2009-2010 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

[dru2002]

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You do the physical exam on your own, not as a part of the interview. The interview is just one day - they're always on Thursdays.

You'll get information on how to do your DoDMERB physical, but basically they will tell you what doctor in your area contracts with DoDMERB. You'll call them, make an appoint, fill out some paperwork, go to the appt, and the doc will turn in your paperwork.

I don't know much about flat feet. I do know from a Naval flight surgeon that he used to see Navy guys with it all the time - so it sounds like it's waiverable. You'll get kicked out of the Marine's for flat feet, but since they don't have physicians, you don't have to worry about that 😛

The war has made recruitment tough even the Marines are granting waivers for flat feet. I had a few in my battalion.

 

[riotjune]

This is probably a newb question, but I'm looking at the secondaries and there's the Personal Statement page. Am I supposed to use my AMCAS PS and edit in the "why USUHS/military med" part, or start an entirely new essay and send it in before my three weeks are up? I was thinking maybe the latter since they should be able to see my AMCAS ps anyway...

 

[ruiner]

This is probably a newb question, but I'm looking at the secondaries and there's the Personal Statement page. Am I supposed to use my AMCAS PS and edit in the "why USUHS/military med" part, or start an entirely new essay and send it in before my three weeks are up? I was thinking maybe the latter since they should be able to see my AMCAS ps anyway...

Yeah they want you to talk about your interests in military medicine, what your experience is with the military, what you know about a career as an officer, etc. Somewhere in the information it gives a couple ideas, but definitely don't send in the same thing.

 

[riotjune]

Okay, thanks! Time to get started on this~

 

[xmsr3]

I just had an int at U of Hi with a geriatrician who is a west point grad and in the IRR, (3 tours in Iraq). I just wanted to warn people interviewing at usuhs, because I have heard of some other Army faculty that have viewed their role as a grand inquisitor tasked with "making sure no psychos make it into our school".

Just be ready to think on your feet and tiptoe through mine fields they might drop you in. Here are some highlights.

If you say family is important then they might ask how you can move out of state and leave that support structure.

If you support universal healthcare they might accuse you of being a socialist.

If you said in your ps or secondary that you look forward to useing advanced tech they might accuse you of not caring about people.

And my favorite: "how do you know medicine is for you if you've never had a career in any other field?

Hopefully these kind of interviewers are rare and hopefully most non of us will face an inquisitor at usuhs. But just make sure you are mentally prepped to take any amount of **** they throw at you with a smile.

Just assume it's a test and do your best.

Again good luck to all usuhs interviewees.

 

[grotto]

If you say family is important then they might ask how you can move out of state and leave that support structure.

If you support universal healthcare they might accuse you of being a socialist.

If you said in your ps or secondary that you look forward to useing advanced tech they might accuse you of not caring about people.

And my favorite: "how do you know medicine is for you if you've never had a career in any other field?

Except for the socialist one (military officers usually abhor bringing up anything that even smells of politics in a uniformed setting - it is considered extremely unprofessional) and maybe the technology one (which I don't understand and if asked would try to refine), I think those questions are extremely valid - especially for someone entering the military for the first time and committing themselves to at least 7-10 years of service. Take a gander at the military forums on this website and you will find a pretty good population of people who didn't understand what they were getting into and now regret it. USUHS does not want people who are going to flake out when they find out about the military in a non-training environment. Frankly, having been in the military since I was 17 years old - I wish someone would have asked me these kind of questions before I got on the plane to Canoe U. Not saying that I wouldn't have still signed on the dotted line, but hard questions have a way of forcing some much needed introspection, especially when you are committing your most valuable resource - time on this planet - to an endeavor that you might not fully understand.

I fully expect to be asked why I've decided to give a successful career in another specialty in the military to attend medical school. That being said, I have spent a lot of time in military hospitals shadowing military doctors and have visited USU on multiple occasions so I could make an informed choice for both myself and my family (which luckily only consists of 2 right now).

Don't be scared of hard questions, use them as a focus point to decide if the military, and military medicine, is the right choice for you.

 

[xmsr3]

While I agree that hard questions are fair I would disagree with the idea that we should look forward to them. If you get an interviewer like the one I had, (who seemed to be looking for things to dislike about me and trip me up at every oppertunity) your shot at getting into USUHS could very well be shot to hell.

