2012-2013 Oregon Health and Science University Application Thread

[askamsky51]

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congrats! You must be so excited!

I'm still praying every day for an ii.

+10000

 

[12345679]

Interview invite today! =D

Scared for the MMIs though...

 

[dsoz]

Interview invite today! =D

Scared for the MMIs though...

Don't be scared. They are not a big deal. If you do some google searches for MMI you will find some good resources for what to expect.

Knowing what you are getting into helps reduce your stress level. Really, there is nothing to fear from the MMI. Just know your application, and be able to talk to people with confidence and compassion.

dsoz

 

[12345679]

Don't be scared. They are not a big deal. If you do some google searches for MMI you will find some good resources for what to expect.

Knowing what you are getting into helps reduce your stress level. Really, there is nothing to fear from the MMI. Just know your application, and be able to talk to people with confidence and compassion.

dsoz

Thank you for the encouraging words!

 

[Guero]

Interview invite today! =D

Scared for the MMIs though...

Congrats!! *hunkers down back to wolf position, ever so eagerly waiting for an II*

 

[12345679]

Thanks 😉

I actually didn't expect to hear back from OHSU so soon; I thought OHSU had a reputation of being notoriously slow. But I am sure your turn is coming soon. If I have learned anything so far in this crazy process, it is that patience is key. No point in tormenting ourselves over something that is no longer in our hands.... it'll happen when it happens, so we mind as well enjoy the ride. Good luck!

 

[Guero]

So, OHSU is flat out my 2nd choice. Anyone have any thoughts on sending in an LOI? I already updated them with a 1st author pub accepted for publication. But I figure expressing my deep desire to attend couldn't hurt at this point, especially considering my #1 is unlikely to come to fruition at this point...

 

[deleted127837]

So, OHSU is flat out my 2nd choice. Anyone have any thoughts on sending in an LOI? I already updated them with a 1st author pub accepted for publication. But I figure expressing my deep desire to attend couldn't hurt at this point, especially considering my #1 is unlikely to come to fruition at this point...

Would've been best to express your desire in the update letter - don't inundate them with requests.

I'd send a letter of intent when you're sure Oregon is your #1 school, and you'd withdraw from everywhere else to go there. Otherwise, I'd wait.

 

[DAPI]

So, OHSU is flat out my 2nd choice. Anyone have any thoughts on sending in an LOI? I already updated them with a 1st author pub accepted for publication. But I figure expressing my deep desire to attend couldn't hurt at this point, especially considering my #1 is unlikely to come to fruition at this point...

Does OHSU even take updates pre-interview? I already had mine and can no longer see what it says regarding that, but I thought they did not take updates except for the one-time exception when responding to the interview invite... I may be wrong. I know they do not take updates or LOI post-interview.

 

[Guero]

Does OHSU even take updates pre-interview? I already had mine and can no longer see what it says regarding that, but I thought they did not take updates except for the one-time exception when responding to the interview invite... I may be wrong. I know they do not take updates or LOI post-interview.

I think you're correct, good sir! When I sent it in, I received an automated reply that listed the things they'd accept at that email address, and "updates" as well as "LOIs" were not on that list. Thanks for pointing that out. Now I know to send in a very well written letter expressing my interest and updates all in one should I be lucky enough to receive an II. And dangit! I want one so baaaaaaaaaad!

 

[bananapancake33]

Don't be scared. They are not a big deal. If you do some google searches for MMI you will find some good resources for what to expect.

Knowing what you are getting into helps reduce your stress level. Really, there is nothing to fear from the MMI. Just know your application, and be able to talk to people with confidence and compassion.

I will second this! I actually thought the MMIs were kind of fun. Granted I completely blanked in my first room and I might have apologized to the interviewer for giving a bad answer. Whoopsies. Seriously, relax, you will figure it out when you get there! The interviewers are understanding that it's a different interview format. Just prepare like you would for any other interview and you'll be set the day of 🙂

 

[mybubbles627]

I think you're correct, good sir! When I sent it in, I received an automated reply that listed the things they'd accept at that email address, and "updates" as well as "LOIs" were not on that list. Thanks for pointing that out. Now I know to send in a very well written letter expressing my interest and updates all in one should I be lucky enough to receive an II. And dangit! I want one so baaaaaaaaaad!

Do you fit one of their mission groups? As a current student I can definately tell you they get so many applicants and won't interview people outside mission groups. That being said I hope you do fit a group and wish you luck on getting an ii. Feel free to pm me with questions.

