2010-2011 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Members don't see this ad.
fingerscrossedd said:
Sorry if this is also a stupid question, but what does one specifically do in the Public Health Service?
Click to expand...

I initially wanted to do PHS because I thought I had a large choice of agencies through which I could work, but it was confirmed during the interview day that you have to be accepted into a certain agency that is currently supporting new students (just like how the Air Force, Army, or Navy pays for its students, the agency will be supporting you).

For students entering Fall 2011, there are only two agencies that are supporting new students - National Institute of Allergy and Infections Disease (NIAID) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) - and each agency is currently sponsoring only 2 students this year. With my career intentions, neither of the two agencies worked well for me. For instance, the NIAID says that "students must be committed to a career as a Commissioned Officer in the USPHS and a career as a clinical or basic science researcher in either infectious diseases or allergy/immunology," and the IHS says the student must "demonstrate an interest in pursuing a primary care career serving the American Indian and Alaska Native people."

This is the main website on the USUHS page that will give you more information: http://www.usuhs.mil/usphs/index.html . If you click on USPHS at USUHS, you will find the information that I just quoted.

So to answer your question, from what I understand, what you specifically do in the PHS all depends on which agency you are accepted by. I would recommend following up on the website later on to see which agencies are accepting students and to see if their desires mesh well with your career aspirations. With all that said, at my interview (October 21) we were told that next year agencies would be sponsoring around 10-12 students (up from the 4 from this year).

I hope that helps! Good luck
 
Last edited:
Does anyone know about/ have any experience with the possibility of getting a waiver for ADHD and under what conditions that can happen?
 
cobuffdoc said:
Does anyone know about/ have any experience with the possibility of getting a waiver for ADHD and under what conditions that can happen?
Click to expand...

Hey cobuffdoc, First get a letter from your doc. Let him put down the severity of your ADHD and his professional opinion whether or not he thinks you can perform okay without ADHD meds. Secondly, if you didn't take ADHD meds while in college and took all your exams in a non-special setting, write a memo to DoDMERB explaining to them that despite being diagnosed with ADHD you were still able to get the grads you got in college without taking any meds or using any special exam settings. If your grades were good, which I assume they were, then that would make a strong case that you can do well, and can pay attention to detail, even with the ADHD.

If you took or take ADHD meds, you will have to prove to DoDMERB that you can function okay without these meds. This would be tough but not impossible. Rule of thumb, "every" rule in the military is waiverable, you just need to make your case. Don't give up.
 
In 2008 when Hurricane Ike was coming getting ready to hit Texas, we set up a "Federal Medical Station" at Texas A&M's Reed Arena to house critical needs patients from the area's nursing homes and hospitals that could not easily be evacuated. A boatload of PHS doctors, nurses, and other staff members showed up to help run the facility. I talked with some of them and they said that they work for different agencies and what not and are kinda like reservists, and when things like this happen they get "activated." Most of the doctors were prior service Army or Navy.

Gotta be honest though, many of them looked really sloppy in uniform.
 
Any interviewees flying in tomorrow with time on your hands? I arrive in the morning and was considering wandering DC a bit? I have never been to DC before. Suggestions from anyone?
 
Nevryn said:
Any interviewees flying in tomorrow with time on your hands? I arrive in the morning and was considering wandering DC a bit? I have never been to DC before. Suggestions from anyone?
Click to expand...

Air and Space Museum! It is one of my favorite places on earth but then again I love planes.
 
Background: I interviewed December 9th.

It looks like I got a letter saying that they are postponing their decision for a while. What exactly does this mean? Are they looking for something that they think is missing or what? It does say that I can send updates...

All this waiting just so I can wait some more! Bummer! 😕
 
tritown said:
Background: I interviewed December 9th.

It looks like I got a letter saying that they are postponing their decision for a while. What exactly does this mean? Are they looking for something that they think is missing or what? It does say that I can send updates...

All this waiting just so I can wait some more! Bummer! 😕
Click to expand...

I'm getting so tired of waiting. I really want to go here but part of me wishes I didn't just so I could just have definite plans for next year!
 
DocBell said:
I'm getting so tired of waiting. I really want to go here but part of me wishes I didn't just so I could just have definite plans for next year!
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. I am ready to hear of some waitlist movement. I am ready to be done trying to be medically approved. I have had 4 remedials. If they come back with sorry you aren't medically qualified after all of that, I might scream.

Someone mentioned something about waitlist moving earlier than May 15th. Any hope that may be soon?
 
