2013-2014 Uniformed Services University of the Health Science Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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VTmaple01430 said:
Feel free to post or PM me with info on this if anyone has it - really appreciated!
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VT Maple: I don't see why not. Publications are always a positive item. If nothing else, call your handler at USUHS and see what s/he thinks. The worst they can do is tell you not to send an update.
 
johnnyscans said:
From what I've read, USUHS does the two-month course.
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I have a buddy that is an M1 there this year and he told me that BOLC for the USUHS officers was just 6 weeks. Who knows, it could always change. Maybe 2 months total time including in-processing and out-processing?
 
VTmaple01430 said:
Does anyone know if the admissions committee is receptive of additional documents for our application file?
More specifically, I am thinking of sending along an updated resume and a manuscript that has been submitted to a peer-review journal for possible publication... I was complete back in September and still have yet to hear anything. I know this is common and that the process takes a while, but do you think these additional documents could help?
Thanks for the input!
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I'm not sure how receptive they are to additional documents, but regardless if they are or not I would recommend sending that in. Journal publications are highly revered in med school admissions offices, I would imagine that sending in the additional materials could only help you.
 
ihatepremed said:
Hi Everyone,

I recently interviewed last week on November 14th and had a great impression of USUHS and also military medicine in general. The tours were fantastic, especially the virtual reality battlefield simulator. They are also currently building two new OR simulation rooms. The student panel was pretty helpful too. All the students seem to really love the quality of life and the education they are receiving. In terms of the interview, I was a little bit nervous on the first one but was able to answer all the questions without too many hiccups. The second interview went better, I was more confident and the interviewer seemed more interested in my application. I had no student interviewers, the first one was a faculty member and the second was a physician that worked at Walter Weed. Hopefully that is enough to get a recommendation for admission.

I'm sitting on a few interview invites right now but I am strongly leaning toward USUHS as my first choice. I figured that since I am applying to HPSP anyways, I might as well go to the actual military school and get the four years of military integration and field exercises. So my question to you guys is, can I send in a letter of intent? and if so, do you think they will take that into consideration?

Thanks!

oh and I'll be sure to continue interviewing until I hear back from USUHS.
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I'm trying to remember if they said anything about letters of intent during my interview day. I can't remember if they mentioned it or not. I would say shoot an email to your point of contact you were given to set up your interview (the ones that were assigned based on alphabetic order of last name) and see if they would accept one. If not, you could always do what I did and just include a little note about it in a thank you letter. I sent a hand written thank you to LTC Saguil thanking them for inviting me for an interview and expressed my desire that USUHS was my #1 choice. I'm not sure if that was taken into consideration at all in the admissions process. I doubt it, but you never know. I can't imagine that it would hurt you anyways.
 
Hey all,

Just found out I got wait-listed. My interview was 10/24 and my first choice was the Navy. From what the papers say, this means I was still "recommended for acceptance" but does anyone know how quickly the wait list moves?
 
Tyler13 said:
Hey all,

Just found out I got wait-listed. My interview was 10/24 and my first choice was the Navy. From what the papers say, this means I was still "recommended for acceptance" but does anyone know how quickly the wait list moves?
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does this mean Navy is already filled up?
 
ihatepremed said:
does this mean Navy is already filled up?
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Dang it... interviewed the week after on the 31st and Navy is my top choice. Also wondering how much and how quickly the wait list moves.
 
I have a feeling by the time it gets to November interviewees its going to be pretty much filled up. Hopefully the wait list moves quickly. I can't afford spending more money traveling to interviews.

Since it fills up so fast doesn't that mean a majority of PHS applicants are screwed if they don't get the first or second interview?
 
VTmaple01430 said:
Does anyone know if the admissions committee is receptive of additional documents for our application file?
More specifically, I am thinking of sending along an updated resume and a manuscript that has been submitted to a peer-review journal for possible publication... I was complete back in September and still have yet to hear anything. I know this is common and that the process takes a while, but do you think these additional documents could help?
Thanks for the input!
Click to expand...
YES. YES. YES. These will definitely help. I was waitlisted. I submitted my update letter with publications, and two days later I was offered admission.
 
ihatepremed said:
I have a feeling by the time it gets to November interviewees its going to be pretty much filled up. Hopefully the wait list moves quickly. I can't afford spending more money traveling to interviews.

