2010-2011 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

[surfernuke]

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I didn't get to go to second look, was wondering how it went? What all did they have to say about the new curriculum?

Well, it is quite different that is for sure. They didn't cover deep specifics, but basically, it is an 18-month systems based didactic course load, followed by 12 months of clerkships. USMLE step 1 will be after 12 month clerkships, preceded by about a 2 month refresher/study period back at USUHS. This is different, where most other schools take it at the 2 year point. Then 18 more months of clerkships with CAPSTONEs available to about 20% of the class. It isn't entirely new, borrowed from a few different schools who had success with this method, or similar ones. Still, they were vague and I'd feel more comfortable seeing a detailed breakdown of our entire 4-years. Many other schools have this available on their sites. There was a pamphlet that gives some more detail, which was somewhat helpful.

 

[navysteve2011]

Future USUHS med studs! Congrats to you who've been accepted, and good luck to the guys who are still waiting to hear back! It can take a while for that waitlist to move...

I'm a 4th year student at USUHS (Navy, c/o 2011), graduating in about 2 months and starting an Internal Medicine internship at Bethesda! If you guys have any questions about the process or the experience at USUHS, I might be able to give a decent retrospective opinion. I graduated from the Naval Academy, came straight in and am planning on a GMO tour after my internship year.

I've got a great house that I'm renting out to upcoming first year medical students from USUHS. I've been renting to fellow USUHS peeps since I started school and now I get to as an intern!

The house is a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with basically 2 separate levels, each with 2 beds, a bath, ground-level entrances with a patio or deck, fully furnished common areas and full-sized kitchens. The rooms are about 11'x11', and all have closet space and windows for natural lighting. All the appliances are natural gas, so utilities are cheap.

The house is about 12 minutes north of school in Kensington, on Cam Ct. The route to school is almost completely avoids high traffic roads, so you can get to school quick (which was good for me because I'm somewhat of a heavy sleeper), and also because you can ride your bike on a bike path the whole way there (I did). The bike route is along Beech Drive.

The rooms will be going from $800 to $850 a month, which is about half of what you'll be picking up for BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing, the gov't's tax-free stipend for your housing).

I'll be posting a link to a Craigslist ad that you can check out more details about the house, or you can just contact me about the house or with questions about USUHS and my experiences there.

Steve

 

[wahngjasnowy]

Well, it is quite different that is for sure. They didn't cover deep specifics, but basically, it is an 18-month systems based didactic course load, followed by 12 months of clerkships. USMLE step 1 will be after 12 month clerkships, preceded by about a 2 month refresher/study period back at USUHS. This is different, where most other schools take it at the 2 year point. Then 18 more months of clerkships with CAPSTONEs available to about 20% of the class. It isn't entirely new, borrowed from a few different schools who had success with this method, or similar ones. Still, they were vague and I'd feel more comfortable seeing a detailed breakdown of our entire 4-years. Many other schools have this available on their sites. There was a pamphlet that gives some more detail, which was somewhat helpful.

That is a really good break-down of what they said. Good job, surfernuke, for remembering all that.

This is the info on the USUHS website http://www.usuhs.mil/curriculumreform/index.html for those of you who couldn't make Second Look

 

[dpars27]

Medical waiver approved! Now the hard part: actually getting accepted...

 

[RecklessKel]

Medical waiver approved! Now the hard part: actually getting accepted...

If you don't mind me asking, what branch and when did you submit your waiver request?

 

[Quiznos Oven]

If you don't mind me asking, what branch and when did you submit your waiver request?

+1

and how did you check. Via online status site or bugging Rebecca Patterson?

 

[dpars27]

If you don't mind me asking, what branch and when did you submit your waiver request?

Mrs. Patterson called me today. It's not on the DoDMERB website. If I'm not mistaken, at least in my case she said it would be forwarded for an official signature only if I am accepted, after which it would be updated on my DoDMERB account, but it has been approved by the review board.

