2010-2011 Oregon Health & Sciences University Application Thread

[byurazorhog]

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I think I am in the same boat. For a while the Portal said I was "on hold" for an interview and would know something definitive by mid-february. Yesterday it went back to the original completed message and now says (like it used to) that they have all my materials and it may take up to 12 weeks to hear anything.

My solace is in the fact that a 2nd year MD student does some experiments in the lab I work in and she didn't interview until April.

So, to all those in limbo land, greetings! Hang in there. The only thing that matters is the bottom line.

That's the right mindset to have Dr. Saturn. There's almost no benefit to interviewing super early at OHSU anyway. Your time will come and I hope soon. Btw, apparently someone from our O-Chem class that you know really well at PSU got in! Doesn't surprise me one bit.

 

[artemis680]

Yeah it was the UofA Phoenix campus I got rejected from and then I ended up canceling my Tucson application.

I'll be up at OHSU the 29th myself.

March 29th? If so, it looks like I'll see you there!

 

[Dianyla]

Is there a facebook page or anything like that for people who are accepted?

I made one 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_190223691001276

I thought there was already an official OHSU SoM Facebook page? 🙂

 

[Gara]

March 29th? If so, it looks like I'll see you there!

Cool! Good Luck. Try not to make me look TOO bad alright? 😉

I thought there was already an official OHSU SoM Facebook page? 🙂

Yeah but I think a 2015 class student only group makes sense. Start getting to know your comrades for the next 4 years.

 

[Dianyla]

Yeah but I think a 2015 class student only group makes sense. Start getting to know your comrades for the next 4 years.

I guess I alway thought they (I dunno, whoever They are?) create and control those class-specific groups, assuming they'd be linked with the official site page. (I'm at work right now and can't check FB anyways.)

Or, maybe I'm just talking out of my butt. Nevermind, carry on! 😳

 

[Dr. Saturn]

That's the right mindset to have Dr. Saturn. There's almost no benefit to interviewing super early at OHSU anyway. Your time will come and I hope soon. Btw, apparently someone from our O-Chem class that you know really well at PSU got in! Doesn't surprise me one bit.

You don't mean a certain super helpful student, do you?

 

[artemis680]

You don't mean a certain super helpful student, do you?

LOL were you in my ochem class at PSU last year?!

 

[ORMD]

You don't mean a certain super helpful student, do you?

I wonder if you're being sarcastic...and also if you're possibly talking about a certain student in my A&P class...

 

[Melicopter]

Cool! Good Luck. Try not to make me look TOO bad alright? 😉



Yeah but I think a 2015 class student only group makes sense. Start getting to know your comrades for the next 4 years.

Our class did that. A couple of the newly accepted students set up the site and monitored it. We used it to plan summer get-togethers and communicate as everyone was moving here. I don't think anyone uses it anymore, but it worked out well at the beginning of the school year!

 

[Dr. Saturn]

I wonder if you're being sarcastic...and also if you're possibly talking about a certain student in my A&P class...

Not at all. I can use all the help I can get.

Here's hoping the ad com will take pity on me and not make me apply again. At my age, any delay might mean death before repaying my loans! lol!!!

Any of you in biochem part 2 @ PSU this term??? Sends a shiver down my spine just thinking of that first midterm. They say we will be glad when we get to med school that we took it!

 

[byurazorhog]

Not at all. I can use all the help I can get.

Here's hoping the ad com will take pity on me and not make me apply again. At my age, any delay might mean death before repaying my loans! lol!!!

Any of you in biochem part 2 @ PSU this term??? Sends a shiver down my spine just thinking of that first midterm. They say we will be glad when we get to med school that we took it!

You know exactly who I was talking about Dr. Saturn🙂 And I'm sure he'll make a great contribution to the incoming class. Good luck with the rest of the Biochem series!

 

[Chachu87]

anyone know when the interview day ends?

Portal says
Starts at 8am----> ends no later than 5 pm.

That seems a bit excessive for an interview day though.

 

[mcctwist1]

anyone know when the interview day ends?

Portal says
Starts at 8am----> ends no later than 5 pm.

That seems a bit excessive for an interview day though.

It's going to depend on when your interviews are. You will get a schedule when you first arrive that details when and where your interviews will be held. I lucked out and had both of mine before lunch, so I was done around 1. But there were people in my group that had 3 or 3:30 interviews that I imagine were pushing that 5:00 deadline.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

anyone know when the interview day ends?

