2010-2011 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

[georgearms]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I know for a fact that if you want to fly, you cannot get lasik but must get PRK. I'm not sure if it matters otherwise, especially for doctors. The issue with Lasik is the cut they make, supposedly the various branches are afraid of what might happen under high G's if you get lasik and that flap opens on your eyes. Something like that.

Ooo wow I didn't know that, thanks guys! I actually had to look up PRK because I've never heard of it before 😳 and it actually looks like a better choice anyway. to be honest i am really scared of anyone fiddling around with my eyes, but it'd be sooo worth it..have also sat on my glasses too many times to count lol

 

[tritown]

bring a pen. seems like a given, but I forgot mine and ended up needing it more than once.

Thanks! I will be sure to bring that with me in my briefcase.🙂

If you don't have prior/current security clearance:
Passport or Birth Certificate (ORIGINAL - NO CERTIFIED COPIES)


Might want to print out your interview invitation letter just in case any questions come up at the gate (unlikely, but it was suggested to me I do it)

Also a copy of your USU secondary application essay and your AMCAS essay might be helpful so you can review what you wrote all those months ago.

Good luck!

Thanks! I have that with me, but I forgot to mention it. It makes me nervous to think about accidentally leaving something behind.

 

[Bouddha]

I know for a fact that if you want to fly, you cannot get lasik but must get PRK. I'm not sure if it matters otherwise, especially for doctors. The issue with Lasik is the cut they make, supposedly the various branches are afraid of what might happen under high G's if you get lasik and that flap opens on your eyes. Something like that.

As I said above, I had PRK done by the Air Force in 2004. I went from ~-8.00 (20/"blurry") to 20/20. I've since regressed slightly to -.75 in one eye and -1.25 in the other. I'm still thrilled as contacts are optional now, not mandatory.

As for the difference between PRK and Lasik, PRK hurts like hell during recovery, but since there's no incision, the surface of the eye heals with much more stability.

 

[sweetlife]

bring a pen. seems like a given, but I forgot mine and ended up needing it more than once.

I forgot mine too, and I felt like such a dope. I had just switched purses & left my arsenal of pens in the other purse. 👎

 

[tabascosauce]

Who grants the medical waivers? would it be Dodmerb or USUHS?

edit: nm found my answer 🙂

 

[georgearms]

As I said above, I had PRK done by the Air Force in 2004. I went from ~-8.00 (20/"blurry") to 20/20. I've since regressed slightly to -.75 in one eye and -1.25 in the other. I'm still thrilled as contacts are optional now, not mandatory.

As for the difference between PRK and Lasik, PRK hurts like hell during recovery, but since there's no incision, the surface of the eye heals with much more stability.

so jealous..-.75 and -1.25 are still great! how long did it take for you to recover?

 

[Bouddha]

so jealous..-.75 and -1.25 are still great! how long did it take for you to recover?

If I remember correctly, immediate recovery took about 3 days. On percocet the whole time. The thing is, they take what looks like an electric toothbrush to the surface of your eye to remove the top layers of tissue. Because of this, it feels like there's sand in your eyes, everytime you open or close them. Beyond that, it took a couple of weeks to get back to a much improved normal. I do have halos around bright lights at night, but that is because I have a large pupil, and is the result of my eyes dilating beyond the corrected area when it's dark.

 

[tritown]

Quick question about the security form: Do I follow the SSBI instructions or not? It's so long and confusing!

 

[StemiAlert]

Quick question about the security form: Do I follow the SSBI instructions or not? It's so long and confusing!

You do not need to do the extended SSBI background, which is for "Top Secret" level clearance. You only need to meet requirements for the commissioning of a military officer, which is "Secret" clearance.

This generally means you are going back only 7 years instead of 10 for residence, work, etc.

PRK

Regarding PRK and the DodMERB, please be exceptionally careful about this. Recent (<3 months) corrective surgery is disqualifying for the Army, I believe, per AR 40-501. There are many other disqualifying factors regarding corrective surgery and vision, so you may want to look at this first:
http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r40_501.pdf

 

[Bouddha]

Regarding PRK and the DodMERB, please be exceptionally careful about this. Recent (<3 months) corrective surgery is disqualifying for the Army, I believe, per AR 40-501. There are many other disqualifying factors regarding corrective surgery and vision, so you may want to look at this first:
http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r40_501.pdf

I should stipulate that my procedure was done by Air Force Docs after I was in. I would not get the procedure done on your own, especially not at this time. Waiting to let the military do it is the safest way to keep everything kosher. I would not want to risk killing my medical eligibility at this time, that for certain. Hell, I'm pretty certain that if I get the opportunity to interview and am accepted, I will still need to get a waiver for my eyes, even the the AF did my procedure.