Then, after thinking about the hard questions, if you decide that USUHS and the oppertunities they offer are still right for you, you will not have the oppertunity because of a very antagonistic interviewer.

Maybe I am overanalysing my interview but when the guy seems shocked and offended that I came in a suit and tie, (in hawaii they say wear something comfortable) then I start to question if he is being sincere or just likes to make pre-meds squirm.

I have used that interview to strengthen my answers and feel well prepared for my USUHS interviews however I still would prefer not to interview with the Army Psychiatrist who brought several people to tears in previous cycles. USUHS is my number one school after all and to not get in there would be a huge disappointment.

 

[grotto]

Sorry about your experience, sounds like a bummer and I'm sure that you are reading too much into the questions and the interviewer - and I'm sure you did fine.

But, let me clear something up - I did not say you should enjoy these kinds of questions or even think they are fair, I said you should expect them and that they are valid (other than the specifics I mentioned in my earlier post). Getting after someone for wearing a suit to an interview is none of the above and sounds quite petty and somewhat unbecoming of most military officers who I have met - especially considering that it is always proper in the military to dress up, but never to dress down.

This person who interviewed you also has no relation to USU and as a IRR officer is really not in the military anymore. Even if this guy went to USUHS - which your post does not make clear, it is not logical to relate your experience in Hawaii to USUHS in any way other than the fact that the dude was in the Army at one time.

 

[xmsr3]

Sorry for not making it clear. The reason I brought up this interview was because the guy was an Army officer. I had heard from one other person here who is currently going to USUHS that they interviewed an Amry Psychiatrist at USUHS who grilled people and moved some to tears.

My concern is that maybe Army personel are more likely to be of the "inquisitor" variety and since USUHS is a military school our odds of facing such an interviewer might be higher than at most schools.

I know that the plural of anecdote is anecdotes, not data, but I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about USUHS.

If nothing else know that there is an Army Psychiatrist who loves to torture applicants and be ready for that.

Mine is to keep a straight face, stay very formal and polite and take such an interview as a test to see if they can push your buttons and get you to lose your cool.

Of course judging from the interview feedback most people leave such interviews are rare, but as always, hope for the best but plan for the worst.

 

[harrothere]

Hi guys,
USUHS is at the top of my list, but I feel like I'm in the minority here. I was complete late July and I am sitting without an interview invite 🙁. My stats aren't great but I don't think they are terrible (29R, 3.6c), my EC's are good but I am starting to notice that ECs don't = interviews 😳. I'm hoping for USU to give me some love early in the cycle, but I don't plan to go down without a fight.

My question: Does USUHS respond well to updates? I hate resorting to this, it feels like pestering, but would it be to my advantage to give them frequent updates, post-bac course grades, letters of reference, etc? Maybe even a more thorough explanation of my interest in mil med? Or is it all going to come down to the numbers? I like to think that it would make a difference, but it seems like every school has a different policy on this.

I've been poking through the archives from previous years because I'm curious if other people have had some success by showing an active interest in the program. If you think it would help, should I wait a while before I start communicating with them or should I start ASAP?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[teacherman84]

Hi guys,
USUHS is at the top of my list, but I feel like I'm in the minority here. I was complete late July and I am sitting without an interview invite 🙁. My stats aren't great but I don't think they are terrible (29R, 3.6c), my EC's are good but I am starting to notice that ECs don't = interviews 😳. I'm hoping for USU to give me some love early in the cycle, but I don't plan to go down without a fight.

My question: Does USUHS respond well to updates? I hate resorting to this, it feels like pestering, but would it be to my advantage to give them frequent updates, post-bac course grades, letters of reference, etc? Maybe even a more thorough explanation of my interest in mil med? Or is it all going to come down to the numbers? I like to think that it would make a difference, but it seems like every school has a different policy on this.

I've been poking through the archives from previous years because I'm curious if other people have had some success by showing an active interest in the program. If you think it would help, should I wait a while before I start communicating with them or should I start ASAP?

Thanks for any advice!

Youre not alone. I was complete mid-july and nothing yet. My stats are a little under the averages but I have great ECs and LORs from working with people affiliated with the school. I had even met and spent some time with a usuhs adcom when he came to the local base's residency program.