Portal says
Starts at 8am----> ends no later than 5 pm.

That seems a bit excessive for an interview day though.

You won't be actively interviewing the entire time. There's down time when you can maybe go to a lecture with med students, ride the tram, walk around campus, or just rest your feet (my group did a lot of sitting around!). I definitely recommend that you bring a book just in case you get bored!!

You get two 60 min interviews, and the last one could be scheduled at 4:00 pm. Be prepared to stay until after 5:00 pm just in case your last interview runs late.

If you're flying out afterward, I'd recommend that you give yourself a LOT of time just to be safe. If you happen to get a late interview and the last interview runs extra late, you might not leave campus until 5:30. The Portland Airport is on the opposite side of town from OHSU. So with rush traffic you'd want to allow yourself at least an hour to get to the airport from OHSU. So if you really want to play it safe, I wouldn't schedule a flight any earlier than 8:00 pm.

This might be a bit extreme, but you don't want to miss your flight, and you definitely don't want to rush out of your interview. If you end up with extra time, then you can take in the town a little!

 

[Chachu87]

hmm there is no way to find out ahead of time when my scheduled interview times are right?

Would booking a return flight at 8:10pm be safe? Or would I be pushing it..

 

[evo]

hmm there is no way to find out ahead of time when my scheduled interview times are right?

Would booking a return flight at 8:10pm be safe? Or would I be pushing it..

iirc they give you the schedule 1 or 2 days before the actual interview. my day ended at 5:30 so i think you'll have plenty of time.

 

[Northwesterly]

iirc they give you the schedule 1 or 2 days before the actual interview. my day ended at 5:30 so i think you'll have plenty of time.

We got the schedules the morning of. But if you were to call the office and explain your situation, I'm sure they'd do their best to either let you know your likely schedule or plan things so you didn't miss a flight.

 

[DeadlyWarbler]

Quick question. How many of you bring information or notepads to interviews?

 

[evo]

Quick question. How many of you bring information or notepads to interviews?

i didn't. i didn't feel the need as most of my interviews were very conversational so there wasn't a lot to write down. but for small things that I wanted to jot down quickly, I just used the space in the packet they gave me.

 

[byurazorhog]

Quick question. How many of you bring information or notepads to interviews?

I always bring a portfolio in which I have an extra copy of my AMCAS printout and a notepad with me to interviews. It's up to you. I've seen about a 50/50 breakdown when it comes to bringing something. I doubt it makes any difference to how the interviewer sees you.

 

[Adventuring]

Interviewed December 2nd... hoping to hear something soon!

For those of you who interviewed earlier, do all applicants hear from the school when their interview date is reviewed? In other words, if there is a hold for decision put on my application will I hear about it or just not hear anything until later in the spring? Is everything via snail mail?

One other question (which may have been covered at the interview, but I've forgotten), is it possible to establish Oregon residency (and in-state tuition) while attending OHSU? I think I already know the answer but I'm hoping someone out there will tell me otherwise! I have residency in Michigan, but for a number of reasons, including my partner moving to Portland next December for work, I'd really like to go to OHSU. I'm just not sure I can justify the cost in comparison to in-state options.

 

[Northwesterly]

Others can probably speak to the residency questions, (though if memory serves you're unlikely to get the answer you want) but as far as decisions go, you actually need to check the web portal. You'll get an email and then a packet if you're accepted, but a hold or rejection will only show up on the portal--there's no "you have an update online" or anything.
Good luck!

Interviewed December 2nd... hoping to hear something soon!

For those of you who interviewed earlier, do all applicants hear from the school when their interview date is reviewed? In other words, if there is a hold for decision put on my application will I hear about it or just not hear anything until later in the spring? Is everything via snail mail?

One other question (which may have been covered at the interview, but I've forgotten), is it possible to establish Oregon residency (and in-state tuition) while attending OHSU? I think I already know the answer but I'm hoping someone out there will tell me otherwise! I have residency in Michigan, but for a number of reasons, including my partner moving to Portland next December for work, I'd really like to go to OHSU. I'm just not sure I can justify the cost in comparison to in-state options.

 

[AGLAIA]

One other question (which may have been covered at the interview, but I've forgotten), is it possible to establish Oregon residency (and in-state tuition) while attending OHSU?

In order to establish residency (I am pretty sure for any state school) you have to live in the state for 1 year for a reason other than attending school prior to becoming a student.
Link to the page from the admissions office.

