2011-2012 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

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Anyone in a medical disqualification scenario holding a conditional acceptance? I got my conditional in October followed shortly by a medical disqualification letter (due to previous hx of ADHD). I have since submitted a waiver process and have not heard from USUHS yet.

Wondering if anyone has any similar experience or can offer some insight..
 
Anyone in a medical disqualification scenario holding a conditional acceptance? I got my conditional in October followed shortly by a medical disqualification letter (due to previous hx of ADHD). I have since submitted a waiver process and have not heard from USUHS yet.

Wondering if anyone has any similar experience or can offer some insight..

I did not have a dq but I had a remedial. I think the remedial took a couple of weeks. Just watch the dodmerb status page like a hawk.
 
Does a qualification or disqualification on the physical exam have any bearing on a conditional acceptance? I haven't received my decision yet but I did finish the physical exam.

Nope. Separate processes, I'm pretty sure. Conditional acceptance is from your interview, then you get the unconditional acceptance after you get your physical results and fix any remedials!
 
I chose USUHS over some of the considerable private medical schools.

My experience has been like this:

New curriculum: Yes, we're guinea pigs. Things will be significantly better for the upcoming class for that fact. They are also trying their best to really fix the course as we go along, and we're actually surprising them by doing really well in our curriculum. Also with the new curriculum, the OSA and student government have been contacting us for more feedback and how they can make the curriculum better. The integrated curriculum is slowly but surely making sense, although they're indeed pummeling us with medicine. Everyone has his/her opinion on what's great and what's needless in our curriculum, but generally I feel like the curriculum is starting to make sense as a whole.

Attending lectures: Many MS-1's still do attend lectures. Many also don't, so the attendance has been half and half. The parking situation is getting better with most of MS-1's now with access to carpool or individual parking passes.

Car access: This was the most commonly discussed factor of "quality of life" concern. The school is actively trying their best at giving us parking passes and getting us to school. OSA is definitely trying their best to accommodate every student, and my personal experience with OSA and their ability to take each and every case into concern has been great so far.

Class morale and academic barrier: I actually have not seen decline in class morale and academic barrier in our class. Students do still hang out and we still have lives. Yes, the academics can be a bit overwhelming at times, but also I think the school did a good job picking motivated people (after all, it is a med school lol) so everyone is out there helping out those who are struggling. I think we really do have a great class dynamics (at least for the MS-1's) with helping each other in terms of notes and getting through lectures.

Notice that the changes happening at school are still part of an ongoing process- things will get better or worse depending what kind of turn the school will take, but everyone I'm sure is doing their best to take care of us the students. What I have been amazed by is that the professors really do go out of their ways to help us to succeed and be physically and mentally well. I don't know many medical schools that really take care of their students. Plus, the medical care quality is definitely a top-notch here, aside from the fact that it takes a week or two for a clinic appointment other than for an urgent matter (but that is a given fact in many other schools I believe).

In terms of budget cuts, the school told us that we are in the "safe zone" as the government realized that military doctors with leadership experience are really needed.

Anyways, that's my own view. Feel free to ask any one of us in terms of our experiences and we'll be happy to help.




Friendly advice from a USUHS student:

I chose USUHS over a good state school and now regret my choice. Last year went well despite the usual DoD inefficiencies. However, this year most students are forced to carpool and our schedules are all over the place. Attending lectures is inconvenient at best, and our education is suffering as a direct result. Current MS-1's are also having to serve as guinea pigs for the new curriculum.

Most cons are EASILY balanced by pros at USUHS. However, declining quality of life, sinking class morale, and the rise of academic barriers has, in my assessment, shifted the balance in favor of the HPSP route. We rarely hear from the Office of Student Affairs, and when we do they're either taking something away or announcing new barriers to an otherwise quality education at USUHS. Hopefully this will change, but things only seem to get worse. Everyone's assessment is different; consider this account of life for medical students at USUHS in yours.