I asked for a waiver in late January or early February. I interviewed on 1/27 and submitted a request shortly thereafter. My branch preference is Navy, but I think USUHS initiates the process. It is my understanding that only if your waiver is initially denied, then you go through your specific branch. I could very well be wrong; I am not military personnel.

Lastly, has anyone who interviewed on 1/27 heard anything yet?

 

[gacibula]

For those of you still waiting to hear... I also interviewed on 1/27 (I was the SOLE air force guy interviewing that day) 🙂

Just wanted to let you know, that after the day was over, me and another interviewee went to the admissions office and asked when we'd hear back. We pointed out to her that it said 8-10 weeks on the sheet, and she quickly paused us and said "Well actually more like 12."

We both frowned.

However, 8, 10, 12... whatever it is... for anyone applying for both the HPSP scholarship AND to USUHS (such as myself), we are REQUIRED to make a decision on which we choose by Apr 15, so something should be coming soon.

Additionally, the HPSP board doesn't meet until Apr 5 (tomorrow), so that verdict SHOULD be coming out soon, and USUHS either the same day or around that time!

Hope this info helps!

-G

 

[Raisenbran]

Man, was hoping this would be the week to finally find out from 1/27. Ah well, another 2 or so weeks it is

 

[surfernuke]

For those of you still waiting to hear... I also
However, 8, 10, 12... whatever it is... for anyone applying for both the HPSP scholarship AND to USUHS (such as myself), we are REQUIRED to make a decision on which we choose by Apr 15, so something should be coming soon.


-G

where did you get this information? I didn't hear that AT ALL, and it seems weird. I've been informed that you can be approved for HPSP and accepted to USUHS at the same time, however, you cannot sign HPSP acceptance and have USUHS acceptance at the same time.

Also, HPSP boards run as late as up to 3 weeks before matriculation, it just requires extra work to get the package through (no hangups like medical waivers).

 

[PetitSoldat]

Got a call from Rebecca Patterson this morning that my medical waiver is approved and my conditional acceptance is now unconditional! SUCH a relief. Especially since I started the DoDMERB process over one year ago.

For those of you still waiting, she said that she received a bunch of waiver approvals on Friday, and they have been calling all morning today. Also, I was getting a waiver for glaucoma, which was on the list of medical disqualifications (and the not-so-nice doctor that did my waiver exam told me straight-up that I am unfit for active duty and that I will not be able to go to USUHS), so don't lose hope!

 

[surfernuke]

Got a call from Rebecca Patterson this morning that my medical waiver is approved and my conditional acceptance is now unconditional! SUCH a relief. Especially since I started the DoDMERB process over one year ago.

For those of you still waiting, she said that she received a bunch of waiver approvals on Friday, and they have been calling all morning today. Also, I was getting a waiver for glaucoma, which was on the list of medical disqualifications (and the not-so-nice doctor that did my waiver exam told me straight-up that I am unfit for active duty and that I will not be able to go to USUHS), so don't lose hope!

that is fantastic, congrats!

 

[Quiznos Oven]

Got a call from Rebecca Patterson this morning that my medical waiver is approved and my conditional acceptance is now unconditional! SUCH a relief. Especially since I started the DoDMERB process over one year ago.

For those of you still waiting, she said that she received a bunch of waiver approvals on Friday, and they have been calling all morning today. Also, I was getting a waiver for glaucoma, which was on the list of medical disqualifications (and the not-so-nice doctor that did my waiver exam told me straight-up that I am unfit for active duty and that I will not be able to go to USUHS), so don't lose hope!

That does give me hope but still no call and i completed my remedials over 6 weeks ago. Congrats pal

 

[RecklessKel]

That does give me hope but still no call and i completed my remedials over 6 weeks ago. Congrats pal

If we go by Gacibula's time line, then I won't hear anything until May. I sent in my waiver request a month ago today. Im hoping the fact that I didn't hear anything isn't bad news and that they just haven't had time to look at my waiver request yet.

Do they send you a mail notification that your waiver wasn't approved, or do you get a call?