 

[Guero]

Do you fit one of their mission groups? As a current student I can definately tell you they get so many applicants and won't interview people outside mission groups. That being said I hope you do fit a group and wish you luck on getting an ii. Feel free to pm me with questions.

I sure do. I'm OOS but meet their MD/MPH mission group. Thanks, I'll definitely take you up on that offer should I be lucky enough to land that elusive interview. 🙂

 

[spazz911]

Anyone else on hold? f I'm on hold does that I mean I will be in the dark until May, or do they accept/decline/waitlist people before that date?

 

[DAPI]

Anyone else on hold? f I'm on hold does that I mean I will be in the dark until May, or do they accept/decline/waitlist people before that date?

From what I recall them saying and last year's thread, you will likely not be rejected. From your interview and application you got a score. They then have a cutoff to give an auto accept, hold, or auto reject. Because you did not make the accept cutoff and are not low enough for a reject you are on hold. The thing is, they can change those cutoffs if they realize the set them wrong part way through the application cycle. At that point, you would be accepted if you meet the new accept cutoff. If you don't or they don't change the cutoff you will be on hold till May, at which time you will get your waitlist number based on your score and everyone else's. I doubt they change the reject cutoff throughout the year as it seems like a waste of time on their part, but I suppose its possible.

tl;dr: yes, you can be accepted before May.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

So, I applied MD/MPH, and since I applied I have learned that it is also possible to get an MPH and get it paid for as part of some residencies or fellowships, which would save me a ton of money and thus make it easier to actually do community-health oriented work that may pay less. Does anyone know if the OHSU MPH is a binding condition of matriculation if I get in now? Would this get me in trouble if I asked about it at an interview? I am still interested in the MPH, I am just interested in possibly exploring different ways to go about it.

 

[Guero]

So, I applied MD/MPH, and since I applied I have learned that it is also possible to get an MPH and get it paid for as part of some residencies or fellowships, which would save me a ton of money and thus make it easier to actually do community-health oriented work that may pay less. Does anyone know if the OHSU MPH is a binding condition of matriculation if I get in now? Would this get me in trouble if I asked about it at an interview? I am still interested in the MPH, I am just interested in possibly exploring different ways to go about it.

I can't answer the first question, but I would definitely refrain from asking them about not doing the MPH during the interview.

 

[DAPI]

So, I applied MD/MPH, and since I applied I have learned that it is also possible to get an MPH and get it paid for as part of some residencies or fellowships, which would save me a ton of money and thus make it easier to actually do community-health oriented work that may pay less. Does anyone know if the OHSU MPH is a binding condition of matriculation if I get in now? Would this get me in trouble if I asked about it at an interview? I am still interested in the MPH, I am just interested in possibly exploring different ways to go about it.

I doubt its binding just like MD/PhD programs are not binding, but I would not bring it up in an interview. I say this not because it may be looked upon unfavorably, but because they are only 22 minutes long. That's not enough time to discuss the highlights of your application, let alone asking questions the interviewer probably doesn't know the answer to as they are faculty at OHSU and do not necessarily know anything about the terms of the program and admissions.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

I can't answer the first question, but I would definitely refrain from asking them about not doing the MPH during the interview.

Yeah, I don't want to give them the idea that I just signed up to put myself into another mission group. I really do want to do the MPH! But if I can potentially do it without putting another year's tuition + living expenses on loans that sounds like a way more solid plan. But we'll see how it pans out.

 

[Guero]

Yeah, I don't want to give them the idea that I just signed up to put myself into another mission group. I really do want to do the MPH! But if I can potentially do it without putting another year's tuition + living expenses on loans that sounds like a way more solid plan. But we'll see how it pans out.

Yeah, I was lucky to know about the benefits to doing the MPH during residency/fellowship before applying and only applied to a few schools that offered a really good MD/MPH program. I figured it was a very slim chance that I'd get into any of those programs and plan on doing it during residency if I don't get in to one of them. In fact, I think this is my last shot.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

I doubt its binding just like MD/PhD programs are not binding, but I would not bring it up in an interview. I say this not because it may be looked upon unfavorably, but because they are only 22 minutes long. That's not enough time to discuss the highlights of your application, let alone asking questions the interviewer probably doesn't know the answer to as they are faculty at OHSU and do not necessarily know anything about the terms of the program and admissions.

Good point. I was kind of wondering if the MD/MPH applicants got an extra station/interview in the MMI or if the MPH portion of the app was just decided by the essay we submitted.

