2009-2010 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

[elmariachi]

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Does anyone know when the second look day is, if there is one?

Sorry-what's that?

 

[silverhorse84]

Does anyone know when the second look day is, if there is one?

There is one - they just started doing it last year, so we got to be the guinea-pigs, 😛 It seemed to be a success, so I'm guessing they'll do it again. It was a Friday/Saturday, so it was actually more than one day, but we got to see the hospital and they had some of the interest groups and physicians there to talk to (which is nice if you have questions specifically about the military and mil med). If I remember correctly it was really late in April.
Oh, and it was open to people on the waitlist. I remember we went bowling, and everyone around me was waitlisted - it actually made me feel a little guilty about already having been accepted 😳

 

[tarheel1987]

First off, congratulations to everyone that has already been accepted.

I interviewed 12/10 and got my letter today: Alternate.
1-Army
2-Navy
3-AF

Does anyone have a clue as to my chances of matriculation off the alternate list? This timing would be an ok spot on the army waitlist, but as an alternate I guess I'll have to wait until the end.

 

[Osis]

First off, congratulations to everyone that has already been accepted.

I interviewed 12/10 and got my letter today: Alternate.
1-Army
2-Navy
3-AF

Does anyone have a clue as to my chances of matriculation off the alternate list? This timing would be an ok spot on the army waitlist, but as an alternate I guess I'll have to wait until the end.

Sorry to hear about the alternate as opposed to waitlist status. It's better than a flat out rejection though. I also interviewed on 12/10, and am now very anxious (even more than before). Good luck to you.

 

[0919mmk]

First off, congratulations to everyone that has already been accepted.

I interviewed 12/10 and got my letter today: Alternate.
1-Army
2-Navy
3-AF

Does anyone have a clue as to my chances of matriculation off the alternate list? This timing would be an ok spot on the army waitlist, but as an alternate I guess I'll have to wait until the end.

From what I understand, last year a few people got in off the alternate list, so def dont give up hope just yet.

Also, the second look day sounds pretty awesome. I'll be there - AF 2014 woot! Anybody else going from Philly?

 

[ahowardmd]

I'm def looking forward to this second look day. I need an excuse to fly in from Florida to look for housing, hopefully see the campus when it's not pouring down rain, etc.

 

[BluSkye712]

Just emailed with Joan Stearman, and she says that they are planning a Second Look day for "the weekend of April 10" (possibly to start on April 9).

A schedule will come soon.

Hooray!

 

[H60 SONIC]

Awesome, I hear that second look events are always pretty fun. I can't wait, it should be a great time plus there's a lot to do in DC!

BTW anyone traveling from SoCal?

 

[Caprica6]

Did anyone not get the why military medicine/why this school question when they interviewed?

I'd heard from others that is was addressed during their interviews, but I wasn't asked about it at all during mine. I'm non-prior service.

Does this seem strange?

 

[ummmcam]

Did anyone not get the why military medicine/why this school question when they interviewed?

I'd heard from others that is was addressed during their interviews, but I wasn't asked about it at all during mine. I'm non-prior service.

Does this seem strange?

I definitely got it in both my interviews, from several different angles. Maybe they felt you answered it sufficiently in your supplementary app.

I like the Firefly quote too.😀

 

[I Doctor]

Just got my OBLC paperwork and I am a non prior. I just received my unconditional acceptance last week and I am just wondering what the next step for me is. I know I have to send in my original transcripts directly to USUHS. I am on waitlist at other schools and not sure about the process and what to do next. note: i was accepted into army. Thanks to anyone who has any info in advance!!

 

[ahowardmd]

Just got my OBLC paperwork and I am a non prior. I just received my unconditional acceptance last week and I am just wondering what the next step for me is. I know I have to send in my original transcripts directly to USUHS. I am on waitlist at other schools and not sure about the process and what to do next. note: i was accepted into army. Thanks to anyone who has any info in advance!!

Congrats, I also just got my paperwork for OBLC.

I don't know what the next step is, but I'm wondering when/how we get uniforms before we report to Ft. Sam Houston (according to ATRRS, we have to report to Ft. Sam with uniforms already).

 

[teacherman84]

So I had pretty much given up on USUHS...got into my top choice DO school and I am all squared away to commission next month with the AF HPSP scholarship...and today I got an invite for 3/11...the last interview day listed.
I havent been on the thread in a while...im assuming every class is on the waitlist at this point? Any movement yet? Will I even be interviewing for a spot on the waitlist or will I be stuck looking at the alternate list?
Any current students have anecdotes of getting in with an interview date so late? I would prefer AF but would consider Navy. Any thoughts?