PinkNoise said:
Congrats Eye Heart Study! That was a long wait to hear back!!
Click to expand...

I'm currently taking classes and interviewd early January. I gave them my fall grades and am currently in my spring semester. IF (I MY CASE BIIIG IF), USUHS were to accept me, would I need to send in my Spring Grades also. I'm thinking about auditing a class and I don't want it to adversely affect their decision or be a reason to take back an acceptance (staying positive here lol)?
 
SpaceDoc18 said:
I'm currently taking classes and interviewd early January. I gave them my fall grades and am currently in my spring semester. IF (I MY CASE BIIIG IF), USUHS were to accept me, would I need to send in my Spring Grades also. I'm thinking about auditing a class and I don't want it to adversely affect their decision or be a reason to take back an acceptance (staying positive here lol)?
Click to expand...

I would email and ask. I can't say for sure but I would bet you have to send them your final transcripts
 
SpaceDoc18 said:
I'm currently taking classes and interviewd early January. I gave them my fall grades and am currently in my spring semester. IF (I MY CASE BIIIG IF), USUHS were to accept me, would I need to send in my Spring Grades also. I'm thinking about auditing a class and I don't want it to adversely affect their decision or be a reason to take back an acceptance (staying positive here lol)?
Click to expand...

I'm in a similar situation. I asked them about it, and they said that they would not wait for spring grades to make an unconditional acceptance offer. If you do get in, you will simply have to send them ALL of your undergrad transcripts including the spring semester with passing grades (C or better) in any of your remaining prerequisite classes. So you will have to send them the grades, but it won't have bearing on your status as long as you are passing.
 
Hi everyone, congrats to all the acceptances. I interviewed 12/9, prior service submarines, 4.0 M.S. with multiple med journal publications, 30S MCATs and I am michael bolton's biggest fan, which is probably my strongest quality. In all seriousness, I received my "waitlist" letter a few days ago, having been signed on Feb 11th. We were all told at the 12/9 interview that we were interviewing for waitlist only, as all the slots were currently filled. I remember them explicitly saying it multiple times. I am fully qualified physically and security with my LOA signed and on file.

The waiting is killing me for an unconditional acceptance, even after a few days. Anybody else in the same boat/ship/foxhole/etc.? I keep hearing April 15th and May 15th as the big dates for notification, but i'm wondering if things start to open up sooner. I haven't seen many Navy posts on this thread, so looking for some common ground.
 
surfernuke said:
Hi everyone, congrats to all the acceptances. I interviewed 12/9, prior service submarines, 4.0 M.S. with multiple med journal publications, 30S MCATs and I am michael bolton's biggest fan, which is probably my strongest quality. In all seriousness, I received my "waitlist" letter a few days ago, having been signed on Feb 11th. We were all told at the 12/9 interview that we were interviewing for waitlist only, as all the slots were currently filled. I remember them explicitly saying it multiple times. I am fully qualified physically and security with my LOA signed and on file.

The waiting is killing me for an unconditional acceptance, even after a few days. Anybody else in the same boat/ship/foxhole/etc.? I keep hearing April 15th and May 15th as the big dates for notification, but i'm wondering if things start to open up sooner. I haven't seen many Navy posts on this thread, so looking for some common ground.
Click to expand...

I'm Navy accepted, was on the alternate list last year (so I have waited a lot and probably spent more time reading in these forums than studying for the mcats...) April 15th is an important day because they don't offer spots to people who are not medically qualified after that date. That just shrinks the wait list for those who are medically qualified but shouldn't create any openings. May 15th, as I am sure you know, is when you can no longer hold multiple acceptances.

Technically, the wait list can move at anytime and they will pull the best qualified person for the spot (for you, a Navy spot). The list moves most around the 15th because people drop acceptances to schools they don't plan to attend around then. It can move at anytime for a variety of reasons all the way up to the first day of class; but most people make their decision for the 15th of May.

You have pretty good stats so get medically qualified and you should get a spot soon enough, even in Navy (which moves slower than Army and Air Force). Keep in contact with the admin office, send a letter of intent if it's your number 1 or a letter of interest otherwise if you want to try and maximize your chances. Good luck and I hope to see you at ODS (or orientation in August if your prior services was as an officer).
 
ChaseH87 said:
I'm Navy accepted, was on the alternate list last year (so I have waited a lot and probably spent more time reading in these forums than studying for the mcats...) April 15th is an important day because they don't offer spots to people who are not medically qualified after that date. That just shrinks the wait list for those who are medically qualified but shouldn't create any openings. May 15th, as I am sure you know, is when you can no longer hold multiple acceptances.

