2010-2011 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

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Interview Sept 30. Complete July 20. Got the invite a few weeks ago. 3.7 GPA. 29R. A lot of healthcare experience and a few volunteer.

Also wondering how people are getting to the interview building from a hotel...non-prior so getting onto a military base is a foreign concept to me. I am hoping to stay with a student but of course that is not a guarantee.
 
I think it says bring your driver's license. They'll have your name so your license should be sufficient. Many bases have car services that can go inside the base so you might wanna check that out so you don't have to walk a long ways
 
If you get off at the NIH/Naval Hospital stop on the Metro, you can just walk across the street to the entrance. There will be a few marines at the gate, but just let them know you are there for an interview at USUHS. They'll ask for your ID, double check it with the names on the access list and let you in. Then just take the sidewalk to the right and keep on following the road, over the bridge, and USUHS will be on the left.
 
DrAndy said:
If you get off at the NIH/Naval Hospital stop on the Metro, you can just walk across the street to the entrance. There will be a few marines at the gate, but just let them know you are there for an interview at USUHS. They'll ask for your ID, double check it with the names on the access list and let you in. Then just take the sidewalk to the right and keep on following the road, over the bridge, and USUHS will be on the left.
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If you don't feel like walking that far (not too far but decent if you're in a nice suit/heels), I asked one of the gate guards last year and he said any taxi company can take you on base.

I suggest going through the main gate (the one DrAndy is talking about on Wisconsin Ave), because they generally have a more updated list than the others from what I hear. Also, have the admissions office phone number with you just in case. Generally if your name isn't on the list and you explain you're here for an interview they'll let you on, but there were some problems last year with family getting on base. I highly doubt anyone will have trouble, but it's always good to have phone numbers just in case 😳
 
silverhorse84 said:
If you don't feel like walking that far (not too far but decent if you're in a nice suit/heels), I asked one of the gate guards last year and he said any taxi company can take you on base.
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If you take the shuttle from the Metro station to Building 10, they will check your ID on the bus. From Building 10, you can take the Red Line Shuttle to USUHS = free and least amount of walking 🙂

Here is the map and times of the shuttles:
http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/Visitor/Get_Here_and_Park/Base_Map.pdf
 
medically cleared today. Now all I need is an acceptance and I'm golden
 
Re: getting on base

there are 2 gates on wisconsin!! one is across from the metro/NIH main entrance, the other across from the NIH employee entrance (closer to 495). Go through the one by the metro! otherwise you have to drive all behind the hospital support stuff to get to USU. Approach the gate, have your license ready and bring your interview offer (cant hurt to have), give the MA (master at arms = navy, MP = army, SF = air force) your license, they will let you in. You have to go right, then just keep going straight and you will be at USU, turn left down the hill into the garage, park, and then go to building A, there will probably be signs.

as for taking other civilians on base... id say dont do it. They really have no purpose being on a military installation, and youre not in a position to sponsor them on base, thats just my opinion though.

If anyone is interested in USAF and will be interviewing on the 30SEP, I will be giving one of the tours. Look forward to seeing you there.
 
So excited about my interview, but I'm having a hard time deciding which service. I know a little bit about the Army, my step-father was a physician in the Navy, but I don't know a lot about the Air Force except for what I've seen on SDN, which is all the AF docs complaining about it. How's everyone else deciding?
 
GO Navy! Is there a specialty you're really interested in? I ask since each service has its perks for each area of medicine you decide to practice.
If you're OK with 6month deployments and like sailors and marines then I would say go with Navy.
If you are looking to stay on base with your family and don't want to do many deployments away from them, then go Air Force.
I think the Army is kind of in between, in that you could be deployed overseas for awhile or you could be at an Army Hospital back here.
You should check out the individual services' healthcare facebook groups where there are lengthy discussions with actual doctors from each service, as well as each service's website.
 
I'm going to go navy. I grew up near the ocean going sailing and just being in the water. So I like the idea of being stationed near coastal cities. But the army is still something I'm strongly considering.
 
DrAndy said:
If you are looking to stay on base with your family and don't want to do many deployments away from them, then go Air Force.
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Thats not true at all. AF is deploying more and more often and for longer periods, and is being embedded with ground forces at an increasing frequency. Balad theater hospital = all AF. During the heat of the Iraq war the only hospitals having more trauma cases than Balad were UCLA and Miami-Dade/Jackson Memorial.

