2010-2011 Oregon Health & Sciences University Application Thread

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Gara said:
Hey crew,

So I've finally scheduled my interview but Katy sort of blew through the details. Instead of waiting another 2 business days for a response I'll just ask you guys 🙂

So the material says that there will be two separate one on one interviews. Who are the interviewers and how much of your application are they aware of? Can they see my GPA and MCAT scores? On the voicemail she said something about blind interview.

Thanks.
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They can see everything *but* your GPA and MCAT. (Which makes sense, since at this point I think your academic competency is assumed.) In my case both interviewers had clearly read my file in advance--other folks can chime in as to how universal that is. FWIW, I think that the interviewers are all OHSU faculty but not necessarily MDs. (I had one MD, one PhD)
Good luck!

(And hopefuldoc, here's hoping you hear good news soon too. :xf:)
 
Northwesterly said:
They can see everything *but* your GPA and MCAT. (Which makes sense, since at this point I think your academic competency is assumed.) In my case both interviewers had clearly read my file in advance--other folks can chime in as to how universal that is. FWIW, I think that the interviewers are all OHSU faculty but not necessarily MDs. (I had one MD, one PhD)
Good luck!
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Thanks Northwesterly. Gah I know a semi-blind interviews makes sense but I'm going to be honest and say I'd prefer them to see my grades and scores...

I know when the overall decision is made the whole spectrum of my application will be considered but it'd make more confident during the interview if they saw everything.
 
Northwesterly said:
They can see everything *but* your GPA and MCAT. (Which makes sense, since at this point I think your academic competency is assumed.) In my case both interviewers had clearly read my file in advance--other folks can chime in as to how universal that is. FWIW, I think that the interviewers are all OHSU faculty but not necessarily MDs. (I had one MD, one PhD)
Click to expand...

My experience was a lot like Northwesterly's...

Both my interviewers had clearly given my application a CLOSE reading. They knew details. Be prepared to answer questions about things you said in your application.

However, I did not have a PhD interviewing me, but I think it's common to have one PhD.

---

My personal interpretation of the interview process is that it sort of serves different purposes for different applicants. If your application is on the weak side but they're interested in you, the interview is a chance to show that other aspects of your character make up for any deficiencies in your application. If you already kick a** on paper, then the interview is a chance to show admissions that you're not just a bookworm, but that you can actually talk to people and relate to them.

So the interview serves different purposes for different people. But the flip side of the coin is that it serves the same purpose for all candidates. No matter what your academic background, you're basically starting from scratch from this point out. Your job now is to show them that your personality, maturity, and commitment to medicine are enough to admit you regardless of your MCAT, good or bad.

Good luck! :luck:
 
During my interview I had one person who had read my interview, how closely I am uncertain. The other interviewer however had not read my application at all and fully admitted it, stating he like to have the applicants describe themselves before reading their app.
 
How did other people fly to OHSU? Flight tickets pricey.

I am from california.
 
Gara said:
Thanks Northwesterly. Gah I know a semi-blind interviews makes sense but I'm going to be honest and say I'd prefer them to see my grades and scores...

I know when the overall decision is made the whole spectrum of my application will be considered but it'd make more confident during the interview if they saw everything.
Click to expand...
But do realize that, once you've reached the interview stage, your academic factors are only worth 20%, and interview/LORs/essays/ECs/etc are worth the other 80%. Congrats on the interview! 👍
 
Gara said:
You could drive? It's pretty.
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I love a roadtrip myself, but from San Francisco (let alone LA) to Portland and back is well over a hundred bucks in gas money, (assuming 30-36 mpg highway) not to mention the long, dull stretch from Vacaville to Weed. If you're travelling with someone else and can handle the drive in a single (10.5 hours from SF, ~16 from LA) day then go for it. Otherwise I'd try Southwest--far enough in advance you can get tickets for $100 each way.

It's true, though, that the stretch from Lake Shasta up through Eugene is easily the nicest North-South interstate I can think of--and if you take the long way round up 101, the bit from Eureka up to Gold Beach is even better.

Hmm. Maybe I should call in sick tomorrow and head to the coast?
 
Dianyla said:
But do realize that, once you've reached the interview stage, your academic factors are only worth 20%, and interview/LORs/essays/ECs/etc are worth the other 80%. Congrats on the interview! 👍
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Thanks Dianyla 🙂

My LORs and essays should be good but not stellar. It's my volunteering and clinical experience I worry about. I volunteer at a clinic (among other places) but it's a small free clinic and I don't do anything hands on. I'm worried they'll question my understanding and dedication to medicine as you pointed out earlier.

