2010-2011 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

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Erald Coil said:
It's not like we're even an "operational" base, much less on deployment or anything...
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SERIOUSLY?! sry had to bust the caps lock out for that one. Then WTF is an "operational" base. Im guessing maxwell or ft sam or newport doesnt count then, all they do is train people. /sarcasm. Im sure there are a bunch of wounded marines, sailors, soldiers, and airmen on the wards at NNMC that would love to hear you say that to them. not to mention you might want to go around and tell all the doctors and nurses on base that theyre not actually doing anything operational. seriously wtf... do you think this is some sort of joke?

and yeah, regarding parents, if theyre retired mil, thats a whole different story, but just think of it this way, usuhs is a school for military officers, and if youre an officer, theoretically youre mature enough that you can make it on your own without your mom over your shoulder constantly, cause she definitely wont be there when the MTI/cadre/DI/etc is yelling in your face @ training
 
wahoo98k said:
SERIOUSLY?! sry had to bust the caps lock out for that one. Then WTF is an "operational" base. Im guessing maxwell or ft sam or newport doesnt count then, all they do is train people. /sarcasm. Im sure there are a bunch of wounded marines, sailors, soldiers, and airmen on the wards at NNMC that would love to hear you say that to them. not to mention you might want to go around and tell all the doctors and nurses on base that theyre not actually doing anything operational. seriously wtf... do you think this is some sort of joke?
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Well, in normal military lingo, an "operational base" and a "training base" are considered different things. Like Maxwell AFB for example, is a training base whose primary mission is to train people who will go out to other units and perform various aspects of the overall Air Force mission. Barksdale AFB is an operational base whose primary mission is to provide mission-ready units and personnel to combatant commanders worldwide for mission accomplishment. As far as NNMC, it's kind of in between since you have the training aspect, but there is certainly a huge mission of providing care to patients that is the "operational mission". I don't think many service members that I know would be offended to hear someone say that a medical campus was "not an operational base".
 
In4thelonghaul said:
Well, in normal military lingo, an "operational base" and a "training base" are considered different things. Like Maxwell AFB for example, is a training base whose primary mission is to train people who will go out to other units and perform various aspects of the overall Air Force mission. Barksdale AFB is an operational base whose primary mission is to provide mission-ready units and personnel to combatant commanders worldwide for mission accomplishment. As far as NNMC, it's kind of in between since you have the training aspect, but there is certainly a huge mission of providing care to patients that is the "operational mission". I don't think many service members that I know would be offended to hear someone say that a medical campus was "not an operational base".
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true, however the way I interpreted the previous comment was that by "operational" they meant "real", implying that NNMC wasnt a "real" military base and thus wasnt really necessary to the overall function/mission of the armed forces, which i took some issue with. If i misinterpreted what was being said, my bad, still, my opinion remains, this is YOUR med school application/interview, not a family vacation, act accordingly.
 
wahoo98k said:
true, however the way I interpreted the previous comment was that by "operational" they meant "real", implying that NNMC wasnt a "real" military base and thus wasnt really necessary to the overall function/mission of the armed forces, which i took some issue with. If i misinterpreted what was being said, my bad, still, my opinion remains, this is YOUR med school application/interview, not a family vacation, act accordingly.
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No problem, I think it's just kind of a terminology thing. I know Erald Coil had some prior-service experience, so I think that's what he meant. Usually we distinguish between the "operational" and "training" bases, and the training bases may be considered a more relaxed atmosphere, as far as having family/kids around and stuff. I'm right there with you on the interview, I'd probably be a little concerned about seeing someone's parents with them at an interview, maybe not so much for a spouse. I think the important thing is being able to convey your maturity. That can be through your essays, your interview, your interactions with the staff, and the choices you make. Now I'll go back to waiting for these new MCAT scores, only 3 more weeks. Good luck to everyone!
 
Hmm I suppose if I am lucky enough to get an interview and then an acceptance I can just take my dad around then. He just has never seen the school before and is curious. Doesn't sound worth the risk of having people misinterpret it though.
 
Interviewed yesterday! The school was amazing, everything I expected and more. My interviewers were so relaxed, which was great because I was incredibly nervous, haha, but I felt comfortable and confident. I think things went well (enough), so now we'll just wait and see. Good luck to all you guys interviewing next!!
 
Well, just found out I need a waiver because I have migraines once every freaking two years... literally. I got medication for a migraine (yes, one) once so now I need a waiver.... geesh. I hope I can get a waiver, I really, really want to go here! 🙁
 
I wouldn't worry too much about getting a waiver for something like infrequent migraines. I needed a waiver for something equally as uncommon (an unverified, one-time sleepwalking episode) last year and got the waiver within weeks.

I'm guessing that anyone with anything that deviates from normal on their medical forms needs a waiver simply as a safety measure. Someone quickly reviews your specific case, sees the 'problem,' and grants the waiver.
 
Good luck. The sooner you get it sorted out the sooner you will be medically cleared. Waivers are not difficult to get especially for something as infrequent as your migraines and given that you have medication that has it under control, it should not be a problem.
 
