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They are really heavy on experience, guessing you have good extracurriculars?
2012-2013 Oregon Health and Science University Application Thread
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I guess so.😕 I hope I did well on the Interview. OHSU is actually my top choice now.
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Maybe one of you has asked this already - If I am not admitted but scheduled for an interview, should I still be designating OHSU as one of the schools on my FAFSA at this point? I know that thing is time sensitive and I may have no decision from OHSU until May.
edit: The OHSU financial aid site says the priority deadline is March 1 but doesn't mention whether you should be admitted to submit. I went ahead and added them.
edit: The OHSU financial aid site says the priority deadline is March 1 but doesn't mention whether you should be admitted to submit. I went ahead and added them.
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I would say that you should add EVERY school where you may have a chance of going. It doesn't make any more work for the people in the FinAid office, and it can save you a headache later on.
Good choice with adding them now! 🙂
Good choice with adding them now! 🙂
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I promised an overview of second look. So here it is...
I will state what most people want to hear first. There were about 15 of us there, and Katy told me that about 70 offers have been extended so far (less than 50% of the class!). The AdCom meetings are up to about 3 hours each time they get together. They are working hard to get more people in. 🙂 For those of you that are waiting, HANG IN THERE! The light at the end of the tunnel may be coming soon.
I started out the day waking up at 5:00, which is 20 minutes earlier than normal. I decided to take the bus into town. It took just over an hour to get to the south waterfront area and catch the tram. Even with paying $5 for fare, it was still cheaper than the $12 for parking. I asked Katy for a tram pass, and she mailed one to me, so it made it even more worth it to take the bus.
I met another second look guy at 7:30 at a coffee station recommended to us by a current employee (who was also accepted to class of 2017). We chilled for a while then went to the first year lecture hall.
Class started at 8:00. I was surprised that the lecture hall was so full. There were easily over 100 students. From posts on here, I had the impression that nobody goes to lecture. Students confirmed that it was a typical day, and that there usually are that many people present.
The professor was talking a lot about cardiac output, and kept referencing the "pig lab" that the students had done that week. I had heard about that one before, so knew a little about what they guy was talking about. The measured various things for the pig, heart rate, BP, etc, then they did stuff to it like remove a significant fraction of blood (simulated severe trauma), add lactated Ringers (like normal saline in an IV), then added the blood back (simulating adding whole blood, plasma, or packed RBCs). Each time measuring all sorts of things that are going on with the pig physiologically. I heard stories about how they used to do this to dogs, but I guess there is less objection to doing it to a pig. Or as the Mythbusters would say "human analog."
Class was over at 11:00, so we went over to the cafeteria to eat something. We then wandered around for a while to see if we could get lost, then find our way back to where we needed to be by 1:00. A two hour lunch break was way too long. We did make it back to the lecture halls by 12:30 and waited around for Katy to show up.
At 1:00 we were put in the second year's lecture hall. It was not really conducive because we were all faced the same way. It would have been better in a slightly smaller room, around a table.
We heard from several people, some of which were represented at the interview day. I don't think any of the people were the same (maybe one), but they were from the same offices. We had a chance to hear from, and ask questions to, Financial Aid office, the Dean of the SOM, and a physician working on the curriculum review so we could ask questions about how the new curriculum will affect us. Then a person from the Global Health Center, followed by Area Health Education Center, and a person from the Center for Diversity & Inclusion.
The day ended with a panel of 5 current MS1 students that answered our questions, they told stories, and it was all good. After this, most people left (about 4:30), but a couple of us were taken on another tour. I wanted to go on the tour because when I interviewed, I kept ending up in the back of my tour group. I didn't hear a lot of what was said about each place. So I used this as an opportunity to learn about what goes on in each of the buildings and areas where we walked. It also was nice getting to know the current students.
My main goal was to meet some of the people that have been accepted to next year's class. Mission accomplished.
