2009-2010 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

[Thyroid Gland]

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You need to call the admissions office about this, explain your situation, and see what you can do about this. Some schools take AP credit and others don't. I think I remember someone mentioning something about getting their AP Calc credits Oked.

Thanks for the reply, I did try to call but I opened the letter today at 4:45 pm in Chicago, so the office was already closed. The letter did say to send an email, which I did right away. Probably won't get a reply until Monday. There goes my weekend 🙁
Probably wouldn't care as much if USU wasn't my first choice

anyone got a definite yay or nay on USUHS AP Credits?

 

[dru2002]

Thanks for the reply, I did try to call but I opened the letter today at 4:45 pm in Chicago, so the office was already closed. The letter did say to send an email, which I did right away. Probably won't get a reply until Monday. There goes my weekend 🙁
Probably wouldn't care as much if USU wasn't my first choice

anyone got a definite yay or nay on USUHS AP Credits?

From their brouchure:

"College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) credits cannot be used to fulfill the prerequisites. Also, all prerequisites must be taken in a traditional classroom setting with a letter grade."​

http://www.usuhs.mil/adm/catalog/USUCatalog.pdf page 54.


That being said, XMRS got them to flex on the calc requirement so maybe their is some wiggle room. Good luck!

 

[xmsr3]

Yes, I did get my AP Calc oked by Joan Stearman, (head of admissions). HOWEVER, the school brochure does say that AP credits are not allowed for pre-reqs. I inquired about this to Mrs. Stearman when I contacted her about my AP calc 1 and she told me that normally this is true, (that they don't accept AP credits) however they have discretion regarding that specific pre-req, (1 semester of calc).

They may have been flexible because of some extenuating cirmumstances. For example, I explained how I was an econ major who has taken several calc heavy courses, statistics, data analysis as well as Cal based physics 1,2 all of which I recieved A's in, so it was obvious I had some grasp of the subject.

Of course contacting Joan Stearman and asking if there is anything you can do is your only recourse but remember that USUHS admissions are crazy busy now and she sometimes takes a long time to reply if she replies at all. In case you do want to contact her, here is her email, (don't bother calling because she is never in, or doesn't take calls).

[email protected]

 

[SirGecko]

They don't count AP credit at USUHS. When I applied I only had a semester of physics instead of a year since I AP'd two semesters. I was able to get one on my engineering classes to count as a physics course but that is because it covered the same material.

 

[bacotell]

Thats crazy...I never understood that policy.

I AP'ed out of freshman bio and I am microbio major. Never got below an A- in any of my bio classes and it was my best score on the MCAT.

Why do they have this policy?

 

[dru2002]

Thats crazy...I never understood that policy.

I AP'ed out of freshman bio and I am microbio major. Never got below an A- in any of my bio classes and it was my best score on the MCAT.

Why do they have this policy?

You are a micro major though. You have plenty of classes that fulfill their requirements so you APing bio isn't really a big deal because they have plenty other things to evaluate you on.

Say you APed out of both semesters of physics how can they evaluate your physics knowledge. Most people would never take another physics class and very few other classes rely on those skills. Unless of course you are a chem or engineering major. Even the schools that allow you to use AP recommend taking advanced classes that you APed to show your mastery. I get why they have it. Not sure if it really does anything as far as quality of med student but nonetheless.

 

[scooter02]

OK, just got an official looking "complete" email that says well, that I am complete (which I have known for a couple weeks already). And also...

"The interview season will begin in mid-September and continue until the end of February and invitations are issued via email. Please do not call to check the status of your application, however periodic EMAIL verifications are welcome beginning in late December."

This is basically a contrast to what they told me earlier about interview INVITES beginning in late Sept... so who knows... but I like the earlier timeline better... 🙂 I have no interviews ANYWHERE yet....🙁 and I want one.

 

[delicatefew24]

OK, just got an official looking "complete" email that says well, that I am complete (which I have known for a couple weeks already). And also...