I already have a bad feeling that it won't be approved, maybe I'm thinking about it too much.

 

[dpars27]

If we go by Gacibula's time line, then I won't hear anything until May. I sent in my waiver request a month ago today. Im hoping the fact that I didn't hear anything isn't bad news and that they just haven't had time to look at my waiver request yet.

Do they send you a mail notification that your waiver wasn't approved, or do you get a call?

I already have a bad feeling that it won't be approved, maybe I'm thinking about it too much.

Well, Petit got a waiver for glaucoma and I got one for eczema, which is a permanent disqualification and is almost never waived, so keep your head up.

 

[navysteve2011]

Hey all, I'm a 4th year med student at USU, soon to be intern (sweet!) and I'm trying to rent some rooms in my house in Kensington, which is 10 minutes from school.

The house has 4 rooms and 2 bathrooms, as well as two fully furnished large common areas (complete with a big table and a whiteboard for maximal studying) and two fully-equipped full-sized kitchens.

I've been renting to med studs at USU for 4 years now (starting when I was 1st year), and the med studs who've lived here and I have always had a great experience. I'm pretty confident you will too!

I'v created a craigslist ad, found here: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/roo/2307866279.html, or you can search for "4 Rooms in 4Bed/2Bath House- 10 min from WRNMMC, USU, NIH" in the Washington DC craigslist website.

Since I've nearing the end of my stint at USUHS, feel free to contact me either about the house, the area, or the whole USU experience.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Steve

 

[RecklessKel]

Well, Petit got a waiver for glaucoma and I got one for eczema, which is a permanent disqualification and is almost never waived, so keep your head up.

Thanks, I'll try to stay positive!

 

[ald88]

I was called by Dr. Calloway yesterday afternoon and granted a conditional acceptance (Army) - I was on the waitlist since March. Hope this brings some new hope to those still waiting anxiously! Good luck!

 

[gacibula]

where did you get this information? I didn't hear that AT ALL, and it seems weird. I've been informed that you can be approved for HPSP and accepted to USUHS at the same time, however, you cannot sign HPSP acceptance and have USUHS acceptance at the same time.

Also, HPSP boards run as late as up to 3 weeks before matriculation, it just requires extra work to get the package through (no hangups like medical waivers).

Sorry.. I wasn't quite as clear as I should have been. The HPSP board deciding on prior cadets (such as ROTC) meets on the 5th of April. THis is my timeline... because that's my pipeline per say. And considering I have to either accept the HPSP scholarship and attend a school that I've been accepted to or decide on heading to USUHS by Apr 15... I'm really being optimistic that a decision from the 1/27 interviewees will be within the next week!

 

[surfernuke]

Sorry.. I wasn't quite as clear as I should have been. The HPSP board deciding on prior cadets (such as ROTC) meets on the 5th of April. THis is my timeline... because that's my pipeline per say. And considering I have to either accept the HPSP scholarship and attend a school that I've been accepted to or decide on heading to USUHS by Apr 15... I'm really being optimistic that a decision from the 1/27 interviewees will be within the next week!

Yeah, they have monthly boards. I just missed this months, but that'll workout fine. I'm still not sure whether or not I can accept HPSP and a USUHS acceptance at the same time. I know having HPSP approval is fine along with a USUHS acceptance.

 

[dpars27]

Sorry.. I wasn't quite as clear as I should have been. The HPSP board deciding on prior cadets (such as ROTC) meets on the 5th of April. THis is my timeline... because that's my pipeline per say. And considering I have to either accept the HPSP scholarship and attend a school that I've been accepted to or decide on heading to USUHS by Apr 15... I'm really being optimistic that a decision from the 1/27 interviewees will be within the next week!

The question is this: will we know one way or the other before... Government Shutdown 2011? Dun dun dddduuuuuunnn.

Just kidding, I don't know how it will affect USUHS, or if it will even happen at all.

