2012-2013 Oregon Health and Science University Application Thread

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More likely than not, there will be others that are looking for roommates. It shouldn't be too difficult to find a place that rents for less than $1000/month and share it between several people.

My mortgage is just over $1000/month. The only problem is I am about a 35-40 minute public transportation ride away from the bottom of the tram. It is less than 20 minutes if I could drive, but the likelihood of getting a parking spot is low. It will be tri-met for me.

dsoz
There is a link somewhere on OHSU's website for the average people were paying for rent and stuff, I feel like it was between 600-800 per person when I get home ill post it
 
More likely than not, there will be others that are looking for roommates. It shouldn't be too difficult to find a place that rents for less than $1000/month and share it between several people.

My mortgage is just over $1000/month. The only problem is I am about a 35-40 minute public transportation ride away from the bottom of the tram. It is less than 20 minutes if I could drive, but the likelihood of getting a parking spot is low. It will be tri-met for me.

dsoz

It seems like the only way MS1/2 drive is via black-market deals... According to the students on my interview day people who live on the hill and don't have cars sometimes craigslist their spots out for ~100/month.
 
There is a link somewhere on OHSU's website for the average people were paying for rent and stuff, I feel like it was between 600-800 per person when I get home ill post it

I lived in downtown Portland until very recently. Unless they live in a place with multiple roommates I would be very surprised to see bills that low. I would expect closer to twice that for rent+utilities. (edit: granted I know the hill is slightly cheaper.)

The financial guy said expect to live off of ~$2000/month though.
 
I lived in downtown Portland until very recently. Unless they live in a place with multiple roommates I would be very surprised to see bills that low. I would expect closer to twice that for rent+utilities. (edit: granted I know the hill is slightly cheaper.)

The financial guy said expect to live off of ~$2000/month though.
Yea I was talking purely rent. Two people I know I think split 1600-1700 for a 2 bedroom right near the bottom of the tram
 
More likely than not, there will be others that are looking for roommates. It shouldn't be too difficult to find a place that rents for less than $1000/month and share it between several people.

My mortgage is just over $1000/month. The only problem is I am about a 35-40 minute public transportation ride away from the bottom of the tram. It is less than 20 minutes if I could drive, but the likelihood of getting a parking spot is low. It will be tri-met for me.

dsoz

There is also the bike + suit of goretex armor option. Unless you're talking about more than 10 miles I find its usually faster than Trimet. But biking through walls of water in the winter is....an acquired taste, to say the least.
 
There is also the bike + suit of goretex armor option. Unless you're talking about more than 10 miles I find its usually faster than Trimet. But biking through walls of water in the winter is....an acquired taste, to say the least.

So true. I've seen so many novice bikers nearly die because of these conditions--scary!
 
There is also the bike + suit of goretex armor option. Unless you're talking about more than 10 miles I find its usually faster than Trimet. But biking through walls of water in the winter is....an acquired taste, to say the least.
I used to bike in from my house in outer Beaverton (13 miles from downtown) was sometimes still faster than TriMet. If you can catch an express bus (that makes fewer stops) and score an open bus-front bike rack spot, you can get to town pretty quickly.

Though the weather and body stress are a significant consideration... It got to a point where I often had to choose to drive (and suck it up for parking) because if I did my bike commute I'd start coming down with colds left and right.
 
I used to bike in from my house in outer Beaverton (13 miles from downtown) was sometimes still faster than TriMet. If you can catch an express bus (that makes fewer stops) and score an open bus-front bike rack spot, you can get to town pretty quickly.

Though the weather and body stress are a significant consideration... It got to a point where I often had to choose to drive (and suck it up for parking) because if I did my bike commute I'd start coming down with colds left and right.
13 miles each way is a trek
 
13 miles each way is a trek
Yeah, I'm not sure I'm up for it anymore. It's a lot of logistics, gear, food planning, etc. Even though I hate sitting on transit, at least that time could be used constructively to study flashcards. Or sleep.
 
There is also the bike + suit of goretex armor option. Unless you're talking about more than 10 miles I find its usually faster than Trimet. But biking through walls of water in the winter is....an acquired taste, to say the least.

I am in Oregon City. Taking either 99E (McLoughlin) or 43 (Macadam) is not an appealing prospect on a bike.

Remember, I am a non-traditional. I am an old man compared to most of the rest of you. I have children that are graduated from high school. I don't think I could bike commute. Bus seems more likely.

dsoz
 
Oh right, Oregon City. Yeah. I rode from Portland to Mollala once & had to go through there on a bike - not something I'd want in my daily commute! I'm in NE pdx so my groggy morning commute to PSU or OHSU is all downhill 🙂
 
Remember, I am a non-traditional. I am an old man compared to most of the rest of you. I have children that are graduated from high school. I don't think I could bike commute. Bus seems more likely.
Hey, I'm not much younger than you. 😛 It's not about being too old to physically do it, though I admit there is probably some age-earned wisdom in not wanting to be a soft squishy target for all the Bubbas in Trucks driving around.
 
