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Are invites given by snail mail or e-mail?
Usuhs
- Thread starter AubreyMaturin
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E-mail only I think, I only remember getting the e-mail.
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As mentioned already there are three key questions to have answers to. Also would benefit you if you were up to date on current events. And it can't hurt to have 1 or 2 things you'd like to know about whether it be about the school or about the military just be careful it's not something located in a document you should have read. "Both of my interviews ended with what questions do you have for me?" Didn't really have anything intelligent for them...still got in.
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Just outta curiosity, I'm wondering how you got your interview so early? The Admissions Office told me that they start reviewing applications in Sept., and the first round of interviews start in Oct. I guess not!
Also, would you be willing to share some details about your application here (i.e. GPA, MCAT, what kind of letters you had, etc etc), so that others can gauge whether they're likely to be interviewed as well ??? (I'm hoping we're annonymous enough here so that we can share such details without any reservations. But if you don't feel comfortable doing so, of course you don't have to.) It's just nice to have some insight!
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i think for that kind of stuff you should go to the pre-allo community and check out the USUHS thread...they talk about interview stuff and about scores and grades and all that.
if you guys go ahead and start sharing info here thats cool, but to be honest, i love this particular milmed board because it isnt saturated with overly ambitious premeds and actually carries relevant conversation. (full disclosure: im a premed too but i hate all the comparative stuff from the pre-allo board....you are what you are as an applicant - if it works it works, no need to compare and stress out)
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thanks, i didn't realize there was such a thread . . . will check it out.
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Applying early is huge at USUHS. I applied as early as possible and got interviewed first possible session during my cycle, too.
Don't stress about numbers. If you're near their averages, I think it becomes more about subjective factors. If you're below their averages that probably matters.
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I have mixed feelings about calling the office. When I talk to the person who answers the phone I seem to get vague answers. They seem annoyed (which they probably are). However, another time I called they apparently were not able to answer my question (I think it was about a required course or something) so they had to transfer me to their superior who was extremelt polite and helpful. Anyway, even though I have read that the office is very helpful, I usually take their answers with a grain of salt because I get the feeling they just want you off the phone.
I feel your pain as far as the waiting game goes. It is worse than waiting for mCAT results.
Awesome, congrats!
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Just got the e-mail!! Looks like I will be with you on the 18th. Hopefully, it goes well so I can withdraw my 20 other applications and not waste any more money. Anyways, good luck and I am sure I will sort of see you on the 18th.
Congratulations!!! Can I ask when you mailed your secondary & sent your LORs?
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In most ways I agree with TheGoose. However, it is annoying to have to thumb through a billion neurotic pre-allo posts to get the one specific answer you want. So since I don't have an MD apps profile here is my stuff.
ACT 23 (if it matters at all. I was a bad student in high school)
MCAT 34M
AAMC BCPM 3.62
Overall 3.75
GPA is worse then it looks. I have been a part time student every spring and I work full time (sometimes more). Failed a course because I missed the final (I have no one to blame but myself)
Research Experience: Almost non-existent (I am gaining more responsibility in the project I am involved with now)
Clinical/Volunteer: 3 years work experience in hospital. Have worked in almost every area of the Hospital (I consider this my stongest part of the application). Physics TA one year. I have some volunteer, but mostly paid experiences.
Secondary verified on 7/9
Letters overnighted on 7/16
Interview invite today
Compare away everyone. I know most everyone has worked hard to get the point they are at and wish you all the best of luck. Please keep me posted and maybe we will meet sometime in the near future. I
Yeah, I don't think there even is a USU thread on the pre-allo board. Thanks for all the info.... very helpful. Good luck on 9/18! Sounds like you will do well.
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what are you talking about??? Your numbers look great. I'm sure you'll have a great shot at getting in . . .
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Predict you'll hear about a conditional acceptance by Oct 15th-ish. Your numbers are great. Don't be neurotic.
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Nice job on the interviews people.
Unfortunately for me, I sent my stuff in a little earlier than you and have heard nothing. Does anyone know if USUHS passes people over to be interviewed but re-reviews them at a later date? Or once they pass you over for an interview are you done?
Unfortunately for me, I sent my stuff in a little earlier than you and have heard nothing. Does anyone know if USUHS passes people over to be interviewed but re-reviews them at a later date? Or once they pass you over for an interview are you done?
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I will see you all on the 18th. I have a quick question if anyone knows...
