Usuhs

[Davnport]

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I don't know how to quote a particular line or else I would have. I don't think it is true that if you turn down another acceptance to reapply to USUHS that it would be held against you. If you think that you are a better fit for USUHS than any other school be sure to explain how this is true in your PS. The more enthusiastic you are about the program, the more they will like you.

Regna, I agree with whtlight on this one. If you feel you are better suited for milmed, I seriously doubt USUHS would hold it against you if you were to turn down an acceptance to somewhere else this cycle. milmed and civilian med are different enough and the programs themselves are different enough that if you explain you reasonings, emphatically but honestly, and really put out your enthusiasm for the military (ie past service), I think you would be golden.

Plus, don't give up hope for this cycle yet either. From what I have heard, the Army list moves pretty quickly (and I only mention the waitlist because of how late you are in the cycle - not because of anything else). I think a lot of people use USUHS as a backup, which is a shame since it is such a great program. Your score on the MCAT, while lower than their average, is still good enough to get in. I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but I know some one who is currently attending USUHS that scored a 25. Just focus your positive qualities, and I'm sure you'll be fine! Good luck.

 

[mslall]

if you look back on this thread and on the usuhs 2012 there were people posting in mid-May who were being pulled off the waitlist. So apply now and if you get waitlisted so be it. There's a huge turnover

 

[Gastrapathy]

Regna, I agree with whtlight on this one. If you feel you are better suited for milmed, I seriously doubt USUHS would hold it against you if you were to turn down an acceptance to somewhere else this cycle. .

This is horrible advice. Your grades and MCAT scores make you a marginal allopathic applicant. Thats just the nature of the beast. If you get an acceptance, TAKE IT!

 

[regnaR175]

t

 

[regnaR175]

Your grades and MCAT scores make you a marginal allopathic applicant

I definitely realize this regarding my MCAT. I cannot describe to you the nausea I had after looking at my score, though I somewhat expected it given the situation. As far as the grades go, as long as adcoms look at my record they will see that the three classes that lower it to the 3.4 are obsolete, for the most part. I enrolled in a few classes back in '01 with no idea what I wanted to do. I dropped them to join the Army as I needed to set up a college fund while simultaneously having my ass kicked...you know the story. So, I did the Ranger thing and got the ass kicking I was looking for. Sometime between deployments my Battalion sent me to NREMT-I school...I went kicking and screaming...I would have signed up as a Ranger medic if I wanted to do that stuff...so I thought. As it turns out I had a completely self-revolutionizing experience, yada, yada, yada...you get the idea. Fast forward to the here and now, my AMCAS app was verified and sent with a 3.68 overall and 3.72 BCPM. But I had this nagging malaise that something was wrong. I had not included those classes from before the Army because I had dropped them and they were the only classes I had enrolled in at that school. Not feeling right about it, I contacted that school and found out I did not withdraw correctly so they graded them as F's. My AMCAS app had already cleared verification, but I simply could not live like that. I cannot sit amongst a class of people whom busted their asses to get where they are, while I sit there having "gotten over." I bring my whole package...not selected components of who I am. I am not a Blue Falcon and never will be, so I did an academic change request to have the F's added. BOOM, my overall dropped to a 3.4 and BCPM went to a 3.68.

So, if the adcoms take the time to see that pattern they will hopefully see my GPA for what it really is. If I don't get my Go this year I will simply recycle with a stronger MCAT score and an earlier app next year. I am here to tell you that if I take it again I will get my 34.

This is why I don't want to do the "fall back" thing. If I know I want to get into USUHS, which is the absolute truth, I do not want to take just whatever comes my way when I know full well that I can make my app stellar for the next phase-1. I will not quit because of shortcomings. I will simply fix them, get back on the horse, and do it again...I don't care how long it takes.

Granted, I am fully aware that there is really no such thing as a "bad" allo school in the united states, and that whatever med school takes me is a great med school. I have 16 other schools on my list, a few of which I have interviewed with. And ya know something, I would likely really enjoy my time at those schools and get a great medical education. And, I know that HPSP is a great route to take with non-mil schools. But I also know that USU will offer me a superior military specific medical education, and I want that. This is why I am torn about taking an offer somewhere if USU ends up being a no go this year.

 

[Gastrapathy]

I'm sure my last post came across a little harsh. Adcoms don't care all that much about excuses as to why your GPA is on the lower side. But, you are right that you will probably get into USUHS if you apply early next year.

