USUHS Class of 2013

[utahjazz]

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I totally didn't know this existed, I would have posted long ago. I got the conditional acceptance last Oct for Navy! 😀

Not 100% sure I'm going here next year, but it's definitely high on the list.

I'm still trying to get physically qualified. I had three different problems. I had to do that body fat thing (damn army! haha I'm within standards for Navy but since they hold all of us to army I had to do it 🙄). Then they didn't like the curvature in my back so I had to do a x-ray - I called DoDMERB and the lady said I was fine but I still haven't gotten the official all clear. Now because of my pediatrician I have to do a asthma waiver. After talking to Rebecca she said asthma prior to 13 isn't a disqualification factor, and I haven't taken meds or had an attack since I was like 6. But my pediatrician saw me for asthma and prescribed meds "just in case" up until I was 15, so since it's on my record I have to do a waiver. Grrr! 🙁

Oh well, hopefully it'll all come through. It stresses me out a bit. If I don't do USUHS I'm definitely doing the HSPS, so not getting a waiver definitely puts a damper on my plans!

I definitely feel your pain. Dealing with DoDMERB (and Concorde) has been nothing but problems. The way they arbitrarily enforce the guidelines is aggravating...

I hope we both make it through... it would be nice to have a classmate who is also from the central coast!

 

[silverhorse84]

I definitely feel your pain. Dealing with DoDMERB (and Concorde) has been nothing but problems. The way they arbitrarily enforce the guidelines is aggravating...

I hope we both make it through... it would be nice to have a classmate who is also from the central coast!

Where abouts on the central coast are you from? 🙂

 

[utahjazz]

Where abouts on the central coast are you from? 🙂

A small town south of Santa Cruz. You?

 

[silverhorse84]

San Luis Obispo. I came here from the central valley for undergrad (Cal Poly), and haven't left yet, haha 😉

 

[utahjazz]

San Luis Obispo. I came here from the central valley for undergrad (Cal Poly), and haven't left yet, haha 😉

I can totally understand that, it's a nice area with great weather. I've been to the Mission in SLO a couple times... it's pretty neat.

 

[skim87]

Got the call like 10 minutes ago! NAVY!!

 

[mcaliboyw]

Classmates, just received the call for Navy, conditional acceptance pending security clearance. I'm active duty sub O, so hopefully that won't be a problem I'm super stoked and look forward to meeting everyone this Fall!

 

[Blue58]

Just got the call too, Navy.

 

[hende076]

When did you guys interview?

 

[mcaliboyw]

When did you guys interview?

Hey I interviewed at the end of October, but my application was held up waiting for my Letter of Approval to arrive. From what I have observed (mostly through my own app), a decision can be made on your package prior to receving your LOA, but they can't tell you until they get it. This really only applies to active duty people though. Hope this helps.

 

[hende076]

Congrats to all of you! I'm prior active my self, but now I'm a reservist. Fortunately we don't need an LoA, just some form.

Is USUHS everybody's 1st choice?

 

[Stillwaters]

Accepted, Army 😀. Interviewed 30 Oct.

I was also waiting on an LOA.

 

[Blue58]

I interview on October 30th too.

 

[sojourner75]

Classmates, just received the call for Navy, conditional acceptance pending security clearance. I'm active duty sub O, so hopefully that won't be a problem I'm super stoked and look forward to meeting everyone this Fall!

Congrats mcaliboyw. Looks like both our LOAs were squared away.

Does anyone have any insight on what happens next, after acceptance? Who do we need to speak to so that our (Navy) commissioning documents and USUHS reporting/PCS orders will be issued ASAP? Resignation requests for the Marines need to have a 4-month lead time. I want to make sure that my PCS orders are consistent with my resignation and commissioning dates.

 

[Falconz09]

Congrats on your acceptances! I was interviewed on the 30 Oct as well but got a letter on 15 Dec saying i was on the wait list...did any of the 30 Oct interviewees have to get picked up off the wait list???

Thanks!

 

[Stillwaters]

Congrats on your acceptances! I was interviewed on the 30 Oct as well but got a letter on 15 Dec saying i was on the wait list...did any of the 30 Oct interviewees have to get picked up off the wait list???

Thanks!