Still nothing yet...Im thinking my honesty on the secondary and admitting marijuana use might have something to do with it...well see.

But yeah...I have wondered the same thing...I thought of getting in touch with the Adcom I have met and letting him know what I have been up to and such but I dont want to be annoying. Any current students have a take on this?

 

[ruiner]

Still nothing yet...Im thinking my honesty on the secondary and admitting marijuana use might have something to do with it...well see.

Nah I was honest about my use also. Don't think it's that. I would just keep waiting, maybe they havn't gotten to you yet. Definitely do send updates though, I know last year they were asking for grades after the semester if you had applied.

 

[kcmedic]

Youre not alone. I was complete mid-july and nothing yet. My stats are a little under the averages but I have great ECs and LORs from working with people affiliated with the school. I had even met and spent some time with a usuhs adcom when he came to the local base's residency program.

Still nothing yet...Im thinking my honesty on the secondary and admitting marijuana use might have something to do with it...well see.

But yeah...I have wondered the same thing...I thought of getting in touch with the Adcom I have met and letting him know what I have been up to and such but I dont want to be annoying. Any current students have a take on this?

Argghh I was complete at USUHS early August. Still no word so I was beginning to think something is missing even though they replied to an email a while back that they had everything... I would leap for joy for an interview here.

So I'm guessing that this is normal wait?

 

[Erald Coil]

I submitted my supplemental August 18th, but still no email verifying completion - just one saying " Our office has received your supplemental application."

I'm getting tempted to follow-up... 😕

 

[kleos atanatos]

I submitted my supplemental August 18th, but still no email verifying completion - just one saying " Our office has received your supplemental application."

I'm getting tempted to follow-up... 😕

Give it a little longer. It took me almost a month to get the complete email.

 

[Erald Coil]

k - thanks Kleos. I just need to be reminded to be patient every day or three... lol

Just curious: Any traditional members of the Guard/Reserves applying in this thread? I was wondering what everyone else is doing for the "Letter of Approval". I'm ANG, and Mr. Kush only handles active duty. I had my group commander write an MFR stating that she'd sign me over via "conditional release" upon acceptance. Hope that's all they need... -_^

 

[SuperTee]

Sweeeeeeet man. Congrats. I'm going Navy too. Hopefully we have a good crew on the 24th.

Late to the forum, but I got an invite August 19 for September 24 as well. I'm hoping for one of the two NIH spots, but I'd be more than happy with Navy if those are already filled. For everyone interviewing on the 24th, good luck!

 

[kleos atanatos]

Late to the forum, but I got an invite August 19 for September 24 as well. I'm hoping for one of the two NIH spots, but I'd be more than happy with Navy if those are already filled. For everyone interviewing on the 24th, good luck!

Awesome another September 24ther. The date is quickly approaching and I'm getting quite excited. Good luck on getting that NIH spot.

 

[SuperTee]

I'm interviewing 9/24, and for the first and probably only time in my life, I've grown out my hair to not-quite shoulder length. This is what the interviewers will expect to see based on the picture on my app. I know it'll be the first thing to go if I get accepted, and I'm by no means attached to it, but right now I kinda like it. Should I cut it before the interview? Thanks.

I'm a guy btw....

 

[grotto]

I'm interviewing 9/24, and for the first and probably only time in my life, I've grown out my hair to not-quite shoulder length. This is what the interviewers will expect to see based on the picture on my app. I know it'll be the first thing to go if I get accepted, and I'm by no means attached to it, but right now I kinda like it. Should I cut it before the interview? Thanks.

I'm a guy btw....

Rock it... you have the rest of your life to keep your hair within military grooming standards. If you do get a cut, keep it business in the front and a party in the back:

 

[scooter02]

Rock it... you have the rest of your life to keep your hair within military grooming standards. If you do get a cut, keep it business in the front and a party in the back:

Lovesit!! I would give double interview points for such a hairDO!! But then again I'm not on the admissions committee. 🙂

Looking forward to meeting some of you next week!

 

[kcmedic]

Give it a little longer. It took me almost a month to get the complete email.

