Usuhs

[M3351]

- 7 year commitment, NOT INCLUDING internship + residency.
All in all: 4-years at USUHS + 1-year internship + 3-year (minimum) residency + 7-years payback = 15+ years in the military.
- USUHS = military career.
http://usuhs.mil/

Plus my prior service I'd be ready to retire when that contract was over. Definitely something to think about.

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[TheGoose]

Plus my prior service I'd be ready to retire when that contract was over. Definitely something to think about.

Just an FYI if you didn't know: The USUHS time does not count towards retirement until after you reach 20 (then it bumps to 24).

 

[ene5yb]

This is the first time I've ever posted on a forum, so please bear with me. I've spent a lot of time reading through all the posts on here and I'm so glad I came across this website - it's answered a lot of questions.
I do have a couple questions of my own, however, if there is anyone willing to reply:
Here is some background on me first though:

To make a long story short, I was a nursing major way back in '05, quit college (didn't take it serious, too much partying, immature) . I joined the Army in '06 - Psychological Operation, learned Thai, jumped from planes, met my hubby, you know the drill. It was in the Army that someone told me about the PA program. I built my packet, but never submitted because my head was in the clouds with an upcoming marriage - didn't want to leave for 2+ years, etc. (tisk, tisk, I know) - got my stripes, got pregnant the next year, then got out at the end of my pregnancy. And now I'm back in school. The initial plan was to go to PA school (and I will still apply to PA school after grad), but then I saw USUHS and almost flew out of my seat! Medical school + paid tuition + a paycheck + Army - WOO! I never even considered med school because I could never afford it as a civilian. Never even knew the military offered this.

That was still kind of a long story - Well, here is what I'm working with now:
I'm 27, Biology major, prior service, 3.98 GPA (good GPA but I had a 2.8 my first go round in college) - this should stay fairly constant since I actually take school serious this time, no MCAT yet, and not much clinical experience. I will graduate in December 2013 so I have a little time.

So, finally, my questions:
1) Should I get my butt in gear to get some clinical experience? I'm juggling full-time school, a two-year old, and a husband who is about to start a 3-year recruiting contract. If I don't have to add more to my plate, I don't want to - but if I need it, I'm in. I have some time during the summers, but for the most part, I'm cramming classes in the summer to graduate in a timely manner. I do have some "experience", but nothing really on paper - I volunteered at a children's hospital at 16 y/o, took CLS, and another, more advanced CLS in my Army career, and I had to work a detail when I was a Specialist at Robin Sage - since I was the only female, they made me the "medic" and I shadowed the SF medics and did a lot of IVs, physicals, imaginary field work. I also did work study in Sports Medicine in '04, and took an EMT Basic course but had to drop out the last two weeks because it was when I was pregnant and I had some issues and couldn't finish - so there is a lot of stuff there - just nothing on paper.... Advice?

2)I got out of my first enlistment on Chapter 8 (pregnancy) - it was only 6mos early, but early nonetheless. Will this be an issue to get back in? I know it can be on the enlisted side. I don't want to seem like a quitter - I just thought at the time that it was the right thing to do and we didn't have a family care plan at the time in case we were both deployed (we do now thanks to retired grandparents!)

3)How is it now that the Army is downsizing? Is it harder to get in, or is it fairly constant?

4) What is life as an Army physician like? Being in a Special Ops unit spoiled me a little - work hard when you need to and go the heck home otherwise...lol. I don't expect it to be like that at all, but just wondering if I'll be working 70hrs/week or a 9-5 job, shiftwork, etc. And also how do deployments work? Are they 1yr rotations, 6mos, everyone deploys, you can pick and choose? In my old unit we (sort of) got to choose our missions - spoiled again - and I don't expect it to be that way.

