2012-2013 Oregon Health and Science University Application Thread

[Ellie Arroway]

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So no OHSU now?

I need to take a few days to talk t family and decide whether I feel ok with moving a 3-hour drive from my family (my mom has a serious illness). If that were not a factor I would solidly be going to UW.

 

[bluepotato]

Hold.

Wow, another surprise. Well at least you have another great option.

 

[Guero]

Wow, another surprise. Well at least you have another great option.

+1 I'm so sorry to hear that you're on hold. 🙁 Whatever the case, I'm sure it will all work out for the best in the end.

 

[karis0166]

why... does that necessarily mean you're not getting a scholarship?

 

[Ellie Arroway]

why... does that necessarily mean you're not getting a scholarship?

I feel like if they wanted to recruit me enough to give me one of their <10 scholarships, I probably would have been a direct accept. At least that's my logic.

 

[exitonly29]

I feel like if they wanted to recruit me enough to give me one of their <10 scholarships, I probably would have been a direct accept. At least that's my logic.

I agree with that logic, I would think the scholarships would be dolled out to people they realllly wanted, which would correspond to a direct admit

 

[cherahla]

I agree with that logic, I would think the scholarships would be dolled out to people they realllly wanted, which would correspond to a direct admit

Oooh, never considered that! 😀

Does anyone know if scholarships were already offered or do they start offering them out during MS2? I have heard of both happening but no news about this cycle specifically. I heard welcomed news that this cycle is supposed to have more scholarships apparently! Yay!

 

[dsoz]

Oooh, never considered that! 😀

Does anyone know if scholarships were already offered or do they start offering them out during MS2? I have heard of both happening but no news about this cycle specifically. I heard welcomed news that this cycle is supposed to have more scholarships apparently! Yay!

I have heard about a few that have been given out. Mainly to URM. One guy on the second look day said that his friend (URM) was given a full tuition package.

I just got my Fin.Aid. packet, and there is no mention of free money. Just loans. 🙁 But OHSU is still the least expensive of the schools where I was accepted. I probably could have gone to other interviews and gotten an acceptance at a cheaper school, but then I would have had to sell my house. My spouse would have had to quit a job that provides health care, etc. Not worth it.

dsoz

 

[cherahla]

I have heard about a few that have been given out. Mainly to URM. One guy on the second look day said that his friend (URM) was given a full tuition package.

I just got my Fin.Aid. packet, and there is no mention of free money. Just loans. 🙁 But OHSU is still the least expensive of the schools where I was accepted. I probably could have gone to other interviews and gotten an acceptance at a cheaper school, but then I would have had to sell my house. My spouse would have had to quit a job that provides health care, etc. Not worth it.

dsoz

Yeesh! I'm really glad you didn't have to pick everything up and move! What a hassle.

My financial aid package similarly arrived with no mention of scholarship. Right now my decision is between OHSU in-state and a private school that gave me a great scholarship. Between these two schools, the price is essentially equal adding in COL, etc. It sounds like the scholarships are given out with the acceptances, though, which answers my question. 👍

Do you know if the friend of your fellow interviewee was an Oregonian? I'm curious about the OOS and IS divide with scholarships.

 

[DAPI]

Yeesh! I'm really glad you didn't have to pick everything up and move! What a hassle.

My financial aid package similarly arrived with no mention of scholarship. Right now my decision is between OHSU in-state and a private school that gave me a great scholarship. Between these two schools, the price is essentially equal adding in COL, etc. It sounds like the scholarships are given out with the acceptances, though, which answers my question. 👍

Do you know if the friend of your fellow interviewee was an Oregonian? I'm curious about the OOS and IS divide with scholarships.

FWIW, there was an in-stater who posted in this forum a while back ago about getting a full ride to OHSU.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

Oooh, never considered that! 😀

Does anyone know if scholarships were already offered or do they start offering them out during MS2? I have heard of both happening but no news about this cycle specifically. I heard welcomed news that this cycle is supposed to have more scholarships apparently! Yay!

So there are scholarships that a few students get while attending med school from a fund that was very recently established:

http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/about/swindells.cfm

 

[Guero]

So there are scholarships that a few students get while attending med school from a fund that was very recently established:

http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/about/swindells.cfm

Temporarily stepping aside from the scholarship convo, I just signed up and paid for UCB's Extension program to take the online genetics course. Apparently you can have your final exam proctored all across the nation. They'll just send it to a certified proctor in your region. (You can choose from a list.) PKAguy and I originally and mistakenly thought we'd have to fly to UCB to take the final. So with a price tag of a mere $795 and a slow pace, you really can't beat it. The only downside is you're forced to take the course in a minimum of 3 months, so no accelerated pace. Here goes nothing!