 

[WoWdoc]

They generate and rank the waitlist by the quality of the student. I don't believe when you interview matters as much after the class is filled. If you outperform a student who was interviewed in January you should be placed higher on the waitlist than them. At least that is my understanding of the process.

 

[mslall]

Congrats, I also just got my paperwork for OBLC.

I don't know what the next step is, but I'm wondering when/how we get uniforms before we report to Ft. Sam Houston (according to ATRRS, we have to report to Ft. Sam with uniforms already).

If you have family members, or know someone, who is military and will hook you up with their login info you can order stuff online at AAFEES. If you dont then you can order from any of the military suppliers: ranger joes, uscav, etc.

Get your beret's early and start working them so you don't look like chef boyardee walking around FSH. The rest of it isn't too bad; Belleville boots are awesome (just the plain tan desert ones) and they're (the company) really easy to work with in regards to returns; they tend to run WIDE

 

[teacherman84]

If you have family members, or know someone, who is military and will hook you up with their login info you can order stuff online at AAFEES. If you dont then you can order from any of the military suppliers: ranger joes, uscav, etc.

Get your beret's early and start working them so you don't look like chef boyardee walking around FSH. The rest of it isn't too bad; Belleville boots are awesome (just the plain tan desert ones) and they're (the company) really easy to work with in regards to returns; they tend to run WIDE

As far as boots, if you want to feel like youre wearing sneakers and have the extra hundred bucks beyond what the Belleville's run then go for these...
http://www.rockyboots.com/Product-Details/4286/1600FQ0000101/Rocky-S2V-V
ented-MilitaryDuty-Sport-Boots/

 

[Soba]

Congrats, I also just got my paperwork for OBLC.

Yeah, I also got the OBLC and other appointment papers yesterday. Too bad I can't go to Ft Sam again with you guys since I was there pretty recently. T'was fun over there. 🙁

I finally talked to the admission ladies last week and coaxed one to send me the unconditional letter a wee bit faster. Should get it anytime this week!

 

[teacherman84]

Does anyone else have an acceptance with HPSP but holding out for USU. Can we accept the scholarship but still get out of it if we get into USU? I dont want to give up my scholarship for the off chance i get in, but i also dont want to miss out on the chance to go to USU. I wrote my recruiter but im assuming he tell me what i want to hear to get me to sign. Thanks

 

[mslall]

Does anyone else have an acceptance with hpsp but holding out for usuhs. Can we accept the scholarship but still get out of it if we get into usuhs? I dont want to give up my scholarship for the offchance i get in, but i also dont want to miss out on the chance to go to usuhs. I wrote my recruiter but im assuming he tell me what i want to hear to get me to sign. Thanks

I know for a fact there are a few students here this year that took HPSP and got in to USUHS later in the summer (Both Army ROTC); they didn't get in early enough to go to OBC but they're here now after signing HPSP

 

[teacherman84]

I know for a fact there are a few students here this year that took HPSP and got in to USUHS later in the summer (Both Army ROTC); they didn't get in early enough to go to OBC but they're here now after signing HPSP

Thanks for the reply...did they actually go as far as commissioning and everything or just sign the papers.

 

[I Doctor]

I was asking Ms Taylor about some stuff and found that after OBLC, we have six days till we have to report to USUHS. So I'm assuming we have to find housing arrangements before then. anyone in the same boat? Did anybody find housing yet? Also I am waitlisted at other schools and there is a possibility i might get off the waitlist so I might not accept the position at USUHS. Anyone in the same boat? When are we committed, committed to the military? Anyone know how the waitlist works?

 

[ahowardmd]

I just spent over 2 hours filling out the commissioning paperwork, fun fun!

When are we committed, committed to the military?

I believe you aren't committed until you raise your right hand and say the oath.

I finally talked to the admission ladies last week and coaxed one to send me the unconditional letter a wee bit faster. Should get it anytime this week!

Congrats on the unconditional!

 

[ahowardmd]

I was asking Ms Taylor about some stuff and found that after OBLC, we have six days till we have to report to USUHS. So I'm assuming we have to find housing arrangements before then. anyone in the same boat? Did anybody find housing yet?

I am currently in the process of finding housing. I'm talking to a graduating USUHS student about renting the condo they are currently staying in, and once I get that done, I will have 2 rooms to sub-let. I imagine I will pick up roommates during OBLC, but I'm not opposed to meeting people on facebook/over-the-phone and working things out. Still a work in progress though.