5) Dual military - my husband is in the Army...his mos is everywhere (although he's been here 7yrs)...is there anyone out there who has experience with this?? Does it work out? Since he is enlisted (and I would definitely go back in Army), would they just have him PCS where I was? This is also why I want to know the above (#4) - I just want to see what I'll be working with. I know how the military works, and you don't get to choose your hours, etc....so if I'm potentially signing myself up to never see my husband, then I'd rather go the PA route, work less, make way less, do less, etc. I would love love LOVE to be a doctor - but my family is my first priority. Now, I can do deployments and TDY - I actually look forward to my husbands TDY trips - it gives us a nice break (is that bad? haha)...I just don't want to be living in separate states all the time. Make sense?

I'd especially love to hear from any females out there on your experience...having a family, a kid (and hopefully another some day), and being in the military is tough, so I'd love to hear how school/training/work is. And also from the males too!

That is it - if there is anything else that you would advise/recommend please let me know - I still have a little while before I have to start applying, but it will be here before I know it. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Shah Boy]

Hi, I am a NROTC midshipman applying to both USUHS and HPSP this cycle. I think I would really like to go to USUHS (vs civilian school on HPSP), but, of course, can't be 100% sure until I interview there. I heard a rumor that if you are accepted to USUHS, you are NOT allowed to pass on USUHS's offer and attend a different school on HPSP. Does anyone here know whether this is true? Thank you!

 

[dwb8p]

Hi, I am a NROTC midshipman applying to both USUHS and HPSP this cycle. I think I would really like to go to USUHS (vs civilian school on HPSP), but, of course, can't be 100% sure until I interview there. I heard a rumor that if you are accepted to USUHS, you are NOT allowed to pass on USUHS's offer and attend a different school on HPSP. Does anyone here know whether this is true? Thank you!

absolutely false

 

[Shah Boy]

I am applying this cycle and I read that USUHS will pay for transportation to MD for incoming students, but does anyone know if they will pay for transporting pets? I would be shipping a horse...

 

[Shah Boy]

absolutely false

Thanks! Maybe that is just something that HPSP recruiters tell you?

 

[SirGecko]

I am applying this cycle and I read that USUHS will pay for transportation to MD for incoming students, but does anyone know if they will pay for transporting pets? I would be shipping a horse...

Quick google search seems to indicate that you can't get the military to pay for someone to move a horse with a PCS move. You will probably need to pony up the cash yourself. If you tow the horse you may be able to get some money, as I am fairly certain people tow boats and get DITY move money for it so I don't see why a horse would be different.

 

[baejor]

Quick google search seems to indicate that you can't get the military to pay for someone to move a horse with a PCS move. You will probably need to pony up the cash yourself. If you tow the horse you may be able to get some money, as I am fairly certain people tow boats and get DITY move money for it so I don't see why a horse would be different.

It seems likely that if you have a trailer, registration for it, consent from owner to use it or rental agreement, empty weigh ticket, and full weigh ticket, you would be able to include the weight of your horse up to your weight limit. I will ask a question at finance, and get back to you on it.

 

[medneurobust13]

How important is GPA vs MCAT scores? I have a relatively low GPA for a med student (3.2) because of various reasons but I'm on track for a high MCAT (36+) based on AAMC tests an decent clinical experience. I'm also interested in the Public Health Service branch - does anyone have any experience with that?

 

[Yonko Shanks]

whats the average gpa and mcat score for accepted applicants at usuhs?

 

[NavyFP]

Last numbers I heard are 3.8/33. Minimums are 3.5 and 30 as a rule.

 

[pgg]

Last numbers I heard are 3.8/33. Minimums are 3.5 and 30 as a rule.

Really - that's up quite a bit.

Back when I applied (late 90s) I think the average accepted gpa was in the 3.4-3.5 range.

 

[NavyFP]

Really - that's up quite a bit.

Back when I applied (late 90s) I think the average accepted gpa was in the 3.4-3.5 range.

That's what I heard, have not seen anything written. It may be PIOOMYA numbers.