/non sequitur

 

[987439759]

Temporarily stepping aside from the scholarship convo, I just signed up and paid for UCB's Extension program to take the online genetics course. Apparently you can have your final exam proctored all across the nation. They'll just send it to a certified proctor in your region. (You can choose from a list.) PKAguy and I originally and mistakenly thought we'd have to fly to UCB to take the final. So with a price tag of a mere $795 and a slow pace, you really can't beat it. The only downside is you're forced to take the course in a minimum of 3 months, so no accelerated pace. Here goes nothing!

/non sequitur

Might be a little late but here is a course that I found online without proctored exams and is less than 3 months.

http://global.cmich.edu/courses/default.aspx?id=bio315

 

[Guero]

Might be a little late but here is a course that I found online without proctored exams and is less than 3 months.

http://global.cmich.edu/courses/default.aspx?id=bio315

Dang it! LoL Yup, too late for me 🙁 But it might be in time for PKAguy....

 

[PKAguy2202]

Dang it! LoL Yup, too late for me 🙁 But it might be in time for PKAguy....

Nope I signed up yesterday. But to be honest the Michigan course sounds a little more demanding and I still have work for the next month and a half so I am fine with Berkley's course.

 

[karis0166]

Interviewed 3/27/13. Just got this (via the portal):

Decision: Hold 04/30/2013
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.​

I'm a little surprised they bothered putting me on hold this close to May 15th. \

 

[charmedj7]

Still no change in the portal or email, interviewed 3/22. Who else is still waiting?

The suspense is killing me, although I suppose one way or another it pretty much has to be in the next week or so if they release their ranked list May 9

 

[karis0166]

So there are scholarships that a few students get while attending med school from a fund that was very recently established:

http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/about/swindells.cfm

Yeah, that started in 2010.
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/about/school-of-medicine-news/education-news/som-swindells-92611.cfm

Apparently its recipients get $20,000 year.
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/foundation/your-gift-helps/student-stories/swindells-scholars.cfm

But there are more scholarships/funding programs for medical students that have been proposed... we'll see (if we're so lucky) what happens.

 

[exitonly29]

Interviewed 3/27/13. Just got this (via the portal):

Decision: Hold 04/30/2013
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.​

I'm a little surprised they bothered putting me on hold this close to May 15th. \

From my limited knowledge it
Doesn't really matter when you interview even this late, if you hit a certain number they do hold/accept/reject rather than make
You wait

 

[Ellie Arroway]

Interviewed 3/27/13. Just got this (via the portal):

Decision: Hold 04/30/2013
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.​

I'm a little surprised they bothered putting me on hold this close to May 15th.

Boo! I'm sorry. I hope you get in soon!

 

[Tugou]

Still no change in the portal or email, interviewed 3/22. Who else is still waiting?

The suspense is killing me, although I suppose one way or another it pretty much has to be in the next week or so if they release their ranked list May 9

Still waiting too : / Also interviewed 3/22.

Seems like folks from that interview date have been hearing back sporadically since 4/22 - maybe we were last on the adcom's list from that interview date?

I bet I checked the portal 50+ times today. Most worthless workweek ever! I guess. . . no news is good news? Maybe they're working out our financial aid packages before they surrender those acceptances?

 

[PKAguy2202]

For those interested in scholarships this gem is straight out their website.
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/sc.../scholarships-and-grants-in-aid.cfm?WT_rank=2

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

This is a silly question...but do all classes start at 8:00 in the morning? Everything I have seen thus far makes it seem that way and I wanted to start figuring out exact commuting schedules (a little early, but I can't help but be optimistic 🙂 )

Yes, at least for this next year, I am guessing. 8 AM to noon lecture and small group weekdays. Two afternoons per week of required stuff (PCM and preceptorship). Attendance only required for small group and lab during the mornings.

 

[Guero]

Got my financial aid package yesterday and choked on my $82,137 cost of attendance. 🙁 No scholarships, no surprise... I wonder if any ROADS specialists went back into a primary care residency after paying off their loans. LoL I just wish I didn't already have that $105k of private and $20k federal debt from undergrad. Whatever, we'll all live.

 

[DAPI]

Got my financial aid package yesterday and choked on my $82,137 cost of attendance. 🙁 No scholarships, no surprise... I wonder if any ROADS specialists went back into a primary care residency after paying off their loans. LoL I just wish I didn't already have that $105k of private and $20k federal debt from undergrad. Whatever, we'll all live.

What is the $105k?!?

 

[Guero]

What is the $105k?!?