USAF is downrange just like everybody else. Where people get the cushiness idea from is that AF spends more money on quality of life for its airmen than other services, but that in no way means youre not deploying. Dentists, peds, rads, payroll... they all deploy.

If you dont want to deploy or go to war or possibly be in a position where your hospital or clinic is under fire... sorry to sound harsh, but then this is not the school for you
 
Go Navy because it's the best service 😀! You get to always be near the coast, and you work with a great bunch of Sailors and Marines. Doesn't get much better
 
deployments are not an issue for me, it's part of being in the military. Although sitting on a ship for 6 months does not sound very appealing. I'm really leaning toward Army, mainly because that's the service I know most about and because my husband says being an Army spouse sounds more manly than being a Navy spouse LOL. I'm just wondering what differences there are in the services as far as training or residency slots, etc. 🙂 Leaving for Maryland tomorrow and sooooo excited!
 
Well I left this morning SO excited to get to interview at USUHS, opened my folder to make sure all my paperwork was in order, just like I did before I left, then I realize, I don't have my birth certificate with me. My husband found it laying on the floor at my house in NORTH CAROLINA. This is the worst feeling. I can only imagine how bad this is going to look, not having an essential item with me that I was suppose to bring. Any advice?? I'm terrified about what they are going to say and feel like I've blown my chances here.
 
Armywife06 said:
Well I left this morning SO excited to get to interview at USUHS, opened my folder to make sure all my paperwork was in order, just like I did before I left, then I realize, I don't have my birth certificate with me. My husband found it laying on the floor at my house in NORTH CAROLINA. This is the worst feeling. I can only imagine how bad this is going to look, not having an essential item with me that I was suppose to bring. Any advice?? I'm terrified about what they are going to say and feel like I've blown my chances here.
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Please don't worry about it! When I interviewed last year I brought my passport, which surprise!! turned out to be my husband's passport. The security director just had me scan mine and email him the image when I got home. It was no big deal. Relax and enjoy your interview day tomorrow!
 
Thank you! I feel so much better now. I was just so excited about coming up here that I am surprised I didn't leave my suitcase at home! lol
 
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Hey guys, I have a question regarding the security form. For the section asking you to list all previous employers for the past 7 years, if I was unemployed for part of that time, do I need to list that as unemployment? Because technically, I wasn't on unemployment, I just didn't have a job.
 
I am having trouble deciding on a service as well. I have been pretty set on Air Force until recently but I am strongly considering ophthalmology as my specialty of choice (of course this may change) and I'm worried about limited options in a smaller service. This makes me think that Army might be the way to go, just because of size and more options/residency spots. Now I am not sure. I never considered the Navy really but maybe that would be a good option as well - I guess I am not too keen on being stuck on a ship for long periods of time - not sure how likely this is for a physician.

Anyone else wishing they knew more people to list as references on their security form? As someone said earlier, that thing is a beast indeed!! 😱
 
Interviewing Sept 30 by the way. Hoping to stay with a student.
 
joloeo said:
if I was unemployed for part of that time, do I need to list that as unemployment? Because technically, I wasn't on unemployment, I just didn't have a job.
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Hey joloeo, yeah, I think they do want you to list period of unemployment as well. It goes under the "7" category for the work section and you need to include the name of a verifier.

Seegoods...TRUE THAT! I wish I stayed in touch with more friends I made 7 years ago! I had to resort to one of my verifiers as a good friend of mine who is now in downrange in Afghanistan. The security office is going to hate me!
 
tabascosauce said:
do we have to get medically cleared before the interview?
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No. And to the person who said family/civilians have no business on a military installation, that's just not true, especially for a major medical installation like NNMC. USUHS truly is family friendly; I see some of my MS1 classmates with their wife & kids in the student lounge pretty regularly and my wife probably knows my classmates as well as I do by now.


