2010-2011 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

[georgearms]

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Maybe it was your modest disposition that did you in...

 

[esrever]

Well I interview in December so I am pretty excited, USUHS is one of my top choices (if not the top choice).

As an FYI, has anyone heard how the new defense bill (if/when passed) will effect USUHS, I have heard it would make the following changes:

1. Save pay - Prior service applicants that hold a rank or pay higher than what they would make at USUHS would be paid according to their current or previous pay (by rank and time in service). For instance if you are/were a Captain with X years service would be paid as a CPT with X yrs in service, but wear 2LT rank

2. Students will be promoted to 1LT at 2yrs

This would be great for all, especially prior service applicants.

 

[Armywife06]

* Authorizes medical students attending the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and students participating in the HPSP who have prior commissioned service to serve, while on active duty, in pay grade O-1, or in pay grade O-2 if they meet specified promotion criteria prescribed by the service secretary

This is what I found..... what exactly does that mean? That only those who have prior commissioned service can be promoted to O-2?

 

[dwb8p]

The save pay for prior O's has been in effect for a few years already -- our class (MS2) has a bunch of O3s and a couple O4s getting their old base pay; however, save pay technically does not entitle you to O3 or O4 BAH, so if they process your file correctly then your BAH will be dropped down to O1 level -- although there are a handful in my class still receiving their O3 or O4 BAH.

The possibility for O2 promotion after two years of school has also been talked about for a few years now, but last I heard nothing has really become of it.

 

[DocBell]

Well I interview in December so I am pretty excited, USUHS is one of my top choices (if not the top choice).

As an FYI, has anyone heard how the new defense bill (if/when passed) will effect USUHS, I have heard it would make the following changes:

1. Save pay - Prior service applicants that hold a rank or pay higher than what they would make at USUHS would be paid according to their current or previous pay (by rank and time in service). For instance if you are/were a Captain with X years service would be paid as a CPT with X yrs in service, but wear 2LT rank

2. Students will be promoted to 1LT at 2yrs

This would be great for all, especially prior service applicants.

What day do you interview in December?

 

[esrever]

The 9th.

 

[Mace1370]

I've heard about the service specific summer experiences, what exactly is involved with those? What do they have you doing?

More or less two weeks of mandatory fun. If you have military connections (like a high ranking family member or friend) you can use their influence to get to do some really cool stuff, though. It is really what you make of it. Here is my advice:

1) Be proactive and figure out where you want to go (aka: which base do you want to spend two weeks at)

2) Make sure you coordinate with a couple friends so that you all can go to the same location

 

[TheTruckGuy]

Just got my Navy HSCP acceptance today (pending med school acceptance). Hope it's a good sign that USUHS might take an interest in me now.

 

[esrever]

As for OBC, I was under the understanding that prior commissioned officers that have completed a different OBC are exempt, am I correct?

 

[ThunderHorse]

More or less two weeks of mandatory fun. If you have military connections (like a high ranking family member or friend) you can use their influence to get to do some really cool stuff, though. It is really what you make of it. Here is my advice:

1) Be proactive and figure out where you want to go (aka: which base do you want to spend two weeks at)

2) Make sure you coordinate with a couple friends so that you all can go to the same location

Thanks for the advice! Sounds fun. I want to take advantage of every opportunity I can- qualifications, going places, whatever is offered to me.

 

[dwb8p]

As for OBC, I was under the understanding that prior commissioned officers that have completed a different OBC are exempt, am I correct?

Correct - for prior army officers that continue with the army. however prior AF, navy, MC, and CG officers switching to the army must attend OBC.

 

[silverhorse84]

More or less two weeks of mandatory fun. If you have military connections (like a high ranking family member or friend) you can use their influence to get to do some really cool stuff, though. It is really what you make of it. Here is my advice:

1) Be proactive and figure out where you want to go (aka: which base do you want to spend two weeks at)

2) Make sure you coordinate with a couple friends so that you all can go to the same location

For Navy, try to set up your own experience. Start talking to classmates when you get here and see who has connections (prior-service or have family members in the Navy/Marines). The Navy/Marine options the school sets up for us really are not good. I tried twice, and failed twice, to set up my own and ended up somewhere that wasn't as fun as what others got to do. It wasn't horrible, I did have some fun, and met some really cool people, but it could have been a lot better if I had been successful in setting it up myself.