Good luck to all that are waiting.
dsoz
I will state what most people want to hear first. There were about 15 of us there, and Katy told me that about 70 offers have been extended so far (less than 50% of the class!). The AdCom meetings are up to about 3 hours each time they get together. They are working hard to get more people in. 🙂 For those of you that are waiting, HANG IN THERE! The light at the end of the tunnel may be coming soon.
I started out the day waking up at 5:00, which is 20 minutes earlier than normal. I decided to take the bus into town. It took just over an hour to get to the south waterfront area and catch the tram. Even with paying $5 for fare, it was still cheaper than the $12 for parking. I asked Katy for a tram pass, and she mailed one to me, so it made it even more worth it to take the bus.
I met another second look guy at 7:30 at a coffee station recommended to us by a current employee (who was also accepted to class of 2017). We chilled for a while then went to the first year lecture hall.
Class started at 8:00. I was surprised that the lecture hall was so full. There were easily over 100 students. From posts on here, I had the impression that nobody goes to lecture. Students confirmed that it was a typical day, and that there usually are that many people present.
The professor was talking a lot about cardiac output, and kept referencing the "pig lab" that the students had done that week. I had heard about that one before, so knew a little about what they guy was talking about. The measured various things for the pig, heart rate, BP, etc, then they did stuff to it like remove a significant fraction of blood (simulated severe trauma), add lactated Ringers (like normal saline in an IV), then added the blood back (simulating adding whole blood, plasma, or packed RBCs). Each time measuring all sorts of things that are going on with the pig physiologically. I heard stories about how they used to do this to dogs, but I guess there is less objection to doing it to a pig. Or as the Mythbusters would say "human analog."
Class was over at 11:00, so we went over to the cafeteria to eat something. We then wandered around for a while to see if we could get lost, then find our way back to where we needed to be by 1:00. A two hour lunch break was way too long. We did make it back to the lecture halls by 12:30 and waited around for Katy to show up.
At 1:00 we were put in the second year's lecture hall. It was not really conducive because we were all faced the same way. It would have been better in a slightly smaller room, around a table.
We heard from several people, some of which were represented at the interview day. I don't think any of the people were the same (maybe one), but they were from the same offices. We had a chance to hear from, and ask questions to, Financial Aid office, the Dean of the SOM, and a physician working on the curriculum review so we could ask questions about how the new curriculum will affect us. Then a person from the Global Health Center, followed by Area Health Education Center, and a person from the Center for Diversity & Inclusion.
The day ended with a panel of 5 current MS1 students that answered our questions, they told stories, and it was all good. After this, most people left (about 4:30), but a couple of us were taken on another tour. I wanted to go on the tour because when I interviewed, I kept ending up in the back of my tour group. I didn't hear a lot of what was said about each place. So I used this as an opportunity to learn about what goes on in each of the buildings and areas where we walked. It also was nice getting to know the current students.
My main goal was to meet some of the people that have been accepted to next year's class. Mission accomplished.
Good luck to all that are waiting.
dsoz
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The reason why lecture was so full was for two reasons: 1) the professor doesn't use PowerPoints and it is hard to follow him on the audio without them 2) today was the last class before the exam as well. The classroom usually isn't that full.
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Yes, you should add all schools you applied to regardless of app status.
(I know, it still feels... presumptuous...)
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This might be a silly question, but I submitted my FAFSA already. However, I have not filed my taxes yet. To meet the priority deadline for financial aid, do I just need to designate schools through FAFSA. Or does that include filing my taxes too. Thanks for all your help everyone!
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You just have to designate the school & resubmit. Though you should have gotten a W2 to verify your estimate of your income by now, right?
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so i'm rounding out 5 weeks post-interview and have no decision yet. i know on the homepage, "Please note that further updates will not reopen your file or change the committee's decision." and at the interview we were notified that additional letters would not necessarily reach the committee. would it be useless or bad to sent an LOI (either update or intent...i'll know more in a couple of days)?
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It doesn't hurt but I wouldn't expect it to help much. OHSU doesn't seem to be interested in LOI or updates.