Sent from my Android using Tapatalk.
 
seegoods said:
I am having trouble deciding on a service as well. I have been pretty set on Air Force until recently but I am strongly considering ophthalmology as my specialty of choice (of course this may change) and I'm worried about limited options in a smaller service. This makes me think that Army might be the way to go, just because of size and more options/residency spots. Now I am not sure. I never considered the Navy really but maybe that would be a good option as well - I guess I am not too keen on being stuck on a ship for long periods of time - not sure how likely this is for a physician.

Anyone else wishing they knew more people to list as references on their security form? As someone said earlier, that thing is a beast indeed!! 😱
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If it makes you feel any better, I know 2 ophthalmologists who went to USUHS and did Air Force. Granted, it was a long time ago... but still, it happens!
 
Erald Coil said:
No. And to the person who said family/civilians have no business on a military installation, that's just not true, especially for a major medical installation like NNMC. USUHS truly is family friendly; I see some of my MS1 classmates with their wife & kids in the student lounge pretty regularly and my wife probably knows my classmates as well as I do by now.


Sent from my Android using Tapatalk.
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Well seeing as I am also an MS1 I am well aware of how family friendly USUHS is, did not mean to imply that was not the case. However just like how family dont go downrange with you, and they dont usually go TDY with you, and as they probably dont have official business on base with you during your interview... you see where im going? Drop them off at the metro, send them down to the mall to go see downtown, and have fun at your interview. I just see it like how i saw the people who brought their parents to class with them at the start of college, again, just my opinion. btw good luck on ISF tomorrow 🙂
 
wahoo98k said:
Well seeing as I am also an MS1 I am well aware of how family friendly USUHS is, did not mean to imply that was not the case. However just like how family dont go downrange with you, and they dont usually go TDY with you, and as they probably dont have official business on base with you during your interview... you see where im going? Drop them off at the metro, send them down to the mall to go see downtown, and have fun at your interview. I just see it like how i saw the people who brought their parents to class with them at the start of college, again, just my opinion. btw good luck on ISF tomorrow 🙂
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So you're saying it wouldn't be a good idea to bring my mom into my interview?
 
Yesterday at my interview there were two people with their moms with them. I guess it's allowed, but to me it looked ridiculous, really, I mean come on guys you want to join the military but you need your mom with you to go to an interview?? That's just my opinion.....
 
Armywife06 said:
Yesterday at my interview there were two people with their moms with them. I guess it's allowed, but to me it looked ridiculous, really, I mean come on guys you want to join the military but you need your mom with you to go to an interview?? That's just my opinion.....
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I don't have an interview but I am hoping to get one obviously. If I do would you think it would look bad if I brought my dad with? He is retired military and he would love to see the base plus I wouldn't mind having the moral support I'm not going to lie.
 
I wouldn't bring parents/spouse but that's just my personal opinion. They are having a second look weekend in april, which (hopefully if I get an acceptance) I will plan on bringing my spouse (who is military) to check the campus out.
 
Armywife06 said:
Yesterday at my interview there were two people with their moms with them. I guess it's allowed, but to me it looked ridiculous, really, I mean come on guys you want to join the military but you need your mom with you to go to an interview?? That's just my opinion.....
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Haha! I was kidding about the mom thing, so I can't believe that people actually brought their parents to a military medical school interview. Epic fail...:laugh:
 
Coug said:
Haha! I was kidding about the mom thing, so I can't believe that people actually brought their parents to a military medical school interview. Epic fail...:laugh:
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I knew you were joking (or at least I hoped so) and I couldn't believe it either. I was literally in shock... mom has to accompany you to interview=never make it in the military. Your mom can't go with you to Afghanistan people. Just sayin'.....
 
It doesn't look like anyone has posted for the October 21 interview date yet, so I figured I'd post and say that I received an interview invitation yesterday (9/17) for that day.

They received my secondary in the middle of July, but didn't receive my LORs until probably around 2 weeks ago since I was waiting on one letter.

My stats are 30S and a little higher than 3.5 overall GPA.

Good luck to everyone!
 
wahngjasnowy said:
It doesn't look like anyone has posted for the October 21 interview date yet, so I figured I'd post and say that I received an interview invitation yesterday (9/17) for that day.

They received my secondary in the middle of July, but didn't receive my LORs until probably around 2 weeks ago since I was waiting on one letter.

My stats are 30S and a little higher than 3.5 overall GPA.