Congratulations to all who are accepted, and heads-up to all who accept.
However you get there, military medicine is where it's at.
 
hey anyone interviewing December 1st, have you heard back from whether or not you'll get student hosted housing?? I'm wondering if I should be reserving a motel asap at this point.

Side note: would most everyone recommend the American Inn as the best place to stay location wise to the school?
 
At my interview date they were not quite sure as to the exact dates for OIS this upcoming summer, does anyone know exactly when this will be?
 
Most importantly, know why medicine, why military medicine in particular and why USUHS vs. HPSP. Those are the three main topics that came up during my interviews. Also, have some questions for your interviewer in mind - nothing frivolous just to kill time, but something you are generally concerned about (e.g. I asked my interviewers about their deployments, the strengths and weakness of military medicine from their experience, and why they stayed with military medicine beyond their service obligations, etc.). If you would like to know some of the specific answers I gave regarding military medicine and USUHS vs. HPSP, PM me. Just be yourself (unless you're a jerk, then be someone else) and don't approach your interview like this:

[YOUTUBE]OXRi28W-ENY[/YOUTUBE]

Good luck!

I don't know about that...Will Smith got in 😛

I liked this school, but I don't think I stand a chance. I still haven't gotten my LOA out, and I know it takes a really long time to clear through cadet command. I also didn't feel very good about the second interview. The interviewer was abrasive and acted blase about the whole military med thing. He asked a few insulting questions that I brushed off on interview day, but the more I think about it, the less I think this school is for me.... I know the second person that had my interviewer said the exact same thing, but it doesn't make me feel any better.

At the same time, I think the camaraderie would be great. That is one of the biggest selling points for the military. You make friends that you stay in touch with forever...overall this is a very tough call...I don't know if I should let a bad interview tint my entire perception of the school, but I am having a hard time shaking it off.
 
Dec 1 is this week! Good luck everyone...I doubt they will reach us 11/03 interviewers but it puts us within the 4-6 weeks it said on the email

hopefully it wont be as quiet as it was around nov 15 :luck::luck:
 
This is what I have from my interview day, I don't know what service you were looking for so here are all of them.

Army: 11 June to 24 July
Navy: 10 June to 13 July
Air Force: 2 June to 3 August

Let's hope for good news on Thursday!
 
This is what I have from my interview day, I don't know what service you were looking for so here are all of them.

Army: 11 June to 24 July
Navy: 10 June to 13 July
Air Force: 2 June to 3 August

Let's hope for good news on Thursday!

AF should be: 2 July to 3 August
 
i'm not sure if this has been posted already (i don't think it has)... but what interview date are we up to that should be expecting calls? i interviewed on 10/20 and i don't think anyone from that date has heard yet so i'm hoping dec 1st will be for that group.
i'm just getting so paranoid sorry! haha
 
I interviewed 10/6 and still haven't heard. No call and nothing in the mail.
 
Dec 1 is this week! Good luck everyone...I doubt they will reach us 11/03 interviewers but it puts us within the 4-6 weeks it said on the email

hopefully it wont be as quiet as it was around nov 15 :luck::luck:


I interviewed on 11/3 also and thought I heard that we likely wouldn't be hearing from them until January at the earliest. Do you think they were just playing it safe? It would be awesome to hear on 12/15 lol
 
I interviewed on 11/3 also and thought I heard that we likely wouldn't be hearing from them until January at the earliest. Do you think they were just playing it safe? It would be awesome to hear on 12/15 lol

I think they are just playing safe due to holidays...but the email said anyone interviewing after between november and december can hear within 4-6 weeks

we can always hope lol
 
I think they are just playing safe due to holidays...but the email said anyone interviewing after between november and december can hear within 4-6 weeks

we can always hope lol

Ah, just went back and saw that. Exciting...and nervewracking :scared:
 
Waitlisted. Received the letter in the mail today. Guess they gave out all the Navy spots already.
 
Just got the hold letter in the mail today, anybody else in the same boat?