 

[dsoz]

Yeah, I don't want to give them the idea that I just signed up to put myself into another mission group. I really do want to do the MPH! But if I can potentially do it without putting another year's tuition + living expenses on loans that sounds like a way more solid plan. But we'll see how it pans out.

You could probably email Katy G and ask before your interview. Since you fit into at least one other mission group I don't think that this would kill your application.

dsoz

 

[Dianyla]

Good point. I was kind of wondering if the MD/MPH applicants got an extra station/interview in the MMI or if the MPH portion of the app was just decided by the essay we submitted.

Last year, the MPH applicants had an additional interview that was separate from the MMI circuit.

 

[Guero]

Last year, the MPH applicants had an additional interview that was separate from the MMI circuit.

Beautiful, thanks for the info. I'm quite prepared for such an interview. I've had a lot of experience in public health and could talk ad nauseum, lol.

 

[smccreery86]

Interview invite today! =D

Scared for the MMIs though...

Congrats! That is so exciting! How long was it from the time you submitted your secondary until you received the II?

 

[smccreery86]

Over 9 weeks of radio silence since I completed. I wish they would just get this over with already. I know it is my reach school and I would like to treat it like a band-aid...just get the pain over with quickly!

My sentiments EXACTLY!!! Any news yet for you?

 

[dsoz]

The portal does state that there is a TEN WEEK wait.

For applicants who have already submitted the Secondary Application, we are currently receiving a very high volume of applications. It may take up to 10 weeks from the time you submit your Secondary Application until the time the Office of Admissions processes it. Your application status will not change until we have processed your secondary application. Please continue to check the Admissions Portal.

At the interview day, they stated that they have had a record number of applicants, over 5200 this year (average of 4800). They have to wade through the 3000 secondaries that they receive to find the roughly 1800 mission based applicants, then they have only about 500 interview spots to give out for a class of about 140.

Make of these numbers what you will. I hope your file is exceptional in order to rise to the top. But I also hope that it is not so exceptional to push me out of the running. 🙂

dsoz

 

[Ellie Arroway]

Even better is that at the end of the 6-10 week wait to get completed, the site states that the interview invite could take another 12 weeks. I submitted in early September & I expect to interview in January or February.

I guess that what happens when they have to sift through 7 essays x 5200 = more pages than the fullsize OED.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

Not joking either, the Oxford English Dictionary is only ~22,000 pages.

Edit, I got the math wrong, but for 3000 secondaries they are looking at approximately one OED equivalent.

 

[spazz911]

From what I recall them saying and last year's thread, you will likely not be rejected. From your interview and application you got a score. They then have a cutoff to give an auto accept, hold, or auto reject. Because you did not make the accept cutoff and are not low enough for a reject you are on hold. The thing is, they can change those cutoffs if they realize the set them wrong part way through the application cycle. At that point, you would be accepted if you meet the new accept cutoff. If you don't or they don't change the cutoff you will be on hold till May, at which time you will get your waitlist number based on your score and everyone else's. I doubt they change the reject cutoff throughout the year as it seems like a waste of time on their part, but I suppose its possible.

tl;dr: yes, you can be accepted before May.

I'm not so sure. The portal states:

[...]The Admissions Committee will be discussing applicants through the beginning of May, which means that you will be notified of a final decision regarding your application no later than May 15, 2013. Applicants put on hold will remain on hold until May 15, when final decisions are made. At that point you will hear a decision of Accept, Alternate, or Refuse. [...]


The problem here is that we won't hear about our status until May 15th, assuming I'm not misreading this. April is around the time that we have to determine if we want to accept any school's offer, right? So, this means by the time we hear back from OHSU, we will likely already have had to accept/reject other school's offers...

 

[DAPI]

I'm not so sure. The portal states:

[...]The Admissions Committee will be discussing applicants through the beginning of May, which means that you will be notified of a final decision regarding your application no later than May 15, 2013. Applicants put on hold will remain on hold until May 15, when final decisions are made. At that point you will hear a decision of Accept, Alternate, or Refuse. [...]


The problem here is that we won't hear about our status until May 15th, assuming I'm not misreading this. April is around the time that we have to determine if we want to accept any school's offer, right? So, this means by the time we hear back from OHSU, we will likely already have had to accept/reject other school's offers...

The portal contradicts what was said at my interview and what has happened in previous years, specifically last year where they had no idea where the cut-offs would be because of the new MMI system.

