OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) Class of 2010!

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Cinnameg

"the psych machine"
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Hello fellow crazy medical school applicants! This year has made me insane, but I finally got an acceptance to my state school -- OHSU -- and I would like very much to start a thread to talk to other people who have been accepted. I'd like to know if you are on any other waitlists and/or have any other acceptances and if so, how you are deciding to go to OHSU, what you like about it, etc.

Here's me: I'm two years out of college, grew up in Portland and my family is still there, and I applied to the MD/MPH program. I've been accepted to the MD and I'm on hold for the MD/MPH combined program. Although I love OHSU (not to mention Portland!) I'm on waiting lists at both Cleveland Clinic and Case Western, and as these are private schools connected to hospitals twice the size of OHSU's facilities (not to mention the Clinic is the #4 hospital in the country), with curriculums that incorporate case-based learning, if I do get pulled off one of those waitlists it's going to be a hard decision. But that probably won't happen in any case.

Who else on studentdoctor has also gotten into OHSU? What do you think of it? Where are you going to live?

Let's get this forum of OHSU 2010 started!
 
Congrats!! I was accepted to OHSU and may be attending there (I'm holding out for UCLA... hopefully I'll get my decision letter today!). As of this second, OHSU is my second choice, so if UCLA decides they don't like me, we might be classmates!! I've also been accepted to UNSOM (Reno, NV) and BU, but Boston is sooo far away, I don't think I will go there.

As for me, I'm from Nevada, but my sister has lived in Oregon since 1999 (Forest Grove and now Salem), so I've been up there tons of times. I absolutely love Portland, and if I go there, I think I will live in an apartment on the hill (haha, assuming I can find one!).

Maybe I will see you in August!

-Terri 🙂
 
TBone said:
Congrats!! I was accepted to OHSU and may be attending there (I'm holding out for UCLA... hopefully I'll get my decision letter today!). As of this second, OHSU is my second choice, so if UCLA decides they don't like me, we might be classmates!! I've also been accepted to UNSOM (Reno, NV) and BU, but Boston is sooo far away, I don't think I will go there.

As for me, I'm from Nevada, but my sister has lived in Oregon since 1999 (Forest Grove and now Salem), so I've been up there tons of times. I absolutely love Portland, and if I go there, I think I will live in an apartment on the hill (haha, assuming I can find one!).

Maybe I will see you in August!

-Terri 🙂

Congrats Terri! What about UCLA do you like better than OHSU, just out of curiosity? I live in California right now, near SF, but I applied as an Oregon resident so I didn't want to spend a lot of money applying to CA schools as a nonresident with a very small chance of getting in. Do you live in LA?
 
No, I actually live in Vegas. I don't know what it was about UCLA that I liked more... it just felt like I would have more opportunities to do research there, etc. haha, and plus it doesn't rain as much as Portland!! However, there were some things I really liked about OHSU, like the rural rotation and the feeling of the students there.

Yeah, I feel like my chances at UCLA are also small, since I am not a CA resident, but... we will see.
 
Cinnameg said:
Hello fellow crazy medical school applicants! This year has made me insane, but I finally got an acceptance to my state school -- OHSU -- and I would like very much to start a thread to talk to other people who have been accepted. I'd like to know if you are on any other waitlists and/or have any other acceptances and if so, how you are deciding to go to OHSU, what you like about it, etc.

Here's me: I'm two years out of college, grew up in Portland and my family is still there, and I applied to the MD/MPH program. I've been accepted to the MD and I'm on hold for the MD/MPH combined program. Although I love OHSU (not to mention Portland!) I'm on waiting lists at both Cleveland Clinic and Case Western, and as these are private schools connected to hospitals twice the size of OHSU's facilities (not to mention the Clinic is the #4 hospital in the country), with curriculums that incorporate case-based learning, if I do get pulled off one of those waitlists it's going to be a hard decision. But that probably won't happen in any case.

Who else on studentdoctor has also gotten into OHSU? What do you think of it? Where are you going to live?

Let's get this forum of OHSU 2010 started!

How ironic. I've been accepted at Case and waitlisted at OHSU. You wanna trade...? 🙄
 
TBone said:
Congrats!! I was accepted to OHSU and may be attending there (I'm holding out for UCLA... hopefully I'll get my decision letter today!). As of this second, OHSU is my second choice, so if UCLA decides they don't like me, we might be classmates!! I've also been accepted to UNSOM (Reno, NV) and BU, but Boston is sooo far away, I don't think I will go there.

As for me, I'm from Nevada, but my sister has lived in Oregon since 1999 (Forest Grove and now Salem), so I've been up there tons of times. I absolutely love Portland, and if I go there, I think I will live in an apartment on the hill (haha, assuming I can find one!).

Maybe I will see you in August!

