uniformed services interview

[DW]

hey guys.

just got back from my usuhs interview. awesome. the staff and the students were so nice and informative, and the interviews are closed file (they only read your essays) and soooo laid back and helpful. and the speech dean savitch gives almost made me want to scream "I will carry the flag!!!!" a la the end of the movie "Glory" Some funny things at the interview:

the insanely bitter applicant guy in Finch's post bac/masters in physiology program. man, he spent about 20 minutes cursing that school

the overbearing military academy grad, who as an applicant was questioning the motives of all the civilian applicants at lunch. just a tad annoying.

kaos, clittle, and others, good luck, just realx, it was really cool. the early interview is huge!!!! dean macnigle (sp?) flat out said unless you somehow bomb the interview or they find out you're a terrorist, early interview will pretty much get you a spot and the branch of your choice (except PHS)

off to G dub manana, after i enter in sdn interview feedback

 

[rotatores]

DW,

Congrats on your interview. I'm currently a student at USUHS right now and can without a doubt say that this school is a blast.

goodluck

 

[abw]

Hey!
I'm interviewing at usuhs and am really interested, but everyone that i tell that to tells me that they treat women horribly there. Can you give me any feedback on that? Thanks so much!
Alli

 

[rotatores]

abw,

Sorry you were incorrectly informed. It's actually the complete opposite. Our class is only made up of about 35% women so we treat the woman we have with great respect. The women here also seen to love the area and the school.

btw, when are u interviewing. The sooner you interview the better your chances. Also, make sure you get your physical completed because sometimes you have to go back for additional testing or even apply for a waiver (which you almost always get). I was accepted in Nov. but didn't getting my physical completed until april because of additional cardiac testing.

good luck

 

[abw]

Hey!
Thanks for answering me! I needed to hear that. I'm interviewing on October 10th, but was worried about the physical because i'm thinking about army and am a couple pounds over their weight limit. Are the weight limits strictly enforced? Also, do you have any info about any of the branches? I've looked at the web pages for all three but haven't found much that was helpful. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[rotatores]

I can't tell u that much about all three branches but I can tell you a lot about my branch, the Navy. I do know that the Army takes 66 students each year and the Navy and Air Force take 51 each. If you have no prior military experience you have to go to officer training the summer before. The Navy's is in Newport, RI, the Army has their OBC in San Antonio Texax, and unfortunately I don't recall where the Air Force students went this past summer. I do know that the Navy's version of officer training is the hardest. We didn't get private air-conditioned hotel rooms like the other two branches and we apparently did a lot more marching.

As far as the weight thing is concerned I would definately be under the weight limit before the physical b/c if might cause some difficulty. But it seems once your in they won't kick you out for being over the weight limit. Also, I new some people this past summer at Officer Indoctrination School who were above the weight limit and nothing happened to them. You've got to remember the military loves you to death b/c you are sacrificing a lot to be in the military as a physician and they make sure you stay in.

I hope I helped out. If you have anymore questions you can email me.

 

[UCLA Paratrooper]

I'm not 100% sure about the other branches, but in the Army if you are over the weight limit they do give you a body fat test. This is done because there a lot of short built people in the Army. I would try to get under the weight limit, but I don't think it will really hurt your chances if you are a little over weight. I might be wrong though...

UCLA Paratrooper

Originally posted by abw
Hey!
Thanks for answering me! I needed to hear that. I'm interviewing on October 10th, but was worried about the physical because i'm thinking about army and am a couple pounds over their weight limit. Are the weight limits strictly enforced? Also, do you have any info about any of the branches? I've looked at the web pages for all three but haven't found much that was helpful. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[bafanculo]

Can a doctor make a good living being a military doc....how much would an emnergency military doc, make in comparison to a civilian?

 

[Sweet Tea]

congrats on the interview, DW!! i'm so glad it went well... know we want to hear the same glowing report about GW tonight!!

 

[Alli Cat]

AUGHH Thanks DW! I am so excited about my interview (on 10/10) and I have been checking interview feedback, waiting for someone to enter their experiences. I need all the prep I can get, because USU is my first interview and it's my first choice school! Thanks also for the comments from Dean Macnigle. I got that impression, too, from reading others' experiences... but it's nice to know that I'm almost there!

One question: Did you stay with a student or in the hotel? I'm planning on doing the student host program. OMG My interview is less than 2 WEEKS AWAY!