 

[ThunderHorse]

For Navy, try to set up your own experience. Start talking to classmates when you get here and see who has connections (prior-service or have family members in the Navy/Marines). The Navy/Marine options the school sets up for us really are not good. I tried twice, and failed twice, to set up my own and ended up somewhere that wasn't as fun as what others got to do. It wasn't horrible, I did have some fun, and met some really cool people, but it could have been a lot better if I had been successful in setting it up myself.

Interesting. My dad was a naval officer for 30 years, most of his colleagues are retired though. Army is my first choice- would I be hosed because I wouldn't have any Army connections? How do you take advantage of "it's who you know"?

 

[one50ne]

I didn't want to say it, so glad someone did! 🙂

Really folks? Army Wife, I can't believe you said that. That lacked taste.

 

[one50ne]

Hey man, I am at a service academy with a 3.94 GPA, 35 MCAT, loads of shadowing and humanitarian work etc. Interviewed 9/16. I still haven't heard back from USUHS. I called and they said that they haven't reviewed all the files yet, so don't let your heart be troubled.

Thanks for sharing your stats. Its good to get a sense of what the other profiles are out there. Good luck brother, you deserve to make it in!

 

[MarkL]

Supamax and OneFiveOne, I was reviewing my notes from USUHS and they did state that acceptances are typically issued on the 1st and the 15th of every month. Hopefully you'll hear something Monday - Good luck!!!

 

[smallville524]

Really folks? Army Wife, I can't believe you said that. That lacked taste.

in all honesty, you did come off a little conceited. plus, im sure she was joking. come on, loosen up, people. there is going to be a lot of stress in medical school and hopefully, we are all in it together, ya? 😛

 

[Armywife06]

Exactly, we all are suppose to be in it together. And what you said one, I'm sure, was not considerate of the people who are still waiting for an interview let alone an acceptance. It's not even November and you are basically in shock that they haven't accepted you yet. That is not very considerate of those who are waiting for interviews. I'm glad someone else said it, first of all I was saying it in a joking manner, but second of all I was hoping maybe you would realize that WHAT YOU SAID was lacking humility and taste. So please do not tell me that I am lacking in taste after what you posted on here. I really hope that you did not mean to sound the way that post sounded.
Instead of saying "I can't believe I wasn't a first draft pick". You could have said that you were nervous or anxious or worried about getting an acceptance and that you hoped they call you on Monday... blah blah blah" I hope this is the last post about this subject, lets get back on the subject about USUHS! one5One, I hope you get your acceptance soon, but I also hope that you might read your post and see that it hopefully came across the wrong way.

 

[Armywife06]

Oh by the way, has anyone had the chance to watch "Fighting for Life" yet??? I finally ordered it and it came yesterday. It was awesome!!!!

 

[georgearms]

Oh by the way, has anyone had the chance to watch "Fighting for Life" yet??? I finally ordered it and it came yesterday. It was awesome!!!!

Yea, I watched it. I thought it was great. As part of an awesome clinical research gig, I get to meet people with all kinds of developmental and physical disabilities, but Crystal Davis's story still made me cry like a baby. I found this article by Terry Sanders, the director: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terry-sanders/ifighting-for-lifei-on-me_b_206942.html

From the article:

For Spc. Crystal Davis, the tough, spirited 21 year-old who lost a leg below the knee in an IED blast, and whom we were privileged to follow from Iraq through to Walter Reed, "It's all a mind game. If you let it get the best of you, you won't survive. But if you keep your head up high, and you set goals for yourself to achieve, and you achieve those goals, then you'll make it." I'm happy to report that Crystal is definitely making it. Out of the Army now, and living in Augusta Georgia, Crystal has a 3 month old baby son and is studying to be a Physical Therapist Assistant, planning to work directly with amputees.

and

Col. Pasquina says in the film, "I remind my folks, all the time, that many of our soldiers coming back injured are 19, 20, 21, young individuals who will have these disabilities or impairments for the rest of their lives. We need to be committed to care for them, not just today or tomorrow, but for the next 20, 30, even 50 or 60 years."