All combined preexisting $125k is from undergrad. :cry:

 

[exitonly29]

Got my financial aid package yesterday and choked on my $82,137 cost of attendance. 🙁 No scholarships, no surprise... I wonder if any ROADS specialists went back into a primary care residency after paying off their loans. LoL I just wish I didn't already have that $105k of private and $20k federal debt from undergrad. Whatever, we'll all live.

Military scholarship?

 

[CholeCystems]

Wow that CoA is rough. Must be why a lot of OOSers choose to go elsewhere if they have another acceptance.

 

[Guero]

Military scholarship?

I actually wanted to serve and would've loved to have been a trauma surgeon for the Navy. But my back tattoo, which would only be seen in the showers, is apparently "too violent" (native German farmers rising up against and slaughtering Nazis). :cry:

Wow that CoA is rough. Must be why a lot of OOSers choose to go elsewhere if they have another acceptance.

Yup, it's awful. I was accepted to both of my state schools and a private school in my state, all cheaper than OHSU. I chose to come to OHSU because I knew I'd be far happier here than anywhere else. I think that really affects how you perform in the end. I know I'd deeply regret going somewhere I'd be $50k less indebted but miserable.

 

[exitonly29]

82k a year with interest is going to be like 400+ by the time residency is over

 

[Guero]

82k a year with interest is going to be like 400+ by the time residency is over

Yup, plus the existing $125k, hence my comment on feeling like I have to pursue Neurosx, Derm, Rads, etc

 

[exitonly29]

Yup, plus the existing $125k, hence my comment on feeling like I have to pursue Neurosx, Derm, Rads, etc

You could always do the primary care loan forgiveness stuff

 

[Guero]

You could always do the primary care loan forgiveness stuff

I intend to do that if I end up in primary care. I just didn't want to engage in a contract when I'm not entirely sure what it is I really want to pursue. I figured a post hoc program would be a far better bet than an ad hoc program, you know? :\ But even so, they're not really loan forgiveness programs as much as "have a little extra income in the form of a grant that goes directly to your loans but doesn't pay them all off" kind of program. Nonetheless, TN's program offers you $50k a year straight to your loans for up to 4 years of service. Then add in the actual loan forgiveness program where you're working for a non-porfit for 10 years while on IBR and at the end have the remainder of your federal loans forgiven--bomb! It's those pesky private loans that I dread :/ There's no forgiveness for those babies. 🙁

 

[ironyeti]

I intend to do that if I end up in primary care. I just didn't want to engage in a contract when I'm not entirely sure what it is I really want to pursue. I figured a post hoc program would be a far better bet than an ad hoc program, you know? :\ But even so, they're not really loan forgiveness programs as much as "have a little extra income in the form of a grant that goes directly to your loans but doesn't pay them all off" kind of program. Nonetheless, TN's program offers you $50k a year straight to your loans for up to 4 years of service. Then add in the actual loan forgiveness program where you're working for a non-porfit for 10 years while on IBR and at the end have the remainder of your federal loans forgiven--bomb! It's those pesky private loans that I dread :/ There's no forgiveness for those babies. 🙁

Are the private loans vulnerable to bankruptcy? Of course the federal education loans are not but then you have the 10 year non-profit forgiveness program. That's a tough one.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/where-have-all-the-primary-care-doctors-gone/
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/tackling-the-problem-of-medical-student-debt/

 

[Guero]

Are the private loans vulnerable to bankruptcy? Of course the federal education loans are not but then you have the 10 year non-profit forgiveness program. That's a tough one.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/where-have-all-the-primary-care-doctors-gone/
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/tackling-the-problem-of-medical-student-debt/

Nope. They were included in the tougher bankruptcy laws, too. :/

Makes me sad. I was hoping OHSU would consider me for a scholarship when they saw my debt situation and my disadvantaged history. I'm not surprised, though. And I can't apply for the new rural scholarships either since I'm not a bona fide Oregonian. I'm not sure about the most recent Swindell scholarship; but I think you must be a bona fide Oregonian for that one, too. :cry:

 

[DAPI]

82k a year with interest is going to be like 400+ by the time residency is over

After all paid off it will be well over $600k.

I always think of loans as 1.8-1.9 times principal due to residency and fellowship. And even w/o fellowship I would still think it would be around that due to the huge principal. Plus the other private loans will likely cause further deferment of payment on these loans making it even larger.

I feel sick just thinking about it. Personally, I couldn't take on that kind if debt for medical school. I would have to choose something else.

 

[Guero]

After all paid off it will be well over $600k.

I always think of loans as 1.8-1.9 times principal due to residency and fellowship. And even w/o fellowship I would still think it would be around that due to the huge principal. Plus the other private loans will likely cause further deferment of payment on these loans making it even larger.

I feel sick just thinking about it. Personally, I couldn't take on that kind if debt for medical school. I would have to choose something else.