Good luck to everyone!
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Congrats, bud!
 
wahoo98k said:
Well seeing as I am also an MS1 I am well aware of how family friendly USUHS is... 🙂
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Yeah bringing your parents is kinda weak, BUT might make sense if the parent is active/retired military and wanted to check it out (not bringing them for your support, just for their pleasure). I don't think there's anything at all strange about bringing a spouse. It's not like we're even an "operational" base, much less on deployment or anything...

If I'd brought my wife I'd send her to DC for the day, but I wouldn't raise an eyebrow at anyone who brings a spouse to the tour. USUHS is a real curiosity to most people - not your average medical school. That said, any spouse with an average attention span might get bored out of his/her mind by lunch time and wish he/she'd gone to DC instead. :laugh:
 
Is anyone interviewing 9/23? I can't wait!

Also, something I've been wondering about - I got an interview invite a few weeks ago even though my clinical letter hadn't been received by the office yet, at least I don't think it had been...??? Eh whatever, happy I got invited!!!!
 
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Congrats on your invite. I had a great time at my interview, hope you do also.
 
Oh, and to the ladies - I'm assuming everyone wore the hair up?
 
Boethius said:
ArmyWife/DocBell: It sounds like you both contacted the school to check on your application. When did you do that and how long did it take?

I'm a reapplicant and last year it just took a day or two to respond to my email, and about 2 weeks from the time of sending my secondary materials to get my postcard back. It's now been about 3 weeks since sending my secondary, no postcard, and 2 weeks since the email, no response. Just wondering what their time frames look like this year.
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Did you ever get a response from them? because I still haven't and I am starting to get really worried.
 
DocBell said:
Did you ever get a response from them? because I still haven't and I am starting to get really worried.
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I was getting worried to, but I sent an email on 8/30 and was emailed back on 9/15 about my completed status (two weeks). Might take longer now that they are swamped with applications, emails, etc.
 
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PinkNoise said:
I was getting worried to, but I sent an email on 8/30 and was emailed back on 9/15 about my completed status (two weeks). Might take longer now that they are swamped with applications, emails, etc.
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I actually got a response today and my clinical LOR never sent the letter. sigh. I really want to go here so it sucks that the only thing I can do is contact her again and ask again. I was under the impression she had sent it.
 
DocBell said:
I actually got a response today and my clinical LOR never sent the letter. sigh. I really want to go here so it sucks that the only thing I can do is contact her again and ask again. I was under the impression she had sent it.
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My clinical recommendation was lost in the mail last year. By the time I found out and had her resend it, I was complete in December. Interviewed in February and was waitlisted. You still have time!
 
PinkNoise said:
My clinical recommendation was lost in the mail last year. By the time I found out and had her resend it, I was complete in December. Interviewed in February and was waitlisted. You still have time!
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really? Thanks. I was kind of worried that there wasn't even a point in having her resend it because now I will be so late that they wouldn't really consider me. I emailed her yesterday about it so hopefully she can send it soon 🙂 It is good to know all hope is not yet lost.
 
DocBell said:
I actually got a response today and my clinical LOR never sent the letter. sigh. I really want to go here so it sucks that the only thing I can do is contact her again and ask again. I was under the impression she had sent it.
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I had the same experience as PinkNoise! I got an interview invite even though my clinical letter was not in (I was actually waiting on TWO people to send clinical letters because I was so anxious and wanted to get one in). I emailed the office, and they said to have the clinical letter in by the time I interview. So don't worry too much Docbell!
 
Hi, I am interviewing on the 7th of Oct. I'm flying in from CA to Dulles. Do you guys know a good and CHEAP place to stay around USU? I am going to rent a car at the airport so driving isn't a big issue. I also want to explore DC after interview is over. Please advice. Thanks 😀
 
Got the email for the 8/21 interview.
I was complete mid July and they probably received my last letter end of August.
34R and around a 3.5 lots of clinical and some volunteer. My second time applying- REALLY want Navy!

Good luck everyone
 
8/21 interview? I'm pretty sure that 9/16 was their first interview day.... Typo maybe??
 
Driving to Bethesda today! Hope to see some of you SDN'ers tomorrow on campus!
 
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