2014-2015 Oregon Health & Science University Application Thread

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For those that have been through OHSU's process before, is being at #19 currently a sign of anything? A sign that the list will ultimately move farther down, a sign that the list won't ultimately move far down, or just impossible to tell?

Just a curious late-4os number asking 🙂
 
That's awesome! How do you know this??
It's on the portal.

"We have accepted through #19 on the alternate list.


The entering placements have been chosen along with a ranked alternate list. The status of the alternate list will be online by mid-May. Alternate positions are held through Transition to Medical School (first-year student orientation), which begins on August 10, 2015."
 
It's on the portal.

"We have accepted through #19 on the alternate list.


The entering placements have been chosen along with a ranked alternate list. The status of the alternate list will be online by mid-May. Alternate positions are held through Transition to Medical School (first-year student orientation), which begins on August 10, 2015."

Haha wow I totally missed the bold print! Thank you 🙂
And seems like you have a really good shot being late 40s.... If the last few years are any indication. I wish I could trade numbers with you! Haha I'm a little hopeless at 104
 
You will get a notification on your portal when it gets mailed out. Same for when they receive it back from you. It took about 6 weeks for me but that was during interview season. I'm sure it will come faster for you!
Did that also include financial aid information?
 
Not sure I was accepted 2 weeks ago and haven't received anything yet.
Whew... I'm in the same boat and was starting to get worried. I've accepted the MD spot, but am a "high alternate" for the MD-MPH so the waiting hasn't stopped!
 
Whew... I'm in the same boat and was starting to get worried. I've accepted the MD spot, but am a "high alternate" for the MD-MPH so the waiting hasn't stopped!
Yeah I keep waiting for some more info. Just fyi I think it was mentioned but I asked to double check orientation starts August 10th and white coat is August 14th, I am eagerly awaiting financial aid info so I can start to plan what I can afford


Portal was updated! Packet has been mailed....not sure if financial aid is in that but still sweet!
 
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Yeah I keep waiting for some more info. Just fyi I think it was mentioned but I asked to double check orientation starts August 10th and white coat is August 14th, I am eagerly awaiting financial aid info so I can start to plan what I can afford


Portal was updated! Packet has been mailed....not sure if financial aid is in that but still sweet!
My portal updated for the contract, but I got an email notifying me when my financial aid packet was mailed. If it helps, the tuition went up to $46,xxx for IS 🙂
 
Yea... Wouldn't it be nice if we knew how many people were actually on the waitlist!

I'm hoping we'll find out more Monday because tomorrow was the due date that we had to give admissions if we wanted to keep our alternate list spot or not. So I'm hoping by Monday we'll move up in numbers...! Hoping, hoping, hoping
 
In past years they didn't change anyone's #, they just left ghost spots. So for example, they are currently at 24, but 26 and 27 might not confirm their spots on the waitlist. That means after 25 got accepted it would "jump" to 28. (26 and 27 would be ghost spots)
 
I'm hoping we'll find out more Monday because tomorrow was the due date that we had to give admissions if we wanted to keep our alternate list spot or not. So I'm hoping by Monday we'll move up in numbers...! Hoping, hoping, hoping

I got in off the wait list 3 years ago, currently finished my 3rd year. When I was getting close to my number (about 10 away) I called and asked how many people were actually holding spots vs ghost spots. I was told something like 7 of the 10 had associated people so I had an idea how many more people were ahead of me. I know it is very nerve racking so you could do that when you get close but I wouldn't recommend calling and asking unless you are 10ish spots away.

Congrats to those that got in and for those on the wait list stay positive, it is still early and you can expect movement between now and the start of orientation.
 
Seeking some kind advice. I am a first time applicant to OHSU. I am on the waitlist at #60, so there is small chance I could be accepted and a larger chance I could not. Consequently, I am looking into reapplying for the coming cycle. If I choose to reapply, I will need to retake the MCAT, as I believe this is my weakest link on my application. Experience is very solid. Undergrad GPA is good. (Not interested in sharing specific stats at this time)
As timing is critical, I need to decide if I am going to be retaking the MCAT sometime this summer and submitting another AMCAS. However, I do not want to pay for registration and new MCAT materials until I know that I need to. Any advice/insight from previous re-applicants out there on how to effectively navigate these timelines and when to throw in the towel on the waitlist would be much appreciated. Thanks!
 
