2012-2013 Oregon Health and Science University Application Thread

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Congratulations! Are you planning on attending or do you have other options?

Mybubbles already said, but there will be two more second look days, one in April, and another in May.

Join the Facebook page if you haven't already. Search this thread for the group name.

dsoz

I do have other options, but I am really liking this one. My biggest dislike is the lack of a pure pass/fail grading system, as I personally believe that will cut down on competitiveness and encourage collaboration/studying for the future versus studying for the tests. My debate is between Case Western, Tulane, and OHSU.
 
I do have other options, but I am really liking this one. My biggest dislike is the lack of a pure pass/fail grading system, as I personally believe that will cut down on competitiveness and encourage collaboration/studying for the future versus studying for the tests. My debate is between Case Western, Tulane, and OHSU.
At some schools, the lack of P/F can lead to gunnerism. I have yet to see anything resembling that in any of the cohorts at OHSU. Everyone's just so danged nice.

But OMG, Case Western! I'm envious. They are a really neat institution.
 
At some schools, the lack of P/F can lead to gunnerism. I have yet to see anything resembling that in any of the cohorts at OHSU. Everyone's just so danged nice.

But OMG, Case Western! I'm envious. They are a really neat institution.

That's my big debate - I feel like Case/Cleveland Clinic is overall a better institution than OHSU, but the thought of living in Cleveland, Ohio is not very appealing. I think Case has a better program from what I can tell...OHSU's seems a little outdated. But Portland versus Cleveland...Portland is the clear winner. This will be a tough call.
 
That's my big debate - I feel like Case/Cleveland Clinic is overall a better institution than OHSU, but the thought of living in Cleveland, Ohio is not very appealing. I think Case has a better program from what I can tell...OHSU's seems a little outdated. But Portland versus Cleveland...Portland is the clear winner. This will be a tough call.

I think it really comes down to you personally. I posted on another forum that which program is "better" or ranked higher is really less important in today's day and age. If you excel in school and do well on your step one test any specialty will be available to you. It may be more important to live in a city you are comfortable and happy and that will lead to a better outcome for you personally. Just make a checklist of everything you want out of a medical school, research, abroad experiences, rural experiences, clinical exposure, etc. The go down the list and rank them for you personally in terms of importance and see which school has more of the attributes you find most important. I dunno just my two sense. That is how I go about picking a school, good luck!
 
I do have other options, but I am really liking this one. My biggest dislike is the lack of a pure pass/fail grading system, as I personally believe that will cut down on competitiveness and encourage collaboration/studying for the future versus studying for the tests. My debate is between Case Western, Tulane, and OHSU.

Question is can you handle not seeing the sun from September to March (Even April some years). You have to distract yourself with things like skiing (or MS1) during long stretches of overcast gray skies.👍 Good part is all that rain makes for beautiful gardens.
 
Question is can you handle not seeing the sun from September to March (Even April some years). You have to distract yourself with things like skiing (or MS1) during long stretches of overcast gray skies.👍 Good part is all that rain makes for beautiful gardens.

Does rain a lot, however those few sunny days are pretty amazing thanks to the rain most of the year that makes everything so green haha.
 
I love oregon but I think it's more amazing when the sun comes out because its been so long without it that when it does come out its like we are on vacation
 
Yup, I got to see that very phenomenon when I interviewed. It was freakin' amazing! 😍

Are you referring to the sun, the rain, or the green?

When I was interviewing in other parts of the country, I was trying to describe how the rain in the pacific NW is different from the rain in Florida (where we were at the time, and it was raining).

They just didn't get it. Unless you have experienced it, you don't understand what the rain here is like.

dsoz
 
Are you referring to the sun, the rain, or the green?

When I was interviewing in other parts of the country, I was trying to describe how the rain in the pacific NW is different from the rain in Florida (where we were at the time, and it was raining).

They just didn't get it. Unless you have experienced it, you don't understand what the rain here is like.

dsoz

All 3 actually, but mostly I was trying to emphasize that it was sunny and green on my interview day (drizzly on my arrival and raining on my departure, lol).
 
Anyone know when the latest you can sign up for that genetics class is. I am unsure if I would have to take it, and would only need to if fingers crossed things worked out, but I will not know until probably mid-May and do not want to miss a cut off to register.
 
Anyone know when the latest you can sign up for that genetics class is. I am unsure if I would have to take it, and would only need to if fingers crossed things worked out, but I will not know until probably mid-May and do not want to miss a cut off to register.