Technically, the wait list can move at anytime and they will pull the best qualified person for the spot (for you, a Navy spot). The list moves most around the 15th because people drop acceptances to schools they don't plan to attend around then. It can move at anytime for a variety of reasons all the way up to the first day of class; but most people make their decision for the 15th of May.

You have pretty good stats so get medically qualified and you should get a spot soon enough, even in Navy (which moves slower than Army and Air Force). Keep in contact with the admin office, send a letter of intent if it's your number 1 or a letter of interest otherwise if you want to try and maximize your chances. Good luck and I hope to see you at ODS (or orientation in August if your prior services was as an officer).
Click to expand...


As I stated, I'm fully qualified medically and my clearance carried over from my prior 7 years of submarine office experience in the Navy. As for letter of intent, I've never heard of that before but it sounds like a great idea. When did you interview this year? At our brief the morning of the interviews, they gave us all the statistics for acceptances from the waitlist (as previously stated, we were all told that we were interviewing that day for waitlist spots only) and they seemed very promising. All I am waiting for is a spot to open up and for me to be at the top of the waitlist for that spot.

I won't see you at ODS, i'm a service academy grad and prior officer, but hope to see everyone at the August orientation. I'm trying to stay positive, all my interviewers were confident that things would workout. Thanks for the recommendations!

..... I just spent 1 month in northern Uganda, do you think a letter of rec from the doctor I was working with at the hospital would help at this point? I'll probably call the admin office to ask anyway.
 
I interviewed 10/14. Definitely have the doc from your Uganda trip send a letter of rec. The letter of intent + updating them on anything you do + new letters of rec should give you an edge.
 
ChaseH87 said:
I interviewed 10/14. Definitely have the doc from your Uganda trip send a letter of rec. The letter of intent + updating them on anything you do + new letters of rec should give you an edge.
Click to expand...

awesome, thanks. I'm getting on it this weekend. thinking happy thoughts in the meantime.
 
DocBell said:
Has anyone from Dec 2 still not heard?
Click to expand...
Interviewed Dec 9th, haven't heard anything... There have been waitlist, alternate and acceptances given out to those that interviewed same time, don't know what's going on...

I remember you, surfernuke, from the interview day... how was the "Hunt for Red October" marathon?
 
Were you sitting next to me in the lectures? great to hear from you again, no hunt for red october marathon (yet), I had too much time getting ready for Africa. I just got my acceptance to Indiana SOM, so I've got to start the HPSP/HPCP paperwork asap, but still holding out for USUHS as my #1. How are things in the midwest?
 
surfernuke said:
Were you sitting next to me in the lectures? great to hear from you again, no hunt for red october marathon (yet), I had too much time getting ready for Africa. I just got my acceptance to Indiana SOM, so I've got to start the HPSP/HPCP paperwork asap, but still holding out for USUHS as my #1. How are things in the midwest?
Click to expand...

Ooo which campus? I wanted to go to the SB one but I am not an a resident so I didn't even apply. Love ND campus though. Used to go there to study/hang out/root for my Irish all the time 🙂 That said hopefully see you in Maryland next fall. Oh how I want to hear something...
 
Has anyone received their orders yet? I filled out that paperwork to receive orders, commissioning, etc. but haven't heard anything back on that, just wondering if anyone knows what the timeline for that is like
 
afbrat said:
Has anyone received their orders yet? I filled out that paperwork to receive orders, commissioning, etc. but haven't heard anything back on that, just wondering if anyone knows what the timeline for that is like
Click to expand...

You won't get orders or commissioning paperwork until a few weeks before you leave for officer training (if you're going). We got ours about a week and a half before ODS - the year before me, the Navy students actually didn't get their commissioning paperwork until they were already at ODS.
 
DocBell said:
Ooo which campus? I wanted to go to the SB one but I am not an a resident so I didn't even apply. Love ND campus though. Used to go there to study/hang out/root for my Irish all the time 🙂 That said hopefully see you in Maryland next fall. Oh how I want to hear something...
Click to expand...

I'm actually not an Indiana resident, but they have one of the largest med school class sizes in the US and a high percentage of out-of-state matriculants. I want to go to the SB campus (only if USUHS doesn't come through with a spot for me). They have a great program and curriculum at the SB campus, and I dig small class sizes. Yes, hopefully I'll see you this fall in Bethesda, USUHS is #1 for me by far.
 
surfernuke said:
I'm actually not an Indiana resident, but they have one of the largest med school class sizes in the US and a high percentage of out-of-state matriculants. I want to go to the SB campus (only if USUHS doesn't come through with a spot for me). They have a great program and curriculum at the SB campus, and I dig small class sizes. Yes, hopefully I'll see you this fall in Bethesda, USUHS is #1 for me by far.
Click to expand...