 

[Lafemme]

Soba, when did you interview?

 

[tarheel1987]

From what I understand, last year a few people got in off the alternate list, so def dont give up hope just yet.

Also, the second look day sounds pretty awesome. I'll be there - AF 2014 woot! Anybody else going from Philly?

Are alternates invited to the second look day?

 

[mslall]

I was asking Ms Taylor about some stuff and found that after OBLC, we have six days till we have to report to USUHS. So I'm assuming we have to find housing arrangements before then. anyone in the same boat? Did anybody find housing yet? Also I am waitlisted at other schools and there is a possibility i might get off the waitlist so I might not accept the position at USUHS. Anyone in the same boat? When are we committed, committed to the military? Anyone know how the waitlist works?

I'd recommend having your housing situation squared-away before you go to OBC; it's not a requirement by any means but it makes the move/transition way easier. If you're even thinking about not doing a military route right now don't come here--you'll be happier elsewhere.

Teach: as far as the guys in question are concerned they commissioned with their ROTC classmates at/or around the time of their graduation.

 

[0919mmk]

I was asking Ms Taylor about some stuff and found that after OBLC, we have six days till we have to report to USUHS. So I'm assuming we have to find housing arrangements before then. anyone in the same boat? Did anybody find housing yet? Also I am waitlisted at other schools and there is a possibility i might get off the waitlist so I might not accept the position at USUHS. Anyone in the same boat? When are we committed, committed to the military? Anyone know how the waitlist works?

Yeah I have been wondering this stuff too, and I am in the same boat. I am def leaning towards USUHS, but I am on the waitlist at a couple of other schools that I might be interested in.

On that note, could somebody take a quick look at their interview materials and tell me when COT is? I am assuming that we are committed when we start there right? And are you guys saying that we go to USUHS 6 days after COT? That seems awful early in the summer... Sorry - non-prior, so I am still figuring all this stuff out!

 

[pombeMD]

On that note, could somebody take a quick look at their interview materials and tell me when COT is? I am assuming that we are committed when we start there right? And are you guys saying that we go to USUHS 6 days after COT? That seems awful early in the summer... Sorry - non-prior, so I am still figuring all this stuff out!

COT is June 28 through July 30.

 

[WoWdoc]

COT is June 28 through July 30.

My sister is getting married in England on June 4th. If I go to USUHS and don't have to be at COT until June 28th, will I be allowed to go to the wedding?
Also, I will probably be very strapped for cash. Is there any chance the military will give me a pay advance to cover my uniforms that I will need for COT. My job does not pay well, and my family will not be able to assist me due to the wedding.

 

[pombeMD]

My sister is getting married in England on June 4th. If I go to USUHS and don't have to be at COT until June 28th, will I be allowed to go to the wedding?
Also, I will probably be very strapped for cash. Is there any chance the military will give me a pay advance to cover my uniforms that I will need for COT. My job does not pay well, and my family will not be able to assist me due to the wedding.

This is what I found on the COT website.

"4. Be sure to bring the following: travel orders (and copies), official documents (military records, diplomas, vaccination/shot records, copy of marriage license, DD Form 214, etc.), and military ID card or picture ID. You will also need $30 cash (small bills, please) in hand to pay for your meals during in-processing. In addition, you must also bring a credit card or checkbook to pay for uniforms during in-processing. You will need up to $2,000 for uniforms (depending on what time of year you attend training). You will also be required to pay cash for all meals eaten during training. If you do not have enough money to pay for uniforms, you may qualify for a $500 interest-free credit plus approximately $1,500 moderate-interest credit through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). If you want to apply for the credit, known as the Military Star card, you may complete the Credit Program Application once you arrive. " http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/OTS/COT-RCOT/COTDOletter.asp

 

[silverhorse84]

And are you guys saying that we go to USUHS 6 days after COT? That seems awful early in the summer... Sorry - non-prior, so I am still figuring all this stuff out!

You'll have to be at USUHS in early August to check-in; you'll have a couple of days of military stuff - i.e. paperwork, turning in your medical files, etc. Navy will do a PT test (the other services might too, but I couldn't remember if they did) - it's not official but it lets them know if anyone is boarderline or not passing.

You won't start school until a couple of weeks later; I believe we started the actual school part on Aug 24 this last year with a week orientation the week before.


Oh and about housing: I don't know about OBC or COT, but last year at ODS almost everyone already had housing set up. There was one person looking for roommates and I don't think he found any because everyone else already had their plans set. Just FYI.

