2010-2011 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

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Sorry Jungle, I haven't even started on my new DODMERB. I already have one, but it's expired (if that makes any difference). Hope you hear back soon
 
does anybody know what kind of "extra curricular activities" you get to do with each service? I think I read somewhere for navy if you're on a ship you can get the qualifications for a surface warfare pin? I also heard something about getting jump wings from army stuff?

Anybody know what else is out there?
 
ThunderHorse said:
does anybody know what kind of "extra curricular activities" you get to do with each service? I think I read somewhere for navy if you're on a ship you can get the qualifications for a surface warfare pin? I also heard something about getting jump wings from army stuff?

Anybody know what else is out there?
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I know the Navy has Flight docs, so the AF probably does too. Navy has dive docs that do stuff with the SEALs. You can also get sub qualified in the Navy as well.
 
Hey guys,

Would anyone who has already been interviewed like to post some of the questions they were asked? I have an interview for 1-27, so if someone could give me a heads up, I'd appreciate it. I know it's competitive, so if you don't want to, no big deal. Thanks and good luck.
 
Just the usual really, tell me about yourself, why do you want to be a doctor, why military medicine? That was all mine consisted of. After I started answering those question they asked me more about my family, my experiences, etc. Pretty laid back, be prepared but don't be fake they can see right through it, just be yourself! 🙂
 
Hey Ladies,
I am interviewing in December and I was told I should wear a skirt. Is it necessary? My only concern is it going to be cold and I only own pants for my suit.
 
I just received a letter for USU today. I interviewed Sept 30, and the letter basically said the committee has reviewed my application and has decided to postpone making a decision at this time. I'm not rejected or put on the alt list. Is this a good sign? Or is being put on hold basically a rejection?
 
joloeo said:
I just received a letter for USU today. I interviewed Sept 30, and the letter basically said the committee has reviewed my application and has decided to postpone making a decision at this time. I'm not rejected or put on the alt list. Is this a good sign? Or is being put on hold basically a rejection?
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they are waiting for your grades, probably.
 
That isn't likely considering that I just graduated. This sux, USU was my top choice.
 
joloeo said:
That isn't likely considering that I just graduated. This sux, USU was my top choice.
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I would consider writing a letter of intent if USUHS is your top choice. Students in the past have gone from the alternate list to acceptance or waitlist to acceptance based on letters of intent (or at least that is what they thought made the difference).

Letting the admissions committee know that USUHS is your first choice and you intend on accepting an offer from them cannot hurt as long as you spend the time to write it well and are sure that you would accept an offer if they gave you one. It may be just enough to push them past what they feel is one weak point in your resumé. In other words, they would probably rather accept you knowing you will come to USUHS than offer acceptance to a very slightly better applicant who may have no intention of coming to USUHS later in the interview process.
 
What is with this whole "waiting for fall grades" that everyone keeps writing about..... I am still in school and they did not wait for my fall grades to give me an acceptance. Just wonderin'

and to the girl who asked about wearing a skirt, I wore pants and I got accepted so I really do not think it matters. 🙂
 
yea, I will definitely be writing a letter of intent. I'm just not sure if I should be happy that I wasn't put on the alt list or if being put on hold is worst.
 
Accepted! Dr. Calloway kept calling Thursday and Friday but I missed them every time, so I finally called back today and they said I have a seat. Unfortunately I didn't get the PHS-NIAID slot I wanted so they offered me an air force spot. Interviewed 10/14, 3.90/3.93/33P.
 
dpars27 said:
Hey guys,

Would anyone who has already been interviewed like to post some of the questions they were asked? I have an interview for 1-27, so if someone could give me a heads up, I'd appreciate it. I know it's competitive, so if you don't want to, no big deal. Thanks and good luck.
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Make sure to check out the Questions section on this page: (Scroll down and expand the box)

http://www.studentdoctor.net/schools/school/usuhs/survey/26

I found some of the questions there were very similar to the ones I got. It was a fun day, relaxed cadre, helpful staff. Good luck!
 
Armywife06 said:
What is with this whole "waiting for fall grades" that everyone keeps writing about..... I am still in school and they did not wait for my fall grades to give me an acceptance. Just wonderin'

and to the girl who asked about wearing a skirt, I wore pants and I got accepted so I really do not think it matters. 🙂
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Haha I'm guessing thats cause you have your killer stats. It said somewhere in the paperwork that your feedback time could potentially vary if you were enrolled in fall classes. So for people like me (sigh) they are probably more interested in my fall grades.
 
joloeo said:
yea, I will definitely be writing a letter of intent. I'm just not sure if I should be happy that I wasn't put on the alt list or if being put on hold is worst.
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If it helps my friend was put on hold at Wayne State and then a couple months later was straight up accepted upon re review. Anecdotal evidence I know but it ain't over till the fat lady sings 🙂 Then he got into Univ of Mi so it was a happy ending for him and hopefully will be for you too.
 
