivia]

Anyone heard anything post-interview yet? I interviewed this past week and they told us 4-6 weeks...oh please let these weeks go by fast!!

 

[e p i c]

Considering the context, I think she meant loon as in a crazy person, and was not referring to any specific person...

This frightens me.

 

[Timus]

Anyone heard anything post-interview yet? I interviewed this past week and they told us 4-6 weeks...oh please let these weeks go by fast!!

I interviewed there about 15 days ago, still nothing. I actually dont even remember them saying anything about 4-6 weeks but i hope it is true, it gives me something to be neurotic about😛😀

 

[olivesolivia]

I interviewed there about 15 days ago, still nothing. I actually dont even remember them saying anything about 4-6 weeks but i hope it is true, it gives me something to be neurotic about😛😀

Yeah I've heard from others they said 8 weeks or so, but I'm glad they told us sooner. It will be nice to hear something...even though its likely to be a waitlist!

 

[iA-MD2013]

I interviewed late Sept and I called Katie today. She said decisions should go out in less than 2 weeks.

 

[RGMass03]

I interviewed late Sept and I called Katie today. She said decisions should go out in less than 2 weeks.

YIKES!!! I'm starting to get nervous. Please please let me be one of the fortunate ones to get in right away. Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaase mdadmin gods, this is all I ask.

 

[Timus]

YIKES!!! I'm starting to get nervous. Please please let me be one of the fortunate ones to get in right away. Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaase mdadmin gods, this is all I ask.

Yeah I am with ya, but I believe with 15% acceptances (~16 people) to be sent out ,I am not losing my sleep over it. If someone has more info on how many people they are going to accept in the first wave please share.👍

 

[corsair]

OHSU is notoriously slow in every aspect of the admissions process, so I'm not too worried. If I don't hear from them in a couple months, then it might warrent a call. Knowing that most decisions are made in/after May, I'd rather interview in Spring anyway...less nuerotic worrying time!

 

[keylimepie]

My supp. application check went through on 9/16 so I'm assuming my file is complete, but I haven't received any confirmation emails/snail mail. I'm OOS too if that even matters. Anyone having the same problem?

 

[ronicajay]

My supp. application check went through on 9/16 so I'm assuming my file is complete, but I haven't received any confirmation emails/snail mail. I'm OOS too if that even matters. Anyone having the same problem?

It took quite a while to get the email and it seemed like they came out in one big batch...I wouldn't worry too much. At least you know it arrived!

 

[wepio]

n/m

 

[ami1983]

so, does OHSU have to receive the secondary app by the deadline they email you, or can it be mailed/postmarked by the deadline?

 

[radxbandit]

so, does OHSU have to receive the secondary app by the deadline they email you, or can it be mailed/postmarked by the deadline?

receive.

 

[DrBubbles]

Okay, So I have read this thread about a million times and I still have a few questions.

1. I am applying 2009-2010 and I am only applying to OHSU. My partner will be finishing a BSN program and I am not willing to move until they are done. If I don't get into OHSU my first year I will apply widely the next. I will be taking the summer 2009 MCAT and I am wondering when to take it. I plan on taking a prep course but I will not be done with my pre-recs until the middle of June. It seems as though OHSU is not rolling admissions, so would it be safe to take an august MCAT and still be considered competitive?

2. I have lived in Oregon since 2006, I am under 24 and my parents live in another state. I lived in Oregon for a full year before attending school. I have a car registered in Oregon, I have an Oregon drivers license, I am an Oregon voter, I am registered in a domestic partnership in Oregon and I pay Oregon taxes. I am still contesting residency at PSU. When I apply, who should I talk to about determining if OHSU considers me a resident or not? Has anyone had a similar situation? Thanks so much for all your help!

My boyfriend and I both had this issue. Just like the other poster said, you have to have lived here for at least one year where your primary purpose was not education. You can always call and ask, but it's more a gray zone than it seems. Once you apply, and they process your application, THEN they decide if you're a resident. If it's questionable, you go to someone else's desk, who makes the decision. She contacted us both and asked us each to provide evidence that we were OR residents and that the sole reason we weren't actually living in OR at the time was for education. Ultimately she decided that each of us was a resident!

Oh, and OHSU doesn't give preference to early applicants, so I'd say give yourself about two months. I took a class at PSU while I was working full-time. I found that I couldn't work, take my final, apply (in June) to AMCAS, and study for the MCAT at the same time, so my MCAT got back-burnered until after the final. I took the MCAT on the August test day (I think August 19th) and it was a good amount of time to study. I also filled out secondaries over the summer. By the time my scores came out in mid-late October (yours will come out much sooner) and got approved as an in-state resident, I ended up with a March interview.

Best of luck!