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5 weeks would be remarkably fast turnaround for an interview after Christmas. Patience.
On interview day they mentioned that if you send them anything else post-interview it's unlikely it will be seen/reviewed by anyone evaluating your app.
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I would agree with my bubbles. May never get to a reviewers eyes but at this point you have to kind of go all out. You'd rather send it then regret it later and say you wish you would have.
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Dianyla, Guero, dsoz and others that have interviewed. Did you guys send thank you letters immediately following your interviews. If so did you email/mail or what? I am just wondering because some interviews I have asked for my one on one persons email and they have seemed very reserved about giving it, others have offered to give it to me, but regardless very few have responded! So I am wondering if you guys asked your individual one-on-one for theirs.
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I sent a snail mail thank you letter to my interviewer c/o the admissions office. I'm pretty sure I could've figured out her email address but it seemed weird to contact her via email when she hadn't given me the address herself.
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I usually send them snail mail but in this case sent them in an email c/o Katy the very next day to show how incredibly thankful I was for this interview. It's my top choice by far; so I wanted everyone to know that a redeye flight wouldn't hold me back from expressing my gratitude stat.
That said, either method should suffice 🙂 Good luck!
And dsoz, thanks a bunch for the update. What'd you learn about how the new curriculum would affect the c/o 2017?
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I tried to reply twice before, but my phone would not connect to the WiFi where I was at... So here it is again.
I sent a handwritten card to Katy for my longer interviewer. I also sent Katy an email note to give to each of the other interviewers involved with the MMI stations.
This is what Katy said would be the best way to go about this.
Mostly, the class of 2017 will be grandfathered into the old curriculum. However, we will be part of the transition, and they may try to "experiment" some parts of the new curriculum out on us. It won't be much, maybe a lesson here or there, maybe a new way to do an old experiment, or replace an old lesson with an updated one.
You can look at it as we will be the last class with the "OLD" out-dated curriculum, or you can look at it as "at least we don't need to be the guinea pigs that they are trying out this grand experimental curriculum change on." Which way do I fall? Some of each. As a teacher, I know the value of experience with teaching something the same way multiple times and make small improvements each time; ending up with a good product. I also understand the value in evaluating if what is being done is STILL the best way to go about doing something. Is there a better way? probably. Can we make big changes based on what we learned from the past, smaller, changes? Probably.
One of the debates that is raging is whether classes should be graded or P/F. There is strong evidence that some residency program directors (for example, some at OHSU) like the graded, and will pass over some candidates because they don't like P/F. But then again, for every person that says P/F is bad, there is an equal and opposite opinion that it is good.
No matter what, students will show up, professors will teach, and in the end Exams will be taken (at school and for USMLE).
dsoz
I sent a handwritten card to Katy for my longer interviewer. I also sent Katy an email note to give to each of the other interviewers involved with the MMI stations.
This is what Katy said would be the best way to go about this.
Mostly, the class of 2017 will be grandfathered into the old curriculum. However, we will be part of the transition, and they may try to "experiment" some parts of the new curriculum out on us. It won't be much, maybe a lesson here or there, maybe a new way to do an old experiment, or replace an old lesson with an updated one.
You can look at it as we will be the last class with the "OLD" out-dated curriculum, or you can look at it as "at least we don't need to be the guinea pigs that they are trying out this grand experimental curriculum change on." Which way do I fall? Some of each. As a teacher, I know the value of experience with teaching something the same way multiple times and make small improvements each time; ending up with a good product. I also understand the value in evaluating if what is being done is STILL the best way to go about doing something. Is there a better way? probably. Can we make big changes based on what we learned from the past, smaller, changes? Probably.
One of the debates that is raging is whether classes should be graded or P/F. There is strong evidence that some residency program directors (for example, some at OHSU) like the graded, and will pass over some candidates because they don't like P/F. But then again, for every person that says P/F is bad, there is an equal and opposite opinion that it is good.
