2010-2011 Oregon Health & Sciences University Application Thread

[Dr. Saturn]

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Hopefully you tweaked AMCAS to reflect the better grades? I think it's going to need to be based largely on the prereqs though.

Acoustic,
Maybe you answered this and I missed it, but what do you mean by "tweaked Amcas?" I thought I had to report all my classes, schools, and grades to Amcas and they verified through my transcripts. Am I ignorant of some strategy everyone uses? I just put it all down.

And I agree about the prereqs. It is funny how everyone keeps listing gpa and MCAT and no one mentions number of clinical experiences hours, volunteer hours, etc. I personally know a few current med. students with lower numbers than some who have been rejected here.

 

[Acoustic]

Acoustic,
Maybe you answered this and I missed it, but what do you mean by "tweaked Amcas?" I thought I had to report all my classes, schools, and grades to Amcas and they verified through my transcripts. Am I ignorant of some strategy everyone uses? I just put it all down.

And I agree about the prereqs. It is funny how everyone keeps listing gpa and MCAT and no one mentions number of clinical experiences hours, volunteer hours, etc. I personally know a few current med. students with lower numbers than some who have been rejected here.

I'll PM you as it's a little off topic for this thread.

 

[mcctwist1]

Rejected. WICHE, 3.7 33Q (2 mission groups). wtf mate.

Rejected. IS, nearly identical stats to mtmed. C'est la vie.

i'm really sorry to hear the bad news guys. it looks like both of you were in two mission groups. as has been mentioned before, it seems ohsu is really particular about what it likes. in all honesty, i'm not too sure about my chances either, even with significant ties to the area. but im sure you will get interviews and acceptances elsewhere. your stats are too good to be passed up.

 

[AGLAIA]

Secondary submitted. For those who already got interviews, when do they start interviewing (or have they already)?

They started 1 week ago.

 

[Acoustic]

Does anyone know how updates work here (if they accept them before interviews)? The FAQ says no updates (although I know they say to send them if you get invited for an interview) but the status page gives instructions on how to send them.

 

[Dr. Saturn]

Does anyone know how updates work here (if they accept them before interviews)? The FAQ says no updates (although I know they say to send them if you get invited for an interview) but the status page gives instructions on how to send them.

I took mine in person, because I work in the building next door, and they said they would update my file. It won't appear online though. So, send it, I believe.

 

[Simplify]

And I agree about the prereqs. It is funny how everyone keeps listing gpa and MCAT and no one mentions number of clinical experiences hours, volunteer hours, etc. I personally know a few current med. students with lower numbers than some who have been rejected here.

I have all of the above in ample amount. Do I have thousands of hours? No. Do I have enough to speak intelligently about medicine and my reasons for wanting to pursue a career? Absolutely. I don't know what OHSU wants, either. I'm going to contact admissions to try and get some feedback. Sadly, it looks like my only chance for school this year is to pack up the family and move out of state, but without the option of getting into my state school the odds on acceptance this year just took a major nosedive.

 

[chuck84]

Hey chuck84! I remember you from last year's thread. You were wait-listed weren't you? What number did they make it to last year? Good luck to you this cycle!

They made it to 32 and I was 38. Grrr. Anyway, hopefully 4th time is a charm (I know, pathetic huh?). Good luck to you too.

 

[KelMD]

And I agree about the prereqs. It is funny how everyone keeps listing gpa and MCAT and no one mentions number of clinical experiences hours, volunteer hours, etc. I personally know a few current med. students with lower numbers than some who have been rejected here.

However I think it is more QUALITY of experiences than quantity. Just my two cents.

 

[Dr. Saturn]

However I think it is more QUALITY of experiences than quantity. Just my two cents.

At a seminar they gave we were told a minimum of 7 months of clinical experience or no interview.

But I think quality is very key as well.

It would be nice if this were clearer somewhere.

 

[Acoustic]

At a seminar they gave we were told a minimum of 7 months of clinical experience or no interview.

But I think quality is very key as well.

It would be nice if this were clearer somewhere.

Maybe I just have high expectations, but shouldn't everyone who wants to be a doctor have had AT LEAST that much experience? I mean, I think years are necessary. How are you going to know you really want to do something unless you've experienced it? That's kind of a major point of clerkships in med school isn't it? To get to experience all the specialities/areas until you find one you really like. I always thought I'd like neuro, but after volunteering in a NICU, neonatology is one of the most exciting fields to me. Never would've known that without experience. Sorry I'm rambling, and the competitive pre-med in me just took over for a minute there haha....

They made it to 32 and I was 38. Grrr. Anyway, hopefully 4th time is a charm (I know, pathetic huh?). Good luck to you too.

