2009-2010 Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) Application Thread

[ZaccaZ]

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Does anybody have any tips for those of us interviewing? What to expect, questions asked, who interviewed them? Anything would be appreciated, thanks!

Be able to tell them why you want to go into medicine. Be able to talk intelligently about current health care stuff. They might ask you about it. But from my experience, they won't grill you on it or expect you to be an expert or anything. Just a friendly conversation. Prepare some questions, but try not to sound too cliche. Bring a coat and umbrella, even if you don't think it will rain. Bring some snacks if you are the type of person who might get hungry. A book is a good idea too, though I had a good time just sitting around talking with other interviewees.

**Have something to say about yourself that isn't included on your application.**

Most importantly, be yourself and RELAX. My interviewers were very friendly both times I interviewed there. Any specific questions?

 

[URHere]

Does anybody have any tips for those of us interviewing? What to expect, questions asked, who interviewed them? Anything would be appreciated, thanks!

These are some tips I would give to applicants - some have been mentioned by others, some haven't.

1) If you have downtime in the AM, go and sit in on a lecture. They might not tell you that you are allowed to do this, but you are. Just walk over to RJH (it's on the map), go to the 4th floor, and walk in. As long as the class isn't testing, you will be welcome.

2) Bring a book or activity for the afternoon. You may have hours of downtime.

3) Bring an umbrella or alternate shoes (if yours are hellishly uncomfortable). You will be outside for part of your tour, and it does rain in Portland.

4) Re-read your PS and essays. My interviewers pulled direct quotes from things I wrote, and in one case my first reaction was, "whoa. When did I actually write that?". Don't put yourself in that situation.

5) If you don't like pizza and soda, buy other food before your interview lunch. Unfortunately, the school has axed the lunch budget a bit over the last year.

6) Plan some time to go downtown and see Portland if you can. Powells, the Chinese/Japanese gardens, and the art/history museums are my favorites. Most are easy to see in an hour.

 

[specialK32]

Does anybody have any tips for those of us interviewing? What to expect, questions asked, who interviewed them? Anything would be appreciated, thanks!

My interviews were very different -- one was basically "tell me about yourself" while the other was a grill-down of my activities. The "tell me about yourself" interview was by a pediatric surgeon and was very laid back and lasted only 20 minutes. The "nuts and bolts" interview was by a member of the medical informatics department and was 60+ minutes long.

Since my interviews were so different, my only piece of advice: Be Authentic! Interviewers can "smell a rat." Be honest about what you have done and why, admit if you don't know something but provide some form of reasoning when possible and acknowledge weakness but counteract with strengths. If you show you are truly passionate about medicine (which I hope every applicant is), your interviewers will pick-up on it.

As far as prepping, stay current on healthcare reform, think about some ethical situations and understand your opinion (euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, abortion, universal healthcare, etc.). It is easy to learn about this topics on-line and get a sense of where you stand.

Last but not least...be cordial to everyone and smile! 😀

 

[want2succeed]

Has anyone that interviewed in mid-December heard back with a decision yet???

I inerviewed Dec 15..heard back Feb 2.

Goodluck!

 

[MiniMoo]

Has anyone that interviewed in mid-December heard back with a decision yet???

Also interviewed 12/15 and accepted 2/2.

 

[stewajor]

Dang! I interviewed 12/16 and still haven't heard anything yet!! Don't know what that means...hmm..I called last week and she said they still hadn't reviewed my file. I figured they would do an entire interview day at one admissions meeting session but I guess not. ANyways, hopefully I will hear something soon, it's taking forever.

HOw did u guys find out about your status?? Online portal?

 

[MiniMoo]

HOw did u guys find out about your status?? Online portal?

Acceptance was by email and was also reflected on my status page.

 

[Nafis64]

do they tell who will be interviewing you beforehand, so I can have a chance to look them up? Can we ask Kathy the Coordinator.

 

[ZaccaZ]

do they tell who will be interviewing you beforehand, so I can have a chance to look them up? Can we ask Kathy the Coordinator.

They will give you the names of the interviewers when you check-in in the morning. You should have plenty of time to run to the computer lab and look them up online (unless you're first interview starts immediatelyafter orientation, in which case you will only have time to look up the second one).