I wasn't on the waitlist. My decision was delayed becuase I didn't have an LOA (I am active duty). I have heard that the waitlist moves a lot more than at other schools, sp you might have a good chance at getting picked up. What branch are you going for?

 

[Falconz09]

I am at the Air Force Academy so I'm locked in going AF. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Brocimus]

Congrats on your acceptances! I was interviewed on the 30 Oct as well but got a letter on 15 Dec saying i was on the wait list...did any of the 30 Oct interviewees have to get picked up off the wait list???

Thanks!

So AF is full. Good to know.

 

[GolfMustang07]

So how hard is it to get a waiver. I was medically disqualified for a back issue that doesnt effect me anymore. augh... 🙁 another hoop to jump through.

 

[UTBME86]

So how hard is it to get a waiver. I was medically disqualified for a back issue that doesnt effect me anymore. augh... 🙁 another hoop to jump through.

It really is a case by case basis. I was able to get a waiver ofr childhood asthma. USUHS is the authority that determines whether to approve you for a waiver or not and then it goes to some other people not at the school for final review and check off. I would suggest that you get a letter from the doctor who treated you for the problem stating that it no longer is an issue and that in his opinion it will not affect your performance as an officer. I would also write a letter stating what kind of physical activities you have been involved in since the incident. It is a long process to go through, but those things worked for me and asthma during childhood is usually not waived. Best of luck and Rebecca Patterson is very helpful and will be your best friend.

 

[speedyk]

It really is a case by case basis. I was able to get a waiver ofr childhood asthma. USUHS is the authority that determines whether to approve you for a waiver or not and then it goes to some other people not at the school for final review and check off. I would suggest that you get a letter from the doctor who treated you for the problem stating that it no longer is an issue and that in his opinion it will not affect your performance as an officer. I would also write a letter stating what kind of physical activities you have been involved in since the incident. It is a long process to go through, but those things worked for me and asthma during childhood is usually not waived. Best of luck and Rebecca Patterson is very helpful and will be your best friend.

How long did it take them to get back to you after you finished your remedial?

 

[UTBME86]

How long did it take them to get back to you after you finished your remedial?

After I sent in my info it took them about 3 weeks or so. The person reviewing the files was on vacation for one of those weeks though. My info was sent in during early October, which I think wasn't very busy for them. After getting DQ'd, it took about 2.5 weeks to receive my waiver. If you are going through this process speedyk, I would suggest calling DODMERB about every week or so to check up on things. Rebecca on the other hand did an excellent job of keeping me up to date on the process. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[DrMetal]

After I sent in my info it took them about 3 weeks or so. The person reviewing the files was on vacation for one of those weeks though. My info was sent in during early October, which I think wasn't very busy for them. After getting DQ'd, it took about 2.5 weeks to receive my waiver. If you are going through this process speedyk, I would suggest calling DODMERB about every week or so to check up on things. Rebecca on the other hand did an excellent job of keeping me up to date on the process. Let me know if you have any other questions.

This isn't a bad timeline at all. Things done in the DOD on the timescale of weeks is usually considered fast!

 

[nmbutah]

Has anyone who interviewed Nov 20 or after heard back from USUHS yet? any idea when we should hear back?

 

[chewsnuffles]

Classmates, just received the call for Navy, conditional acceptance pending security clearance. I'm active duty sub O, so hopefully that won't be a problem I'm super stoked and look forward to meeting everyone this Fall!

As a fellow lower GPA/higher MCAT, congrats man, it must feel great.

I'm very much looking forward to meeting everyone else in the fall, and I've really appreciated the supportive attitude of everyone in these USUHS threads throughout the whole process.

 

[valleus]

Hi all,

I interviewed on Oct 30th, was wait listed on Jan 15th, and accepted (air force) last week. I wish I could offer helpful advice to those still interviewing, but I don't have a good feel for why I was selected. I had a very difficult undergrad major (mechanical engineering) with a good gpa, an average mcat, and what I felt was a good interview.

Best of luck.

 

[DrMetal]

Has anyone who interviewed Nov 20 or after heard back from USUHS yet? any idea when we should hear back?

It appears they just got done notifying 11/6 interviewees. So they'll probably be notifying 11/13 people this week, then 11/20 sometime later this month (I'm 11/20 too).

