2010-2011 Oregon Health & Sciences University Application Thread

[hockeyjunkie]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Yes, OHSU is interviewing about 60 MD/PhD applicants for 3 spots. They tend to interview 50-60 applicants per year regardless of the total number of applicants, so I don't really know how big the total applicant pool is - my guess would be around 200.

60 interviewees? I previously thought it was like 30.

URHere, if that was you who took us on the tour, thanks a lot. I was going to say something during the tour, but I didn't want the others getting all weird.

I hope that I get the last remaining spot... but who knows.

 

[Adventuring]

Interviewed 12/2, accepted 2/17!

Excited, yet completely conflicted about where to go... this is my third application cycle... after 2 rounds of nothing I now have the amazing and unexpected problem of too many amazing choices. When it rains it pours? But seriously, this decision is going to be so difficult!

 

[evo]

Interviewed 12/2, accepted 2/17!

Excited, yet completely conflicted about where to go... this is my third application cycle... after 2 rounds of nothing I now have the amazing and unexpected problem of too many amazing choices. When it rains it pours? But seriously, this decision is going to be so difficult!

Congrats! 👍. if you don't mind sharing, what are you choices right now?

 

[Adventuring]

Congrats! 👍. if you don't mind sharing, what are you choices right now?

I have a number of acceptances, but the three I'm really feeling torn between for matriculation are: OHSU, U of Michigan (in state), and Johns Hopkins. This is going to call for one intense pro / con list!

 

[evo]

I have a number of acceptances, but the three I'm really feeling torn between for matriculation are: OHSU, U of Michigan (in state), and Johns Hopkins. This is going to call for one intense pro / con list!

I think it depends on what's important to you.

Academically, hopkins > um > ohsu.
Living wise, imho, portland > aa >> baltimore.

Money could definitely play a role too.

 

[URHere]

60 interviewees? I previously thought it was like 30.

URHere, if that was you who took us on the tour, thanks a lot. I was going to say something during the tour, but I didn't want the others getting all weird.

I hope that I get the last remaining spot... but who knows.

Haha...Yes, that was me, and I completely understand - playing the SDN card at interviews is pretty hit or miss.

For what it's worth, you guys were a fun group. I've never had a batch of interviewees tell me that I looked like "cutthroat b*tch" from House before...

I think it depends on what's important to you.

Academically, hopkins > um > ohsu.
Living wise, imho, portland > aa >> baltimore.

Money could definitely play a role too.

I agree with that. I'm from Baltimore and I still can't really deal with the Hopkins area.

 

[Holderlin]

Have you guys all been watching that new show Portlandia? It's so damn funny.

Born and raised in stump town. I love this show so much.

Here's my favorite because we've all seen this guy, and I mean I seriously think I've seen this guy.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/210889/portlandia-bike-rider

 

[tman99]

OOS, Rejected pre-interview yesterday, good luck to everyone still in the running.

 

[unleash500]

I really need advice on my interview coming up for OHSU.

I have heard the OHSU weighs the interview a lot, and prefers nontraditional applicants with a lot of clinical experience.

Yet, I am a pretty standard college grad applicant, with normal amount of clinical experience. On top of that my interview skills are not the best. My MCAT/GPA are average of the school as well. Part of me wonders how I got an interview invite ( although I am really grateful).

With this, I am pretty anxious that there is no hope for me despite not going through the interview yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[evo]

I really need advice on my interview coming up for OHSU.

I have heard the OHSU weighs the interview a lot, and prefers nontraditional applicants with a lot of clinical experience.

Yet, I am a pretty standard college grad applicant, with normal amount of clinical experience. On top of that my interview skills are not the best. My MCAT/GPA are average of the school as well. Part of me wonders how I got an interview invite ( although I am really grateful).

With this, I am pretty anxious that there is no hope for me despite not going through the interview yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Organize your thoughts and be prepared to answer any questions related to your PS and secondary. You can also go to the SDN's interview feedback page and review OHSU's potential interview questions. Other than that, just relax and enjoy the interview day and you'll be just fine. Good luck and don't give up hope!

