Usuhs

[Caprica6]

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My primary PS fits into category 1, and I was very apprehensive about writing my PS on in it because I didn't want to sound cliche. I wasn't trying to pull at heartstrings either. But it was an experience that had a profound effect on me, thats not BS. My career path has been varied and I didn't feel like I could describe by desire to become a physician with out bringing it up.

In regards to the USUHS essay, a page and half double spaced? That is not much at all, is anyone else having a difficult time with such limited space?

 

[SirGecko]

just to jump in - i think that the usuhs secondary essay is one of the only personal statements that is treated in a very high regard in the admissions process across the board.

I just want to second this. Also the interview is key at USUHS as well.

 

[26miles385yards]

"Margery Taylor was dieing".


Now, I am a very strong writer and many of my essays have been published, (in fact I coauthored an english textbook) and so I did what I was best at.

I'm not a master linguist, but unless she was in the process of being made into a tool for metalwork, I think you've got a typo there.

 

[xmsr3]

just to jump in - i think that the usuhs secondary essay is one of the only personal statements that is treated in a very high regard in the admissions process across the board.

theGoose could you please clarify what you mean.

It sounds like you are saying that most secondary essays are not important, but at USUHS they are, is that correct?

But what do you mean "across the board"? Do you simply mean that the secondary essay is very important in determining who gets an interview, which is very important in determing if you get in or not?

Or do you mean that there are multiple groups on the adcom at USUHS who all read your essay? Would this mean each service has a representative on the adcom? As I understood it, once you are accepted your branch is determined by your prefered rankings and whether or not there is a spot left in that branch. Am I mistaken or have I just misunderstood your statement?

Oh and 26Miles385Yards, congrats on catching that typo, lucky for me I did not make it in the actual PS.

Also, congrats on being a Marathoner, it is a rare and noble thing you do and I salute you for it.

 

[TheGoose]

theGoose could you please clarify what you mean.

It sounds like you are saying that most secondary essays are not important, but at USUHS they are, is that correct?

bingo

 

[26miles385yards]

Oh and 26Miles385Yards, congrats on catching that typo, lucky for me I did not make it in the actual PS.

That's good; nothing more likely to sink an application than typos.

 

[NavyFP]

Sorry for posting again but I can't pass up the oppertunity to ask someone who has sat on an admissions committee this question.

NavyFP, it sounds like you agree that most PS are in three categories:

1. Someone I know got sick and I want to help others
2. I saved someones life once, (EMTs)
3. I want to help people, make a difference

Could you please give us a ball park estimate of what % of PS are in these categories?

1- about 25%
2- about 5-10% (and its not just EMTs, but they are the most common)
3- about 60%

More importantly, as an adcom member, how did you react to these cookie cutter PS? You mentioned nausea and laughing, but surely that couldn't have been at most, just the extremes.

Yes, the nausea and laughs are the extremes.

Did you get angry at the unoriginality? Where you apathetic? And how exactly do essays such as PS get scored? Is it by one person, 2 or 3? Is it a simple, "good" "bad" pile, where you automatically reject the ones you don't like?

It is not so much the unoriginality as the embellishment.
"I watched him/her wince as they placed the IV while he/she was lying there helplessly......"
They often read like a dime store novel.

Typically 3 people will review a record. I can't say I have allowed a personal statement to have swayed me significantly either way. I would not say a bad personal statement automatically gets shoved to the NO pile.

And most importantly, the question all pre-meds are dieing to know. If almost all PS are essentially the same, how much do PS and essays effect the final decision?

Is it a matter of a truely exceptional, unique essay helping by makeing you stand out and all the cookie cutters have little to no effect? Or does a cookie cutter essay activley hurt our chances?

I am looking for a bit of pragmatism with some passion. Being a physician is a complex blend of book smarts, street smarts, drive, and compassion. Most of that can be gleened by what you have done (jobs, volunteer work, hobbies) and your education (GPA, MCATs). The PS can fill in some of the gaps that are not in the rest of the application.

Finally, your description of a PS you would like to see, where an applicants shows that they consider medicine a lifestyle, know what is involved and gets along well with people, sounds like what I and I'm sure, everyone else tried to do, but apprently failed.