I really want an air force slot, but i know that those are the most competitive. Does the air force accept higher number (MCAT and GPA) or is it just more competitive because fewer positions are available to applicants. To rephrase: is my chance of landing an air force slot just as good as an army or navy if there are still vacant slots available? Any input would be appreciated. Good luck guys...
I really want an air force slot, but i know that those are the most competitive. Does the air force accept higher number (MCAT and GPA) or is it just more competitive because fewer positions are available to applicants. To rephrase: is my chance of landing an air force slot just as good as an army or navy if there are still vacant slots available? Any input would be appreciated. Good luck guys...
If you are starting school in Fall 2009, your chances should be just as good. If you are looking to get on scholarship for a Fall 2008 start, you could go Navy and try to start ASAP or Army and they may be able to start you for the spring term. AF will make you wait until next fall.
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Though I have never heard definatively, I do believe USAF slots fill faster due to interst and the lower number of class seats available for that service. Thus the pool is typically more competative. I was waitlisted for an AF seat but got in just fine. I was informed though that at the time when I got put on the waitlist there were still Army and Navy seats available. Just curious why you really want a USAF slot?
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well, i don't have any previous military experience, so most of the information i have gathered has been second hand. But from my own research and speaking with medical officers from various branches, the consensus is that USAF treats their physicians very well. Not to say the other branches don't, but i have heard that the USAF really facilitates the lifestyle of someone who wants to have a family some day. But like i said, i really don't know personally. So if you have any input, i would really appreciative it. Thanks.
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I am active duty Air Force... almost 5 years, but not in medicine. Strickly from a lifestyle/family perspective, AF is the way to go (in my biased opinion). I have done 2 deployments (6 months each), trained with the army prior to going and was on Army bases each time (Kuwait and Iraq). Every Army person I've talked to in those situations has said that they wished they were in the AF. These were all enlisted members though, officer life is a little different, but overall quality of life is better in the AF, and tours are shorter than either of the other branches. If you're not gung ho, shoot em up, you might want to stay away from the Army.
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Well here's the breakdown. People say AF is smaller and more competitive but it's only smaller by 5 slots. Probably the most competitive service is USPHS b/c that number depends every year on how much funding they get. As for the GPA MCAT, it truly is more on "when you get interviewed" b/c the school is on a rolling admission basis. Hense, simply put, USAF is no more competitive then USA or USN. I think people in this often forget about the demension of the health core. That it's culture is slightly different and if you are thinking about picking a service, I'd pick for reasons of specialty or base locations. Mainly for the reasons that all the services do a good job taking care of their docs and the services are mixing pretty well deployment status for all services will slowly equalize and will be more dependent on what you "deploy as (what kind of doctor for what position)" rather than the service.
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As a physician in the AF who now works largely at Army and Navy facilities, I would like to offer a different perspective. I feel that the "lifestyle" advantages of the AF are WAY, WAY oversold and med students trying to pick a service get too hung up on this, ignoring significant problem with the AF medical service.
If you were an E-3 grunt, then sure the AF is way better--better housing, nicer-looking bases, mainly "inside the wire" deployments, less hooah hooah stuff like ruck marches, shorter deployments, etc. But you aren't an E-3 grunt, you are an O3 or O4 physician and it's totally different. You'll live off-base so the on-base perks are not an issue. Deployments for physicians are usually "inside the wire" for all three branches, and the actual job you're doing in the hospital is going to be identical across Army, Navy and AF. The Air-Force has just as much, if not more military training crap for physicians to do, and the bureaucracy is twice as bad. And oddly, in my experience the AF is WAY more hung up on protocol and rank than either of the other services.
A lot of people think they will do less deploying in the AF as well, but it's not necessarily true. In the last two years, I have deployed twice for a total of eight months. My Army partners have each deployed once for 6 months, and my Navy partners have deployed once for 7 months. Essentially no difference in total deployment length.
The only real difference between the services is in training and practice opportunities. On these issues, the AF is sadly lacking. The GME program is much smaller already and getting weaker every year as more hospitals downsize or close. And these days, it is very difficult to find any place in the AF where you can have a busy practice in more specialized, technical fields. When Wilford Hall closes in 2011, there will not be any real medical centers left in the AF.
So don't be fooled by a bunch of recruiter's blather about the great AF lifestyle. My observation is that on issues that really matter to physicians, the AF treats it's doctors significantly worse than the Army or Navy. I was pleasantly surprised when I started working at an Army facility--I was actually treated with a some respect, not as just another indentured servant grinding out RVU's so the clinic commander could get promoted.
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Would anyone care to enlighten me in the difference between DODmerd and MEPS. I have done a search, but can't find any satisfying detailed answers.