OK, enough for now. Thanks!
~Alison

 

[rotatores]

Hate to be picky here but you guys are destroying our Assistant Dean of Admissions' and our Associate Dean for Student Affairs' names. It's Dr. Stavish and Dr. MacDonald, respectively. Also it's Dr. McManigle who is our Assistant Dean for Clinical Sciences.

BTW, I would highly recommend the host program but make sure you ask for it very soon because sometimes it can be hard to find one during our exams. But we are more than willing to do so because it's fun for us too.

later

 

[Jet915]

Hey everyone, I just moved my interview date up to Oct. 10 after hearing how much more of an advantage it is to go to the interview earlier. See some of you there!

Jetson

 

[kaos]

Thanks a LOT, DW!!! You made my day! I'm interviewing on Thursday, and USUHS is like my #1 choice! I'm very excited about going there, and hope I get in!

But I must admit that I am kind of worried about the uniform policy, especially because I'm a female. Do u think I can get some kind of flexibility on, ahem, religious observances concerning clothing (long sleves, etc.)? Also, I'm really not sure which branch to join. I'm thinking AF, but what about Army? Plus, the recruiting offices aren't really that helpful; all they say is visit the website.

Any pointers?

 

[DW]

Originally posted by rotatores
Hate to be picky here but you guys are destroying our Assistant Dean of Admissions' and our Associate Dean for Student Affairs' names. It's Dr. Stavish and Dr. MacDonald, respectively. Also it's Dr. McManigle who is our Assistant Dean for Clinical Sciences.

sorry man. i was typing that last night when i was real tired and i couldn't find my portfolio. thanks for correcting my horribly butchered spelling

 

[DW]

Originally posted by abw
Hey!
I'm interviewing at usuhs and am really interested, but everyone that i tell that to tells me that they treat women horribly there. Can you give me any feedback on that? Thanks so much!
Alli

i just read this one, i definitely cant see how this is true. there are almost 40 percent female (pretty cute too ) at usuhs. The commandant (student-military liason) is a female, one of the vice presidents is female, along with other faculty, and my tour guides and student host were all female and absolutely raved about going there. hope that helps

 

[srabulldog]

Hey- I hate to intrude because I am a spouse, but my husband is off to interview at USUHS this upcoming Thursday, and he has talked with a couple of people from the school (admissions types) about the weight requirement. My husband has a BIG build but he is muscular and I think that he would look anorexic at the Army's maximum weight (which was probably set in the 1950s), and they told him that they would do a "body fat test" and that if he passed that (they didn't tell him what would "pass") there would be no problem. So don't worry about that.

Otherwise, are there any pieces of practical advise for interviewing there? Parking? DC traffic? Anything?

Thanks

 

[rotatores]

As a first year student at USUHS right now I can give you the three most important questions asked during the interview.

1) Why medicine? By now I'm sure this is easy.

2) Why military? This one was tough for me since I had no prior military experience, but I was honest and it must have worked.

3) Why USUHS? This question is a great question to score points on. Know some things about USUHS before your interview. For example, talk about the summer experience we get to do after our first year. "Summer Experience" is our chance to to anything relating to Military life, such as shadowing the White House Physician and staff, or going to Airborne school, or flying with F14's.

Parking in DC can be a huge hassle. Parking for your interview shouldn't be a problem if you get in early such as 7:00 for your 7:30 interview. Also be smart about traffic. The beltways sucks and so does Rockville Pike in the mornings. So try to stay as close to the school as possible. Your best bet is along Wisconsin Ave.

 

[UCLA Paratrooper]

Originally posted by rotatores
As a first year student at USUHS right now I can give you the three most important questions asked during the interview.

1) Why medicine? By now I'm sure this is easy.

2) Why military? This one was tough for me since I had no prior military experience, but I was honest and it must have worked.

3) Why USUHS? This question is a great question to score points on. Know some things about USUHS before your interview. For example, talk about the summer experience we get to do after our first year. "Summer Experience" is our chance to to anything relating to Military life, such as shadowing the White House Physician and staff, or going to Airborne school, or flying with F14's.

Parking in DC can be a huge hassle. Parking for your interview shouldn't be a problem if you get in early such as 7:00 for your 7:30 interview. Also be smart about traffic. The beltways sucks and so does Rockville Pike in the mornings. So try to stay as close to the school as possible. Your best bet is along Wisconsin Ave.

