Usuhs

[mslall]

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So we have quite a bit of time between the end of OBLC and the report date for school? That isn't how it was in the past, was it? (Looking at some of the past posts I got the impression that most people go straight from OBLC --> USUHS) What are you going to do schedule wise, go home first or just move straight into a DC appartment?

There's only like a week between the end of OBC and reporting to DC. OBC ends the 27th of July and we report at school sometime between the 3rd and 7th of August (this info is on the yellow sheet you were given on interview day....it gives this range of dates and says 'specific date to be determined
'. I'm, hopefully, going home for a few days so the army can come and move me to DC.

 

[pie]

hey so i just interviewed 2/19...so weird considering the class was already full when i got the invitation 1/29 and they still had a bunch of us pre-med kids show up to the admissions office making it reallllly frustrating as i now have no idea what on earth is going on in that admissions office...said a MINIMUM of 10 weeks before hearing anything??? ugh!😱 anyone know of anything in regards to my chances????

i already got HPSP for Army but USUHS has such a great student body (and all of you seem soo nice!) that i really prefer to join you there this fall.

There's a guy in the class who interviewed in March last year...I think he got off the waitlist in June.

 

[mslall]

anyone else get verification of registration for OBC, Class 904 today?

 

[UTBME86]

anyone else get verification of registration for OBC, Class 904 today?

No I did not. Did you already send in the massive amount of paperwork that was sent to us 2 weeks ago? I just sent mine in late last week.

 

[mslall]

No I did not. Did you already send in the massive amount of paperwork that was sent to us 2 weeks ago? I just sent mine in late last week.

I actually just overnighted the massive amount of paperwork yesterday, so I'm starting to think it has nothing to do with that massive amount of paper.

who knows

 

[emskid]

There's a guy in the class who interviewed in March last year...I think he got off the waitlist in June.

weird that he got an interview in March, because the interview dates only go til this week. so, i'll probably be wait-listed at best and then pulled up or do i stand a chance at an actual acceptance? sorry to beating this dead horse, but i'm just concerned that i'll get accepted too late to get out of HPSP at the other school...any insight or anecdotes?

 

[dwb8p]

anyone else get verification of registration for OBC, Class 904 today?

Yup, got it a few hours ago.

They received my paperwork last Wednesday.

 

[DrMetal]

weird that he got an interview in March, because the interview dates only go til this week. so, i'll probably be wait-listed at best and then pulled up or do i stand a chance at an actual acceptance? sorry to beating this dead horse, but i'm just concerned that i'll get accepted too late to get out of HPSP at the other school...any insight or anecdotes?

If you want to share some aspects of your application (GPA, MCAT, etc), people can give you a better opinion regarding your chances (or just look through the thread, you can get an idea of what they're looking for). If you're numbers are weak, you're likely to be alternate listed. If you're a stong applicant, you're likely to be wait-listed, but this can be a good thing, as there's lots of movement off of the waitlist, I sure hope!

 

[backrow]

care to elaborate?

You as a doc should not be out riding in an FLA (ambulance) to the middle of the gunfight as he does and proposes as a good idea. Sorry, that is the job of the medic, not the doctor. A physician has a completely different skill set than a medic and should leave the immediate care to them. You don't see alot of doctors out riding around as paramedics do you? (this is an oversimplification, but it gets the basic idea of the argument across)

 

[DrMetal]

sometime between the 3rd and 7th of August (this info is on the yellow sheet you were given on interview day.

Really? This early? I though school started last week of August, with the orientation the week before. Oh well. I hope you're right. Earlier the better, more time to find a place and enjoy life before we take the plunge!

 

[mslall]

Really? This early? I though school started last week of August, with the orientation the week before. Oh well. I hope you're right. Earlier the better, more time to find a place and enjoy life before we take the plunge!