However,
1. You are costing yourself $100,000 in lifetime earnings at a minimum by delaying school for a year (do you need to pay for that college education for someone?)
2. You don't need USUHS for the military exposure. You've obviously served honorably in the past and you already know everything you need to know. There is no such thing as a special "military medicine." If you are interested in topics with particular military relevance, you can only become a subject-matter expert in residency anyway. No one will care where you went to med school after you've completed an IM residency and an ID fellowship. Or, more likely, you won't care where you went to med school after deciding that radiology is pretty cool.
3. By the time you are a staff physician, your med school choice will seem like a distant memory. Physicians are made in residency.

The only caveat to #1 I can think of is that USU might be a better deal if you are already within 10 years of retirement. If its more than that, I would not wait a year to go.

 

[regnaR175]

I did not take your comment as harsh, just factual. I'd like to think I have fairly thick skin and can take the worst of criticisms, though I did not view your post as such. I certainly hope my reply did not come across as defensive. I was more or less just rambling on about what I want the adcoms to see. Unfortunately, they don't always look at the record and simply reject based on those first numbers they see. In fact I have already been rejected by schools because my "numbers are not competitive with their application pool." But I was expecting this to happen this year because, well, that's basically the truth. I was further trying to elaborate about why I am at a crossroads with the whole postponing medical school idea. Unfortunately, I rambeled a bit there. Now, in all reality, It would be rediculous for me to let go of offers if I got them. It would be especially rediculous because I have already spent what I have spent in secondary fees and travel costs this season alone. But I will say this, there are some schools on my list that I just do not want to attend, both for reasons of not wanting to raise my family in certain areas and not wanting to be a statistic for USMLE failures with a guinie pig curriculum. Unfortunately those are the places likely to accept me given my numbers and tardiness in the season. So, it's a catch 22. In hind sight, I should have only applied to the schools I REALLY want to attend, and if that were not to work, I could then resort to applying as a better applicant next year. All in all, we'll see what happens. Though I have a sort of don't-quit-even-if-you're-dead sort of approach, I know I must still use my head and not be too stubborn. Again, we'll just see what happens.

 

[Davnport]

I'm sure my last post came across a little harsh. Adcoms don't care all that much about excuses as to why your GPA is on the lower side. But, you are right that you will probably get into USUHS if you apply early next year.

However,
1. You are costing yourself $100,000 in lifetime earnings at a minimum by delaying school for a year (do you need to pay for that college education for someone?)
2. You don't need USUHS for the military exposure. You've obviously served honorably in the past and you already know everything you need to know. There is no such thing as a special "military medicine." If you are interested in topics with particular military relevance, you can only become a subject-matter expert in residency anyway. No one will care where you went to med school after you've completed an IM residency and an ID fellowship. Or, more likely, you won't care where you went to med school after deciding that radiology is pretty cool.
3. By the time you are a staff physician, your med school choice will seem like a distant memory. Physicians are made in residency.

The only caveat to #1 I can think of is that USU might be a better deal if you are already within 10 years of retirement. If its more than that, I would not wait a year to go.

lol. yes, your first post about my advice being wrong was was a little harsh, but I didn't take it personally. I wasn't saying that I felt regna should skip an acceptance if he happened to receive one; I was simply stating that USU wouldn't view it negatively if he decided to pass up on an acceptance this cycle to try again at USU next cycle.

Also, couple of things. I totally understand your #1. A lot of doc's think that way, but not all do. Please keep that in mind. But you have a very real and valid point. Next, yes, USU does offer military specific medical training that you won't likely find in civ medicine. There are a couple of areas (and I'll be honest - I don't know all the specifics on them, but...) which include tropical medicine and field related training. Not that those are different types of medicine, but they are taught for scenarios that civilians will most likely never see. Lastly, and I could be wrong here, so I am not trying to step on anyone's toes, but if I was reading what regna was writing correctly - it sounds like he is really interested in USU. Passing up on other medical schools if they decide to give him an acceptance is not necessarily a bad thing. I agree that if he does get accepted to somewhere else and not at USU, if I were in his place I would take the offer. But if regna is completely sure that USU is the place for him, then I really don't believe they would look at his application negatively if they knew he passed on an acceptance somewhere else.

That being said, regna, I do believe that your stats are on the lower end, but if you really want it, you can get it. Stat trends are important to adcoms. What you do in your time away from school speaks volumes to the adcoms as well. If you are commited to a medical career, and you don't get accepted this year, find extracurriculars related to medicine and give as much time as you can. Show your dedication and you'll find a school that sees your potential.