 

[ekirschn]

My supp. application check went through on 9/16 so I'm assuming my file is complete, but I haven't received any confirmation emails/snail mail. I'm OOS too if that even matters. Anyone having the same problem?

I am in the same boat...my secondary was sent 9/17 and I still haven't received a "complete" email.

 

[ronicajay]

has anyone received interview invites lately?

 

[iA-MD2013]

Hey...just an update: For all interviewees, the adcom has not made a decision yet for anyone. They're going to meet next week and we should hear back the week after.

 

[RGMass03]

has anyone received interview invites lately?

My girlfriend e-mailed the school a couple weeks ago because she never got her "file complete" verification. They e-mailed her back saying she is indeed complete although she never received the e-mail from them and with how interviews have been scheduled so far to not expect an interview invite until january at the earliest. Also just a quick question to ronicajay, what part of washington are you from?

 

[RGMass03]

Hey...just an update: For all interviewees, the adcom has not made a decision yet for anyone. They're going to meet next week and we should hear back the week after.

Oh really!!? Shoot!! I called Katy last friday and she said that this week would be the absolute earliest for decisions to be sent out. I was hoping to luck out and get a decision this week. Oh well, we'll just have to sit back and wait it out.

 

[airplanes]

My girlfriend e-mailed the school a couple weeks ago because she never got her "file complete" verification. They e-mailed her back saying she is indeed complete although she never received the e-mail from them and with how interviews have been scheduled so far to not expect an interview invite until january at the earliest. Also just a quick question to ronicajay, what part of washington are you from?

🙁

 

[RGMass03]

🙁

Oh man...sorry guys. I didn't mean to be the bringer of bad news. My gf was absolutely devastated when she got the e-mail as well. But this is what I told her: Just remember even if you didn't get an interview invite yet doesn't mean youre out of the running. Youre actually right in the thick of things. From my experience, every person I know personally thats up at OHSU right now received their interviews between January and March. And last time I checked theyre happy MS1s, MS2s, and MS3s right now. Plus don't forget OHSU gives out interviews in April and May too. So do not give up hope. Theres a reason why OHSU doesn't have a rolling admission. It allows them to wait it out and get the best viable candidates for their incoming class. And guess what, this is gonna sounds cheesy but I can guarantee you some of those awesome candidates are part of this thread. So stick to it guys and stay positive. With a little luck and patience, we'll all hopefully be classmates come this August.

 

[airplanes]

Oh man...sorry guys. I didn't mean to be the bringer of bad news. My gf was absolutely devastated when she got the e-mail as well. But this is what I told her: Just remember even if you didn't get an interview invite yet doesn't mean youre out of the running. Youre actually right in the thick of things. From my experience, every person I know personally thats up at OHSU right now received their interviews between January and March. And last time I checked theyre happy MS1s, MS2s, and MS3s right now. Plus don't forget OHSU gives out interviews in April and May too. So do not give up hope. Theres a reason why OHSU doesn't have a rolling admission. It allows them to wait it out and get the best viable candidates for their incoming class. And guess what, this is gonna sounds cheesy but I can guarantee you some of those awesome candidates are part of this thread. So stick to it guys and stay positive. With a little luck and patience, we'll all hopefully be classmates come this August.

Hey no worries, I understand OHSU take quite some time to get back to people and makes decisions. I was just sad about the January time line because its so far away.

 

[ANNIE8]

When will they start accepting the majority of the class? Before May 15th?

 

[olivesolivia]

When will they start accepting the majority of the class? Before May 15th?

If I heard right at my interview, they said the majority will be waitlisted before May 15th and they will start accepting most people beginning that day. However, Katy also said they start accepting more people beginning in January, but I think the majority of people will know around May 15th. Correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[primadonna22274]

Gawd, if I were accepted after May 15th I'd have to defer...as much as I want to come HOME I couldn't possibly do it with less than 2 months notice (3000 miles away, have to sell a house, pack up, move, find a new place, 3 dogs, 2 cats, all my husband's books, new job for him...yikes).
It's frustrating to hear that OHSU moves that slowly. *sigh*

 

[searun]

Gawd, if I were accepted after May 15th I'd have to defer...as much as I want to come HOME I couldn't possibly do it with less than 2 months notice (3000 miles away, have to sell a house, pack up, move, find a new place, 3 dogs, 2 cats, all my husband's books, new job for him...yikes).
It's frustrating to hear that OHSU moves that slowly. *sigh*

I am an Oregon resident attending a private med school on the East Coast. I applied to OHSU and ultimately was accepted but prefer the school I now attend.

Yeah, the bad news is that OHSU moves more slowly in its admission process than any school in the country. No joke, this is a fact. Most applicants who interview and who are not rejected outright are put on the waitlist and sometimes OHSU does not even get its waitlist ranked until June. So many people do not find out if they are admitted until June or July. It is a tough situation for someone like you who needs to make plans well in advance of when class starts. OHSU is a fine school but seriously, its admissions process is still back in the Stone Age. Admissions is the weak link at OHSU. They just cannot figure out how to do it right, unlike the University of Washington.