Oo intersting. Well Congrats on your acceptance there and good luck with everything else 🙂
 
So if Navy students don't get their commissioning paperwork until ODS, do we not commission until after ODS then? I'm a little confused...
 
premedgirl3 said:
So if Navy students don't get their commissioning paperwork until ODS, do we not commission until after ODS then? I'm a little confused...
Click to expand...

So all ODS students are commissioned before the start of ODS, it is a little different from OCS. I'm not sure where you will receive the commissioning, maybe in Newport. My wife teaches at OTCN (Officer Training Command) and that is what she has said. In fact, there is a good chance that she may be your class officer. If I get off that danged waitlist and and don't have to go to IUSM instead, I'll have to have all the USUHS ODS students over one of the weekends for a BBQ.
 
premedgirl3 said:
So if Navy students don't get their commissioning paperwork until ODS, do we not commission until after ODS then? I'm a little confused...
Click to expand...


The way it's supposed to work is that you'll be commissioned before ODS. It's up to you to find an officer to commission you (most people either have a family member or go to a recruiter).

There was one year where the paperwork didn't get to them in time, so they were all lined up at ODS and commissioned by their class officer (I'm not sure when exactly, but it was probably the first week of ODS - technically you're supposed to be commissioned before you get there, but it just didn't happen with them). I wouldn't worry about it though, it was one time a few years ago. My year (almost 2 years ago) and last year we all got the paperwork in time.
 
Who should I send a letter of intent to? Also, is email acceptable or should I mail it?
 
Nevryn said:
My opinion is to mail it. All other correspondence to USUHS has been through snail mail. Otherwise call to see what they will accept/prefer.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I think I will call them up and see what they prefer. Looks like the weather may keep me from getting a hold of anyone tomorrow though.

Hope everyone out there stays safe and warm!
 
RecklessKel said:
Thanks! I think I will call them up and see what they prefer. Looks like the weather may keep me from getting a hold of anyone tomorrow though.

Hope everyone out there stays safe and warm!
Click to expand...


They're quick to delay us due to weather, but they don't cancel the whole day very often (hasn't happened this year yet). We were delayed an hour this morning but that's it, so they should be there. 🙂
 
RecklessKel said:
I know what you mean. I am ready to hear of some waitlist movement. I am ready to be done trying to be medically approved. I have had 4 remedials. If they come back with sorry you aren't medically qualified after all of that, I might scream.

Someone mentioned something about waitlist moving earlier than May 15th. Any hope that may be soon?
Click to expand...

I feel your pain. I have 3 remedials for a skin condition. I saw an ophthalmologist for eye abnormalities relating to my skin condition and he said my eye was fine. I saw my dermatologist relating to my skin condition and said if I just walked in he didn't realize i had a skin condition. I also had to take pictures of different parts of my skin to prove theres nothing there. The sketchiest part was I developed my photos at Sams club which is kinda like costco. People were looking at me like i'm nuts. Anyways, getting this waiver is a frustrating and nerve racking process.
 
DocBell said:
Oo intersting. Well Congrats on your acceptance there and good luck with everything else 🙂
Click to expand...

Thanks for the well wishes, just got all my Indiana paperwork in the mail. Really hoping the waitlist moves on April 15th for USUHS and I snag a spot, kind of in a bind if it waits until May 15th when I have to commit to Indiana (not a bad thing, just not first choice). Any idea if you can rescind a commitment to another med school if USUHS offers a few days after May 15th? It'd be frowned upon for sure, just wondering the logistics of it.
 
surfernuke said:
Thanks for the well wishes, just got all my Indiana paperwork in the mail. Really hoping the waitlist moves on April 15th for USUHS and I snag a spot, kind of in a bind if it waits until May 15th when I have to commit to Indiana (not a bad thing, just not first choice). Any idea if you can rescind a commitment to another med school if USUHS offers a few days after May 15th? It'd be frowned upon for sure, just wondering the logistics of it.
Click to expand...
You can withdraw from one school and commit to another, you just cannot hold a spot in two or more schools after that date.

Anyone know what the method behind admissions is? Waitlist, Alternate and other notifications have only been sent out to a portion of December (and other) interviewees. Still waiting to hear back with any decision at all.
 
esrever said:
You can withdraw from one school and commit to another, you just cannot hold a spot in two or more schools after that date.

