2014-2015 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Application Thread

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llamasarefuzzy said:
On a slightly different tangent, yesterday I got a second request for remedials..... 1 new blood test request ( will schedule tomorrow) and two requests for medical records that I sent them the first time around. Has this happened to anyone else? I'm thinking if calling the help number tomorrow
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It has for me as well. It was amplifying info they needed but the request sounded like it was for the same things I had already sent.
 
llamasarefuzzy said:
Awesome. I'll double check the letter!
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Oh I just reread your post and realized it could be something else as well.

I was working with DODMERB through email. Even if you do that they will still send the paper mailings. So I would get every remedial request by mail after I had completed them. I just kept emailing my contact at DODMERB and Ms Ramseur any time I was unsure what was currently needed and they clarified quickly (usually with an hour or two).

I think in all I had to send in somewhere between 8 and 10 sets of documents for remedials (alot of it additional info for the initial remedial) so it did get confusing at times.
 
Had good news today!

No not that news....

But I did find out my contingent resignation was accepted, so I am cleared to attend USUHS and switch communities (not services) if accepted. I believe prior to this they wouldn't have told me that I was in even if they wanted to accept me. I forwarded the paperwork on, so hopefully that next board (someone mentioned January?) will have my name up there being considered.

Still not an acceptance but one more piece in the puzzle that is my future 🙂.


Everyone try to focus on family and friends and the season instead of admissions for the next few weeks. Most offices appear to be closed anyways.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
 
Glycereine said:
Had good news today!

No not that news....

But I did find out my contingent resignation was accepted, so I am cleared to attend USUHS and switch communities (not services) if accepted. I believe prior to this they wouldn't have told me that I was in even if they wanted to accept me. I forwarded the paperwork on, so hopefully that next board (someone mentioned January?) will have my name up there being considered.

Still not an acceptance but one more piece in the puzzle that is my future 🙂.


Everyone try to focus on family and friends and the season instead of admissions for the next few weeks. Most offices appear to be closed anyways.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
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That is great news! when did you interview??
 
Update: turns out they wanted updated on follow ups that haven't been scheduled yet. The lady said it should be fine, I just have to write a letter explaining.

Have to drive for 2 hours for a blood test, but hey, it will be worth it, right?
 
what vision requirements does usuhs require? can you not get into the school as a result of failing this part of the exam?
 
BlueMax said:
what vision requirements does usuhs require? can you not get into the school as a result of failing this part of the exam?
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I think that as long as your eyes are correctable to 20/20, you should be fine. USUHS doesn't have its own exams; you'll simply need to pass the DODMERB physical and eye exams.
 
Glycereine said:
Had good news today!

No not that news....

But I did find out my contingent resignation was accepted, so I am cleared to attend USUHS and switch communities (not services) if accepted. I believe prior to this they wouldn't have told me that I was in even if they wanted to accept me. I forwarded the paperwork on, so hopefully that next board (someone mentioned January?) will have my name up there being considered.

Still not an acceptance but one more piece in the puzzle that is my future 🙂.


Everyone try to focus on family and friends and the season instead of admissions for the next few weeks. Most offices appear to be closed anyways.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
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How exciting and such a relief! Good luck and hopefully we will all get some good news in 2015!
 
Just got a letter today, placed on hold for now. Little bummed and probably going to move most of my eggs to the HPSP basket.

Does anyone know off the top of their head the chances of getting off the hold list? Army #1 choice
 
DJones13 said:
Just got a letter today, placed on hold for now. Little bummed and probably going to move most of my eggs to the HPSP basket.

Does anyone know off the top of their head the chances of getting off the hold list? Army #1 choice
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Are you on hold or placed on the waitlist? Have you attended an interview? If you are on hold, then I don't know what are the odds of getting an II at this point in the cycle. But if you have been placed on the waitlist, then...

I believe that based on previous cycles, you have the best chance of getting pulled from the waitlist if you list Army as your #1 choice.
 
ProudMD said:
Are you on hold or placed on the waitlist? Have you attended an interview? If you are on hold, then I don't know what are the odds of getting an II at this point in the cycle. But if you have been placed on the waitlist, then...

I believe that based on previous cycles, you have the best chance of getting pulled from the waitlist if you list Army as your #1 choice.
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Interviewed on 10/30. From my understanding hold status and waitlist are different.

EDIT: Found this from 2 years ago.

"If you get put on HOLD status do not fret. This simply means the admissions committee is deferring a final decision until they have a better feel for the applicant pool. Many of my friends went from HOLD(SEP or OCT)-> WAITLIST(FEB or MAR)->Acceptance(usually in May). This takes time. Keep in mind since 2007 the applicant pool to USUHS has increased 60-70%."
 
