2020-2021 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

[RatWitDaToolie]

lol not at all. USUHS is basically med school in a uniform. If you know how to dress yourself, shave (for men), and be where you’re supposed to be on time, you know enough.

That's so surprising! I always thought some training would be mandatory and you were expected to know how to wear the uniform correctly, address higher-ranking officers, salute, and all the other minutiae involved with being active duty. Good to know all the military training isn't required for school though

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[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

That's so surprising! I always thought some training would be mandatory and you were expected to know how to wear the uniform correctly, address higher-ranking officers, salute, and all the other minutiae involved with being active duty. Good to know all the military training isn't required for school though

You are, but those things aren’t hard. And they will give you a little crash course if you can’t go to officer summer camp before school starts.

 

[deleted615211]

Waitlisted, interviewed week of 1/18

 

[Incognito32]

Waitlisted - interviewed 1/26 (student) and 1/27 (faculty). Put Navy as my top choice.

 

[Mowgli11]

You can apply, but honestly, joining the military will delay your app cycle by at least a couple years as you’re not likely to get approval until you’ve been at a command for at least 24 months if not longer depending on your designator (or MOS/rate if you went enlisted for some reason).

Would the same be said for joining the reserve?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Would the same be said for joining the reserve?

Honestly not too sure. Reservists seem to play by totally different rules haha.

 

[Mowgli11]

Honestly not too sure. Reservists seem to play by totally different rules haha.

Oh okay. Thank you so much for replying

 

[doctorosteo]

Sorry been real busy to post anything but got accepted past wednesday with other two other posters! Super pumped up to serve my country branching Army. The path of acceptances follows earlier patterns with majority of waitlist movement April 30 with a small number in mid march as the Ivy League med schools start pulling waitlists

Question I have has to do with buying class B uniform. Brigade orientation on-line shows the uniform of the day being class B . I know the Army is transitioning to to the new ASGU (pinks and greens) with it available this month on most post exchanges but it is a phased requirement with full compliance 2027 . So do i get the available current blue ASU or should i look around and try to find the new one. each one is pretty expensive $500 a pop not including badges tailoring etc . also i need to get Army approved eyewear . Any advise on best brand and make ESS products eg . sawfly , Wiley X etc

 

[deleted1041819]

Question I have has to do with buying class B uniform. Brigade orientation on-line shows the uniform of the day being class B . I know the Army is transitioning to to the new ASGU (pinks and greens) with it available this month on most post exchanges but it is a phased requirement with full compliance 2027 . So do i get the available current blue ASU or should i look around and try to find the new one. each one is pretty expensive $500 a pop not including badges tailoring etc . also i need to get Army approved eyewear . Any advise on best brand and make ESS products eg . sawfly , Wiley X etc

Congrats!!

I am also accepted Army but I will be waiting for PTE day before buying my uniforms etc. as I imagine USUHS will have some guidance for us - and if not, then I assume current students will likely be great contacts for this. My student sponsor will be meeting with me sometime in April to help me with a "shopping list" for all the uniform stuff and I am happy to pass along any information.

also i need to get Army approved eyewear . Any advise on best brand and make ESS products eg . sawfly , Wiley X etc

Have you seen this? I will also confirm with my MS2 student sponsor but if you have normal glasses/frames then I think you should be fine. I'll confirm this soon and can DM you if I find more information.

 

[ghostly11]

Sorry been real busy to post anything but got accepted past wednesday with other two other posters! Super pumped up to serve my country branching Army. The path of acceptances follows earlier patterns with majority of waitlist movement April 30 with a small number in mid march as the Ivy League med schools start pulling waitlists

Question I have has to do with buying class B uniform. Brigade orientation on-line shows the uniform of the day being class B . I know the Army is transitioning to to the new ASGU (pinks and greens) with it available this month on most post exchanges but it is a phased requirement with full compliance 2027 . So do i get the available current blue ASU or should i look around and try to find the new one. each one is pretty expensive $500 a pop not including badges tailoring etc . also i need to get Army approved eyewear . Any advise on best brand and make ESS products eg . sawfly , Wiley X etc