As an example let's say there are 5 applicants. Each got the following score out of 100:
A: 95
B: 85
C: 75
D: 35
E: 30

Now, before interviews started, the adcom had said they will outright accept anyone with a score of 90 or better, reject those below 30, and put those in-between on hold. So applicant A gets accepted right away and applicant E gets rejected while B, C, & D get placed on hold. Now, if 3/4ths the way through the interview season only a few people have scored above 90, they can lower that number to say 80. Now applicant B with a score of 85 will be accepted before May 15th. Applicants C and D would still have to wait till May 15th to be accepted or placed on the waitlist.

I would also assume the same holds true that they could raise that auto-reject number that if they were putting almost everyone on hold, they could raise the reject number to 40 and therefore applicant D would be rejected pre-May 15th, even though he had originally been placed on hold.

**Please note these cut-off numbers are completely made up for simplicity.


But yeah, it is correct that most people will not know their final status till well into May, as the past few years the waitlist has moved >100 people (IIRC). I would look at least years thread to see when offers were released and to see when the waitlist stopped moving.

The other thing is after May 15th you can only hold one acceptance, but you can remain on waitlists and turn it down if you get a new acceptance. So if you really want to go to OHSU, you can have your acceptance at some random school, but if OHSU accepts you in July, you can turn down the other school and accepts OHSU's offer. I think you have like a two week grace period to hold multiple acceptances after May 15th. The May 15 date can also vary (ie: be earlier) depending on the schools you have been accepted to.

 

[spazz911]

The portal contradicts what was said at my interview and what has happened in previous years, specifically last year where they had no idea where the cut-offs would be because of the new MMI system.

As an example let’s say there are 5 applicants. Each got the following score out of 100:
A: 95
B: 85
C: 75
D: 35
E: 30

Now, before interviews started, the adcom had said they will outright accept anyone with a score of 90 or better, reject those below 30, and put those in-between on hold. So applicant A gets accepted right away and applicant E gets rejected while B, C, & D get placed on hold. Now, if 3/4ths the way through the interview season only a few people have scored above 90, they can lower that number to say 80. Now applicant B with a score of 85 will be accepted before May 15th. Applicants C and D would still have to wait till May 15th to be accepted or placed on the waitlist.

I would also assume the same holds true that they could raise that auto-reject number that if they were putting almost everyone on hold, they could raise the reject number to 40 and therefore applicant D would be rejected pre-May 15th, even though he had originally been placed on hold.

**Please note these cut-off numbers are completely made up for simplicity.


But yeah, it is correct that most people will not know their final status till well into May, as the past few years the waitlist has moved >100 people (IIRC). I would look at least years thread to see when offers were released and to see when the waitlist stopped moving.

The other thing is after May 15th you can only hold one acceptance, but you can remain on waitlists and turn it down if you get a new acceptance. So if you really want to go to OHSU, you can have your acceptance at some random school, but if OHSU accepts you in July, you can turn down the other school and accepts OHSU's offer. I think you have like a two week grace period to hold multiple acceptances after May 15th. The May 15 date can also vary (ie: be earlier) depending on the schools you have been accepted to.

Woo wee, thank you for that post! Definitely cleared up a few things for me. Though I'm still concerned about this contradiction. Also, let's say an applicant accepts an offer for a school in April, and remains on OHSU's waitlist. The AAMC actually allows schools to view where an applicant has accepted an offer. Therefore, accepting a school's offer may decrease an applicant's chances at other schools where he/she is on waitlist. Of course, this is fraudulent, but I've been told it's somewhat common as well.

 

[DAPI]

Woo wee, thank you for that post! Definitely cleared up a few things for me. Though I'm still concerned about this contradiction. Also, let's say an applicant accepts an offer for a school in April, and remains on OHSU's waitlist. The AAMC actually allows schools to view where an applicant has accepted an offer. Therefore, accepting a school's offer may decrease an applicant's chances at other schools where he/she is on waitlist. Of course, this is fraudulent, but I've been told it's somewhat common as well.

I would not be too worried about it. The schools know there is no reason to hold onto a waitlist spot if you are not genuinely interested in the school.

Also, it would be silly to let go of an acceptance thinking that would give you a better shot at coming off a waitlist.

And I'm not 100% sure, but I think only schools who have accepted you can see where else you have been accepted. So if you're waitlisted at OHSU, they could not see you have an acceptance somewhere else. Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[spazz911]

I would not be too worried about it. The schools know there is no reason to hold onto a waitlist spot if you are not genuinely interested in the school.