 

[WoWdoc]

COT starts on the 28th of June. I've heard there is a time frame before COT in which we aren't able to exit the country. Does anybody know if I will be able to attend my sisters wedding in England on June 4th?

 

[Soba]

Soba, when did you interview?

10/15.

Finally received the unconditional letter. *dances*

 

[ahowardmd]

Hey all, I'm looking to pick up a roommate for next year. I have a condo lined up that's 2300 a month (or 1150 each), 2 bed, 1 bath, 13 minutes driving distance to USUHS. I don't smoke (other than the occasional cigar), no pets, and I'd prefer the roommate doesn't smoke either. Lease would start in August. I need to line up a roommate before I can sign the lease, preferably soon! If you're interested, give me a shout, and I'll give you more information.

PS: For what it's worth, I've heard that if you wait till OBLC, everybody already has roommates.

 

[BluSkye712]

There is one - they just started doing it last year, so we got to be the guinea-pigs, 😛 It seemed to be a success, so I'm guessing they'll do it again. It was a Friday/Saturday, so it was actually more than one day, but we got to see the hospital and they had some of the interest groups and physicians there to talk to (which is nice if you have questions specifically about the military and mil med). If I remember correctly it was really late in April.
Oh, and it was open to people on the waitlist. I remember we went bowling, and everyone around me was waitlisted - it actually made me feel a little guilty about already having been accepted 😳

So there were events on both Friday and Saturday last year?
I am hoping to buy plane tickets out there (from CA) today, since I have a Virgin America coupon that expires tomorrow. I wouldn't want to arrive Friday morning if nothing is happening on Friday, though!

 

[mslall]

So there were events on both Friday and Saturday last year?
I am hoping to buy plane tickets out there (from CA) today, since I have a Virgin America coupon that expires tomorrow. I wouldn't want to arrive Friday morning if nothing is happening on Friday, though!

Event for Friday in the event that the university doesn't have anything scheduled: Find a place to live

 

[silverhorse84]

So there were events on both Friday and Saturday last year?
I am hoping to buy plane tickets out there (from CA) today, since I have a Virgin America coupon that expires tomorrow. I wouldn't want to arrive Friday morning if nothing is happening on Friday, though!

We started at like 8 or 9am on Friday and went until just before dinner (that was with bowling through, so if you didn't do that you were done earlier). Then started again on Sat at 8/9 and went until about noon.

-This is from memory though, so I may be a bit off. I would schedule to fly in Thursday and then fly out Saturday night (6pm or later). You can try calling the school and asking if they have an idea of whether they're going to plan it similarly.

 

[BluSkye712]

Just spoke with someone in the Admissions Office about a second look day, and she couldn't tell me with 100% confidence that they are having a second look day this year. If they are, it will be April 10 (and possibly also April 9), but they aren't sure yet.
I hope they do!

 

[0919mmk]

Just spoke with someone in the Admissions Office about a second look day, and she couldn't tell me with 100% confidence that they are having a second look day this year. If they are, it will be April 10 (and possibly also April 9), but they aren't sure yet.
I hope they do!

Ditto. I would really like to come and take a second look. And I have to say, I just had my last interview of the season yesterday, and out of every school I've visited, I feel most excited about USUHS. I mean, to be honest, the facilities at USUHS were not the "best" out of the 3 schools I interviewed at, and the campus wasn't the prettiest (I was there in Oct during construction- is that done yet?), but the student body was definitely the coolest. There is a real sense of teamwork at the school, and I just liked that a lot.

Anyways, USUHS, if you are reading this, do a second look! And also, give me a medical waiver!! 🙂

 

[xmsr3]

Congrats, I also just got my paperwork for OBLC.

I don't know what the next step is, but I'm wondering when/how we get uniforms before we report to Ft. Sam Houston (according to ATRRS, we have to report to Ft. Sam with uniforms already).

So 2 people, both non priors, unconditional Army acceptances getting their OBLC paper work by the end of Feb and I have yet to recieve anything.

Has anyone else in the Army program gotten their OBLC paper work? Had you sent in your transcripts yet? I just sent mine about 10 days ago so maybe that could be the reason.

Should I be worried? Is it worth calling the admissions office about?

 

[WoWdoc]

I interviewed January 7th. Has anybody else who interviewed on or after that date heard anything back yet? I put down AF as my first choice in case that matters.

 

[BluSkye712]

Ditto. I would really like to come and take a second look. And I have to say, I just had my last interview of the season yesterday, and out of every school I've visited, I feel most excited about USUHS. I mean, to be honest, the facilities at USUHS were not the "best" out of the 3 schools I interviewed at, and the campus wasn't the prettiest (I was there in Oct during construction- is that done yet?), but the student body was definitely the coolest. There is a real sense of teamwork at the school, and I just liked that a lot.