 

[AirForceMD]

Think carefully before choosing either HPSP or USHUS! The future of military medicine is changing, and you will be chained to it. They will significantly limit your choice of specialty, delay your progression as a doctor, and make you increasingly less competent the longer you stay in. You become more of an administrator and less of a doctor from your first day! Obviously, many factors play into this decision, primarily the noble desire to serve your country. The military as a whole is outsourcing care, and if you live near a military installation, you will serve your country by treating your patients well! As to the finances, you will be much better off not accepting the scholarship in the long run. Please, please, please message me if you are thinking about choosing this option and I will do my best to encourage you otherwise. (Someone tried to do this for me and I didn't listen back in the day...). If you're currently in the scholarship, I would also encourage you to drop out if you can do so...you don't incur active duty commitment until year 3 in the Air Force. Check carefully about this and get out if you can now.

 

[Lui Kang]

Really - that's up quite a bit.

Back when I applied (late 90s) I think the average accepted gpa was in the 3.4-3.5 range.

So people with lower stats than this can't apply???

 

[pgg]

So people with lower stats than this can't apply???

What?

Anyone can apply anywhere. Whether they're competitive or likely to be accepted is a totally different subject.

 

[SirGecko]

Plus it is an average not a cutoff.

 

[Navy Flight Doc]

So, finally, my questions:
1) Should I get my butt in gear to get some clinical experience?...

The main reason people should have some clinical experience is to show that they know what they're getting into and have some idea of how the medical field works. Your vast experience before probably covers that. Anything else would just be if it were fun (though they do like to see volunteer and/or extracurricular activities).

2)I got out of my first enlistment on Chapter 8 (pregnancy) - it was only 6mos early, but early nonetheless. Will this be an issue to get back in?...

I don't know, but if I had to guess I'd say no. Speaking with someone in admissions at USUHS might give you a more reliable answer.

3)How is it now that the Army is downsizing? Is it harder to get in, or is it fairly constant?

Again, the admissions office at USUHS can tell you number of applicants and number of accepted. Of any of the services, Army has traditionally needed more people and had a lower applicant to opening ratio (at least several years ago they did). But if you get accepted to USUHS and the Army spots are filled, they may put you in a different service (though I doubt it for Army). At that point I THINK you'd have to either take it or decline the acceptance... For HPSP, I have no idea, but word on the street is that they're still actively recruiting for medical officers.

4) What is life as an Army physician like? ...And also how do deployments work? Are they 1yr rotations, 6mos, everyone deploys, you can pick and choose?...

I can't speak toward the Army since I'm in the Navy, but I think it would depend greatly on what specialty you choose. GREATLY. For deployments in the Army, I can't comment, and this may change drastically by the time you finish training and are deployable.

5) Dual military - my husband is in the Army...would they just have him PCS where I was? ...

Never a guarantee. Though better odds if you're the same service. They try pretty hard to get couples co-located.

I'd especially love to hear from any females out there on your experience...having a family, a kid (and hopefully another some day)...

While I'm female, I don't have a family, so I'm not the best person to answer this question...

 

[ucsbbio]

Hello, reading through the thread I am still confused on some stuff.

1) Do you have to do a Mil residency after attending USUHS?

2) How does your branch affect residency opportunities?

3) If I were "dead set" on EM, which branch would be best?

Thanks!

 

[Navy Flight Doc]

You do not HAVE to do a military residency after USUHS, but it is much harder to get a deferment for a civilian residency. If your plan is to go to a specific place for residency, I would urge you to think carefully before choosing USUHS (instead you should try to go to THAT med school). However, if you don't match anywhere, you will definitely have a military internship/residency -- a guarantee that you won't get in the civilian world. HPSP has the same guarantee.

There are different numbers of specialists in each branch. You might find slight differences between the branches, but that varies by year depending on how many applicants that year (i.e., I heard a few years ago the Army actually didn't fill their anesthesia spots.)

For ER, your best bet is probably Army. Maybe Air Force. As much as I think Navy is the best service (admittedly biased -- there are no trauma centers in the Navy, so you might not get the same exposure that you would if you trained at a trauma center. Of course, I'm not an ER doc, so I could be wrong.... Just my 2 cents.