 

[URHere]

In order to establish residency (I am pretty sure for any state school) you have to live in the state for 1 year for a reason other than attending school prior to becoming a student.
Link to the page from the admissions office.

Some states don't care whether you move for school or not (for example, in NY you can switch to resident status after one year of medical school).

Unfortunately, Oregon does care and you have no shot at avoiding OOS tuition unless you move to Oregon a year before you start school.

 

[Adventuring]

That's what I though URHere, thanks for the confirmation.

I guess I won't start worrying too much about it before I hear their decision...

 

[Gara]

Hey I just thought of something. If the interview is partially blind can they still see the courses you've taken and just not the grades you received?

I agree that keeping the grades from the interviewers removes bias (even though I'm not personally happy about it) but I feel like discussing the course load and classes selected is important.

 

[Dianyla]

Hey I just thought of something. If the interview is partially blind can they still see the courses you've taken and just not the grades you received?

I believe so. My interviewer had my app printed out and I saw my list of coursework on it.

 

[ORMD]

I believe so. My interviewer had my app printed out and I saw my list of coursework on it.

+1, and don't feel like you can't talk about your coursework because the interviewer is blind to grades. The way one of my interviewers asked a question it was clear he was fishing for my stats. If you want to talk about how you scored a 3.75 science GPA while working full time...or that you got straight-As for the last two years, I would say feel free. However, the point of the interview is to find out what kind of person you are, your motivations, your character and not about whether you can handle the academic rigor of medical school. Candidates who get an interview are deemed by the school to be capable of the academic demands of med school. So you don't have to convince your interviewer that you're smart.

 

[Gara]

+1, and don't feel like you can't talk about your coursework because the interviewer is blind to grades. The way one of my interviewers asked a question it was clear he was fishing for my stats. If you want to talk about how you scored a 3.75 science GPA while working full time...or that you got straight-As for the last two years, I would say feel free. However, the point of the interview is to find out what kind of person you are, your motivations, your character and not about whether you can handle the academic rigor of medical school. Candidates who get an interview are deemed by the school to be capable of the academic demands of med school. So you don't have to convince your interviewer that you're smart.

I agree but I know personally I'll have to bring up my grades at least a little. I did this whole "Bad student in high school turns his life around in college and gets straight As" story going on in my application essays. If they don't see my grades at all that just makes it sound like a "Bad student really wants to go to medical school" story.

 

[Dianyla]

I agree but I'll have to bring up my grades at least a little. I did this whole "Bad student in high school turns his life around in college and gets straight As" story going on in my application essays. If they don't see my grades at all that just makes it sound like a "Bad student really wants to go to medical school" story.

I felt that it was important to bring up my grades as well. Especially three Incomplete-to-Fs that were the result of a family disaster. Well, two of them were. One was just a registration mistake that I didn't find until 15 years later. 😱

 

[chuck84]

+1, and don't feel like you can't talk about your coursework because the interviewer is blind to grades. The way one of my interviewers asked a question it was clear he was fishing for my stats. If you want to talk about how you scored a 3.75 science GPA while working full time...or that you got straight-As for the last two years, I would say feel free. However, the point of the interview is to find out what kind of person you are, your motivations, your character and not about whether you can handle the academic rigor of medical school. Candidates who get an interview are deemed by the school to be capable of the academic demands of med school. So you don't have to convince your interviewer that you're smart.

I agree. It's possible also that by talking too much about your stats, the interviewer could get the impression that you're trying to emphasize the stats to avoid or shift the interview focus away from your extracurricular activities/ who you are as a person etc. That's just a guess though. We all know how important all that extracurricular stuff is for OHSU.

When I interviewed and was asked why they should choose me over the hundreds that they're interviewing, I said that building a foundation of medical knowledge is something that I feel all those being interviewed have proven they can acquire, and then talked about my curiosity and gave some examples of how my curiosity helped me in my research/ how it will make me a good doc.

 

[evo]

I agree. It's possible also that by talking too much about your stats, the interviewer could get the impression that you're trying to emphasize the stats to avoid or shift the interview focus away from your extracurricular activities/ who you are as a person etc. That's just a guess though. We all know how important all that extracurricular stuff is for OHSU.

When I interviewed and was asked why they should choose me over the hundreds that they're interviewing, I said that building a foundation of medical knowledge is something that I feel all those being interviewed have proven they can acquire, and then talked about my curiosity and gave some examples of how my curiosity helped me in my research/ how it will make me a good doc.