 

[surfernuke]

The question is this: will we know one way or the other before... Government Shutdown 2011? Dun dun dddduuuuuunnn.

Just kidding, I don't know how it will affect USUHS, or if it will even happen at all.

they mentioned it, but weren't really sure how/if it will affect classes. I imagine it'll have an impact.

 

[Nevryn]

they mentioned it, but weren't really sure how/if it will affect classes. I imagine it'll have an impact.

I speak under no real authority however, usuhs is a military program and a government shutdown does not shut down military. It only shuts down non essential government functions. I would assume the core of usuhs will be fine. There may be a few civilian components that will be hindered but I can't imagine it having an overall effect.

Again, not an authority on the subject.

 

[Quiznos Oven]

so perhaps dodmerb waiver authority and admissions will stay open during a shutdown because they are classified as essential life or death personel?

 

[dpars27]

.

 

[skimsu]

Man, I hope they stay open... Anyone know why it takes soooo long for anything to get through the waiver process? Do they spend like an our per application or something?

 

[Nevryn]

Man, I hope they stay open... Anyone know why it takes soooo long for anything to get through the waiver process? Do they spend like an our per application or something?

Welcome to government bureaucracy

 

[Basso]

Greetings soon to be fellow USUHS classmates. I am a third year (almost 4th year army prior service) med student. I have a young family (3 kids, one was a newborn when I started and we had another during second year), and we live in Gaithersburg. I too, was waitlisted (interviewed 1/24 or so) and received my acceptance letter end of April (if memory serves correct). Hang in there....above posters are right, the list starts to move in April.

Anyway, we are looking to move during the summer and would like to rent out our house. See below for details.

Charming dutch colonial style single family home available for rent summer 2011 (start date negotiable, preferably by August). Ideal lease would be for a period of 2+ years, although this is fully negotiable.

Completely renovated kitchen and master bathroom (including heated tile floor). Second floor laundry (washer and dryer included).

Wonderful, quiet, established neighborhood with sidewalks, kind neighbors, and many families.

Bethesda National Naval Medical Center is just over 13 miles away. Shady Grove Metro is 3 miles away, a 5 minute drive or a quick bus ride. There is also a direct bus to NNMC from Lakeforest Mall (5 minutes from our house).

Gorgeous shaded setting with fully fenced backyard.

Single car detached garage

Rent includes membership at the HOA pool (open from Memorial through Labor Day).

Visit www.ahrn.com and search for this posting (#4607755). There are pictures as well.

Other useful housing resources (that haven't been mentioned earlier):

www.militarybyowner.com

 

[Erald Coil]

Re: Gov't Shutdown
Current intel says no change in curriculum, business as usual for students, as long as it doesn't last long. With so many civilian contractors being furloughed, things will at least be "different" around here at first. We have some uniformed faculty, a bank of pre-recorded lectures and plenty of books on our shelves, so this show will go on.

Admissions may be another story; I don't really know. Hopefully this nonsense will be resolved soon anyway. I can imagine the frustration some of you might be dealing with, but try to be patient and don't let politics distract from the mission.

Best wishes @ 2015!

Sent from my Android using Tapatalk.

 

[In4thelonghaul]

Re: Gov't Shutdown
Current intel says no change in curriculum, business as usual for students, as long as it doesn't last long. With so many civilian contractors being furloughed, things will at least be "different" around here at first. We have some uniformed faculty, a bank of pre-recorded lectures and plenty of books on our shelves, so this show will go on.

Admissions may be another story; I don't really know. Hopefully this nonsense will be resolved soon anyway. I can imagine the frustration some of you might be dealing with, but try to be patient and don't let politics distract from the mission.

Best wishes @ 2015!

Sent from my Android using Tapatalk.

Just a heads up for all of the military members on here, DFAS has updated the most recent Leave and Earnings Statements in MyPay and our pay for the 15th will be about 1/2 of normal.

 

[tabascosauce]

is there a list out circulating where i can find out what uniforms im supposed to get for BOLC this june?