 

[PinkNoise]

Anyone hear from admissions? Any news?

 

[ThunderHorse]

only whangjasnowy (Oct 21 interview, AF) heard on Dec. 1.

So, on november 15th and december 1 they were calling up to oct 21 interviews. Looks like oct. 28/nov. 4 interviews should start getting calls on the 15th.

 

[PinkNoise]

That's exactly what I was wondering, thanks Thunder!

 

[seegoods]

PRK should hurt less than it used to because they put a bandage contact lens in the eye that stays in for about 5-7 days after the surgery. If it falls out, however, it can be painful. It still is more painful than LASIK, though, and the healing process is much longer - best vision after about 6 weeks to 3 months. As others were saying, I would recommend waiting until you are in the military to get the procedure. Despite having access to very cheap PRK from a retired navy doc, I am planning on waiting so as not to have to go through the hassle of getting medically re-cleared.

By the way, are we allowed to wear contacts at summer training?

 

[ThunderHorse]

By the way, are we allowed to wear contacts at summer training?

From what I've read, you can only wear glasses during the field exercises. Other times I think contacts are allowed

 

[PinkNoise]

From what I've read, you can only wear glasses during the field exercises. Other times I think contacts are allowed

...are they the birth control glasses?

 

[Coug]

...are they the birth control glasses?

Heck yea! Nah, I don't think so. (At least for the Navy) I was in Rhode Island while some ODS classes went through. Its very relaxed and I didn't see one pair of those BCGs. I know that's really disappointing 🙂

 

[ChaseH87]

Got my unconditional today. 😀

 

[sweetlife]

Got my unconditional today. 😀

Congrats!! That is awesome!

 

[PinkNoise]

Congrats Chase! (For those of you wondering Chase interviewed Oct 14, Navy)

 

[ChaseH87]

Haha, thanks! PinkNoise you must spend way too much of your time in this forum like I do 😉

 

[StemiAlert]

Can anyone confirm that USUHS students cannot apply for the civillian match in case they don't make the military match for residency? (i.e. getting a "Civillian Deferment") This would be in contrast to HSPS students, who can.

 

[silverhorse84]

Can anyone confirm that USUHS students cannot apply for the civillian match in case they don't make the military match for residency? (i.e. getting a "Civillian Deferment") This would be in contrast to HSPS students, who can.

One of the 4th years I talked to the other day, said no, we can't. You will match in the military - if you don't get any of your choices, the military has a scramble just like the civilian match, so you'll get something.

Now, there are (for the AF at least), a few military/civilian combined residencies (at least one that I know of for AF).

 

[StemiAlert]

Thanks for the info Silverhorse! (Good morning, by the way!) Have you had a chance to think about what residencies you're interested in?

Also, randomly:
Have you had a chance to hear anything new about currriculum reform? Any word if they're transitioning from letter grades to pass/fail for the first two years?

 

[sweetlife]

Thanks for the info Silverhorse! (Good morning, by the way!) Have you had a chance to think about what residencies you're interested in?

Also, randomly:
Have you had a chance to hear anything new about currriculum reform? Any word if they're transitioning from letter grades to pass/fail for the first two years?

At my interview they said they were going to stick with the traditional grading scale (A/B/C/D/F). However, the dean made it seem like there were a lot things that still needed to be ironed out.

 

[silverhorse84]

Thanks for the info Silverhorse! (Good morning, by the way!) Have you had a chance to think about what residencies you're interested in?

Also, randomly:
Have you had a chance to hear anything new about currriculum reform? Any word if they're transitioning from letter grades to pass/fail for the first two years?

Personally, I've ruled out surgery. Beyond that, I'm looking more at general practice; I don't see myself being a specialist. That's about as far as I've gotten 😳

They went over the curriculum reform a few weeks ago and asked us to put in a few preferences. I don't know anything about grades. I think it's excellent that the pre-clinical stuff will only be 18 months. There's quite a bit of downtime at the end of the MSI year with the way it is now, so they could definitely fill that and make the classroom learning shorter. I also think organ systems is a good way to go. We only sort of do that now (ie we'll go through classes in an organ systems way, but each class is it's own; from what I understand it'll be more integrated for you all).