I was mainly asked questions elaborating what I wrote on my secondary (first generation--which I tied in my interest to serving) and research involving tropical medicine/emerging infectious diseases. Coincidentally, my interviewer specialized in infectious diseases so we continued to discuss how he came to choosing the his specialty, opportunities that are available in the military for tropical medicine, etc.

Interview was very conversational and relaxed, I would recommend knowing your application and have questions ready for your interviewer.

Good luck!
 
sweetlife said:
Hey Ladies,
I am interviewing in December and I was told I should wear a skirt. Is it necessary? My only concern is it going to be cold and I only own pants for my suit.
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Who's telling you to wear a skirt? I personally wore pants to all my interviews, and generally the other girls were about 50/50 in terms of skirts/pants. I almost never wear skirts - I don't own a single skirt for any of my uniforms. I don't like having to make sure I cross my legs/it doesn't ride up/etc and I don't like pantyhose 😛
It gets cold here in December; I'd wear pants and bring a warm overcoat.
 
I was the only female who wore a skirt last year in February (right after the winter storm).

This year I was one of two females who wore a skirt. I think it's personal preference.

Need some advice. I was going to apply for an Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Fellowship, but I was waitlisted last year and was hoping that I would be pulled from the waitlist. Unfortunately, I didn't and am still stuck at my mundane job. I'm planning on applying to the EID fellowship this year as a back, but was wondering what you guys thought about including it on my update. Will it be seen negatively like I'm not confident I will be admitted into medical school OR will it seem like I'm taking initiative in my future? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
 
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No matter how it would be perceived, I don't think it would be appropriate (or helpful) to update them about it until you have been actually been accepted to the fellowship. jmho. If you feel like you need to send the update letter to USUHS before you will have been accepted or rejected to the fellowship, then my opinion is that you shouldn't even mention it in the letter.
 
I don't know about you guys but the days are passing slow...haha. I know I need to enjoy senior year, can we start at USUHS already??
 
silverhorse84 said:
Who's telling you to wear a skirt? I personally wore pants to all my interviews, and generally the other girls were about 50/50 in terms of skirts/pants. I almost never wear skirts - I don't own a single skirt for any of my uniforms. I don't like having to make sure I cross my legs/it doesn't ride up/etc and I don't like pantyhose 😛
It gets cold here in December; I'd wear pants and bring a warm overcoat.
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Thank you! That makes me feel so much better. The people who told me to wear a skirt are retired AF and Navy (female) officers, so I figured I should check here.
 
On your physical form how did you guys interpret narcotics? Do they mean like vicodin after wisdom teeth surgery or do they mean illegal drugs? Also by Asthma do they mean like ever had an attack or do they mean are you an asthmatic? I had pneumonia once and I think I might have been weezing then but I am not an asthmatic. What do you guys think?
 
DocBell said:
On your physical form how did you guys interpret narcotics? Do they mean like vicodin after wisdom teeth surgery or do they mean illegal drugs? Also by Asthma do they mean like ever had an attack or do they mean are you an asthmatic? I had pneumonia once and I think I might have been weezing then but I am not an asthmatic. What do you guys think?
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I put no for everything I could. I don't want to have to get a waiver for using nasonex for seasonal allergies lol. I think it was armywife who said she had a migrane like 3 years ago and they made her get a waiver. Don't chance it. With the goal of not wanting to get a waiver, you never had or currently have asthma, and you made do with tylenol with your wisdom teeth. 😉
 
i am a girl and i wore pants to my interviews as well. and i got accepted!! wear what you feel most comfortable in, especially given that it is now nearly winter.
 
hey jfieldspich, did you complete your physical before they accepted you? maybe they're waiting for that to see if I am interested...
 
I actually had vicodin after tooth surgery so I answered yes to the narcotics question, which meant I had to explain myself in the explanations section of the history. I just got my DODMERB results back and they didn't even mention it. My advice (worth what you pay for it of course) is to be honest and go with your gut on things like the asthma question. Chances are it won't keep you out.

Sadly, I have taken ADD meds in the past year, so I'm medical DQ status right now. I have heard that you can't even request a waiver until you've been off of any psychotropic medication for at least 12 months. I know my ADD doesn't cause me nearly enough trouble to be an issue in med school, so it would break my heart if this kept me out of USUHS.

Can anyone tell me if I can get a waiver for this if I can give evidence of good academic performance for a 12 month span from a year and a half ago? I have taken it within the last 12 months, but I have been off of it for way more than 12 months in college and made decent grades.