+1, it's quite possible that over doing it may convey the opposite impression. in the end it really boils down to your interviewer. mine never asked anything even relevant to my stats, we just talked about life and beer etc.

 

[chuck84]

+1, it's quite possible that over doing it may convey the opposite impression. in the end it really boils down to your interviewer. mine never asked anything even relevant to my stats, we just talked about life and beer etc.

A fellow brewer?

 

[evo]

A fellow brewer?

im still a newb . just brewed my first batch couple of months ago, turned out very well. now im onto my second batch.

 

[AGLAIA]

I agree but I know personally I'll have to bring up my grades at least a little. I did this whole "Bad student in high school turns his life around in college and gets straight As" story going on in my application essays. If they don't see my grades at all that just makes it sound like a "Bad student really wants to go to medical school" story.

I agree. It's possible also that by talking too much about your stats, the interviewer could get the impression that you're trying to emphasize the stats to avoid or shift the interview focus away from your extracurricular activities/ who you are as a person etc. That's just a guess though. We all know how important all that extracurricular stuff is for OHSU.

They have to presume to some level that, if you are there speaking to them, you are paper-worthy to matriculate. I would talk about drive and relative success between high school and college, but I agree that if you focus on grades they might get a "this student is way to focused on classwork" impression. My interviewers talked about my varied experience, my family, and their respective specialty interests.

 

[pdxhopeful]

Hi - I logged into the portal today, and saw I'm listed as rejected (pre-interview). The wording makes it seem like I was rejected as not fitting any of the preferred applicant criteria. I'm an Oregon resident, though, which should be enough. My plan is to call tomorrow and see if some sort of error was made, but can anyone here shed some light on this?

 

[Northwesterly]

Hi - I logged into the portal today, and saw I'm listed as rejected (pre-interview). The wording makes it seem like I was rejected as not fitting any of the preferred applicant criteria. I'm an Oregon resident, though, which should be enough. My plan is to call tomorrow and see if some sort of error was made, but can anyone here shed some light on this?

Dang, that sucks. There's no reason not to check in, (politely, of course) but it's not out of the question that they just didn't quite parse the rejection notice carefully enough. In my admittedly limited rejection-letter-sample, I received one elegantly composed and one less well written letter.

Not that it's much comfort, but more than half the in-state applicants still don't get interviews, if memory serves. There was one SDN'er with a 39 MCAT that was turned down pre-interview earlier this year. But good luck checking in/appealing, and with the rest of your cycle.

 

[evo]

Hi - I logged into the portal today, and saw I'm listed as rejected (pre-interview). The wording makes it seem like I was rejected as not fitting any of the preferred applicant criteria. I'm an Oregon resident, though, which should be enough. My plan is to call tomorrow and see if some sort of error was made, but can anyone here shed some light on this?

That sucks, sorry to hear. Definitely give them a call though, there is nothing you can lose.

 

[DeadlyWarbler]

Hi - I logged into the portal today, and saw I'm listed as rejected (pre-interview). The wording makes it seem like I was rejected as not fitting any of the preferred applicant criteria. I'm an Oregon resident, though, which should be enough. My plan is to call tomorrow and see if some sort of error was made, but can anyone here shed some light on this?

I was rejected pre-interview today as well... I'm not IS, but still really bummed...

 

[chuck84]

im still a newb . just brewed my first batch couple of months ago, turned out very well. now im onto my second batch.

Nice! I'm sure it'll be a nice skill to have in med school. But remember, this is Oregon, so your next batch has to be an IPA.

 

[chuck84]

Sorry to hear about the rejections. Just don't forget about those helpful exit interviews and hopefully it won't take you guys 4 years to get in. Good luck!

 

[ORMD]

Nice! I'm sure it'll be a nice skill to have in med school. But remember, this is Oregon, so your next batch has to be an IPA.

While that is the sterotype...some of us actually like to taste our beer as opposed to drowning an otherwise good beverage in a ridiculous amount of hops. So an Amber would be fully acceptable 🙂

 

[chuck84]

While that is the sterotype...some of us actually like to taste our beer as opposed to drowning an otherwise good beverage in a ridiculous amount of hops. So an Amber would be fully acceptable 🙂

Oh I'm perfectly fine fitting the stereotype 🙂. But yes I agree, as long as were out of the college Pabst phase, anything is acceptable

 

[evo]

Oh I'm perfectly fine fitting the stereotype 🙂. But yes I agree, as long as were out of the college Pabst phase, anything is acceptable

Pabst days are over for me since i started homebrewing, the left-over cans all ended up going to my homemade beer chicken soup .