Have you ever read a PS that included all of these criteria and was done well? Have you come across an essay that made you think, "this person really gets it" or got you excited about a candidate? How often does this happen?

If I were to write a PS now it would be framed like this:

I have had an interest in the health system for however long (but not tooo long or it was solidified at a certain time). I truly became exposed to the system at x event. I watched the team and felt my personal characteristics best fit in the role of a physician. I believe physicians should be this and that, and I demonstrate those attributes in this way. My goals as a physician are x (but don't say you want to cure cancer), but I recognize that as I progress through training (ie med school) I may find an even more suitable area for my talents.
The keys are not to put too many adjectives. It can have some emotion, but it should not be dripping with it. We all had to suffer with creative writing in college and it often shows in the PS. I believe many of the stories have been impacted by those classes. Keep it real and short. If you have a quality or talent that makes you unique and could somehow be related to medicine, express that.

Most applicants are generally smart and good at science. These are not going to set you apart. It is hard to remember what I had in mine, but I think I talked about how learning customer service at a fast food restaurant would apply to the practice of medicine. I doubt anyone else would have made that analogy.

Brevity is preferable. Remember, ADCOM members have to read these. How much of their time do you want them to spend on this one section of your application. Don't make it War and Peace.

These are my opinions. I am not a touchy/feely guy. Most on ADCOMs are not either. Are you willing to try to play to the few that are?

 

[notdeadyet]

1- about 25%
2- about 5-10% (and its not just EMTs, but they are the most common)
3- about 60%

<snip>

It is not so much the unoriginality as the embellishment.
"I watched him/her wince as they placed the IV while he/she was lying there helplessly......"
They often read like a dime store novel.

<snip>

I would not say a bad personal statement automatically gets shoved to the NO pile.

<snip>

The keys are not to put too many adjectives. It can have some emotion, but it should not be dripping with it. We all had to suffer with creative writing in college and it often shows in the PS. I believe many of the stories have been impacted by those classes. Keep it real and short. If you have a quality or talent that makes you unique and could somehow be related to medicine, express that.

<snip>

Brevity is preferable. Remember, ADCOM members have to read these. How much of their time do you want them to spend on this one section of your application. Don't make it War and Peace.

<snip>

These are my opinions. I am not a touchy/feely guy. Most on ADCOMs are not either. Are you willing to try to play to the few that are?

Wholeheartedly agree with NavyFP's post, especially the points mentioned above.

And even if you are a touchy/feely guy, reading yet another personal statement that gushes, manipulates, rehashes the resume, demonstrates a big ego, or sounds like something for a bad creative writing assignment, you grow bored at best, irritated at worst. Folks who tell applicants to do these things almost always are folks who don't read dozens of these things each year.

Go at the personal statement directly for what it's asking and do it in a way you would a job interview. Trying to get clever, funny, or emotional would be frowned upon if you applied for a project manager job at IBM, why wouldn't you think it would be for a student slot at a medical school?

 

[xmsr3]

Well, reading NavyFPs post seems to make clear that my PS is a cliched piece of tripe. Lucky for me I am in good company as most everyone else did the same and NavyFP seems to be saying PS don't make a difference in the admin process.

Well, at least I have one piece of consolation, though my essay may be cliched tripe, it is at least well written cliched trip, perhaps some adcoms will appreciate that much at least🙂

P.S

Does anyone know if the essay graders on the MCAT are people who serve as adcoms and read essays for the admissions process? I don't mean the exact same people of course, but is it usually the case that a person who is an adcom at a med school also reviewed MCAT essays at some point or vica versa?

If so then we could get some idea of how adcoms might view our writing and perhaps will review our PS and essays.

 

[NavyFP]

Well, reading NavyFPs post seems to make clear that my PS is a cliched piece of tripe. Lucky for me I am in good company as most everyone else did the same and NavyFP seems to be PS don't make a difference in the admin process.

Well, at least I have one piece of consolation, though my essay may be cliched tripe, it is at least well written cliched trip, perhaps some adcoms will appreciate that much at least🙂

P.S

Does anyone know if the essay graders on the MCAT are people who serve as adcoms and read essays for the admissions process? I don't mean the exact same people of course, but is it usually the case that a person who is an adcom at a med school also reviewed MCAT essays at some point or vica versa?

