2010-2011 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

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This is 2 years ago, but just for reference: They assign you an interview date - I was invited to interview for their second week of the season, and the invite came Sept 9th. So, I wouldn't expect anything from them for another few weeks or so.

I believe this week is when the incoming MSI class is checking in, so I definitely wouldn't expect to hear from them this week.
 
Just got the secondary! YAY! Do they send it to everyone before your primary is verified?

Do you think it's a bad idea to use a DO as my clinical letter of recommendation. It says "physician, nurse, EMT,
physician assistant, or a program administrator/coordinator." If a nurse or PA is fine a DO should be fine too, right?
 
DO = physician. If that is the wording they used, then it makes sense to me that a DO would be just fine. I haven't seen any other secondaries which ask for a letter of recommendation from an "allopath" or anything, so...
 
Any reapplicants here? I'm finding it difficult to rewrite my secondary. I'm expanding on some ideas/concepts, but the overall reasons and interest in USU are the same.

Any input?
 
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Ditto1114 said:
Just got the secondary! YAY! Do they send it to everyone before your primary is verified?

Do you think it's a bad idea to use a DO as my clinical letter of recommendation. It says "physician, nurse, EMT,
physician assistant, or a program administrator/coordinator." If a nurse or PA is fine a DO should be fine too, right?
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Everyone that I have talked to that is in the military says that an MD = DO to the military. Actually, they ALL say that if you don't get into USUHS, and you are serious about military med, to go to a DO school, do the HPSP and then apply for military residencies. They don't even take into account whether or not you have an MD or DO, it is just another check box.
 
UNClax33 said:
I emailed them about a week ago to see if my letters of recommendation had arrived and that my application was complete and they said yes.

I guess they're just trying to get this class in before they start trying to fill next year's.
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How long did it take for them to respond to your e-mail? I e-mailed them a while ago and haven't heard back about my letters..maybe I'll just call!
 
georgearms said:
How long did it take for them to respond to your e-mail? I e-mailed them a while ago and haven't heard back about my letters..maybe I'll just call!
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i emailed on 7/21 and they responded on 7/23.

i'm a re-applicant, and it seems like when i had questions in may regarding my alternate status that they took about a week. i think they get backed up with emails sometimes. or perhaps they are waiting for your LORs before they email you to confirm?

it probably would be better to call for an immediate answer. good luck everyone!
 
This is officially my new favorite school! They sent me a postcard telling me what I still needed to be complete. How thoughtful.
 
burnettj said:
Everyone that I have talked to that is in the military says that an MD = DO to the military. Actually, they ALL say that if you don't get into USUHS, and you are serious about military med, to go to a DO school, do the HPSP and then apply for military residencies. They don't even take into account whether or not you have an MD or DO, it is just another check box.
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Thanks! When can you start applying for HPSP? Do you have to have an acceptance?
 
Got an e-mail today asking me to answer a question regarding my undergrad GPA. Kinda cool to see they actually review secondaries individually. I'll be responding likely tomorrow after I have written something up for them. Both my Dad and Grandpa served, would be a great experience and a great degree
 
Ditto1114 said:
Thanks! When can you start applying for HPSP? Do you have to have an acceptance?
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You can start applying whenever - but you won't be accepted until you have an acceptance from a medical school. If you have a high enough GPA/MCAT (I think 3.5 and 28, but I'm not sure), then there's less you have to do - it's sort of an automatic acceptance pending acceptance to a school. Make sure you talk to an HPSP recruiter, and not just any old recruiter!
 
Does anyone have any insight as to what they are looking for in the secondary personal statement? Honestly, I just want to be a family physician and was considering the dept. of public health direction. My dad was in the military, but I don't have personal ties to the military otherwise. What exactly is "unique" about military medicine? I understand that you might be exposed to some unique mental health issues and combat wounds perhaps, but other than that...?

Basically, are they looking for you to talk about how our soldiers deserve the best health care possible and that someone with this ideology is appropriate for our school?
 
do most people serve their 7 years between med school and residency or after both?

moreover, how much more difficult is acceptance into the MD/PhD program?

lastly, when the school requires letters to be mailed in, must it be directly from the letter writer, or can it be mailed from interfolio?
 