No matter what, students will show up, professors will teach, and in the end Exams will be taken (at school and for USMLE).
dsoz
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I sent mine about 5 days after. Snail mail.
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Thanks everyone for the input! Dsoz per the usual you are right on the ball. You may have already responded to this but you interested in grabbing a beef March 15th after mine and others interview day?
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I just realized after the interview...the portal kept asking me to take the survey...i took it twice and it wouldnt go away :/
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Yes I meant beer sorry haha. That all sounds like a plan we can just change to some NA beer or a soda and a burger or something!
Thank you so much for the update. Did they say how many people had been put on hold?
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Again, thanks for the great info. Do you think we have a shot at transitioning to P/F for M1 or M2? I'm a huge proponent of true P/F or at least HP/P/F systems. :-o
It sounded unlikely based on the current students' opinions on the day that I interviewed. They were hesitant to say anything because there were discussions with some people for it, some against...I would love a P/F system, though!
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Thanks! Man, I hope they institute it. The current grading system is the only thing I don't like about OHSU. But it's not nearly big enough of an issue to affect its spot as my top choice. 🙂
I didn't really like the older/darker facilities and....the parking situation. Haha, I know they are things I could get over but it'd also be like an additional 15-20K/year for me to go here. I guess I don't have to think about it till a decision comes out but still. Why did I change state residency, whyyyyyyyy! 🙁
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Yeah, it's a bit expensive as an OOS student. That said, I'm more concerned about being happy for the next four years, which will undoubtedly affect my overall performance. I think the only way I'd ever turn down my top 2 choices would be if my 2 back-up schools offer me a substantial scholarship...and with my stats? HAH!
I did get a scholarship to a DO school, though. But it wasn't nearly enough to sway me and came after I already withdrew my acceptance anyway. 🙁
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Guero...where is that interview day report I have been promised haha!
Also if I were to show up early, any advice for places on campus to check out that perhaps the interview didn't cover substantially. Maybe a current medical school student could comment as well.
I agree but I'm having trouble convincing myself that I would be happier at OHSU than the school I got into after considering what I've seen of both programs. It would be nice to stay in Portland near my family and friends, though.
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I don't want you to get lost before your interview, but if you just want to get an idea of what's all there I'd check out the following places (depending on your interests).
Doernbecher Children's Hospital - I'd recommend seeing the lobby (has a starbucks so maybe the place to start) and 7th floor as it's the most open - take a right as you get off the elevator.
Center for Health & Healing (on the water front). They'll give you a tram pass to get down there during your interview day. The lobby and then the second floor with the gym are worth your while- they'll probably let you walk through the gym if you tell them youre there for an interview. There is also an observation deck on one of the floors, but I don't recall which one... Maybe someone else knows.
The Biomedical Research Building is a pretty neat building, but everything is locked except for the lobby which is pretty bland, but modern feeling.
Walk the VA Bridge (or part of it). They take you to it on the tour, but you don't get to go on it 🙁
The Kohler Pavilion has a cool outside area to sit if the day is nice on the 9th floor with a great view. Just something to check out. It's near the tram. Basically instead of walking out to the tram, take a left and its right there IIRC.
The cafeteria in Mackenzie Hall. I feel like a lot of students probably eat there as I think it's the closest cafeteria to lecture halls, but IDK.
The OHSU Auditorium. If you walk to it, you'll just get an idea of all the academic buildings located towards the back of the campus.
Another things to note is as you ride the tram down are the two new buildings to the left (technically one building) being built. It's going to be the new med and dental school opening in 2015, plus some labs and specialty stuff.
Other than that, most things are locked up pretty tight that you can't get there without a badge or someone letting you in (like the clinical floors or wards).
Here is a map: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/ohsu-near-you/portland/marquam-hill/upload/OHSU-facilities-map.pdf
Let me know if you're interested in something specifically and I can direct you there.
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DAPI,
Thank you very much for the information that is quite a list. I actually have a whole day before and then the whole weekend so I think I will try and check as much of this out as I can.