If so then we could get some idea of how adcoms might view our writing and perhaps will review our PS and essays.

No idea who reads them and not sure how big an impact they have. When you look at MCAT averages, they mostly focus on the number, not the letter.

 

[teacherman84]

I see where youre going...maybe if its the same sort of people then youre writing ability will be appreciated since you did well on the MCAT writing...but they are different pieces altogether.

MCAT writing is judging your ability to think critically about a topic and communicate your thoughts through writing. Your PS on the other hand is judged not by ability as much as it is by content...what are you sharing about yourself rather than how it is delivered. Thats my take on it...

I spoke at length with several USUHS grads before writing my secondary and all of their advice was the same...almost everyone has family in the military or knows military docs, how else would you hear about USUHS and really get a feel for why you want to go there...almost everyone wants to go to serve their nation and its troops, its overdone...everyone wants to help others...so none of this helps. Adcoms dont want to cry or be blown blown away about your near death encounters.

Also, half of the accepted class is prior service or from service academies...a quarter are hot shot scientists whose experience in science will blow away the avg bio major (one referenced a classmate who was a Phd in anatomy who said he would be in the anatomy lab helping his classmates ace gross anatomy)...so that leaves a quarter for everyone else...USUHS wants a rounded class so where do you fit in...what will you bring to the class of 2014.

This advice seems obvious but for me it helped immensely...so much so that I was torn about whether or not to share it...but I guess it goes to good company as USU is known for how much each class helps each other.

 

[xmsr3]

Teacherman84, your words will haunt my dreams tonight😉

My odds of getting into USUHS just got cut by 75% because I have no research experience and no previous military experience.

My secondary, though strongly written, tells mostly about my motivation to serve in military medicine and explains that I know the kind of sacrifices I would be making and that those make me even more determined to prove myself worthy of this way of noble way of life.

I was hoping that my writing skills would help me get into my dream school but now it seems that I have to fall back on this fact:

2008 class facts:

90% percentile for cGPA: 3.9
90% percentile for sGPA: 3.9
90% percentile for MCAT: 34
90% percentile for MCAT writing: S

So assuming my PS and secondary essay don't hurt too much (well written cliched tripe) and my LORs are as strong as I hope (above average), and my ECs are at least average, (my weakest area) hope lives on, though I will probably be a mess come august when interview invites, (or rejections) get sent out enmass.

Here's hoping USUHS has a quota for super high GPA creative writers from the midwest😉

 

[mslall]

Teacherman84, your words will haunt my dreams tonight😉

My odds of getting into USUHS just got cut by 75% because I have no research experience and no previous military experience.

My secondary, though strongly written, tells mostly about my motivation to serve in military medicine and explains that I know the kind of sacrifices I would be making and that those make me even more determined to prove myself worthy of this way of noble way of life.

I was hoping that my writing skills would help me get into my dream school but now it seems that I have to fall back on this fact:

2008 class facts:

90% percentile for cGPA: 3.9
90% percentile for sGPA: 3.9
90% percentile for MCAT: 34
90% percentile for MCAT writing: S

So assuming my PS and secondary essay don't hurt too much (well written cliched tripe) and my LORs are as strong as I hope (above average), and my ECs are at least average, (my weakest area) hope lives on, though I will probably be a mess come august when interview invites, (or rejections) get sent out enmass.

Here's hoping USUHS has a quota for super high GPA creative writers from the midwest😉

dude relax, i almost feel that you're reaching the point of trolling. There are lots of people with stats not nearly SOOOOO impressive that get in every year. Congratulations you win the I can study and think award. On the other hand you're failing miserably at the social aspect of life. If you really want to go to USUHS as bad as you say I hope for your sake you're not nearly as big of a douche in person as you come across on this forum. If there's one thing that will put a big NO GO on you and your file its a crappy interview. Be confident in what you've done but not arrogant. My GPA wasn't nearly as good as yours, I had only 1 summer of lab experience, and only shadowed a doc and worked in an ER for a month when I applied last cycle and I got in so it can be done. Seriously relax. If there's one thing USUHS tries to avoid, and judging from the army section of the class of 2013, they do a pretty decent job of it, its the typical, neurotic, worried about everything premed.

