2019-2020 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

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rainfall9786 said:
Does anyone know how to submit a medical waiver?
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You should contact the commissioning coordinator. I would call them first, and then she will tell you what to include in your email. She will likely ask you to elaborate on your disqualifying condition, and what the status of that condition is now. The process takes a while so the earlier you get the request in the better.
 
rainfall9786 said:
Does anyone know how to submit a medical waiver?
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I reached out via email and the google doc form the 18th of October and still haven't heard. Captain Liotta said that it will take a while as the new Commissioning Coordinator is in the middle of being brought in
 
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If anyone is curious, here's the info I got from my email in regards to Interview response times and obtaining medical waivers:

Before The Interview
EVERYONE that interviews MUST take the DODMERB commissioning physical. MEPS physicals for the HPSP are not acceptable. If there are any questions regarding your medical exam, physical disqualifications or waivers, please contact the commissioning coordinator at 301-295-1361.
Response Times
DO NOT CALL THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW TO CHECK YOUR APPLICATION STATUS. We will NOT give you your status over the phone if you call. Please use the following as a general guideline regarding response times from the Admissions Committee. These time frames will be lengthened if you are taking fall classes, did not secure a Letter of Approval, or any other extenuating circumstance.
If you interview in September/October, you MAY hear a response in four to six weeks.
If you interview in November/December, you MAY hear a response six to eight weeks.
If you interview in January, you MAY hear a response in eight to ten weeks.
If you interview in February or thereafter, you MAY hear a response in ten or more weeks.
 
I recently interviewed on Nov 14th and found out today that I was medically disqualified for a one time knee dislocation back in April. I’ve had no issues with it since. For example I’m back to running 30-35 miles a week, calisthenics, etc. Anyone know how difficult it is to obtain a waiver for a knee dislocation that required no surgery, physical therapy, etc.?
 
dgc_8 said:
I recently interviewed on Nov 14th and found out today that I was medically disqualified for a one time knee dislocation back in April. I’ve had no issues with it since. For example I’m back to running 30-35 miles a week, calisthenics, etc. Anyone know how difficult it is to obtain a waiver for a knee dislocation that required no surgery, physical therapy, etc.?
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I don't think anyone here would be qualified to answer that for you, you would have to call the commissioning coordinator at 301-295-1361.
 
jonniboi said:
I don't think anyone here would be qualified to answer that for you, you would have to call the commissioning coordinator at 301-295-1361.
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Yea my bad. I called today but I guess seeing “disqualified” in writing kinda had me frazzled and thought someone on here would know. Good luck to everyone applying to USUHS by the way!
 
goldchallenge said:
Currently, NIH is not an option for PHS students, and IHS is the only PHS agency funding PHS students at USU. This may change in the future but for now IHS is the only sure thing. PHS is currently prioritizing clinical billets in agencies like IHS, since that is where the greatest need is. There have been talks for years about a VA track for PHS students at USU but it's not yet operational. Feel free to send me a DM if you have specific questions about PHS.

Regardless of which service you choose your experience will always be what you make of it, and you can have a great career as a physician in any one of the services.
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Hey! If I limit my secondary responses to explaining why I would like to do PHS, will I be disqualifying myself for military slots? Or would it be better to write about my interest in both? Also I would appreciate any insight you have on the PHS track, the school in general, and how I can ensure I’m a competitive applicant next summer! Thanks for your help! Feel free to reply in a DM- I wasn’t able to send you a message!
 
Sorry to ask on here, but filling out the base access request form and it ask for a Sponsor as well as sponsor contact info. How do I know who my sponsor is??
edit: I know its an admissions person but two separate admissions individuals have emailed me about interviewing so who do I put down
 
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SweetBurger said:
Sorry to ask on here, but filling out the base access request form and it ask for a Sponsor as well as sponsor contact info. How do I know who my sponsor is??
edit: I know its an admissions person but two separate admissions individuals have emailed me about interviewing so who do I put down
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That was confusing for me too!! So I don’t think it’s either of the people who have been emailing you... If you read the instructions further down, for block 25, it will tell you to list “Joan Stearman” and her number is right there.

P.S. I wouldn’t want you to be sorry for asking, that’s what this forum is for!
 
scienceisfun said:
That was confusing for me too!! So I don’t think it’s either of the people who have been emailing you... If you read the instructions further down, for block 25, it will tell you to list “Joan Stearman” and her number is right there.

P.S. I wouldn’t want you to be sorry for asking, that’s what this forum is for!
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Thanks so much for the help. That makes sense I misinterpreted initially whoops lol.
Also do i need to put that DODI# cus i dont know it at all. Googling hasnt been much help
 
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Conditionally accepted about 3 weeks ago and it still feels like a dream... beyond stoked to go this route. Good luck to everyone interviewing/waiting!

Couple questions:
- Assuming dodmerb physical is complete, is there anything needed besides waiting for a conditional acceptance to become unconditional?
- Any idea when Navy folks start ODS? The website says first week of June but that was for 2017
 
Ah bummer, looks like I got placed on the hold list. Hopefully I'll hear back later this cycle as I was pretty excited about USUHS.
 
afrench said:
I’m wondering the same thing. I just got the hold email today. After a quick glance through last year’s forum, I saw at least a few people get the II after being put on hold. There is still hope for us it seems.
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Someone in my class got that email and they're a first year with me now.
 
jonniboi said:
I think that may have been my weak point as I don't have any military background :\, though I do have pretty bad vision and I'm going through the process of getting it waived.
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It may have been, but 60% of our class has no military experience. Hold isn't necessarily the end. There are people in my class who were on hold.
 