"The interview season will begin in mid-September and continue until the end of February and invitations are issued via email. Please do not call to check the status of your application, however periodic EMAIL verifications are welcome beginning in late December."

This is basically a contrast to what they told me earlier about interview INVITES beginning in late Sept... so who knows... but I like the earlier timeline better... 🙂 I have no interviews ANYWHERE yet....🙁 and I want one.

Ohhh lucky - I have no idea if I'm complete... turned everything in 7/6/09, but my LORs didn't show up on AMCAS until 7/27. I was thinking of calling but that e-mail makes it seem like they would NOT appreciate phone calls, haha.

 

[scooter02]

Ohhh lucky - I have no idea if I'm complete... turned everything in 7/6/09, but my LORs didn't show up on AMCAS until 7/27. I was thinking of calling but that e-mail makes it seem like they would NOT appreciate phone calls, haha.

Just email them, I turned my stuff in around when you did but I wasn't sure about my letters so I emailed them a couple weeks ago to ask if everything was there and they got back to me pretty quickly.

That's why I was surprised to get the complete email today because I didn't really expect any futher communication until a rejection or interview!

I bet all your stuff is there by now!!! 🙂

 

[delicatefew24]

Just email them, I turned my stuff in around when you did but I wasn't sure about my letters so I emailed them a couple weeks ago to ask if everything was there and they got back to me pretty quickly.

That's why I was surprised to get the complete email today because I didn't really expect any futher communication until a rejection or interview!

I bet all your stuff is there by now!!! 🙂

Ahh good idea, thanks!!

 

[dru2002]

I got the complete email. Before I read the subject i saw the sender [email protected] and was kinda excited until I read the subject. Oh to be patient.

 

[ruiner]

ALso complete today, sent a week or two back.

 

[xmsr3]

Well I too know I am complete but look forward to getting my email from them anyway.

As for the fact that interviews are at the same time as last year, that is great news! I was worried that I might now know if I got into USUHS until the end of the year.

 

[scooter02]

Well I too know I am complete but look forward to getting my email from them anyway.

As for the fact that interviews are at the same time as last year, that is great news! I was worried that I might now know if I got into USUHS until the end of the year.

yeah someone must have been in a hurry when they replied to my email before! I'm glad everything is proceeding on the usual timeline.

 

[xmsr3]

BOYYAH KASHAW! I just got an email from USUHS and I was expecting the same "your application is complete" as others here got today.

Instead, INTERVIEW INVITE FOR SEP 17!

THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!

 

[delicatefew24]

BOYYAH KASHAW! I just got an email from USUHS and I was expecting the same "your application is complete" as others here got today.

Instead, INTERVIEW INVITE FOR SEP 17!

THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!

Omg congratulations!!!!!!!! 🙂 !!!!

 

[scooter02]

BOYYAH KASHAW! I just got an email from USUHS and I was expecting the same "your application is complete" as others here got today.

Instead, INTERVIEW INVITE FOR SEP 17!

THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!

...and you wish the rest of us good luck?!?!

congrats!!!

 

[xmsr3]

...and you wish the rest of us good luck?!?!

congrats!!!

Of course I do, I assumed that was implied, but in case it wasn't let the word go forth for all SDNers appying to USUHS that the age of interview invites has come and you shall soon recieve them.

Best of luck to all.

 

[Doe87]

When did you send everything in/AMCAS verified?

 

[dru2002]

BOYYAH KASHAW! I just got an email from USUHS and I was expecting the same "your application is complete" as others here got today.

Instead, INTERVIEW INVITE FOR SEP 17!

THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!

Congrats dude!!!!

 

[xmsr3]

I submitted my AMCAS on June 2, it was verified 4 hours later, so it was sent out to USUHS on June 24. All my LORs where in and verified at AMCAS by June 24.

I received a secondary invite on June 29, finished it the next day and overnighted it to USUHS. I confirmed with USPS that it arrived July 1.