Armywife06 said:
Well, just found out I need a waiver because I have migraines once every freaking two years... literally. I got medication for a migraine (yes, one) once so now I need a waiver.... geesh. I hope I can get a waiver, I really, really want to go here! 🙁
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Im sure they probably explained this when you were there, but make sure you talk to Rebecca Patterson re: your waivers. She is your best friend in the whole process. I had to get two waivers myself, took from october (conditional acceptance) to april (final waiver approval) but I made it, hang in there and youll do fine!
 
For those of ya'll that had your interview- how big was your interview group?
 
I want to say about 40. Maybe more? It seemed pretty big to me
 
Do any of you think that I have a decent shot at USUHS with a 3.0(bioengineer) and 36R? I also attended one of the senior military colleges and had a major leadership role there. I'm starting to get a little nervous because my friends with better grades, worse MCAT and less leadership are getting interviews to many different schools and I've only gotten two so far in Texas.

I heard from a recruiter that with my grades I had a better shot with HPSP since USUHS is typically just the cream of the crop. Don't know if he was just trying to get me to apply only for HPSP or if he was saying it how it is, but like I said, I'm just getting nervous.

Anyone care to offer any insight into my chances based off any of your experiences, or offer me a reality check and tell me to go back to school.

Thanks!
 
bigtruckguy3500 said:
Do any of you think that I have a decent shot at USUHS with a 3.0(bioengineer) and 36R? I also attended one of the senior military colleges and had a major leadership role there. I'm starting to get a little nervous because my friends with better grades, worse MCAT and less leadership are getting interviews to many different schools and I've only gotten two so far in Texas.

I heard from a recruiter that with my grades I had a better shot with HPSP since USUHS is typically just the cream of the crop. Don't know if he was just trying to get me to apply only for HPSP or if he was saying it how it is, but like I said, I'm just getting nervous.

Anyone care to offer any insight into my chances based off any of your experiences, or offer me a reality check and tell me to go back to school.

Thanks!
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That recruiter is full of crap - I think USUHS is a definite possibility for you
 
bigtruckguy3500 said:
Do any of you think that I have a decent shot at USUHS with a 3.0(bioengineer) and 36R?

I heard from a recruiter that with my grades I had a better shot with HPSP since USUHS is typically just the cream of the crop. Don't know if he was just trying to get me to apply only for HPSP or if he was saying it how it is, but like I said, I'm just getting nervous.
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After a brief stint as a military recruiter, I can tell you--recruiters are (mostly) full of crap. 🙂

What I always advised people to do it talk to people who are actually there, doing the job you want to do, and they'll give you the real scoop. Also, have you looked at the MSAR published by AAMC with all the average scores and acceptance rates at each school? I think your GPA might be on the lower end... but I'm certain your MCAT will more than make up for it.
 
I just found the "med school selector" spread sheet after doing some googling and it looks like overall my stats average to being just slightly above average for USUHS. But that's not really so comforting since I haven't gotten an invite yet.

But I think they continue interviewing well into next year right? With the Texas schools, your chances begin diminishing substantially if you haven't interviewed by mid November.

Also kinda nervous for my HSCP app. Supposedly I should find out within a few weeks on that.
 
I believe USUHS interviews until March, and you do have a good chance of getting an interview! Chill out, their first interviews were on the 16th of September and I think they only interview like once a week, so they have only had like two interview days so far! You will probably get an invite soon then feel silly about freaking out, but I know it's hard not to. 🙂 Good luck!
 
I was in y'alls shoes a year ago, came straight out of college, non prior with decent gpa and 31 mcat, interviewed on the 1st of October (so far as I know there have only been like 2 interview days so far), and was told by the second week of November that I was in. I also applied for HPSP and mulled around, didn't officially accept USUHS until April. There are people in my class that interviewed in January that are in, and yes this is a family oriented school, with the youngest in our class not 22 yet and the oldest around 32. Good luck to everyone applying
 
In4thelonghaul said:
Well, in normal military lingo, an "operational base" and a "training base" are considered different things. Like Maxwell AFB for example, is a training base whose primary mission is to train people who will go out to other units and perform various aspects of the overall Air Force mission. Barksdale AFB is an operational base whose primary mission is to provide mission-ready units and personnel to combatant commanders worldwide for mission accomplishment. As far as NNMC, it's kind of in between since you have the training aspect, but there is certainly a huge mission of providing care to patients that is the "operational mission". I don't think many service members that I know would be offended to hear someone say that a medical campus was "not an operational base".
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What he/she said.
The medical mission here is huge and not far removed from the operational world in that respect, but I haven't seen any fighter jets, cargo planes, ships or convoys around campus, so...

Anyway, congrats to all who are interviewing and to he guy/gal asking about hotels, check the Doubletree Bethesda or the American Inn. Hyatt might cost more but it's right on the metro stop. I posted those links somewhere earlier in this thread...
🙂

Sent from my Android using Tapatalk.
 