Yup. My last ditch effort to curb my loan costs is to apply to the MSTP next year. Lord knows I've always wanted to do it. We'll see how that goes. From what I hear, they're not likely to consider inside applicants anymore 🙁

 

[Jbc]

After all paid off it will be well over $600k.

I always think of loans as 1.8-1.9 times principal due to residency and fellowship. And even w/o fellowship I would still think it would be around that due to the huge principal. Plus the other private loans will likely cause further deferment of payment on these loans making it even larger.

I feel sick just thinking about it. Personally, I couldn't take on that kind if debt for medical school. I would have to choose something else.

Luckily the Interest is a simple interest calculation (it is not compounding principal+interest). Plus they require you to pay some interest only payments while you're a resident. If you stay diligent I think the compounding, capitalizing, mind boggling $$$ amounts can be mitigated, but you have to pay just a little more than the minimums, and possibly pay some of the interest as you go.

Even if you choose Primary Care, after residency you can be a Locum Tenen and make pretty good money, or work in the Urgent Care/ER two Saturdays a month to double up your loan payments.

Also many Private Practices (whatever Specialty) will pay your loans for you, as a part of their salary...it is another way of generating a write-off on their books, and some practices get an obscure medicare tax credit.

From what I've seen, doctors with loads of debt get by okay. They definitely don't make as much as they used to though! I've been corresponding with Justin from the Financial Aid Office...he is very helpful and sympathetic as he is working on his PhD right now.

 

[Yarbelnoph]

Hi all - more data. Good luck!

In-state
Interviewed: 03/13
Acceptance email: 04/30

 

[PKAguy2202]

Guero and others in this boat. UC berkley DOES allow refunds with a reasonable excuse. Washington State University offers an online genetics course beginning 5/6/2013 ending 6/28/2013. How did I not find this sooner! Anyways there is an alternative option for those needing a genetics course requirement.

 

[exitonly29]

Hi all - more data. Good luck!

In-state
Interviewed: 03/13
Acceptance email: 04/30

Are you planning on attending?

 

[DAPI]

Luckily the Interest is a simple interest calculation (it is not compounding principal+interest). Plus they require you to pay some interest only payments while you're a resident. If you stay diligent I think the compounding, capitalizing, mind boggling $$$ amounts can be mitigated, but you have to pay just a little more than the minimums, and possibly pay some of the interest as you go.

Even if you choose Primary Care, after residency you can be a Locum Tenen and make pretty good money, or work in the Urgent Care/ER two Saturdays a month to double up your loan payments.

Also many Private Practices (whatever Specialty) will pay your loans for you, as a part of their salary...it is another way of generating a write-off on their books, and some practices get an obscure medicare tax credit.

From what I've seen, doctors with loads of debt get by okay. They definitely don't make as much as they used to though! I've been corresponding with Justin from the Financial Aid Office...he is very helpful and sympathetic as he is working on his PhD right now.

Wait what?!?! Schools loans don't have compound interest?? I need to go back to my excel sheet and adjust now.

 

[Jbc]

Wait what?!?! Schools loans don't have compound interest?? I need to go back to my excel sheet and adjust now.

Yes, that is why the interest rate is so high.

Private loans, that some of us have the pleasure of knowing, have negative amortization while in school, but they try to draw you in with lower interest rates.

 

[Yarbelnoph]

Are you planning on attending?

Yes, I will go to OHSU.

 

[Dianyla]

Yup, plus the existing $125k, hence my comment on feeling like I have to pursue Neurosx, Derm, Rads, etc

Might as well throw in a chartered flight while you're at it.

 

[Guero]

Might as well throw in a chartered flight while you're at it.

😳

LoL, yeah, that was me. That was so me.

 

[PKAguy2202]

Guero and others in this boat. UC berkley DOES allow refunds with a reasonable excuse. Washington State University offers an online genetics course beginning 5/6/2013 ending 6/28/2013. How did I not find this sooner! Anyways there is an alternative option for those needing a genetics course requirement.

Spoke to Kathy, this course will suffice and is much shorter than Berkley's option.

 

[Guero]

Spoke to Kathy, this course will suffice and is much shorter than Berkley's option.

CRAP! Same books any chance? Are you sure you're going to be able to get the refund from UCB?

 

[dreamdoc821]

The closer we get to May 15th the harder and more anxious the wait becomes it seems :/ Feels like it's so close but so far away. I have so many major life choices dependent on whatever happens in the next couple weeks, as is the case with a lot of people I'm sure, and I just want to be out of limbo and starting my future!

 

[PKAguy2202]

CRAP! Same books any chance? Are you sure you're going to be able to get the refund from UCB?

Yep already called and my card is being credited.