Thank you very much for the information that is quite a list. I actually have a whole day before and then the whole weekend so I think I will try and check as much of this out as I can.
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ADSJKSAJDKSA
Interview Invite! Submitted in October. This is amazing. I didn't think this would happen as they did not give me one at all last year.
OOS, 3.75, 31 MCAT
Interview Invite! Submitted in October. This is amazing. I didn't think this would happen as they did not give me one at all last year.
OOS, 3.75, 31 MCAT
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Congrats that is great!
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Congrats!
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Thanks everyone. I gave up hope on this place pretty much as soon as I hit submit. I was just in Portland the other day with my friend talking about how much I would love to live there, but probably won't get a chance as it's so late in the cycle. Never too late, right? 😛
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From what I understand they save a lot of spots for people who are late in the cycle. So you are probably good.
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+1 and they like reapplicants. Current class is something like38 percent reapplicants
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Wouldn't it be AWESOME if we ALL made it in!?!? Here's to hoping! GL everyone! 
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They didn't say. But I don't think that there were many rejections so most of the interviewees are on hold right now.
I don't think so. The class of 2017 is grandfathered in to the old system, so it probably has the old grading system too.
Wouldn't it be AWESOME if we ALL made it in!?!? Here's to hoping! GL everyone!
I agree. there are a lot of nice people that need to get an acceptance email! I would be honored to have almost all of you as classmates (even you, Guero! 😛 ) Your energy would keep my life from getting boring!
dsoz
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That's an honor coming from you dsoz, thank you. 🙂
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Anyone have any specific info on if OHSU has a preceptorship program? If not anyone know where there is information on it?
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Are you asking like you go hang out with a physician for a few hours each week? Then yes. I got most of the info from interview day, the interview packet, and second look day.
I am going off memory, so some of the details may be not exactly correct...
About half of the first years will spend all year with a primary care physician on either Tuesday or Thursday afternoon. I am not sure if it is the SAME pcp all year or if you rotate through different ones.
The other half will spend a quarter each following different specialists. Emergency, surgery, and I don't remember the other two...
Second year, you switch to the group that you didn't get to do in the first year.
From the sounds of it, they set you up as part of the Wednesday afternoon Principles of Clinical Medicine (PCM) class "how to be a doctor."
I can try to find more on the website.
EDIT: found it http://www.ohsu.edu/pcmonline/preceptorship.cfm
dsoz
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In other words? It rocks! 🙂
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I would tend to think this, too. However, there have been too many statements from current and past med students where they talk about their preceptorship time as being a total waste when they could be studying for something else.
I can only compare it to the time that I shadowed a physician for almost 100 hours. He didn't treat it as "stand in the corner and watch." He had me carry a stethoscope and listen to heart and lung sounds. He started having me "monkey see, monkey do" for a while, just following and doing what he did. Then he had me start listening to the patient first, and telling him what I heard. One of my proudest moments while shadowing is when I told the physician that I heard a heart murmur in a pt, but it was not listed in the chart. He then listened and verified that the pt did, indeed, have a murmur.
I also assisted him in a few "procedures" like wart removal, skin punches, and other minor things.
While at second look, one of the MS1 students told us about a surgery preceptor that had him first assist (I think) a surgery last week. He was very excited about the opportunity.
I am going in with an open mind, knowing it could be awesome, or if there is a bad preceptor, it could be not so great. I am hoping for awesome.
dsoz
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Very true, I've heard good and bad at many schools, even those I wasn't fortunate enough to interview with. I think the apposite aphorism here is "to each their own." No matter where you go, no matter how excited or how bummed, it all depends on one's own experience, the nuances of with whom they interact and how they choose to reflect upon that experience.
This is where I belong. I just hope the committee agrees.
And if not? Well, I'll be sure to make the best out of where I land. 🙂
The point here folks, is that none of us waiting know where we'll be in the end. But the end is truly just the beginning. And that's how I'm processing this grueling experience.
Good luck everyone! I hope that made sense to a few of you.
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