Just get your application in early. I haven't read all of your posts i'm sure you're high-speed enough to have already turned in your secondary.

 

[TheGoose]

I think a huge asset in military life is knowing when to keep your mouth shut. For your sake, I hope that you can bite your tongue more easily than you can stop your dancing fingers if you want to survive in the .mil

 

[xmsr3]

Look, guys I really appreciate all the help and patience everyone has shown me here and I do sincerely apologize for all the neurotic posting. I am 100% positive that my madness is temporary and completly caused by a fear of not getting into med school, to fail when the last step to my dream is so close I can taste it.

I thought about it a while and crunched the numbers and realized that even with only 43 spots open to me, (only 1 more than Mayo) I should still be in good enough shape to get an interview, where I am confident I can make a solid impression, (I swear to god I am not this crazy in real life and the act of getting an interview would calm me down signifigantly, plus I will have gotten some other interviews as well, so the pressure will be a lot less than it seems to be now)

Mslall, do you mind if I ask, did you have previous military experience when you applied?

And theGoose, no worries, I am an introverted person who approaches each new situation with a great deal of fear and apprehension, so I keep my mouth closed and just wait to be told what to do.

I will most certainly not be running my mouth or bragging at the interview or ODS or USU itself.

After, all, as a military novice, (excstatic just to be granted the honor of wearing the uniform) I will be at the bottom of the pecking order, and just happy to keep quiet, do my job correctly and keep from getting yelled at. Besides, from what I hear/assume/fear, my first 2 years at USU will have very little time for talking, just eating, sleeping, studying and working out an hour/day to stay in shape.

 

[teacherman84]

Teacherman84, your words will haunt my dreams tonight😉

My odds of getting into USUHS just got cut by 75% because I have no research experience and no previous military experience.

My secondary, though strongly written, tells mostly about my motivation to serve in military medicine and explains that I know the kind of sacrifices I would be making and that those make me even more determined to prove myself worthy of this way of noble way of life.

I was hoping that my writing skills would help me get into my dream school but now it seems that I have to fall back on this fact:

2008 class facts:

90% percentile for cGPA: 3.9
90% percentile for sGPA: 3.9
90% percentile for MCAT: 34
90% percentile for MCAT writing: S

So assuming my PS and secondary essay don't hurt too much (well written cliched tripe) and my LORs are as strong as I hope (above average), and my ECs are at least average, (my weakest area) hope lives on, though I will probably be a mess come august when interview invites, (or rejections) get sent out enmass.

Here's hoping USUHS has a quota for super high GPA creative writers from the midwest😉

You are outrageous...no matter how many times you say you'll stop you just keep going.

That info wasnt meant to discourage, but rather give advice for those having a hard time with the USUHS secondary...because it is difficult to know what to write with no military experience.

 

[xmsr3]

Ok, I get it, no more talking about myself or my chances.

 

[mslall]

Look, guys I really appreciate all the help and patience everyone has shown me here and I do sincerely apologize for all the neurotic posting. I am 100% positive that my madness is temporary and completly caused by a fear of not getting into med school, to fail when the last step to my dream is so close I can taste it.

I thought about it a while and crunched the numbers and realized that even with only 43 spots open to me, (only 1 more than Mayo) I should still be in good enough shape to get an interview, where I am confident I can make a solid impression, (I swear to god I am not this crazy in real life and the act of getting an interview would calm me down signifigantly, plus I will have gotten some other interviews as well, so the pressure will be a lot less than it seems to be now)

Mslall, do you mind if I ask, did you have previous military experience when you applied?

And theGoose, no worries, I am an introverted person who approaches each new situation with a great deal of fear and apprehension, so I keep my mouth closed and just wait to be told what to do.

I will most certainly not be running my mouth or bragging at the interview or ODS or USU itself.

After, all, as a military novice, (excstatic just to be granted the honor of wearing the uniform) I will be at the bottom of the pecking order, and just happy to keep quiet, do my job correctly and keep from getting yelled at. Besides, from what I hear/assume/fear, my first 2 years at USU will have very little time for talking, just eating, sleeping, studying and working out an hour/day to stay in shape.

no prior experience.........also, its not set in stone that 50% will be prior service and 25% will be research studs. They don't have a rubrick for admissions. The 25% being research studs (i have no clue how the number came about) is probably because a lot of the students coming in have some form of graduate education. I can tell you that the class of 2013, at least the army, has very few students coming straight out of undergrad. I took a year off and am still, from what i can tell, in the youngest 10% of the incoming class. Off the top of my head i can think of 10ish (3 of which are ROTC) plus 3 more westpointers. SO the reason there are all of these research studs, I would guess, is because of the large number of students that have graduate degrees (thats just a guess though).