Davnport

 

[SirGecko]

my app was complete and sent to the adcom on 9/22 (was waiting for scores from the aug. mcat). recd my interview invite on Fri (10/24), for an interview date of thurs. 11/20.

Woot, just got my inteview invite for the 20th as well. Pretty much smack dab in the middle of the interview dates. (would have liked an earlier day but I guess they were waiting a while for some of my material, maybe my LOA? I don't know) So do you think the class will already be full by the time they make descisions on the 20th interviewers?

 

[Gastrapathy]

I totally understand your #1. A lot of doc's think that way, but not all do. Please keep that in mind.

Keep what in mind, exactly? This is a fact. If it doesn't bother you, thats fine, but its still a fact. Unless the OP would have spent that year as a relief pitcher for the O's.

Next, yes, USU does offer military specific medical training that you won't likely find in civ medicine. There are a couple of areas (and I'll be honest - I don't know all the specifics on them, but...) which include tropical medicine and field related training. Not that those are different types of medicine, but they are taught for scenarios that civilians will most likely never see.

Again, a field exercise for medical students will have no benefit to a Ranger.
Trop med is offered to a variety of people (in fact, most USUHS students are not allowed to attend, although the OP probably would be).


Lastly, and I could be wrong here, so I am not trying to step on anyone's toes, but if I was reading what regna was writing correctly - it sounds like he is really interested in USU. Passing up on other medical schools if they decide to give him an acceptance is not necessarily a bad thing. I agree that if he does get accepted to somewhere else and not at USU, if I were in his place I would take the offer. But if regna is completely sure that USU is the place for him, then I really don't believe they would look at his application negatively if they knew he passed on an acceptance somewhere else.

I agree. I don't think USUHS will care but they also won't feel obligated to take him just because he passed on other acceptances.

 

[manucelt]

its not just prior service that have heard. I'm a non-prior and got called on the 15th with a conditional acceptance. Although I'm starting to think Dr. Calloway was just playing a joke on me since my acceptance paperwork/forms haven't come yet.

Too bad admissions mailed my stuff to Brescott St (live on Prescott). If they told me this past wednesday that they would re-mail it I should expect it by Monday not?

Good luck everyone. 1 more week? or will it be 3 since the 1st is on a weekend? Ok sorry, bad attempt at humor. Good luck, hopefully I'll be hearing from some more classmates this week!!

I received the mailed materials on Saturday after the Wednesday acceptance so if you don't have them by today you should probably call admissions again. Its a standard form so I'd just ask them to fax it to me if you still haven't received it

 

[airforcedukie]

all oct 2 interviewees--

from my admissions officer --

expect to hear something on nov 15 or 30..


more waiting.................

 

[mslall]

I received the mailed materials on Saturday after the Wednesday acceptance so if you don't have them by today you should probably call admissions again. Its a standard form so I'd just ask them to fax it to me if you still haven't received it

thanks for the reply. That was my plan, if it hasn't been delievered by around 2pm (thats about the latest the mail ever comes at my place) I'm gonna give them another call. Great idea with the fax, if it doesn't come today i'll definitely ask them to do that.

Any ideas on when unconditional acceptances go out? I've been cleared by DoDMERB. How long does the security process take? Will they offer an unconditional acceptance before the initial acceptance form is returned?

 

[rkonmd]

Woot, just got my inteview invite for the 20th as well. Pretty much smack dab in the middle of the interview dates. (would have liked an earlier day but I guess they were waiting a while for some of my material, maybe my LOA? I don't know) So do you think the class will already be full by the time they make descisions on the 20th interviewers?

From reading previous posts and from my experience with a couple of friends who've applied in recent years, I think if you are interviewing before January you should have a really good chance of an acceptance (barring any serious red-flags during an interview, lack of experience with med/milmed, etc.).

 

[DrMetal]

Woot, just got my inteview invite for the 20th as well. Pretty much smack dab in the middle of the interview dates. (would have liked an earlier day but I guess they were waiting a while for some of my material, maybe my LOA? I don't know) So do you think the class will already be full by the time they make descisions on the 20th interviewers?

no not at all . . .i think we're still ok, should have plenty of spots open. and if we get on the waitlist, we should be pretty high up there. just gotta nail that interview!