DJones13 said:
Interviewed on 10/30. From my understanding hold status and waitlist are different.
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I see. Yeah I am not sure what your chances are on the hold list. If you were on the wait list, the chance of getting in is extremely good, especially if you list Army or Air Force as preferences.

But the good news is that you've already been accepted somewhere else!
 
DJones13 said:
Just got a letter today, placed on hold for now. Little bummed and probably going to move most of my eggs to the HPSP basket.

Does anyone know off the top of their head the chances of getting off the hold list? Army #1 choice
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I was on hold last year (Army). I wrote a letter of interest as soon as I got the news, and promptly was moved to the waitlist. I called Dr. Saguil to ask him about the hold decision: he stated that typically hold statuses are issued when the adcom can't come to a decision as to whether you'd be a better fit for acceptance, or alternate list. Keep in mind that the waitlist at USUHS is typically "we would like to accept you, but we do not currently have the seats to do so". I suggest being proactive about it and letting them know why you want to be an Army physician.

Unfortunately, last year wasn't the greatest year to be on the waitlist so I reapplied.... Still waiting to hear back from 11/6!

Hope this was helpful, best of luck
 
@JamesPD Thanks for the advice! I'm definitely going to write a letter of interest. Did you address it to Dr. Saguil or to your assigned admissions rep?
 
DJones13 said:
@JamesPD Thanks for the advice! I'm definitely going to write a letter of interest. Did you address it to Dr. Saguil or to your assigned admissions rep?
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I sent it to my assigned admissions rep, but addressed the letter to the Adcom as a whole. Best of luck!
 
Ok a few things:
1. Has anyone from 11/20 interviews heard anything yet?
2. Does only an acceptance get a call? Or does a waitlist get you a call as well?
 
Saxappeal1 said:
Ok a few things:
1. Has anyone from 11/20 interviews heard anything yet?
2. Does only an acceptance get a call? Or does a waitlist get you a call as well?
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Nothing here. I do know that the last time he heard from admissions, they mentioned that his interview date had not been looked at by a committee yet and the next committee meetings were not until January. I'm not sure how soon that will be, but hopefully 11/20 dates will hear something soon!

The last interview dates that I noticed received word were from 10/30. Anyone hear information (acceptance/wait list/hold) that was interviewed later than that?
 
Saxappeal1 said:
Ok a few things:
1. Has anyone from 11/20 interviews heard anything yet?
2. Does only an acceptance get a call? Or does a waitlist get you a call as well?
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Premedspouse said:
The last interview dates that I noticed received word were from 10/30. Anyone hear information (acceptance/wait list/hold) that was interviewed later than that?
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Dr Saguil told us on 12/4 that between end of January/mid-February we would hear a decision. If you were 11/20, that was the last interview of November (the 27th was Thanksgiving). I would think you're being reviewed now for a January decision.....assuming they're on schedule.
 
Hey SDN-erns, have an interview coming up next week and was wondering if people had any advice? Really hoping to do well.
 
dawgfan11 said:
Hey SDN-erns, have an interview coming up next week and was wondering if people had any advice? Really hoping to do well.
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The entire interview day is very laid-back, and the staff are incredibly friendly and informative. In the morning, you'll check in, listen to a presentation by Dean Saguil, , and tour the simulation center. During lunch, current USUHS students will be available to answer any questions you may have. Your interviews will take place in the afternoon, and you'll have two interview sessions with two different military physicians (some are USUHS alumni, others are not). The interviews themselves are very low-key, and from what I've experienced and heard from other people, you won't be asked super hardcore questions that are typical of "pressure" interviews.

However, you WILL be asked about your motivations and reasons towards joining the military. So be sure that you are able to thoughtfully articulate your reasons for attending USUHS and leading a subsequent career as a military physician. Other than that, just relax, be yourself, and put your best foot forward!

Good luck!
 
ProudMD said:
The entire interview day is very laid-back, and the staff are incredibly friendly and informative. In the morning, you'll check in, listen to a presentation by Dean Saguil, , and tour the simulation center. During lunch, current USUHS students will be available to answer any questions you may have. Your interviews will take place in the afternoon, and you'll have two interview sessions with two different military physicians (some are USUHS alumni, others are not). The interviews themselves are very low-key, and from what I've experienced and heard from other people, you won't be asked super hardcore questions that are typical of "pressure" interviews.