That's terrible.... soooo close. The number keeps going down. I don't think it's pathetic, I think it's admirable. I look forward to continuing those fancy wait list charts with you this year! Well actually I hope we just get admitted instead haha.

 

[Simplify]

7 months as in duration of time? How many hours? What kind of clinical experience? Volunteering at a hospital or clinic? Shadowing? That is very vague and if it is, in fact, a requirement for an interview then I believe they have a responsibility to publish this information before taking people's secondary fees. The FAQ/disclaimer provided before submitting a secondary says nothing about this 7 month requirement for an interview.

 

[Dr. Saturn]

7 months as in duration of time? How many hours? What kind of clinical experience? Volunteering at a hospital or clinic? Shadowing? That is very vague and if it is, in fact, a requirement for an interview then I believe they have a responsibility to publish this information before taking people's secondary fees. The FAQ/disclaimer provided before submitting a secondary says nothing about this 7 month requirement for an interview.

What was said was 7 months of 1-2 hours a week. The length (months) appeared to be important. Direct patient involvement appeared to be important. I expressed the same concern you are expressing over this information. I have to believe it isn't set in stone, but a "basic" idea. I said just about exactly what you just said. Don't take it for set in stone. It was from an admissions round table at a nearby college.

let's just say rumor, but I think it underscores the school's determination to see lengthy dedication to these shadowing experiences.

 

[Simplify]

Well, I'm going to get on the phone in the next couple of days and perhaps get to the bottom of this. If I find any answers I will gladly share them for the benefit of all. 🙂

 

[mcctwist1]

Well, I'm going to get on the phone in the next couple of days and perhaps get to the bottom of this. If I find any answers I will gladly share them for the benefit of all. 🙂

you might say you are going to ... 😎 (puts on sunglasses) ... simplify the information presented in previous posts...

haha i'm lame. i just really want an interview here.

 

[Dr. Saturn]

This could all just be scuttlebut. We have all jumped through impressive hoops to get this far, and it is easy to get paranoid. Bottom line is the the admissions committee is who makes the real decisions. Clinical experience seems to be important across the board, but how much and what kind never seems to be codified anywhere.

Did pre-med advisors at your schools give you any quantitive guidelines?

 

[mariner185]

Interview Invite! Set for Oct. 14th! Anyone else on here going to be there then?

 

[chrisoc13]

Rejected. WICHE, 3.7 33Q (2 mission groups). wtf mate.

Dang that sucks, I'm still waiting for any word from OHSU

 

[Northwesterly]

However I think it is more QUALITY of experiences than quantity. Just my two cents.

I think the only real rule to the admissions process is that there are no absolutes. I'm sure there are folks more qualified than me who haven't gotten interviews here--med school applications are half meritocracy, half crap-shoot.

Interview Invite! Set for Oct. 14th! Anyone else on here going to be there then?

Yup! Here's hoping the great weather holds out 'til then.

 

[byurazorhog]

Interview Invite! Set for Oct. 14th! Anyone else on here going to be there then?

I'm still waiting to be complete here and do not want to sound presumptuous that I will get an interview. However, I'd like to know if the ones granted interviews thus far had different choices for interview dates. And does anyone know when the last day they interview in 2010 will be?

 

[Acoustic]

I'm still waiting to be complete here and do not want to sound presumptuous that I will get an interview. However, I'd like to know if the ones granted interviews thus far had different choices for interview dates. And does anyone know when the last day they interview in 2010 will be?

The last day they interviewed for last cycle was April 8th, and I don't know of any reason why they would do different this year. There is PLENTY of time left for interview invitations, so not to worry 🙂

 

[Northwesterly]

I'm still waiting to be complete here and do not want to sound presumptuous that I will get an interview. However, I'd like to know if the ones granted interviews thus far had different choices for interview dates. And does anyone know when the last day they interview in 2010 will be?

A couple weeks ago I had the choice of two dates next week or two more in November--it's probably different now though...

 

[AGLAIA]

I'm still waiting to be complete here and do not want to sound presumptuous that I will get an interview. However, I'd like to know if the ones granted interviews thus far had different choices for interview dates. And does anyone know when the last day they interview in 2010 will be?

When I was contacted, I had the choice of four dates within a month of the offer of which to choose. The offer sounded like if not scheduled in that time frame, the offer would be rescinded.

 

[mariner185]

I had a choice of Oct. 14, 26, 28, and Nov. 2, 4.

 

[Acoustic]

Does anyone have a contact email address for the admissions office? I can only find one, and after sending an email to it I get the "this inbox can't accept messages" response. I haven't had any luck getting through on the phone either.