 

[Dianyla]

I really need advice on my interview coming up for OHSU.

Bleed commitment to medicine out of every pore.

That is all.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

I have heard the OHSU weighs the interview a lot, and prefers nontraditional applicants with a lot of clinical experience.

OHSU might accept more "nontraditional" applicants than some other schools, but when I sat in on a lecture for their first-year class most people still looked pretty traditional.

The average age for the last incoming class was 26, but keep in mind that all of the extreme cases are going to be on the older side, not on the younger side, so it will take a lot more students at age 23 to average out a single student who's 40.

So I don't think that OHSU "prefers" nontraditional students, but is just willing to accept them when other schools won't.

Organize your thoughts and be prepared to answer any questions related to your PS and secondary. You can also go to the SDN's interview feedback page and review OHSU's potential interview questions. Other than that, just relax and enjoy the interview day and you'll be just fine. Good luck and don't give up hope!

This is good advice. Before my interview I printed out questions from SDN's feedback back for OHSU as well as several other schools and spent a couple of days practicing answering them. I also did some reading up on current issues in medicine, the healthcare industry, and ethics.

Good luck!

 

[URHere]

I really need advice on my interview coming up for OHSU.

I have heard the OHSU weighs the interview a lot, and prefers nontraditional applicants with a lot of clinical experience.

Yet, I am a pretty standard college grad applicant, with normal amount of clinical experience. On top of that my interview skills are not the best. My MCAT/GPA are average of the school as well. Part of me wonders how I got an interview invite ( although I am really grateful).

With this, I am pretty anxious that there is no hope for me despite not going through the interview yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated

This kind of attitude will only hurt you. If you were invited to interview, OHSU saw something in you that they liked. If it wasn't your academics or shadowing, it may have been a unique perspective, a sense of honesty, or a particularly intriguing EC. Regardless, you wouldn't be interviewing if you didn't have a shot, and don't forget that.

More than anything, OHSU tries to find students who they believe would make good doctors. This means that they want confidence, compassion, determination, a deep understanding of what it means to be a physician. If you are lacking on any of those things, then you need to be extra certain that you sell what you do have. Similarly, if there is something that gets you excited about medicine or showcases one of those traits particularly well then make sure that you talk about it!

Aside from that, listen to the other posters here - they're giving good advice.

 

[cfx]

I've been complete since early October, and still haven't heard anything. Should I just assume rejection at this point, write them, or just give it more time?

 

[ORMD]

OHSU might accept more "nontraditional" applicants than some other schools, but when I sat in on a lecture for their first-year class most people still looked pretty traditional...

On my interview day two MS4 students during lunch said that in their class only 10% had gone straight through HS to college to med school. Ultimately I think that OHSU is looking for commitment to medicine and a well-rounded applicant that is interesting, compassionate, and motivated. That can come at 22 y/o or at 35...or 45. Perhaps it is best to say that OHSU doesn't discriminate based on age...where as other schools may consider age a factor.

 

[IlaEm]

Hi Everyone!

So my interview is this Tuesday and I am flying to Portland bright and early tomorrow! I want to spend the day exploring but I have no idea what to do and where to go. Any suggestions? I will not have a car but I am more than willing to take public transportation. Also, if anyone else will be there and wants to meet up...PM me sometime tonight! I would be more than happy to have a buddy 🙂

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

Hi Everyone!

So my interview is this Tuesday and I am flying to Portland bright and early tomorrow! I want to spend the day exploring but I have no idea what to do and where to go. Any suggestions? I will not have a car but I am more than willing to take public transportation. Also, if anyone else will be there and wants to meet up...PM me sometime tonight! I would be more than happy to have a buddy 🙂

What part of town are you staying in?

Everyone will have their own personal favorite places. Here are some of mine...