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What I have found so far is that DoDmerb is more like a normal doctor visit (one on one) instead of being herded through stations with a bunch of other recruits. Other than that, is anything different?
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MEPS physical is performed at a MEPS location. It is usually for enlisted folks who are on their way to basic. Some officer candidates or those getting direect commissions go through MEPS for various reasons. The MEPS is not required for USUHS. DODMERB is ususally done if you don't live close to a MEPS location. It is performed by a civilian doctor who is contracted through the DOD to perform physcials on people entering service. The components are the same as MEPS but it is one-on-one whereas MEPS you go through with a large group. MEPS can be a real pain in the rear! I have been through both and they really are the same components to the best of my knowledge.
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Speedky I sympathize!
I'm stuck waiting to hear about an interview...Everything was received by end of July. (I'm not trying to spout off stats, just trying to gauge my situation). MCAT 34R GPA 3.75 non-military but dad, stepmom, both granddads were. 3 years research and surgical internship at Baylor last summer. Any thoughts on my chances/anyone else in the same waiting game?
I'm stuck waiting to hear about an interview...Everything was received by end of July. (I'm not trying to spout off stats, just trying to gauge my situation). MCAT 34R GPA 3.75 non-military but dad, stepmom, both granddads were. 3 years research and surgical internship at Baylor last summer. Any thoughts on my chances/anyone else in the same waiting game?
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You have almost identical stats to someone else who posted on this page whom I predicted to get an early acceptance. You're not trying very hard to gauge, are you?
Here's a hint...look at where you stand compared to the average accepted student at USUHS. Then consider the non-numerical variables, like applying first possible moment, quality of essays, LORs, etc. It's not rocket science.
Are you sure you're complete? I would have expected you to have gotten an interview. I would call them and check on your app. Seriously.
Also, if you're not rabid about the military, consider going somewhere else. Military is a PITA.
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I posted almost the same stats as you a few weeks earlier. Yours are even a little better than mine. My secondary was received on 7/9 so that was a little earlier. How did you feel your personal statements were? I wouldn't call the office because they won't tell you anything. I called twice to see if they got my letters and they wouldn't tell me because they said they had to many applicants this year and that it would be to difficult to look up everyone's file. I finally just e-mailed the admissions office to ask if I was complete. They never directly responded to my e-mail, but the next day I got my invite. From what all the USU elders have said so far, you should be in good shape as long as your subjective factors are good.
Best wishes,
White Lightning
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Makes me wonder why they would not tell me. Oh well. I hope you get a favorable review, and for future reference no one should listen to my advice👎.
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Hello everyone, I am an E4 in the AF, an undergrad student, and I really would like to pursue a career as a physician. I chatted up my PCM about being a military doctor and he told me about HPSP and USUHS. Since then I have been doing lots of research on both, and when I found this thread it was awesome! As far as I gather, USUHS is the place for me, I already know I like the military (at least being enlisted AF is pretty nice) so I don't mind the service commitment, and with the TIS I already have I may very well retire. That is, unless milmed is absolutely miserable, and from what I have read, it sounds like if I choose the right branch of service and get a good specialty, my time as a military physician should be excellent. That brings me to the question I came here to ask. It may have already been asked here before somewhere, but it took me a few days just to read this thread, so gimme a break 😉
My question is about residencies and specialties and selection. What is the process for getting a certain residency? Do you prioritze the ones you would like and they just fill slots? Do you interview for positions? I know in the civilian world this is accomplished by the Match, but I know that the military has some dumb ways of doing things sometimes and I would just like to make sure I will have some say in the future of my career. Next part of the question is if any of the common specialties aren't available in the military. Basically, are there any of the major specialties that military physicians "just don't do"? Also, for sub-specialties, is the process the same? Do you do a fellowship following your residency? Or does the military have a different way of doing things?
I remember reading some "well, duh" posts on here about how being a practicing AF doctor is teh suck. I am hoping to spark some conversation about this, but I may need to make a new thread to do it... Well, let me just say this: As an enlisted member of the chair force(literally, I am a computer techie in the AOC, lots of sitting), I couldn't imagine ever joining the Army. But from what I have read, its the way to go as a physician, more specialty opportunities, more relaxed working environment, comparable deployments, overall better job satisfaction (or at least thats the rumor everyone is spreading). But if thats the case, why is it that the AF slots for USUHS fill up first? Is it just because all of those people are misinformed and sold on the AF "better way of life"? Its just that I really like the AF, and I don't want to "jump ship" unless I really should.
