Assuming USUHS remains open, your grades will be a significant barrier...
Has there been talk of USUHS closing? When you say anywhere do you mean into USUHS or a med school period?
Assuming USUHS remains open, your grades will be a significant barrier...
Has there been talk of USUHS closing? When you say anywhere do you mean into USUHS or a med school period?
Just water-cooler talk. I heard that alums all got an email telling them to call their congressmen (I'm sure someone here can verify if true).
Your grades will make any allopathic med school hard to achieve. Your grad school grades don't really help (and aren't factored in). You are assuming that after getting a C+ average in college and a B+ average in grad school, that you will get straight As in your post-bacc. Even that is only going to get you a 3.0 which is really below what you need for allopathic schools. I don't know about osteopathic schools but I suspect that its an issue there too for all but the newest least reputable schools.
Just water-cooler talk. I heard that alums all got an email telling them to call their congressmen (I'm sure someone here can verify if true).
They talk about closing USUHS every few years. I suppose it could happen.
This is the first time I think I've gotten an email about it though.
I think the school is pretty safe for now, it has a lot of political support from various Beltway circles. Plus the program is a pretty cost-effective one (by DOD standards), considering that it produces X number of doctors, advanced nurses, PhDs, etc, all of whom have an obligation to the military, many of whom make a career out of service (that might not have done so, had it not been for said obligation).
There are many more wasteful programs in our govt/military, many of which spend billions of dollars and don't produce an iota of product/manpower. I hope out gov't goes after those before shutting down any military schools!
Never heard of AFIP but will look them up to get the history.
Never heard of AFIP but will look them up to get the history. I really hope USUHS dont close as I would like to apply and hopefully gain an acceptance. While I am quite aware that stat-wise its going to be tough, (for lack of a better word to describe my chances) I dont believe in impossible. I'll apply broadly (between 18-20 schools), pray on the situation, and leave the rest up to the adcoms and God! 🙂![]()
Remember that movie "Outbreak"? The one where Dustin Hoffman and Cuba Gooding Jr stop a monkey from giving the world Ebola? They were from AFIP in the movie. Think about that the next time you see an adorable chimp in a kids' movie: if that thing goes rabid and bites Kevin James' head off, there's no one around to stop it anymore.
Yes the AFIP is closing, but its really more of a reorganization of the pathologists, renaming - since the whole BRAC thing is happening and the walter reed campus is soon to be used for civilian purposes, they are moving the pathologists around a bit. Hopefully usuhs doesnt get closed, its a rumor that goes around every few years when the budget is tight. Who knows.
Yes the AFIP is closing, but its really more of a reorganization of the pathologists, renaming - since the whole BRAC thing is happening and the walter reed campus is soon to be used for civilian purposes, they are moving the pathologists around a bit. Hopefully usuhs doesnt get closed, its a rumor that goes around every few years when the budget is tight. Who knows.
AFIP used to be where I wanted samples sent for a second opinion, not anymore.
Jeeze, where are you getting this from?Yes the AFIP is closing, but its really more of a reorganization of the pathologists, renaming - since the whole BRAC thing is happening and the walter reed campus is soon to be used for civilian purposes, they are moving the pathologists around a bit.
Hi,
I've been reading this forum for a couple days and I decided to register and post. I'll give a little background on myself. I'm 26, male and currently active duty enlisted (USAF). I've been in for a little over 4 years and am currently working through my pre-requisite courses as well as my bachelor's degree. I'm about halfway through with my pre-reqs and my degree will be complete in April '09.
I graduated high-school in 2000 and began pre-med classes that fall. I completed the fall semester with 14 hours and a terrible GPA of around 2.0 including one science course in which I recieved a "D". I withdrew from that school during the spring semester and took a break from school for a couple of years. Since that time I have done very well in school. Including that semester, my current GPA is around a 3.6 and my science GPA is around 3.0. By the time I finish all of my courses I would expect those to rise to around 3.7 and 3.5, respectively. Disregarding that initial semster my GPA would be around 3.9.