Downtown: Powells Books, NW 23rd (breakfast/lunch at Kornblatts!), ride the Portland Street Car for an entire loop (perhaps stop at the base of the Portland Aerial Tram and ride up to OHSU)

South East: Explore any of the following: Hawthorne Blvd (anywhere from 12th to 50th), Division St (20th to 39th, also ask about the Clinton neighborhood, Ladd's Addition), Belmont St (26th to 39th, or beers at the Horse Brass Pub at 4534 SE Belmont St), the neighborhood around 28th & East Burnside is cool, my neighborhood (a bit more residential but cool nonetheless) is in the Westmoreland area around SE Bybee and Milwaukie Ave

North/North East: Alberta St (15th to 33rd) or Missisippi Ave (have lunch at Por Que No, 3524 N Mississippi Ave, then walk up and down from N Fremont St to N Skidmore St)

Have fun exploring and good luck at your interview!!



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


Unrelated note: I wanted to share with you folks a hilarious video shot a block away from OHSU's Center for Health and Healing. This is from Portland's infamous 2008 snowstorm...

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXFZMGddENA[/YOUTUBE]

 

[IlaEm]

Thanks for the tips! I'm staying at the Inn at Marquam Hill so I will be close to the interview location. Is it easy to get to and from downtown from there?

 

[evo]

Unrelated note: I wanted to share with you folks a hilarious video shot a block away from OHSU's Center for Health and Healing. This is from Portland's infamous 2008 snowstorm...

[YOUTUBE]CXFZMGddENA[/YOUTUBE]

👍 That's some funny stuff. I also love how there wasn't any accidents.

 

[Thom1986]

Thanks for the tips! I'm staying at the Inn at Marquam Hill so I will be close to the interview location. Is it easy to get to and from downtown from there?

Very easy, just get on the Portland Streetcar at the base of the tram (in front of the Center for Health and Healing on the waterfront at the bottom of the hill). The streetcar basically does a loop all the way around downtown and back. For the locations on the eastside of the river (ie Alberta, Mississippi, Hawthorne, Belmont) you will need to take a bus, but they are frequent and convenient: Tri-met has a "trip planner" on their site that will tell you have to use them (trimet.org). PS- the eastside neighborhoods are worth the busride- they have a ton of character, but I live over on Mississippi so I may be biased. Good luck!

 

[RGMass03]

In-state Rejection!! Man, I suck at life...good luck to everyone else.

 

[dragonflyahhh]

I've been complete since early October, and still haven't heard anything. Should I just assume rejection at this point, write them, or just give it more time?

I know what you mean. I've been complete since mid Dec. and am wondering how many more interview spots are left. I have a friend who completed in early Dec. and got an interview invite a couple of weeks ago. At that point, the latest interview date was the end of March, and I know OHSU interviews through April, so maybe there's a chance still.
Anyone have any news regarding this?

 

[cfx]

I know what you mean. I've been complete since mid Dec. and am wondering how many more interview spots are left. I have a friend who completed in early Dec. and got an interview invite a couple of weeks ago. At that point, the latest interview date was the end of March, and I know OHSU interviews through April, so maybe there's a chance still.
Anyone have any news regarding this?

Hmmm. Were they IS? OHSU does not accept pre-interview updates, right?

 

[dragonflyahhh]

Hmmm. Were they IS? OHSU does not accept pre-interview updates, right?

Yes, we're both IS. Actually, OHSU does not accept any updates post- interview. So now would be a good time to send them any updates.

 

[Gara]

Yes, we're both IS. Actually, OHSU does not accept any updates post- interview. So now would be a good time to send them any updates.

Does anyone think it would be worth it to send them a term's grades? Probably not if it doesn't really change the GPA at all...

What about recent shadowing experiences etc? I feel like all of that would come up in the interview anyway.

How would one go about sending them an update?

