2009-2010 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

[Segovia]

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All services do their own tests and their own BCA (height/weight). If you are in the Navy you meet Navy standards, Air Force does Air Force, etc.

This is good to hear. Doesn't the Army do 2 miles? Even so, the 1.5 mile is kind of a tough distance as well because you never really get warmed up. Of course, the stationary bike test wouldn't be so bad in the Air Force (don't they still do that?).

All kidding aside, testing your VO2 max is probably a pretty good gauge of your aerobic fitness, so maybe I shouldn't be laughing at them.

 

[dru2002]

All services do their own tests and their own BCA (height/weight). If you are in the Navy you meet Navy standards, Air Force does Air Force, etc.

That is once you are at USUHS, right? Correct me if I'm wrong but for acceptance you have to meet army height/weight standards.

 

[xmsr3]

For conditional acceptance you don't need to pass the height weight standards. For unconditional you do.

In terms of PFT they will not test you until your OBC next summer. Once you are at USUHS you do PFT every 6 months, spring and fall. Running is around the running track which about 1/3 of mile, so Navy and AF do 4 laps, Army does 6.

Yes, each branch has slightly different standards, with Army being harder on the run at 2 miles vs 1.5 for Navy and AF but Navy having tougher standards for pushups and situps.

Navy also does crunches vs full situps for Army. Not sure about AF.

They recommend you train at a high level so your PFT is an easy day, ie train past 100 points.

So if you can do 100 pushups in a row and 100 full situps in a row, then doing 75 pushups and 80 situps on PFT day is a breeze.

The hardest part is the run, getting 100 on that will require some serious training on your part, 6.5 minute miles. Of course the minimum for the run still requires some training as the pace is equivalent to running a 25:43 5K, 8:16 mile which equals 7.3 mph.

 

[SirGecko]

That is once you are at USUHS, right? Correct me if I'm wrong but for acceptance you have to meet army height/weight standards.

If I recall correctly you had to be within army standards for DODMERB not to flag your file as needing more proof you are in standards. All that entailed though was a letter from my command saying I was within Navy standards. For a civilian you'd just need a note from a doctor with your height/weight and rope and choke measurements. (neck and waist size) I'm not sure if they wanted all the civilians to then be within Army standards or not though.

 

[teacherman84]

That is once you are at USUHS, right? Correct me if I'm wrong but for acceptance you have to meet army height/weight standards.

So to simply answer your question...no, everyone is not required to meet Army standards for entry...you are only required to meet your standards for your chosen service at all times....first at your respective officer training and then twice a year after that.

So xmsr3, did you get down to weight yet? Did all the hawaii/volcano fun pay off?

 

[silverhorse84]

So to simply answer your question...no, everyone is not required to meet Army standards for entry...you are only required to meet your standards for your chosen service at all times....first at your respective officer training and then twice a year after that.

So xmsr3, did you get down to weight yet? Did all the hawaii/volcano fun pay off?

Ummm, well I only know my experience, but I'm Navy (non-prior) and for my entry I did have to be within Army standards, which for my height is a 12lb difference and led to getting taped by an Army recruiter. Once I got to ODS and from then on, I only have to be within Navy standards.

 

[dwb8p]

If you are having weight or fitness issues currently, I would make damn sure that you are ready to meet the standards when you come here. With few exceptions, your life in med school will only be busier and less conducive to working out compared to now. I can only speak for the Army side of the house, but there have been too many of my peers who are getting bit in the ass now because they came to OBLC and/or USUHS fat, out of shape, and complacent -- this mainly applies to prior civilians. For the most part, USUHS will not disenroll you from school for failing PT tests, but they will definitely make your life less enjoyable -- put you on remedial PT (M,W,F 0500) and not allow you to take pass/leave (no going home over breaks or weekends) until you stop being so fat and lazy. Also, the new policy as of yesterday is that you must get at least a 70 in each APFT event (210 total) to avoid remedial, and if you are within 2% body fat of failing height/weight they will make you come in on a weekly basis to get re-weighed and/or put on remedial PT. The BDE Commander and Commandant are incredibly serious about keeping students fit, and they should be considering everyone here is an active duty officer.