-Terri 🙂

I'm an OR resident (very random town by Corvallis) and got accepted back in January. Right now I'm waiting for decisions from two schools in the NE. I liked OHSU and I'd love to be back in Oregon, but when I interviewed it definintely seemed to have an older, more subdued vibe. Did you guys feel like that? I'm a little worried that it won't have the social atmosphere of a private school with a younger student body and undergrads in close proximity. Any thoughts?
 
robh said:
How ironic. I've been accepted at Case and waitlisted at OHSU. You wanna trade...? 🙄

Same here, though I'm not sure if I'd trade. I'm kind of thinking that I like Case better than OHSU, even if it is more expensive.
 
I'm a non-traditional student from Corvallis and was accepted to OHSU in January. I plan on attending this fall. When I interviewed, I also thought the school had an older (or more mature) feeling. However, all the students seemed pretty normal. I don't think the school would have a huge party/social scene since it doesn't have an undergraduate university component. However, I'll be around to drink beer with anyone who wants to take a break now and then.

With regard to medical training, I think the facilities at OHSU are probably the best of any school I interviewed at. I was accepted at several other schools in the mid-west and on the east coast and am happy to be going to OHSU. For me, the big downer is cost. Holy Hell it's expensive for a "State" school. Hopefully, the Oregon legislature will get there **** together this year with regard to funding education.

My girlfriend lives at Janzten Beach, so that's where I will be staying. It's an easy max ride and bus/walk to OHSU, or about a 9-mile bike ride through some nice areas of Portland.

Has anyone got there acceptance packet yet? What's the hold up?
 
MTodd said:
Has anyone got there acceptance packet yet? What's the hold up?

I received mine, but it took about six weeks. I called them, and they said they are running terribly behind with them, so relax... you'll get it.

Congrats, by the way 🙂
 
TBone said:
I received mine, but it took about six weeks. I called them, and they said they are running terribly behind with them, so relax... you'll get it.

Congrats, by the way 🙂

I called them yesterday about the packet since it's been about 6 weeks for me also. They told me they would be sending some out this week.
 
Hey everyone, congrats on the acceptances!

I was wondering how you guys felt after you interviewed at OHSU. From the interview feedback, it seems like a lot of people felt like they didn't do their best during the interview. I was wondering if people holding acceptances had similar experiences during their interviews, or if you all generally felt like you killed the interview.

Thanks and :luck: to everyone still waiting to hear.
 
Prospero said:
Same here, though I'm not sure if I'd trade. I'm kind of thinking that I like Case better than OHSU, even if it is more expensive.

I agree with you. All things being equal, I would rather go to Case. Unfortuately all things are not equal for me. I have a family and house in Portland, and a wife who loves her job and doesn't want to leave. That makes OHSU hands down my first choice, but I am very happy to be admitted to Case. I think it is an awesome school and I will definitely attend if OHSU rejects me.

One of the things I'm a bit worried about is when OHSU will make their decision on my application. From discussions with my friends in the current class, many people didn't find out until July or August. Case starts July 10. That could be ugly. Congrats on your case acceptance!
 
oldprospector said:
I'm an OR resident (very random town by Corvallis) and got accepted back in January. Right now I'm waiting for decisions from two schools in the NE. I liked OHSU and I'd love to be back in Oregon, but when I interviewed it definintely seemed to have an older, more subdued vibe. Did you guys feel like that? I'm a little worried that it won't have the social atmosphere of a private school with a younger student body and undergrads in close proximity. Any thoughts?


First of all, I am not accepted at OHSU, but will probably withdraw since I am accepted at U Wash (Montana resident). For me, the subdued vibe is exactly what I didn't like about OHSU. The day I was there, the students we met were older and married, and they all seemed, for the most part, very detached from their classmates outside of school. Med school is going to be hard and I cant imagine going somewhere where getting together with classmates to study, commiserate and unwind is a rare event. (Oh yeah, and the parking and cost were issues too.) Otherwise, it was a cool place. Congrats and good luck to all of you. 👍
 
George_Clooney said:
First of all, I am not accepted at OHSU, but will probably withdraw since I am accepted at U Wash (Montana resident). For me, the subdued vibe is exactly what I didn't like about OHSU. The day I was there, the students we met were older and married, and they all seemed, for the most part, very detached from their classmates outside of school. Med school is going to be hard and I cant imagine going somewhere where getting together with classmates to study, commiserate and unwind is a rare event. (Oh yeah, and the parking and cost were issues too.) Otherwise, it was a cool place. Congrats and good luck to all of you. 👍

George, congrats on the Oscar!

I'm married and I'm older so I think the situation is ideal for me. As for transporation, I think the school reimburses you if you ride your bike to campus, so parking is not really an issue. As for social life, I believe that there are a couple of actvities that go on during the year to increase collegiality. Some are school sponsored, some are not. Just ask some of the students about it when you are there and they will tell you otherwise.
 
bootz said:
George, congrats on the Oscar!