You will be squared away at DCC, so don't worry too much about it or anything else the military will require you to have. If you are buying and the new uniform is available, do your best to get it. If you already have ASUs that fit then keep them until the date it expires. Also 2027 sounds like a far way off but keep in mind you have 4 years at USU which would be 2025 and then presumably residency followed by payback so you will have have the new uniform at some point. Eyepro is eyepro, I think I always had Sawfly. Whether or not your issue glasses can substitute is up to the range officer, so it varies. At my old company as long as my eyes were covered they didn't care, but I have had a SGM ask why I didn't have adequate protection while I was doing medical coverage once and I wasn't even on the line. It doesn't really matter if you're wrong if someone feels the need to correct you. I'm a big fan of issue gear but some people will always go out of their way to get the latest and coolest. It's unnecessary. I didn't even splurge on boots until my last issue pair ran their course.

 

[DarkRoomPlease]

That's awesome to see movement from WL to acceptance. I've been sitting on WL but getting nervous because I have a remedial AMI from DODMERB to get done before I can even be considered for acceptance at this point. Quick question, have any of you been having difficulty being seen at a MTF? I have been trying to be seen at a MTF because DODMET doesn't have the required specialist in the area for me and will take more than a month to contract one and then who knows how long to get an appointment and then complete everything to be sent back to DODMERB for review. No one at the MTF (an AF MTF) knows what DODMERB even is and are not accepting the the consult referral even though I have the DOD reference stating they need to see me (below) which the DODMERB reviewer provided me. If any of you had this issue, how did you get it solved? I'm currently a reservist (prior active duty) so base access isn't an issue.

DOD INSTRUCTION 1215.08
SENIOR RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAMS

DoDI 1215.08, January 19, 2017
3.10. MEDICAL EXAMINATION.

d. All military medical treatment facilities will provide initial exams, specialty consults, medical tests, or any other commissioning evaluations to all accession applicants designated by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board. A medical treatment facility will not be required to provide service for a capability it does not possess. The particular Service affiliation of the applicant will have no bearing on the selection of the medical treatment facility at which the applicant will be seen. The fact that these applicants may not have any association with the DoD or may not be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System will not preclude them from being seen at a medical treatment facility. Applicant exams, consults, tests, and other commissioning evaluations will be treated as mission-related priorities with the scheduling precedence associated with active duty Service members.

What MTF is this? If you still need help I can give them a call on your behalf and see what the hold up is. DM me more info.

 

[justacreator]

I completed my physical exam about two weeks ago. I do not meet the weight and height requirements. Went in knowing this and fully expecting to hear from the review board that I need to be taped. I recently received correspondence from them requesting that I write up a statement to basically explain why I don't meet the standard (They're wanting me to talk about things like what my daily physical activities are and describe their intensity, frequency, if I am intentionally overweight, if I am under any athletic restrictions, etc.). I'm kind of just confused by what this could mean (if anything) because I feel like either way, I'm going require a taping. So what difference does it make what I am doing? I either pass the tape test or I don't lol.
Has anyone else experienced this or anything similar?

 

[Incognito32]

I completed my physical exam about two weeks ago. I do not meet the weight and height requirements. Went in knowing this and fully expecting to hear from the review board that I need to be taped. I recently received correspondence from them requesting that I write up a statement to basically explain why I don't meet the standard (They're wanting me to talk about things like what my daily physical activities are and describe their intensity, frequency, if I am intentionally overweight, if I am under any athletic restrictions, etc.). I'm kind of just confused by what this could mean (if anything) because I feel like either way, I'm going require a taping. So what difference does it make what I am doing? I either pass the tape test or I don't lol.
Has anyone else experienced this or anything similar?

They probably just want to hear that you being overweight won't hinder your ability to serve. Some people don't make weight because they're muscular. Your statement may factor into the waiver request/decision (don't quote me on that).

Everything was fine on the day of my exam but I previously told DoDMERB that I had a history of hypertension (BP was like 120/78 at my exam but historically 15x/7x because I was fat and had white coat syndrome). I couldn't get AMI (records documenting my history of hypertension) so they DQ'ed me. I emailed the commissioning coordinator and as a part of the waiver request, I had to write a statement on why my disqualifying condition will or will not impact my ability to serve as a military physician.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Is atopic dermatitis confined to the top of one hand that's only recurred once as an adult something that could pose a significant issue for a waiver? It responded immediately to a medium strength topical steroid (mometasone furoate) and cleared up within days.