Also, no response is necessary here. Its just a little more info.

Goose, did you ever hear anything else after switching over to the great green?

 

[premed1982]

Ok, I get it, no more talking about myself or my chances.

long time lurker, first time poster, in fact actually joined today so I could post........

I've got a great idea for xmsr3 instead of not "talking about myself or my chances" how about you just NOT talk at all for awhile!

I will reiterate what countless people have said thus far.......big ears, little mouth (or in this case, hands in your lap) will get you VERY FAR!!!!!

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

You should write all you want xm. Watching people get their panties in a bunch over the stuff you say is awesome.👍

 

[teacherman84]

I posted this on the milimed thread but only got a response regarding HPSP. When, if you get a unconditional acceptance, would/could you commission? A poster for HPSP said they received their commission in April, did COT in the summer and then began school...is this how USU's timeline would play out as well given that youre accepted prior to the spring?

 

[xmsr3]

http://www.usuhs.mil/somstudents/importantdates.html

You do get commissioned in the spring for sure to be able to attend ODS, COT or OBLC in the summer prior to starting classes.

Is your question asking how quickly you can get commissioned or just whether or not you can do Officer training prior to starting classes?

 

[teacherman84]

I know you get commissioned before COT and that is the summer before classes begin, but I was curious when students got their commission. I am curious because if I do get into USU or another school with HPSP I would like for my mom to be there for my commission and be the commissioning officer if possible...the issue is that she is facing deployment next spring.
Just curious, if you have any experience I would appreciate it.

 

[dwb8p]

You commission officially within a week of reporting to summer training.

 

[mslall]

for the army you commission no earlier than 3 days before the 'travel on' date on the orders you get.

 

[26miles385yards]

Here's a random question...

I know that docs can/do carry sidearms if they're deployed in Iraq/Afghanistan - are those firearms ones that they would keep when back home in the US or are they issued to them for the temporary time that they're deployed? My wife asked me this and I wasn't sure; she doesn't like the idea of ever having firearms in our home, I don't mind.

 

[teacherman84]

They are issued...you don't get to keep them at home. While deployed they aren't loaded and I don't think you're even allowed to carry ammo...it just looks like you're armed. As a noncombatant so you're not allowed to load them unless you're being attacked (this is the case in the AF at least and I am assuming it holds true for the other services).

 

[dru2002]

They are issued...you don't get to keep them at home. While deployed they aren't loaded and I don't think you're even allowed to carry ammo...it just looks like you're armed. As a noncombatant so you're not allowed to load them unless you're being attacked (this is the case in the AF at least and I am assuming it holds true for the other services).

Not true in the navy or army. Doctors in the navy had loaded weapons anytime they left base on deployment. Army physicians in Iraq even carried M4 rifles and M9 pistols. Physicians are non-combatants but not strict non-combatants. They can defend themselves and their patient. This allows for some interesting interpretation as every member of their unit is their patient. That being said, on two deployments I have never heard of a physician having to fire their weapon. That isn't to say they weren't shot at. They just had marines by their side to return fire.

 

[xmsr3]

for the army you commission no earlier than 3 days before the 'travel on' date on the orders you get.

So is it possible to get your military ID and buy your uniform prior to the start of OBLC? I have read that it is preferrable to do this, as well as preshrink and sow on your patches, because the first day is very hectic with most people standing in line for hours trying to get their uniforms and military IDs.

3 days prior is cutting it tight, but still doable, but "up to" implies that you might get commissioned 1 day or even hours prior to the start of OBLC. Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[mcclesm]

They are issued...you don't get to keep them at home. While deployed they aren't loaded and I don't think you're even allowed to carry ammo...it just looks like you're armed. As a noncombatant so you're not allowed to load them unless you're being attacked (this is the case in the AF at least and I am assuming it holds true for the other services).