The way it worked last year, from what I was told by a current MS-I, is that school starts the last week of August, orientation is the week before that, and brigade in-processing is the week before that. If you look at that yellow sheet, on the side where all the contact info is, at the bottom it says:

"Report to the University: 3AUGUST-7AUGUST 2009 (specific dates to be determined)
Brigade In-Processing: 10 AUGUST-14AUGUST 2009
Medical School Orientation: 17AUGUST-21AUGUST 2009
First day of Classes for the School of Medicine: 17AUGUST-21AUGUST 2009"

Also, On Call in Hell is a great book to read, but the author really does just ride around and act as a corpsman in the book. Outside of the hospital or FST, there's not much he can do that medics/corpsman aren't already trained to do. I mean, medics/corpsman are trained not only to triage injuries but now they're trained to do all sorts of things (read administer drugs, intubations, and cricothyroidotomies). I doubt a physician with only a year of general surgery internship is going to be able to do much more as far as surgical intervention. I suppose he could throw in a chest tube. Anyway, agree w/ backrow that its probably not what any of us will experience on a deployment.

 

[dwb8p]

You as a doc should not be out riding in an FLA (ambulance) to the middle of the gunfight as he does and proposes as a good idea. Sorry, that is the job of the medic, not the doctor. A physician has a completely different skill set than a medic and should leave the immediate care to them. You don't see alot of doctors out riding around as paramedics do you? (this is an oversimplification, but it gets the basic idea of the argument across)

I read the book and concur with what you say; however, what you mentioned was only part of his story. Only at the beginning did he do any ambulance work, and he even admitted that it probably was not the best economy of force. The rest of his story is told from working out of a forward aid station, or whatever he called it, which was essentially a battalion aid station far outside the wire (read: the middle of fallujah not enclosed by a FOB). He _was_ an essential part of that station because his training (having an MD) allowed him to better triage the patient load and stabilize his most serious patients much more quickly than most of his medics would have been able to in the back of a striker.

One might also argue that even if his MD didn't contribute to the overall effectiveness of his unit, his managerial support as an officer with a background in healthcare certainly did.

Sure it's unlikely any of us would be put in his position, but we should all be prepared as medical officers to take lead in such a situation.

And, regardless, his account made for a great story.

edit: And when I say MD, I mean DO. He went osteopathy 🙄

 

[utahjazz]

A little bit of interesting news about the Sim Center...

http://usuhs.mil/vpe/releases/Release09-02-05.pdf

 

[backrow]

Re: On Call in Hell

I had written a long response, but to keep this thread on topic I'll start a new one or find the one from the past.

 

[natesgirl]

Sounds like your biggest problem will be not getting irritated if he says he needs to study. Seems like he's going to have the most trouble balancing family life with study time.

If he's prior-service I dont think he'll have to take a pay-cut, if he comes to USUHS, with the exception of a loss of hazard/hardship pay.

I think the balancing school and life will be a challenge, I hope not a big one...

Of all the medical schools out there, USUHS is one of, if not THE most family friendly. Medical school is generally less than 80 hrs/week, I know that isn't much solace, but if your husband works hard during the day, pays attention in lectures, and is efficient (which I would imagine he is after his past jobs...), he will still have a decent amount of time for the family.

A lot of it will depend on front loading the studying, but it is def. doable.

this is promising, I think there is a spouses group there? I will look into that.

From what I hear of UPT (pilot school), med school can't be that much worse...just more years. Best of luck!

thank you!

 

[drcarter77]

I'm currently conditionally accepted to USUHS, pending a health waiver. I'm fairly confident that I'll be granted the waiver based on the Docs I've talked to and the ones who wrote my consultation forms. I was told that I would here a decision in 2-4 weeks from today.

My question is if/once granted the waiver and fully accepted how long will I have to make a final decision. I am on the wait-list for 2 schools that I would ultimately rather go to and do an HPSP, but I don't know what kind of time frame I will have available in order to wait for these other schools.

 

[DrViolin]

I'm currently conditionally accepted to USUHS, pending a health waiver. I'm fairly confident that I'll be granted the waiver based on the Docs I've talked to and the ones who wrote my consultation forms. I was told that I would here a decision in 2-4 weeks from today.

My question is if/once granted the waiver and fully accepted how long will I have to make a final decision. I am on the wait-list for 2 schools that I would ultimately rather go to and do an HPSP, but I don't know what kind of time frame I will have available in order to wait for these other schools.

USUHS works just like any other med school. You have until May 15 I believe (that's the date it was last year). After that, if you have multiple acceptances, you have to pick one or risk being dropped by the school. That being said, you have some time to hold your spot at USUHS AND wait for responses from other schools.