 

[CornOnTheCob]

In terms of acceptance, is OHSU (in general) good about getting back to you by week 4 after the interview? I'm rounding up week four, and was wondering if it may be a bit early to start obsessively checking my email?

 

[chickensandwich]

In terms of acceptance, is OHSU (in general) good about getting back to you by week 4 after the interview? I'm rounding up week four, and was wondering if it may be a bit early to start obsessively checking my email?

i'm on week 6 so i'm guessing no 😛

 

[eatsleeprepeat]

In terms of acceptance, is OHSU (in general) good about getting back to you by week 4 after the interview? I'm rounding up week four, and was wondering if it may be a bit early to start obsessively checking my email?

you should check your status page every once in a while because there is no email notification for the hold status, it just shows up on the page.

 

[hector219]

In terms of acceptance, is OHSU (in general) good about getting back to you by week 4 after the interview? I'm rounding up week four, and was wondering if it may be a bit early to start obsessively checking my email?

For reference: Interviewed 1/14, no news yet, including status page.

 

[PLU2010]

Anyone else with this message?

Your file has been screened and is currently on hold for an interview, pending further review. Due to the competitiveness and size of the applicant pool, some applicants are placed on hold until the entire pool has been assessed. As soon as a final decision has been made we will notify you immediately. This decision may not be rendered until the end of February.

Isn't it the end of February already? Do I assume a silent rejection if I don't hear anything in a week or so?

 

[CornOnTheCob]

chickensandwich, eatsleeprepeat, hector219: thanks for the replies! I guess I won't be holding my breath for a while...

 

[crywin]

Anyone else with this message?

Your file has been screened and is currently on hold for an interview, pending further review. Due to the competitiveness and size of the applicant pool, some applicants are placed on hold until the entire pool has been assessed. As soon as a final decision has been made we will notify you immediately. This decision may not be rendered until the end of February.

Isn't it the end of February already? Do I assume a silent rejection if I don't hear anything in a week or so?

Haha, I don't think you should assume rejection yet. My application apparently still hasn't even been fully reviewed yet. It was officially done on november 2nd and my status page still says its being reviewed. lol, maybe they're just slow on everything this year!

 

[chuck84]

I don't want to get people's hopes up, but I talked to a second year medical student at OHSU who told me that he was put on hold in March and then accepted about a month later (before May).

So I think it is definitely possible to see movement. From what I remember at the interview, they rank/score all candidates. Then they start the acceptance bar very high and gradually lower it. So when it reaches your score, you are accepted.

BTW I was put on hold after waiting over 6+ weeks to hear back 🙂

Wierd. I just went over to admissions and they told me that the earliest the hold people will hear back is mid-May.

 

[LittleRichard]

.

 

[tamarino84]

Interview invite. Scheduled for 3/11 (less than a week, they had an early opening and called me cuz I'm a local). Complete 11/16 and been under review since then.

 

[RunningDiva]

Interview invite. Scheduled for 3/11 (less than a week, they had an early opening and called me cuz I'm a local). Complete 11/16 and been under review since then.

Congrats! 🙂

 

[chuck84]

Interview invite. Scheduled for 3/11 (less than a week, they had an early opening and called me cuz I'm a local). Complete 11/16 and been under review since then.

What are your stats?

 

[HMAN2009]

Wierd. I just went over to admissions and they told me that the earliest the hold people will hear back is mid-May.

I don't know what is weird about it. I said the guy who goes to OHSU is a second year. Maybe they are changing it up since two year ago.

But most likely they aren't going to tell every annoying premed that asks them about movement on the hold list that it might be earlier because then they are just going to ask again and again and again about their application and where they are on the list. Get the picture?

Sometimes I wonder about the type of people applying to medical school. It would be nice if you thought for yourself once in a while instead of coming on SDN and implying I'm making stuff up. Geez.

 

[eatsleeprepeat]

I don't know what is weird about it. I said the guy who goes to OHSU is a second year. Maybe they are changing it up since two year ago.

But most likely they aren't going to tell every annoying premed that asks them about movement on the hold list that it might be earlier because then they are just going to ask again and again and again about their application and where they are on the list. Get the picture?