Since it fills up so fast doesn't that mean a majority of PHS applicants are screwed if they don't get the first or second interview?
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People drop seats pretty often. There's quite a lot of turnover, especially after May 15.
 
When the school mentions that 56% of the interviewees get a conditional acceptance, does that include people who have been wait listed and didn't get in at the end? If so, then does it mean most people who interviewed early are accepted? (>56%)
 
alwayslearning212 said:
Has anyone else heard back from October interviews?
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I interviewed in October and have not heard a word. Like many have expressed on this thread, this is my #1 so I'm pulling hair with anxiety waiting for any notification.
 
trayman said:
I interviewed in October and have not heard a word. Like many have expressed on this thread, this is my #1 so I'm pulling hair with anxiety waiting for any notification.
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+1 :scared:
 
Last edited:
thebiochemist said:
Congrats, Marine.

I interviewed on Halloween. Can't wait to hear from admissions now that it seems the Navy class is not full after all.
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I interviewed the same day. The Navy is full. I just got the call from Ms. Mayo to see if I wanted to sit on the Navy waitlist or be accepted straight into the Army since I put both choices as 1.
 
Anyone else from around Halloween time hear anything?
 
Anyone who preferenced air force accepted yet? I feel like I've only seen army and navy.
 
For those of you who are unconditionally accepted how long after you were accepted and physically cleared did you receive your unconditional acceptance? I was cleared by DODMERB on 11/21 and haven't heard anything yet. Thanks
 
jvqd said:
I interviewed the same day. The Navy is full. I just got the call from Ms. Mayo to see if I wanted to sit on the Navy waitlist or be accepted straight into the Army since I put both choices as 1.
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Same day as Marine, 10/10, or Halloween?
 
lab24 said:
For those of you who are unconditionally accepted how long after you were accepted and physically cleared did you receive your unconditional acceptance? I was cleared by DODMERB on 11/21 and haven't heard anything yet. Thanks
Click to expand...

Here is my perspective on DODMERB:
10/14 exams
10/19-10/25 submission to DODMERB
11/20/13 DODMERB receives my exams (but even before this point, the site said my application was complete)
11/25/13 Medically disqualified letter sent.

Therefore, once DODMERB receives your medical information, it should take about 5 days, or 3 business days for them to review it and officially clear you.

I interviewed a week before Halloween on 10/24. I have been in constant contact with Wilhemina, the commissioning coordinator, regarding my medical evaluation, DODMERB waiver request, and weight standards. I really hope this means they are actively considering me. Like many of you, my top choice is USUHS, and my preference is NAVY.

This information may help those who are over the weight standard. The AR-600-9 document states the maximum body fat % for 21-29 yr olds is 22%, and I felt no urgency to change my workout plan to lose weight (I could have easily transitioned heavy lifting to cardio). However, USUHS wants you to be at 15%. I know this because my measurements indicated 16% body fat, and I was told I needed to lose 1% body fat and get re-measured in a month. While this is sad news to me, I welcome all opportunities to challenge marines on the pull-up bar. Do not make the same mistake as me. Actively try to reach the Army weight standard for your height. Start early.

For the record, I am currently 8 pounds over the limit. 5 pounds over before the holiday...
 
snappaz said:
Here is my perspective on DODMERB:
10/14 exams
10/19-10/25 submission to DODMERB
11/20/13 DODMERB receives my exams (but even before this point, the site said my application was complete)
11/25/13 Medically disqualified letter sent.

Therefore, once DODMERB receives your medical information, it should take about 5 days, or 3 business days for them to review it and officially clear you.

I interviewed a week before Halloween on 10/24. I have been in constant contact with Wilhemina, the commissioning coordinator, regarding my medical evaluation, DODMERB waiver request, and weight standards. I really hope this means they are actively considering me. Like many of you, my top choice is USUHS, and my preference is NAVY.