DocBell said:
On your physical form how did you guys interpret narcotics? Do they mean like vicodin after wisdom teeth surgery or do they mean illegal drugs? Also by Asthma do they mean like ever had an attack or do they mean are you an asthmatic? I had pneumonia once and I think I might have been weezing then but I am not an asthmatic. What do you guys think?
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JungleFever21 said:
hey jfieldspich, did you complete your physical before they accepted you? maybe they're waiting for that to see if I am interested...
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Barely. I did my last appointment two days before I got the call. To be honest, though, I don't think it has any bearing on the decision process. That's why they first give people a conditional acceptance, which only becomes an unconditional acceptance once you are cleared through security and the physical exams.

When did you interview?
 
DocBell said:
On your physical form how did you guys interpret narcotics? Do they mean like vicodin after wisdom teeth surgery or do they mean illegal drugs? Also by Asthma do they mean like ever had an attack or do they mean are you an asthmatic? I had pneumonia once and I think I might have been weezing then but I am not an asthmatic. What do you guys think?
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Unless you have the actual word "asthma" in your medical record, DO NOT check yes on the form. Asthma is one of the ones that will lead you to needing a waiver, and for me 2 years ago, the process of getting one was a long one.
I personally checked no on narcotic drugs even though I was also prescribed vicodin after getting my wisdom teeth out - to be honest I didn't even think about it that way.
 
silverhorse84 said:
Unless you have the actual word "asthma" in your medical record, DO NOT check yes on the form. Asthma is one of the ones that will lead you to needing a waiver, and for me 2 years ago, the process of getting one was a long one.
I personally checked no on narcotic drugs even though I was also prescribed vicodin after getting my wisdom teeth out - to be honest I didn't even think about it that way.
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Oo thanks. I called my dad and he told me I am over thinking things lol. I want to be honest but not end up needing unnecessary waivers for conditions I don't have. Especially because I might need a waiver for conditions I do have like migraines.
 
The DoDMERB process and acceptance process are completely segregated. I interviewed 10/14 and was medically DQed for having a learning disability that does not require me to take any medication. The admission's office has no idea I have been DQed and it has no bering on their decision. If I am accepted then I can proceed with the waiver, but not until that time.

I would agree with what has been said on this board with regard to reporting innocuous incidents. I would recommend volunteering the least amount of information possible without blatantly lying.
 
JungleFever21 said:
you haven't been accepted how do you know?
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I was medically DQ'ed and was accepted on 10/16, once I had my acceptance I proceeded with the waiver process. Your medical examination has nothing to do with the admissions process. It only matters once your accepted in order to receive a unconditional acceptance. Oh and I was medically DQ'ed BEFORE I received my acceptance.
 
Just got the UNconditionally accepted letter today in the mail. I'm pretty surprised actually since I'm still taking a writing course at the moment to satisfy their English prereq. They actually deactivated my application file for a week in August 😱 cuz of that.

EDIT: Interviewed on 9/23
 
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I haven't received any further information about security clearances.
 
exoinsanity said:
Just got the UNconditionally accepted letter today in the mail. I'm pretty surprised actually since I'm still taking a writing course at the moment to satisfy their English prereq. They actually deactivated my application file for a week in August 😱 cuz of that. You have no idea how instantly I enrolled and begged them to reactivate me, lol.
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What date did you interview if you don't mind me asking?
 
Suncrusher said:
has anyone who has been accepted been sent the security paperwork to fill out (for the second time)?
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You won't start the actual security clearance process until starting school/orientation in August. It's an online form - a lot easier to complete if you save a copy of your SF-86 form that you filled out for the interview!!
 
scooter02 said:
You won't start the actual security clearance process until starting school/orientation in August. It's an online form - a lot easier to complete if you save a copy of your SF-86 form that you filled out for the interview!!
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but you can still get an unconditional acceptance before then? I have my conditional acceptance, i sent back the paperwork saying "yes I'm coming here," and have been medically qualified too. At this point, is there anything I have left to do, or am I just waiting for the unconditional? I thought I still had to reenter the SF-86 stuff and was waiting to hear something about this.

slightly confused,

C English
 
Charles English said:
but you can still get an unconditional acceptance before then? I have my conditional acceptance, i sent back the paperwork saying "yes I'm coming here," and have been medically qualified too. At this point, is there anything I have left to do, or am I just waiting for the unconditional? I thought I still had to reenter the SF-86 stuff and was waiting to hear something about this.
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Yeah I did the same stuff and I had no medical problems. I didnt receive the unconditional yet either, so i was confused. I guess it could be in the mail right now
 
edit: post removed. sorry about that.
 
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I just received a notice from USUHS saying thst all of my LORs were missing from my application. All of them were uploaded to Virtual Evals, though, and my school had told me that I didn't need to do anything further to get the LORs to USUHS. I also received a postcard a few months ago telling me my file was complete.

Has anyone else had issues with this??
 
So, if I haven't heard anything yet (transmitted late September) am I probably out of the running?

I'm prior enlisted Air Force with

GPA: 2.92
sGPA: 3.01
MCAT 36T
 
Guys the next decision date is this Monday right? I'm getting really nervous....
 
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