 

[georgearms]

By the way, has anyone gotten an acceptance letter or packet in the mail asking you to confirm your spot in the class? There's no deposit, right?

 

[ThunderHorse]

There's no deposit, right?

haha they seem pretty chill about money stuff. I don't have any idea, but i'd guess there's no deposit.

 

[georgearms]

haha they seem pretty chill about money stuff. I don't have any idea, but i'd guess there's no deposit.

Lol yea, I figure - no secondary app fee, no deposit fee? hopefully no anything fee? 😀

 

[Armywife06]

By the way, has anyone gotten an acceptance letter or packet in the mail asking you to confirm your spot in the class? There's no deposit, right?

I got my acceptance letter in the mail around the 20th of October and no there is no deposit! Just two papers to sign and send back. 🙂

 

[ThunderHorse]

You guys who are accepted are so lucky, the whole thing is wrapped up and you can relax. I don't think I'll hear back from my Nov. 18th interview until mid January or early Febuary. I think it's unlikely the turn around time would be such that I get a call Dec 15th...

 

[georgearms]

You guys who are accepted are so lucky, the whole thing is wrapped up and you can relax. I don't think I'll hear back from my Nov. 18th interview until mid January or early Febuary. I think it's unlikely the turn around time would be such that I get a call Dec 15th...

I am so so thankful my app got reviewed quickly - could've easily ended up getting delayed. Good luck!

 

[Armywife06]

You guys who are accepted are so lucky, the whole thing is wrapped up and you can relax. I don't think I'll hear back from my Nov. 18th interview until mid January or early Febuary. I think it's unlikely the turn around time would be such that I get a call Dec 15th...

Hang in there! I know it's agonizing to wait, but we will all be there in August no matter when we got accepted!

 

[Anony-mouse]

Man I really hope I hear something on Monday, USU is my first choice!!

 

[idrywithtowels]

Wow, all of the stats mentioned so far are way higher than my 3.6 and 28R.

Anyway, I just wanted to say for those who are going to interview watch "Fighting for Life" beforehand. I think it's worth the 30 bucks or so. It personally helped me be more mentally prepared and thus more relax during my interview. They also go over some of the aspects of the curriculum (which are mentioned again on interview day) which is nice.

Forewarning though, The documentary makes USU seam very intense and intimidating. However, The vibes I got from staying with several student hosts and going to campus was much more relaxed.

 

[CBrick]

I think this has been discussed before, but I had trouble finding it. Is it ok to bring your spouse along for the interview day? We live across the country so multiple trips so she can check it out with me is really out of the question. I know it is a very family friendly atmosphere, but I dont want to be that GUY.

 

[MarkL]

Anyway, I just wanted to say for those who are going to interview watch "Fighting for Life" beforehand. I think it's worth the 30 bucks or so.

I swear the people who make the DVD are like, "That's so strange...we seem to get so many people buying this video from September to February". 😉 I also thought it was a good video, probably every USU candidate should watch/own it...kind of like how every ROTC cadet in my battalion owned Band of Brothers!

CBrick, on my interview date we had a candidate bring his wife. I didn't think it was a big deal at all, they were both nice. My only thought is that there is going to be some down time for your spouse, so maybe have them bring a book. (Once you get on campus, you don't really want them to leave campus without you, since security might be an issue to get them back onto campus.) The way it's set up, in the morning at 0730 you check in, then you receive several briefings from the cadre, the administrative staff and the ma'am. All of these things are probably good for your spouse to hear (indeed, Mrs Rebecca Patterson who came to talk to us is in charge of the Spouse's Club, I believe). But then in the afternoon, when you're waiting/sweating for your interview, your spouse will have a few hours to kill on campus. Your spouse can most certainly hang out in the library though, which is what a lot of candidates did. ALSO, check in with the office staff about food in the morning...hopefully they can get your spouse an extra box lunch. Good luck!