Random things to add in case they are useful.

They have honors, near honors, satisfactory, fail or something like that for all 4 years. There may be a grade between near honors and satisfactory I missed.

There is also a "marginal". The distinction is that if you get a marginal in a class you have a chance to remediate. If you fail, you repeat the year. The exact cut-off between marginal and fail shifts around depending on the class. The other cutoffs are >90%=Honors, 85%-89%=Near Honors, between marginal and 85%=Satisfactory (usually the cutoff is somewhere from 65%to 70%).

More likely than not, there will be others that are looking for roommates. It shouldn't be too difficult to find a place that rents for less than $1000/month and share it between several people.

There is a link somewhere on OHSU's website for the average people were paying for rent and stuff, I feel like it was between 600-800 per person when I get home ill post it

There are plenty of places you can pay less than $1000 in rent, even living alone. I live about 1.5 miles south of the tram and I pay $850 for a 2 bedroom place. If you are willing to live with roommates, it's even cheaper - most of my classmates paid between $400-$600/month if they had 1-2 roommates.

Granted, this also depends on where in town you live. In general terms of cost, downtown/Pearl > South waterfront > hill > SE Portland > SW Portland > NE Portland.

It seems like the only way MS1/2 drive is via black-market deals... According to the students on my interview day people who live on the hill and don't have cars sometimes craigslist their spots out for ~100/month.

Plenty of people blast the list-serves selling parking spots. There is also metered parking that you can use for 4-8 hours at a time if you get desperate.

There is also the bike + suit of goretex armor option. Unless you're talking about more than 10 miles I find its usually faster than Trimet. But biking through walls of water in the winter is....an acquired taste, to say the least.

For those who bike, there is a bike valet at OHSU, and there are incentives for biking. I think the school pays you $50 for every 30 times you bike to work or something like that.
 
To add to the parking discussion, if you want to drive and are willing for fork over the cash, you can. The Schnitzer Lot on the waterfront is $8 for the day and I have never had trouble finding a spot (granted, I park around 8:15 AM), but others have said they have had issues coming in later. The other option is street parking at the waterfront. There are a couple of blocks dedicated to 11hr parking, but the cost is $1.60/hr, so it can be spendy. There is quite a bit of other street parking if you know where to look, but I cannot think of any place on the hill that is for longer than 4hrs, but I have known people that run out to the meter ever 3 hours and feed it. To park in a lot on the hill and avoid the tram its $12 a day, but that always seems like a bit more of a challenge to get a permit and spot.
 
Here are the remaining interview dates that were given to current students who wanted to help out with lunches/touring.

1/9, 1/16, 1/18, 1/23, 1/25, 1/30, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/27, 3/1, 3/8, 3/13, 3/15, 3/20, 3/22, 3/27, 3/29

There ya go. I doubt they would interview between 12/21 and 1/9... too many faculty on vacay. 😎
 
So...I attempted to use math the ease my hold anxiety. It didn't really work, but here is the gist of what was rolling around in my head. There are approximately 11 interview dates left and based one the size of the room of they use for orientation in Emma Jones Hall and the split group/MMI format, I would put a max avg. of interviewees at 16. Of these 176, maybe 27 (15%, somewhat educated guess) will be direct admits. So far ~70 acceptances have gone out, so that puts us at 97. To fill the class, I would say ~39 from hold status will get good news before May 9th (my projected date for wait list ranking). Based on last years forum, this change in status happened no sooner than early March. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I am just not sure how bright it is. I guess I just need to get used to chillin'...maybe for 81 more days...
 
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So...I attempted to use math the ease my hold anxiety. It didn't really work, but here is the gist of what was rolling around in my head. There are approximately 11 interview dates left and based one the size of the room of they use for orientation in Emma Jones Hall and the split group/MMI format, I would put a max avg. of interviewees at 16. Of these 176, maybe 27 (15%, somewhat educated guess) will be direct admits. So far ~70 acceptances have gone out, so that puts us at 97. To fill the class, I would say ~39 from hold status will get good news before May 9th (my projected date for wait list ranking). Based on last years forum, this change in status happened no sooner than early March. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I am just not sure how bright it is. I guess I just need to get used to chillin'...maybe for 81 more days...
Are you guessing on the number of acceptances so far as well? I sure hope there is still that many acceptances to go out, May cant come soon enough.
 