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Does anyone know if you can complete the Calculus prereq online?
 
ramzax said:
do most people serve their 7 years between med school and residency or after both?

moreover, how much more difficult is acceptance into the MD/PhD program?

lastly, when the school requires letters to be mailed in, must it be directly from the letter writer, or can it be mailed from interfolio?
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I can't answer your second two questions, but as to the first, I doubt many do the full 7 years pre-residency. Many Navy students will probably do a GMO tour and may knock out 2-3 of the 7 pre-residency, but I haven't heard of people doing this for all 7 - unlike HPSP people who frequently knock out their 4 years before going to residency.
 
skimsu said:
Does anyone have any insight as to what they are looking for in the secondary personal statement? Honestly, I just want to be a family physician and was considering the dept. of public health direction. My dad was in the military, but I don't have personal ties to the military otherwise. What exactly is "unique" about military medicine? I understand that you might be exposed to some unique mental health issues and combat wounds perhaps, but other than that...?

Basically, are they looking for you to talk about how our soldiers deserve the best health care possible and that someone with this ideology is appropriate for our school?
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From what a recent USUHS grad told me, there are 2 spaces for the PHS at USUHS. They are generally reserved for Native Americans and minorities (this is what he told me, I don't know if it is true). I think that if you want to do the public health service, and you just want to do family practice, you are probably better off (less competitive) outside of USUHS for PHS. I don't know how the PHS works, but I work at the NIH and there are a lot of PHS people here. I would look into alternative ways into the PHS... then you can do a military residency / internship.
 
ramzax said:
do most people serve their 7 years between med school and residency or after both?

moreover, how much more difficult is acceptance into the MD/PhD program?

lastly, when the school requires letters to be mailed in, must it be directly from the letter writer, or can it be mailed from interfolio?
Click to expand...

From what I understand, no one does their seven years between m.d. and residency. Your worth to the military comes as a physician after you are board certified. You can't be deployed until after your specialized in whatever it is that you choose. I think, like the other poster said, the Navy has you do a one year general medical officer tour on a ship, but other than that I don't know of any other branches that have you pay back any of your time before completing residency.

As for the MD/PhD, you have to really want to be a physician scientist. I believe that you complete your PhD first, as a civilian, and then you go into the md training. I think the classes you take are integrated, but you don't count your PhD training towards retirement (this is what I understand, I may be wrong).

Interfolio is fine. I went in and asked.
 
PinkNoise said:
Any reapplicants here? I'm finding it difficult to rewrite my secondary. I'm expanding on some ideas/concepts, but the overall reasons and interest in USU are the same.

Any input?
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I'm a reapplicant, on the alternate list from last year. It sounds like I did the same thing you did. Expanded on ideas from my essay last year and cut back on ideas that I felt weren't as important.

I can't imagine they are looking for a totally different essay (concept wise) because, like you said, it asks for motivation and that shouldn't be totally different every year.
 
Congrats on the interviews everyone. I wish I were there with you. I got an email that said "Have you retaken the MCAT? If not, do you plan to?" So now I'm retaking the MCAT 11 Sep. I'm really bummed that it's going to put me so far behind after I worked so hard to be ready early. Especially since this is the only school I'm applying to. Well, I guess we'll see how it goes.
 
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In4thelonghaul said:
Congrats on the interviews everyone. I wish I were there with you. I got an email that said "Have you retaken the MCAT? If not, do you plan to?" So now I'm retaking the MCAT 11 Sep. I'm really bummed that it's going to put me so far behind after I worked so hard to be ready early. Especially since this is the only school I'm applying to. Well, I guess we'll see how it goes.
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Good luck in Sept. I am sure you will do great!
 
For those of you that received interviews.. first off, congrats!

Second, how long ago were you complete? Also, would you guys be willing to supply your rough stats?
 
veonake said:
For those of you that received interviews.. first off, congrats!

Second, how long ago were you complete? Also, would you guys be willing to supply your rough stats?
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+1 I was too shy to ask but I would love to know too if you wouldn't mind sharing.
 
Anyone know the odds of a prior-enlisted Air Force guy getting in with a 3.0 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA, and a 36T? I have tons of EC activities, and a strong letter from physician about clinical experience.

Thanks
 
Bouddha said:
Anyone know the odds of a prior-enlisted Air Force guy getting in with a 3.0 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA, and a 36T? I have tons of EC activities, and a strong letter from physician about clinical experience.

Thanks
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I'm right there with you, if we could share MCAT's and GPA's we'd be in good shape. I'm active duty enlisted AF right now and trying to get in. My cGPA is around 3.8, sGPA 3.6 and all of my EC's/LOR's/clinicals are really good. Problem is my current MCAT, 27Q. I hope that with your EC's, MCAT, and clinicals they'll at least give you the chance to sell yourself at an interview. Good luck!
 