This information may help those who are over the weight standard. The AR-600-9 document states the maximum body fat % for 21-29 yr olds is 22%, and I felt no urgency to change my workout plan to lose weight (I could have easily transitioned heavy lifting to cardio). However, USUHS wants you to be at 15%. I know this because my measurements indicated 16% body fat, and I was told I needed to lose 1% body fat and get re-measured in a month. While this is sad news to me, I welcome all opportunities to challenge marines on the pull-up bar. Do not make the same mistake as me. Actively try to reach the Army weight standard for your height. Start early.

For the record, I am currently 8 pounds over the limit. 5 pounds over before the holiday...
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Damn, I didn't know they would disqualify for the weight standard. I weighed in at 195 on the dot (my height's weight limit). Just take some water pills the day or two leading up to your next evaluation and you'll pee out 4-5 lbs easily.
 
Just kidding about my previous post. I got my unconditional acceptance in the mail today and Dr. Saguil wrote on the bottom that they are still waiting on the official date but it looks like Army BOLC will be from June 8 - July 29 but he doesn't think it will last that whole time???
@snappaz sorry to hear about your dodmerb issues. Sounds like you're in good shape though
 
lab24 said:
Just kidding about my previous post. I got my unconditional acceptance in the mail today and Dr. Saguil wrote on the bottom that they are still waiting on the official date but it looks like Army BOLC will be from June 8 - July 29 but he doesn't think it will last that whole time???
@snappaz sorry to hear about your dodmerb issues. Sounds like you're in good shape though
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Hey lab24. Congrats on your acceptance. Hope to join you next fall.

Sorry for the confusion. I was not medically disqualified for my weight. I was medically disqualified for a previous injury, and I am working with Wilhelmina to get a waiver for that.

The weight issue is separate, and I just have to conform to weight standards. As a former wrestler turned coach, losing 8 pounds is nothing. I just needed to know that I had to lose the weight; I did not know before my body composition test.

I like to think that I am in good shape as well 🙂, thanks. You can always get more fit though.
 
Sorry I just realized I made a potentially rude typo. What I meant by "You can always get more fit though." is "I can always get more fit though".
 
snappaz said:
Sorry I just realized I made a potentially rude typo. What I meant by "You can always get more fit though." is "I can always get more fit though".
Click to expand...

Uh oh. I just got tested and am also at 16% body fat... probably shouldn't have come in right after I ate. Hope it't not an issue.

For the record, I'm 26lbs over the weight limit.
 
snappaz said:
Sorry I just realized I made a potentially rude typo. What I meant by "You can always get more fit though." is "I can always get more fit though".
Click to expand...
haha I know what you meant. I agree about getting more fit. I would like to do well on the physical fitness test and not just barely pass
 
anyone with acceptances heard from their student mentor?
 
jvqd said:
I interviewed the same day. The Navy is full. I just got the call from Ms. Mayo to see if I wanted to sit on the Navy waitlist or be accepted straight into the Army since I put both choices as 1.
Click to expand...

Has anyone else who interviewed on Halloween heard back yet? If so did you receive a phone call or a letter?
 
::pXF:: said:
Has anyone else who interviewed on Halloween heard back yet? If so did you receive a phone call or a letter?
Click to expand...
Currently at another medical school interview with a applicant who interviewed with us on 10/31. Said he heard back last Wednesday about his acceptance into the Air Force. Apparently (the Air Force at least) calls you to extend their offer.
 
jvqd said:
I interviewed the same day. The Navy is full. I just got the call from Ms. Mayo to see if I wanted to sit on the Navy waitlist or be accepted straight into the Army since I put both choices as 1.
Click to expand...

Ah, bummer.

Just got my Alternate status letter in the mail. It seems alternates are last in line after wait listed folks.
 
lab24 said:
For those of you who are unconditionally accepted how long after you were accepted and physically cleared did you receive your unconditional acceptance? I was cleared by DODMERB on 11/21 and haven't heard anything yet. Thanks
Click to expand...
I was physically cleared before I even got my conditional acceptance, then I replied back accepting the offer, two weeks later or so later I got a letter giving me an unconditional acceptance. From the time I got the call from LTC Saguil to the time I got the unconditional acceptance letter it was probably 3.5 weeks.
 
snappaz said:
Here is my perspective on DODMERB:
10/14 exams
10/19-10/25 submission to DODMERB
11/20/13 DODMERB receives my exams (but even before this point, the site said my application was complete)
11/25/13 Medically disqualified letter sent.