Seeking some kind advice. I am a first time applicant to OHSU. I am on the waitlist at #60, so there is small chance I could be accepted and a larger chance I could not. Consequently, I am looking into reapplying for the coming cycle. If I choose to reapply, I will need to retake the MCAT, as I believe this is my weakest link on my application. Experience is very solid. Undergrad GPA is good. (Not interested in sharing specific stats at this time)
As timing is critical, I need to decide if I am going to be retaking the MCAT sometime this summer and submitting another AMCAS. However, I do not want to pay for registration and new MCAT materials until I know that I need to. Any advice/insight from previous re-applicants out there on how to effectively navigate these timelines and when to throw in the towel on the waitlist would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I am also wait-listed and need to restart my application. In the excel sheet (above) with all the previous wait-list numbers that have been accepted, I see that around mid June till mid July you will have a better idea whether you will be accepted this year. Then when the number is 10 away, I would call to see where you stand to get a better idea.

I have already started my application but will not spend money on transcript requests and submitting application until July, or when I have a better idea of where I stand.

I hope this helps 🙂
 
I am also wait-listed and need to restart my application. In the excel sheet (above) with all the previous wait-list numbers that have been accepted, I see that around mid June till mid July you will have a better idea whether you will be accepted this year. Then when the number is 10 away, I would call to see where you stand to get a better idea.

I have already started my application but will not spend money on transcript requests and submitting application until July, or when I have a better idea of where I stand.

I hope this helps 🙂


Thank you, that is very helpful. 🙂
 
Thank you, that is very helpful. 🙂
I would call and schedule an exit interview. You can ask specifically about your MCAT/GPA. As those account for only 20 percent of your overall score i would guess upping your score by a point or two isn't going to have giant impact at least as far as OHSU is concerned. Again I'd ask that in my exit interview to be sure. If you are ranked 60 I'd think they thought your academics were good enough and your application is overall pretty solid.
 
I would call and schedule an exit interview. You can ask specifically about your MCAT/GPA. As those account for only 20 percent of your overall score i would guess upping your score by a point or two isn't going to have giant impact at least as far as OHSU is concerned. Again I'd ask that in my exit interview to be sure. If you are ranked 60 I'd think they thought your academics were good enough and your application is overall pretty solid.
Im also in this number range, I was wondering if they do exit interviews before the final decision?
 
Im also in this number range, I was wondering if they do exit interviews before the final decision?
I was at a higher number last year over 100 but yeah they did for me well before final decisions. I would imagine they would because if you don't get in you'd want to know as soon as possible what to improve on and the waitlist is so different year over year. Because the "final" decisions wouldn't be till August 10th the first day of orientation if you are on the waitlist.
 
Im also in this number range, I was wondering if they do exit interviews before the final decision?

I was around there a few years ago and ended up getting accepted. The graph is not super accurate cause my year it went to 68 and it only shows 62 for 2012. I called about an exit interview and they said they wouldn't do one for me till the end of June if I wasn't accepted yet if I recall correctly. It ended up not mattering but don't be surprised if they say they want to wait to do one for a month or so. Also, if you got an interview the MCAT/GPA is unlikely to be the reason you didn't get in. Those numbers are more important to actually get an interview. OHSU LOVES reapplicants for some reason (I was one). I interviewed one year, hold, then no wait list. Reapplied WITHOUT a new MCAT score and was accepted and my MCAT was the weakest part of my application. You can PM me for more questions if you want. I'm kind of busy on internal medicine right now but I will try to get back to people as soon as I can. Good luck and stay positive!
 
I was around there a few years ago and ended up getting accepted. The graph is not super accurate cause my year it went to 68 and it only shows 62 for 2012. I called about an exit interview and they said they wouldn't do one for me till the end of June if I wasn't accepted yet if I recall correctly. It ended up not mattering but don't be surprised if they say they want to wait to do one for a month or so. Also, if you got an interview the MCAT/GPA is unlikely to be the reason you didn't get in. Those numbers are more important to actually get an interview. OHSU LOVES reapplicants for some reason (I was one). I interviewed one year, hold, then no wait list. Reapplied WITHOUT a new MCAT score and was accepted and my MCAT was the weakest part of my application. You can PM me for more questions if you want. I'm kind of busy on internal medicine right now but I will try to get back to people as soon as I can. Good luck and stay positive!
Awesome thank you! That whole reapplicant thing seems to be very important!
 