 

[TheGoose]

all oct 2 interviewees--

from my admissions officer --

expect to hear something on nov 15 or 30..


more waiting.................

well, f#&k. im already on the verge of a meltdown and now i need to delay it a month longer.

EDIT: air force specific or across the spectrum?

 

[mslall]

you guys make me nervous for you just from reading this

 

[utahjazz]

all oct 2 interviewees--

from my admissions officer --

expect to hear something on nov 15 or 30..


more waiting.................

Wow, that sucks. Sorry Oct 2nd interviewees. Like someone else mentioned, they definitely seem a little behind this year compared to the last couple cycles (based on the old threads here). My tour guide said he interviewed in October last year and got his conditional acceptance in exactly 3 weeks. No such luck for us, I guess.

 

[mslall]

to answer my question from earlier, and to anyone else who might be interested. They wont call/mail/email you when you've cleared security. You'll find that out when they send an unconditional acceptance (or so said Mrs. Hamlette) who i just spoke with. I'm clear and in unconditionally!!!!

look forward to hearing from some new classmates this week even if it is just september interviews. Oct ones will be soon! good luck all

 

[TheGoose]

congrats! **as i suffer in admissions purgatory**

 

[mslall]

congrats! **as i suffer in admissions purgatory**

see thats clever, at least all hope isnt abandoning you

better purgatory than the circles of hell, to reference everyones favorite 14th century italian writer

 

[utahjazz]

to answer my question from earlier, and to anyone else who might be interested. They wont call/mail/email you when you've cleared security. You'll find that out when they send an unconditional acceptance (or so said Mrs. Hamlette) who i just spoke with. I'm clear and in unconditionally!!!!

look forward to hearing from some new classmates this week even if it is just september interviews. Oct ones will be soon! good luck all

It sounds like you are all set, congratulations. Enjoy the next 8 months!

 

[mslall]

It sounds like you are all set, congratulations. Enjoy the next 8 months!

thanks guys, now i'm pulling for all of you

 

[TheGoose]

see thats clever, at least all hope isnt abandoning you

better purgatory than the circles of hell, to reference everyones favorite 14th century italian writer

no reason to lose hope. im actually still relatively confident. it just sucks having to wait another few weeks for the oct 2 decisions. its especially bad when work cant offer a distraction and my mind is focused on one thing (this is the worst thing for me!)

 

[airforcedukie]

well, f#&k. im already on the verge of a meltdown and now i need to delay it a month longer.

EDIT: air force specific or across the spectrum?

that was what she told me, so it may be AF-specific.....haha but i feel your pain 😉

 

[Davnport]

Keep what in mind, exactly? This is a fact. If it doesn't bother you, thats fine, but its still a fact. Unless the OP would have spent that year as a relief pitcher for the O's.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough on this (reread what I wrote and I agree I was too vague!). What I meant was that some applicants may not care about "losing" a years worth of a doctor's salary. In my case, I make close enough to that low end of the physician's pay that you mentioned to not be upset "money-wise" if I didn't get accepted. I am applying because I believe I would be happier as a physician. That's all I meant.

Again, a field exercise for medical students will have no benefit to a Ranger.
Trop med is offered to a variety of people (in fact, most USUHS students are not allowed to attend, although the OP probably would be).

hmm, well that is not what I took away from the interview orientation; also both of my hosts led me to believe that the tropical medicine was available to 4th years and residents. Although I am sure that the information from those sources might be slightly biased or off. I can't speak to this subject with any more than that. You being the attending I defer to your experience!

Thanks for the follow ups!

 

[Davnport]

that was what she told me, so it may be AF-specific.....haha but i feel your pain 😉

Sorry to hear about the extra waiting... Hopefully there aren't further delays due to USU possibly not being able to catch up with the acceptances/rejections from the earlier interview dates. Come on Nov 1st (and by 1st, I mean Oct 31st or Nov 3rd 🙂)

Good luck all!

 

[Brocimus]

no not at all . . .i think we're still ok, should have plenty of spots open. and if we get on the waitlist, we should be pretty high up there. just gotta nail that interview!

Do interviews get more selective as the class fills up? Or do they continue to accept on the same criteria until it's full? I thought I heard something about a point system they use to decide if you get an acceptance. Does someone know much about this?

