2011-2012 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

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I have some advice for incoming students that they may find useful:

live by yourself!! if u must have a roommate limit it to 1.

the bathroom used to be a source of safety and comfort, now its the sum of all my fears.
 
I have some advice for incoming students that they may find useful:

live by yourself!! if u must have a roommate limit it to 1.

the bathroom used to be a source of safety and comfort, now its the sum of all my fears.

story of my undergraduate years!
 
I was luckily accepted (conditionally, Army) here last month and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone out there can help me out with.

How long did it take to get the unconditional acceptance for those who have received it?

If you don't match into your specialty of choice, is there a way to reapply the following year or will the Army just put you into a different specialty?

Lastly, has anyone seen a recent list of the various Army residencies (and fellowships if possible), including information about number of positions and location?

Thanks and best of luck to everyone waiting to hear back!
 
Any movement at this school yet?? Interviewed 12/1 and seems like I won't hear any yay-or-nay until the 11/3 hear huh...
 
After waiting nearly three months for a waiver (myopia), I finally got a call from Rebecca Patterson saying my waiver has been approved. I'm finally unconditionally accepted! 😀

I was conditionally accepted to the Navy on 10/17, interviewed 9/22, so it's a relief to finally be able to start making plans, apartment hunting, etc.

I can feel the senioritis kicking in...
 
After waiting nearly three months for a waiver (myopia), I finally got a call from Rebecca Patterson saying my waiver has been approved. I'm finally unconditionally accepted! 😀

I was conditionally accepted to the Navy on 10/17, interviewed 9/22, so it's a relief to finally be able to start making plans, apartment hunting, etc.

I can feel the senioritis kicking in...


congratulations. you will like this school !
 
I got a call yesterday (Sunday?) from the school offering conditional acceptance with the Air Force. I interviewed on 11/10. Hopefully since Thanksgiving and the Holidays are over, the wait time will get cut down. Best of luck!
 
Has anyone that interviewed on 11/03 heard back yet?
 
I interviewed on 10/27 and still haven't heard back 🙁

has anyone from the 10/27 heard back
 
This is sort of weird. I was under the impression that files were reviewed in order of interview date but it seems like that's not the case. Some people from 10/27, 11/03, and 11/10 have heard back and others have not.
 
This is sort of weird. I was under the impression that files were reviewed in order of interview date but it seems like that's not the case. Some people from 10/27, 11/03, and 11/10 have heard back and others have not.


It seems out of order because the people who are accepted get called. The people who are waitlisted, placed on the alternate list, or rejected get notified via regular mail. This process seems to take a couple of weeks hence accepted people from later interview dates hearing back before waitlisted, etc. folks hearing back from earlier dates.
 
Can anyone please share their thought process in choosing between Army, Air Force, Navy or Public Health Service?
 
It seems out of order because the people who are accepted get called. The people who are waitlisted, placed on the alternate list, or rejected get notified via regular mail. This process seems to take a couple of weeks hence accepted people from later interview dates hearing back before waitlisted, etc. folks hearing back from earlier dates.


Good point. I also went back and read some of the information they provided in the interview email and apparently if you take fall classes (which I did) it delays the process.
 
Does USUHS reject pre/post-interviewers throughout the cycle, or do they hang onto everyone until the very end?
 
Congrats to those who have already been accepted and good luck to those who are still waiting. Just some helpful advice, start looking for housing early, especially if you are bringing a family with you. Finding housing in DC takes some research because you really have to get a feel for the commute and transit options, some of my classmates bought houses without realizing that 15 miles away from school could equal a 2 hour commute at rush hour in DC.

A couple of good resources are the USUHS student spouses club, which runs a list of available housing and the website MilitaryByOwner.com which carries sales and rental listings near military bases only.

http://www.usuhs.mil/ssc/housing.html

http://www.militarybyowner.com/homes/md/bethesda-national-naval-medical-center.aspx

Good luck everybody! USUHS is awesome!
 
Very interesting school!😎 Another great thread and lots of essential information for applicants that are applying for the upcoming 2012-2013 application cycle. Keep it up!👍🙂😀
 
I got the call last Sunday the 9th (interview 11/3). Conditional to the Air Force (first choice), already cleared with DODMERB last month though so should be unconditional any day. We are so excited! Will go in March to try to find an apt for June.
 
I got the call last Sunday the 9th (interview 11/3). Conditional to the Air Force (first choice), already cleared with DODMERB last month though so should be unconditional any day. We are so excited! Will go in March to try to find an apt for June.


Congrats! Did anyone get a call on the 15th or since then?
 
Hi all. Does anyone know when the Dec. 1st interviewees can expect to hear back?
 
Got an email from the school yesterday saying they were cancelling their second look weekend due to circumstances beyond their control...

not cool
 
Megatron2016,

Did you solicit an explaination as to why they haven't said anything lately, or did they just send an email to some distro list? Also, what week did you interview (I was 10 Nov.)? I ask b/c I didn't receive an email to that effect.