Anyone know what the method behind admissions is? Waitlist, Alternate and other notifications have only been sent out to a portion of December (and other) interviewees. Still waiting to hear back with any decision at all.
Click to expand...

That makes me feel much better, thanks again. BTW, just got your email message, still getting used to this forum. Wishing you the best of luck, it'd be great to be classmates.
 
surfernuke said:
That makes me feel much better, thanks again. BTW, just got your email message, still getting used to this forum. Wishing you the best of luck, it'd be great to be classmates.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it would be great, except come December you stand on the wrong side of the Army Navy game!

I am sure there will be some waitlist movement for you, I am hoping to be in the same boat. Except, in Army, even prior service officers (and I have been to OBC and Captain Career Course) are supposed to go to AMEDD OBC. Though, I did have the time of my life at OBC the first time around, and considering that was Infantry OBC, this can't be that bad...
 
Does anyone know if there is a date they let everyone know by regardless? I am trying not to read too much into the fact I haven't heard anything from the school since my interview but it is definetely a frusterating wait.
 
Quiznos Oven said:
I feel your pain. I have 3 remedials for a skin condition. I saw an ophthalmologist for eye abnormalities relating to my skin condition and he said my eye was fine. I saw my dermatologist relating to my skin condition and said if I just walked in he didn't realize i had a skin condition. I also had to take pictures of different parts of my skin to prove theres nothing there. The sketchiest part was I developed my photos at Sams club which is kinda like costco. People were looking at me like i'm nuts. Anyways, getting this waiver is a frustrating and nerve racking process.
Click to expand...

That is super frustrating. Ive had 4 about 3 different things.
On that note, does anyone know how long it takes DoDMERB to review remedials?

On another note, I am about to send in my letter of intent/interest. I don't know if it is going to have any affect, but I can only hope.
 
esrever said:
Yeah, it would be great, except come December you stand on the wrong side of the Army Navy game!

I am sure there will be some waitlist movement for you, I am hoping to be in the same boat. Except, in Army, even prior service officers (and I have been to OBC and Captain Career Course) are supposed to go to AMEDD OBC. Though, I did have the time of my life at OBC the first time around, and considering that was Infantry OBC, this can't be that bad...
Click to expand...

I'm in a confronting situation no matter where I go, USUHS= army navy rivalary, Indiana south bend= navy notre dame rivalry. I hope that Navy has their A game this year so we can go ahead and wrap up another Army victory (is this 9 in a row?) and Notre Dame win too. That sucks for Army OBC, seems just like extra BS even if it is fun. I though you could postpone it? My wife might actually be the class officer for this years USUHS matriculants at Navy ODS school, which would be VERY funny especially if I get a spot. I'm confident there will be waitlist movement, I'm sending my letter of intent today, maybe it'll help, but it sure can't hurt.
 
surfernuke said:
I'm in a confronting situation no matter where I go, USUHS= army navy rivalary, Indiana south bend= navy notre dame rivalry. I hope that Navy has their A game this year so we can go ahead and wrap up another Army victory (is this 9 in a row?) and Notre Dame win too. That sucks for Army OBC, seems just like extra BS even if it is fun. I though you could postpone it? My wife might actually be the class officer for this years USUHS matriculants at Navy ODS school, which would be VERY funny especially if I get a spot. I'm confident there will be waitlist movement, I'm sending my letter of intent today, maybe it'll help, but it sure can't hurt.
Click to expand...
Please don't bring up the 9 year losing streak, it literally makes me sick to my stomach.

On a serious note, there was a time I was deciding between which of the two academies to attend...Until I discovered this Navy recruiting video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMKjDYKs994

And as for my prediciton about the game this year, I think this says it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K78zNtO_EFQ

Good news is the game is in DC this year, so if things work out I (we) can be there in person when Army breaks the streak.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

wysdoc
2024-2025 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS)
9 10 11 12 13
Replies
629
Views
128K
DocMazard
D
wysdoc
2022-2023 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS)
7 8 9 10 11
Replies
515
Views
126K
riproach
R
wysdoc
2024-2025 Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU)
11 12 13 14 15
Replies
732
Views
184K
amygdalahijack
A
wysdoc
2023-2024 Uniformed Services (USUHS)
8 9 10 11 12
Replies
592
Views
116K
hydromedd
H
wysdoc
2023-2024 Oregon Health and Sciences University
10 11 12 13 14
Replies
665
Views
157K
addoncase
A
Top