 

[Davnport]

to answer my question from earlier, and to anyone else who might be interested. They wont call/mail/email you when you've cleared security. You'll find that out when they send an unconditional acceptance (or so said Mrs. Hamlette) who i just spoke with. I'm clear and in unconditionally!!!!

look forward to hearing from some new classmates this week even if it is just september interviews. Oct ones will be soon! good luck all

That is fantastic. Awesome job man! Hope I get to be in your class!

 

[backrow]

Again, a field exercise for medical students will have no benefit to a Ranger.
Trop med is offered to a variety of people (in fact, most USUHS students are not allowed to attend, although the OP probably would be).

Have to clear up a few points here. Being a USUHS student has no bearing on whether you go to the Military Tropical Medicine course which is offered at USUHS. One usually attends the course between internship and starting a GMO tour; however, you will also see many other types there, including attendings, and those already on GMO tours. There is however a parisitology course as part of the curriculum which is taught by most of the same instructors and is a very similar course, minus the overseas trip.

I also believe the USUHS field exercises would provide some benefit to a former Ranger. I don't know many Rangers or SF types who know how to set up a marine BAS, Army BAS, or an Air Force EMEDS. I realize one field exercise won't teach you everything, but at least I know what to expect from those packages. Granted, they already will know the navigation, weapons, radio communications; however, the medical stuff will likely be new or at least expanded upon.

 

[regnaR175]

I don't know many Rangers or SF types who know how to set up a marine BAS, Army BAS, or an Air Force EMEDS. I realize one field exercise won't teach you everything, but at least I know what to expect from those packages. Granted, they already will know the navigation, weapons, radio communications; however, the medical stuff will likely be new or at least expanded upon.

Great point. I know essentially nothing of the bureaucratic components of the military, except how to clear and how to read an LES....lol. As far as field medicine goes...I have had a lot of incredible, unconventional training in that arena. But the rest of military medicine...the entire medical infrastructure within the military, that is, is something I would think would be better taught at a place like USUHS than, say, G-dub. This may also be irrelevant. I mean, you can take semester after semester of physiology in undergrad, but the physiology in medical school is still going to be way above that, not to mention being tailored for a clinical approach...at least this is what I have been told. So, maybe those components that separate military medicine from civilian medicine will not REALLY be learned untill practice, regardless of the institution attended.

Hell, I will just be excited to get on a waitlist. From there I can cross my fingers that it moves quickly enough to open a spot.

For anyone reading this who is applying next year, don't be like me, apply EARLY...oh, and eat your Wheaties.

 

[mslall]

oh, and eat your Wheaties.

breakfast of champions

 

[Sarg's kid]

Yes, he interviewed with me on September 15th.

I would like to make a request to the forum: Could all the people that are still waiting for "the call" post a small reply. I have counted about 8 acceptances; I am just wondering how many of the rest of us there are.

Sep 18th. Still waiting.

 

[Sarg's kid]

Wow, that sucks. Sorry Oct 2nd interviewees. Like someone else mentioned, they definitely seem a little behind this year compared to the last couple cycles (based on the old threads here). My tour guide said he interviewed in October last year and got his conditional acceptance in exactly 3 weeks. No such luck for us, I guess.

Yeah, this is what my host told me as well. Got my hopes all up there, and here I languish. Oh well. The six week mark is only a few days away. Then we'll see.

 

[Gastrapathy]

Have to clear up a few points here. Being a USUHS student has no bearing on whether you go to the Military Tropical Medicine course which is offered at USUHS. One usually attends the course between internship and starting a GMO tour; however, you will also see many other types there, including attendings, and those already on GMO tours. There is however a parisitology course as part of the curriculum which is taught by most of the same instructors and is a very similar course, minus the overseas trip.

I also believe the USUHS field exercises would provide some benefit to a former Ranger. I don't know many Rangers or SF types who know how to set up a marine BAS, Army BAS, or an Air Force EMEDS. I realize one field exercise won't teach you everything, but at least I know what to expect from those packages. Granted, they already will know the navigation, weapons, radio communications; however, the medical stuff will likely be new or at least expanded upon.

Good parasitology class I've heard. I just asked around the corner though and was told that no one went because it was taught at the same part of the curriculum as Path.

I still can't get over that people think that one 2 week exercise is a reason to choose a medical school. Also the idea that any physician "knows how to set up a BAS" is comical. For the Navy side, you go to Field Med at the start of a Greenside tour and that is more than you need. Even our IA types get a few days of intensive training and, unlike a med stud exercise, you play the doctor the whole time.