Oh well I'll just have to be convincing in my interview right? Get them to understand what I already know. If not then we'll get them next year 🙂
 
Gara said:
My LORs and essays should be good but not stellar. It's my volunteering and clinical experience I worry about. I volunteer at a clinic (among other places) but it's a small free clinic and I don't do anything hands on.
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Don't worry about lack of hands-on. Almost nobody gets hands-on experience with clinical volunteering, unless you have existing medical/clinical certifications. Do make sure you continue these activities and show long-term commitment to them. 👍
Gara said:
I'm worried they'll question my understanding and dedication to medicine as you pointed out earlier.

Oh well I'll just have to be convincing in my interview right? Get them to understand what I already know. If not then we'll get them next year 🙂
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Exactly. Just know you might be starting at the bottom of a slope you have to work your way up, and be as convincing as possible! :luck:
 
Northwesterly said:
FWIW, I think that the interviewers are all OHSU faculty but not necessarily MDs. (I had one MD, one PhD)
Click to expand...

One of my interviewers was a retired community physician who had volunteered his time.
 
Gara said:
Thanks Dianyla 🙂

My LORs and essays should be good but not stellar. It's my volunteering and clinical experience I worry about. I volunteer at a clinic (among other places) but it's a small free clinic and I don't do anything hands on. I'm worried they'll question my understanding and dedication to medicine as you pointed out earlier.

Oh well I'll just have to be convincing in my interview right? Get them to understand what I already know. If not then we'll get them next year 🙂
Click to expand...

You are worried about if they'll question your dedication to medicine? If you have limited exposure to medicine, you can always shadow some doctors or get another volunteer opportunity in medicine before your interview to boost up that exposure. Good luck!
 
hopefuldoc97239 said:
Watch your mouth, sir. I grew up there!
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:laugh: Whoops!
Allow me to clarify: the stretch of I-5 running through the Central Valley is what's boring. I'm sure that many of the towns it passes are... um... fascinating? (Hey, I eat their vegetables, don't I?)
 
So The MD/PhD director went to talk to my boss about me. Should I be interpreting this as good news or am I just thinking about this stuff too much?
 
chuck84 said:
So The MD/PhD director went to talk to my boss about me. Should I be interpreting this as good news or am I just thinking about this stuff too much?
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I'd say that sounds like good news? I mean they wouldn't bother if they were leaning towards rejection.

You know...unless your boss hates you...then it is bad news.
 
artemis680 said:
Interview Invite! Complete 11/17
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Congratulations. Hope it goes well 🙂

Also I'm jealous you got an interview at UofA. I got rejected even though I lived there for a lot of my life...I'm still bitter about it...
 
Thanks! I'm excited, this is my first choice school 😍

Northwesterly said:
Congrats! Are they offering April interview dates yet?
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Close, they offered me March 29, 30, 31.

Gara said:
Congratulations. Hope it goes well 🙂

Also I'm jealous you got an interview at UofA. I got rejected even though I lived there for a lot of my life...I'm still bitter about it...
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Thanks for the well wishes, good luck with your interview as well! I'm sorry about UofA. I was expecting a flat rejection from them (I got one from the Phoenix campus); it's hard to know what they are looking for in an applicant.
Go Ducks!
 
artemis680 said:
Close, they offered me March 29, 30, 31.

Thanks for the well wishes, good luck with your interview as well! I'm sorry about UofA. I was expecting a flat rejection from them (I got one from the Phoenix campus); it's hard to know what they are looking for in an applicant.
Go Ducks!
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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.
 
Glad to hear interview invites are still coming out!!! I am OOS (but from the NW) and keeping my fingers cross for at least one more interview after UW. Good luck to all and keep the interview invites coming OHSU!!!!!
 
YourBro said:
Stats for people with interviews?
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From what I can find, the lowest MCAT with an interview was 28, however lower MCATs probably come with killer extracurricular activities (and they're most likely in state applicants). Like posts before have said, OHSU tends to weigh their decision heavily on the subjective aspects of an application (interview, letters of recommendation etc).
 
