2014-2015 Oregon Health & Science University Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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Scarlett218 said:
Anyone else think the idea of rating your adversity from mild to severe is very strange?
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I think this allows for people to list things that were challenges/adversities but may not have been huge life altering events that they may not list otherwise.
 
Scarlett218 said:
Anyone else think the idea of rating your adversity from mild to severe is very strange?
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I definitely thought it was strange. Totally marked "prefer not to answer" or whatever the option was for those types of questions.
 
Hey guys, I recently received the secondary for this school and I am trying to decide if it is even worth sending out since I am OOS since they said they want GPA of 3.70 and MCAT of 32 for OOS:

My GPA is 3.5 and my MCAT is 29. I knew this was a reach but I figured it was worth a shot. I thought they pre screened since I got the 2nd the same day as I was verified but now I am thinking they are just trying to steal my money and reject me as soon as I pay them.

With the secondary being on the longer side I am thinking it isnt worth the time and money but I wanted to ask your opinions, do you think I would even have a slim chance or is it a waste of time with my low numbers? (I'm more likely than not going DO route so its not like I have my sights set on this school but I was told to try a few reaches because I might surprise myself)
 
walbridge20 said:
Hey guys, I recently received the secondary for this school and I am trying to decide if it is even worth sending out since I am OOS since they said they want GPA of 3.70 and MCAT of 32 for OOS:

My GPA is 3.5 and my MCAT is 29. I knew this was a reach but I figured it was worth a shot. I thought they pre screened since I got the 2nd the same day as I was verified but now I am thinking they are just trying to steal my money and reject me as soon as I pay them.

With the secondary being on the longer side I am thinking it isnt worth the time and money but I wanted to ask your opinions, do you think I would even have a slim chance or is it a waste of time with my low numbers? (I'm more likely than not going DO route so its not like I have my sights set on this school but I was told to try a few reaches because I might surprise myself)
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IMO, it's more about wanting to practice in an underserved area of Oregon that you can prove with letters, research, residence history, etc.

Here's a nice case in point story for you: yesterday I ran into an OHSU alum at Trader Joe's. I was buying produce, and asked a woman in scrubs with a doctor's name badge for interview advice, jokingly. Come to find out, she's practicing at the UC Davis Medical Center. When I lived in LA, I ran into another OHSU trained alumna doing her residency at Cedars Sinai, trying to establish herself in Southern California. This really bothers me.

But before I do an enormous face palm, I'll just say that public medical schools should me more stringent about who they let in. It should be more about serving the mission of the school and the state's need for physicians, not creating a homogenous class of 22 year old phy sci majors with 3.9 GPAs. All I know is that if I get into OHSU, U of Arizona, or U of Colorado, U of Vermont, etc you'd better believe that I'll practice in that state.
 
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LAtoDavis said:
IMO, it's more about wanting to practice in an underserved area of Oregon that you can prove with letters, research, residence history, etc.

Here's a nice case in point story for you: yesterday I ran into an OHSU alum at Trader Joe's. I was buying produce, and asked a woman in scrubs with a doctor's name badge for interview advice, jokingly. Come to find out, she's practicing at the UC Davis Medical Center. When I lived in LA, I ran into another OHSU trained alumna doing her residency at Cedars Sinai, trying to establish herself in Southern California. This really bothers me.

But before I do an enormous face palm, I'll just say that public medical schools should me more stringent about who they let in. It should be more about serving the mission of the school and the state's need for physicians, not creating a homogenous class of 22 year old phy sci majors with 3.9 GPAs. All I know is that if I get into OHSU, U of Arizona, or U of Colorado, you'd better believe that I'll practice in that state.
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I appreciate your sentiment and couldn't agree more. I thoroughly want to practice in OR and find the values of the school and community very close to my heart, but I have a sinking feeling that with my low numbers, being a white male, and being from out of state they will not even look at my essays because I don't make their cutoffs. It really is a shame because I would LOVE to go to this school but in terms of maximizing my time (of which I have very little) I think this secondary will go uncompleted unless someone can tell me that they will actually look at it for more than 2 seconds.
 
walbridge20 said:
I appreciate your sentiment and couldn't agree more. I thoroughly want to practice in OR and find the values of the school and community very close to my heart, but I have a sinking feeling that with my low numbers, being a white male, and being from out of state they will not even look at my essays because I don't make their cutoffs. It really is a shame because I would LOVE to go to this school but in terms of maximizing my time (of which I have very little) I think this secondary will go uncompleted unless someone can tell me that they will actually look at it for more than 2 seconds.
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Hmm. I don't know. It's your call, I guess. Western has a Lebanon, Oregon campus.
 
