2012-2013 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

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II today. I have a feeling I'm interviewing for a spot on the wait list at this point. I want to do AF
 
Interview invite!

Now, I've gotta drop some serious weight to qualify by March 15.

EDIT: How quickly do you have to do the physical exam?
 
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Still haven't gotten my unconditional acceptance but I was accepted October 16th. Anybody else in this boat? Should I worry?
 
BigWillyGFunk said:
Still haven't gotten my unconditional acceptance but I was accepted October 16th. Anybody else in this boat? Should I worry?
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Have you called admissions to make certain they have everything they need for an unconditional acceptance? Passed DODMERB and security has your SF-86 on file? Have you also sent in your transcripts? Just some things to consider, if so just be patient.
 
premed159 said:
Interview invite!

Now, I've gotta drop some serious weight to qualify by March 15.

EDIT: How quickly do you have to do the physical exam?
Click to expand...
How quickly you do your physical is up to you, I didn't get around to my physical until AFTER I was accepted, but if you want to speed up your unconditional acceptance letter then do it ASAP.
 
Sent an email Sunday night. My physical came out fine and my sf 86 was turned in at my interview in September. Ill give it a couple days and then maybe call.
 
Does anyone know if there's a way to watch the movie "Fighting for Life" online? I'd like to watch it in advance of my interview and I'm worried that if I order it it won't make it here on time.
 
CorgiDoctor said:
Does anyone know if there's a way to watch the movie "Fighting for Life" online? I'd like to watch it in advance of my interview and I'm worried that if I order it it won't make it here on time.
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I've tried and failed, it's not even on netflix, if you find out let me know!
 
If there's any current Air Force students that see this, could you PM me and let me know how your experience has been? I have no prior military experience, and I know they will ask me quite a bit about military medicine in the interview. I also want to make sure it is right for me.
 
if they really like you perhaps they get back to you faster? is that possible? or is it a hard 2 months?
 
stevansoccer90 said:
anybody from late nov and early dec interview heard anything back yet?
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I interviewed on 11/29 and just got a call for Navy waitlist yesterday. LTC Saguil said that about a third of the class matriculates from the waitlist, and they should know more around March/April, i'm sure the decision time for each applicant varies. Are you in an academic program right now? If so, be sure to keep them up to date on all your grades, and send them a letter thanking them for the interview and letting them know you really want to go to school there.
 
Waitlisted in PHS, not a surprise since someone posted that PHS /AF were filled in Late Nov/Early Dec. If anyone lurking out there has a PHS spot, do you plan on holding it? Thanks!
 
Olecranon45 said:
Waitlisted in PHS, not a surprise since someone posted that PHS /AF were filled in Late Nov/Early Dec. If anyone lurking out there has a PHS spot, do you plan on holding it? Thanks!
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Congrats on the WL. Do you mind sharing what week you interviewed. Looks like they are moving along since an 11/29'er heard back already. PHS has 4 spots! But I think you can change to another service if you want!
 
cav5098 said:
I interviewed on 11/29 and just got a call for Navy waitlist yesterday. LTC Saguil said that about a third of the class matriculates from the waitlist, and they should know more around March/April, i'm sure the decision time for each applicant varies. Are you in an academic program right now? If so, be sure to keep them up to date on all your grades, and send them a letter thanking them for the interview and letting them know you really want to go to school there.
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Do you know if the spot for the army is full as well?
 
Hi guys, just wanted to stop by and congratulate those with acceptances. I am a fourth year currently on cruise control to graduation in a few months. Looking back, I have no regrets about turning down civilian acceptances and coming to USUHS after coming out of ROTC. I had a great experience overall. I made some really good friends, got to do some cool things, and got the residency of my choosing.

Also to the last poster- Don't lose hope. One of my classmates made it off the alternate list and is now graduating near the top of the class.
 
So this may seem like a silly question, but I genuinely love USUHS and I want to hear your thoughts on this, fellow SDNers: Does USUHS accept "update" LORs? I applied in the summer, but since then I have completed half of my master's program. Given that, I wanted to see if it would be appropriate to send additional letters of recommendation. I also emailed Ms. Baker to get her input on this, but I figured I'd see if any of you had any information on this so I can get the ball rolling with my professors. Thank you in advance!
 
Has anyone else that interviewed in November still not heard back from the school? They told me 6-8 weeks on my interview day and it has been longer, I have tried calling their office but noone ever answers...
 
