How competitive is Uniformed Services University for non-military entrants?

[jparsenal87]

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I know that military life is not for everyone, but it is something I have considered for a long time; as a non-traditional applicant, I kind of thought that my military service window may have closed, but I am so incredibly interested in applying to USU. I know there average GPA/MCAT are not other-worldly, but I'm curious as to whether there are specific types of experiences they are likely looking for. My profile:

GPA: 3.9 (humanities major, but have all the requirements + some extra chem and biochem)

MCAT: 521

Research: approximately 200 hours of chemistry lab work, but mostly just running tests, not testing hypotheses.

Shadowing: Roughly 100 hours of mostly surgery

Clinical: Lightest part of my application, only bits here and there.

ECs: Work with troubled youth currently for the past two years. Volunteered working in local schools as well.

I'm just curious if because of my lack of clinical experience and non-military background, my application will not be taken seriously. Do you think it is worth sending in an application, or holding off? It is without question my number one choice. (I'm also from Bethesda, but I assume that in-state doesn't hold much weight here).

 

[zurc2014]

Lol you'll be fine. It's a hit or miss. I applied with a 2.99 and received an interview. I have ZERO military experience.

 

[theonlytycrane]

The main question will be why military Med? Which you will have to answer in secondaries and the interview.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[BombsAway]

"...above all else, I want to serve as a leader and a physician in the armed forces. I would turn down all other opportunities for this one." = let's interview this cat, seems committed.

"...I think maybe I wanna be in the army or whatever. Doctors are officers right? Yeah, I always wanted to be a command master chief in the army" = guys, read this one, LOL. Wait, holy crap this cat has a 521! Check his pic and see if he looks like he can pass a PT test.

At least that's how it goes in my head.

 

[Seldon]

"...above all else, I want to serve as a leader and a physician in the armed forces. I would turn down all other opportunities for this one." = let's interview this cat, seems committed.

"...I think maybe I wanna be in the army or whatever. Doctors are officers right? Yeah, I always wanted to be a command master chief in the army" = guys, read this one, LOL. Wait, holy crap this cat has a 521! Check his pic and see if he looks like he can pass a PT test.

At least that's how it goes in my head.

A family friend of mine is a surgeon in the navy and has the rank of admiral. I personally have no interest in being a military physician, but there was a split second there where I though about driving a boat... boats are fun.

 

[Gastrapathy]

OP, spend a day reading the military med forum. Going to USUHS isn't choosing a med school, it's committing to a decade in military medicine (minimum) after med school. It's committing to military residencies.

You need to work backwards from "I want to be a military attending and I can't change my mind for a really long time" to I want to apply to USUHS.

Oh, and @Seldon, Raquel Bono isn't very nice to lowly working physicians.

 

[Seldon]

Oh, and @Seldon, Raquel Bono isn't very nice to lowly working physicians.

Oh?

 

[Gastrapathy]

Oh

 

[Helpful Troll]

@jparsenal87 61% of the 2019 and 2020 classes have no previous military experience. Here is the source - https://www.usuhs.edu/sites/default/files/media/medschool/pdf/whatyouneedtoknow.pdf This is a marketing document so please balance it with other sources.

Agree with Gastrapathy - go read the military medicine forum. It is a long and potentially restrictive commitment.