One of the things they asked us about is whether (if in your shoes) we'd rather take Step I after the 18 months or after the basic clinical rotations. Personally I chose for after the 18 months - the other schools who've put it off have not had any data to support it helps people score better. Plus, then you're getting towards Step II and you don't really want those near each other. Step I, while written in the form of clinical questions, is really a basic science test, so I believe it should be taken after the classroom portion (however, we'll see if I change my opinion after I've taken it).

The other thing they asked us about is how we'd prefer the core rotations to be organized (what is now the 3rd year rotations). The way we do them now is that you have 8 rotations and we use a lottery to see where we will be for each of them. They're looking at combining these into 3 blocks for you all (so they'd put family medicine and pediatrics together, etc). What they asked us about is if each block should be at the same hospital or if it should be left the way we do it where we could be at 7 different hospitals (you do both surgery blocks at the same place). My only downside to having each block at the same hospital is it only gives you 3 chances to get to a hospital you may want to look into for residency. The way it works now is that you don't have to go to your parent service's hospitals (so Navy doesn't always have to go to Navy) - it looked like there was risk that you could only end up at one Navy location, which could be bad if you want to check out different locations to help with residency selection.

That's really all I know. They didn't talk too much about how they'd change the classes in those first 18 months, so I know almost nothing about that.

 

[ThunderHorse]

http://www.usuhs.mil/curriculumreform/updatedinformation.html

There's a powerpoint file "Current draft proposal for new curriculum design" which was new as of Dec. 6th and gives a good overview.

 

[PinkNoise]

Yeah, fortunately, my job allows me to puruse the interwebs frequently. Don't get me wrong, I get my job done (reeeeally fast and efficiently), then I SDN 🙂

 

[vocare]

for those who already have their unconditional acceptance, have you received any additional information, e.g. welcome packet, contact from a sponsor?

 

[RAMCLA2016]

Know this may not be the right forum, but I figure the people in this forum might know the answers - other forums that mention HSCP are several years old.

If I do not get into USUHS - which is where I want to go - I am still planning on being a Navy MD. I have applied to and been accepted to the HPSP program but the HSCP is a much better deal for my situation - prior service, TX resident accepted at a TX medical school.

The recruiter told me that to be considered for the HSCP I would have to first give up my HPSP selection. This does not match what I was told by Capt Calloway. At USUHS I was told the Navy would be willing to take me in which ever program worked best for my situation if I did not make it in to USUHS.

Anyone else have any information on applying to either of these programs?

 

[Coug]

Know this may not be the right forum, but I figure the people in this forum might know the answers - other forums that mention HSCP are several years old.

If I do not get into USUHS - which is where I want to go - I am still planning on being a Navy MD. I have applied to and been accepted to the HPSP program but the HSCP is a much better deal for my situation - prior service, TX resident accepted at a TX medical school.

The recruiter told me that to be considered for the HSCP I would have to first give up my HPSP selection. This does not match what I was told by Capt Calloway. At USUHS I was told the Navy would be willing to take me in which ever program worked best for my situation if I did not make it in to USUHS.

Anyone else have any information on applying to either of these programs?

My advice is to contact the the people in charge of the HPSP/HSCP. The recruiters are sometimes confused on small things like your situation. I had alot of trouble getting something done until I emailed [email protected]. It's a general information email for the people that make all these little rules.

 

[whinybirchum]

Hey everyone, first time here on SDN (although I've been reading for a while). I just interviewed on December 9th, does anyone know what the timeline for notifications looks like? I'm curious about notices for offers, wait lists, and alternate lists, if anyone knows. They told us sometime in February, is that really accurate? Thanks, and please let me know if I have made any faux pas on my first SDN post.

 

[PinkNoise]

Hey everyone, first time here on SDN (although I've been reading for a while). I just interviewed on December 9th, does anyone know what the timeline for notifications looks like? I'm curious about notices for offers, wait lists, and alternate lists, if anyone knows. They told us sometime in February, is that really accurate? Thanks, and please let me know if I have made any faux pas on my first SDN post.

From the last acceptance on SDN, ChaseH87 interviewed Oct 14th and received an acceptance on Dec 9th (8 weeks).