If it's 3/1 and we still haven't heard, then we should raid the admissions office! No I'm j/k. (I rarely advocate violent protests)

 

[manucelt]

I know everyone is enjoying that mound of paperwork we all just got.

For all the other priors who get to skip OBC, Ms. Taylor (Army program manager) and Rebecca both said that the school would be meeting tomorrow to determine the start of orientation so we can straighten out all our paperwork. Both said it could be as early as 3 August.

 

[utahjazz]

I know everyone is enjoying that mound of paperwork we all just got.

Did only people with unconditionals get it? I'm still waiting on a waiver decision and didn't get the email.

Both said it could be as early as 3 August.

Yikes, that would be really early.

 

[mslall]

Did only people with unconditionals get it? I'm still waiting on a waiver decision and didn't get the email.



Yikes, that would be really early.

I think its just army unconditionals.

HAHA 15 attachments on the email....this will be fun!!! The redtape begins 🙂

 

[nmbutah]

It appears they just got done notifying 11/6 interviewees. So they'll probably be notifying 11/13 people this week, then 11/20 sometime later this month (I'm 11/20 too).

If it's 3/1 and we still haven't heard, then we should raid the admissions office! No I'm j/k. (I rarely advocate violent protests)

Grrr. Out of curiousity how'd you find out they just got done notifying 11/6 people? a raid on the admissions office sounds good...as long as it doesn't hurt our admissions chances.

 

[000777]

Grrr. Out of curiousity how'd you find out they just got done notifying 11/6 people? a raid on the admissions office sounds good...as long as it doesn't hurt our admissions chances.

they are not. I'm a Nov. 6 interviewee who called today.

 

[utahjazz]

I think its just army unconditionals.

HAHA 15 attachments on the email....this will be fun!!! The redtape begins 🙂

Woah, 15?!?! Jeez. Have fun reading them and filling out forms.

 

[chewsnuffles]

they are not. I'm a Nov. 6 interviewee who called today.

What branch?

 

[DrMetal]

they are not. I'm a Nov. 6 interviewee who called today.

You talked to admissions? They said they're still not done with 11/6?

 

[000777]

You talked to admissions? They said they're still not done with 11/6?

Not done with mine, not sure about others.

 

[000777]

What branch?

Navy

 

[mslall]

.

 

[silverhorse84]

I think its just army unconditionals.

HAHA 15 attachments on the email....this will be fun!!! The redtape begins 🙂

Haha, not looking forward to that if I have to do it too! I'm waiting on a waiver too, but if paperwork still has to be done hopefully I'm cleared soon so I can start on it. 15 sounds like it'll take some time 😛

 

[Dr Buddy]

Hi all,

I interviewed on Oct 30th, was wait listed on Jan 15th, and accepted (air force) last week. I wish I could offer helpful advice to those still interviewing, but I don't have a good feel for why I was selected. I had a very difficult undergrad major (mechanical engineering) with a good gpa, an average mcat, and what I felt was a good interview.

Best of luck.

Congrats man!

Out of curiousity, I know wait list decisions come through the mail, but how were you informed of being accepted off the wait? Was it call or mail?

 

[utahjazz]

Haha, not looking forward to that if I have to do it too! I'm waiting on a waiver too, but if paperwork still has to be done hopefully I'm cleared soon so I can start on it. 15 sounds like it'll take some time 😛

How long have you been waiting on the waiver? I'm starting to get kind of nervous... tomorrow it'll be 3 weeks of waiting for me.

 

[valleus]

Dr. Buddy:

It was a phone call from Dr. Calloway.

 

[silverhorse84]

How long have you been waiting on the waiver? I'm starting to get kind of nervous... tomorrow it'll be 3 weeks of waiting for me.

Well at first I was talking to Rebecca and she said I needed one before DoDMERB contacted me - I waited about a week to be contacted by DoDMERB. Then they wanted me to see a physician (pulmonologist for asthma), but I wrote a letter, so the last thing I heard from Rebecca was that they no longer needed any more information. But she couldn't tell me whether that was good or bad. That was almost three weeks ago (three weeks this friday). She said it would take two, 🙄. DoDMERB seems to be taking their time! I wish I knew just so I know if USUHS is still an option for me 😳

 

[utahjazz]