 

[IShouldBeStudying]

Is atopic dermatitis confined to the top of one hand that's only recurred once as an adult something that could pose a significant issue for a waiver? It responded immediately to a medium strength topical steroid (mometasone furoate) and cleared up within days.

This shouldn’t be a problem. I have something very similar and I don’t think I even had to get a waiver for it

 

[DarkRoomPlease]

Is atopic dermatitis confined to the top of one hand that's only recurred once as an adult something that could pose a significant issue for a waiver? It responded immediately to a medium strength topical steroid (mometasone furoate) and cleared up within days.

Was recently working in the derm clinic and saw someone come in for a waiver for something very similar to this. It's no problem at all to approve.

 

[Incognito32]

Speaking of waivers, how long does it normally take to process a waiver request? It's been well over a week since I contacted the commissioning coordinator about my DQ and they told me that it would take about 72 hours.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Should we be worried? Would incoming students be ****ed?

No.

 

[Vairo]

Call this morning from both my admissions counselor and Dr. Liotta. Army!!!

Edit: Interviewed 11/04/20, waitlisted 01/14/21, and sending the rest of my luck to jonniboi

 

[Soarin'154]

Call this morning from both my admissions counselor and Dr. Liotta. Army!!!

Edit: Interviewed 11/04/20, waitlisted 01/14/21, and sending the rest of my luck to jonniboi

Major Congratulations!!! Stoked for you and glad to see WL movement. Wishing positivity to everyone still waiting out there, our time is coming folks!

 

[anguria]

Call this morning from both my admissions counselor and Dr. Liotta. Army!!!

Edit: Interviewed 11/04/20, waitlisted 01/14/21, and sending the rest of my luck to jonniboi

Same here!! Accepted earlier this morning, Army as well!!
Interviewed week of 1/18, WL on 3/18. Didn’t expect to hear back so soon, but I’m thrilled!

 

[Back to Cali]

Congrats to everyone who is getting their A's!
Low key seems based on this week and last that these calls are going out on Wednesdays. Yes, this is not necessarily 100% true, but I'm rolling with it.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

What's the likelihood of a conditional release request going through as a first term enlistee in the NG (would be about 4 years in)? Particularly Army => Air Force.

 

[Bep]

Accepted to MD/PhD yesterday!

MD Interview week of December 7
PhD interview week of January 18
Waitlist February 25
Edit: LizzyM 68 nontrad applicant

 

[Hopeful-Premed]

Speaking of waivers, how long does it normally take to process a waiver request? It's been well over a week since I contacted the commissioning coordinator about my DQ and they told me that it would take about 72 hours.

Mine took a little over 3 weeks, but I didn't get the official email that I was cleared until 3 months later. I had to check on the dodmerb website for an update.

 

[Hopeful-Premed]

Does anyone know when pay starts? When you commission or at officer training?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Does anyone know when pay starts? When you commission or at officer training?

Your effective pay date is the day you commission. You may not start getting paid right away, but when you do, you will get back pay to that date.

 

[awin31]

Is there usually any waitlist movement for USUHS in April or does it usually start later on after April 30? I know there were a few last week and congrats to them. Just wondering if that’s an anomaly or if there’s more to come in the near future

 

[Premedadvise]

Is there usually any waitlist movement for USUHS in April or does it usually start later on after April 30? I know there were a few last week and congrats to them. Just wondering if that’s an anomaly or if there’s more to come in the near future

Usual wait list movement starts in mid to late March with a few acceptances due to schools like JHU Harvard Etc start giving out late acceptances and wait list acceptances and of course DQ’s start happening then the vast majority of wait list movement starts April 30 ending in early June. Hope this helps and hang in there . It’s been a tough cycle for everyone

 

[Premedadvise]

Usual wait list movement starts in mid to late March with a few acceptances due to schools like JHU Harvard Etc start giving out late acceptances and wait list acceptances and of course DQ’s start happening then the vast majority of wait list movement starts April 30 ending in early June. Hope this helps and hang in there . It’s been a tough cycle for everyone