As for IPA, I'll definitely try to make some when i can afford all those hops 🙂.

 

[AGLAIA]

While that is the sterotype...some of us actually like to taste our beer as opposed to drowning an otherwise good beverage in a ridiculous amount of hops. So an Amber would be fully acceptable 🙂

👍👍👍

 

[evo]

Quick question: are first years able to obtain an ohsu parking pass? How much is it? I'm thinking of buying a cheap place off campus either around portland or in south vancouver to save some money on rent, and a car is necessary unless I want to spend an hour or two riding on buses.

 

[URHere]

Quick question: are first years able to obtain an ohsu parking pass? How much is it? I'm thinking of buying a cheap place off campus either around portland or in south vancouver to save some money on rent, and a car is necessary unless I want to spend an hour or two riding on buses.

Unfortunately, no. There is no available on-campus parking for students of any year. If you really need a parking space, you'll either need to park in metered spaces, or buy an on-street parking permit from someone who lives on the hill (those usually go for around $80/month). Alternately, public transit is great and cheap - I've gone that route for the past 3 years.

 

[evo]

Unfortunately, no. There is no available on-campus parking for students of any year. If you really need a parking space, you'll either need to park in metered spaces, or buy an on-street parking permit from someone who lives on the hill (those usually go for around $80/month). Alternately, public transit is great and cheap - I've gone that route for the past 3 years.

Hmm..from the website, it seems that parking is offered to first and second year students as "car-pools", and to grad students / 3rd/4th years for like $120 a month.

 

[Thom1986]

So did anyone notice that tiny section of our interview packet named "fees and insurance?" It's almost 8K a year! on top of the already high 33K per year for "in state" residents, and and estimated 60K per year total cost of attendance, I am feeling not-so-special all of a sudden. Most of the private schools I have been to charge about 3K per year for the same fees, and are actually cheaper to attend.. something seems fishy about that.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

In my opinion, living next to campus or bussing are the only real options for most students.

Quick question: are first years able to obtain an ohsu parking pass? How much is it? I'm thinking of buying a cheap place off campus either around portland or in south vancouver to save some money on rent, and a car is necessary unless I want to spend an hour or two riding on buses.

Here's some advice from someone who commuted to OHSU for several years...

Whether renting or purchasing, my advice is to look very carefully at how long it will take to ride the bus to school. Use the Trimet website to plan your morning and evening trips.

The #8 and several express routes are the main bus lines to pay attention to if you want to ride directly to OHSU. Avoid having to make more than one transfer, since extra transfers not only take longer as a matter of necessity, but if one bus runs 1 minute late you might have to wait 20 minutes extra to catch the next bus on your journey.

Lines #9, #17, and #19 all stop at Stop #3116. It is only a short, downhill walk from this stop to the base of the tram, from which you can ride up the hill.

The Streetcar also takes you to the base of the tram, but the Streetcar can get significantly slowed down during peak traffic hours so be warned!

Hmm..from the website, it seems that parking is offered to first and second year students as "car-pools", and to grad students / 3rd/4th years for like $120 a month.

I wouldn't bet on getting a spot. I don't know how long the student wait list is, but the wait list for the general workforce at OHSU runs at about 5+ years. Some people have claimed to be on the wait list for more than 7 years! The only grad student I know who got a parking pass was reportedly granted a special exception because her experiments regularly required her to be at school beyond bus hours (like, 3 am).


-------------------

So did anyone notice that tiny section of our interview packet named "fees and insurance?" It's almost 8K a year! on top of the already high 33K per year for "in state" residents, and and estimated 60K per year total cost of attendance, I am feeling not-so-special all of a sudden. Most of the private schools I have been to charge about 3K per year for the same fees, and are actually cheaper to attend.. something seems fishy about that.

I didn't notice the costs specifically, but I'm not surprised. The amounts you're listing ($8k for fees and insurance plus $33k for tuition = $41k total) add up to be only slightly higher than what was listed in the MSAR ($35k for tuition and fees, $4k for insurance = $39k total). Given general inflation plus budget cuts it sounds reasonable.