Well at first I was talking to Rebecca and she said I needed one before DoDMERB contacted me - I waited about a week to be contacted by DoDMERB. Then they wanted me to see a physician (pulmonologist for asthma), but I wrote a letter, so the last thing I heard from Rebecca was that they no longer needed any more information. But she couldn't tell me whether that was good or bad. That was almost three weeks ago (three weeks this friday). She said it would take two, 🙄. DoDMERB seems to be taking their time! I wish I knew just so I know if USUHS is still an option for me 😳

Thanks for the reply. I would think that if they didn't accept what you wrote in your letter, they would have contacted you to make you go to the remdial appointment and try to get the waiver that way (that's what they did to me anyway). If it makes you feel any better, I am still waiting too. 🙂 I guess now is a busy time for them... The uncertainty sucks though. I hope we hear soon!

 

[DrMetal]

Well at first I was talking to Rebecca and she said I needed one before DoDMERB contacted me - I waited about a week to be contacted by DoDMERB. Then they wanted me to see a physician (pulmonologist for asthma), but I wrote a letter, so the last thing I heard from Rebecca was that they no longer needed any more information. But she couldn't tell me whether that was good or bad. That was almost three weeks ago (three weeks this friday). She said it would take two, 🙄. DoDMERB seems to be taking their time! I wish I knew just so I know if USUHS is still an option for me 😳

If I understand the whole waiver process correctly, DODMERB has nothing to do with it (except for the documentation of the waiver going thru, or not), right? USUHS is solely responsible for reviewing the waiver application and ruling on it. So they must have some sort of waiver board. Not sure how often they meet. If it's been a few weeks, might wanna ask Rebecca again.

 

[silverhorse84]

If I understand the whole waiver process correctly, DODMERB has nothing to do with it (except for the documentation of the waiver going thru, or not), right? USUHS is solely responsible for reviewing the waiver application and ruling on it. So they must have some sort of waiver board. Not sure how often they meet. If it's been a few weeks, might wanna ask Rebecca again.

I got the impression from Rebecca that it was DoDMERB making the decision, but maybe I was wrong. I'll try to call her tomorrow and see if she knows what's up. 😳

 

[utahjazz]

If I understand the whole waiver process correctly, DODMERB has nothing to do with it (except for the documentation of the waiver going thru, or not), right? USUHS is solely responsible for reviewing the waiver application and ruling on it. So they must have some sort of waiver board. Not sure how often they meet. If it's been a few weeks, might wanna ask Rebecca again.

If I understood Silverhorse's post correctly, she was trying to avoid the remedial and the waiver process by writing a letter to rebut DoDMERB's findings (which DoDMERB would decide). I tried doing this & failed and then had to try to get a waiver by going to the remedial appointment.

In general, I think DoDMERB also has to approve of waivers, but does so after USUHS approves them. I don't know that USU has a waiver board... I was under the impression that one individual per branch decided on all the USU waivers. I don't recall where I heard this though.

 

[DrMetal]

If I understood Silverhorse's post correctly, she was trying to avoid the remedial and the waiver process by writing a letter to rebut DoDMERB's findings (which DoDMERB would decide). I tried doing this & failed and then had to try to get a waiver by going to the remedial appointment.

Ok. Well if that's the case, if you're trying to rebut DODMERB, then it would definitely have to go through them.

In general, I think DoDMERB also has to approve of waivers, but does so after USUHS approves them. I don't know that USU has a waiver board... I was under the impression that one individual per branch decided on all the USU waivers. I don't recall where I heard this though.

It might be just one individual (hopefully! that'd make the process much faster).

Anyway, I'm in the same boat as you guys, trying to get a waiver. Was just able to start the process when I got my waitlist letter. So far Rebecca's really been on top of things, very quick to reply and get the ball rolling. So I'm hoping this process will go thru smoothly.

 

[DrMetal]

question, particularly for those of you that have essentially complete a first year of med school in a post-bac or SMP program (in which I assume you take most of the first year courses like gross, biochem, physio etc):

Did you study in groups? Find group studying to be useful?

I've been talking to some medical students and they swear by it. It's a concept that's a little foreign to me, b/c I've never really done it, but I can see there being benefit in it.

 

[mslall]

I haven't taken the med school classes, but I'll swear by studying in groups. In a group setting you get the chance to teach the material, or at least tell someone else the material. For me, at least, this really helps to cement my understanding.