I second this question. I've been trying to arrange to take it here, but don't know if that's even possible yet...
 
Are you talking about the genetics class at PSU? If so, the effective deadline is probably going to be "when all the seats are taken". Better to register now and review the policy on the time period for being able to drop with full refund if you end up not needing it.
 
I second this question. I've been trying to arrange to take it here, but don't know if that's even possible yet...
At OSU or in Portland? Why not register and withdraw if it doesn't work out?
 
Are you talking about the genetics class at PSU? If so, the effective deadline is probably going to be "when all the seats are taken". Better to register now and review the policy on the time period for being able to drop with full refund if you end up not needing it.

At OSU or in Portland? Why not register and withdraw if it doesn't work out?

Either or whichever is cheaper... I guess I should look it up. I wish my alma mater would freakin' get back to me about taking it here. I think it'd be more expensive to take it in OR. Plus, I really want to take it in May or June so I can hit Europe in July. All this stuff being up in the air is really screwing with my plans. 🙁

Any advice?
 
Either or whichever is cheaper... I guess I should look it up. I wish my alma mater would freakin' get back to me about taking it here. I think it'd be more expensive to take it in OR. Plus, I really want to take it in May or June so I can hit Europe in July. All this stuff being up in the air is really screwing with my plans. 🙁

Any advice?
OSU has a spring section online as Well as a summer course online and in person if you were here. The in person is from July 22- August 16 the online is from jun 24-sept 6 so that would be tough as it would overlap with med school
 
Either or whichever is cheaper... I guess I should look it up. I wish my alma mater would freakin' get back to me about taking it here. I think it'd be more expensive to take it in OR. Plus, I really want to take it in May or June so I can hit Europe in July. All this stuff being up in the air is really screwing with my plans. 🙁

Any advice?

Petition OHSU to make decisions faster 😛
 
OSU has a spring section online as Well as a summer course online and in person if you were here. The in person is from July 22- August 16 the online is from jun 24-sept 6 so that would be tough as it would overlap with med school
Thanks.
Petition OHSU to make decisions faster 😛
:laugh: Ain't that the truth!?
 
Guess I need to register haha. However I am still waiting on an email response from Katy regarding whether or not my biochemistry course which were advanced and honors and I believe covered genetics, will count. Anyone had email conversations with her in the past, how long does she usually take to reply?
 
Are you referring to the sun, the rain, or the green?

When I was interviewing in other parts of the country, I was trying to describe how the rain in the pacific NW is different from the rain in Florida (where we were at the time, and it was raining).

They just didn't get it. Unless you have experienced it, you don't understand what the rain here is like.

dsoz
My dad grew up here in Portland and always described it as "liquid sunshine". I think he was just implying that instead of sunshine we just get rain, but I think it's a perfectly apt description of the kind of bright drizzly rain we get on those mixed partly sunny partly misty days.

And then there are those lists of "you know you're from Oregon when" that include something to the effect of: When today's forecast of 'rain followed by showers' and tomorrow's forecast is 'showers mixed with rain' makes perfect sense to you.
 
Careful what you wish for... they might just give you a fast rejection. 😉

Eh, like I have said on other threads....


No news =

stress-3.jpg


And any news =

beertoast.jpg


Except at this point, I'm more like 😴 with OHSU cause I know nothin' is coming for 2 months
 
Guess I need to register haha. However I am still waiting on an email response from Katy regarding whether or not my biochemistry course which were advanced and honors and I believe covered genetics, will count. Anyone had email conversations with her in the past, how long does she usually take to reply?
Sometimes it takes a couple days and you have to send her something again. My questions aren't ever very urgent, though.
 
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I feel like Case/Cleveland Clinic is overall a better institution than OHSU, but the thought of living in Cleveland, Ohio is not very appealing. I think Case has a better program from what I can tell...OHSU's seems a little outdated. But Portland versus Cleveland...Portland is the clear winner. This will be a tough call.

Assuming you're just talking about the UP program at Case and not CCLCM, I had to make this choice last year. (Though I can't claim it was a tough call) Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Question is can you handle not seeing the sun from September to March (Even April some years). You have to distract yourself with things like skiing (or MS1) during long stretches of overcast gray skies.👍 Good part is all that rain makes for beautiful gardens.