 

[NavyCy]

I've never liked the 1.5 mile run. Like Segovia said, its kind of a weird distance. Maybe that is just because we ran 1/2 mile, mile and 2 mile and 5K in track. Plus where did the Navy get their "normal" data from? I'd rather run the army's two mile where you need an avg pace of 6:30 to max than the Navy's 1.5 mile with an avg pace of 5:57. I'll take an extra 1/2 mile of work any day in trade for a 33 sec/mile slower pace.

 

[SirGecko]

Also, the new policy as of yesterday is that you must get at least a 70 in each APFT event (210 total) to avoid remedial, and if you are within 2% body fat of failing height/weight they will make you come in on a weekly basis to get re-weighed and/or put on remedial PT.

Where did you get those numbers? All I got from the commandants call on Friday was that the policy was changing so if you were close they'd make you do more but I never saw a number. (and I remember them talking about the weekly weigh ins if you are close to body fat standards but don't remember them actually saying what the new standard would be to not be put on remedial) Any clue what a 70 on the APFT would translate to on the Navy PRT? My instinct says a Good Low because that was the score you had to get in ROTC. (plus the actual amount of pushups is about the same for a 70 in the Army and a good low in the Navy)

 

[mslall]

For conditional acceptance you don't need to pass the height weight standards. For unconditional you do.

In terms of PFT they will not test you until your OBC next summer. Once you are at USUHS you do PFT every 6 months, spring and fall. Running is around the running track which about 1/3 of mile, so Navy and AF do 4 laps, Army does 6.

Yes, each branch has slightly different standards, with Army being harder on the run at 2 miles vs 1.5 for Navy and AF but Navy having tougher standards for pushups and situps.

Navy also does crunches vs full situps for Army. Not sure about AF.

They recommend you train at a high level so your PFT is an easy day, ie train past 100 points.

So if you can do 100 pushups in a row and 100 full situps in a row, then doing 75 pushups and 80 situps on PFT day is a breeze.

The hardest part is the run, getting 100 on that will require some serious training on your part, 6.5 minute miles. Of course the minimum for the run still requires some training as the pace is equivalent to running a 25:43 5K, 8:16 mile which equals 7.3 mph.

Passing an APFT should not be difficult for anyone. That being said there were quite a few students who passed PT at OBC but did not pass this time around. There were also quite a few people that still passed but scored significantly lower. I went from from a 293 to a 276. Like dwb8p said, you just don't have the same amount of time. There is still time to work out and stay in shape you just have to be efficient, or wake up at 0445.

Also, the average person won't be able to do 100 pushups straight. You might be able to if, 1) you're a PT stud, which exists, or 2)your arms are 2ft long.

Long story short, get in shape now. No matter what you're almost guaranteed to have more time now than you will once school gets started.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

If you are having weight or fitness issues currently, I would make damn sure that you are ready to meet the standards when you come here. With few exceptions, your life in med school will only be busier and less conducive to working out compared to now. I can only speak for the Army side of the house, but there have been too many of my peers who are getting bit in the ass now because they came to OBLC and/or USUHS fat, out of shape, and complacent -- this mainly applies to prior civilians. For the most part, USUHS will not disenroll you from school for failing PT tests, but they will definitely make your life less enjoyable -- put you on remedial PT (M,W,F 0500) and not allow you to take pass/leave (no going home over breaks or weekends) until you stop being so fat and lazy. Also, the new policy as of yesterday is that you must get at least a 70 in each APFT event (210 total) to avoid remedial, and if you are within 2% body fat of failing height/weight they will make you come in on a weekly basis to get re-weighed and/or put on remedial PT. The BDE Commander and Commandant are incredibly serious about keeping students fit, and they should be considering everyone here is an active duty officer.

Hahahaha, YES!!!!!!👍

 

[NavyCy]

Gecko, the Navy PFA is based on 100 points also, so maybe a similar score would be Good High which is 70/100 for the Navy. Just a guess. Good High is more pushups and situps than a 70 on the APFT, but the Navy maximums are higher too

I don't know about the other services, but the Navy has made a concerted effort to improve physical fitness in the last couple of years. Currently, 3 failures (PRT or body composition) in a span of 4 years is grounds for involuntary separation from the service. At first it was mostly enlisted guys getting into trouble with the policy, but big Navy has been coming down hard on officers in the last year. I know several officers who were denied promotion, lost their orders to shore duty and were processed for separation with more than 16 yrs of service because of PRT failures. The point is, USUHS will not be the last time the PRT is looked at. Mslall gives good advice. Get in shape now, so you have one less thing to worry about next summer.