 

[dpars27]

Got the dreaded thin envelope today - wait list. I interviewed 1/27, so it could have been worse. Okay, I'm actually pretty excited that there's still a chance. Best of luck to the rest of you.

P.S. Sorry about posting here so frequently the past week; I've just been very anxious to hear back and didn't mean to take the thread over.

 

[Raisenbran]

Got the dreaded thin envelope today - wait list. I interviewed 1/27, so it could have been worse. Okay, I'm actually pretty excited that there's still a chance. Best of luck to the rest of you.

P.S. Sorry about posting here so frequently the past week; I've just been very anxious to hear back and didn't mean to take the thread over.

That's actually very good news according to my understanding. I am under the impression (may be false?) that all of the branch spots are currently filled, so the best we can hope for is a waitlist spot over a rejection, with the hopes that the waitlist moves fast here. At any rate, I just ran to the mailbox because I too interviewed that day and found nothing

Here's hoping for tomorrow

 

[harroarmy]

A question for all of the accepted:
How long did it take from when you mailed in your conditional acceptance letter to when you got your unconditional acceptance letter? I am already medically qualified, but wondered if I should be ready for a long wait or if it should be relatively quick

 

[silvrainment]

I interviewed on 2/10 and received a letter for the waiting list! If i am waiting for waivers to be granted would that cause me not to be "physically qualified" and rejected at the April 15 deadline? If someone knows the answer to that I would be grateful.

 

[ChaseH87]

I interviewed on 2/10 and received a letter for the waiting list! If i am waiting for waivers to be granted would that cause me not to be "physically qualified" and rejected at the April 15 deadline? If someone knows the answer to that I would be grateful.

The April 15th deadline only means you cannot be pulled from the waitlist to a conditional spot in the class unless you are physically qualified (with waivers granted if need be). So basically (since we are so close to the 15th), during the time you are waiting for the waiver you are in USUHS admissions limbo. You won't be dropped from the waitlist, but you won't get a spot either.

You really really want to be completed with that stuff before May 15th, as that is when the most waitlist movement happens (according to the admissions office, and I believe them). If you are not physically qualified on May 15th when all of those spots open up, even if you are the best candidate on the list they will pick others who are physically qualified instead of you until you are qualified.

To harroarmy: it took me about 1 month from my conditional to my unconditional and I was physically qualified when I got the conditional. I called the office in that time and they said that they send out the unconditional letters in batches, so the time can vary (they didn't say how often they do the batches).

 

[surfernuke]

A question for all of the accepted:
How long did it take from when you mailed in your conditional acceptance letter to when you got your unconditional acceptance letter? I am already medically qualified, but wondered if I should be ready for a long wait or if it should be relatively quick

I wouldn't worry about it, you have a spot in the class, you just have to accept it and mail in your undergrad transcript proving a bachelors degree by June. I handed mine to Dr. Calloway on second look weekend and haven't received a letter yet.

 

[silverhorse84]

So, I know you all have already gotten posts on here about housing, but one of my friends asked me to put this up for her:

There's 4 soon-to-be 3rd years looking for a roommate. They're moving into a 4 bedroom townhouse that's roughly 1.5 mi from school and 0.5 mi from downtown Bethesda and the Bethesda metro.

2 of them are sharing a room (have opposite schedules next year), so there's one room open. The house is 4 levels (basement, living area, then two levels of rooms) - it looks like the room that will be open is on the level just above the living area. The renter would have their own bathroom. There is a washer/dryer in house and garage parking.

Most of the year at least one of them will be in the house. There's a 10-11 week period in mid-Oct to mid-Dec where all 4 of them are on rotations out of the area, but the rest of the time there will be someone. During intersession all 4 of them will be there (that's about a 2 week period in December). The current residents are moving out by the end of June.

Rent would be about 900 a month. PM me if you're interested or have questions and I'll send her your contact info.