walbridge20 said:
I appreciate your sentiment and couldn't agree more. I thoroughly want to practice in OR and find the values of the school and community very close to my heart, but I have a sinking feeling that with my low numbers, being a white male, and being from out of state they will not even look at my essays because I don't make their cutoffs. It really is a shame because I would LOVE to go to this school but in terms of maximizing my time (of which I have very little) I think this secondary will go uncompleted unless someone can tell me that they will actually look at it for more than 2 seconds.
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they look for people who meet their mission groups (available on their website) or IS applicants. The general consensus is that if you are not one of those two things (which based on your GPA and MCAT alone you are not, though there are other mission group categories) it is not worth applying as they apparently have not taken a non-mission group OOS applicant in some time. Really though, it is your time and money, only you can decided if the slim chance (whether you are a mission group applicant or not) of getting in is worth the effort.
 
Anyone else have their letters showing as not received yet even if marked as received by AMCAS and designated to go to OHSU?
 
Yes on the above statement. My letters took about 5 to 7 weekdays to go from submitted to AMCAS to complete at OHSU. I kept a count b/c my deadline was lurking for one last letter
 
I missed the deadline because I didn't make appropriate note of the deadline. I found the following info onliner but it doesn't state whether not it applies it applies to their MD program. I will e-mail them about whether or not it applies and update the results here...

http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/sc...cademic-programs/graduate-studies/admissions/
"Each program reserves the right to review applications received after the deadline if space is available. Priority is given to applications that are complete by the application deadline. Please check with the program of interest for additional information."
 
Graywolf said:
Exactly the same approach here...With a 'strategy' on how to overcome this. Honest self reflection is key here.
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I told them I don't have any 'personal weaknesses' because I'm not a friggen Felis catus. That includes latent weaknesses. My problem is having to deal with the weaknesses of others.

LOL, just kidding. lol. Considering I missed my deadline awhile ago, maybe I'll write something like that up. I'm sure someone on the adcom team would get a kick out of it.
 
Z K said:
I told them I don't have any 'personal weaknesses' because I'm not a friggen Felis catus. That includes latent weaknesses. My problem is having to deal with the weaknesses of others.

LOL, just kidding. lol. Considering I missed my deadline awhile ago, maybe I'll write something like that up. I'm sure someone on the adcom team would get a kick out of it.
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Haha, that's hilarious. I went to a "Pre med summit" for the University of Washington a couple months ago and during a group mock interview with one the admissions committee members of the school this guy actually believed he had no weaknesses. After he got feedback that this is a major red flag he still couldn't admit to any weaknesses in his character. I about slapped him
 
walbridge20 said:
I appreciate your sentiment and couldn't agree more. I thoroughly want to practice in OR and find the values of the school and community very close to my heart, but I have a sinking feeling that with my low numbers, being a white male, and being from out of state they will not even look at my essays because I don't make their cutoffs. It really is a shame because I would LOVE to go to this school but in terms of maximizing my time (of which I have very little) I think this secondary will go uncompleted unless someone can tell me that they will actually look at it for more than 2 seconds.
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Look at the class photo if you can. The class is each year is pretty much white. Take a look at their mission groups, they have a weird way of defining residency. Also DONT ignore secondaries and blow through them. They are very very important!
You don't need to be half black and half Hispanic to come here. You need to show diversity in your experiences, not your heritage.
I didn't recall what your numbers are but if you are close to the cut off and really want to go here I would still apply BUT that means you must take the time and answer secondary questions well. My .02 cents
 
Bomikepa said:
Look at the class photo if you can. The class is each year is pretty much white. Take a look at their mission groups, they have a weird way of defining residency. Also DONT ignore secondaries and blow through them. They are very very important!
You don't need to be half black and half Hispanic to come here. You need to show diversity in your experiences, not your heritage.
I didn't recall what your numbers are but if you are close to the cut off and really want to go here I would still apply BUT that means you must take the time and answer secondary questions well. My .02 cents
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That is the problem, I am at 3.48 (s and c) with a 29 (9/10/10) and they mention on their secondary that they look for 3.70 with a 32 for OOS. If I had any connection to OR I would work through the secondary but with all the other secondaries I believe I will let the deadline pass me by on this one (9/12/14 deadline so i would already be hurting myself by taking this long)
 
walbridge20 said:
That is the problem, I am at 3.48 (s and c) with a 29 (9/10/10) and they mention on their secondary that they look for 3.70 with a 32 for OOS. If I had any connection to OR I would work through the secondary but with all the other secondaries I believe I will let the deadline pass me by on this one (9/12/14 deadline so i would already be hurting myself by taking this long)
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I called OHSU to ask if your secondary return time is taken into account for admissions. They don't look at the time that lapsed from when you received and submitted the secondary. Also they told me they understand applicants are busy with class and studying for MCAT so you can still submit the secondary after the deadline they give you.
 