 

[Gastrapathy]

A little bit of interesting news about the Sim Center...

http://usuhs.mil/vpe/releases/Release09-02-05.pdf

In my experience, you will rapidly become less impressed with simulation. Its something that educators believe has great value but there isn't evidence to support that. And once you've done it for real a thousand times, the act of interviewing fake patients will feel a little demeaning.

Endoscopy simulation has been studied extensively. Trainees do a little better at first but the curves come together very rapidly. No difference in complication rates or quality measures, just in how much help they needed initially. Honestly, I think spending tens of thousands of dollars on these simulators is pretty wasteful.

 

[mslall]

In my experience, you will rapidly become less impressed with simulation. Its something that educators believe has great value but there isn't evidence to support that. And once you've done it for real a thousand times, the act of interviewing fake patients will feel a little demeaning.

Endoscopy simulation has been studied extensively. Trainees do a little better at first but the curves come together very rapidly. No difference in complication rates or quality measures, just in how much help they needed initially. Honestly, I think spending tens of thousands of dollars on these simulators is pretty wasteful.

I think there might be some advantage to simulation at medical centers where surgeons have low caseloads. Sure a few hours doing simulated laparoscopic cholecystectomies or appendectomies isn't a substitute for actually performing more surgeries, but it might keep a surgeon a little sharper. Ironically enough, I think most of the sim centers are located at large teaching facilities where the surgeons do more than an appy a week/month.

 

[Gastrapathy]

I think there might be some advantage to simulation at medical centers where surgeons have low caseloads. Sure a few hours doing simulated laparoscopic cholecystectomies or appendectomies isn't a substitute for actually performing more surgeries, but it might keep a surgeon a little sharper. Ironically enough, I think most of the sim centers are located at large teaching facilities where the surgeons do more than an appy a week/month.

If a surgeon needs to simulate an appy, he needs to not-so-simulate repeating a residency. Sim centers are a way to employ people and sound good to donors and administrators. Again, there is no evidence that simulation makes a meaningful difference. Would you want to be operated on by a surgeon who felt he needed to simulate cases to keep his skills up? And, besides Da Vinci, there aren't good surgical simulators anyway. Show me any data on outcomes for simulation.

Its possible that a simulated patient might identify the rare provider with such a severe personality disorder that they can't fake it for a few minutes.

The only other benefit of simulation is that increasingly this is how students are evaluated, so it helps to teach to the test. Tail wags the dog.

BTW, I've heard through the grapevine that Balboa just opened a sim center in the space that used to be the CCU. Great patient care area with 10ish critical care beds taken over for simulation. Great example of simulation fever.

 

[Cadams1]

Haha man, USUHS takes a few weeks off from giving admissions decisions and we are reduced to simulator arguments. Carry on! 👍

 

[a1qwerty55]

In my experience, you will rapidly become less impressed with simulation. Its something that educators believe has great value but there isn't evidence to support that. And once you've done it for real a thousand times, the act of interviewing fake patients will feel a little demeaning.

Endoscopy simulation has been studied extensively. Trainees do a little better at first but the curves come together very rapidly. No difference in complication rates or quality measures, just in how much help they needed initially. Honestly, I think spending tens of thousands of dollars on these simulators is pretty wasteful.

Sorry to disagree but there is a difference between high fidelity medical simulators and task trainers. I agree the endoscopy trainers are pretty useless. A serious of well designed scenarios with a good medical simulator can dramatically improve physician performance. There is plenty of literature to support this assertion

 

[Gastrapathy]

Sorry to disagree but there is a difference between high fidelity medical simulators and task trainers. I agree the endoscopy trainers are pretty useless. A serious of well designed scenarios with a good medical simulator can dramatically improve physician performance. There is plenty of literature to support this assertion

Show me references with meaningful outcomes (not just surveys that show that everyone thinks the simulator was great) and I'm prepared to reevaluate my opinion. The "high-fidelity simulator" that I've seen was for ACLS and we don't even have data that teaching ACLS saves lives.

 

[DrMetal]

USUHS takes a few weeks off from giving admissions decisions

This true? Yeah it looks like things have quited down on this thread, any Dec. folks out there hearing back? Anyone hearing of movement off the waitlist (i know there's been some on the AF side, any Navy or Army)?