I have enjoyed my military experience so far. I'm not blind to the problems of the military and I've taken my share of crap, but overall I've felt content. I did not grow up in a military family, but I did grow up in the medical community. My mother is an RN and my father is a CRNA. I have felt for a long time that medicine was the right place for me, but being married and having two kids caused me to put it off for too long. I was convinced that I had waited too long, but after a self examination of what I was doing and where I wanted to be, I determined that I had to push myself to reach my goals. For the last 6 months I have been full-time at 2 schools as well as working full-time for the USAF. I'm determined to succeed at this without excuses.
I'm here looking for advice. I anticipate completing my pre-reqs by Dec. 2009 and applying for Fall 2011 matriculation. I haven't decided when to take the MCAT. I do pretty well on standardized tests so I hope to have a reasonable score. As far as clinical experience goes, I worked for around 9 months as an OR orderly and I have arranged to shadow a former USAF orthopedic surgeon in his current civilian hospital for a week or two next spring. Because of my military obligations, I have had to take whatever I could get as far as science classes go. I'm getting the right classes for pre-reqs but not all from the same school, instructor ect.
I apologize for such a long post, but I wanted to give a good intro to my situation. What advice could anyone give me to make myself more competitive at USU. I am dedicated to a career in the Air Force and it's not really about the money for me. I haven't even really considered any other schools because USU is exactly where I want to be. Thanks for taking the time to offer any advice or relevant experience you might have.
Hello all,
Is it safe to assume that interview preference was based upon prior service? Is it possible that so many people returned the secondary application before June?
Does anyone have any opinions regarding interview attire? Would it be wise to wear my Class A, or should I stick with typical suit and tie?
Thanks in advance.
Does anyone have any opinions regarding interview attire? Would it be wise to wear my Class A, or should I stick with typical suit and tie?
Thanks for the great responses everyone.
I think I'll heed the unanimous consensus not to wear the FD Class A. I agree with all the reasons mentioned - I'm glad I asked.
At this time, I'm leaning towards the Navy (although the mandatory GMO tour is not super appealing). I wasn't aware that the Army typically filled up last. Is there a particular reason for that? I'm still trying to determine what all the differences between the branches are.
Hey guys,
After reading the forum, I have some questions. I was invited to an interview for 9/22, the second slot. 10/16 has passed and that was the first day of acceptance calls. I read that the next day is 11/1 and if we don't hear by then, we are waitlisted (since the interview was so early). I have not received a call and my stats are low: GPA 3.38, MCAT 31. Should i be worried? I got an early interview slots and they say they want us but I am not confident due to weak scores. What should I do now? I went army if that means anything.
Don't be too worried just yet. They will let you know one way or another. Waitlist isn't an option until they fill all the slots since they do rolling admissions. Your results will either be conditional acceptance, alternate, and rejection. I know a few people from the 9/29 day posted they have heard already, but there are still others from 9/15 and 9/22 that hadn't heard.
By 5 "term credits" do you mean "quarter credits"? If so, yes, 3 semester credits is considered equivalent to 5 quarter credits.
so i have received a hold letter. What can i do to increase my chances of admittance?
does anyone know if past graduate and undergraduate federal loans need to be begin the repayment process when you start USUHS? (b/c you'll be making a salary)
but i also heard that if you have federal loans, your branch of service repays the loans in full if they're federal loans?
any truth to this?
That is definitely a possibility 4th yeardoes any current USUHS student know for rotations at USUHS if you're allowed to apply for the CDC epidemiology elective (6-8 weeks) or if you're allowed to apply for (and do) the CDC Medical Student Fellowships (that last like 10-12 months) during your third or fourth year?
What is a typical day at USUHS like? Is there PT or formations or anything of that sort?
What is a typical day at USUHS like? Is there PT or formations or anything of that sort?
What is a typical day at USUHS like? Is there PT or formations or anything of that sort?
I was just curious if there was PT since I haven't read anything about it on this thread at all. I'm not at all worried about a little PT. Personally, I think it's a good idea. But I guess being a medical student does have precedence over physical fitness. 😀Never once did group PT there.
I think we assembled for about as many group photos as actual formations. I guess graduation counted as a formation, too.
A better question might be, if the occasional bit of PT or formation would dissuade you from going to USUHS, maybe you don't really want to be in the military at all.
By going to USUHS you're committing to a solid 14+ years on active duty before you're eligible to get out. Don't go if you don't want to be in the military.