walbridge20 said:
That is the problem, I am at 3.48 (s and c) with a 29 (9/10/10) and they mention on their secondary that they look for 3.70 with a 32 for OOS. If I had any connection to OR I would work through the secondary but with all the other secondaries I believe I will let the deadline pass me by on this one (9/12/14 deadline so i would already be hurting myself by taking this long)
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if you have strong research i would try and apply
give admissions a call too they don't charge to speak to them
 
For those of you who have submitted your secondary, do you have both the "Your secondary application has been processed" and a "Your file was complete on xx/xx/xxx" I submitted 8/14/14 and don't have the "Your file was complete..." update but have heard that I should.
 
plinkw said:
For those of you who have submitted your secondary, do you have both the "Your secondary application has been processed" and a "Your file was complete on xx/xx/xxx" I submitted 8/14/14 and don't have the "Your file was complete..." update but have heard that I should.
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I have both, not sure if you have to have both. I think mine took a day after it was processed to show complete and think that was because of a residency check. If you are waiting on letters that could be also and would show up. If not I'd just give admissions a call they are really friendly an will let you know.
 
walbridge20 said:
Hey guys, I recently received the secondary for this school and I am trying to decide if it is even worth sending out since I am OOS since they said they want GPA of 3.70 and MCAT of 32 for OOS:

My GPA is 3.5 and my MCAT is 29. I knew this was a reach but I figured it was worth a shot. I thought they pre screened since I got the 2nd the same day as I was verified but now I am thinking they are just trying to steal my money and reject me as soon as I pay them.

With the secondary being on the longer side I am thinking it isnt worth the time and money but I wanted to ask your opinions, do you think I would even have a slim chance or is it a waste of time with my low numbers? (I'm more likely than not going DO route so its not like I have my sights set on this school but I was told to try a few reaches because I might surprise myself)
Click to expand...
The OOS thing makes it, sadly, an exercise in futility to fill out this onerous secondary. However, if you love the state and want to end up working here, you can easily do that since, from what I've seen, residency location tends to be a stronger determining factor in where a doc ends up practicing. Come here for residency, don't bother coming here for med.
 
LogicofMan said:
The OOS thing makes it, sadly, an exercise in futility to fill out this onerous secondary. However, if you love the state and want to end up working here, you can easily do that since, from what I've seen, residency location tends to be a stronger determining factor in where a doc ends up practicing. Come here for residency, don't bother coming here for med.
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Id disagree with the first part of this, it's not OOS purely, you just need to meet one of the mission based groups which is a pretty broad category http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/sc...admissions/academic-and-selection-factors.cfm I would agree that residency does play a huge factor since that will be the first state you worked in and become licensed in though.
 
Hello everyone-Delurking with a question about applying for entrance in 2016 ... I had been planning to take the April 2015 (first new test administration) MCAT but had a panic about some life stuff and decided I'd better take the January 2015 one instead. My understanding is that that decision will be okay for OHSU for 2016 entrance (application summer 2015) but I saw somewhere that for 2017 (should I end up reapplying) they would "prefer" MCAT2015 (the new one). But now I can't find where I read that--does anyone here know what OHSU's policy is going to be with respect to old versus new MCAT scores in the next couple of years? I am a seriously older nontraditional applicant so I really do not want to end up reapplying, but I could see convincing myself, if this year is a flop, to give it just one more try. Thanks in advance for any help any of you can offer.
 
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bumblebee611 said:
Hello everyone-Delurking with a question about applying for entrance in 2016 ... I had been planning to take the April 2015 (first new test administration) MCAT but had a panic about some life stuff and decided I'd better take the January 2015 one instead. My understanding is that that decision will be okay for OHSU for 2016 entrance (application summer 2015) but I saw somewhere that for 2017 (should I end up reapplying) they would "prefer" MCAT2015 (the new one). But now I can't find where I read that--does anyone here know what OHSU's policy is going to be with respect to old versus new MCAT scores in the next couple of years? I am a seriously older nontraditional applicant so I really do not want to end up reapplying, but I could see convincing myself, if this year is a flop, to give it just one more try. Thanks in advance for any help any of you can offer.
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I am sure admissions might have an idea. I know only one school is requiring it for 2016 (or so I've heard) if they did start requiring it for 2017 it would be a change in policy for them as they currently accept MCATs up to 3 years old
 
exitonly29 said:
I am sure admissions might have an idea. I know only one school is requiring it for 2016 (or so I've heard) if they did start requiring it for 2017 it would be a change in policy for them as they currently accept MCATs up to 3 years old
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Thanks! I am afraid to ask them because they've already heard from me with random old person questions.
 