Almost forgot . This school rank orders their waitlist by internal competitive criteria so the more competitive your app earlier you come off wait list . This is unlike some schools that just pick kids off wait list based on some nebulous need for certain category of student

 

[Shego]

Almost forgot . This school rank orders their waitlist by internal competitive criteria so the more competitive your app earlier you come off wait list . This is unlike some schools that just pick kids off wait list based on some nebulous need for certain category of student

Any chance you know if they still use the primary and secondary wait list format (primary waitlist being people originally waitlisted immediately after interviewing, secondary waitlist being people originally put on hold and then moved to the waitlist), or if there's just one single waitlist?

 

[mulligan04]

Any chance you know if they still use the primary and secondary wait list format (primary waitlist being people originally waitlisted immediately after interviewing, secondary waitlist being people originally put on hold and then moved to the waitlist), or if there's just one single waitlist?

The primary waitlist will have to be exhausted entirely before the secondary waitlist is tapped

 

[badger008]

Does anyone know if they went through the whole waitlist last year? Specifically for Navy since I saw that some years they don’t and that’s my top choice.

 

[awin31]

Does anyone know if they went through the whole waitlist last year? Specifically for Navy since I saw that some years they don’t and that’s my top choice.

I thought I read on here before that navy sees the least movement behind army and Air Force

 

[Incognito32]

Does anyone know if they went through the whole waitlist last year? Specifically for Navy since I saw that some years they don’t and that’s my top choice.

I have also read on here that Navy sees the least amount of movement and Army sees the most

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I have also read on here that Navy sees the least amount of movement and Army sees the most

Varies year to year. My year, Navy went all the way through and Army did not.

 

[deleted615211]

Any chance you know if they still use the primary and secondary wait list format (primary waitlist being people originally waitlisted immediately after interviewing, secondary waitlist being people originally put on hold and then moved to the waitlist), or if there's just one single waitlist?

I think it goes primary -> alternate then hold list is somewhere in limbo until they decide whether you're primary or alternate?

I was on hold last year then moved to waitlist but didn't get in.

This year I made it to the waitlist so hopefully I'll have better luck!

 

[pdiddy18]

No movement this week 🥲

 

[Soarin'154]

No movement this week 🥲

Yeah I was thinking the same thing but let's stay optimistic! It's not April 30th yet so I'm sure the majority of the movement is yet to come. Definitely hoping we hear something here in the next few weeks 🙏

 

[toyotaman2020]

Hello fellow SDNers. I hope that by April 30th all of you fine applicants get your spot. As USUHS matriculation date approaches I want to make sure that I satisfy all of the prereqs. I already graduated in 2018 therefore I wouldn’t be able to do any more courses. I saw that under Organic Chemistry they give you the option of either doing an entire year of Organic Chemistry (Organic Chemistry 1 lecture and lab and organic Chemistry 2 lecture and lab) OR One semester of Organic Chemistry lecture with lab and Biochemistry lecture?
I have Organic Chemistry 1 Lecture and lab, Organic Chemistry 2 lecture only (no lab) and Biochemistry lecture on my degree? Should I be good to matriculate or is Organic Chemistry 2 Lab required? I saw that under the What you need to know about USUHS brochure from March 2021 it lists the optional biochem substitute but in older forms like the 601.37-9 it has the full year of Ochem lecture and lab with no substitute. Also in the secondary the prerequisites also contradict the ones on both the website and this brochure. I attached a photo of the USUHS SOM brochure and the website.

Any input is appreciated. This is a dream school and not being able to matriculate because of something this small would devastate me. I apologize if the answer is too straightfoward. COVID has made me question everything. Thank you.