Chri2408 said:
Has anyone else that interviewed in November still not heard back from the school? They told me 6-8 weeks on my interview day and it has been longer, I have tried calling their office but noone ever answers...
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Same here. Interviewed end of Nov and nothing yet. I'm currently in a post-bacc program. I'm thinking that they havent made a decision yet because they're waiting on my grades from fall semester. Anybody know anything about this?
 
stevansoccer90 said:
Same here. Interviewed end of Nov and nothing yet. I'm currently in a post-bacc program. I'm thinking that they havent made a decision yet because they're waiting on my grades from fall semester. Anybody know anything about this?
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Yes they would need your grades from Fall. I think this is on that update sheet provided before interview day... Why haven't you sent them in though, did grades not yet post??
 
Crap and I thought this time around I would get it the first shot (considering I got into UMDNJ as a first round pick). I am a Lt with a Civil Engiener Squadron who got medically disqualified last year. The waiver is still to this day in the "denied" status, but I've been hounding Raven and Michelle (bless their hearts they if they don't hate me yet) to process some medical tests that prove the waiver authority DQ'd me on laziness and lack of caring. Chron's disease my a**! The worst part about it was that they only told me I was DQ'd, they didn't tell me what for or how I could reverse it. It took me a few months to find out I even had Chron's Disease (WHICH I DON'T). They DQ'd me on a differential diagnosis note written on a CT Scan that later we found out was something else. If I ever meet that doctor who disqualfied me, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. That's disgraceful as a doctor, an officer of the military, and a person to treat people, especially a hyperactive prospective medical student, that way. I'd hate to see how he treats the enlisted people who may work for them (God have mercy on their souls).

Now here I am, paperwork held up again due to bureaucracy again, but this time the paperwork says I'm good. Now we play the waiting game. Worst case, I have an acceptance elsewhere and I can compete for HPSP. I can't believe this bull happened to me.

Cheers from lovely Afghanistan. At least I'm not bored 😛
 
finalandreo said:
Crap and I thought this time around I would get it the first shot (considering I got into UMDNJ as a first round pick). I am a Lt with a Civil Engiener Squadron who got medically disqualified last year. The waiver is still to this day in the "denied" status, but I've been hounding Raven and Michelle (bless their hearts they if they don't hate me yet) to process some medical tests that prove the waiver authority DQ'd me on laziness and lack of caring. Chron's disease my a**! The worst part about it was that they only told me I was DQ'd, they didn't tell me what for or how I could reverse it. It took me a few months to find out I even had Chron's Disease (WHICH I DON'T). They DQ'd me on a differential diagnosis note written on a CT Scan that later we found out was something else. If I ever meet that doctor who disqualfied me, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. That's disgraceful as a doctor, an officer of the military, and a person to treat people, especially a hyperactive prospective medical student, that way. I'd hate to see how he treats the enlisted people who may work for them (God have mercy on their souls).

Now here I am, paperwork held up again due to bureaucracy again, but this time the paperwork says I'm good. Now we play the waiting game. Worst case, I have an acceptance elsewhere and I can compete for HPSP. I can't believe this bull happened to me.

Cheers from lovely Afghanistan. At least I'm not bored 😛
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Hey thank you for your service! Don't give up hope because the waitlist is supposedly not a bad place to be! Did you come to the US for your interview. Around what date did you interview if you don't mind me asking?! Just trying to see when I might hear back! Sorry to hear about all the nonsense with the physical.. sounds like a nightmare! Good luck to you!
 
Considering last year's turndown rate is about 43%, I don't think I'll have a problem getting off of the waitlist. My circumstances are different because I was held up due to that denied waiver from last year. They weren't even going to extend me an interview because the Commissioning Office and Admissions don't do a good job communicating with each other. I had to call the Admissions Director to assure her that we were working the issue and I got an interview a few hours later. I interviewed before I left for my deployment, and it was about 2 months in between finding out and the interview itself (15 Nov to 2 Feb). I'm still NOT medically qualified, so I don't know if it was a matter of I was simply waitlisted or if it has to do with my denied waiver.

I expect to hear back with the final decision on my waiver this week as per Michelle (Raven's boss), so maybe that'll follow with good news 😛
 
I interviewed in December but I'm considering withdrawing my application from USUHS. I really would like to go to USUHS but I don't know if it's the best fit for me at this time. Is there a current student here I could PM a question to, just before I make my final decision?

Edit: My question has been answered.
 
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Hey guys! I'm sorry if this is a repeat question (I tried searching the forum but didn't see it).

I was wondering if anyone took the shuttle from the metro to the campus that they offer per their website? Unfortunately there were no student hosts available so I can't go in with one of them.
 