Hey, TIA everybody, and thanks for an informative thread!
-Sudo Chop
My question is about residencies and specialties and selection. What is the process for getting a certain residency? Do you prioritze the ones you would like and they just fill slots? Do you interview for positions? I know in the civilian world this is accomplished by the Match, but I know that the military has some dumb ways of doing things sometimes and I would just like to make sure I will have some say in the future of my career. Next part of the question is if any of the common specialties aren't available in the military. Basically, are there any of the major specialties that military physicians "just don't do"? Also, for sub-specialties, is the process the same? Do you do a fellowship following your residency? Or does the military have a different way of doing things?
I remember reading some "well, duh" posts on here about how being a practicing AF doctor is teh suck. I am hoping to spark some conversation about this, but I may need to make a new thread to do it... Well, let me just say this: As an enlisted member of the chair force(literally, I am a computer techie in the AOC, lots of sitting), I couldn't imagine ever joining the Army. But from what I have read, its the way to go as a physician, more specialty opportunities, more relaxed working environment, comparable deployments, overall better job satisfaction (or at least thats the rumor everyone is spreading
). But if thats the case, why is it that the AF slots for USUHS fill up first? Is it just because all of those people are misinformed and sold on the AF "better way of life"? Its just that I really like the AF, and I don't want to "jump ship" unless I really should.Hey, TIA everybody, and thanks for an informative thread!
-Sudo Chop
Can any current students/alums shed some light on the 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations?
For most civilian schools, the rotations are concentrated in one area, but am I right, that for USUHS the rotations are all over the country? Any insight regarding the quality of the rotations with respect to high-volume, diverse cases, etc.? Lastly, how inconvenient is it to uproot every 4-6 weeks? Does the military help facilitate much of the transition?
Thanks in advance.
For most civilian schools, the rotations are concentrated in one area, but am I right, that for USUHS the rotations are all over the country? Any insight regarding the quality of the rotations with respect to high-volume, diverse cases, etc.? Lastly, how inconvenient is it to uproot every 4-6 weeks? Does the military help facilitate much of the transition?
Thanks in advance.
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So first of all it is not really mandatory that you travel all over for the the whole year(s). Most students including myself find it fun to go to different places for rotations. I would not call it "uprooting" since you have a home base (bethesda) and do not "move" to each roatation. Some students choose to put things into storage and give up their lease to travel full time.
As far as the cases you see being affected, this may be true of some of the smaller places. If it is a realy big deal to you, you can often select other sites.
The selection process is done by a complex lottery system that assigns each student a set of numbers. The higher the number the closer to the front of the line you to pick. The way this works is not really important for you now even though you may feel otherwise.
They do help out somewhat to transition in that room and board is provided. I think the system is unique and can be a lot of fun.
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Protected study time. You use however you want, wherever you want.
Awesome. Thanks for the reply.
Congrats!
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maybe this will relieve that annoying little tendency i have of curling into the fetal position and rocking back and forth while telling myself it'll all work out (.....in the middle of my office)
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If you don't make weight at the physical, then you will be tape measured and run against a body fat percentage chart. I dunno what the limit is, but you could probably google it. Do not delay the physical.
Ha ha, I'm familiar with that routine. I have a feeling we'll be doing it again though while we wait for a decision after interviews.
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and then again when waiting for USMLE scores and then again when waiting for match results and then again when studying for boards and then again when some jerk sues you for no good reason and youre awaiting the result a.......i think life is just a cycle of telling yourself it'll be ok in the long run
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and then again when waiting for USMLE scores and then again when waiting for match results and then again when studying for boards and then again when some jerk sues you for no good reason and youre awaiting the result a.......i think life is just a cycle of telling yourself it'll be ok in the long run
Hey Goose, congrats on scoring an interview.
Just a quick question: At what date was your application complete (secondary, letters, mcat scores, everything) , when did they invite you? (I'm trying to get an idea of what the lag time is).
My application is almost complete. Just waiting on the frickin MCAT scores from the AUG 5th administration, should be any day now . . .
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9 day turn-around for me.
crazy, i think one of the fun things about USUHS is the quick turnaround and quick possible conditional acceptance. that would really take a lot of pressure off waiting for other schools
crazy, i think one of the fun things about USUHS is the quick turnaround and quick possible conditional acceptance. that would really take a lot of pressure off waiting for other schools
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ok great, thanks for the info. hopefully i'll get the same turnaround! that is if the 2nd week of Sept. is not too late to have your application in by, I don't think it is!