 

[DoctorWhere]

Hello fellow SDNers. I hope that by April 30th all of you fine applicants get your spot. As USUHS matriculation date approaches I want to make sure that I satisfy all of the prereqs. I already graduated in 2018 therefore I wouldn’t be able to do any more courses. I saw that under Organic Chemistry they give you the option of either doing an entire year of Organic Chemistry (Organic Chemistry 1 lecture and lab and organic Chemistry 2 lecture and lab) OR One semester of Organic Chemistry lecture with lab and Biochemistry lecture?
I have Organic Chemistry 1 Lecture and lab, Organic Chemistry 2 lecture only (no lab) and Biochemistry lecture on my degree? Should I be good to matriculate or is Organic Chemistry 2 Lab required? I saw that under the What you need to know about USUHS brochure from March 2021 it lists the optional biochem substitute but in older forms like the 601.37-9 it has the full year of Ochem lecture and lab with no substitute. Also in the secondary the prerequisites also contradict the ones on both the website and this brochure. I attached a photo of the USUHS SOM brochure and the website.

Any input is appreciated. This is a dream school and not being able to matriculate because of something this small would devastate me. I apologize if the answer is too straightfoward. COVID has made me question everything. Thank you.

You meet the requirements. Don't overthink it.

 

[Incognito32]

Hello fellow SDNers. I hope that by April 30th all of you fine applicants get your spot. As USUHS matriculation date approaches I want to make sure that I satisfy all of the prereqs. I already graduated in 2018 therefore I wouldn’t be able to do any more courses. I saw that under Organic Chemistry they give you the option of either doing an entire year of Organic Chemistry (Organic Chemistry 1 lecture and lab and organic Chemistry 2 lecture and lab) OR One semester of Organic Chemistry lecture with lab and Biochemistry lecture?
I have Organic Chemistry 1 Lecture and lab, Organic Chemistry 2 lecture only (no lab) and Biochemistry lecture on my degree? Should I be good to matriculate or is Organic Chemistry 2 Lab required? I saw that under the What you need to know about USUHS brochure from March 2021 it lists the optional biochem substitute but in older forms like the 601.37-9 it has the full year of Ochem lecture and lab with no substitute. Also in the secondary the prerequisites also contradict the ones on both the website and this brochure. I attached a photo of the USUHS SOM brochure and the website.

Any input is appreciated. This is a dream school and not being able to matriculate because of something this small would devastate me. I apologize if the answer is too straightfoward. COVID has made me question everything. Thank you.

You're all set. My uni's orgo 1/2 classes didn't even have a lab portion (we had a separate 1-semester lab course that could be taken concurrently or at your leisure).

 

[awin31]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing but let's stay optimistic! It's not April 30th yet so I'm sure the majority of the movement is yet to come. Definitely hoping we hear something here in the next few weeks 🙏

Can’t there still be some movement after April 15 also? Just looking for any reason to hope for AF movement

 

[toyotaman2020]

Thank you. I really prefer when schools list credit hours so

You meet the requirements. Don't overthink it.

You meet the requirements. Don't overthink it.

Thank you

 

[toyotaman2020]

You're all set. My uni's orgo 1/2 classes didn't even have a lab portion (we had a separate 1-semester lab course that could be taken concurrently or at your leisure).

Thank you

 

[RatWitDaToolie]

How's everyone feeling about this week? Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us, and April 30th isn't too far away!

 

[badger008]

How's everyone feeling about this week? Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us, and April 30th isn't too far away!

Hoping for good news for all of us this week!

 

[Back to Cali]

How's everyone feeling about this week? Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us, and April 30th isn't too far away!

Right with you on that one! I've got a good feeling about this week.

 

[medhopeful0330]

I'm in the same boat with a prior history of cancer over 12 years ago with less than a 1% chance of recurrence this far out. The process varies based on whether you are in a place where DODMETs has a contracted specialist in your region. It is just how long it takes you to get an appt and if any additional tests are required. You have the option to go to a military treatment facility but it is a little difficult to get in based on what base your trying to get on and if they even know what DODMERB is (See my post above).
As for your spot, I heard you retain your priority on the WL but until you become qualified they just keep skipping over you and accepting the next person that is fully qualified. Once you get the green light, the next open position should go to you if you are at the top. If I misunderstood please someone correct me but that was what I remember hearing during one of the zoom sessions.

Have you heard anything back from DODMET's about medical waiver approval?
They have received my request, but I am curious to see how long that process typically takes.

 

[ITrustInHimAlone]

How do we see if we are medically qualified for those not accepted yet and on the waitlist? Did you get an email?