I grew up in Oregon and love Oregon. I will probably return to Oregon after I finish my residency but I found the admissions process at OHSU to be absurd.

 

[primadonna22274]

Yup, same here. As much as I want to move back I hesitate to do it now in case I get in somewhere on the east coast and NOT back home...ugh, I hate waiting.

I grew up in Oregon and love Oregon. I will probably return to Oregon after I finish my residency but I found the admissions process at OHSU to be absurd.

 

[RedLemond]

Hey...just an update: For all interviewees, the adcom has not made a decision yet for anyone. They're going to meet next week and we should hear back the week after.

jgberkin, is that meeting going to decide concerning ALL who have interviewed thus far? I interviewed on the 30th of Oct., but a few of you were earlier in the month...

And I'd also like to echo a bit of frustration with the admissions, considering all other schools I've interviewed at are rolling admissions. OHSU is my first choice, but what if I have to fork out the bucks to save my spot in a few different places (if all goes well)? It's a bit annoying that I can't consider all my options at the same time - if I'm fortunate enough to get in at other schools too. Plus, some of these places ARE on the east coast - so of course I want to be looking for housing and getting myself prepared to move out there - a lot of effort to get started on only to hypothetically get an acceptance from OHSU in June or July. What a stinker!

 

[iA-MD2013]

jgberkin, is that meeting going to decide concerning ALL who have interviewed thus far? I interviewed on the 30th of Oct., but a few of you were earlier in the month...

And I'd also like to echo a bit of frustration with the admissions, considering all other schools I've interviewed at are rolling admissions. OHSU is my first choice, but what if I have to fork out the bucks to save my spot in a few different places (if all goes well)? It's a bit annoying that I can't consider all my options at the same time - if I'm fortunate enough to get in at other schools too. Plus, some of these places ARE on the east coast - so of course I want to be looking for housing and getting myself prepared to move out there - a lot of effort to get started on only to hypothetically get an acceptance from OHSU in June or July. What a stinker!

Hmm...I don't know. I was in the first interview group so I asked her about the really early interviewees.

 

[ami1983]

how long did it take people to be complete at OHSU? and did you get an email or postcard?

 

[iA-MD2013]

how long did it take people to be complete at OHSU? and did you get an email or postcard?

email...about 1.5 months for me.

 

[URHere]

Plus, some of these places ARE on the east coast - so of course I want to be looking for housing and getting myself prepared to move out there - a lot of effort to get started on only to hypothetically get an acceptance from OHSU in June or July. What a stinker!

This is a problem I ran into last year. I actually moved THREE TIMES just this past summer while trying to figure out where to go to medical school. The good news is that OHSU treats their students very nicely after they are accepted, and things go drastically uphill after dealing with admissions. The bad news is that I think I've developed a permanent anxious tic whenever I see a moving van...

 

[RedLemond]

This is a problem I ran into last year. I actually moved THREE TIMES just this past summer while trying to figure out where to go to medical school. The good news is that OHSU treats their students very nicely after they are accepted, and things go drastically uphill after dealing with admissions. The bad news is that I think I've developed a permanent anxious tic whenever I see a moving van...

URHere, did you give a private tour to an interviewee on Oct. 30th? Because, that was me and I know a first year MD/PhD student gave me that tour! 😉 Thanks if that was you!

 

[RedLemond]

email...about 1.5 months for me.

same

 

[RGMass03]

Anyone get any updates on whether or not decisions have been sent out yet or not? Was kinda hoping after the committee met yesterday one of us may know a little more.

 

[olivesolivia]

Anyone get any updates on whether or not decisions have been sent out yet or not? Was kinda hoping after the committee met yesterday one of us may know a little more.

Gosh I hope so! Although it's posted above that they won't be sending out decisions till next week or the week after.

 

[URHere]

URHere, did you give a private tour to an interviewee on Oct. 30th? Because, that was me and I know a first year MD/PhD student gave me that tour! 😉 Thanks if that was you!

Yes, that was totally me! I'm the only first year female MD/PhD, so it's pretty easy to make the connection between my ambiguous ferret avatar and my real-life self. 😎

Anyway, it's good to hear from you, and you're totally welcome!

 

[slrplx]

The process is indeed odd compared to all the other schools I am applying to. My 2nd-ary deadline is next week, and I have yet to hear if my file is complete (I sent it around 10-15). It's not a lot of fun worrying if there is something lacking in my file with the deadline nearing, but I guess we all just need to have faith.

It sounds like the next few weeks should be telling... good luck all.