 

[Mace1370]

Wow, all of the stats mentioned so far are way higher than my 3.6 and 28R.

Anyway, I just wanted to say for those who are going to interview watch "Fighting for Life" beforehand. I think it's worth the 30 bucks or so. It personally helped me be more mentally prepared and thus more relax during my interview. They also go over some of the aspects of the curriculum (which are mentioned again on interview day) which is nice.

Forewarning though, The documentary makes USU seam very intense and intimidating. However, The vibes I got from staying with several student hosts and going to campus was much more relaxed.

The campus is extremely relaxed. Some of the priors even complain about it, haha.

 

[Anony-mouse]

Tomorrow is the big day, is anyone else who interviewed on Sept. 23rd waiting to hear something?

 

[Armywife06]

Good luck!!

 

[Anony-mouse]

Am I seriously the only one waiting who interviewed on the 23rd of Sept.? I hope that's not a bad sign. I read last year that someone who interviewed on that date heard back on November 1st, I wonder if you get the letter on November 1st if you're rejected or several days later?

 

[georgearms]

idrywithtowels is still waiting. i think someone else who interviewed 9/16 is still waiting. on last year's thread i think they called people from all previous interview groups on Nov. 1

 

[Coug]

Just got the call! I'm in! Conditional acceptance Navy!!! Interviewed on September 30th.
For those that are prior service- I know I have to redo the physical, but does anyone know if the whole process has to be done over (I've had ankle surgery and had to submit letters saying I was okay). Thanks and good luck to everyone else still waiting!

 

[Armywife06]

Congrats!!!

 

[Anony-mouse]

man this is bad news bears for me...

 

[DocBell]

man this is bad news bears for me...

maybe for whatever reason the person who interviewed you didn't turn in their notes. Or are you in classes this semester? I heard that they sometimes wait until after fall grades are out.

 

[runfastnow]

Has anyone been unconditionally accepted yet? I received a conditional acceptance on Oct. 16 barring the security clearance and a medical issue that should be cleared up by this week. I am pumped about the acceptance, but won't be totally relaxed until I get the unconditional acceptance.

 

[ThunderHorse]

Good luck to everyone today

 

[pfeica]

Good luck to everyone today

Ahhh! Big day for many of you I'm sure!! 😀 Fingers crossed for you.

So I guess they've started on the Sept. 30 interview group's calls, but does anyone know how many acceptances have been given out from that group? I want to see if there's any chance at all of the O of A finishing the calls for the 30th and getting around to the beginnings of the Oct 7 group (smallville's and my group) today/in the next few days. I'm prepared to have to wait until November 15th, but here's hoping!

To all of you who get calls today and those who are already accepted, CONGRATULATIONS! You've worked so hard to get here, and it is time to celebrate! 😍

 

[snowjunkie]

Has anybody got the call today?

 

[UVA2k9]

I was accepted. Got a call from Dr. Calloway last night actually. "Conditional acceptance" Navy. Interviewed on the 30th. 32/3.5 work for 3 prior service doctors.

 

[ThunderHorse]

congrats coug and uva2k9. idrywithtowels and junglefever, hang in there. you guys are still in a better position than us late interviewers...

 

[TheTruckGuy]

congrats coug and uva2k9. idrywithtowels and junglefever, hang in there. you guys are still in a better position than us late interviewers...

And definitely in a better position than us yet-to-be interviewers.

 

[CBrick]

Yeah January Late!

 

[georgearms]

I got my acceptance letter in the mail around the 20th of October and no there is no deposit! Just two papers to sign and send back. 🙂

Do you remember what the deadline was to turn in the two papers? I haven't gotten anything in the mail and am hoping this is not a sign that my acceptance was a fluke!

 

[tabascosauce]

2 weeks from the date of the letter