I'm not bashing USUHS. I think they put out a reliably above average product. I just don't think that it makes a lick of difference if you go there for one's potential as a military physician.

 

[giuseppe]

I'm not bashing USUHS. I think they put out a reliably above average product. I just don't think that it makes a lick of difference if you go there for one's potential as a military physician.

Between the Academy and USUHS, I better be a damn good military physician or else I might end up hating the next quarter century of payback... hmm, maybe I should hold on to my pilot slot for a couple more months. That F-22 starts looking real good thinking about the late nights studying for the, well, rest of my life.

 

[eschott]

maybe I should hold on to my pilot slot for a couple more months. That F-22 starts looking real good thinking about the late nights studying for the, well, rest of my life.

Maybe you should hold on to it! You'd probably get an extra comfy chair to sit in while you pilot your predator around...being from the academy and all!!

 

[giuseppe]

Maybe you should hold on to it! You'd probably get an extra comfy chair to sit in while you pilot your predator around...being from the academy and all!!

i heart UAVs

 

[chewsnuffles]

Would any of you mind grilling me in a practice interview either over the phone or on skype? I want my USUHS interview to go well, so any feedback would be appreciated.

Feel free to reply or PM me.

 

[dwb8p]

thats a little weird and unnecessary

 

[eschott]

thats a little weird and unnecessary

weird, yes
unnecessary...well if they're interested and someone has the time, why not?!! Really though, just have some good conversations with your friends about why you want to be a mil doc and tell them what you've done to prepare. The USUHS interviews are relaxed...nothing to out of the ordinary to stress.

Good luck!

 

[Sarg's kid]

Would any of you mind grilling me in a practice interview either over the phone or on skype? I want my USUHS interview to go well, so any feedback would be appreciated.

Feel free to reply or PM me.

If you're like me, then every time you tell someone that you want a career in military medicine, they look at you like you're crazy and then tell all of the reasons why its a bad idea. The USUHS interview was just like every other interview I had, with one exception. They will ask you why Military medicine as opposed to civilian. You need to have a well reasoned answer for them that does not involve the words "no tuition, no student loans, etc."

You live in Seattle. Go find someone who's a touchy, feely, "lets use our words to heal the world" type (I used to live in WA, so I know they're there) and let it slip that you want a career in the military as a doctor. If you can justify it to them, you should be fine for the interview.

 

[chewsnuffles]

If you're like me, then every time you tell someone that you want a career in military medicine, they look at you like you're crazy and then tell all of the reasons why its a bad idea. The USUHS interview was just like every other interview I had, with one exception. They will ask you why Military medicine as opposed to civilian. You need to have a well reasoned answer for them that does not involve the words "no tuition, no student loans, etc."

You live in Seattle. Go find someone who's a touchy, feely, "lets use our words to heal the world" type (I used to live in WA, so I know they're there) and let it slip that you want a career in the military as a doctor. If you can justify it to them, you should be fine for the interview.

Totally right about the Seattle thing and the touchy feely types. Got a laugh out of me there.

Yeah, the reason why I asked here is because I don't find many people who understand all the ins and outs of military medicine. i.e. I might say to someone who isn't affiliated with USUHS that I would want to go mil med because I love complex cases with people with severe injuries, and I would be happiest in a trauma setting or something along those lines.

However, from what I've learned that might not be the best answer even though it seems obvious, because the way things work USUHS might be looking for just good doctors filling all the roles from IM to derm to FP to cardiology, with a slight focus on ortho, derm, and trauma, but there is a similar break down of docs in the military over the specialties as there is in the civilian world (am I right?). So if I said I was going into it only for the trauma aspect, the interviewer might see me potentially becoming discontent if I get in a position where the injuries are being "flown over me" back to Germany or what-not.

If I'm over analyzing, feel free to tell me to chill out, but I just wanted to make sure I had all my stuff straight first.

 

[mslall]

its gonna vary from interviewer to interviewer. I, like you, would really like to do trauma too. I feel that the trauma cases in milmed are generally pts who are doing some good (ie serving their country). In the civilian sector, as one the doctors I work with said "Trauma!?!? you save someone one day and 2 weeks down the road they're stealing your hub-caps, with the exception of the farmer who flipped this tractor and landed under it, or the mini-van crash in suburbia, who gets shot?"

So there's a big difference in patients too. I told this to one of my interviewers and he totally agreed, pulled a book on trauma surgery in afghanistan and iraq off of his shelf, and we spent the next 20 minutes talking about trauma surgery in the military.