 

[ucsbbio]

Awesome thanks!

As far as over-seas deployment goes does branch matter?

I fully understand its possible for all branches and am ready to do it, but family obligations require me to at least attempt to minimize it.

 

[pgg]

If your plan is to go to a specific place for residency, I would urge you to think carefully before choosing USUHS (instead you should try to go to THAT med school). However, if you don't match anywhere, you will definitely have a military internship/residency -- a guarantee that you won't get in the civilian world. HPSP has the same guarantee.

USUHS guarantees an inservice PGY1 position only. There is no guarantee, or preference given, for PGY2+ years. Civilian PGY2+ deferrals for USUHS grads are very rare. Those people can still be GMOs for 7 years and get out though, but obviously that sucks for other reasons.

HPSP guarantees neither. If the .mil doesn't have room or doesn't want you for PGY1, you're on your own ... and then you're STILL required to apply for an inservice residency/PGY2+ position, which they aren't required to give you either.

 

[pgg]

Awesome thanks!

As far as over-seas deployment goes does branch matter?

I fully understand its possible for all branches and am ready to do it, but family obligations require me to at least attempt to minimize it.

If you don't want to deploy, don't join the military. I'm not trying to be flip or snarky, but EVERYONE can expect to deploy at some point. For a while the Army was handing out 12 and 18 month deployments but I think those are uncommon now. Navy is usually 7 months. I think Air Force averaged in the 6 month range but I'm not sure.

If you have family obligations that would be hurt, you shouldn't join. And I don't mean family obligations like "gee I don't really want to spend time away from home" kind of feelings like everybody has ... I mean like a special needs kid or a dependent parent.

 

[ucsbbio]

Still a little confused on how residency works for USU grads but I guess I'll at least figure it out by my interview.

One more question. is there any difference between the branches on how much humanitarian aid/ global health work they do?

Thanks so much for all the info!

 

[pgg]

Still a little confused on how residency works for USU grads but I guess I'll at least figure it out by my interview.

One more question. is there any difference between the branches on how much humanitarian aid/ global health work they do?

Thanks so much for all the info!

Don't join the military if you want to humanitarian work.

Those opportunities are few and far between, and tend to get snapped up by more senior people because they're more fun than deploying to the desert.

The incidental humanitarian work you might get to do during a regular deployment as a GMO is usually kind of half-assed and worthless, to be blunt. It's done in the context of winning hearts and minds and so the actual medical utility or appropriateness of the care delivered is secondary to the strategic objectives.


Residency for USUHS graduates is the same as for HPSP graduates, except the USUHS guys have longer service obligations, so the "do your time as a GMO, get out, and do a civilian residency" backup plan is much less desirable. USUHS graduates do their internship (PGY1 year) at a military hospital after matching to it through the GME1 selection board in Dec. Army & Air Force typically (but not always) have categorical positions that will send those people straight through to their PGY2+ residency years. The Navy will send most (2/3+) people out to the fleet or the Marines for 2-3 years as GMOs, and then they have to apply for a PGY2+ residency position. There's some variation by specialty ... lots of FM or IM people go straight to residency without GMO time, but 100% of anesthesia, radiology, and some other residents have to do GMO time first.

 

[ucsbbio]

It was my understanding that the military was doing more humanitarian work? Also, that the majority of this was occurring in the navy and air force?

Changing the topic...what do mil MDs do during their obligated service after residency?

Again, thanks so much for all the info I appreciate it a lot.

 

[pgg]

It was my understanding that the military was doing more humanitarian work? Also, that the majority of this was occurring in the navy and air force?

Changing the topic...what do mil MDs do during their obligated service after residency?

Again, thanks so much for all the info I appreciate it a lot.

You MAY get to do some humanitarian work, but it's unlikely that it'll be anything of real consequence. It's an afterthought or incidental to 99% of what the military does, even if it makes up 99% of recruiting commercials.