No one carries loaded weapons on base, except security forces, regardless of branch of service. Everyone carried ammo, regardless of service (I'm talking Iraq here). Everyone who leaves base by ground loads their weapon, regardless of service or combatant status.

 

[Upgrayedd]

In regards to the "what USU looks for" posts above, I think you need to remember that as much as a potential student is committing to the military, the military is also committing to that student. If that student ends up being bat**** crazy, well, it is a pretty huge waste of resources.

With that said, I think that the school is looking for mental stability, and it trumps even high level academic achievements. There is a lot of stuff we do that brings out the crazy in people.

This isn't quite such an issue in civilian medicine because if you get kicked out along the lines for being nuts, its all on you; but in the military, I imagine there is very little they can do to recoup their losses if you get psych boarded out.

 

[xmsr3]

So does USUHS do a psychiatric evaluation? I don't recall that being in the student info and requirements they sent us. Or do they have one of the interviews be with a psychiatrist to get a read on your mental stability?

Also, I would like to propose the following:

-all people are a little crazy
-most people are not so crazy they couldn't succeed in the military
-pre-med is a good screen against the truely bat **** insane, (a person who is unstable will likely break down and not be able to get a very good GPA or MCAT, as it takes nerves of steel to do well in both and over prolongued periods of time).

Of course those are my opinions and based on my limited experiences in college.

 

[TheGoose]

there's no psych test per se other than the all-telling "crazy-eyes" test, but that's the whole point of the interview. When they hear you talk, they'll skip over the little box that says "sane" and check the little box that says "insane" =D

 

[SirGecko]

-pre-med is a good screen against the truely bat **** insane, (a person who is unstable will likely break down and not be able to get a very good GPA or MCAT, as it takes nerves of steel to do well in both and over prolongued periods of time).

Yeah that is not true. It might not be easy but it certainly doesn't require nerves of steel. As Goose said the real point where you get screened out of the crazy category is your interview. (and to a certain degree your other soft factors like volunteering and letters of recommendation)

 

[TheGoose]

just a followup: If you've had a past with any psychiatric issues (or medication), then that would be gone over in the medical clearance process and may need a waiver or be a DQ condition

 

[UofU2009]

That's a funny point because it WAS an army Psychiatrist that interviewed me, though I'm sure it is not a requirement that one of your interviewers be a psychiatrist. He was also VERY brutal, just so you know. The girl who came out before my interview was in tears and it was plain to see why after he interviewed me. I am in my last days of OBLC now and am very excited to attend USUHS. Good luck to all those applying and please feel free to contact me with any specific questions about the USUHS program.

 

[mslall]

So is it possible to get your military ID and buy your uniform prior to the start of OBLC? I have read that it is preferrable to do this, as well as preshrink and sow on your patches, because the first day is very hectic with most people standing in line for hours trying to get their uniforms and military IDs.

3 days prior is cutting it tight, but still doable, but "up to" implies that you might get commissioned 1 day or even hours prior to the start of OBLC. Does anyone have experience with this?

you don't need anything but ACUs for USUHS/HPSP OBLC. These uniforms require no sewing of patches; they're all velcro (or hook and latch i think the army calls it). You can't get your CAC card until you're commissioned and you can't commission more than 3 days before your travel date; even then it takes a few days for them to reclassify you in the system as active before you can get your CAC. Waiting in the nice air conditioned building at FT Sam talking/meeting some of your new classmates isn't that bad. Its better than falling asleep in an auditorium with 499 other people listening to a ppt presentation. There isn't a whole lot of shrinkage that goes on w/ the acus.

I didn't commission until the day before I left. It's not a big deal. You have someone (officer in any service/judge/.......) read you your oath, you sign it, and then voila! you're an officer. You then fax or email a copy of it to your POC at human resources. There's not a big ceremony or anything; you don't even have to wear a uniform. You'll actually sign another oath of office the first or second day at OBC so they make sure everyone gets one done.