I never recieved a complete appliation email but I did contact Joan Stearman, (head of admissions) who was nice enough to let me know I was complete July 14.

So the basic timeline for me was.

From primary app to secondary invite: 5 days
From secondary arrival to invite: 5 weeks
From invite to interview: 5.5 weeks

So I am hoping that, (if interview goes well) I should be hearing about an acceptance within 6 weeks of the interview, which comes to around november 3 or so.

 

[sarah9]

i submitted my amcas on june 2, it was verified 4 hours later, so it was sent out to usuhs on june 24. All my lors where in and verified at amcas by june 24.

I received a secondary invite on june 29, finished it the next day and overnighted it to usuhs. I confirmed with usps that it arrived july 1.

I never recieved a complete appliation email but i did contact joan stearman, (head of admissions) who was nice enough to let me know i was complete july 14.

So the basic timeline for me was.

From primary app to secondary invite: 5 days
from secondary arrival to invite: 5 weeks
from invite to interview: 5.5 weeks

so i am hoping that, (if interview goes well) i should be hearing about an acceptance within 6 weeks of the interview, which comes to around november 3 or so.

congratulations!!!!!!!

 

[xmsr3]

I am curious how long it will take to fill up the first interview session.

Would anyone who applied please be so kind as to post when they sent their secondaries? We could get an idea for when others may start getting invites.

 

[kleos atanatos]

I am curious how long it will take to fill up the first interview session.

Would anyone who applied please be so kind as to post when they sent their secondaries? We could get an idea for when others may start getting invites.

I think I submitted mine july 21 overnight. I'm on a boat for a week in the ocean so I thought I would just take a vacation from this process for a bit...but now that u got ur interview invite I've been glued to this blackberry lol. Btw congrats

 

[scooter02]

I am curious how long it will take to fill up the first interview session.

Would anyone who applied please be so kind as to post when they sent their secondaries? We could get an idea for when others may start getting invites.

Mine got there 7/6/09... and when I emailed them later to check about LOR on 7/14 I was told I was complete... then I got that "you are complete" email yesterday.

Looks like you are the only one with an interview so far!!

 

[BluSkye712]

BOYYAH KASHAW! I just got an email from USUHS and I was expecting the same "your application is complete" as others here got today.

Instead, INTERVIEW INVITE FOR SEP 17!

THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!

Congrats!
Would you mind posting your stats? Are you prior military?

I am in kind of unique situation with USUHS, since I actually applied last year and got off the waitlist in mid-June, but then really sadly couldn't accept because I am so committed at my research job. But I re-applied right away!

 

[teacherman84]

Congrats!
Would you mind posting your stats? Are you prior military?

I am in kind of unique situation with USUHS, since I actually applied last year and got off the waitlist in mid-June, but then really sadly couldn't accept because I am so committed at my research job. But I re-applied right away!

Ha Ha...his stats are everywhere...just go back a few pages.

I was complete sometime early July, emailed to confirm and got a reply back saying I was complete on the 20th. No email yesterday though...

 

[dru2002]

They received my secondary on the 7/7. I have a feeling the "secondary complete" email was there nice way of telling us to fix our stats based on the middle of the email

Please note that successful applications to the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine are those that demonstrate strong academic credentials, usually with cumulative and science grade point averages of approximately 3.5 and MCAT scores of 30. You should take this time to review your entire application submission and determine whether there are any academic weaknesses while you can still take action. If you find that your grades or test scores are below our historical average, it may be helpful to take additional basic science classes (i.e. Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology) at your local community college. Should you enroll in any additional coursework, please notify the Admissions Office immediately via email ([email protected]), placing "2010 FYC Application Update" in the subject line. Likewise if you are planning to retake the MCAT (between now and January), send a similar email including the date of your scheduled exam.

I'm sure we are still be considered and will most likely get interviews but it just adds a little stress. lol. If anyone got that email who wasn't under one of their means either gpa or mcat (for me it's my 29 MCAT) let me know so I can stop reading into that email.