Odds are EXTREMELY high that unless you make an entire 20+ year career out of the military, the deployment(s) you do will be to some echelon of combat support hospital or clinic in whatever conflict we're involved in. The extent of the "humanitarian" work you're likely to do in such a place is going to be limited to local nationals injured by us or our opponents as collateral damage. Sometimes, there is some interaction with local health authorities, and assistance given to them, but this is typically not the focus of the average deployment.

Again, the few purely humanitarian deployment opportunities are usually snapped up by senior people, or by subspecialists who very specific skills applicable to the trip. (Eg, when it comes to anesthesia, supposedly they tend to favor pediatric fellowship trained anesthesiologists because of the anticipated peds-heavy case load.) The Navy version of this might be a few months cruising through ports in the developing world doing humanitarian work. I'm sure it's great. But you will NOT get offered one of these spots in lieu of a trip to the desert if you're just a HPSP'er paying back your 4 years. The O6 who's already been to Kandahar will be fighting the O5 who's been to Iraq for that spot.



If humanitarian work is something you want to spend significant time doing, you're better off outside the military volunteering with groups like Operation Smile. You'll get more done, more efficiently.

 

[BARON7]

Hi all. I have an interview coming up at USUSH in September and couldn't be more excited. I have a couple of questions though. I see on here a lot that Air Force and Navy often have a lot of GMO tours before residency, which delays completion of their residency. I was wondering if someone could please explain a GMO tour, and if said tour counts toward paying back time at USUHS.

Also, is there anyone on this forum who has a wife/recently married at USUHS? I would love to hear how attending school here versus a civilian school is on family life, as I would like to starta family one day. I do understand the possibility of deployments is a detriment to the family, but I feel strongly about a commitment to the military and the nation.

Lastly,I was wondering if anyone could recommend a branch of service. I know it has been asked before and I have researched each one extensively, but I find it hard to choose. I originally wanted AF, but after reading the other pro/con threads, it appears AF is the least popular option with the high frequency of GMO/flight surgeon tours. So now I am leaning toward Navy, and want to know what others who have chosen Navy think of their experience so far. Or just your time in general at USUHS.

Thanks so much in advance for the feedback.

 

[pgg]

Hi all. I have an interview coming up at USUSH in September and couldn't be more excited. I have a couple of questions though. I see on here a lot that Air Force and Navy often have a lot of GMO tours before residency, which delays completion of their residency. I was wondering if someone could please explain a GMO tour, and if said tour counts toward paying back time at USUHS.

Search the forum, GMO tours are discussed endlessly.

Short version - between your PGY1 and PGY2 years, you may spend 2-3 years doing primary care for an operational unit. This time does count toward payback of the USUHS (or HPSP) service obligation.

Also, is there anyone on this forum who has a wife/recently married at USUHS? I would love to hear how attending school here versus a civilian school is on family life, as I would like to starta family one day. I do understand the possibility of deployments is a detriment to the family, but I feel strongly about a commitment to the military and the nation.

The same as any other school, except
1) you get a paycheck and benefits for you and your family
2) compared to other allopathic schools, you're more likely to spend part of your 3rd and 4th years traveling for clinical rotations

Lastly,I was wondering if anyone could recommend a branch of service. I know it has been asked before and I have researched each one extensively, but I find it hard to choose. I originally wanted AF, but after reading the other pro/con threads, it appears AF is the least popular option with the high frequency of GMO/flight surgeon tours. So now I am leaning toward Navy, and want to know what others who have chosen Navy think of their experience so far. Or just your time in general at USUHS.

Navy has the highest % of GMO tours, even though they've made a small amount of progress on converting some of those billets to residency trained physicians.

That said, AF seems to be leading the way with all the things that are wrong with military medicine, so they'd be my distant 3rd choice (behind Navy, Army). 4th if you throw PHS in there.

Lots of people choose the AF because they have the impression that it's the "least military" of all branches, and that they won't have to put up with as much "military crap" as people in the Army or Navy. There may even be some truth to that. I think that's dumb on a number of levels.