DocBell said:
Good luck in Sept. I am sure you will do great!
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Thanks for the support! I'm studying hard. I'm disappointed to push myself late in the cycle, but I'm optimistic about improving. The last time I tested I was so busy at work and with classes that I really didn't have much time at all to prepare. Now I have the time to spend the next 4 weeks really working hard at it. I'll do anything I can to make it in at this point. I've worked so hard to get here and this is the only school I'm applying to.
 
Bouddha said:
Anyone know the odds of a prior-enlisted Air Force guy getting in with a 3.0 cGPA, 3.1 sGPA, and a 36T? I have tons of EC activities, and a strong letter from physician about clinical experience.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Your stats are better than mine and you have prior service, which I don't. They did send me an e-mail asking me to address my undergraduate GPA though so be prepared if they send you a similar e-mail. It sounds like they really do review every app and want to give you the opportunity to explain any deficiencies though so good luck. 👍
 
DbDan said:
Your stats are better than mine and you have prior service, which I don't. They did send me an e-mail asking me to address my undergraduate GPA though so be prepared if they send you a similar e-mail. It sounds like they really do review every app and want to give you the opportunity to explain any deficiencies though so good luck. 👍
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Do you reply in an email? How does that work? I wouldn't be surprised if I got an email too.
 
DocBell said:
Do you reply in an email? How does that work? I wouldn't be surprised if I got an email too.
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The e-mail they said was to e-mail them back with an attached answer or answer the prompt in the body of the e-mail. You are supposed to send it back to a particular person that e-mails you. Someone else earlier got a similar one about their MCAT
 
Charles English said:
thanks for the replies. i definitely was reading that one wrong 🙂
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i definitely wrote that essay about why i didnt enlist/do ROTC/or go to an academy and the guy interviewing me said "congrats you actually sent that one in"

obviously people have gotten in without sending it but if you can explain it professionally then it seems they appreciate it

btw if anyone has any usuhs/usaf/cot questions I am an MS-1 here now. Granted we havent even started class yet but I can answer all questions about things up to now.
 
So, for those with interview invites, etc. Did they send you an e-mail saying your application is complete or just a "Surprise! Interview time!" email?

Sent mine in mid-July, and haven't heard back from 'em since...a little worried.
 
equios said:
So, for those with interview invites, etc. Did they send you an e-mail saying your application is complete or just a "Surprise! Interview time!" email?

Sent mine in mid-July, and haven't heard back from 'em since...a little worried.
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I just got an email saying that I was selected for an interview.
 
Interview Invite 9/30!!! completed 7/22. 3.5 cgpa, 34O
 
I am so excited and nervous about my interview. What are you guys doing to prepare for it?? Are you going to try to get a student host?? This school is my top choice, which makes me so nervous about the interview.... :luck:
 
Armywife06 said:
I am so excited and nervous about my interview. What are you guys doing to prepare for it?? Are you going to try to get a student host?? This school is my top choice, which makes me so nervous about the interview.... :luck:
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I know what you mean! It seems that we get to spend the whole day being shown around which makes it seem pretty laid back. I hope this is the case!
 
Interview invite this afternoon. Submitted around July 12.
 
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So does everyone get an invite to fill out the supplemental app, or is getting this email a good sign? Thanks.
 
Bouddha said:
So does everyone get an invite to fill out the supplemental app, or is getting this email a good sign? Thanks.
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Sorry, bud, USUHS doesn't do any screening for their secondary.
 
i'm a reapplicant from the alternate list last year and I haven't heard anything regarding and interview. I got my interview offer august 5th last year i'm getting kinda nervous. i finished my secondary in the middle of july
 
chessdoc06 said:
i'm a reapplicant from the alternate list last year and I haven't heard anything regarding and interview. I got my interview offer august 5th last year i'm getting kinda nervous. i finished my secondary in the middle of july
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i'm in a very similar situation.

last year, i applied in aug/sept and received an interview invite in oct for dec 10th. alternate.

this year, i sent my amcas app in the first day and sent the usuhs secondary back the day after i received it. i did have to send them an email about a few aspects of my application. hopefully that will go smoothly.

maybe i'll hear something positive in the next week or two. it does make you nervous though.
 
I'm a reapplicant too. Completed last year around December, interviewed February and waitlisted.

Wonder how they are treating reapplicants??
 
Yeah, I'm curious too. Have any reapplicants who were waitlistes or put on the alternate list received interview offers yet?

I hope I get an interview. My Mcat is the same as last year at 31(chose not to retake) but I improved my GPA and have more medical experience now so I'd hope that I'd be able to get an interview again
 
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