How long did it take you to hear back since complete? Am I missing something? Early August they sent me an email saying they received supplemental and and LORs... Thats it right?

 

[ruiner]

Here's one for you guys since I'm sure a few of you are checking out HPSP as well. I know that there is no relationship between USUSH and HPSP, but does accepting one HPSP end your opportunity at USUSH? I got into my state DO school aready and now the recruiter wants to get me signed on for HPSP already (long story, but my scroll and everything has gone through for Navy HPSP already so I can somewhat understand their hurry), but I definitely want to check out USUSH. The recruiter wont give me a straight answer completely but I don't think hes doing that on purpose, I think he might not be sure either (he's pretty new). Anyway, looking forward to the 24th (although one of the state MD schools sent me an interview the other day for the same date so figuring that out still too haha), I might go down Tuesday night and hang out until Saturday. My bro is in the area so might as well.

 

[Brocimus]

Check last year's thread. I believe you are able to able to attend USUHS after you have already accepted a HPSP scholarship. Your best bet is to call the USUHS admissions office. They deal with this kind of thing all the time.

 

[Brocimus]

How long did it take you to hear back since complete? Am I missing something? Early August they sent me an email saying they received supplemental and and LORs... Thats it right?

Eventually they will send you another email stating your file is complete. It was about a month after they had told me all my stuff was in that they told me again that my file was complete.

 

[nmbutah]

I'm interviewing 9/24 too. looking forward to it! has anyone heard about how to schedule the DODMERB yet?

 

[ruiner]

I'm interviewing 9/24 too. looking forward to it! has anyone heard about how to schedule the DODMERB yet?

They should have mailed you some stuff. My eye appt is this week and the physical is next week before the interview. But you dont have to have it done before the interview so it's kind of moot.

 

[nmbutah]

does anyone know how the USUHS views multiple MCAT scores (IE only the most recent counts, highest in each section counts, highest overall...)

 

[nmbutah]

They should have mailed you some stuff. My eye appt is this week and the physical is next week before the interview. But you dont have to have it done before the interview so it's kind of moot.

huh, weird I didn't get it yet. I applied last year and did all the phyisical stuff, I wonder if it is still valid. does anyone know if this is the case?

 

[Brocimus]

huh, weird I didn't get it yet. I applied last year and did all the phyisical stuff, I wonder if it is still valid. does anyone know if this is the case?

You will get a letter through snail mail stating you are medically qualified.

 

[ruiner]

huh, weird I didn't get it yet. I applied last year and did all the phyisical stuff, I wonder if it is still valid. does anyone know if this is the case?

I know MEPS physicals are good for 2 years so probably that is the case for this one too.

 

[silverhorse84]

Don't worry too much if you haven't gotten you medical stuff from DoDMERB yet.

I literally got mine in the mail the day before I left for the east coast. And I had my interview pushed back a week, so if I had gone to the one they originally scheduled me for I wouldn't have gotten the packet until after my interview.

Good luck to all of you! I'm excited to see some of you walking around this Thursday. If you get lost, don't hesitate to ask someone for directions. Oh, and if the MSI's seem a little stressed, we have a Histology exam on Friday 😛 (the first real big exam for most of us)

 

[kcmedic]

Guys,

I'm a little confused here. I submitted 7/29 and after emailing them, got a response on 8/12 saying they received my supplementary app and all letters. Now on 9/15 I just got an "official" complete email. Is this what happened with you guys? Thats quite a long time for them to be sitting on my app. I think there was just a delay in sending me a complete email right?

 

[Erald Coil]

Guys,

I submitted 7/29 and after emailing them, got a response on 8/12 saying they received my supplementary app and all letters. Now on 9/15 I just got an "official" complete email.

Judging from previous posts, that means the committee has just started reviewing your application. Next would be the interview invite (I think). I'm still waiting for the "official" complete email...

Good luck!

 

[kcmedic]

Haha that got me excited. Thank Erald. Hope both of us get the interview!

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Eventually they will send you another email stating your file is complete. It was about a month after they had told me all my stuff was in that they told me again that my file was complete.

So you actually get an email right? When my secondary was in, they sent me a postcard like thing in the mail, saying they just needed my Letters, but there was never any email.