For those of you who have got in to USUHS and another school, which way are you leaning?

I've got into USU and a civ school. This decision of where to go is incredibly hard in this case because I'm (we) are choosing between two lifestyles rather than two schools.

Thoughts?
 
Just got an interview invite. I was complete in July, so I assumed I wasn't getting an invite and stopped my weight loss plan (clearly I'm an idiot). How likely is it that if I were accepted, I'd be able to go from 180 lbs (5'4" female) to whatever the physical standards are? Is this even a possibility? Or should I give up hope that I'll never lose the weight fast enough...
 
ucsbbio said:
For those of you who have got in to USUHS and another school, which way are you leaning?

I've got into USU and a civ school. This decision of where to go is incredibly hard in this case because I'm (we) are choosing between two lifestyles rather than two schools.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. Accepted to USUHS and my IS school, I've been selected for HPSP as well... it's a difficult decision.

Are you considering HPSP as well if you go to a civ school? In that case... HPSP has some upsides, 20k signing bonus, only 4 year commitment, "chance" of civilian deferments for residency.
 
joshb003 said:
I'm in the same boat. Accepted to USUHS and my IS school, I've been selected for HPSP as well... it's a difficult decision.

Are you considering HPSP as well if you go to a civ school? In that case... HPSP has some upsides, 20k signing bonus, only 4 year commitment, "chance" of civilian deferments for residency.
Click to expand...

when you say chance of civilian deferments for residency, do you mean with HPSP you could do a civilian residency? I didn't know about that.
 
ucsbbio said:
For those of you who have got in to USUHS and another school, which way are you leaning?

I've got into USU and a civ school. This decision of where to go is incredibly hard in this case because I'm (we) are choosing between two lifestyles rather than two schools.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

joshb003 said:
I'm in the same boat. Accepted to USUHS and my IS school, I've been selected for HPSP as well... it's a difficult decision.

Are you considering HPSP as well if you go to a civ school? In that case... HPSP has some upsides, 20k signing bonus, only 4 year commitment, "chance" of civilian deferments for residency.
Click to expand...

Here are some tips:
Do not for one minute think about civilian deferments, it should not be a factor in your decision making process. If your goal is specifically to train civilian then do not join the military at all.

Civilian and military are two COMPLETELY different lifestyles. Some mil physicians can have a very similar lifestyle to a civilian physician, but it is the exception and not the rule. Here is the big test: can you figure out how to have fun just about anywhere and can you accept being told to go places, sometimes with little or notice and little or no control of location? If yes, then you may be a good fit for the military. If that possibility scares the crap out of you then you are not a good fit for the military at all and no amount of "but I want to serve!" can make up for how horrified you would be at the disruption of your life.

Now USUHS versus HPSP: If you said "hell yes!" to the test question then you might as well go to USUHS because you will probably want to stick around and make a career of it so why not take advantage of the additional benefits and pay associated with USUHS. If you said "well, I think I'll be okay and I really want to serve" then you take HPSP because if it turns out you don't like it then you can get out much sooner, especially if you just do an internship then GMO for four years and then go off to a civilian residency.
 
Cooperd0g said:
Here are some tips:
Do not for one minute think about civilian deferments, it should not be a factor in your decision making process. If your goal is specifically to train civilian then do not join the military at all.

Civilian and military are two COMPLETELY different lifestyles. Some mil physicians can have a very similar lifestyle to a civilian physician, but it is the exception and not the rule. Here is the big test: can you figure out how to have fun just about anywhere and can you accept being told to go places, sometimes with little or notice and little or no control of location? If yes, then you may be a good fit for the military. If that possibility scares the crap out of you then you are not a good fit for the military at all and no amount of "but I want to serve!" can make up for how horrified you would be at the disruption of your life.

Now USUHS versus HPSP: If you said "hell yes!" to the test question then you might as well go to USUHS because you will probably want to stick around and make a career of it so why not take advantage of the additional benefits and pay associated with USUHS. If you said "well, I think I'll be okay and I really want to serve" then you take HPSP because if it turns out you don't like it then you can get out much sooner, especially if you just do an internship then GMO for four years and then go off to a civilian residency.
Click to expand...

Best response to this thread yet.👍
 
askamsky51 said:
Best response to this thread yet.👍
Click to expand...

I agree. Super helpful. I think there was another very helpful response a few pages back from a current or recent graduate of USU as well.
 
askamsky51 said:
Best response to this thread yet.👍
Click to expand...

cinamin said:
I agree. Super helpful. I think there was another very helpful response a few pages back from a current or recent graduate of USU as well.
Click to expand...