Sometimes I wonder about the type of people applying to medical school. It would be nice if you thought for yourself once in a while instead of coming on SDN and implying I'm making stuff up. Geez.

What? I don't think that's what he was doing at all. I don't think you're making stuff up, but I do think it's confusing that different people have different answers. I just wish the admissions office would be more clear, since it seems to be the case that people get pulled off the hold list between March-May.

 

[chuck84]

I don't know what is weird about it. I said the guy who goes to OHSU is a second year. Maybe they are changing it up since two year ago.

But most likely they aren't going to tell every annoying premed that asks them about movement on the hold list that it might be earlier because then they are just going to ask again and again and again about their application and where they are on the list. Get the picture?

Sometimes I wonder about the type of people applying to medical school. It would be nice if you thought for yourself once in a while instead of coming on SDN and implying I'm making stuff up. Geez.

Wow no need to be so hostile. I wasn't implying you were lying. I was just saying people are hearing different things

 

[CornOnTheCob]

Any recent acceptance notices? Does anyone know where the adcom is (which interview batch they're on) in reviewing for acceptance? I interviewed feb. 8th so I don't know if my application has been, or will be up for review soon...

 

[Libtech]

Just got my acceptance today! (been lurking forever ha.) I'm OOS and def do not have the most flawless record... I interviewed back on 1/13.

 

[brianmartin]

Just got my acceptance today! (been lurking forever ha.) I'm OOS and def do not have the most flawless record... I interviewed back on 1/13.

Wow I interviewed on 1/12 and haven't heard back yet! Hopefully monday will be the day...

 

[Libtech]

Be sure to refresh that status page like a madman. The emails may potentially be delayed for up to 48 hours (as seen on my status page🙂

"Congratulations! You have been accepted into the MD program. You will be receiving an official email within the next 48 hours providing you with additional information."

However I did receive both email and status change at about the same time...

 

[3cheers4snow]

Hi All,
I am interviewing next week (thursday march 11) and I was wondering if any of you that have already interviewed have any advice, things to be prepared for etc.

I appreciate any and all input!

Thanks in advance

Congrats to everyone that has been hearing good news, hopefully I will be part of your group sometime soon 🙂

 

[ZaccaZ]

Hi All,
I am interviewing next week (thursday march 11) and I was wondering if any of you that have already interviewed have any advice, things to be prepared for etc.

I appreciate any and all input!

Thanks in advance

Congrats to everyone that has been hearing good news, hopefully I will be part of your group sometime soon 🙂

Someone just asked this the other day and got several responses. Check out the last few posts of the previous page, as well as the first few posts of this page. Hopefully those help. If you have any other specific questions that weren't answered, let me know. Best of luck to you.

 

[medicsb]

Admissions decision: Hold.

So, anyone with experience know if this is a kind rejection or do people actually get waitlisted or accepted from this category?

(OOS, nontrad, 32Q sGPA 3.73)

 

[CornOnTheCob]

Admissions decision: Hold.

So, anyone with experience know if this is a kind rejection or do people actually get waitlisted or accepted from this category?

(OOS, nontrad, 32Q sGPA 3.73)

Unless it's outright rejection, the majority of interviewees get put on hold--few are accepted right off the bat. As the interview season wraps up, people will definitely start getting pulled off the hold list (whether it be acceptance or rejection). When did you interview?

 

[HMAN2009]

Wow no need to be so hostile. I wasn't implying you were lying. I was just saying people are hearing different things

If you truly want to be a doctor then you should realize that the delivery of your message can be as important as the content of your message. (This might come in handy when dealing with patients, ya know.)

i.e. Make sure you phrase your sentences properly so that people who don't live in your little bubble of a world (read as people who aren't the typical applicant from Oregon) don't get offended. No wonder all the med schools are pushing for diversity. If all our doctors think and speak like you, the quality of care would go down the drain.

Where I come from, what you wrote would be taken as a weak attempt at implying that I was being dishonest.

Know your role.

And I'll be as hostile as I need when I have to deal with such ignorance.