Therefore, once DODMERB receives your medical information, it should take about 5 days, or 3 business days for them to review it and officially clear you.

I interviewed a week before Halloween on 10/24. I have been in constant contact with Wilhemina, the commissioning coordinator, regarding my medical evaluation, DODMERB waiver request, and weight standards. I really hope this means they are actively considering me. Like many of you, my top choice is USUHS, and my preference is NAVY.

This information may help those who are over the weight standard. The AR-600-9 document states the maximum body fat % for 21-29 yr olds is 22%, and I felt no urgency to change my workout plan to lose weight (I could have easily transitioned heavy lifting to cardio). However, USUHS wants you to be at 15%. I know this because my measurements indicated 16% body fat, and I was told I needed to lose 1% body fat and get re-measured in a month. While this is sad news to me, I welcome all opportunities to challenge marines on the pull-up bar. Do not make the same mistake as me. Actively try to reach the Army weight standard for your height. Start early.

For the record, I am currently 8 pounds over the limit. 5 pounds over before the holiday...
Click to expand...

Wow, I didn't know USUHS required 7% lower body fat than the rest of the Army....That seems a bit extreme. Did you do your own body fat calculations or did you get a tape test done at your DoDMERB physical? Was the 16% written somewhere on your DoDMERB? The Army's formula for body fat percentage is pretty crappy, it is just a tape test that measures the circumference of your neck to the circumference of your mid section. It would be much more accurate to do a caliper or bod-pod test, but the time and resources for those tests would be unreasonable for the majority of the Army, especially line units.

EDIT: The instructions for taking the neck and mid section measurements are also listed on AR 600-9 and you can find a bunch of different calculator apps for the test on your smartphone or online to input your height, weight, and measurements and it will give you your calculated body fat percentage.
 
AirborneBearcat said:
Wow, I didn't know USUHS required 7% lower body fat than the rest of the Army....That seems a bit extreme. Did you do your own body fat calculations or did you get a tape test done at your DoDMERB physical? Was the 16% written somewhere on your DoDMERB? The Army's formula for body fat percentage is pretty crappy, it is just a tape test that measures the circumference of your neck to the circumference of your mid section. It would be much more accurate to do a caliper or bod-pod test, but the time and resources for those tests would be unreasonable for the majority of the Army, especially line units.

EDIT: The instructions for taking the neck and mid section measurements are also listed on AR 600-9 and you can find a bunch of different calculator apps for the test on your smartphone or online to input your height, weight, and measurements and it will give you your calculated body fat percentage.
Click to expand...

I think the required percentage is 22%. That's what it said on my remedial. I make the cut off for navy on weight but not army so needed to get taped.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
AirborneBearcat said:
Wow, I didn't know USUHS required 7% lower body fat than the rest of the Army....That seems a bit extreme. Did you do your own body fat calculations or did you get a tape test done at your DoDMERB physical? Was the 16% written somewhere on your DoDMERB? The Army's formula for body fat percentage is pretty crappy, it is just a tape test that measures the circumference of your neck to the circumference of your mid section. It would be much more accurate to do a caliper or bod-pod test, but the time and resources for those tests would be unreasonable for the majority of the Army, especially line units.

EDIT: The instructions for taking the neck and mid section measurements are also listed on AR 600-9 and you can find a bunch of different calculator apps for the test on your smartphone or online to input your height, weight, and measurements and it will give you your calculated body fat percentage.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking about this a little more, and perhaps the commissioning coordinator thought it would be easier to lose 1% body fat than it was to submit a waiver for weight. I did not cut the weight before going to get tape measured because I read on AR600-9 that the max body fat percentage was 22%, and I knew I was under that category. The 16% is the value from my tape measurements.