Interviewed 10/13. Anyone have stats on how many people actually get in from this position, or does it mean that I'm pretty much out of the running?
 
Just got the hold letter in the mail today, anybody else in the same boat?

Interviewed 10/13. Anyone have stats on how many people actually get in from this position, or does it mean that I'm pretty much out of the running?

I got a hold about a month ago. Looks like were in the same boat 🙁
 
The letter says I'm on currently on a waiting list for a place at USUHS and that I have been recommended for selection by the Admissions Committee and approved by the Dean. Then it says to reference the Important Guidelines for the Remainder of the Admissions Cycle handout from the interview day.

In there it says "If you receive a wait list letter, you have been recommended for acceptance by the Admissions Committee, but there are no spaces available in the First Year and/or in your service choice at the time."

From talking to the admission staff, yeah, that means spots for my first choice, Navy, are filled already. I don't know about the offering of a second choice service. I'm not sure they can do that for me since I'm still in the Navy so Navy gets first crack at me anyway.
 
Oh, I see. I think the waitlist moves pretty quickly, especially since you're on it so early. People moved off it last year definitely.
 
Accepted at my #1 elsewhere and have withdrawn my application USHUS. Good luck everyone!
 
Just thought I would wish everyone luck tomorrow heres hoping another set of acceptances go out :luck::luck:
 
Just a quick note about the new curriculum.

Some people like it and some don't. However, I would also take into account that we don't have any experience with any other type of curriculum. I personally like the new curriculum. Instead of learning all biochem then anatomy etc then micro and path in your second year you are learning all of it together by system. So we are doing musculoskeletal system now and we are learning the biochem, histo, patho, anatomy, physical exam, etc for the system together. I was accepted at several other schools as well and would not want to be anywhere else. My classmates are awesome and we all do everything we can to help each other. Okay that's all I can spit out at the moment... My brain has shut down.... lol. Don't worry you'll experience this phenomenon soon. Good luck to everyone! Hope to see you next year! 🙂
 
I have been one to browse many forums on here for over a year but just joined today, I hope I am doing this correctly! I have a question that I have not seen an answer yet to; does everyone who applies to usuhs automatically qualify for the secondary application, or is there an initial screening process? Also, will usuhs notify me if I am not invited for an interview rather than keeping me anxious? << probably a dumb question but I am anxious! Thank you
 
no news yet?
I was asked to fill out a secondary. They said they got it and all required materials on 11/3. I did not know if this was standard procedure for usuhs to ask all applicants for a secondary, or if this was one milestone in the screening process that I was able to make it to. I know it has only been about 4 weeks, but just curious as to how notifications about invitations work too. Thank you!
 
I was asked to fill out a secondary. They said they got it and all required materials on 11/3. I did not know if this was standard procedure for usuhs to ask all applicants for a secondary, or if this was one milestone in the screening process that I was able to make it to. I know it has only been about 4 weeks, but just curious as to how notifications about invitations work too. Thank you!

according to the MSAR all applicants are sent secondaries
 
Looks like they didn't hand out any acceptances yesterday/today. Maybe they're holding off for the 15th?
 
Ugh. I sent in all my medical records for my pneumonia incident from when I was 7. They sent me two more remedials x_X
 
Just wondering, about how long between being told your application is complete for review and notification for an interview? I've been having a lot of issues with application stuff and I'm just curious when to start getting more worried than I already am. If anyone has some time frames, that would be great. Thanks!
 
Just wondering, about how long between being told your application is complete for review and notification for an interview? I've been having a lot of issues with application stuff and I'm just curious when to start getting more worried than I already am. If anyone has some time frames, that would be great. Thanks!

Here's my timeline in case you're wondering:

AMCAS submit: June 1
AMCAS verified: June 2
Secondary Assigned: June 17
Secondary Submitted: July 5
Interview Invite: 8/31
Interview: 10/6
Acceptance: 11/1

Hope that helps! Good luck!
 