 

[BARON7]

Thank you for the reply, it is greatly appreciated. During GMO tours, is your family allowed to go with you, or is it similar to deployment because I have read some GMO tours taking multiple years. Also, is GMO a guarantee with the Navy, or only something you get if you pick a competetive residency after graduating that you can't get in to. Thanks again.

 

[pgg]

Thank you for the reply, it is greatly appreciated. During GMO tours, is your family allowed to go with you, or is it similar to deployment because I have read some GMO tours taking multiple years. Also, is GMO a guarantee with the Navy, or only something you get if you pick a competetive residency after graduating that you can't get in to. Thanks again.

Family relocates with you during GMO time. It can actually be pretty family friendly, except for the deployments. Generally no weekends and no call. Naturally if you deploy overseas family stays home. But most of a GMO tour is spent at some base in the US. (There were/are a couple of unaccompanied overseas GMO billets out there, eg I think there are a few Korea spots for the Army, but those are the unusual exceptions.)

GMO time is all but guaranteed in the Navy unless you pick a relatively non-competitive residency with a lot of positions. The classic examples are internal med and family med. Many (but not all) of them can go straight through. Most residents in most other specialties in Navy residencies have done GMO time.

 

[MilMD01]

Hello,

I just got an acceptance call from USUHS yesterday afternoon! I will definitely be enrolling at USUHS next fall, and was curious about how the rest of the process goes.

I received a "conditional" acceptance, what exactly does that mean? I've already filled out my security paperwork & gotten the medically qualified letter from DODMETS. So I should be good right? Am I safe to cancel other interviews? Or should I wait.

Also, all I received was an accepted phone call, no email or letter in the mail. When does that stuff usually roll out? And additionally, when does the background check begin? I'm not worried about anything (I've only ever had 1 speeding ticket haha) but just curious about how the process goes.

Are there any more hoops that I'll have to jump through, throughout the process? Like go take more physicals etc or w/e. Or am I pretty much done now with the process.

I appreciate any/all information/advice.

 

[Navy Flight Doc]

@ucsbbio - the reply notifications must have gone to my spam folder - didn't know there were more replies on the thread! With apologies to pgg, I disagree about the humanitarian issue. If you pursue humanitarian work as a civilian, you will usually pay out of pocket (sometimes a lot). I think there are plenty of opportunities in the military, if you sniff them out. I was interested in it when I joined, and there was actually an interest group for this at USUHS when I was there (they help you get the contacts you need to do things like that). You can do a rotation as a 4th year at USUHS (well, when I was there you could) during an elective. You could go on the Mercy or Comfort (hospital ships that do humanitarian stuff). Yes, some of it is political (well, probably all of it. I don't think altruism is sustainable as a foreign policy). But during the Haiti disaster, the Navy was there. In Thailand -- there too. I think you'll have much better opportunites to do that stuff in the military.

Personally, I would strongly urge you to consider Navy. If you don't list any preference, you'll almost certainly get Army (much bigger service). As for deployments, probably all about the same (Army might be a little less desirable for deployment locations/lengths of time). AF is usually 6mos now and Navy is usually 7mos now, but there are always exceptions.

To answer the question about what military MDs do during payback time after residency, you basically work in your field (usually). If you are a neurologist, for example, you will work at one of the billets for that (one of the Navy hospitals somewhere in the world, not just US). You will have clinic, see pts, take call (if there is any for neurology), etc. You will also be eligible for deployments. The dept head or hospital will usually get a tasker saying they need 1 LCDR (they can go 1 up or down for rank) to go somewhere for something (i.e. deploy to Afghanistan with a Marine unit or something). It's much like civilian work, just the possiblities of deployment.


@Baron7 -- USUHS is extremely family friendly, as pgg pointed out. I would say that during MS3/4 at USUHS, you could get away with not traveling at all, or very little. They are trying to minimize the travel (to save money) it seems these days at USUHS. Plus, during my time there, there were plenty of single people who would happily trade their rotation at Walter Reed for yours in Hawaii.