 

[scooter02]

They received my secondary on the 7/7. I have a feeling the "secondary complete" email was there nice way of telling us to fix our stats based on the middle of the email
I'm sure we are still be considered and will most likely get interviews but it just adds a little stress. lol. If anyone got that email who wasn't under one of their means either gpa or mcat (for me it's my 29 MCAT) let me know so I can stop reading into that email.

My undergrad gpa is definitely under the mean... but I have already done all of their suggested coursework to bump it up since graduating from college in 2002! I took a year of anatomy and physiology, then got a masters in microbiology (and took a bunch of biochem and molecular biology in the process). So even though I did well in all that, I’m left with a total gpa still below their average, and there's not much else I can do to fix my stats. I’m hoping it’ll be enough but who knows.

I hate waiting (for all my schools) and I’ve become a total slave to my email. I get a huge rush when I see a new message, and then I’m all disappointed when it’s a Netflix notification or something. I’m trying to stay positive and I wish you all the best!!!

 

[BluSkye712]

Ha Ha...his stats are everywhere...just go back a few pages.

I was complete sometime early July, emailed to confirm and got a reply back saying I was complete on the 20th. No email yesterday though...

Haha, yeahhh they are. Thanks!

 

[dru2002]

Haha, yeahhh they are. Thanks!

Priceless!

 

[dru2002]

My undergrad gpa is definitely under the mean... but I have already done all of their suggested coursework to bump it up since graduating from college in 2002! I took a year of anatomy and physiology, then got a masters in microbiology (and took a bunch of biochem and molecular biology in the process). So even though I did well in all that, I’m left with a total gpa still below their average, and there's not much else I can do to fix my stats. I’m hoping it’ll be enough but who knows.

I hate waiting (for all my schools) and I’ve become a total slave to my email. I get a huge rush when I see a new message, and then I’m all disappointed when it’s a Netflix notification or something. I’m trying to stay positive and I wish you all the best!!!

All we have left is to wait. I don't have the money for a new MCAT so it is what it is. Unless I misunderstand statistics. Unless everyone they admit has exactly a 30 MCAT there have to be a bunch above and below that number. So I still feel fine with my score. The same has to apply to GPA unless everyone they admit has a 3.5 across the board. My guess is they will give us several days to weeks to respond to that email and then make decisions from there.

 

[teacherman84]

If that is the case with those complete emails then I wonder where that leaves me. Email-less.
I wouldnt worry about a 29. I met a member of the admissions committee when he was at a local base and he told me to shoot for a 29. I sadly only got a 28...i wasnt upset for really only studying in the three weeks after I finished Ochem, Bio, and physics.
I too cannot afford to take it again, though as an English teacher I am ashamed my lowest score was an 8 in verbal.
My GPA is also below average...even with 5 semesters of full-time postbac with close to a 4.0.
But 3.5 and 30 are average...so for every one hot shot like xmsr, they have to take someone below to average it out, right?

 

[scooter02]

But 3.5 and 30 are average...so for every one hot shot like xmsr, they have to take someone below to average it out, right?

lol... yeah since he is 3.97 and 37 they have to take someone with a 3.0 and a 23 to avg it out!!

 

[grotto]

Don't worry people, I called them yesterday for a seperate issue (I was wondering if BUPERS had sent my Letter of Approval to Apply yet) before that email came out. The admissions person said that they had my app in a stack going to the committee so she had a hard time finding it, and that they hadn't picked up any apps yet to start (the admissions office collects everything and puts it in folders, then the committee picks them up and deliberates). She said I would be getting an email saying "complete." And that meant that the admissions office was done with everything and it was going out of the office. 30 minutes later, there it was.

I was suprised to see that interview post yesterday, because the way she was talking it seemed like my app was in the first batch to go through, but I assume that xmsr or whatever's app was at the top and he got the first email. Again, don't read into it too much - my stats are pretty much at the average and I got it too. And they have that same exact shpeel on their secondary page. I figure I'll know, yea or nea in the next week.