Since you interviewed in December, Christmas break will hinder any progress that the ADCOMs will have on reviewing your file. February time frame sounds about right.

 

[ChaseH87]

I heard back on Nov 15th for my conditional, Dec for my unconditional. Pink Noise is right though you will probably hear back in Feb if you interviewed Dec 9. You could hear back as early as Jan, but I wouldn't count on it as it appears they have not made all that much progress on the Oct interviews yet.

For anyone interested in the Navy and humanitarian missions here's a few links to pictures and info on Pacific Partnership 2010, the latest navy humanitarian aid mission.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/4741646591/in/set-72157624251050097/

http://pacificpartnership.wordpress.com/

http://www.health.mil/News_And_Mult..._Hope_and_Help_to_Southeast_Asia_in_2010.aspx

Good luck to everyone, hopefully many of you still waiting to hear back will have good news on Wednesday!

 

[ThunderHorse]

really really looking forward to wednesday... they probably won't make it to nov. 18th but i'm hopeful. They scaled back on interviews in nov and dec, so maybe they made some headway on applications with the spare time haha

 

[ThunderHorse]

Hey everyone, first time here on SDN (although I've been reading for a while). I just interviewed on December 9th, does anyone know what the timeline for notifications looks like? I'm curious about notices for offers, wait lists, and alternate lists, if anyone knows. They told us sometime in February, is that really accurate? Thanks, and please let me know if I have made any faux pas on my first SDN post.

Did they tell you if their slots would be filled by that point? They told someone else that on here, where by the time their apps went to the review board after interview, they'd be accepted to a waitlist spot.

 

[PinkNoise]

really really looking forward to wednesday... they probably won't make it to nov. 18th but i'm hopeful. They scaled back on interviews in nov and dec, so maybe they made some headway on applications with the spare time haha

ThunderHorse, how sure are you that some of us will hear back this Wedsnesday? I had decided not to get my hopes up on hearing before Christmas, but now you're making me antsy!!

 

[ThunderHorse]

ThunderHorse, how sure are you that some of us will hear back this Wedsnesday? I had decided not to get my hopes up on hearing before Christmas, but now you're making me antsy!!

Somebody has to hear. They're up to Oct 21/28 or Nov 2? Maybe they're further and nobody posted on here from those days. The interview to call time frame was less than a month up until now, so (self centered here) I was even hoping they'd make it to me before Christmas. Seems like they make calls for a couple days following too, people have even gotten calls on the weekends.

 

[ChaseH87]

for those who already have their unconditional acceptance, have you received any additional information, e.g. welcome packet, contact from a sponsor?

I'm curious about this too. The info from USU is a bit vague on when they will send stuff for us and what we'll have to do as far as paperwork goes.

 

[PinkNoise]

Somebody has to hear. They're up to Oct 21/28 or Nov 2? Maybe they're further and nobody posted on here from those days. The interview to call time frame was less than a month up until now, so (self centered here) I was even hoping they'd make it to me before Christmas. Seems like they make calls for a couple days following too, people have even gotten calls on the weekends.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

[silverhorse84]

I'm curious about this too. The info from USU is a bit vague on when they will send stuff for us and what we'll have to do as far as paperwork goes.

This is from 2 years ago, but...
If you're Army, there is a packet of paper to fill out in addition to your commissioning stuff, but they didn't get it until May-ish.
If you're Navy, all you'll get is your commissioning paperwork, and you won't get that until a week or two before you leave for ODS.
AF, I'm not sure if there's extra paperwork or not.

The earliest I've heard about hearing from a sponsor would be Winter break. I was assigned my first sponsoree about this time last year, but with finals and all I took a few weeks to get around to emailing her.

 

[ChaseH87]

Thank you silverhorse, that's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[georgearms]

I heard back on Nov 15th for my conditional, Dec for my unconditional. Pink Noise is right though you will probably hear back in Feb if you interviewed Dec 9. You could hear back as early as Jan, but I wouldn't count on it as it appears they have not made all that much progress on the Oct interviews yet.

For anyone interested in the Navy and humanitarian missions here's a few links to pictures and info on Pacific Partnership 2010, the latest navy humanitarian aid mission.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/4741646591/in/set-72157624251050097/

http://pacificpartnership.wordpress.com/

http://www.health.mil/News_And_Mult..._Hope_and_Help_to_Southeast_Asia_in_2010.aspx

Good luck to everyone, hopefully many of you still waiting to hear back will have good news on Wednesday!