 

[Segovia]

I got out ~ 2 years ago and the tide was definitely shifting to enforcing the PRT standards on my ship. Believe or not, even our Captain had to get taped twice! Many have been discharged, put on "mando" PT, or are on the chopping block.

I was a PRT coordinator and had to deal with the myriad of excuses, etc. for not meeting the standards. In hindsight, most of the excuses were BS, but some had a plausibility. I can't tell you how many times I have seen fat guys with huge necks beat the tape, and guys with a little gut and small neck fail repeatedly. People with these awkward builds have it tough through no fault of their own. Some are great athletes.

I totally agree with keeping the standards strict, I just wish they used a different metric for body fat. I am quasi-bodybuilder and I had to get taped every time because I was "overweight" by Navy standards but would repeatedly get "outstandings" on the PRT and fall well below the body fat %. I guess the problem would be using body-fat calipers which are also subject to huge error, and water submersion just being too expensive.

Some people are notorious for simply not eating before the weigh-ins, but failing to work-out during the previous 6 months. I have trouble feeling bad for these people. Typically what happens anyway is that the neck shrinks disproportionately to the stomach, and you get these people with extremely low blood sugar, skinny necks, and pot bellies babbling incoherently because they have no glucose going to the brain. Its comical, but also quite dangerous when people are fainting left and right.

 

[SirGecko]

Gecko, the Navy PFA is based on 100 points also, so maybe a similar score would be Good High which is 70/100 for the Navy. Just a guess. Good High is more pushups and situps than a 70 on the APFT, but the Navy maximums are higher too.

I don't think a straight numeric score comparison is really possible. (even though they are both on 100 point scales) I seriously doubt that they would make the requirement a good high. Then again I haven't seen the new policy so who knows. It would just be a little weird to require the Navy to do 15 more push ups than the Army. (for 22-26 year old males 49 for the Army vs 64 for the Navy)

edit: This policy stuff doesn't really affect you guys applying till next year anyway so I'll shut up about it in this thread for now. (or at least till I see the actual written policy) Just get in shape and make sure you are able to keep it as a baseline now and you should be fine. (maintaining fitness is so much easier than improving it)

 

[xmsr3]

So to simply answer your question...no, everyone is not required to meet Army standards for entry...you are only required to meet your standards for your chosen service at all times....first at your respective officer training and then twice a year after that.

So xmsr3, did you get down to weight yet? Did all the hawaii/volcano fun pay off?

This morning I weighed in at 216, so 4 lbs to go with my DODMERB physical weigh in on Thursday.

A challenge to be sure but I have the math on my side, in terms of calories in vs calories out and there is no greater force in the universe than mathematics.

If I have to up my workouts from 2 hrs to 4 or even 6 hrs/day I will. Heck, I will spend the last 3 days at the gym all day if I have to but I will get to 212 by thursday if it kills me.

 

[elmariachi]

For those of you who have interviewed--were you asked any notable questions beyond those about your motivation for USUHS? For example, did the interview ever touch on your knowledge of current issues in military medicine?

 

[kleos atanatos]

For those of you who have interviewed--were you asked any notable questions beyond those about your motivation for USUHS? For example, did the interview ever touch on your knowledge of current issues in military medicine?

Triage questions.

I was asked whether I signed up for HPSP (I didn't so he had follow up questions on that).

3 strengths/3 weaknesses.

5 things wrong with healthcare today (I asked if he meant military medicine, but he wanted civilian)

What others schools I applied to.

Fun times

 

[ruiner]

For those of you who have interviewed--were you asked any notable questions beyond those about your motivation for USUHS? For example, did the interview ever touch on your knowledge of current issues in military medicine?

No.

They will ask why medicine, why military medicine, and what leadership experiences you've had. Those 3 they pretty much ask everyone, and both interviewers will. (At least thats what I had heard on here before my interview and what happened with mine). Then stuff will spin from there and it depends on the interviewer. One guy kind of screwed with me, the other was an awesome experience, so it just depends.

 

[scooter02]

Long story short, get in shape now.

does Wii Fit count?? 😉

Just kidding... I know I need to run for real. It's going to snow soon here (AK), so I'll be stuck inside on a treadmill till March/April.