 

[Cadams1]

This true? Yeah it looks like things have quited down on this thread, any Dec. folks out there hearing back? Anyone hearing of movement off the waitlist (i know there's been some on the AF side, any Navy or Army)?

Haha, I'm a Jan interviewer and we haven't heard back so I doubt there will be much waitlist movement since they haven't even finished making it.

 

[SirGecko]

Haha, I'm a Jan interviewer and we haven't heard back so I doubt there will be much waitlist movement since they haven't even finished making it.

I believe that waitlist movement is contingent on people holding the acceptances declining them not on whether or not they've gotten to the later interviews yet. From what I've gleaned it seems that they offer a new person the spot pretty quickly after someone decides they don't want their USUHS spot. (I think the reason we've seen no real movement yet is that it is still a little too early for the multiple acceptances to start declining their spots)

 

[Cadams1]

Ah. If I were on a school's adcom, I think I'd want to give out decisions to my interviewees and complete my waitlist before I offered a waitlist spot to make sure I get the best candidates. But I also am not a fan of rolling admissions.

 

[Brocimus]

I talked to Dr. Calloway today and found out some good information for those who did not get in this year. If you send an email to [email protected] you can request a review for improvement on your application. They will tell you where your app was deemed deficient. This applies to people on the alt list as well - no waiting until August. 🙂

 

[DrMetal]

I talked to Dr. Calloway today and found out some good information for those who did not get in this year. If you send an email to [email protected] you can request a review for improvement on your application. They will tell you where your app was deemed deficient. This applies to people on the alt list as well - no waiting until August. 🙂

Thanks Brocimus, that's great info. And if you guys do get such info and are willing, please post here; I'm sure it'll help future applicants.

Did Dr. C mention anything else?!

 

[Brocimus]

Thanks Brocimus, that's great info. And if you guys do get such info and are willing, please post here; I'm sure it'll help future applicants.

Did Dr. C mention anything else?!

She just confirmed old information. Alt list applicants are not considered for the post bacc program, alt list is ranked based on qualifications, etc. I asked how often they typically dip into the alt list and she said that some years they don't at all and some years they get pretty deep into it.

 

[utahjazz]

She just confirmed old information. Alt list applicants are not considered for the post bacc program, alt list is ranked based on qualifications, etc. I asked how often they typically dip into the alt list and she said that some years they don't at all and some years they get pretty deep into it.

That's a little bit of hopeful news for people on the alt list. They put a bunch of awesome, qualified people on the alt list this year so I hope they pull some people off of it. Good luck.

 

[TheGoose]

That's a little bit of hopeful news for people on the alt list. They put a bunch of awesome, qualified people on the alt list this year so I hope they pull some people off of it. Good luck.

....me too!

 

[eschott]

Show me references with meaningful outcomes (not just surveys that show that everyone thinks the simulator was great) and I'm prepared to reevaluate my opinion. The "high-fidelity simulator" that I've seen was for ACLS and we don't even have data that teaching ACLS saves lives.

Even if they weren't effective, what else would the government spend all its money on? And the grunting sounds really were priceless...where else could you get that kind of realistic training!

😛😛

 

[tggaster]

Hi,
I am new on here, currently active duty Enlisted Navy. I have just completed my Bachelor of Science and am stationed at the U.S. Naval Academy. The problem is, not many people around here even know what USUHS is or how to get in, the process..the works. Does anyone have guidance for me, I know it is a huge change to go from enlisted to officer but its my goal!
thanks again.
-tom

 

[DrMetal]

Hi,
I am new on here, currently active duty Enlisted Navy. I have just completed my Bachelor of Science and am stationed at the U.S. Naval Academy. The problem is, not many people around here even know what USUHS is or how to get in, the process..the works. Does anyone have guidance for me, I know it is a huge change to go from enlisted to officer but its my goal!
thanks again.
-tom

Check out the USUHS website and their catalog, explains a lot. Also read through this thread. Once you've done that reading, if you have any specific questions regarding your situation, post them here. You'll get a lot of help.

If you're ready to apply (pre-reqs taken, MCAT done or will be done this summer), then you can start the application cycle this June. Would advise doing so early.

 

[tggaster]

Check out the USUHS website and their catalog, explains a lot. Also read through this thread. Once you've done that reading, if you have any specific questions regarding your situation, post them here. You'll get a lot of help.