 

[long]

If you truly want to be a doctor then you should realize that the delivery of your message can be as important as the content of your message. (This might come in handy when dealing with patients, ya know.)

i.e. Make sure you phrase your sentences properly so that people who don't live in your little bubble of a world (read as people who aren't the typical applicant from Oregon) don't get offended. No wonder all the med schools are pushing for diversity. If all our doctors think and speak like you, the quality of care would go down the drain.

Where I come from, what you wrote would be taken as a weak attempt at implying that I was being dishonest.

Know your role.

And I'll be as hostile as I need when I have to deal with such ignorance.

 

[specialK32]

...👍

 

[sunsfan]

👍 x2

 

[medicsb]

Unless it's outright rejection, the majority of interviewees get put on hold--few are accepted right off the bat. As the interview season wraps up, people will definitely start getting pulled off the hold list (whether it be acceptance or rejection). When did you interview?

I interviewed the 2nd week of January (12th, I think).

 

[chuck84]

If you truly want to be a doctor then you should realize that the delivery of your message can be as important as the content of your message. (This might come in handy when dealing with patients, ya know.)

i.e. Make sure you phrase your sentences properly so that people who don't live in your little bubble of a world (read as people who aren't the typical applicant from Oregon) don't get offended. No wonder all the med schools are pushing for diversity. If all our doctors think and speak like you, the quality of care would go down the drain.

Where I come from, what you wrote would be taken as a weak attempt at implying that I was being dishonest.

Know your role.

And I'll be as hostile as I need when I have to deal with such ignorance.

What's more important with respect to quality of care, a misinterpretation or simply being hostile to the patient?

 

[ksmi117]

We've had a few reports saying that this thread is getting out of hand. So let's all chill out. It is just the internets after all.

 

[tpham1030]

I just got an interview invite today....I was wondering if anyone knows of a good hotel/motel to stay at the night before that is within walking distance of the school

Thanks!

 

[MiniMoo]

I just got an interview invite today....I was wondering if anyone knows of a good hotel/motel to stay at the night before that is within walking distance of the school

Thanks!

I think this is the 3rd time I'm answering this question. People are gonna think I work for this B&B or something -- but anyways, this is where I stayed. It's within walking distance, very nice accommodations, yummy made-to-order breakfast in the morning:

http://www.innatmarquamhill.com/

Call ahead to schedule. They fill up pretty quickly.

 

[crywin]

I just got an interview invite today....I was wondering if anyone knows of a good hotel/motel to stay at the night before that is within walking distance of the school

Thanks!

Me too!! Crazy, I thought I would never hear from them, my app has been complete since November 2nd! Did you call and schedule yet?

 

[chuck84]

You guys with the later interview invites, what are your stats?

 

[tpham1030]

Me too!! Crazy, I thought I would never hear from them, my app has been complete since November 2nd! Did you call and schedule yet?

No not yet I still have to figure out my schedule for next quarter. They gave me possible interview dates of March 31st, April 7th or 8th. I'm leaning towards the 7th.

Good luck!

You guys with the later interview invites, what are your stats?

I am OOS, 3.66 GPA, 34 MCAT

 

[teenmachinery1]

Cancelling this interview was a really tough decision. So tough that I didn't cancel.

Looks like I'll be there next week.

 

[tpham1030]

I'm trying to pick between two interview dates, 3/31 or 4/7. I prefer the 7th but I was wondering if the one week makes much of a difference. Would it be better to go to the earlier one or does it not matter

 

[oze]

I just canceled my interview here for next Tuesday, if someone wants to pick it up. Good luck guys, it was a really hard decision to give up a shot here but it is just too damned expensive for OOSers, especially with other birds already in hand.

 

[crywin]

You guys with the later interview invites, what are your stats?

Complete Nov. 2nd, OOS (WA), 3.78 cumulative (3.73 science), and a 31N.

 

[crywin]

Cancelling this interview was a really tough decision. So tough that I didn't cancel.

Looks like I'll be there next week.

Haha why did you want to cancel it?? Did you get into UW already, I feel like I've seen you on that forum (either that or LLU, can't remember).

 

[teenmachinery1]

Canceled it. Hope someone worthy gets it!


good luck all.