 

[ImmortaliaX]

Does anyone have a contact email address for the admissions office? I can only find one, and after sending an email to it I get the "this inbox can't accept messages" response. I haven't had any luck getting through on the phone either.

I don't know about an email address, but have you tried 503-494-8220? I think I got through with this number.

 

[AGLAIA]

Does anyone have a contact email address for the admissions office? I can only find one, and after sending an email to it I get the "this inbox can't accept messages" response. I haven't had any luck getting through on the phone either.

You could just call the switch board at 503-494-8311 and have them transfer you.

 

[Dianyla]

I was completed on 9/15, and just got an interview invite today! 😍

 

[Northwesterly]

I was completed on 9/15, and just got an interview invite today! 😍

Awesome! Congrats!

On that note, any word from the folks who had their interviews today? How'd it go?

 

[Acoustic]

I was completed on 9/15, and just got an interview invite today! 😍

Congrats! Are you a mission-based applicant, if you don't mind me asking?

Submitted: 9/20
Completed: 10/12

I noticed that there are two messages at the bottom - one for mission-based groups and one for non-mission-based groups, with an hourglass next to the mission-based groups message. Does everyone else have this w/ the hourglass there? I don't remember that from last year, and I qualify as a mission-based group (or at least I did last year).

 

[Dianyla]

Congrats! Are you a mission-based applicant, if you don't mind me asking?

Nah, I don't mind. I'm IS, non-traditional, and I have what one might politely call a "varied" application (lots of good things, and some bad). I'm just happy that they decided to invite me so promptly, rather than tossing me in the "Hmmm, maybe..." pile for a few months.

I noticed that there are two messages at the bottom - one for mission-based groups and one for non-mission-based groups, with an hourglass next to the mission-based groups message. Does everyone else have this w/ the hourglass there? I don't remember that from last year, and I qualify as a mission-based group (or at least I did last year).

I also had the hourglass icon, although that message is now gone for me. 😀

 

[Dr. Saturn]

I was completed on 9/15, and just got an interview invite today! 😍

I am sooo happy for you!!! You actually crossed my mind today and I was hoping you would get an interview.

I just got marked completed today (with hourglass). I hope that up to 12 weeks isn't really 12 weeks.

I too am IS and VERY nontraditional. We'll see how that plays out.

 

[AGLAIA]

I was completed on 9/15, and just got an interview invite today! 😍

Congrats!

 

[byurazorhog]

Congrats! Are you a mission-based applicant, if you don't mind me asking?

Submitted: 9/20
Completed: 10/12

I noticed that there are two messages at the bottom - one for mission-based groups and one for non-mission-based groups, with an hourglass next to the mission-based groups message. Does everyone else have this w/ the hourglass there? I don't remember that from last year, and I qualify as a mission-based group (or at least I did last year).

Acoustics, you beat me! I'm still not complete even though I submitted the same day as yours, why?🙁

Btw, I was at the hospital earlier today and saw a girl interviewing with a scrubs-clad doctor on the sky-bridge to the VA. It struck me as strange that they were just sitting out in the open with all sorts of people walking by, myself included. Well I guess the doc must've wanted to make the interview more like an informal conversation but I would be more nervous in that setting (if I ever got an interview that is). The girl was saying something about founding an organization to help fight malaria as I walked by. I hope she did well at her interviews today. She sounded very confident.

 

[Acoustic]

Acoustics, you beat me! I'm still not complete even though I submitted the same day as yours, why?🙁

Btw, I was at the hospital earlier today and saw a girl interviewing with a scrubs-clad doctor on the sky-bridge to the VA. It struck me as strange that they were just sitting out in the open with all sorts of people walking by, myself included. Well I guess the doc must've wanted to make the interview more like an informal conversation but I would be more nervous in that setting (if I ever got an interview that is). The girl was saying something about founding an organization to help fight malaria as I walked by. I hope she did well at her interviews today. She sounded very confident.

Did you happen to see the doctor's name? I know of at least one interviewer there who is known to have interviews on the skybridge, but not always. I agree about the nervous part - I would find it distracting. I can comment that the questions he asked were very casual and non-confrontational, so it was a pleasant interview (it just obviously didn't get me admitted haha).

And I have no idea why mine was done before yours lol. Sorry? What time of day did you submit yours (that is a rhetorical questions poking fun at how we're all obsessed with dates right now haha)? Btw when I was talking about the hour glass thing I was wondering more if it was next to the mission-based group message because I was one or because that's where it always is.