 

[drfancypants]

In-state Rejection!! Man, I suck at life...good luck to everyone else.

ouch, very ouch! i'm sure you don't suck at life but i know the feeling. a med student friend told me not to take these events personally or to read too much into them, otherwise you might get bitter. we can do everything right and still get rejected for any number of reasons. i hope you feel better soon and that we all find a place with these schools.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

Does anyone think it would be worth it to send them a term's grades? Probably not if it doesn't really change the GPA at all...

Only if you've made significant progress. I looked at your MDapps profile, and in your case I don't think it's worth it unless you're not approaching 4.0.

What about recent shadowing experiences etc? I feel like all of that would come up in the interview anyway.

Only if you don't have an interview. If you already have an interview then you've passed their first test of commitment to medicine and now it's all about the interview.

---

Gara - when is your interview? I know you've posted a couple times and I sense that you're nervous (understandable 🙂 ). I think the best thing you can do is to prepare for the interview itself. Get someone to do a nice, long mock interview with you (preferably more than one person, preferably someone who knows something about medicine or med school). Tape record it and listen to how you sound. Do you sound nervous? or confident? Do you sound smart? or arrogant?

 

[chuck84]

I did some mock interviews and taped it. After watching myself, I found out I kept fiddling with my watch and repeatedly saying the infamous "ummm". It definitely helped me prepare and made me less nervous.

 

[Gara]

Only if you've made significant progress. I looked at your MDapps profile, and in your case I don't think it's worth it unless you're not approaching 4.0.

My grades have gotten worse not better so I think I'll keep it to myself... 😉

Gara - when is your interview? I know you've posted a couple times and I sense that you're nervous (understandable 🙂 ). I think the best thing you can do is to prepare for the interview itself. Get someone to do a nice, long mock interview with you (preferably more than one person, preferably someone who knows something about medicine or med school). Tape record it and listen to how you sound. Do you sound nervous? or confident? Do you sound smart? or arrogant?

Thanks for the advice. My interview is on March 29th. I'm nervous as expected but mostly just concerned about my mistakes and ignorance this first time around biting me in the butt. I wasn't originally planning on applying this term until I got my MCAT scores and decided to barrel through it like I woke up 2 minutes before a final and didn't have time to shower or brush my teeth...

I'm planning on doing some practice interviews but it's tough to plan when still taking classes.

I did some mock interviews and taped it. After watching myself, I found out I kept fiddling with my watch and repeatedly saying the infamous "ummm". It definitely helped me prepare and made me less nervous.

I'm definitely an ummm-er big time. I may get someone to mock interview me and slap me across the face everything I say it. Think that would help?

As for fiddling I plan to cross my legs ankle over knee, grasp my ankle and knee and pretend like I'm stoic about the whole thing.

 

[evo]

My grades have gotten worse not better so I think I'll keep it to myself... 😉



Thanks for the advice. My interview is on March 29th. I'm nervous as expected but mostly just concerned about my mistakes and ignorance this first time around biting me in the butt. I wasn't originally planning on applying this term until I got my MCAT scores and decided to barrel through it like I woke up 2 minutes before a final and didn't have time to shower or brush my teeth...

I'm planning on doing some practice interviews but it's tough to plan when still taking classes.



I'm definitely an ummm-er big time. I may get someone to mock interview me and slap me across the face everything I say it. Think that would help?

As for fiddling I plan to cross my legs ankle over knee, grasp my ankle and knee and pretend like I'm stoic about the whole thing.

Some schools I know offer free mock interviews for the students through the preprofessional committee or career services. If your school happens to have this service, I would recommend taking advantage of it. Basically they will just ask you relevant questions and videotape your responses. I went to two of them and they were really helpful in easing the nerves, and pointing out some of my strengths and weaknesses. Friends are good options too, but you tend to become more relaxed speaking to them than you are speaking to your interviewers.

I also say ums a lot when I'm nervous. I tried my best to be self-aware about it during the mock interviews and actual interviews, and it turned out not being a problem at all.

Good luck!