 

[dru2002]

Guys,

I'm a little confused here. I submitted 7/29 and after emailing them, got a response on 8/12 saying they received my supplementary app and all letters. Now on 9/15 I just got an "official" complete email. Is this what happened with you guys? Thats quite a long time for them to be sitting on my app. I think there was just a delay in sending me a complete email right?

That is exactly what happened to me. Got an interview invite about a week and a half after the official complete email (the second one).

For those of you interviewing with me Thursday good luck. Should be a pretty fun day (stressful but none the less fun).

 

[scooter02]

For those of you interviewing with me Thursday good luck. Should be a pretty fun day (stressful but none the less fun).

good luck everyone!! I just got on the plane to head to DC and I'm really excited.

 

[teacherman84]

Guys,

I'm a little confused here. I submitted 7/29 and after emailing them, got a response on 8/12 saying they received my supplementary app and all letters. Now on 9/15 I just got an "official" complete email. Is this what happened with you guys? Thats quite a long time for them to be sitting on my app. I think there was just a delay in sending me a complete email right?

Yeah...I dont know what they do with applications. I submitted early July, got and unofficial email on 7/20 saying I am complete after I wrote to see that everything had arrived. I havent gotten any official email since. I wrote again last month just to make sure I was complete and got the same unofficial email saying I am complete.
Two months is a long time to sit on an application...do they wait a while to send out rejections? Sit on apps on which they are undecided? I can accept rejection, but its the waiting that is killing me.
Should I send another email to see if my app has been reviewed or is that just being too pushy?

 

[silverhorse84]

Yeah...I dont know what they do with applications. I submitted early July, got and unofficial email on 7/20 saying I am complete after I wrote to see that everything had arrived. I havent gotten any official email since. I wrote again last month just to make sure I was complete and got the same unofficial email saying I am complete.
Two months is a long time to sit on an application...do they wait a while to send out rejections? Sit on apps on which they are undecided? I can accept rejection, but its the waiting that is killing me.
Should I send another email to see if my app has been reviewed or is that just being too pushy?

Welcome to the medical school application cycle. I submitted some applications, and never heard from the school once until spring when they said I wouldn't get an interview (I had pretty much already figured that out). I even got an email from UC Davis, two weeks ago saying they wouldn't be able to offer me an interview invite!

The application process is a waiting game. Some schools are pretty slow. USUHS isn't too bad considering other schools. They will wait to reject you pre-interview though. Just try to do something else to keep your mind off med school admissions. I wouldn't email them again, but that's just me. That would be my advice for every school. They've got thousands of applications to go through and even if you submitted early it doesn't guarantee you anything. This process is totally random (IMO)! There are a lot of applicants and if they all called/emailed the admissions office it'd be really annoying for those that work there - I could tell when I called a few last year that they were pretty annoyed with yet another question (some schools were better than others). If you've got a really legitimate question, then call/email, but asking for updates on your application probably isn't going to really get you anywhere. I'm sorry, but it's really just about waiting at this point 🙁

This is just my opinion though, obviously I'm not an adcom member, so take what we, as medical students, say with a grain of salt.

 

[harrothere]

Cool I just got an invite and I was complete in late July.

How did the interviews go yall?

 

[xmsr3]

I am so excited I just have to post the recap of my experience at USUHS.

Flew out Wednesday morning, used Metro to get from Reagan National to Medical Station Metro stop where my host picked me up and dropped me off at USUHS. I checked out the school a bit on my own, mainly reading in the library until my host finished classes and took me on a guided tour of the school, culminating in a flag football game, (they have crazy amounts of intramural sports here).

The campus is gorgeous, surrounded by lush forests and the school has a sweet 600 meter running track that surrounds a softball field and football field. They also have 2 nice gyms, a cafe and cafeteria on campus, a great student lounge and the library is fantastic, big, quiet and lots of room to study and computers that guests can use. Oh and a huge parking garage and lots of outdoor parking, all 100% free.

But most importantly, the people. Friendliest bunch I ever met, a bit intimidating at first, all decked out in ACUs and Class B dress, but once you get use to it a person feels 100% at home here.

After the game, (my host's team won 42-27) he drove me home. He rents a house with his girlfriend and lucky me I had a room all to myself, (I was expecting to use my sleeping bag on the floor).