If I don't get in I won't be motivated AT ALL... so I hope I get in, both for the obvious reason and because it will keep me going and taking good care of myself through the long winter. It's easy to get lazy when it's dark and freezing all the time.

I guess we'll see on friday.

 

[NavyCy]

A challenge to be sure but I have the math on my side, in terms of calories in vs calories out and there is no greater force in the universe than mathematics.

Ha, good luck man. Just don't give up if you don't make it. Math isn't as foolproof as you might think when you are dealing with weight loss. I can give you plenty of examples of times when I should have had math on my side dropping weight and it just didn't happen for various reasons.

Ok, on another topic I have a question. I keep seeing people talking about GMO tours as a reason not to choose Navy medicine, but my friends in the community have all told me GMO tours are being phased out and I was told by a senior officer at USUHS that GMO tours are going to be gone or nearly so by the time our class graduates. What are those of you at USUHS hearing?

 

[mslall]

Ha, good luck man. Just don't give up if you don't make it. Math isn't as foolproof as you might think when you are dealing with weight loss. I can give you plenty of examples of times when I should have had math on my side dropping weight and it just didn't happen for various reasons.

Ok, on another topic I have a question. I keep seeing people talking about GMO tours as a reason not to choose Navy medicine, but my friends in the community have all told me GMO tours are being phased out and I was told by a senior officer at USUHS that GMO tours are going to be gone or nearly so by the time our class graduates. What are those of you at USUHS hearing?

the navy has been saying they're phasing gmo tours out for years now. They have reduced the numbers some. I'm army, so i'm only going from what I've gathered from the staff here. They keep saying that gmo tours will eventually go away but probably not in the next 4yrs or so. So if you want an uber competitive residency you'll still probably have to do one (read ortho, EM, Gsurg). Most of the staff (that are military physicians) talk about how they wish more gmo opportunities were available (especially to the army). They all talk about how it was one of the best experiences they've had.

 

[Upgrayedd]

So if you want an uber competitive residency you'll still probably have to do one (read ortho, EM, Gsurg)

I'd say plan on it if you want a moderately competitive one as well.

Any service should be OK with the thought of doing GMO. You just need to be REALLY OK with it if you are going AF/Navy.

 

[xmsr3]

NavyCY, thanks for the encouragement, this morning I weighed in at 214.4, so just 2.4 to go, looks like I will make it no problem.

As to your question regarding GMO tours, here is what I know.

Navy has promised to phase them out for the longest time. Currently about 50% of people have to do one, of course, a lot will depend on your specialty.

Check out this link and reply #6 for the navy match statistics for 2007.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=608636

If your specialty is non competative like FP, IM or Psych then you probably won't do GMO, if it is competative like Derm or Ortho, then you will, but after your GMO tour you have preference so its easier to match.

Some people really hate GMO because it interrupts their residency, others don't mind, especially those who plan to or end up doing military medicine careers.

Hope that helps.

 

[Upgrayedd]

NavyCY, thanks for the encouragement, this morning I weighed in at 214.4, so just 2.4 to go, looks like I will make it no problem.

As to your question regarding GMO tours, here is what I know.

Navy has promised to phase them out for the longest time. Currently about 50% of people have to do one, of course, a lot will depend on your specialty.

Check out this link and reply #6 for the navy match statistics for 2007.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=608636

If your specialty is non competative like FP, IM or Psych then you probably won't do GMO, if it is competative like Derm or Ortho, then you will, but after your GMO tour you have preference so its easier to match.

Some people really hate GMO because it interrupts their residency, others don't mind, especially those who plan to or end up doing military medicine careers.

Hope that helps.

Yeah, but is that 50% of the TOTAL POOL OF APPLICANTS for a certain year, or 50% of people right out of MS IV year? If it is the total pool, keep in mind that the pool would therefore include people who are just coming off of GMO tours, and therefore, the chances for matching for a MS IV would be significantly LESS than 50% since those who have already done a GMO have priority.

 

[xmsr3]

I don't know where I heard the 50% stat but I believe it was in the context of 50% of MS4s go straight through to residency.

Even if that is not the case your individual case will be different, a function of your preferred specialty and how competative a candidate you are.

 

[silverhorse84]

I don't know anything about numbers, but here's what I heard when I went to the EM interest group.