The 4 people consist of 3 women and 1 man so they don't care about gender 🙂

 

[silvrainment]

The April 15th deadline only means you cannot be pulled from the waitlist to a conditional spot in the class unless you are physically qualified (with waivers granted if need be). So basically (since we are so close to the 15th), during the time you are waiting for the waiver you are in USUHS admissions limbo. You won't be dropped from the waitlist, but you won't get a spot either.

You really really want to be completed with that stuff before May 15th, as that is when the most waitlist movement happens (according to the admissions office, and I believe them). If you are not physically qualified on May 15th when all of those spots open up, even if you are the best candidate on the list they will pick others who are physically qualified instead of you until you are qualified.

To harroarmy: it took me about 1 month from my conditional to my unconditional and I was physically qualified when I got the conditional. I called the office in that time and they said that they send out the unconditional letters in batches, so the time can vary (they didn't say how often they do the batches).

Thanks for the response, Chase. I should be all set with my remedials by then and I am expecting to be cleared and considered physically qualified.

 

[ald88]

Does anybody know what the BAH is? The catalog online says its about $1500, but I know it's pretty outdated and perhaps its changed since its publication.

 

[surfernuke]

Does anybody know what the BAH is? The catalog online says its about $1500, but I know it's pretty outdated and perhaps its changed since its publication.

Google, search BAH Bethesda.

 

[Nevryn]

Does anybody know what the BAH is? The catalog online says its about $1500, but I know it's pretty outdated and perhaps its changed since its publication.

http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm

20814 zipcode

Choose your rank O1 if you are not prior service and choose if you have dependents or not.

 

[ChaseH87]

.

 

[wahngjasnowy]

I just got my "USUHS unconditional selection package" today (accepted into the Air Force) and it says I need to print out and return everything in the email by "19 April 2011." Just curious if everyone else who received this had to return it that fast. Not that it's a problem, but 1 week seems like a very quick turnaround.

 

[TinsleyJr]

I just got my "USUHS unconditional selection package" today (accepted into the Air Force) and it says I need to print out and return everything in the email by "19 April 2011." Just curious if everyone else who received this had to return it that fast. Not that it's a problem, but 1 week seems like a very quick turnaround.

May I ask when you interviewed?

 

[Armywife06]

I just got my "USUHS unconditional selection package" today (accepted into the Air Force) and it says I need to print out and return everything in the email by "19 April 2011." Just curious if everyone else who received this had to return it that fast. Not that it's a problem, but 1 week seems like a very quick turnaround.

If it's the same kind of package they sent to the Army folks, then you need to send it back as quickly as possible so they can process your orders. Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork.... don't you just love the government. Think of it as great practice for all the paperwork that you will be doing for the rest of your military career. 🙂

 

[PinkNoise]

I just got my "USUHS unconditional selection package" today (accepted into the Air Force) and it says I need to print out and return everything in the email by "19 April 2011." Just curious if everyone else who received this had to return it that fast. Not that it's a problem, but 1 week seems like a very quick turnaround.

I asked for an extension and was given an additional week.

 

[wahngjasnowy]

If it's the same kind of package they sent to the Army folks, then you need to send it back as quickly as possible so they can process your orders. Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork.... don't you just love the government. Think of it as great practice for all the paperwork that you will be doing for the rest of your military career. 🙂

I asked for an extension and was given an additional week.

Thanks, Armywife06 and PinkNoise for the responses! All this paperwork (and it actually having to be on paper) is going to take some getting used to. Totally worth it though, of course 🙂

 

[wahngjasnowy]

May I ask when you interviewed?

October 21 - Interview
December 2 - Conditional Acceptance - Air Force
January 27 - Medically Qualified (did a basic physical and spirometry test)
March 24 - Unconditional Acceptance!

 

[gatorade848]

hey guys i am an applicant planning on applying this summer. do USU screen applicants for secondaries or do they send 2ndaries to all who complete primary? I am planning on retaking my mcat aug 5th, kinda late but my instate schools both send out secondaries august 1st so I wont be that behind. however for USU is that kinda late? my entire application will be waiting on the mcat retake.