He showed me how google maps was wrong and how I could walk from his house to the metro station and go anywhere in D.C. I did some exploring in downtown Bethesda and man is the it beautiful and the metro is a fantastic way to get around fast and cheap.

That night I couldn't sleep I was so excited, going over the interview in my head over and over. Finally got to sleep around 0200 and woke at 0552.

Got to campus at 0707, checked in and filled out some paperwork and waited in the conference room. About 20-25 people total in this first group and at first I felt intimidated by all the pre-service members there. A suit looks completely inadaquate compared to an officer in full dress but soon you start talking and get to know people and everything becomes as mellow as USUHS's reputation.

From 0800-1100 it was briefings and we learned all the specifics about the application process and school. 3 biggest points.

1. The simulation center they have offsite is the biggest in the country and is a bigger and better version of the 5 simulators USMLE runs to train people for step 2.

2. Most Importantly, CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCES GO OUT EVERY 2 WEEKS, FIRST ONES OCT 16! They are sent by mail, no email, but USUHS will call you the same day to let you know.

3. For those that don't make weight standards at the DODMERB physical, you go to your local recruiter who tapes you. Fail that and you lose the weight, return to your recruiter and repeat until you pass.

1130-1210, lunch, sandwiches, chips and pop from the cafe, with a Q@A session with a bunch of 2nd years.

12-10-1300, tour, good, but I had seen most of it with my host the day before.

1300-1330, first interview, with a Col, went in nervous as hell. He was super friendly and conversationally we discussed my motivation for mil med. I passionately described how mil med offered the community that I had spent my life surfing for and expressed a clear dedication to rising to any challenge. On two or three occassions I broke into tears due to strong emotions, (good tears not bad, as they indicate sincerity which is what they are looking for).

By the time it was over I was looking at the strongest interview of my life. If I could pull off the same with my last interview at 1430 I was certain I would get in.

First though I went to the security desk and had my passport and naturalization certificate copied and gave him my notorized letter renouncing polish citizenship. He was really pleased and said it was better than the standard form and that I didn't have to sign anything.

He told me they had scanned my SF86 and my security status was "ok" meaning that I was halfway to getting an unconditional acceptance, the other half being the physical, which I have oct 16.

1430, last interview, it was a kind old cardiac surgeon. I told him the same thing I told the Col before but without the tears. He then proceeded to tell me his life story and how I had the perfect attitude and my dedication would mean I would achieve all my dreams.

I had hoped to get as good an interview as before, I had a better one.

I left feeling on top of the world. Next visited the Dean of student affairs to discuss preventative med oppertunities, (USUHS has 2.5X as much preventative med in their curriculum and has electives for it and the Army has a handful of non competative residency spots at Walter Reed and Tacoma.

Dropped of the last of my paper work and visited with the Army group commander, Major Billie. She was great and I lost track of time discussing all the minuta of how one gets set up at USUHS.

Best piece of info:

USAA is a military bank that gives every officer a one time "career start loan" of $25k at a low interest rate.

I talked with Major Billie until 1600 when I had to check out and meet the group leaving for the sim center tour. First I stopped in with Joan Stearman to thank her for all her help over the months and to apologize for all the emails I had sent. She told me it was her pleasure and from her body language and beaming smile she meant it.

Dropping off the interview review forms I joined the tour group and headed off in a van to the sim center, the biggest in the country.

It was one thing after another, each more impressive. Simulated patients, both human and advanced dummies. Laproscopic simulators and the piece de Resisance, a prototype of an advanced VR simulator that when done, will be the size of a small warehouse, offer 360 degree 3D VR and be interactive.

In other words, USUHS IS BUILDING A FREAKING HOLODECK!

On the van ride back I got to know the rest of my van mates and I can honestly say that they are the nicest people I have ever met, no doubt USUHS material.

All in all it was the best day of my life at the best med school in the world and I am 99% confident that when OCT 16 rolls round my phone will be ringing and the news will be great.

The next day I will be on a plane to Honolulu to celebrate the last 25 days in which I can fly for free on standby the way god intended, biking 50 miles a day on Oahu and climbing diamond head crater 10 times in one day!

How did everyone else's interviews today go?