I'm interviewing this thursday. What is the deal with the security questionaire? We have to bring it to the interview, right? Does anyone have a link to it? thanks
 
I'm interviewing this thursday. What is the deal with the security questionaire? We have to bring it to the interview, right? Does anyone have a link to it? thanks

Yeah, you should bring it with you. I received an email with the pdf a couple days before my interview. I think someone posted a link to it earlier in the thread...not sure if its the same.
 
I'm interviewing this thursday. What is the deal with the security questionaire? We have to bring it to the interview, right? Does anyone have a link to it? thanks

Just email the admissions office and they'll send it to you ASAP. I was in your same position and they got it to me ASAP.
 
Can anyone shed more light on if going Army will increase the chances of being matched with a surgery residency? I heard that going Air Force would mean more along the lines of preventative care. I find both services to be equally appealing, maybe army more with the number of military hospitals you can do clerkskips and follow up with residencies at.
 
I don't know too much about residencies but in terms of clerkships, you have equal opportunity to complete them at any military hospital, regardless of service. All locations are up for grabs in the lottery. The MS4 I interviewed with said she did more of her clerkships at army hospitals, despite being in the navy.
 
Hi folks! Anyone know if calls went out for 10/27 interviews? I'm almost at 6 weeks of living on the edge of my seat, and would love to know. 🙂
 
Hi folks! Anyone know if calls went out for 10/27 interviews? I'm almost at 6 weeks of living on the edge of my seat, and would love to know. 🙂

it seems like no calls have gone out since early november....I don't think anyone got called around nov 15...or they just haven't posted it on SDN

the holidays must have messed them up (or thats what I'll attribute it too at the very least lol)
 
Can anyone shed more light on if going Army will increase the chances of being matched with a surgery residency? I heard that going Air Force would mean more along the lines of preventative care. I find both services to be equally appealing, maybe army more with the number of military hospitals you can do clerkskips and follow up with residencies at.

I found this great website that outlines all of the military residencies by branch. Check it out here: http://www.militarygme.org/4.html

I'm not sure how current the info is...

PM me if the link doesn't work.
 
Received a letter today saying I'm waitlisted for the Air Force. Interviewed on 10/20
 
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it seems like no calls have gone out since early november....I don't think anyone got called around nov 15...or they just haven't posted it on SDN

the holidays must have messed them up (or thats what I'll attribute it too at the very least lol)

I like the way you think. Thanks for the reply! I hope you're right!
 
it seems like no calls have gone out since early november....I don't think anyone got called around nov 15...or they just haven't posted it on SDN

the holidays must have messed them up (or thats what I'll attribute it too at the very least lol)

I also agree with this statement. My hypothesis is as follows:

All active duty military members get 30 days of annual leave, because of the holidays, it is likely that several members of the adcom and admissions staff have taken their leave causing a backup in the normal response time for decisions.

I interviewed on 10/13, have not gotten a call or letter so that tells me that I am at least still in the running.

Good luck everyone
 
I found this great website that outlines all of the military residencies by branch. Check it out here: http://www.militarygme.org/4.html

I'm not sure how current the info is...

PM me if the link doesn't work.


Solid resource- Thanks for passing that on!

*sitting here with my head tilted and ear wax removal droplets in.. they are thorough on their remedials... lol :laugh:
 
Hey Gang, I interviewed Dec 1st. Now the waiting begins... Hopefully it will be good news! My top choice was Army! Anybody else interviewed on the 1st?
 
I also agree with this statement. My hypothesis is as follows:

All active duty military members get 30 days of annual leave, because of the holidays, it is likely that several members of the adcom and admissions staff have taken their leave causing a backup in the normal response time for decisions.

I interviewed on 10/13, have not gotten a call or letter so that tells me that I am at least still in the running.

Good luck everyone

Hi all,

I interviewed when you did and received a call for a conditional acceptance on December 1st. However, they could have just slowed down their pace in general. Stay hopeful all!
 
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