 

[URHere]

My nervous space-filler word is "essentially", which makes me feel both special and incredibly odd.

Also, when I read this, Gara, I for some reason thought that you were female. My response to sitting that way in a potential skirt suit was something along the lines of...

As for fiddling I plan to cross my legs ankle over knee, grasp my ankle and knee and pretend like I'm stoic about the whole thing.

 

[Gara]

My nervous space-filler word is "essentially", which makes me feel both special and incredibly odd.

Also, when I read this, Gara, I for some reason thought that you were female. My response to sitting that way in a potential skirt suit was something along the lines of...

I always feared I came off as feminine on these boards and now I have proof my fears were well founded! I think it must be my attempt at trying to show enthusiasm and support but being limited to smiley faces and exclamation points...

I'd be more offended but to be honest whenever I look at your pic I always think you're more of a Hob than a Jill.

 

[URHere]

I'd be more offended but to be honest whenever I look at your pic I always think you're more of a Hob than a Jill.

Touche. I've been thinking of changing my avatar to that nauseatingly cute "ferret heart" picture for awhile now. I think that this is my official cue to do so...

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

Touche. I've been thinking of changing my avatar to that nauseatingly cute "ferret heart" picture for awhile now. I think that this is my official cue to do so...

As long as we're getting our gender identities sorted, I guess I should confirm that I am a male. I've set my avatar to a picture of Mr. Blume from the movie "Rushmore."

He's one of my heroes 🙂

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA8YbjyBQzI[/YOUTUBE]

 

[evo]

<--------------------------------done😉

My nervous space-filler word is "essentially", which makes me feel both special and incredibly odd.

Also, when I read this, Gara, I for some reason thought that you were female. My response to sitting that way in a potential skirt suit was something along the lines of...

+1, I had to check your MDapps twice 😀.

 

[Gara]

<--------------------------------done😉



+1, I had to check your MDapps twice 😀.

Ok now I'm legitimately concerned. I'm going to have to over compensate with a super macho avatar.

 

[evo]

Ok now I'm legitimately concerned. I'm going to have to over compensate with a super macho avatar.

, it may actually have the opposite effect.

 

[AGLAIA]

Any current news?

 

[Gara]

Any current news?

Looks like no AGLAIA. We've all been so busy defining (and defending in my case) our genders that we've forgotten what we're here for.

Back to work everyone!

 

[AGLAIA]

Looks like no AGLAIA. We've all been so busy defining (and defending in my case) our genders that we've forgotten what we're here for.

Back to work everyone!

Well, if that is what it has come down to...

<----- woman. 😉

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

Well, if that is what it has come down to...

<----- woman. 😉

Thanks for the clarification, AGLAIA.

Frankly, that animated gif you were using always struck me as somewhat obscene 😉

 

[byurazorhog]

So when I first opened this page I was struck by how many people had changed their avatars. You guys are so funny!

And I agree that Gara's new avatar might have the opposite effect to the one you had intended🙂 Ok, j/k.

 

[AGLAIA]

Thanks for the clarification, AGLAIA.

Frankly, that animated gif you were using always struck me as somewhat obscene 😉

But the puppy loved everyone. 🙂

 

[unleash500]

Thanks guys for the interview advice.

My first interview went well I think . I was able to communicate everything I wanted to.

 

[AshleyC]

Post-interview hold. 🙁 interview 1/04. IS

Pretty bummed because its going to be hard for me to make solid plans at other places if I have to wait till May 15th to figure out where I stand here. UGH OHSU YOUR PROCESS KILLS ME!

 

[URHere]

Pretty bummed because its going to be hard for me to make solid plans at other places if I have to wait till May 15th to figure out where I stand here. UGH OHSU YOUR PROCESS KILLS ME!

There are upsides and downsides to OHSU's process. On the one hand, many applicants end up on a hold that turns into a waitlist. Even if they're in the top 30, the waitlist may take until June, July, or even August to move to their spot. Personally, I didn't get in to OHSU until late June, and I had already moved for medical school twice before that happened.