However, you WILL be asked about your motivations and reasons towards joining the military. So be sure that you are able to thoughtfully articulate your reasons for attending USUHS and leading a subsequent career as a military physician. Other than that, just relax, be yourself, and put your best foot forward!

Good luck!
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Thanks for the advice ProudMD! So helpful.
 
Still waiting as well here. I figure it will take them the better part of this week to get back into everything in the admissions office though, assuming that a lot of folks were on vacation the past two weeks.
 
ProudMD said:
The entire interview day is very laid-back, and the staff are incredibly friendly and informative. In the morning, you'll check in, listen to a presentation by Dean Saguil, , and tour the simulation center. During lunch, current USUHS students will be available to answer any questions you may have. Your interviews will take place in the afternoon, and you'll have two interview sessions with two different military physicians (some are USUHS alumni, others are not). The interviews themselves are very low-key, and from what I've experienced and heard from other people, you won't be asked super hardcore questions that are typical of "pressure" interviews.

However, you WILL be asked about your motivations and reasons towards joining the military. So be sure that you are able to thoughtfully articulate your reasons for attending USUHS and leading a subsequent career as a military physician. Other than that, just relax, be yourself, and put your best foot forward!

Good luck!
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I agree with everything in ProudMD's post. To add, something special about USUHS was that they treated interviewees as one of their own already. There was definitely a sense that you've made it this far, your numbers/ stats are good enough, now let us show you what's special about our school/military medicine. A very collegial atmosphere indeed, compared with most of the other civillian schools I've interviewed at.
 
Current student. Interview day is laid back, and if you receive an II, you've made it very far in the process (apparently).

Be open, honest, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember, none (at least none that I know) of us are here for the money.
 
DJones13 said:
Just got a letter today, placed on hold for now. Little bummed and probably going to move most of my eggs to the HPSP basket.

Does anyone know off the top of their head the chances of getting off the hold list? Army #1 choice
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Last year I received the letter that I was waitlisted in early November. Then at the end of December I got another letter letting me know that I was moved from on hold to the waitlist. (It sucked thinking that I was waitlisted but was only on hold and had accidentally been sent that first waitlist letter.)

Anyways last year, because of their mix up, I talked a lot to multiple people in admissions and the administration. My understanding was that if you get moved to the waitlist then you are below every person that was/is immediately placed on the waitlist. However, they did make it clear that people had been placed on hold and later accepted prior, this is just entirely dependent on the year. Hope this helps.
 
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Just got medically disqualified on dodmerb. Freaking out a little! Honestly I'm not even sure why... Right before Christmas I completed a CBC remedial. I donated blood a few days later and my hematocrit was 39. Now I've been disqualified for anemia?!? How is that even a thing!?! Lots of women are anemic! Any idea if a waiver is going to be possible and how long it's going to take? Emailing Ms. Radmeuser now. Ugh it's like waiting to hear post ii all over again.
 
Llamas, deep breath. Get a statement from your physician first - hopefully something that says your condition (or whatever) won't affect you negatively etc. Then submit to Ms. Ramseur. After that it gets passed on to other hands.

I was DQ'd as well but didn't submit additional materials when I petitioned for a waiver - I figured they would order the tests. But weeks passed and nada. So I got my own documents together and submitted it to dodmerb. Still waiting on their decision but I'm much more positive now bc I've done all that I can do without further instruction.
 
eqkc said:
Llamas, deep breath. Get a statement from your physician first - hopefully something that says your condition (or whatever) won't affect you negatively etc. Then submit to Ms. Ramseur. After that it gets passed on to other hands.

I was DQ'd as well but didn't submit additional materials when I petitioned for a waiver - I figured they would order the tests. But weeks passed and nada. So I got my own documents together and submitted it to dodmerb. Still waiting on their decision but I'm much more positive now bc I've done all that I can do without further instruction.
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Thanks. Will call my doc tomorrow for a letter. Hopefully waivers arent too hard to get. I'm just baffled as to how they decided I was anemic when I wasn't at all several days later. One of the great mysteries of life I guess
 
eqkc said:
Speaking of mysteries... My lifelong peanut allergy totally disappeared when I did my test. I literally ate spoonfuls of pb in front of an allergy specialist... and absolutely nothing happened. My partner jokes it was sheer willpower.

But, as of today, I'm still medically DQ'd for my peanut allergy. Womp womp.
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Lol wut. That sucks
 
eqkc said:
Llamas, deep breath. Get a statement from your physician first - hopefully something that says your condition (or whatever) won't affect you negatively etc. Then submit to Ms. Ramseur. After that it gets passed on to other hands.