After USUHS, if you do a GMO/flight surgeon/dive doc tour, in any service, it counts toward payback. All time that you're wearing a uniform except for residency (and internship) counts toward payback. I'm in my second flight tour in Navy (partly by choice) and I have to say that there are some major MAJOR advantages to doing a tour like this before going back to residency. People like to talk bad about it and how awful it is, but I'm very glad I did it. They all differ depending on where you go, but generally a great schedule, plenty of time to take leave, moonlighting (can be very lucrative depending on where you are). I could go on... Anyway, it's not a bad thing to do a GMO/flight/dive tour before going back to residency, but Navy does have the highest percentages of this (also the only service with dive medicine, and a more robust flight surgeon training program). It might be a fun time to live in Japan, Italy, or Greece for a couple years. Most of them you can bring your family - even overseas. Depends on the billet.

To answer your question about service, Go Navy!

@joshb003 -- Congrats! You should get a letter in the mail soon with the conditional acceptance. Once the medical stuff is done and sent to the right people, you should get an unconditional letter. I would not cancel anything else until you have that unconditional letter. I had a conditional acceptance in Nov and the unconditional came in April or May. Not sure why the delay. I would call admissions and ask after you get the conditional letter if there's anything else you can do to speed it up (I had really bad eyesight and had to go see specialists). Usually it's just background check and medical, I think, that hold the unconditional acceptance. Though I'm surprised you already did the physical if you hadn't had the acceptance yet... I thought that happened after you were accepted. Anyway, there aren't any major hoops to jump through assuming all your medical stuff is done and you don't need any waivers or specialists.

 

[MilMD01]

Thanks for the info! When I got my interview invite, they had me set up the physical/eye exam etc prior to attending the interview. That's why it is complete!

 

[Gastrapathy]

Navy Flight Doc- I'm with pgg on this one. We may claim to do humanitarian work while working on the government's dime but we never stay long enough to make a meaningful difference. The only folks I was with who really accomplished anything were the dentists. At least they could pull teeth (as could I, it turned out). Its just not real.

 

[pgg]

The only folks I was with who really accomplished anything were the dentists.

Give the veterinarians some credit too!


I spent a couple weeks with a joint Navy & Operation Smile effort once, which was wonderful. Someday I'd like to work with Op Smile again.

We did some useful stuff in Afghanistan with helping locals set up their own clinics. Our logistics, supplies, equipment, etc but local doctors. That went well and probably made a difference. But still the exceptions to the rule.

 

[dundermifflin2]

Hi. I am senior hoping to take a gap year and apply in 2013. I am very intent on going to USUHS. I was wondering what are my chances getting into it.

I have a 3.4 gpa, which I am going to bring up to at least 3.45 this semester and hopefully a 3.5 by the end of my year. I haven't taken my mcat yet (which I plan to next year) but I know I can get around a 32. I don't really have much clinical experience but I've done a fair amount of research.

I have no previous military experience but my dad and brother are both in PHS commission corps. Will that help me at all?

Do I have any chance of getting in? Should I do a post-bacc/ SMP before I even try or maybe just look at osteopathic schools.

Thanks for the help!

 

[NavyFP]

Navy Flight Doc- I'm with pgg on this one. We may claim to do humanitarian work while working on the government's dime but we never stay long enough to make a meaningful difference. The only folks I was with who really accomplished anything were the dentists. At least they could pull teeth (as could I, it turned out). Its just not real.

I like to call it "hand job medicine". It makes you feel good, but doesn't accomplish anything.

 

[MilMD01]

@dunder,

I think that if you get a 32, have that GPA, and have good EC's then you should be fine. I got accepted with a 29 MCAT, but a 3.7 GPA (dual degrees in Microbiology/Genetics) and good EC's.

Good luck.