I was just curious if there was PT since I haven't read anything about it on this thread at all. I'm not at all worried about a little PT. Personally, I think it's a good idea. But I guess being a medical student does have precedence over physical fitness. 😀
Group photos=formations![]()
This is my first post on SDN so I'll give some background.
Age: 26
Rank: LT/O-3
Undergrad: BS Quantitative Economics, 3.3 GPA
Grad: MS Operations Research, currently 4.0 GPA
Active duty submariner on post division officer shore duty
I am stationed at USNA and will teach for two years starting in August of this year. I have already signed up for 5 more years as a submariner and I am receiving the nuclear bonus. I am strongly considering transitioning to medical school (preferably USUHS) following my obligation.
I have several questions, and hope to address all of them in this post.
1. Post Baccalaureate Courses
I have completed all of the course requirements except for organic chemistry and biology. I did ok in most of them, except for chemistry my freshman year (C's both semesters). I may have the opportunity to take some courses at USNA, but as an instructor I would probably be limited to one class a semester. There are several alternative places to take these courses (UMD being the most prestigious, Anne Arundel Community College being the cheapest and most convenient). Will taking courses at a community college hurt my chances of being accepted?
Also, should I retake General Chemistry to show that I can learn that material? I had roughly a 2.8 GPA following my sophomore year, but did outstanding (almost all A's) my last two years. I also did very well at nuclear power school. I don't think that I will have any trouble with the coursework, but I wonder if those grades from way back will come back to haunt me.
2. Nuclear Officer Questions
Are there any current or former USUHS students on this forum that were nuclear trained?
I will complete my department head tour in the summer of 2017, and plan to immediately start USUHS. I would have to apply and submit my contingent resignation about a year before that. Do these resignations normally get accepted? My contract will expire before I would enter medical school, and the only thing keeping me in the nuclear side would be my orders as a department head. Based on my current estimates my orders would end in August of 2017, which would be perfect (I would hope to transfer in July, however). Can the submarine community reject my contingent resignation just because they want me to stay in that community?
3. Save Pay
I originally assumed that I would be making O-1 (over 10) pay as a USUHS student, but I came across an earlier thread about Save Pay which would entitle me to the highest base pay that I had previously earned (with O-1 BAH). This would be amazing. Is this true?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
1. If you can accomplish both AACC is OK. UMD may be better, but the ultimate enemy of good is better.
Are you saying that I should do UMD if that is feasible? I can definitely get it done there, but it would cost more and require an extra half hour commute.
I was suggesting that if you feel you can get the required knowledge from AACC, that would be fine. Demonstrating you know the material on the MCAT is paramount.
While getting the credits from a notable 4 year university will give you some SMALL bonus points. Not sure it is worth it for you.
Take the classes where it's convenient, stay afloat with your studies and put what time you can into extracurricular activities. I think USUHS puts more emphasis on those kinds of things than coming from a big prestigious school or having big numbers associated with your name.
Why delay -I am a non-trad, about to graduate in December. I want to apply to USUHS this Fall. I've been in the Army National Guard for four years. I would love to be in military medicine.
Here is the problem:
I just recently decided to go the med school route versus a Phd program. I have a full load of classes this semester (17 credits, all upper level). In order to take the MCAT prepared, I will have to take it towards mid-August, since I am taking a class in early summer as well.
I don't have any medical experience. I volunteered at the hospital for a year when I was fifteen (long time ago). I worked for my aunt as a medical translator (chinese) here and there for about a year as well. This is about all the medical experience I have. I am currently in the process of applying to the local hospital and VA medical center so I can volunteer and shadow some physicians.
My GPA isn't great: 3.48, but if I finish this semester with all A's, it will be up to a 3.51, which looks a little better. And if I continue this trend until I graduate, then it'll be a 3.6. I know I'll need a good score on my MCAT to even be competitive.
Should I take a year off, study the MCAT full time, get some more clinical experience, then apply? Or just go with what I've got? An average GPA, and hopefully an above average MCAT score, and clinical experience that hopefully will rack up during the summer.?
I hope to get my application in by mid-September. Will that be too late? Again, should I just wait a year?
I am 27 years old. By the time I apply this year, I'll be 28. Time is not on my side. I was a general manager for a corporate pizza store for four years and decided I didn't want to go the business route. Then I went back to school and joined the guard and found out I really liked the military and medicine. Why not do both?
Any comments and/opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!