 

[Dr. Saturn]

And I have no idea why mine was done before yours lol. Sorry? What time of day did you submit yours (that is a rhetorical questions poking fun at how we're all obsessed with dates right now haha)? Btw when I was talking about the hour glass thing I was wondering more if it was next to the mission-based group message because I was one or because that's where it always is.

I am IS, and mine was submitted 9/12 completed 10/12. A friend of mine in the same situation called last week to enquire about the time frame. She was told it was taking longer because she is an Oregon resident and they have to verify residency.

 

[Acoustic]

I am IS, and mine was submitted 9/12 completed 10/12. A friend of mine in the same situation called last week to enquire about the time frame. She was told it was taking longer because she is an Oregon resident and they have to verify residency.

Well there you go! I'm OOS

 

[SCUBAfan]

Btw when I was talking about the hour glass thing I was wondering more if it was next to the mission-based group message because I was one or because that's where it always is.

I don't believe I am a mission candidate (unless they REALLY rounded up my GPA) and I have the hourglass by the mission-based group message.

I originally interpreted it to mean they were currently looking at mission applicants, and when they start to review non-mission applicants the hourglass will drop down to the other message. But I'm just guessing!

 

[IlaEm]

My interpretation of the portal site is that they start evaluating non-mission people around January.

Submitted 9/20
Complete 10/13

OOS, mission-based

 

[Dianyla]

Got my interview scheduled for mid-November. What I found most interesting was that, because I'm local to Portland and have volunteered at OHSU, the person arranging the interviews asked me who I knew and had worked with so that she could avoid any conflict of interests with regards to who views my app and interviews me. Kinda interesting, but good that they do that.

My interpretation of the portal site is that they start evaluating non-mission people around January.

That's not how I read it... it sounded more like "We promise to get to non-mission groups by January" not "we won't start until".

 

[AGLAIA]

Got my interview scheduled for mid-November. What I found most interesting was that, because I'm local to Portland and have volunteered at OHSU, the person arranging the interviews asked me who I knew and had worked with so that she could avoid any conflict of interests with regards to who views my app and interviews me. Kinda interesting, but good that they do that.

She asked me that too, which is good because I know an interviewer there who I understand is one of the more difficult to deal with (scheduling-wise). 😉

 

[Dianyla]

She asked me that too, which is good because I know an interviewer there who I understand is one of the more difficult to deal with (scheduling-wise). 😉

I was very tempted to say that I knew a certain ENT who is renowned for being "difficult".

 

[AGLAIA]

I was very tempted to say that I knew a certain ENT who is renowned for being "difficult".

Yes...indeed...I have that privilege.

 

[Dianyla]

Yes...indeed...I have that privilege.

See, if you know him, you can name him as a conflict of interest and ensure that you never have to deal with him!

 

[AGLAIA]

Wow...this thread got quiet really fast. It's too bad there is such a long wait time for new information!! Anybody interview this last week?

 

[chickpea9]

complete on 9/1 and still haven't heard anything back yet...=(

i'm a WA state resident and quality for a mission-based group based on my grades/MCAT score. SIGH. i love OHSU and portland so much! get to mah file plz! <3

 

[migatz]

submitted: 9/21
complete: 10/14

OOS

I guess I'm a mission-based applicant ... for a quick decision

 

[Melicopter]

Some applicants stopped by the lecture hall last week, which was very cool.

If I remember correctly from my interview, they gave us the option to swing by there or not. If you get the choice, you should do it! Mostly because if you catch us at break (about 9 a.m.) we'll answer whatever random questions you have. Just snag someone and start asking. We're all pretty excited to see you and talk to you.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Northwesterly]

Some applicants stopped by the lecture hall last week, which was very cool.

If I remember correctly from my interview, they gave us the option to swing by there or not. If you get the choice, you should do it! Mostly because if you catch us at break (about 9 a.m.) we'll answer whatever random questions you have. Just snag someone and start asking. We're all pretty excited to see you and talk to you.

Good luck everyone!

I wish I'd been able to stop by the lecture, but I had my first interview to go to. It was a great day, though. Very clear directions to the interviews and lots of time to ask current students questions. It's not like I needed another reason to pick OHSU, but it certainly didn't hurt.

 

[AGLAIA]

Some applicants stopped by the lecture hall last week, which was very cool.

If I remember correctly from my interview, they gave us the option to swing by there or not. If you get the choice, you should do it! Mostly because if you catch us at break (about 9 a.m.) we'll answer whatever random questions you have. Just snag someone and start asking. We're all pretty excited to see you and talk to you.

Good luck everyone!

I interviewed on the 28th and had the pleasure to watch some of the embryology gonads lecture. 🙂 It was definitely worth peaking in and chatting with the students.