Just FYI, I submitted on 8/13 and was just marked as complete on 9/10 (OOS)- to clarify, I have both an "application processed" and "application complete" bullet point which both appeared yesterday. In total, I have 5 purple square thingys 🙂
 
:)) said:
Just FYI, I submitted on 8/13 and was just marked as complete on 9/10 (OOS)- to clarify, I have both an "application processed" and "application complete" bullet point which both appeared yesterday. In total, I have 5 purple square thingys 🙂
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Cool! Thanks for the update 🙂 I submitted around that time so hopefully I'll get processed soon too.
 
Hey everyone, been lurking for a bit, figure I might as well get in on the mix. I'm applying instate, #1 school choice, freaking love Portland. Secondary submitted 8/19, completed today, 9/11. Best of luck to all of you, can't believe it's finally happening...
 
TheFoshizzler said:
Hey everyone, been lurking for a bit, figure I might as well get in on the mix. I'm applying instate, #1 school choice, freaking love Portland. Secondary submitted 8/19, completed today, 9/11. Best of luck to all of you, can't believe it's finally happening...
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Good luck! I'm IS as well was complete about two weeks before you. Now begins the wait, if they are on the same timeline as last year the first invites would be going out Monday for early October dates.
 
Hello all! Finally chiming in! Want to go to OHSU so bad but know I probably don't have a chance this round! In-state, secondary submitted 7/18, complete on 7/28. Hope we hear something soon because I'm starting to get anxious!
 
exitonly29 said:
Good luck! I'm IS as well was complete about two weeks before you. Now begins the wait, if they are on the same timeline as last year the first invites would be going out Monday for early October dates.
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Well, I'll be neurotically checking my phone come Monday then.
 
HCLiz said:
Hello all! Finally chiming in! Want to go to OHSU so bad but know I probably don't have a chance this round! In-state, secondary submitted 7/18, complete on 7/28. Hope we hear something soon because I'm starting to get anxious!
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Why don't you think you have a chance? In state gives you a good shot at least of getting an interview
 
exitonly29 said:
Why don't you think you have a chance? In state gives you a good shot at least of getting an interview
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I have decent GPAs (3.87 undergraduate, 3.95 graduate) but they are offset by my 26 MCAT. I think I was too focused on graduate school to properly prepare, which is completely my fault and I regret immensely....
 
HCLiz said:
I have decent GPAs (3.87 undergraduate, 3.95 graduate) but they are offset by my 26 MCAT. I think I was too focused on graduate school to properly prepare, which is completely my fault and I regret immensely....
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Huh, I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum, with a measly cGPA of 3.46 and an sGPA of 3.55. 33 on the MCAT though, 12/9/12 (PS, VR, BS). Just bbeelliieevvee
 
Also, I imagine they would take that fact into consideration; that's a stellar graduate GPA
 
TheFoshizzler said:
Also, I imagine they would take that fact into consideration; that's a stellar graduate GPA
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Thank you! I think that's my last hope. And your stats seem good, I would definitely trade them for mine!
 
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HCLiz said:
I have decent GPAs (3.87 undergraduate, 3.95 graduate) but they are offset by my 26 MCAT. I think I was too focused on graduate school to properly prepare, which is completely my fault and I regret immensely....
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definitely apply with those stats if you meet the Oregon residency requirements.

read your other post,
be a bit patient. This process is long but OHSU interviews all the way to March so don't get too discouraged yet if you don't hear anything.

Also check the portal for updates as they don't really email you..
 
Vivalarevolution said:
+1, maybe we'll hear something in the next 3 months 😉
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Haha. That'd be lovely. I am an OOS, with a decent MCAT, 31, really good grades during my second degree, 3.89 Cum and Science, and URM. No ties to Oregon so I knew it was a long shot when I applied and if I am not invited to interview I won't be heartbroken but I have a tremendous affinity for the state of Oregon and have visited a few times so I decided to take a shot anyway. Are you IS?
 
Jumanji2015 said:
Haha. That'd be lovely. I am an OOS, with a decent MCAT, 31, really good grades during my second degree, 3.89 Cum and Science, and URM. No ties to Oregon so I knew it was a long shot when I applied and if I am not invited to interview I won't be heartbroken but I have a tremendous affinity for the state of Oregon and have visited a few times so I decided to take a shot anyway. Are you IS?
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Nope! I am very similar to you actually. OOS with no ties, but I applied anyway cause it's a great school and living in Portland would be a dream come true! GPA 3.3-3.5 with a 33-35 MCAT. URM as well so at least they'll review our applications first? 🙄
 
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