On the other hand, if OHSU's process was more traditional, you may have been interviewing for a waitlist spot anyway. Personally, I think it would be frustrating to know that as a Jan-April interviewee you were condemned to either a rejection or a summer of waitlist watching.

Either way, if you are interested in OHSU, you may just have to make short-term plans with other schools. I packed all of my things into a transportable-storage locker and just moved the essentials with me from city to city. For every move, I looked into short-term living (places where you can rent week-to-week.). Ultimately, it wasn't too much of a hassle each time I had to pick up and move again, and everything worked out in the end. 🙂

 

[AshleyC]

There are upsides and downsides to OHSU's process. On the one hand, many applicants end up on a hold that turns into a waitlist. Even if they're in the top 30, the waitlist may take until June, July, or even August to move to their spot. Personally, I didn't get in to OHSU until late June, and I had already moved for medical school twice before that happened.

On the other hand, if OHSU's process was more traditional, you may have been interviewing for a waitlist spot anyway. Personally, I think it would be frustrating to know that as a Jan-April interviewee you were condemned to either a rejection or a summer of waitlist watching.

Either way, if you are interested in OHSU, you may just have to make short-term plans with other schools. I packed all of my things into a transportable-storage locker and just moved the essentials with me from city to city. For every move, I looked into short-term living (places where you can rent week-to-week.). Ultimately, it wasn't too much of a hassle each time I had to pick up and move again, and everything worked out in the end. 🙂

In many ways I agree with you... but I just don't think accepting 15% of applicants pre-May 15th is a very good process. Also, I disagree with the statement that interviewing late means that you are interviewing for a waitlist or rejection. From my experience, most schools have acceptances to give up until their latest interview dates. I understand where OHSU is coming from "not wanting to discriminate against late interviewers" but I believe they should rethink how this alienates many of their applicants. A more traditional interviewing process may do them some good- and if anything it will just force people to apply a little earlier? Or maybe they could consider shortening their interviewing cycle? Just an idea.

 

[Gara]

In many ways I agree with you... but I just don't think accepting 15% of applicants pre-May 15th is a very good process. Also, I disagree with the statement that interviewing late means that you are interviewing for a waitlist or rejection. From my experience, most schools have acceptances to give up until their latest interview dates. I understand where OHSU is coming from "not wanting to discriminate against late interviewers" but I believe they should rethink how this alienates many of their applicants. A more traditional interviewing process may do them some good- and if anything it will just force people to apply a little earlier? Or maybe they could consider shortening their interviewing cycle? Just an idea.

AshleyC I can understand your frustration. Especially with only one school in-state it can be hard to wait when you know you'll have to make out of state living arrangements if you don't get into OHSU. Being a later applicant though I have to prefer the method which allows them to consider a much wider range of applicants (me included). I've heard they're actually moving farther and farther away from the more traditional rolling application system as opposed to returning to it.

 

[mashers]

Post-interview hold. 🙁 interview 1/04. IS

Pretty bummed because its going to be hard for me to make solid plans at other places if I have to wait till May 15th to figure out where I stand here. UGH OHSU YOUR PROCESS KILLS ME!

Did you receive an email or check the admissions portal? I interviewed in December and haven't heard anything yet. I'm assuming any updates are obvious on the admissions portal page, right? My latest status message says "Your interview has been scheduled."

 

[AshleyC]

Did you receive an email or check the admissions portal? I interviewed in December and haven't heard anything yet. I'm assuming any updates are obvious on the admissions portal page, right? My latest status message says "Your interview has been scheduled."

I actually just randomly check my status today.... It was listed after "Your interview was scheduled for 1/04/2011". So pretty obvious. They also included this mini-letter saying they have a lot of applicants and that many applicants have to be put on hold first before a decision is made on May 15th. Its crazy too because mine was posted on 2/14, so they came to the decision pretty fast, 5.5 weeks!