Did anyone receive the security forms prior to their interview? I haven't received mine so I called the University Security Division and they said don't worry about it. I can fill out the forms once I get their.
 
vocare said:
Did anyone receive the security forms prior to their interview? I haven't received mine so I called the University Security Division and they said don't worry about it. I can fill out the forms once I get their.
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I would download the form and work on it at home. There's some information that you may need a little time to dig up (addresses of past employers, contact information and addresses for people who can verify past residences, etc.) It is a standard military form and you can download it online, here's a link:

www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf

Good luck, what day do you interview?
 
vocare said:
Did anyone receive the security forms prior to their interview? I haven't received mine so I called the University Security Division and they said don't worry about it. I can fill out the forms once I get their.
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i wouldnt fill it out there
that form was quite lengthy
 
I got my secruity form before the interview. It took forever to fill out! They basically want to know everyone you have ever spoke to from birth until now LOL...
 
ChaseH87 said:
I would download the form and work on it at home. There's some information that you may need a little time to dig up (addresses of past employers, contact information and addresses for people who can verify past residences, etc.) It is a standard military form and you can download it online, here's a link:

www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf

Good luck, what day do you interview?
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Thanks! My interview is Oct 7.
 
Good luck on your interview this coming week. You will love it there, and the interviews were very relaxed, so just be yourself. At least that way my experience. :luck:
 
i interviewed on september 30 - this school is amazing!!
 
Yeah. This school rocks - just got medically cleared! Hopefully you guys who interviewed first will hear some good news on the 15th!
 
I doubt it will be the 15th, at the interview and in the MSAR, USUHS doesn't start giving out acceptances until the 16th..... one more day can't be that bad of a wait. 🙂 Here's hoping we all hear good news!
 
vocare said:
Thanks! My interview is Oct 7.
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Yikes!! I got the interview invitation e-mail around the start of this semester and I interview on the 7th of October too!! I guess we'll be in the same group, so I'll see you there. I'm so excited and really really want to get in to USUHS.

Good luck!!
 
Does anyone know how they notify of acceptances or rejections? Is it over the phone or through postal mail?--they said they wouldn't email at the interview.
 
They call you, and they also send a letter, but you will get the call first. On last years thread I saw that some people got the call on October 16th!
 
wahoo98k said:
Im sure they probably explained this when you were there, but make sure you talk to Rebecca Patterson re: your waivers. She is your best friend in the whole process. I had to get two waivers myself, took from october (conditional acceptance) to april (final waiver approval) but I made it, hang in there and youll do fine!
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Sadly, I was ridiculously busy with school and missed the cut-off for requesting to be hosted by a student for my interview this Thursday, Oct. 7, so I really am kicking myself. It would have a been a wonderful way to see what a USUHS student is all about and what they like/dislike about the program.

Sooo... I don't know exactly how creepy this will sound, but do you know of any kind-hearted USUHS student (yourself included) who might have time to meet up for coffee or something on wednesday evening after my flight gets in to talk a little about the school, and specifically the waiver process and beginning of M1/what to expect? I really would love to get a better handle on how the military and med school fit together at USUHS.

If so, post back or private message me. (soonish would be best, but whenever)

Thanks a million!
Cat
 
Interview invite for the Nov. 4th, literally just now!!! I'm in my cubicle at work and want to bust out and dance!!
 
Last edited:
Just received an invite to interview today for Nov 18th. 3.89c, 4.0s, 28R.

Regarding the physical is it going to be a deal changer for me once they find out that I'm slightly, and I mean slightly, red-green colorblind? I still see correct colors, but not enough shades to differentiate that blasted "52" on the Ishihara, color dot, test.

Regardless, I'll be all suits and sirs on the 18th. Here's to hoping a decision before spring semester!
 
GemelloMD said:
Just received an invite to interview today for Nov 18th. 3.89c, 4.0s, 28R.

Regarding the physical is it going to be a deal changer for me once they find out that I'm slightly, and I mean slightly, red-green colorblind? I still see correct colors, but not enough shades to differentiate that blasted "52" on the Ishihara, color dot, test.

Regardless, I'll be all suits and sirs on the 18th. Here's to hoping a decision before spring semester!
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Medical Corps is considered "restricted line" (at least in the Navy) so all you would have to do is get a waiver, which you should have a REALLY high chance of getting. Color blindness isn't a big deal for the medical/nurse people
 
Thanks Coug.
That puts a lot at ease.

Time to fight.
 
I interviewed on the 23rd of September, has anyone who interviewed at that time heard anything back? I'm really anxious...
 
They actually don't give acceptances until October 16th, they told us this when I went for my interview and it is also in the MSAR, 1st day of acceptance notification: October 16th.

Most schools it is the 15th, but for some reason at USUHS it is the 16th.
 
Armywife06 said:
They actually don't give acceptances until October 16th, they told us this when I went for my interview and it is also in the MSAR, 1st day of acceptance notification: October 16th.

Most schools it is the 15th, but for some reason at USUHS it is the 16th.
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So does that mean that acceptances will be sent out then if I interviewed on the 23rd?
 
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