Gastrapathy said:
forums.studentdoctor.net

All Branch Topic (ABT) - USUHS in the cross hairs....again

If you are a USUHS grad you likely got an e-mail today from the current president, Dr. Thomas. He included documents outlining the defense of the University during another round of budget cuts with USUHS on the chopping block again. One of the documents was the Institute for Defense Analyses...
forums.studentdoctor.net forums.studentdoctor.net
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Also just wanted to comment on this. I wasn't aware of how often people talk about closing USUHS. During orientation they told us this kind of thing happens almost every year, and the school has never shut down or been defunded so much that it has to think about closing. And once again, the threat happened this year and was resolved. I'm not speaking for the school, but imo they did a good job of being transparent with us, and the school is fine.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
It may have been, but 60% of our class has no military experience. Hold isn't necessarily the end. There are people in my class who were on hold.
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Hopefully so! I picked army as first choice. Anywho gotta at least clear this DODMerb physical examination and hope for the best
 
SparkleFart22 said:
Conditionally accepted about 3 weeks ago and it still feels like a dream... beyond stoked to go this route. Good luck to everyone interviewing/waiting!

Couple questions:
- Assuming dodmerb physical is complete, is there anything needed besides waiting for a conditional acceptance to become unconditional?
- Any idea when Navy folks start ODS? The website says first week of June but that was for 2017
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If your security clearance paperwork is in, and DoDMerb is complete, you are good. Just wait for it to come in. Congrats!

We start ODS in the first week of June and graduate around the 4th of July. Last year, we marched in the oldest 4th of July parade in the country (it's like 240 years old). There was a small cohort who were completely done school and accepted early enough that they went to ODS in April, but it wasn't many people. I would count on going in June unless you want to try to get in earlier.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
Also just wanted to comment on this. I wasn't aware of how often people talk about closing USUHS. During orientation they told us this kind of thing happens almost every year, and the school has never shut down or been defunded so much that it has to think about closing. And once again, the threat happened this year and was resolved. I'm not speaking for the school, but imo they did a good job of being transparent with us, and the school is fine.
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That’s not really accurate. There was one meaningful attempt to close the school previously.
 
Gastrapathy said:
That’s not really accurate. There was one meaningful attempt to close the school previously.
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Oh, you're right. They got pretty far once in the 90s I believe, but it didn't make it through Congress. Thanks for the clarification! (Edit: they did tell us that, but I forgot.)
 
Is it worth contacting CAPT Liotta and asking what I can do to be a more competitive applicant as I'm currently on hold? I'd rather not sit around on my ass until March 21st without much to show for it. On the flip side I also don't want to sound like I'm desperate hahaha, but if I don't get in this cycle or into another school with HSPS, I would totally apply USUHS again.
 
On a side note, has anyone actually gotten through to the commissioning coordinator via the phone number 301-295-1361? I need to get a DODMERB waiver, and have shot over an email to both the commissioning coordinator and Ms. Wilsnack but have not yet received a response.
 
SparkleFart22 said:
Conditionally accepted about 3 weeks ago and it still feels like a dream... beyond stoked to go this route. Good luck to everyone interviewing/waiting!

Couple questions:
- Assuming dodmerb physical is complete, is there anything needed besides waiting for a conditional acceptance to become unconditional?
- Any idea when Navy folks start ODS? The website says first week of June but that was for 2017
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For your second question. There is a May class in addition to the June class. Typically the bulk should go to the June class. Be ready for either. Or neither. Haha. A current MS3 I was with recently said half of his Navy class wasn't able to go to ODS.

I also recommend the May class if you can go to that one. I essentially got 5 weeks off on Navy pay prior to start of orientation at USUHS.
 
Side note... I feel like i'm now obligated to make this meme...

ON HOLD meme.png
 
jonniboi said:
Ah bummer, looks like I got placed on the hold list. Hopefully I'll hear back later this cycle as I was pretty excited about USUHS.
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When did you submit your secondary? I submitted in July and haven't heard anything since then (no II or hold).
 
I was conditionally accepted to Air Force today, but will be withdrawing! Best of luck!

edit: interviewed 10/24
 
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Red Lobster Actual said:
For your second question. There is a May class in addition to the June class. Typically the bulk should go to the June class. Be ready for either. Or neither. Haha. A current MS3 I was with recently said half of his Navy class wasn't able to go to ODS.

I also recommend the May class if you can go to that one. I essentially got 5 weeks off on Navy pay prior to start of orientation at USUHS.
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The weather is also great in May. It was getting hot as balls by the time we were getting finished. No AC in King Hall.
 
Does anyone who already has a DoDMERB from Prior-E/ROTC/Academy know if we need a new one? Also, what does your dodmets page look like? First, the site isn't working right for me tonight (error messsages). Second, everything is all filled out from when I got my ROTC physical - is there a way to reset it for USUHS?
 
kilgoraj said:
Does anyone who already has a DoDMERB from Prior-E/ROTC/Academy know if we need a new one? Also, what does your dodmets page look like? First, the site isn't working right for me tonight (error messsages). Second, everything is all filled out from when I got my ROTC physical - is there a way to reset it for USUHS?
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It's been 2 weeks and my dodmets page still won't let me log in, so we're in the same boat on the errors.
 
kilgoraj said:
Does anyone who already has a DoDMERB from Prior-E/ROTC/Academy know if we need a new one? Also, what does your dodmets page look like? First, the site isn't working right for me tonight (error messsages). Second, everything is all filled out from when I got my ROTC physical - is there a way to reset it for USUHS?
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You can call to ask, but I had several physicals on record and still needed a new one.
 
I did not have the correct mind set in that I wanted to be a doctor first and the military was secondary. I withdrew my II yesterday. Good luck to you all. You all deserve to get in and serve our country.
 
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