If you're ready to apply (pre-reqs taken, MCAT done or will be done this summer), then you can start the application cycle this June. Would advise doing so early.

Gotcha, well I have throughouly read the catalog and website for USUHS however, some things to me are a bit unclear. I know I owe a few couses of pre-reqs (calculus based math, inorganic w/lab, organic w/lab) however It states one whole year of the chemistry's with lab. So does that mean I owe 1 math semester, 2 inorganic chems w/2lab, 2 organic chems with 2/labs????

 

[NavyFP]

Gotcha, well I have throughouly read the catalog and website for USUHS however, some things to me are a bit unclear. I know I owe a few couses of pre-reqs (calculus based math, inorganic w/lab, organic w/lab) however It states one whole year of the chemistry's with lab. So does that mean I owe 1 math semester, 2 inorganic chems w/2lab, 2 organic chems with 2/labs????

Inorganic chem is usually an upper level course. What they want is Freshman General Chem w/ lab.

 

[DrMetal]

Gotcha, well I have throughouly read the catalog and website for USUHS however, some things to me are a bit unclear. I know I owe a few couses of pre-reqs (calculus based math, inorganic w/lab, organic w/lab) however It states one whole year of the chemistry's with lab. So does that mean I owe 1 math semester, 2 inorganic chems w/2lab, 2 organic chems with 2/labs????

NavyFP is correct above (you don't need the advanced inorganic upperlevel class).

In addition to traditional lectures, you need a lab component for biology, g-chem, o-chem, and physics. Now, the answer to your question really depends on what school you'll be fulfilling these reqs at. Some schools have the lab integrated into the lecture (so it's just all one class). Other schools separate the two, in which case you'd have to make sure to take both lab and lecture components.

If you're already have your Bachelors, a good (and possibly cheap) way to fulfill these reqs is at a local junior college. My advice is look for a JC that offers a combo lecture+lab, with less emphasis (wrt grading) on the latter (b/c lab can be a pain! you'd rather concentrate on the lecture material). [Don't get me wrong, I love lab, I'm a scientist . But if you're sure on the medical route, it's much more important that you understand the concepts of general chemistry as opposed to the calorimetry of a burning peanut.]

 

[TheGoose]

[Don't get me wrong, I love lab, I'm a scientist . But if you're sure on the medical route, it's much more important that you understand the concepts of general chemistry as opposed to the calorimetry of a burning peanut.]

especially when Mr. MCAT comes a-knockin'

 

[NavyFP]

If you're already have your Bachelors, a good (and possibly cheap) way to fulfill these reqs is at a local junior college.

Fulfilling requirements at the Junior College level is OK if you have a good GPA from undergrad (3.5+) and you do well on the MCATs. Many admissions comittees tend to look down on JC/ComCol courses and if you don't have the evidence of academic excellance it could hurt you. The undergrad institution assoc w/ my med school made Organic a 300 level course to prevent students from taking it at the JC level.

 

[erawka]

Hi everyone,

Any recent interviewees here? I interviewed Feb 5 and am still waiting...

For current students or people who maybe interviewed a bit before me...how true to form is that 10 week business? I was medically compliant by the Monday after my interview, which I know might be of some help...I'm just wondering if I really do have to wait until April 16th...

Also, I put AF as my top choice, although I would be equally as happy with Army (although I marked them as 1 and 2 on my form). I've heard through the grape vine that it might be helpful to send a follow-up to express that I would be happy in either because AF usually fills up quicker (I've heard that AF was already basically filled by the time I interviewed). What do you all think?

Anyway, back to (im)patiently waiting..

 

[DrMetal]

Hi everyone,

Any recent interviewees here? I interviewed Feb 5 and am still waiting...

For current students or people who maybe interviewed a bit before me...how true to form is that 10 week business? I was medically compliant by the Monday after my interview, which I know might be of some help...I'm just wondering if I really do have to wait until April 16th...

Also, I put AF as my top choice, although I would be equally as happy with Army (although I marked them as 1 and 2 on my form). I've heard through the grape vine that it might be helpful to send a follow-up to express that I would be happy in either because AF usually fills up quicker (I've heard that AF was already basically filled by the time I interviewed). What do you all think?