I told my second interviewer that I thought I would like to do trauma and she said, "you have no idea what you want to do." So its hit or miss. I talked about wanting to do trauma and it worked for me. US Army here I come

quick edit/aside: don't actually say the people who need trauma surgery in the civilian world will be out stealing your hub-caps later. Try to find a better way to phrase. I think I just commented on how I thought military trauma pts would be more appreciative of the care they would receive when compared to a majority of civilian pts

 

[DrMetal]

quick edit/aside: don't actually say the people who need trauma surgery in the civilian world will be out stealing your hub-caps later. Try to find a better way to phrase. I think I just commented on how I thought military trauma pts would be more appreciative of the care they would receive when compared to a majority of civilian pts

yeah, and the notion that there aren't any "criminals" or "mal-intentioned people" in the military is wrong. there are plenty. hence the need for brigs!

So a possible interview question would be, "How would you feel about performing a trauma surg. procedure on a military member that you know is a ****bag, say the guy that lobbed a grenade into one of the officer tents during OIF, killing a couple officers???!"

 

[Sarg's kid]

Honestly, I think the "why medicine" part is a separate issue from why military in the interview. The way I saw it, USUHS obligates you to a 13 year military career at minimum. I assume lots of people do the other 7 and retire. I think USUHS is in the business of graduating future military admin leaders, just due to the nature of the commitment that they require.

So, talk about why you want to serve the troops, fight for your country, and why on earth you are willing to spend 15-18 months in the sandbox if necessary to make sure that those 18 year old trigger pullers get the very very best medical care available in extraordinary circumstances. What makes this career different from a civilian career is that you may be asked to get shot at while doing your job as a military doctor. (I know, military docs aren't manning the 50 or kicking down doors, but it's a helluva lot closer than you get in the civilian world.) This is unique, and that fact that it appeals to you speaks to a deeper desire to be part of the military organism, which is a separate motivation than purely helping sick people.

That's what I would try to talk about in your USU interview. I've wanted to be a doctor in the Army since I was a kid. My civilian interviews have gotten awkward at times because I always tell them that milmed is my career goal.

Anyway, I guess I'm a little passionate on the topic. Good luck.

 

[eschott]

So a possible interview question would be, "How would you feel about performing a trauma surg. procedure on a military member that you know is a ****bag, say the guy that lobbed a grenade into one of the officer tents during OIF, killing a couple officers???!"

Actually, this was one thing that was brought up in one of my interviews. Great post!

 

[TheGoose]

. The way I saw it, USUHS obligates you to a 13 year military career at minimum. I assume lots of people do the other 7 and retire.

at a minimum: 4 years school (which does NOT count towards retirement until after you reach retirement) + 1 year intern + 7 year GMO = 12 years in uniform.

12 years in uniform - 4 years in school (which doesnt count to retirement) = 8 years toward retirement. That leaves 12 more years to reach your 20. (which then becomes 24 when they tack on your USUHS time)

just to play devil's advocate

 

[TheGoose]

Actually, this was one thing that was brought up in one of my interviews. Great post!

same

 

[Sarg's kid]

at a minimum: 4 years school (which does NOT count towards retirement until after you reach retirement) + 1 year intern + 7 year GMO = 12 years in uniform.

12 years in uniform - 4 years in school (which doesnt count to retirement) = 8 years toward retirement. That leaves 12 more years to reach your 20. (which then becomes 24 when they tack on your USUHS time)

just to play devil's advocate

Unless you decide to get GME training after medical school, as I assume most people do. Then it's 4 years in school which only counts retroactively, as stated, + intern, + residency (3-5 years) + 7 years of payback = 15-17 years minus the 4 for school= 11-13 years towards retirement.

Looks like we're both right Goose. (Albeit, I was thinking about residencies that I am interested in in the Army, since comparitively few Army docs do all of their payback as GMO vs. Navy) So, you could do a residency and finish payback with 12 years to go if you do a GMO, 10 years to go if you do an integrated 3 year residency, or 7-8 years to go depending on residency length.

So, Navy gets you out quicker, but then you have to go back to civilian residency. (Which ain't a bad deal if you check out the GI Bill sticky on this forum.)

Also remember, for every year you stick around after your payback is up, you can sign up for Multiyear Specialty Pay, which I hear are getting to be pretty high, given the current situation. (Fam med up to 30k, surgery up to 80+k a year for a two year hitch.)