Anyways, USUHS, if you are reading this, do a second look! And also, give me a medical waiver!! 🙂

More info from the admissions office, via email:
"... it appears that we may not have funding for an extensive 2nd look weekend. We may have something on 10 April but more of an "Open House" so there would be folks who had not applied but are just looking around at schools. We are also having all of the West Point cadets that day who have an interest in medicine but have not applied yet (1st, 2nd and 3rd yr students)."

 

[stevesavi]

So 2 people, both non priors, unconditional Army acceptances getting their OBLC paper work by the end of Feb and I have yet to recieve anything.

Has anyone else in the Army program gotten their OBLC paper work? Had you sent in your transcripts yet? I just sent mine about 10 days ago so maybe that could be the reason.

Should I be worried? Is it worth calling the admissions office about?

No need to worry as long as you've been calling in every other Friday. I think you have to miss two before they give away your slot.

 

[Erald Coil]

I interviewed January 7th. Has anybody else who interviewed on or after that date heard anything back yet? I put down AF as my first choice in case that matters.

I interviewed Nov. 6 and have a conditional acceptance for AF. However, I'm still pursing a waiver. My medical condition should be easily waived, but has taken months and still no answer (yet). My point is that several other "conditional" slots may open up for those on wait lists as time goes by... I think they may be running behind due to snowpocalypse 2010. 😱

Re: Housing
My wife and I are considering Rosedale Park Apartments, at least for the first year. She's already 'inspected' them and approves. Wherever we end up, it'd be nice to be close to classmates for study groups, at least for the first 2 years. 👍

 

[WoWdoc]

I guess its too early to worry. They did say to give them 10 weeks when I interviewed. I'm just getting a little nervous as both of the other schools I have interviewed with pretty much fell through. USUHS was always high up on my preference list as I'm very interested in military medicine (was gonna go HPSP at the other schools), but now it's pretty much my only shot.
Anyway, I was just wondering if what I'm going through is pretty much normal for this time of year considering when I interviewed.

 

[dsdoc15]

Interviewed Jan. 14. Letter was postmarked Feb 26. Waitlist

 

[jennyp]

I interviewed January 7th. Has anybody else who interviewed on or after that date heard anything back yet? I put down AF as my first choice in case that matters.

I interviewed January 7th too. My waitlist letter was dated February 19th. Navy was my first choice. I regret putting it as my first choice since they told us at the interview that Navy was already full. If I had just put Air Force or Public Health Service, I might have received an acceptance instead!

 

[WoWdoc]

I interviewed January 7th too. My waitlist letter was dated February 19th. Navy was my first choice. I regret putting it as my first choice since they told us at the interview that Navy was already full. If I had just put Air Force or Public Health Service, I might have received an acceptance instead!

I know that we're supposed to give them at least 10 weeks to get our information processed, but I'm afraid somethings wrong. This is what I'm worried about. I interviewed the same day as you, and I've yet to hear anything back. The only thing I can think is that on the day we interviewed I did not have the security form with me. I had misread the directions and brought another form instead. The head of security handed me a packet and instructed me to mail that back into them which I did as soon as I could. Better late than never right?

Anyway, after not hearing anything back for a few weeks I decided to send the admissions office an e-mail this Monday to see if I could find out any information, and mostly to make sure that they had what they needed and that everything was okay. However, they never responded.

I also called them to ask about my status yesterday morning. As soon as I told them the day I interviewed (before I could really ask about the security clearance part) they stopped me and said it was a ten week minimum response time. I got the impression that they were busy, and I really don't want to be perceived as a difficult applicant.

So what do you guys think? Should I just wait a couple more weeks until after ten weeks have passed since I interviewed in order to see if they send me a letter in the meantime, or should I be a little more pro-active somehow? Like I said I don't want to be perceived as difficult, but I also don't want my app to be gathering dust in an incomplete bin because some security form is misplaced.

 

[teacherman84]

I interviewed January 7th too. My waitlist letter was dated February 19th. Navy was my first choice. I regret putting it as my first choice since they told us at the interview that Navy was already full. If I had just put Air Force or Public Health Service, I might have received an acceptance instead!

I dont think putting AF or PHS would change things because as of a couple days ago when I spoke with admission, all branches had an extensive waitlist.

 

[Osis]

Interviewed 12/10, received the letter yesterday (dated 2/25). Waitlisted. Here's to exhausting the waitlist this year