The whole physicians and providers as non-combatants is true to an extent. Sure we're never going to be the first-line in kicking down doors and anytime we fire a weapon it would be defensive. But if you look at the ROE now all firing done by any soldier is considered defensive. Yes the Geneva Convention forbids docs from using weapons except in defense of a patient or themselves, but the Geneva Convention also forbids the torture and execution of POWs. Yes we do try to take the moral high ground (which is why we treat injured insurgents), but you better believe when I deploy, if for any reason duty requires that I step foot off the FOB/CSH/BAS/FST, wherever I am, whether I'm traveling to a site in a convoy or on a helicopter I'll be in full battle rattle with an M4 and full combat load.

 

[xmsr3]

you don't need anything but ACUs for USUHS/HPSP OBLC. These uniforms require no sewing of patches; they're all velcro (or hook and latch i think the army calls it). You can't get your CAC card until you're commissioned and you can't commission more than 3 days before your travel date; even then it takes a few days for them to reclassify you in the system as active before you can get your CAC. Waiting in the nice air conditioned building at FT Sam talking/meeting some of your new classmates isn't that bad. Its better than falling asleep in an auditorium with 499 other people listening to a ppt presentation. There isn't a whole lot of shrinkage that goes on w/ the acus.

I didn't commission until the day before I left. It's not a big deal. You have someone (officer in any service/judge/.......) read you your oath, you sign it, and then voila! you're an officer. You then fax or email a copy of it to your POC at human resources. There's not a big ceremony or anything; you don't even have to wear a uniform. You'll actually sign another oath of office the first or second day at OBC so they make sure everyone gets one done.


The whole physicians and providers as non-combatants is true to an extent. Sure we're never going to be the first-line in kicking down doors and anytime we fire a weapon it would be defensive. But if you look at the ROE now all firing done by any soldier is considered defensive. Yes the Geneva Convention forbids docs from using weapons except in defense of a patient or themselves, but the Geneva Convention also forbids the torture and execution of POWs. Yes we do try to take the moral high ground (which is why we treat injured insurgents), but you better believe when I deploy, if for any reason duty requires that I step foot off the FOB/CSH/BAS/FST, wherever I am, whether I'm traveling to a site in a convoy or on a helicopter I'll be in full battle rattle with an M4 and full combat load.

Can you get commissioned in San Antonio, (so up early in the city and wait for the commissioning) or does it have to be in your home town? Looking at the time frame, between when OBLC ends and USUHS begins, (4 days I think) I was planning on driving to OBLC and then immediatley to Bethesda as I have read others have done and recommended, (get your car before coming to USUHS means you are mobile and have one less thing to worry about during the orientation process).

Mslall, it appears that you are attending USUHS under the army program so if you, or anyone else who has done OBLC, could let us know, are cars allowed at Fort Sam? If so what is the parking situation like? Is there sufficient space or do you have to show up a week early to gurantee a spot? Is it free or paid and if paid, how much?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[xmsr3]

That's a funny point because it WAS an army Psychiatrist that interviewed me, though I'm sure it is not a requirement that one of your interviewers be a psychiatrist. He was also VERY brutal, just so you know. The girl who came out before my interview was in tears and it was plain to see why after he interviewed me. I am in my last days of OBLC now and am very excited to attend USUHS. Good luck to all those applying and please feel free to contact me with any specific questions about the USUHS program.

Oh, dear that is the fear of every interiewee, a grand inquisitor who brings us to tears. Do you mind letting us know what he asked you? Did he challenge challenge everything you said and demand that you defend it? Did it appear as if he was trying to trip you up? Did he just seem like a mean guy?

 

[DrMetal]

Kiddo, as has been pointed out to you several times already, you really need to tone down your rhetoric a little. If you like blabbing away on this forum, that's fine; but if you go around in real life talking about your conceptions of 'crazy', you're sure to get strange looks, especially in the mil.

Why are you so concerned about a psych eval? Have you ever had/needed one?

Of course those are my opinions and based on my limited experiences in college.

Yes, we know those are your opinions, and we know your experiences are limited , no need to reiterate.

 

[xmsr3]

I am not worried about a psych eval, (never had one or needed one) I just wanted to know if they give us one.

And as for mentioning my personal opinions I apologize for those, they were superfluous and I will try to keep those to myself in the future.

 

[dwb8p]

xmsr3, i beg you to please go air force, navy, or even better, phs. thanks.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

xmsr3, i beg you to please go air force, navy, or even better, phs. thanks.

Why is that? Did you choose Army?