From what I can find, the lowest MCAT with an interview was 28,
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Hey Chuck, if you look back far enough on this thread there was a guy with a 27 who got an interview...not sure if he got in, but he was also "rural" applicant. Either way just shows that OHSU treats MCAT very differently than we'd expect. Further proving the point, a few pages back another person on this thread who was instate on here with a 40 who got rejected pre-interview!
 
I personally know people with 26's and 27's who currently attend OHSU (they got in). It's really a whole lot more than the MCAT. Do your best on the exam, then move on with everything else!
 
I got accepted today!

:biglove:

I'm dizzy with happiness!



Good luck to the rest of you, the SDN family who are waiting for more news. Since I know people want to know these things:

I interviewed on Nov. 30, so that's a 9+ week turnaround
No phone call, just an update on the portal and an email


Is there a facebook page or anything like that for people who are accepted?
 
ACCEPTED!!!!!! Four years of applying finally paid off!!!! So happy!!!!!!
 
chuck84 said:
ACCEPTED!!!!!! Four years of applying finally paid off!!!! So happy!!!!!!
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Wow, man... You deserve that! Congratulations!! Way to hang in there. The next 4 years will be hard, but at least they won't be full of waiting and wondering.
 
DeadlyWarbler said:
Wow, man... You deserve that! Congratulations!! Way to hang in there. The next 4 years will be hard, but at least they won't be full of waiting and wondering.
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Thanks!!! Hearing back 4 weeks after my interview is unbelievable! That might be because I applied Md/PhD
 
chuck84 said:
ACCEPTED!!!!!! Four years of applying finally paid off!!!! So happy!!!!!!
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You mean the wait has now gone from 9+ weeks to 4 years?!?! Jeez, the Ad Comm really is running slow. 🙂 j/k CONGRATS Chuck! Hopefully I'll see you next year...(still waiting at 7 weeks here).


BTW- on an unrelated note, the Governor's proposed 2011-13 budget came out this week with a proposed 25% cut in funding for OHSU. Though state funding is a relatively small part of the overall OHSU budget, it does make me wonder how much tuition will go up next year and if they will cut any seats from the SOM class.
 
So the checking-with-your-boss bit was officially a good thing then, eh?

But seriously, congratulations! You're overdue for some OHSU love. I guess someone else will need to take over waitlist charting duties? 😀

chuck84 said:
Thanks!!! Hearing back 4 weeks after my interview is unbelievable! That might be because I applied Md/PhD
Click to expand...
 
Thank you everyone for the congratulations 🙂 I'm hoping the best for all of you, as well!! :luck:

chuck84 said:
Thanks!!! Hearing back 4 weeks after my interview is unbelievable! That might be because I applied Md/PhD
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Congratulations classmate! Which PhD department/program did you apply to?
 
hopefuldoc97239 said:
Thank you everyone for the congratulations 🙂 I'm hoping the best for all of you, as well!! :luck:



Congratulations classmate! Which PhD department/program did you apply to?
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Right now I am accepted to the MD. They haven't decided yet about MD/PhD. But anyway, I applied to Molecular Microbiology and Immunology department.
 
Northwesterly said:
So the checking-with-your-boss bit was officially a good thing then, eh?

But seriously, congratulations! You're overdue for some OHSU love. I guess someone else will need to take over waitlist charting duties? 😀
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch. I'm happy to pass on the waitlist excel file 🙂. I think it was officially a good thing. It was the MD/PhD director so we'll see if any of the good vibes work their way over to their decision on MD/PhD!
 
Takeyourstep said:
Hey Chuck, if you look back far enough on this thread there was a guy with a 27 who got an interview...not sure if he got in, but he was also "rural" applicant. Either way just shows that OHSU treats MCAT very differently than we'd expect. Further proving the point, a few pages back another person on this thread who was instate on here with a 40 who got rejected pre-interview!
Click to expand...

I've just been smalled pooled for months on end, and I'm wondering if I'll get a chance for an interview. I'm OOS, 32Q, double-major, good LORs, decent ECs.
 
Congratulations Chuck and hopefuldoc! That must be such a great relief. 🙂
 
Congratulations on the acceptances!🙂
 
accepted!!! ohsu is my first choice, i'm so so happy!!!

congrats to those who was accepted!
 
Congrats everyone!!!!!

It sounds like they are up to the very end of November interviews... Hopefully 12/2 interviews are next...
 
YourBro said:
I've just been smalled pooled for months on end, and I'm wondering if I'll get a chance for an interview. I'm OOS, 32Q, double-major, good LORs, decent ECs.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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