Enh, maybe it's this year's mild, mild winter talking (Two straight sunny weekends! Plum blossoms! Lawn mowers!) but I feel like most of the Oregon weather-hatred comes from Californians. (I should know since I was born one myself.) Compared to Santa Barbara does the weather here suck? Sure. But I'll take our winters, falls, and especially summers over just about anywhere else in the lower 48. Seriously, the summer here is a beer-filled, coffee-fueled paradise.

Good luck to everybody still waiting (and waiting.) Prost!
 
Rain may be the best friend of those of us on hold 🙂
Bwahahaha! :meanie:

I swear, every time I've interviewed the weather has been uncharacteristically nice. You can just see all the Californians thinking 'Hmm, maybe this isn't so bad...'
 
I don't if its been said already, but the summer BI 311 (Genetics) is a four-credit class offered as an online course at Oregon State E-Campus. The course fee is $260/credit.

The total is $1040 for the class. The class runs from Jun 21 to Sept. 6 which may not bode well for the PRE-matriculation requirements.

The other option is to take at OSU onsite - but it too ends on Aug 16 (starting on July 22). I've taken the class with the on-site guy in the past fall - he wasn't anything special, but maybe I was just bored.

The total cost for the on-site course would be $1094 minus the $124.32 health fee waived because you would be a non-degree seeking student making the total at $970.

Either way, the OSU option may not work as the end date falls within the first day of med school. :scared:
 
I don't if its been said already, but the summer BI 311 (Genetics) is a four-credit class offered as an online course at Oregon State E-Campus. The course fee is $260/credit.

The total is $1040 for the class. The class runs from Jun 21 to Sept. 6 which may not bode well for the PRE-matriculation requirements.

The other option is to take at OSU onsite - but it too ends on Aug 16 (starting on July 22). I've taken the class with the on-site guy in the past fall - he wasn't anything special, but maybe I was just bored.

The total cost for the on-site course would be $1094 minus the $124.32 health fee waived because you would be a non-degree seeking student making the total at $970.

Either way, the OSU option may not work as the end date falls within the first day of med school. :scared:
Yup, neither option works for me. I really only have one option locally, which is very expensive and cuts into some plans. I really hope they either reject or accept me when they notify me. A WL would be so difficult to handle with all I have planned; but I'd do it for my #1, albeit begrudgingly ::sigh:: This blows. I wish I could get my cell bio to count. But I know better. It really sucks that they require this class. They're the only school that isn't satisified with all that I've taken. Most schools just list genetics in their recommend courses. 🙁

EDIT: My local option will cost me $1232 with my 70% tuition benefit. Plus it must be paid in cash since I'm no longer degree seeking (all loan companies require at least half time and degree seeking statuses). Oi...
 
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I checked the portal today (3/20) and saw I got put on the hold list. I interviewed (1/30) It could have been better news but also could have been worse. Now I can join the rest of you all in waiting 🙄

EDIT: I didn't get emailed about the hold status update.
 
I checked the portal today (3/20) and saw I got put on the hold list. I interviewed (1/30) It could have been better news but also could have been worse. Now I can join the rest of you all in waiting 🙄

EDIT: I didn't get emailed about the hold status update.
Thanks for the update and good luck as May approaches! Would you mind sharing where on the portal that was posted and what it read? I just don't wanna be a doofus and miss it if it's buried somewhere. It looks like my group (2/8) should be hearing soon. :scared:
 
It's right there after you sign in, you can't miss it.

It reads:

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.
 
It's right there after you sign in, you can't miss it.

It reads:

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.
Awesome, thank you so much. :luck:
 
Right. Research has been extremely boring today and had time to be very thorough for those who wanted to know beyond the simple stated facts and what has been for a long time. What I demonstrated gave people an idea of what to expend come May. Odds are OHSU will not have made that many acceptances by end of March. They have not done so for awhile now especially with the new scoring system. They truly are the slowest school but for good reason to get the best class they can possibility get in their eyes. If they decide to do so by the end of March that is good news for people on hold so then more on hold will get accepted now versus beginning of May but I just do not see that happening with their trend in past years and from what I heard but it would be nice right. I have been on hold far too long.

I also interviewed in October, and have been on hold ever since. I know exactly how you feel about the hold being far too long.

I applied last year too and was declined pre-interview. Now with this wait, I'm pulling my own hair out!