Thanks.
 
Dear USUHS Applicant,

By now you should have received an invitation to attend the 2012 Second Look Weekend [actually haven't received it]. I regret to inform you that due to circumstances beyond the University's control, this event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and encourage your continued interest in the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.


Interviewed 10/27, accepted mid December. Looks like they sent the notice to accepted applicants. It's a shame they canceled the second look. I would like as many opportunities to learn about the school as possible in order to decide whether or not to make the commitment.
 
Thanks, misunderstood what you meant by second look.
 
Has anyone who interviewed in November heard anything? I interviewed on 11/17 and haven't heard a thing yet.
 
I interviewed 01/19.
The admissions committee did mention that all the branches are currently full and that we are interviewing for wait list positions.
I was expecting this already coming in, but most of the other interviewees did not and they were a little upset to hear this.

The staff, however, did mention that this school only accepts 100% of its maximum class size, so the wait list does have a lot of movement compared to other schools. Historically, USUHS has about a 30 percent declination rate.

I did really enjoy this school and everyone there is extremely nice. I have nothing bad to say about this school and a ton of good stuff! Would love an acceptance here!
 
Just heard from Dr. Calloway, conditional acceptance army (first choice, currently in), interviewed 10 Nov.
 
I interviewed 01/19.
The admissions committee did mention that all the branches are currently full and that we are interviewing for wait list positions.

Wonder how far in retrospect they meant this. They didn't mention this in my december interview, but they also haven't gotten around to selections for us yet seeing as people who interviewed in November are just hearing now.

But I do recall one student from the panel saying she had been accepted right before the may 15th deadline so she was able to decline her other offer for usuhs. :xf:
 
Are there any current students who could shed some light on the admissions process after interviewing? I interviewed on 01/19, and I understand that all the services are currently full. What are my chances of getting accepted at this point? USU is my absolute first choice so I am a little nervous that there are technically no seats left for next year.
 
in the email they say the interviewer only have your personal essay, do they also have our grades and ECs? I am interviewing soon is the interview very conversational or more tense with ethics/we are gonna test you questions?
 
in the email they say the interviewer only have your personal essay, do they also have our grades and ECs? I am interviewing soon is the interview very conversational or more tense with ethics/we are gonna test you questions?

Mine had my secondary essay, AMCAS activity sheet (ECs & descriptions), AMCAS primary essay (I think, but we didn't discuss this). No grades, no MCAT scores.

My interviews were conversational with a few direct questions. Not in a confrontational/testing way, but part of the conversation.
 
Hey I'm new here,

Has anyone been accepted that wasn't notified via phone call and instead received notice of their acceptance through the mail? Not sure how this process works.
 
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It's pretty quiet around here for Feb 1st!
 
Yeah because no one is getting accepted until people start withdrawing.
 
I just received an interview invite for February 23. It was a late interview because I had to clarify some things on my application. I understand that I will be interviewing for the wait list, but at this point I haven't been accepted anywhere-1 wait list, 1 other interview, and 1 school I have yet to hear from (they are slow). I wanted to get your opinion regarding attending the interview. I am grateful to receive one, just wish it had been earlier in the season.
 
I just received an interview invite for February 23. It was a late interview because I had to clarify some things on my application. I understand that I will be interviewing for the wait list, but at this point I haven't been accepted anywhere-1 wait list, 1 other interview, and 1 school I have yet to hear from (they are slow). I wanted to get your opinion regarding attending the interview. I am grateful to receive one, just wish it had been earlier in the season.

Not accepted anywhere yet = you are going
 
Just interviewed yesterday. Good luck to all who are waiting and congratulations to those who already have their acceptances! I hope to join you in the fall: USUHS is far and away my first choice. A few notes:

We were briefed that Army was still open (IE had slots), but the other services were interviewing for the waiting list. I know a previous post stated that all services were full, so it appears that some spaces have opened. We were repeatedly encouraged that the waiting list does move, particularly around the May 15 commitment deadline.

If you have not already done so, get those physicals done! The forms don't convey a sense of urgency on the physicals (repeating that its ok to get them done after the interviews, etc), but in our briefings it was clear that at this point in the year, someone who is already cleared has a tremendous advantage. They said that they will not move you off the waiting list unless you are cleared at this point in the cycle! I know there is one interview date left, so this may help someone out.
 
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I also received an interview invite today for 2/23 - I was pretty surprised to be hearing from this school so late. I can't decide if I should go either. I am still waiting to hear back from a couple schools and have a pending interview, so I'm wondering if interviewing for a wait list spot at USUHS is worth it.
 
I do want to stress that I am very grateful to have gotten an interview, but not sure if the cost of travel and everything would be worth it this late in the season??
 