I was DQ'd as well but didn't submit additional materials when I petitioned for a waiver - I figured they would order the tests. But weeks passed and nada. So I got my own documents together and submitted it to dodmerb. Still waiting on their decision but I'm much more positive now bc I've done all that I can do without further instruction.
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sorry to hear about this and I hope you get it all straightened out! if you dont mind me asking, how did you know you were dq? My dodmets page just says my documents have been received.
 
BlueMax said:
sorry to hear about this and I hope you get it all straightened out! if you dont mind me asking, how did you know you were dq? My dodmets page just says my documents have been received.
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I've been stalking it. It says "January 7- date letter sent disqualification" below that it says "pending waiver review by USUHS
 
BlueMax said:
sorry to hear about this and I hope you get it all straightened out! if you dont mind me asking, how did you know you were dq? My dodmets page just says my documents have been received.
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Heya Bluemax,

I checked the dodmets site and saw they sent me a DQ letter by post. Apparently my letter ended up on the slow pony bc it took another week+ to get here.

I've been checking the site daily, since you can see what kind of letter they are sending before it gets to your house. 🙂

Oh, I also harass dodmets by phone every once in a while. They're pretty nice!
 
eqkc said:
Heya Bluemax,

I checked the dodmets site and saw they sent me a DQ letter by post. Apparently my letter ended up on the slow pony bc it took another week+ to get here.

I've been checking the site daily, since you can see what kind of letter they are sending before it gets to your house. 🙂

Oh, I also harass dodmets by phone every once in a while. They're pretty nice!
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+1 dodmerb people are super nice. Except for the whole disqualifying us thing
 
I mean we are at week 7, but I mean they might not include the winter break, so we may not hear anything for an additional 2-3 weeks :/
 
Saxappeal1 said:
I mean we are at week 7, but I mean they might not include the winter break, so we may not hear anything for an additional 2-3 weeks :/
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You really need to take a deep breath. You've interviewed. There is nothing more you can do.

I know the email said 6-8 weeks, but as I said previously, Dr. Saguil told us on our interview day (which was the one after yours) we would not hear a decision until February. That's more like 8-12 weeks. So start assuming that and then be pleasantly surprised when he calls you next week.
 
Current USUHS student here.
I want you all to take a few deep breaths and relax a bit.

Done with that? Good.

Stressing about how long it's been since your interview isn't going to make the decision come any faster.
If you're waiting on a waiver and/or DODMERB isn't cooperating, giving Dr. Saguil a call might be worth a shot. I think I have at least one classmate who had success getting their waiver pushed through with his help.

I know applying and waiting on decisions is stressful, but try not to let it consume you.
Yeah, yeah, easy for me to say since I'm on this side of the application process, right?
Let's just say I know from experience- I had a late January interview last year, was put on the wait list in March and finally got an acceptance call in May. That's a long time to just be a giant bundle of stress. If you're got a lot of time to kill, find a project or new hobby or something. Personally, I spent a large chunk of time last spring re-finishing thrift shop furniture while I waited. It took my mind off things, and I now have a beautiful desk (which obviously gets a lot of use) for my efforts.
 
aconn51 said:
Current USUHS student here.
Personally, I spent a large chunk of time last spring re-finishing thrift shop furniture while I waited. It took my mind off things, and I now have a beautiful desk (which obviously gets a lot of use) for my efforts.
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I like the way you think! Signed in just to say that I have been doing something quite similar. Been to Value Village and Unique Thrift in White Oak near 495? Some good finds there sometimes. Fun to sift through.

Interviewed 1/8. What a place. The people at that school are incredible. Best of luck to everyone!
 
Premedspouse said:
CONGRATS! Which branch are you waitlisted for?
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I put Navy as #1 pick, AF as #2, Army as #3, so I am assuming I am wait listed for Navy even though the letter did not specify anything of the sort. Question: would it be OK/appropriate for me to send an email to my admissions counselor indicating that I would also be OK with AF as #1 for my preference sheet? Have any of you guys updated this? Thanks for any input!
 
koruca said:
I put Navy as #1 pick, AF as #2, Army as #3, so I am assuming I am wait listed for Navy even though the letter did not specify anything of the sort. Question: would it be OK/appropriate for me to send an email to my admissions counselor indicating that I would also be OK with AF as #1 for my preference sheet? Have any of you guys updated this? Thanks for any input!
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Congrats, Koruca! You made the cut! When I changed my branch preference Navy to Army, they told me that it was a permanent change of primary preference- ie: I would be giving up the option to go Navy. I was then offered an Army slot. Just my experience with branch preferences.
 
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