 

[DrMetal]

I am not worried about a psych eval, (never had one or needed one) I just wanted to know if they give us one.

And as for mentioning my personal opinions I apologize for those, they were superfluous and I will try to keep those to myself in the future.

You can state your personal opinions here, as many people do. Just stay on topic. What's more alarming is some of your preconceptions about mil and med life. I don't think 'crazy' is an adjective many use to describe themselves, at least not in the military.

 

[LikesScience]

Can you get commissioned in San Antonio, (so up early in the city and wait for the commissioning) or does it have to be in your home town? Looking at the time frame, between when OBLC ends and USUHS begins, (4 days I think) I was planning on driving to OBLC and then immediatley to Bethesda as I have read others have done and recommended, (get your car before coming to USUHS means you are mobile and have one less thing to worry about during the orientation process).

Mslall, it appears that you are attending USUHS under the army program so if you, or anyone else who has done OBLC, could let us know, are cars allowed at Fort Sam? If so what is the parking situation like? Is there sufficient space or do you have to show up a week early to gurantee a spot? Is it free or paid and if paid, how much?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Let me get this straight, you are already planning out your transportation to and from Ft. Sam and where to park before even interviewing anywhere? Seriously? Your apparent obsession with USUHS doesn't seem very normal or healthy.

 

[dru2002]

Let me get this straight, you are already planning out your transportation to and from Ft. Sam and where to park before even interviewing anywhere? Seriously? Your apparent obsession with USUHS doesn't seem very normal or healthy.

Come on, give the guy a break. He is just very excited and shares it with the world. He is just a little overzealous. As time goes on he will relax a bit (hopefully) and everything will be cool.

 

[LikesScience]

Come on, give the guy a break. He is just very excited and shares it with the world. He is just a little overzealous. As time goes on he will relax a bit (hopefully) and everything will be cool.

He is WAY overzealous. I remember how stressful applying was, maybe this is his way of dealing with it. Hopefully he can redirect some of that obsession/energy into learning medicine.

 

[rkonmd]

Can any current/prior USUHS students shed some light on the 'Military Medical Field Studies' done during MS1?

Are we allowed to travel to OCONUS via our branch to get familiar with operations/research? Is Jump School a possible option? If I can combine my vacation and 'MMFS' i'd jump at it. Appreciate the input.

 

[xmsr3]

Let me get this straight, you are already planning out your transportation to and from Ft. Sam and where to park before even interviewing anywhere? Seriously? Your apparent obsession with USUHS doesn't seem very normal or healthy.

Look I am not taking an interview invite for granted much less an acceptance. I just like to be well prepared for anything I do, especially something as imporant as med school. As LikesScience said this is my way of dealing with the stress of the application process. Right now I have a lot of time on my hands and so am trying to learn as much as possible about what would be involved IF I got accepted to my dream school.

I am no more being arrogant in asking about details involved with USUHS than someone who asks what first semester is like. If someone who hasn't been invited for an interview asks that, or what ODS is like or how do you go about finding housing, no one jumps down their throat and calls them arrogent for assuming they will get in. I am just asking different questions, trying to learn as much about the details so that, IF I get in, I will have as smooth a transition as possible. And yes IF I get into a medical school I will turn all this pent up excitement into hard core studying and learning as much as I can.

Oh and Dr. Metal, when I said, "everyone is a little crazy" I was not trying to be offensive or make excuses for myself. In introductory Psych we learned there are over 400 different neuroses and that every single person in America has at least a couple. My point in stating this was to say that, if you look hard enough and depending on how you define it, anyone can be called crazy.

Heck, someone who is a compulsive perfectionist about their grades and gets stressed out before exams can be diagnosed with OCD and labeled mentally ill. Of course at my University we have a lot of these people; they're called pre-med students😀

 

[manucelt]

xmrs, how many times do you need to be told to calm down before you start listening. There have been several people who have already successfully completed the endeavor you are so excited about trying to help you, and you persistently ignore them. If you show up on interview day and even a hint of the neurotic behavior evident in your posts comes out, you will be putting yourself at a disadvantage. Your passion is commendable, but if you have a lot of time on your hands and that is truly the only reason for your posts that seem to come from out in left field, I'd strongly suggest you redirect your attention elsewhere.