Also, it would be silly to let go of an acceptance thinking that would give you a better shot at coming off a waitlist.

And I'm not 100% sure, but I think only schools who have accepted you can see where else you have been accepted. So if you're waitlisted at OHSU, they could not see you have an acceptance somewhere else. Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

To the best of my knowledge, that is correct-- great catch!

 

[getmdinfo]

Status still says " We will update your status as soon as a decision has been made."

Are there others who interviewed early whodo not have a decision posted yet?

 

[DAPI]

Status still says " We will update your status as soon as a decision has been made."

Are there others who interviewed early whodo not have a decision posted yet?

I think only 10/10 and 10/12 have had decisions made. Guessing 10/19 will hear tomorrow and 10/26 on the 20th.

 

[dsoz]

I think only 10/10 and 10/12 have had decisions made. Guessing 10/19 will hear tomorrow and 10/26 on the 20th.

I really hope so. I am going slowly crazy waiting for a decision. I keep going around and around with options, and they all hinge on hearing back from OHSU. Come on OHSU! Some of us have lives to live and plans to make!

dsoz

 

[Guero]

I'm sending an update via mail since the secondary page states that they'll only accept updates via USPS. Has anyone else done this and received a confirmation?

 

[DAPI]

Status still says " We will update your status as soon as a decision has been made."

Are there others who interviewed early whodo not have a decision posted yet?

Oops. I did not see you interviewed on 10/10. IDK what to tell you except that they said that if your one-on-one interviewer could not make it to your committee meeting to advocate for you, they would have to come in at another date. Maybe they missed it and you will get reviewed sometime soon.

 

[DAPI]

Saw a group of interviewers on their tour today and wished them luck... So if you had some random guy tell you good luck around 1:10 as you walked into the Kohler Pavilion it was me 😀

 

[Dianyla]

Beautiful, thanks for the info. I'm quite prepared for such an interview. I've had a lot of experience in public health and could talk ad nauseum, lol.

Don't.

I, myself, have a very bad habit of logorrhea. I got smacked down hard for it during my rejection feedback sessions, most notably from an interview I had with someone who is very involved with the MPH program. Learn from my fail.

 

[init2winit]

Don't.

I, myself, have a very bad habit of logorrhea. I got smacked down hard for it during my rejection feedback sessions, most notably from an interview I had with someone who is very involved with the MPH program. Learn from my fail.

Can you share a bit more about what you mean by getting "smacked down" for public health/MPH discussions during your interview? Would be interested in hearing a bit more about what they didn't seem to like...

 

[Dianyla]

Can you share a bit more about what you mean by getting "smacked down" for public health/MPH discussions during your interview? Would be interested in hearing a bit more about what they didn't seem to like...

No, I got smacked down for talking ad nauseum, and not having more succinct prepared answers.

Too much caffeine, not enough sleep, and babbling nervously... some interviewers might be more forgiving of this but mine sure wasn't. 😳

 

[init2winit]

No, I got smacked down for talking ad nauseum, and not having more succinct prepared answers.

Too much caffeine, not enough sleep, and babbling nervously... some interviewers might be more forgiving of this but mine sure wasn't. 😳

Oh, I see, thanks! Good advice to be prepared with succinct answers.

 

[Dianyla]

Oh, I see, thanks! Good advice to be prepared with succinct answers.

No worries, I can see how my original post might have been ambiguous. The MPH tie-in was that one might be more likely to encounter an interviewer such as mine in the MPH specific interviews. Also, they are longer and more of the traditional format, which means you have more rope with which to hang yourself. The MMI stations are pretty brief so they keep you focused on one question/task/scenario at a time.

 

[Guero]

Don't.

I, myself, have a very bad habit of logorrhea. I got smacked down hard for it during my rejection feedback sessions, most notably from an interview I had with someone who is very involved with the MPH program. Learn from my fail.

Ouch, I'm sorry. Thanks for the feedback. But I'd never actually talk ad nauseum or bore the knickers off my interviewer. I tend to be concise during interviews unless I stumble. I am losing hope for OHSU, though. :-(

 

[987439759]

II Today. IS. Stoked.

 

[dsoz]

Congratulations! what date and what are your stats, if you don't mind sharing.

dsoz

 

[987439759]

35. 3.7 overall. in early december sometime. still not set on a date. ohsu is definitely one of my top choices.

 

[Guero]

Congrats and good luck! I can't talk for the other OOSers, but I am getting so jelly and sad. <sad panda>