Navy has in fact promised to phase them out for years, and they have cut down, but for several residencies (like EM) almost 100% (if not 100%) of the residents did a GMO first.
Now, what they're doing, is in the next few years they'll start phasing them out. So say they start in X year. That year there'll be Y spots. Of those spots, 1 person will come straight from internship and Y-1 will come from GMOs. Then the next year 2 might come straight through while Y-2 come from GMOs. etc, etc.
I don't know how'll this will go exactly. But the idea is to phase them out while not screwing over those who have put in their time and done the GMO. If you're going in anytime soon, plan on doing a GMO, because from what this guy said, this won't be in effect in time to affect my class yet, so it may not affect yours either.

Also, for what it's worth, many of the people in the mil med forum complain about their GMO tours, but everyone I've talked to in person hasn't had anything bad to say. Just something I've noticed.

 

[NavyCy]

The reason I asked is because a friend of mine was our DESRON doctor and when he left for residency, he was replaced with a FP physician. Same goes for several of the staff on the CVN. I thought the Navy might have gotten the conversion process rolling and I was curious what people were hearing. Personally, I hope there are a few spots left by the time we get there. I'd love to get back out to the operational Navy for a couple of years.

 

[scooter02]

This is going to be a long week... I already feel like I might puke with nervous anticipation and it's only Monday! The closer the 16th gets the more nervous I feel!

I felt really optimistic after the interview, but with my stats I know it would be miraculous to get in anywhere... I am certainly no xmsr3!!

 

[dru2002]

This is going to be a long week... I already feel like I might puke with nervous anticipation and it's only Monday! The closer the 16th gets the more nervous I feel!

I felt really optimistic after the interview, but with my stats I know it would be miraculous to get in anywhere... I am certainly no xmsr3!!

I'm feeling a bit nervous as well. After the interview I felt great and each day I question my interview performance more and more. Oh well, theoretically only four more days.

 

[kleos atanatos]

I'm feeling a bit nervous as well. After the interview I felt great and each day I question my interview performance more and more. Oh well, theoretically only four more days.

I'm right there will you dru2002. I felt pretty good after my interviews, but one of my interviewers had some questions and comments that kind of surprised me a bit. Those couple hiccups definitely have been growing in my mind as time passes.

Scooter02, I'm guessing that your dachshund has comforted you during this waiting process. My dachshund has definitely helped distract me from my med school worries haha.

 

[ruiner]

I'm right there will you dru2002. I felt pretty good after my interviews, but one of my interviewers had some questions and comments that kind of surprised me a bit. Those couple hiccups definitely have been growing in my mind as time passes.

Scooter02, I'm guessing that your dachshund has comforted you during this waiting process. My dachshund has definitely helped distract me from my med school worries haha.

yeah but you had like 15 interviews already so what are you worried about?

 

[kleos atanatos]

yeah but you had like 15 interviews already so what are you worried about?

i wish haha...sorry ruiner I probably made you think I was someone else. Hint...I was the guy that had the light gray suit...

 

[NavyCy]

I felt really optimistic after the interview, but with my stats I know it would be miraculous to get in anywhere

After the interview I felt great and each day I question my interview performance more and more.

Are you two by any chance perfectionists? Just a guess. I'd feel the same way, but I've been going to jiu jitsu more often to kill the time. It might be the greatest stress relief of all time. Not only is choking people allowed, its actually encouraged.

 

[ruiner]

i wish haha...sorry ruiner I probably made you think I was someone else. Hint...I was the guy that had the light gray suit...

were you from CA or Utah (no clue what the abreviation for utah is)?

 

[kleos atanatos]

were you from ca or utah (no clue what the abreviation for utah is)?

ca

 

[dru2002]

Are you two by any chance perfectionists? Just a guess. I'd feel the same way, but I've been going to jiu jitsu more often to kill the time. It might be the greatest stress relief of all time. Not only is choking people allowed, its actually encouraged.

I've never heard of a perfectionist applying to medical school. 😉 I may in fact be one of those lol. Maybe I should take up a martial art. Hitting things is definitely relaxing.

 

[ruiner]

I got you now. Sorry, something you said made me think one of the guys from SLC for some reason.

 

[scooter02]

I'm right there will you dru2002. I felt pretty good after my interviews, but one of my interviewers had some questions and comments that kind of surprised me a bit. Those couple hiccups definitely have been growing in my mind as time passes.