Hey rotatores,

What kind of military stuff do you have to do while a medical student at USUHS? Do you have to do PT? Field training exercies? What uniform (if any) do you where daily? For the "Summer Experience," can you go to Air Assault school?

Thanks!

UCLA Paratrooper

 

[rotatores]

We wear our uniforms between 7:30 -4:00 mon-fri. Don't forget the school is located at the National Naval Medical Center which is a Navy base so uniforms are required during working hours. We wear scrubs during anatomy lab, thank God. But trust me, you get used to and actually really enjoy wearing the uniform. We also wear different uniforms on different days of the week. There is no PT but we do have 2 physical fitness tests a year, but they are pretty easy. To be honest I'm not sure about the Air Assault school.
Next summer we also have a field exercice for a week where we get to have our own M16 and what not. It's supposedly a blast. But daily our main objectives are to go to class and become doctors. Sometimes I forget that I'm even in the Navy. There's so much more I'm forgetting but my mind is off trying to learn all the origins, insertions, and innervations of the skeletal muscles right now.

I'd be happy to answer anymore questions.

 

[Alli Cat]

rotatores--

check your PM's

Click on "User CP" and go to your private message inbox

BTW, thanks for all the insight! We're all chomping at the bit

~Alison

 

[14931]

so can permanent residents (non-citizens) apply ?

and are u going to be in the military for the rest of your life if you attend this school?

thanks

 

[phil413ru]

I have also applied to USUHS, but have not heard back yet due to low MCAT scores--retook in August. However, I was a medic in the ARNG for a year and am currently a female in Army ROTC. I had the chance this summer to work at Army AMEDDIP internship in field of preventive Medicine. I actually shadowed two different female physicians. ONe of my to them related to how they, as women docs, were treated in military. Usually, they told me it depended on how much one put up with. One doc said if anyone tried to give her a hard time, she would ensure that it never happened again--she wouldn't take any flack. Women in the military do have extra challenges, but a military career is definately worthwhile (at least in Army/ Airforce--don't know much about other two)

As for the height/weight issue, I can tell you now that the Army usually strictly adheres to the policy. If you don't meet the chard weight, then you get taped. For anyone who is short with a larger/stockier build, this can be troublesome (I know firsthand--I always have to get taped and barely make it, yet I can max PT test) My suggestion is try as hard as possible to get below limit. If you have to be taped, males want to have large neck relative to small waist. Females--the tape test includes hips, forearm, wrist, and neck. Thus, one would ideally want a large neck, forearm and wrist, but small hips. And one more comment--if you meet weight limit, and are overweight and fail the tape test, you are given 6 months to make standard. After you make it, if you ever go fail ht/wt standard again, you can get kicked out. (At least in Nursing at all other branches of Army).

To address Why military? for those of you non prior-service, I will say you that military life is a completely different lifestyle. Depending on your specialty and station (at least in Army) it can be very difficult to have family. (Btw TDY, JRTC and changing duty stations, not to mention the rigors of medical world). Sometimes one can be separated from spouse/family for 1-6 month, possibly more if stationed someplace like Korea for TDY. I have found variating opinon on the benefits of military medicine -some military docs I know are looking forward to when they can out, while others love military medicine.
If single, or spouse/family willing and able to move, and don't mind travel, and disciplined lifestyle of military--I can at least say that I love it, and it is a tremendous honor and opportunity for an exciting career of service in Armed Forces.

From my limited exposus, I love the military medical field. I am applying to both USUHS and civilian schools. (The Army also offers Health Professional Scholarships to qualified applicants. I know the Navy does so also. ) As it stand right now, if I don't get into a medical school, I will be commissioned in the Army as 2LT, hopefully Medical Service Corps. If I get into Med School, plan to put in career. I only know about the Army, but for those intersted, here are few links:

http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/armymed/default2.htm
www.medicalservicecorps.amedd.army.mil
http://mrmc-www.army.mil/
http://www.chppm.org/
http://www.usarec.army.mil/6thbde/guide/medcorp.htm

For those who have any tips in getting into school--let me know. I have a high GPA, but low MCAT. I retook in August, thus awaiting results. Does anyone know of applicants who were accepted or atleast interviewd at USUHS with a 24 MCAT, but 3.9 GPA?

Good Luck!