Awesome pictures

And nope, I haven't received anything beyond the unconditional letter

 

[Boethius]

Thunderhorse, I interviewed 12/9 and they told us that almost certainly all the spots would be filled by the time the adcom began reviewing our files.

However, students and admin alike were quick to remind everyone that the waitlist tends to move very quickly at USU so it's not a huge deal, just requires more waiting.

 

[ThunderHorse]

Thunderhorse, I interviewed 12/9 and they told us that almost certainly all the spots would be filled by the time the adcom began reviewing our files.

However, students and admin alike were quick to remind everyone that the waitlist tends to move very quickly at USU so it's not a huge deal, just requires more waiting.

Yea, that's good they sound so positive about the waitlist. what service did you put? I think the most recent update was that navy was full, AF was really close to full, and army always fills last? IMO, based on themes here on SDN forums, Army waitlist moves the most, navy and AF move much less. (to recap for lurkers reading this next year)

Good luck to everyone tomorrow

 

[R12]

question answered...sorta ; )

 

[ChaseH87]

I have an unconditional acceptance to the Navy. I'm on the waitlist at 2 other schools. I would love to get a letter/call sometime during the typical May15-August stretch telling me that I've been accepted to one of those other schools so that I could withdraw from USUHS and give up my spot to one the friendly and deserving people on this forum. However, I'm confused about how things would play out since the Navy's officer development program starts in June and the signing of the commissioning papers or enlisting or whatever happens even earlier (May, correct?). It seems that by early August (when I still might have a chance to get off the waitlist at one of those other schools), I would already be an O1 in the military and quitting would result in a year of service as repayment. Could I really end up being put in that position, or is there an exception to the normal quitting policy for someone who is on the waitlist at other schools?

Thanks in advance for any insight on this

I'm sure there are not any guarantees, but you should be able to get out without any service obligation, even during/after ODS as long as its before you start class. If you want to do Navy regardless (via HPSP) but would prefer another school, than the ODS should work as part of that process. Not 100% on that, but that is what seems to be the case (per what I have read around SDN).

That being said, if military medicine is not your absolutely #1 choice and you just want to start medical school, don't go to USU as you will be in the military for an absolute minimum of 14 years plus another 6 years of reserve commitment. If your not sure you want to be in the military than it would be wise to just gamble on your other waitlisted schools and if things don't workout this year than just keep improving your application for next year. Medical school and medicine is all about patience and perseverance, might as well start practicing that now. Its really not worth becoming an MD one year earlier in exchange for that huge chunk of your career. If you do really want to go into military medicine, than I hope to see you at USU in the fall!

 

[esrever]

I'm sure there are not any guarantees, but you should be able to get out without any service obligation, even during/after ODS as long as its before you start class. If you want to do Navy regardless (via HPSP) but would prefer another school, than the ODS should work as part of that process. Not 100% on that, but that is what seems to be the case (per what I have read around SDN).

That being said, if military medicine is not your absolutely #1 choice and you just want to start medical school, don't go to USU as you will be in the military for an absolute minimum of 14 years plus another 6 years of reserve commitment. If your not sure you want to be in the military than it would be wise to just gamble on your other waitlisted schools and if things don't workout this year than just keep improving your application for next year. Medical school and medicine is all about patience and perseverance, might as well start practicing that now. Its really not worth becoming an MD one year earlier in exchange for that huge chunk of your career. If you do really want to go into military medicine, than I hope to see you at USU in the fall!

Just to caveat this, say there were some exception to this rule of 1 year of mandatory service. You should know (and I base this solely on my previous experience in the military) that exceptions to policy usually involve a specific process that is painful, but definitely not expeditious. It could take several weeks or a month or two to process the paperwork and such, thus causing you to miss matriculating to another school entirely.

In the mean time you want to reflect on your intentions on attending a military school and committing so many subsequent years, I have seen many guys commit to multiple years not knowing what they were getting into and hate it, on the other hand many have made the same mistake and regarded it as one of the best decisions they have ever made.

 

[Mikeb0707]

Anyone get a call yet this morning?

Interviewed 10/28 and the suspense is killing me.

 

[RAMCLA2016]

Anyone get a call yet this morning?

Interviewed 10/28 and the suspense is killing me.

I interviewed then too, very hopeful