I'm glad it is helpful. I have been in the military a long time (17 years) and have seen what kinds of personalities fit and what kinds don't (my simple test question is based on averages and is not all encompassing). USUHS is a long commitment and newbies get hit with the military stuff at the same time as being hit with the med school stuff so it is rougher for those that are tentative about the military in the first place. But I like it at USUHS and I like the military too despite the drawbacks that you can read about in the mil-med forum.

Personally I like the challenge of having to adapt to what my situation is. If I'm in the desert I'll get into off roading or exploring; if I'm by the mountains I'll get into climbing, skiing, hiking; if I'm by the water I'll get into sailing or diving. Its the same for work - you may not have the same resources at your previous base so you have to adapt. And frankly it would be really hard to practice the type of medicine I'm interested in outside of them military anyway.
 
how important do you think the interview is in the decision making process. I interviewed with a medical student and a col. The student didn't ask me any ethical questions and it seemed like he was trying to sell me on the school more than the colonel. The colonel asked some tough stuff lol. I was looking at the interview schedule and it seems like some applicants got 2 students.
 
RACPITT68 said:
Just got an interview invite. I was complete in July, so I assumed I wasn't getting an invite and stopped my weight loss plan (clearly I'm an idiot). How likely is it that if I were accepted, I'd be able to go from 180 lbs (5'4" female) to whatever the physical standards are? Is this even a possibility? Or should I give up hope that I'll never lose the weight fast enough...
Click to expand...

36 lbs in any period less than 6 months is possible, but really unhealthy. 64 inches for a female should have a max weight of 146 lbs.

However, this is scale weight. Look into BMI standards. I am 10 lbs over my scale weight, but that is because I am a broad guy. I always come in a couple percentage points below BMI.

I would continue with your weight loss plan still. 180 lbs for a 5' 4" female probably doesn't make BMI either, unless you're very muscular 😛
 
Cooperd0g said:
Here are some tips:
Do not for one minute think about civilian deferments, it should not be a factor in your decision making process. If your goal is specifically to train civilian then do not join the military at all.

Civilian and military are two COMPLETELY different lifestyles. Some mil physicians can have a very similar lifestyle to a civilian physician, but it is the exception and not the rule. Here is the big test: can you figure out how to have fun just about anywhere and can you accept being told to go places, sometimes with little or notice and little or no control of location? If yes, then you may be a good fit for the military. If that possibility scares the crap out of you then you are not a good fit for the military at all and no amount of "but I want to serve!" can make up for how horrified you would be at the disruption of your life.

Now USUHS versus HPSP: If you said "hell yes!" to the test question then you might as well go to USUHS because you will probably want to stick around and make a career of it so why not take advantage of the additional benefits and pay associated with USUHS. If you said "well, I think I'll be okay and I really want to serve" then you take HPSP because if it turns out you don't like it then you can get out much sooner, especially if you just do an internship then GMO for four years and then go off to a civilian residency.
Click to expand...

I agree to some degree with this. I am currently on active duty (only 2 1/2 years as a lieutenant) and have moved around 4 times, and that's before I even left my first assignment. deployments and TDYs are a "shock to the system" and if you don't like the idea of moving around a lot, you shouldn't do it.

I don't mind deployment or traveling, so it wasn't a big deal for me. However, that pay isn't going to help when you start traveling around duing your rotations during your third and fourth year, especially if you have a significant other or kids. You will be expected to jump around the country in your second half of edcuation at USUHS. If you don't reconcile with the idea of traveling before you enter the military, you're in for one miserable time.

It's not that I particularly love traveling, but I'm not miserable if I have to do it. And this is coming from a kid raised in one place for 20 years. If you can't at least say this, DO NOT GO TO USUHS!!!
 
Thanks for the response guys! Super Helpful! I absolutely do not mind traveling/moving, in fact its one of the reasons I applied. I want to travel and be an MD so USU seemed the way to go. I'm leaning very heavily toward USU at this point. My one concern still (and this may be stupid) is that the training I get in the military (especially for emergency med) won't translate to the civ world well when/if I get out of the military.

Thoughts?
 
do u guys know of anyone who got rejected post-interview? i was just wondering if this is the norm because as i understand it they have 2 "waitlists".
 
I'm on a bit of a fact finding mission for my college's pre-med advising committe (and for reference for myself, since USUHS is one of my top choice schools) and I was wondering if anyone would be able to provide me any information on what the secondary question(s) are like for USUHS.

anything you can share will be really helpful, thanks!
 
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