And best of luck to the next batch of interviewees, you will also be hearing the decision by Oct 16, so be cheerful, the long quest to get into med school is just 30 days away!

 

[ruiner]

I am so excited I just have to post the recap of my experience at USUHS.

Flew out Wednesday morning, used Metro to get from Reagan National to Medical Station Metro stop where my host picked me up and dropped me off at USUHS. I checked out the school a bit on my own, mainly reading in the library until my host finished classes and took me on a guided tour of the school, culminating in a flag football game, (they have crazy amounts of intramural sports here).

The campus is gorgeous, surrounded by lush forests and the school has a sweet 600 meter running track that surrounds a softball field and football field. They also have 2 nice gyms, a cafe and cafeteria on campus, a great student lounge and the library is fantastic, big, quiet and lots of room to study and computers that guests can use. Oh and a huge parking garage and lots of outdoor parking, all 100% free.

But most importantly, the people. Friendliest bunch I ever met, a bit intimidating at first, all decked out in ACUs and Class B dress, but once you get use to it a person feels 100% at home here.

After the game, (my host's team won 42-27) he drove me home. He rents a house with his girlfriend and lucky me I had a room all to myself, (I was expecting to use my sleeping bag on the floor).

He showed me how google maps was wrong and how I could walk from his house to the metro station and go anywhere in D.C. I did some exploring in downtown Bethesda and man is the it beautiful and the metro is a fantastic way to get around fast and cheap.

That night I couldn't sleep I was so excited, going over the interview in my head over and over. Finally got to sleep around 0200 and woke at 0552.

Got to campus at 0707, checked in and filled out some paperwork and waited in the conference room. About 20-25 people total in this first group and at first I felt intimidated by all the pre-service members there. A suit looks completely inadaquate compared to an officer in full dress but soon you start talking and get to know people and everything becomes as mellow as USUHS's reputation.

From 0800-1100 it was briefings and we learned all the specifics about the application process and school. 3 biggest points.

1. The simulation center they have offsite is the biggest in the country and is a bigger and better version of the 5 simulators USMLE runs to train people for step 2.

2. Most Importantly, CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCES GO OUT EVERY 2 WEEKS, FIRST ONES OCT 16! They are sent by mail, no email, but USUHS will call you the same day to let you know.

3. For those that don't make weight standards at the DODMERB physical, you go to your local recruiter who tapes you. Fail that and you lose the weight, return to your recruiter and repeat until you pass.

1130-1210, lunch, sandwiches, chips and pop from the cafe, with a Q@A session with a bunch of 2nd years.

12-10-1300, tour, good, but I had seen most of it with my host the day before.

1300-1330, first interview, with a Col, went in nervous as hell. He was super friendly and conversationally we discussed my motivation for mil med. I passionately described how mil med offered the community that I had spent my life surfing for and expressed a clear dedication to rising to any challenge. On two or three occassions I broke into tears due to strong emotions, (good tears not bad, as they indicate sincerity which is what they are looking for).

By the time it was over I was looking at the strongest interview of my life. If I could pull off the same with my last interview at 1430 I was certain I would get in.

First though I went to the security desk and had my passport and naturalization certificate copied and gave him my notorized letter renouncing polish citizenship. He was really pleased and said it was better than the standard form and that I didn't have to sign anything.

He told me they had scanned my SF86 and my security status was "ok" meaning that I was halfway to getting an unconditional acceptance, the other half being the physical, which I have oct 16.

1430, last interview, it was a kind old cardiac surgeon. I told him the same thing I told the Col before but without the tears. He then proceeded to tell me his life story and how I had the perfect attitude and my dedication would mean I would achieve all my dreams.

I had hoped to get as good an interview as before, I had a better one.

I left feeling on top of the world. Next visited the Dean of student affairs to discuss preventative med oppertunities, (USUHS has 2.5X as much preventative med in their curriculum and has electives for it and the Army has a handful of non competative residency spots at Walter Reed and Tacoma.

Dropped of the last of my paper work and visited with the Army group commander, Major Billie. She was great and I lost track of time discussing all the minuta of how one gets set up at USUHS.

Best piece of info:

USAA is a military bank that gives every officer a one time "career start loan" of $25k at a low interest rate.