Scooter02, I'm guessing that your dachshund has comforted you during this waiting process. My dachshund has definitely helped distract me from my med school worries haha.

Do you really have a dachshund too?? What color? I have a miniature smooth red named Valentine.

 

[kleos atanatos]

Do you really have a dachshund too?? What color? I have a miniature smooth red named Valentine.

Haha ya...miniature smooth black/brown named Holly. I have a miniature beagle too named Madison. Ya totally didn't plan on my two dogs to be named after playboy bunny Holly Madison.

 

[scooter02]

Haha ya...miniature smooth black/brown named Holly. I have a miniature beagle too named Madison. Ya totally didn't plan on my two dogs to be named after playboy bunny Holly Madison.

Your dogs are so cute! I had no pets when I was growing up so I REALLY love my dog… so much that my husband’s advice for my interview was, “Don’t talk about the wiener dog the whole time”.

Hopefully we’ll be classmates and the dogs can be friends… unless you have kids cause mine hates children!!

 

[kleos atanatos]

Your dogs are so cute! I had no pets when I was growing up so I REALLY love my dog… so much that my husband’s advice for my interview was, “Don’t talk about the wiener dog the whole time”.

Hopefully we’ll be classmates and the dogs can be friends… unless you have kids cause mine hates children!!

Haha the wiener dog is a great interview topic! They are seriously great dogs, but they definitely get protective. It really would be great if we both were classmates. Mine follows me around the house and barks at me when I'm on the phone or when she wants to be picked up. She always needs attention. My beagle, on the other hand, is more like a cat and posts up on a couch or high place. My family always had labs so it's kinda nice to have the small dog lifestyle for a change.

 

[xmsr3]

Up until about 2 days ago I was in the same boat as Kleos, Scooter and Dru, despite having had great interviews and leaving USUHS walking on sunshine, as Oct 16 drew closer I began questioning myself, and whether or not those interviews went as well as I remembered or if the interviewers were just being polite.

Here is what I did to put my mind at ease and let me enjoy the last week of the med school admission process. Whenever you start to fear friday and whether or not you get a call just smile a big goofy grin and laugh. The physical act triggers the release of pleasure neurotransmitters and causes euphoria similar to that of being in love. This euphoria can overcome even the worst stress. This past friday I was at MCW interviewing and they asked me for a third interview, (meaning one of my interviewers said not to admit me).

As I stood outside the door of the third interviewer I was terrified, thinking I had blown it. Then I just started grinning and I felt so good all my nervousness went away. I actually started getting excited! I walked into that interview confident and pumped and nailed it.

So the next time you start doubting yourself try grinning and getting excited about how great USUHS is and how sweet it will be to get the call on friday! Don't even let the idea of not getting in cross your mind, or if it does, laugh it off as ridiculous. I know it may seem delusional to just force yourself to believe you are a lock to get in but if you don't you will make yourself sick with worry and this week will suck for you. Remember that getting into med school is a 4 year journey, the greatest journey you have embarked upon up to this point in your life. This is the last week of that journey so enjoy it! Just smile and tell yourself that not getting into USUHS on friday is as likely as getting stuck by lightning! Do this as many times until you honestly and sincerely believe it!

If you do get the call on Friday, (and apparently 90% of first group interviewers do) then that will be the happiest day of your life. If you don't and get rejected then it will be a day that will suck in the worst possible way. Either way, you've done incredibly well just to get to this point and you deserve to enjoy this last week.

So just smile, laugh and lets all celebrate our success at getting into USUHS! 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

 

[mslall]

If you do get the call on Friday, (and apparently 90% of first group interviewers do)

this is just downright false. 1) you only get a call if you get in. I can assure that 90% of those that interview don't get in.....even this early in the cycle; 2)there are a lot of people that interview early and for some reason or another don't get a call on the first go 'round. I interviewed in the second group and was lucky enough to get a call on the first round. Conversely I know there are quite a few classmates who interviewed in the first group and for some reason or another didn't get called until the second or third go. I know for a fact that there is one person who interviewed the first time and didn't get a call until december.

so if you guys get a call on friday congrats. If you don't there is no need to start freaking out. I think a lot of it depends on who is primarily responsible for your application and how fast they push it through the adcom. so again, no need to start worrying if you don't get called.