I do want to stress that I am very grateful to have gotten an interview, but not sure if the cost of travel and everything would be worth it this late in the season??

They wouldn't offer you the opportunity to interview if you had no hope of getting in. The question is: how serious are you about USUHS?
 
Stock rejection letter received Friday, March 3. (no interview)

Hope to speak to an admissions counselor to see why, so I may improve for the 2013 application.

Good luck to those interviewing this month.
 
Stock rejection letter received Friday, March 3. (no interview)

Hope to speak to an admissions counselor to see why, so I may improve for the 2013 application.

Good luck to those interviewing this month.

what are your stats?
 
what are your stats?

31Q, 3.8 undergrad GPA, 4.0 science GPA.

Just hit 10 years of service active army (enlisted).

Was at least hoping for an interview. At first, I thought I just applied too late. But, I see others have just received invites to interview later this month.

EDIT: I may also add--I am a "nontrad." It has been 12 years since I finished my undergraduate degree (in music). I've spent the last year and a half filling in the science pre-reqs I need.
 
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31Q, 3.8 undergrad GPA, 4.0 science GPA.

Just hit 10 years of service active army (enlisted).

Was at least hoping for an interview. At first, I thought I just applied too late. But, I see others have just received invites to interview later this month.

EDIT: I may also add--I am a "nontrad." It has been 12 years since I finished my undergraduate degree (in music). I've spent the last year and a half filling in the science pre-reqs I need.

your stats should be more than enough for an interview at USUHS and whole lot of MD schools, on top of active service and all... the only thing that could possibly dragged you down is your EC/essay/rec letters. Do you have the typical shadowing/clinical/non-clinical volunteering experiences? if not I would spend the year getting more medical related experiences, get better essay/rec letters, and turn in everything early. I got higher mcat lower gpa but I still managed to get an interview. retake mcat if you are sure u can get higher scores but dont touch the gpa. seems like you have a red flag somewhere😕
 
your stats should be more than enough for an interview at USUHS and whole lot of MD schools, on top of active service and all... the only thing that could possibly dragged you down is your EC/essay/rec letters. Do you have the typical shadowing/clinical/non-clinical volunteering experiences? if not I would spend the year getting more medical related experiences, get better essay/rec letters, and turn in everything early. I got higher mcat lower gpa but I still managed to get an interview. retake mcat if you are sure u can get higher scores but dont touch the gpa. seems like you have a red flag somewhere😕

Definitely mean no disrespect and not sure how old you are... but would the age cut-off be an issue? You mentioned 12 years since UG... the age restriction off the USU website is 18-32 unless granted special consideration from the dean. Other schools extend up to 39 last I checked.

Hope something works out for you- USU sounds like a solid fit with all your life experiences. :xf:
 
your stats should be more than enough for an interview at USUHS and whole lot of MD schools, on top of active service and all... the only thing that could possibly dragged you down is your EC/essay/rec letters. Do you have the typical shadowing/clinical/non-clinical volunteering experiences? if not I would spend the year getting more medical related experiences, get better essay/rec letters, and turn in everything early. I got higher mcat lower gpa but I still managed to get an interview. retake mcat if you are sure u can get higher scores but dont touch the gpa. seems like you have a red flag somewhere😕

I do not have typical clinical experience. I volunteer at my local hospital, but the duty has little-to-zero patient interaction. It is tedious work, and while useful to the hospital, it has little use for me. The big issue here is my duty. I cannot commit daytime hours to volunteer or shadow as I am on duty. I really need to find a place where I can get some meaningful volunteer/shadow time in the evenings or on weekends.

Definitely mean no disrespect and not sure how old you are... but would the age cut-off be an issue? You mentioned 12 years since UG... the age restriction off the USU website is 18-32 unless granted special consideration from the dean. Other schools extend up to 39 last I checked.

Hope something works out for you- USU sounds like a solid fit with all your life experiences. :xf:

I am 33. It's my understanding that this should not be an issue (until we get closer to 36 or so), and that waivers are granted by the same individuals that interview/accept us. The waiver should basically be a formality. To be sure, I will check on that specifically.

EDIT: Just heard back from a friend of mine who is a 4th year at USUHS. He said his class had a 41 year old in it. Age waivers are not an issue. This friend of mine is also a former army musician, so I know it can be done!!


Thank you all for your help. I just called USUHS admissions, and they said they do offer feedback to us rejects, but it is in writing (we request via email). I then sent them an email requesting that feedback. I should hear back in a few weeks--I'll share what they told me.

I am slightly bummed, but it is no disaster. USUHS was my only application for 2012 (and still my #1 choice). For 2013, I will apply to USUHS again, but also to civilian schools (with the hope to use HPSP). A third option I have is to get out of the military altogether, and use my GI bill to pay for most (maybe all?) of medical school, then remain a civilian.

Thanks again!

Dean
 
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