 

[dru2002]

Don't worry people, I called them yesterday for a seperate issue (I was wondering if BUPERS had sent my Letter of Approval to Apply yet) before that email came out. The admissions person said that they had my app in a stack going to the committee so she had a hard time finding it, and that they hadn't picked up any apps yet to start (the admissions office collects everything and puts it in folders, then the committee picks them up and deliberates). She said I would be getting an email saying "complete." And that meant that the admissions office was done with everything and it was going out of the office. 30 minutes later, there it was.

I was suprised to see that interview post yesterday, because the way she was talking it seemed like my app was in the first batch to go through, but I assume that xmsr or whatever's app was at the top and he got the first email. Again, don't read into it too much - my stats are pretty much at the average and I got it too. And they have that same exact shpeel on their secondary page. I figure I'll know, yea or nea in the next week.

Good stuff! Figures a fellow sailor would get the correct scuttlebutt (fives years in the navy thats the first I have ever used that word). Thanks.

 

[grotto]

Good stuff! Figures a fellow sailor would get the correct scuttlebutt (fives years in the navy thats the first I have ever used that word). Thanks.

You know how it works man... I'm always working for the good gouge. Ready to get demoted to ENS? Haha.

 

[scooter02]

Don't worry people, I called them yesterday for a seperate issue (I was wondering if BUPERS had sent my Letter of Approval to Apply yet) before that email came out. The admissions person said that they had my app in a stack going to the committee so she had a hard time finding it, and that they hadn't picked up any apps yet to start (the admissions office collects everything and puts it in folders, then the committee picks them up and deliberates). She said I would be getting an email saying "complete." And that meant that the admissions office was done with everything and it was going out of the office. 30 minutes later, there it was.

I was suprised to see that interview post yesterday, because the way she was talking it seemed like my app was in the first batch to go through, but I assume that xmsr or whatever's app was at the top and he got the first email. Again, don't read into it too much - my stats are pretty much at the average and I got it too. And they have that same exact shpeel on their secondary page. I figure I'll know, yea or nea in the next week.

Thanks, you made my night with this info!

Sometimes I hate this process for turning me into a crazy super-anxious version of myself, always assuming the worst and wildly speculating about what contact (or lack thereof) from a school might mean... but it will all be worth it in the end, right??

 

[dru2002]

You know how it works man... I'm always working for the good gouge. Ready to get demoted to ENS? Haha.

I suppose demoted for you. Promoted for me. O1E pay I'll take it. And you'll get to keep your pay just not your rank so not a bad deal.

 

[grotto]

I suppose demoted for you. Promoted for me. O1E pay I'll take it. And you'll get to keep your pay just not your rank so not a bad deal.

Definitely a good deal, considering the alternative HPSP is poverty level (with a family - not too bad for a younger student). Did you know it was actually usuhs students who got the bill into congress to pay priors at their old grade? Pretty cool. They initially wanted to get language that promoted to O2 after M2, but that got denied.

If I get in, I will definitely not have time to be worrying about lobbying congress in my off hours.

 

[xmsr3]

Definitely a good deal, considering the alternative HPSP is poverty level (with a family - not too bad for a younger student). Did you know it was actually usuhs students who got the bill into congress to pay priors at their old grade? Pretty cool. They initially wanted to get language that promoted to O2 after M2, but that got denied.

If I get in, I will definitely not have time to be worrying about lobbying congress in my off hours.

Good deal? Hells yeah!😀 $50K/year to attend med school, all of which is tuition free?