I interviewed on 10/24/13, and I have not heard back from admissions regarding acceptances yet, so I'm a little anxious. I'm not sure how much the commissioning coordinator talks with the rest of admissions. I can only hope that having to get the body composition test and applying for a medical waiver for my back means that I am being actively considered. I'll keep you all posted on my status, so you all get a rough timeline for applicants who have to go through the medical waiver process.
 
snappaz said:
I'm thinking about this a little more, and perhaps the commissioning coordinator thought it would be easier to lose 1% body fat than it was to submit a waiver for weight. I did not cut the weight before going to get tape measured because I read on AR600-9 that the max body fat percentage was 22%, and I knew I was under that category. The 16% is the value from my tape measurements.

I interviewed on 10/24/13, and I have not heard back from admissions regarding acceptances yet, so I'm a little anxious. I'm not sure how much the commissioning coordinator talks with the rest of admissions. I can only hope that having to get the body composition test and applying for a medical waiver for my back means that I am being actively considered. I'll keep you all posted on my status, so you all get a rough timeline for applicants who have to go through the medical waiver process.
Click to expand...

I interviewed on Halloween and I think I'm in nearly the exact same situation as you are regarding a medical waiver. Best of luck to you.
 
snappaz said:
Here is my perspective on DODMERB:
10/14 exams
10/19-10/25 submission to DODMERB
11/20/13 DODMERB receives my exams (but even before this point, the site said my application was complete)
11/25/13 Medically disqualified letter sent.

Therefore, once DODMERB receives your medical information, it should take about 5 days, or 3 business days for them to review it and officially clear you.

I interviewed a week before Halloween on 10/24. I have been in constant contact with Wilhemina, the commissioning coordinator, regarding my medical evaluation, DODMERB waiver request, and weight standards. I really hope this means they are actively considering me. Like many of you, my top choice is USUHS, and my preference is NAVY.

This information may help those who are over the weight standard. The AR-600-9 document states the maximum body fat % for 21-29 yr olds is 22%, and I felt no urgency to change my workout plan to lose weight (I could have easily transitioned heavy lifting to cardio). However, USUHS wants you to be at 15%. I know this because my measurements indicated 16% body fat, and I was told I needed to lose 1% body fat and get re-measured in a month. While this is sad news to me, I welcome all opportunities to challenge marines on the pull-up bar. Do not make the same mistake as me. Actively try to reach the Army weight standard for your height. Start early.

For the record, I am currently 8 pounds over the limit. 5 pounds over before the holiday...
Click to expand...

That's my picture in the avatar - I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs.; I can do 18 pullups, 85 pushups, 90 situps in a minute and run the 1.5 miles in 10:30. But, per Navy standards, I should not exceed 206 lbs, therefore I get taped every time.

I just had my periodic health assessment. I was considered obese. As a matter of fact, I was considered high-risk for health issues, because I only eat 1 cup of fruit per day (I take a multivitamin), I don't sleep enough (I sleep as much my body wants to), I floss periodically (every other day, probably), I'm obese, and there was something else I can't remember. The point I am trying to make is that it is entirely unsophisticated to group everyone (who are different) into a set of rules (that are the same).

Neither of the examples I mentioned above are major issues, in fact, my colleagues and I find them funny; however, the collection of bureaucratic nonsense is a serious matter and it is driving many good people away from the military. I am separating from the military to pursue medical school and did not apply to USUHS, HCSP, or HPSP whose payback commitments I find to be surreptitious, because my experiences during 5-years as a Naval Officer could not justify it.

I feel obligated to caution everyone without prior military experience against devoting approximately 17+ years (4 years medical school +7, X years residency x 2, plus GMO years, if Navy) of your life to the military medicine without having yet experienced it. I'm not urging you to not do it, but it's a huge commitment, so be cautious with your decision.

Importantly, good luck!
 
Does anyone know how often they actually make calls for acceptances? Is it like the first week of every month? or every week on a certain day? I don't want to angst over phone calls!
 
Hope everyone had heard some acceptance news, or going thru interview process at this time... hope you all have a great time at USUHS-- any of you can stop any one of us to ask questions about new curriculum, and how we feel about it. All of us c/o 2015's will be around since we just got done w/ our clerkships.
 
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