Are you guessing on the number of acceptances so far as well? I sure hope there is still that many acceptances to go out, May cant come soon enough.
That acceptance so far number is from the admissions committee. Last year's forum had a bit of movement in March/April and right before the hold pool was ranked. So it seems like there were trying to send out enough acceptances to fill the class (even though a good portion of those would be turned down) before ranking the first 120-200 hold applicants. I just wondered if that would be the case this year and it seems likely. I am trying to find a balance between optimism and reality.
 
That acceptance so far number is from the admissions committee. Last year's forum had a bit of movement in March/April and right before the hold pool was ranked. So it seems like there were trying to send out enough acceptances to fill the class (even though a good portion of those would be turned down) before ranking the first 120-200 hold applicants. I just wondered if that would be the case this year and it seems likely. I am trying to find a balance between optimism and reality.
Yea I feel you, I always play the numbers game too. Really hoping to find out something before May so i can figure out where I am going to live but realize that's probably not too likely, really hoping OHSU comes through
 
Yea I feel you, I always play the numbers game too. Really hoping to find out something before May so i can figure out where I am going to live but realize that's probably not too likely, really hoping OHSU comes through
Ditto, my friend...I think movement before May is plausible, I'm just not sure how probable and I am not sure how early it might be. I am going to check back with admissions every couple weeks to see where they are at with acceptances. The lower the number the better...a small token to hold onto during the next couple months 🙂
 
On that note anyone who was on pre-interview hold have that status disappear and go back to just being complete?
 
On that note anyone who was on pre-interview hold have that status disappear and go back to just being complete?
I've never heard of it, personally, but I'm sure it's not impossible.

Why, did your status change?
 
Yes. had the whole youve been out on hold for an interview pending further review... now it says Preliminary application information received from AMCAS: Yes

A secondary application notice was emailed to you on 08/08/2012.

Your secondary application was submitted on 08/17/2012.

Updates are not required, but any sent must be submitted by U.S. mail directly to the Office of Admissions. Include your full name, AAMC ID#, and mail to:

Oregon Health & Science University
School of Medicine
Office of Admissions, L102
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239-3098
All updates to contact information must be done by clicking on the "Update Your Contact Information" at the top of this page.

Please note: Updates submitted after the secondary application is complete may not impact your file.
Your secondary application has been processed.

Your file was complete on 09/26/2012.

We have received your secondary application, all letters of recommendation and supporting documentation.

To applicants who meet one or more Mission-Based groups: Your file is currently being screened in the interview selection process. Please note that due to the large number of files in our applicant pool, this screening may take up to 12 weeks. As soon as a decision is made on your application, you will be notified. The Admissions Committee interviews prospective candidates from October through mid-April.

To all other applicants (Non Mission-Based): OHSU screens Mission-Based applicants first for interview eligibility. By mid January, the committee will evaluate Non Mission-Based applicants for interview eligibility.
 
yep. Ever heard of this or anyone else have a similar status change?
 
yep. Ever heard of this or anyone else have a similar status change?
Wow. Never heard of this before.

I think it's a very good sign, considering that pre-interview holds are basically the kiss of death.
 
Good luck everyone! Here's to hoping I blow them away today! :luck:

Good luck to you too. Also to all the others that are interviewing with you.

Relax and have a good day. 🙂

dsoz
 
When do you think is the last day they will extend interview invitations?
 
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When do you think is the last day they will extend interview invitations?
If you look up a little bit you can see the list of remaining days. The last being 3/29 so I'd guess a little before that day and sooner if someone cancels last minute
 
Wait so all you hold people out there, no one is seeing what I am seeing?
 
Rejected via online portal today. Pre-interview hold, oos, mission group. Good Luck to all those still in the running!
 
Amazing day, but iffy 1:1 :/ I'll post more when I get back home and have some time. I have 2 more synopses to write, too.
 
I was placed on post-interview hold on 1/17 (my interview took place on 12/14). Here is the status description from my portal:


Your MD interview has been scheduled for 12/14/2012.

Decision: Hold 01/17/2013

Since your interview, you have been discussed by the Admissions Committee and were placed in the hold pool.

With roughly 500 interviews conducted over the course of six months (October through March) and a limited number of placements to offer, the Admissions Committee must put many applicants in the hold pool until they have had a chance to discuss each of their interviewed candidates. 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. Please note that further updates will not reopen your file or change the committee's decision.

We realize this is an anxious time of waiting and thank you for your understanding and patience.
 
Accepted today! 12/21 interview. OOS mission group. I don't think it has really sunk in yet...
 
Accepted today! 12/21 interview. OOS mission group. I don't think it has really sunk in yet...

Congrats!

Are you likely to end up here?

I love the avatar. Beaker is my favorite muppet! Meep.

dsoz
 
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