If I am lucky enough to get in I am gonna go crazy and come June 2010 go out and buy me a pimped out ride! I'm talking brand new 2010(or maybe used 2009 depending on which is cheaper) Honda Fit, YEAH BOOOY!😀

Not only does it have 60 cubic feet of cargo space but comes standard with 6, countem 6 airbags and ABS STANDARD! And the thing is so reliable you could drive it for 30 years! Heck if I wanted to I could probably keep it until they stop selling gas post 2050! When people here about my sexy, sexy wheels I'm gonna be beating the ladies off with a stick!😀

w00t to the w00t! Lets give it up for USUHS! Where the students are livin large with one bedroom apartments in rockville and kickass rides like the Honda Fit! and of course, sporting the 4th gen Iphone😎

Life don't get any better than that! Except when you graduate, get promoted to O-3 and can upgrade to a Prius!😀

 

[teacherman84]

Good deal? Hells yeah!😀 $50K/year to attend med school, all of which is tuition free?

If I am lucky enough to get in I am gonna go crazy and come June 2010 go out and buy me a pimped out ride! I'm talking brand new 2010(or maybe used 2009 depending on which is cheaper) Honda Fit, YEAH BOOOY!😀

Not only does it have 60 cubic feet of cargo space but comes standard with 6, countem 6 airbags and ABS STANDARD! And the thing is so reliable you could drive it for 30 years! Heck if I wanted to I could probably keep it until they stop selling gas post 2050! When people here about my sexy, sexy wheels I'm gonna be beating the ladies off with a stick!😀

w00t to the w00t! Lets give it up for USUHS! Where the students are livin large with one bedroom apartments in rockville and kickass rides like the Honda Fit!😎

Life don't get any better than that! Except when you graduate, get promoted to O-3 and can upgrade to a Prius!😀

if it were anyone else i would think they were joking...i hope youre joking

 

[xmsr3]

Teacherman of course I am joking, thus all the grinning emoticons.

My post was meant in the style of geek chique, you know where nerds and geeks proudly proclaim their love of practical fuel efficient cars, small affordable apartments and the Iphone and pretend that makes them uber cool.

Obviously I know its not true (except the iphone part) as everyone knows that USUHS students are the bomb da bomb due our med school status and super sexy uniforms😀

 

[scooter02]

So they just updated the interview dates on the web page to this year... Hopefully we'll start hearing this week? Next week?

http://www.usuhs.mil/adm/interview/InterviewDates.pdf

 

[xmsr3]

http://more.studentdoctor.net/interv....php?school=89

Here is a great link to other people's experiences at the USUHS interview.

Here is a summary.

2 interviews, most 30 minutes, with a 4th year student and a faculty member.

Everyone agrees the interviews are very low key, conversational tone and standard.

Top 4 questions

1. why medicine
2. why military medicine
3. why USUHS
4. Tell us of your leadership experience

Also be preped to answer ethical questions, such as your opinion regarding Euthinasia or how you would tell a patient terrible news.

Most people agree that the host program is worthy partaking in if you can and make sure to get to campus very early as its easy to get lost.

Also bring a printout of your interview invite along with ID so that security will let you through.

 

[Doe87]

I just got an email today asking me that I get a letter from a doctor I shadowed for a day like a year ago before they would fully review my application! I hope he is willing to do so and responds quickly.

 

[grotto]

I just got an email today asking me that I get a letter from a doctor I shadowed for a day like a year ago before they would fully review my application! I hope he is willing to do so and responds quickly.

Historically, they are big on the clinical letter. I had a good friend who had a lot of problems getting his letter situation figured out. Stay on top of that one.

 

[Doe87]

I know, but it is kind of silly to hunt down an acquaintance I haven't talked to in a year who I shadowed for a day.

 

[dru2002]

So they just updated the interview dates on the web page to this year... Hopefully we'll start hearing this week? Next week?

http://www.usuhs.mil/adm/interview/InterviewDates.pdf

Good stuff. It's good to see them finally getting around to updating the website.

 

[kleos atanatos]

I sent an email to admissions on Sunday asking if I was complete and I still haven't heard anything back. I'm hoping my stuff made it there okay. It'd be a shame to be behind in this process (especially for this school).