I'm married and I'm older so I think the situation is ideal for me. As for transporation, I think the school reimburses you if you ride your bike to campus, so parking is not really an issue. As for social life, I believe that there are a couple of actvities that go on during the year to increase collegiality. Some are school sponsored, some are not. Just ask some of the students about it when you are there and they will tell you otherwise.

Awesome! It wasn't for me, but sounds like it would be a good fit for you. Good luck with your interview.
 
MTodd said:
Hell it's expensive for a "State" school.

Actually, it's sort of surprising they still maintain a tuition differential between in-state and out-of-state at all. (They almost eliminated it beginning with the class of 2010, but rounded up the funds at the last minute.) It isn't really a state school, it's a "public corporation" that receives roughly 3% of its funding from the state.
 
sacrament said:
Actually, it's sort of surprising they still maintain a tuition differential between in-state and out-of-state at all. (They almost eliminated it beginning with the class of 2010, but rounded up the funds at the last minute.) It isn't really a state school, it's a "public corporation" that receives roughly 3% of its funding from the state.

Wasn't it this year's first years that almost had no in-state tuition (Class of 2009)? I thought they only approved funds for 2 years, so would that mean that they might axe in-state tuition on us after we start (assuming I end up at OHSU, which may not happen) ?
 
robh said:
I agree with you. All things being equal, I would rather go to Case. Unfortuately all things are not equal for me. I have a family and house in Portland, and a wife who loves her job and doesn't want to leave. That makes OHSU hands down my first choice, but I am very happy to be admitted to Case. I think it is an awesome school and I will definitely attend if OHSU rejects me.

One of the things I'm a bit worried about is when OHSU will make their decision on my application. From discussions with my friends in the current class, many people didn't find out until July or August. Case starts July 10. That could be ugly. Congrats on your case acceptance!

Did you let them know this? It seems like they would be sympathetic to your situation. I imagine most of us don't have such compelling reasons to stay in Portland.
 
star22 said:
Did you let them know this? It seems like they would be sympathetic to your situation. I imagine most of us don't have such compelling reasons to stay in Portland.


They don't care about that stuff. My experience with OHSU has been a pretty bad one. I was waitlisted last year, had an exit meeting with the admissions director, and did the things she said I should do in order to get in the next time. I shadowed a doc up there, did histories for him and presented patients to him just like the med students do. I worked with the other med students doing this as well. I brought my MCAT up to a 33, have been working 18 months as a full-time CNA at a hospital, and I interviewed very well in December. Yet, I was told that I am in the bottom half of their list so far (I called this week.). I am an Oregon resident, and made it very clear at my interview that I really really want to stay in Portland due to family and romantic ties. I've been accepted at two schools already, one of them being a much harder school to get into than OHSU statistically for me (University of Virginia) but OHSU seems to not care at all about me. I personally do not understand their process at all. I improved my application greatly, yet, I am now in a worse spot than I was last year. Is the competition really THAT stiff? What a sour taste in my mouth. All I can hope for is that the next two months everyone who interviews there scores lower than I did, which is highly unlikely. OHSU cares nothing about its state residents because the state of Oregon cares nothing about OHSU. They give them no money, and then complain that the school doesn't do enough for its state by training local doctors. On the other hand, OHSU still does seem a bit screwed up in the way they operate. They can build a $55million dollar tram, but not accept a few more local resident medical students at $10k less tuition per year... seems a bit ridiculous.
 
Dr. Weebs said:
They don't care about that stuff. My experience with OHSU has been a pretty bad one. I was waitlisted last year, had an exit meeting with the admissions director, and did the things she said I should do in order to get in the next time. I shadowed a doc up there, did histories for him and presented patients to him just like the med students do. I worked with the other med students doing this as well. I brought my MCAT up to a 33, have been working 18 months as a full-time CNA at a hospital, and I interviewed very well in December. Yet, I was told that I am in the bottom half of their list so far (I called this week.). I am an Oregon resident, and made it very clear at my interview that I really really want to stay in Portland due to family and romantic ties. I've been accepted at two schools already, one of them being a much harder school to get into than OHSU statistically for me (University of Virginia) but OHSU seems to not care at all about me. I personally do not understand their process at all. I improved my application greatly, yet, I am now in a worse spot than I was last year. Is the competition really THAT stiff? What a sour taste in my mouth.


I know what you mean. But there might still be hope, they might have massive movement off of the waitlist. Judging by mdapplicants, a lot of the people who have been accepted aren't planning on coming.

On the other hand, UVa has an awesome reputation, so even if things didn't work out here, you'll still get to go to a really good place (that is better than some of us can say right now)!! 🙂 and :luck: .
 
star22 said:
Did you let them know this? It seems like they would be sympathetic to your situation. I imagine most of us don't have such compelling reasons to stay in Portland.

Yes I did. I was very clear about it.
 
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