Thank you everyone for the thoughtful responses. I have another potential reapplicant question: how much did you change your AMCAS and secondary app when you re-applied? Do you need to write a new personal statement, get new letters of rec, re-write essays, all the above? Thanks again!
 
I have a question for all the wise ones: so my MCAT and GPA are probably my weak suites but I made it to the wait list (pretty low) - most people are saying don't reapply for the next year and go do a Masters program but I wouldn't be able to get in earlier than fall 2016..., but that is very expensive, should I reapply to OHSU this next cycle?? I keep thinking that it cant hurt right?
 
I was around there a few years ago and ended up getting accepted. The graph is not super accurate cause my year it went to 68 and it only shows 62 for 2012. I called about an exit interview and they said they wouldn't do one for me till the end of June if I wasn't accepted yet if I recall correctly. It ended up not mattering but don't be surprised if they say they want to wait to do one for a month or so. Also, if you got an interview the MCAT/GPA is unlikely to be the reason you didn't get in. Those numbers are more important to actually get an interview. OHSU LOVES reapplicants for some reason (I was one). I interviewed one year, hold, then no wait list. Reapplied WITHOUT a new MCAT score and was accepted and my MCAT was the weakest part of my application. You can PM me for more questions if you want. I'm kind of busy on internal medicine right now but I will try to get back to people as soon as I can. Good luck and stay positive!

Hey thank you for sharing! I have a solid gpa ~3.8 cum and ~3.7 sci but I didn't have much prep for taking the mcat the first time, as in I spent a week taking practice tests, and I got a 23, which is embarrassing, but then I actually studied for it for a couple months and got a 27. So knowing that would it be wise for me to retake? I got 8,8,11.... I have started studying but I am not sure it would be wise. Does anyone have thoughts?!
I made the waitlist #104.
 
I have a question for all the wise ones: so my MCAT and GPA are probably my weak suites but I made it to the wait list (pretty low) - most people are saying don't reapply for the next year and go do a Masters program but I wouldn't be able to get in earlier than fall 2016..., but that is very expensive, should I reapply to OHSU this next cycle?? I keep thinking that it cant hurt right?

If I were you I would reapply, can't hurt 🙂 or look into masters in something like public health at OSU...
 
Hey thank you for sharing! I have a solid gpa ~3.8 cum and ~3.7 sci but I didn't have much prep for taking the mcat the first time, as in I spent a week taking practice tests, and I got a 23, which is embarrassing, but then I actually studied for it for a couple months and got a 27. So knowing that would it be wise for me to retake? I got 8,8,11.... I have started studying but I am not sure it would be wise. Does anyone have thoughts?!
I made the waitlist #104.
I would see what they say in the your exit interview about your MCAT.
 
Thank you everyone for the thoughtful responses. I have another potential reapplicant question: how much did you change your AMCAS and secondary app when you re-applied? Do you need to write a new personal statement, get new letters of rec, re-write essays, all the above? Thanks again!
I had basically the same personal statement, added a little bit, secondaries for Ohsu about 4/6 almost identical 2 I did differently. Same letters of rec with one added.
 
Hey thank you for sharing! I have a solid gpa ~3.8 cum and ~3.7 sci but I didn't have much prep for taking the mcat the first time, as in I spent a week taking practice tests, and I got a 23, which is embarrassing, but then I actually studied for it for a couple months and got a 27. So knowing that would it be wise for me to retake? I got 8,8,11.... I have started studying but I am not sure it would be wise. Does anyone have thoughts?!
I made the waitlist #104.

Yeah 27 is on the low end. Are you only applying to OHSU or other schools as well? If just OHSU you MIGHT be able to get away with not taking it, if you are applying broadly then definitely retake it.
 
Thank you everyone for the thoughtful responses. I have another potential reapplicant question: how much did you change your AMCAS and secondary app when you re-applied? Do you need to write a new personal statement, get new letters of rec, re-write essays, all the above? Thanks again!
I used the same idea in my PS but completely rewrote. My activities were half and half. I had the same letter writers +2 new. I added activities from my application year also. Exit interviews can really help!
 
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