Anyways: those of us on post-interview hold, I have a question. Once May 15th rolls around and most of us end up on waitlist, what ranking should we hope for an acceptance? If you're #200, should you give up hope? #50, you're solid? Can we form some opinions on this? 🙂 😍

Quick parenthetical: I wanted to take a minute to say how helpful everyone in this thread has been. I've been on SDN for a while, lurking like a shark, and this is one of the only threads that has been so upbeat and informative. As Oregonians, I think we are all have some of the best personalities... and taste in beer 😉
 
I also interviewed in October, and have been on hold ever since. I know exactly how you feel about the hold being far too long.

I applied last year too and was declined pre-interview. Now with this wait, I'm pulling my own hair out!

Anyways: those of us on post-interview hold, I have a question. Once May 15th rolls around and most of us end up on waitlist, what ranking should we hope for an acceptance? If you're #200, should you give up hope? #50, you're solid? Can we form some opinions on this? 🙂 😍

Quick parenthetical: I wanted to take a minute to say how helpful everyone in this thread has been. I've been on SDN for a while, lurking like a shark, and this is one of the only threads that has been so upbeat and informative. As Oregonians, I think we are all have some of the best personalities... and taste in beer 😉
My hope is <= 30 if on the waitlist, if you look back someone posted each years waitlist numbers, I think the least movement was like 32 so that's where I would feel at least somewhat ok
 
Data I verified for the last four years using SDN school specific threads. There is additional data for years before these floating around, but I never verified it and therefore have not included it. (See This)

ohsuwaitlist.jpg
 
this was the file that was made from an applicant last year. I think I attached it correctly.

It shows waitlist trends for the past several years.

Darn it, DAPI, you beat me to it. 🙂 The file that I attached goes back to 2006. I did not verify the data either.

dsoz
 

Attachments

If put on the waitlist does OHSU tell you what your rank is?
 
I was placed on hold today as well. Interviewed 1/30. Well may 15th I guess, As if waiting until now wasn't unbearable already hehe.
Anyone know stats on how many post-interview applicants are placed in the hold pool on an average year? I figure if there are ~500 interviewed and 132 straight acceptances that leaves about ~368 that fall into the hold/rejection side of it. Curious as to how many of those are on hold, since I was an applicant last year and received a straight rejection post interview.
 
Yeah the genetics requirement is a pain. I may take the class spring term so it's finished before school and will have summer off. Worse case if I don't get in to ohsu I'll have a genetics refresh and get my brain in school mode!
 
Data I verified for the last four years using SDN school specific threads. There is additional data for years before these floating around, but I never verified it and therefore have not included it. (See This)

ohsuwaitlist.jpg
I'm actually colour-blind and find that graph incredibly difficult to read. I tried my best to decipher it using the brightness of hues, but I'm not sure.

Also, is this supposed to be a graph plotting the waitlist number to what date it got to that number?

I opened up the excel file to look at the number instead of the graph which was helpful. But frankly, the number are dramatically different from 2011 to 2012. So I really have no idea what to expect.

I have ascertained that if you are within #30, then you're in, if you're within #60 you're in by summer-time, and if you're above that then... who knows? Can someone chime in on this? What can we expect for 2013's list? Will it be more like last year or the year before?

Some help here please? 🙂
 
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The graph is readable to me on my phone, as far as how far the waitlist will go I don't think anyone would be able to know any idea of that
 
The graph is readable to me on my phone, as far as how far the waitlist will go I don't think anyone would be able to know any idea of that
Right, I know it's readable to you, but I'm colour-blind my good sir.
 
I'm actually colour-blind and find that graph incredibly difficult to read. I tried my best to decipher it using the brightness of hues, but I'm not sure.

Also, is this supposed to be a graph plotting the waitlist number to what date it got to that number?

I opened up the excel file to look at the number instead of the graph which was helpful. But frankly, the number are dramatically different from 2011 to 2012. So I really have no idea what to expect.

I have ascertained that if you are within #30, then you're in, if you're within #60 you're in by summer-time, and if you're above that then... who knows? Can someone chime in on this? What can we expect for 2013's list? Will it be more like last year or the year before?

Some help here please? 🙂

Sorry, I'll make another 'color blind friendly' version later this evening when I get home- like 9 or 10 PST. Yes the data represents what number they got to by what date.
 
Sorry, I'll make another 'color blind friendly' version later this evening when I get home- like 9 or 10 PST. Yes the data represents what number they got to by what date.
Oh DAPI, it's no worries 🙂 I opened up the excel file to look at the raw numbers, which was easier for me anyways. But I would like to ask your opinion on the questions I posited earlier.
 
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