 

[dru2002]

this is just downright false. 1) you only get a call if you get in. I can assure that 90% of those that interview don't get in.....even this early in the cycle; 2)there are a lot of people that interview early and for some reason or another don't get a call on the first go 'round. I interviewed in the second group and was lucky enough to get a call on the first round. Conversely I know there are quite a few classmates who interviewed in the first group and for some reason or another didn't get called until the second or third go. I know for a fact that there is one person who interviewed the first time and didn't get a call until december.

so if you guys get a call on friday congrats. If you don't there is no need to start freaking out. I think a lot of it depends on who is primarily responsible for your application and how fast they push it through the adcom. so again, no need to start worrying if you don't get called.

He is just quoting what about four different people told us on our interview day. I believe that 90% is very high and they were just trying to put us at ease. I suppose it helps you relax on interview day, but then if you don't get in you feel like you really f'ed up because "90% get in on the first interview day". Thanks for the clarification.

 

[xmsr3]

Sorry for the misinformation about the 90% statistic, I heard the women say something like this in the morning and I suppose I took it too literally.

Its good to know that silence on Friday doesn't mean rejection, though I imagine it would make for a very nervous weekend knowing that if you are rejected it is in the mail and coming on monday or tuesday.

On a completely different point, could someone who has done the DODMERB physical please tell me how long it takes? I have to schedule some other appointments that day and I way overestimated how long the optometry exam would take.

 

[scooter02]

so if you guys get a call on friday congrats. If you don't there is no need to start freaking out. I think a lot of it depends on who is primarily responsible for your application and how fast they push it through the adcom. so again, no need to start worrying if you don't get called.

I know this in the logical part of my brain, and in an ideal world if i don't get called Friday I'll shrug and be patient...

but in reality, the crazy part of me will convince me that a rejection letter is on the way and I'll feel super anxious till I know for sure!! 😱

If everything works out and I get to go to school with all of you, I promise I'm not some kind of psycho... it's the waiting/not knowing that brings out the worst in me!!

 

[dwb8p]

Whenever you start to fear friday and whether or not you get a call just smile a big goofy grin and laugh. The physical act triggers the release of pleasure neurotransmitters and causes euphoria similar to that of being in love. This euphoria can overcome even the worst stress.

Your unrelenting weirdness is quite astonishing...

 

[NavyCy]

Don't even let the idea of not getting in cross your mind, or if it does, laugh it off as ridiculous.

I may be crazy, but I like to think about the possibility that things won't go the way I planned. That way, I'm prepared if everything works out and prepared when things go badly. And yes, no matter how good you are, no matter how much you prepare, things will eventually go against you. When the primary plan fails, you are already prepared to implement the secondary plan.

If you don't and get rejected then it will be a day that will suck in the worst possible way.

Being rejected would be disappointing, yes, but at worst you may have to reapply next year. I've got classmates in Afghanistan right now, praying that they can get all their men through the day alive. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't. Either way, tomorrow they will get up and do it all over again. A temporary setback, no matter how disappointing, just doesn't seem to rise to the same level in my opinion.

As for the DODMERB physical, mine only took about 40 minutes and the optometry exam took about 20 minutes. That includes the extra time it took me to explain the black eye that I picked up the night before when I caught an inadvertant knee with my face.

 

[ftrflyr29]

Your unrelenting weirdness is quite astonishing...

and the truth shall set you free.....

 

[scooter02]

I may be crazy, but I like to think about the possibility that things won't go the way I planned. That way, I'm prepared if everything works out and prepared when things go badly. And yes, no matter how good you are, no matter how much you prepare, things will eventually go against you. When the primary plan fails, you are already prepared to implement the secondary plan.

Being rejected would be disappointing, yes, but at worst you may have to reapply next year. I've got classmates in Afghanistan right now, praying that they can get all their men through the day alive. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't. Either way, tomorrow they will get up and do it all over again. A temporary setback, no matter how disappointing, just doesn't seem to rise to the same level in my opinion.

As for the DODMERB physical, mine only took about 40 minutes and the optometry exam took about 20 minutes. That includes the extra time it took me to explain the black eye that I picked up the night before when I caught an inadvertant knee with my face.

I also like to hope for the best but make a plan for the worst case scenario. My husband thinks I should be more optimistic but this way, when I face disappointment, I am able to move on in a constructive way rather than being completely crushed. But to each their own.