Anyway, back to (im)patiently waiting..

yeah, they really mean 10 weeks. (I was told 10-12 weeks, got the wiatlist letter right in the middle of that window). At this point, your best outcome is a waitlist letter. I think the next big date will be 5/15 (when current accepted students have to confirm). Then as seats become available, they'll roll people in off of the waitlist.

 

[skim87]

anyone know what USU policy is on getting injured prior to matriculation? Assuming you already got your unconditional acceptance. I may or may not have sprained my knee playing football yesterday...

 

[mslall]

anyone know what USU policy is on getting injured prior to matriculation? Assuming you already got your unconditional acceptance. I may or may not have sprained my knee playing football yesterday...

are you going to be fine by the time OBC/ODS/COT rolls around? If so, just dont say anything about it. It could only cause you more trouble. Now if you tore your ACL and need surgery and are going to be unable to PT for 6 months to a year then you might need to tell them.

 

[pkchax]

Hey Guys,

I just got a call from Dr. Calloway and I've been accepted off the waitlist! I was initially on the Navy waitlist but Dr. Calloway offered me a spot in the Army if I wanted an acceptance today so of course I took it! I've been obsessively reading this thread and know everyone would want to know that there is movement on the list.

For timeline, I interviewed January 15th, got my waitlist letter 2 days ago in the mail and got a call today about acceptance.

Also, to make things even sweeter, today is totally my birthday! Best birthday present EVER!

 

[DrMetal]

Hey Guys,

I just got a call from Dr. Calloway and I've been accepted off the waitlist! I was initially on the Navy waitlist but Dr. Calloway offered me a spot in the Army if I wanted an acceptance today so of course I took it! I've been obsessively reading this thread and know everyone would want to know that there is movement on the list.

For timeline, I interviewed January 15th, got my waitlist letter 2 days ago in the mail and got a call today about acceptance.

Also, to make things even sweeter, today is totally my birthday! Best birthday present EVER!

sweet, congrats, thanks for sharing. It's interesting that they're already 'bartering' services, I'd think it's still too early to be doing that.

Did she make any comment about the Navy waitlist? Is the Navy waitlist so full and competitive that it's unlikely you would've moved off of it?? and is that why she offered you an Army spot instead??? (perhaps I'm making too much out of it. Obviously im concerned b/c I'm on the Navy waitlist).

 

[pkchax]

sweet, congrats, thanks for sharing. It's interesting that they're already 'bartering' services, I'd think it's still too early to be doing that.

Did she make any comment about the Navy waitlist? Is the Navy waitlist so full and competitive that it's unlikely you would've moved off of it?? and is that why she offered you an Army spot instead??? (perhaps I'm making too much out of it. Obviously im concerned b/c I'm on the Navy waitlist).

I didn't really ask any questions. As so as I heard "spot" and "acceptance", I just said YES!

Dr. Calloway just said that she knew I was on the Navy waiting list and if I wanted an acceptance today she could offer me an Army spot. I will say that I put Navy as a first choice then Army and Air Force as a second choice so they must have one big waitlist and then take from there.

 

[skim87]

Hey Guys,

I just got a call from Dr. Calloway and I've been accepted off the waitlist! I was initially on the Navy waitlist but Dr. Calloway offered me a spot in the Army if I wanted an acceptance today so of course I took it! I've been obsessively reading this thread and know everyone would want to know that there is movement on the list.

For timeline, I interviewed January 15th, got my waitlist letter 2 days ago in the mail and got a call today about acceptance.

Also, to make things even sweeter, today is totally my birthday! Best birthday present EVER!

I got the call January 17th which was also my birthday! You think they do that on purpose? haha

 

[Brocimus]

Hey Guys,

I just got a call from Dr. Calloway and I've been accepted off the waitlist! I was initially on the Navy waitlist but Dr. Calloway offered me a spot in the Army if I wanted an acceptance today so of course I took it! I've been obsessively reading this thread and know everyone would want to know that there is movement on the list.

For timeline, I interviewed January 15th, got my waitlist letter 2 days ago in the mail and got a call today about acceptance.

Also, to make things even sweeter, today is totally my birthday! Best birthday present EVER!

Very awesome! Happy birthday and congratulations! Do you mind sharing some of your stats with us? Good to know that list is moving!

 

[Cadams1]

Gah! I wish I could get a decision so I'll want waitlist movement lol. Interviewed 1/29.