I talked with Major Billie until 1600 when I had to check out and meet the group leaving for the sim center tour. First I stopped in with Joan Stearman to thank her for all her help over the months and to apologize for all the emails I had sent. She told me it was her pleasure and from her body language and beaming smile she meant it.

Dropping off the interview review forms I joined the tour group and headed off in a van to the sim center, the biggest in the country.

It was one thing after another, each more impressive. Simulated patients, both human and advanced dummies. Laproscopic simulators and the piece de Resisance, a prototype of an advanced VR simulator that when done, will be the size of a small warehouse, offer 360 degree 3D VR and be interactive.

In other words, USUHS IS BUILDING A FREAKING HOLODECK!

On the van ride back I got to know the rest of my van mates and I can honestly say that they are the nicest people I have ever met, no doubt USUHS material.

All in all it was the best day of my life at the best med school in the world and I am 99% confident that when OCT 16 rolls round my phone will be ringing and the news will be great.

The next day I will be on a plane to Honolulu to celebrate the last 25 days in which I can fly for free on standby the way god intended, biking 50 miles a day on Oahu and climbing diamond head crater 10 times in one day!

How did everyone else's interviews today go?

And best of luck to the next batch of interviewees, you will also be hearing the decision by Oct 16, so be cheerful, the long quest to get into med school is just 30 days away!

Glad I'm not the guy (or girl) who had to go after you. You sound like a great applicant haha, I'm just an average dude.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Glad I'm not the guy (or girl) who had to go after you. You sound like a great applicant haha, I'm just an average dude.

Yeah for real, they would just be staring at me like "man, those answers were dull".

 

[dru2002]

Interview complete. Now waiting round two begins.

As far as interview day goes. Very relaxed environment; as XMSR3 said everyone is very kind and helpful. No trick questions just a very easy conversation (I failed to show my sincerity in the same way others did so hopefully they choose me anyway).

Good luck to the rest of you in the shoot.

 

[xmsr3]

Glad I'm not the guy (or girl) who had to go after you. You sound like a great applicant haha, I'm just an average dude.

That's what is so great about USUHS, everyone is an average dude or dudette, but at first it is really intimidating because everyone carries themselves with such poise and pride and the Uniforms make everyone look like a total badass.

That is why I especially appreciated my host taking me to a touch football game. Seeing everyone out of uniform, just having fun and joshing each other made them seem human, rather than the godlike med students that you see roaming the halls.

The day of the interview, the q&a session over lunch with the second years is excellent to see that these are regular joes who but 2 years ago where in the same situation.

Maybe that's just how human psychology works, every high school student is in awe of undergrads and undergrads are in awe of grad students. The military uniform just amplifies the effect.

 

[silverhorse84]

[/B]

That's what is so great about USUHS, everyone is an average dude or dudette, but at first it is really intimidating because everyone carries themselves with such poise and pride and the Uniforms make everyone look like total badass.

That is why I especially appreciated my host taking me to a touch football game. Seeing everyone out of uniform, just having fun and joshing each other made them seem human, rather than the godlike med students that you see roaming the halls.

The day of the interview, the q&a session over lunch with the second years is excellent to see that these are regular joes who but 2 years ago where in the same situation.

Maybe that's just how human psychology works, every high school student is in awe of undergrads and undergrads are in awe of grad students. The military uniform just amplifies the effect.

You might not want to post people's names on here. Some people may not like that.

Also, there should have been some first years at your q&a session too (who were in your shoes only a year ago) - I know a couple of my friends signed up for it.

 

[elmariachi]

[/B]

That's what is so great about USUHS, everyone is an average dude or dudette, but at first it is really intimidating because everyone carries themselves with such poise and pride and the Uniforms make everyone look like total badass.

...

Maybe that's just how human psychology works, every high school student is in awe of undergrads and undergrads are in awe of grad students. The military uniform just amplifies the effect.

Which uniforms were the Navy interviewees wearing? Khakhis? Dress blues?

 

[SirGecko]

Which uniforms were the Navy interviewees wearing? Khakhis? Dress blues?

Navy people interview in SDBs. (service dress blues)

 

[dru2002]

Navy people interview in SDBs. (service dress blues)

In theory, only one of the officers wore SDBs all the others had their whites on.