 

[canislupusblue]

Hey Congrats! I was wondering if you can give me some details (e.g. what you think made you competitive). I plan on applying 2013 cycle, and this is my first choice. Would be utterly grateful for some of your input! And congrats again!

 

[dundermifflin2]

^^ also wondering the same thing.

Would having family members that are in the military (my dad and brother are in the PHS) help a lot?

I understand that they are interested in those that will want to stay in the military.

 

[DrMetal]

^^ also wondering the same thing.

Would having family members that are in the military (my dad and brother are in the PHS) help a lot?

I understand that they are interested in those that will want to stay in the military.

No, not at all. What helps is having a good Mcat/gpa. That gets your foot in the door. Then, other life experiences (prior military service, research, etc) can come into play. Admissions at Usuhs runs like most other medical schools. They wanna know that youre academically capable, as evidenced by your mcat/gpa. No amount of prior military service (or family service) can make up for very low numbers.

 

[pgg]

^^ also wondering the same thing.

Would having family members that are in the military (my dad and brother are in the PHS) help a lot?

Not a bit.

I understand that they are interested in those that will want to stay in the military.

They're interested in academically capable and at least superficially non-dysfunctional people who want to join the military for what appear to be the right reasons.

The only difference between a USUHS interview and a Univ of Someplace interview is that USUHS is going to ask why you want to join the military, and they'll want to hear something besides "$ for med school" ...

As for staying, they let the 7 years of obligated service carrot-stick take care of that.

 

[MilMD01]

Like pgg said, It was a routine interview, with the addition of "why military medicine?"

The things that made me competitive.. hmm well my MCAT/GPA are pretty average (29 and 3.65), but I am pursuing two degrees in Microbiology/Genetics.

3 years of research, with 12 credit hours completed and 1 publication.
2 years of working in a group home (~2000 hours of patient care experience)
Lots of other work experience
Volunteer with Big Brothers of America, shadowed physicians etc.

I think my interview went really well too, but when I got the acceptance call, the guy said he was most impressed with my ability to multitask (work 25 hrs a week, while going to school full time).

Hope that helps!

 

[canislupusblue]

Thanks so much! Your information really helps! My numbers are somewhere around that area (although haven't taken mcat yet but expect 29+), although I don't have that duel degree. Anyone else have details on their acceptance (in terms of competitive application)? Would be much appreciated!

 

[SDSU EB]

We'll see if I get an acceptance or not (just interviewed last week)
But stats are pretty basic: 33R, 3.7 even, loads of EC's (I have no life... counterintuitively??).

The interviewers were pretty neat. It was very informal. I had a lieutenant commander and a captain. They asked me about things in my personal statement, "tell me more about working on Catalina?? That sounds cool." Was one. I got asked if I'd be interested in research, things like that. No real, "why medicine?" "why mil med?" (but I've got strong military history... so that might be why).

The only thing that kind of tripped me up was the Captain asking me to go through in 60 seconds high school to now, except he interrupted every 15 seconds. I later realized he was trying to see what my reaction was, lol. That and the Captain went, "if you got into Yale, would you go there or here, no bull**** answers" he later agreed and said I should go to Yale, and bring all that knowledge back to the Navy, but that threw me off-guard.

But if you count interviews going well by them going long, then I did pretty snazzy. I ran both interviews long, one ended up being an hour (they're supposed to be half hour max). But I learned a lot, both of my interviewers had done a second residency, because they wanted to do something different (which I thought was neat). The Captain had some insights into PTSD for doctors which was sobering (think of how 1 person seeing their friend blown up scars them, now think about a doctor seeing 3-5 people he knows and having to sew their faces back up).

Biggest thing I came out of those interviews with in a singular advice piece: ASK QUESTIONS! You'll learn a lot and you'll engage more, and I'm told it is a very good quality to have in interviews. Plus, it will help you decide if military medicine is right for you, along with USUHS
The whole interview day sold me more on USUHS than anything on SDN or their website. National Simulation Center, check; recorded lectures, check; clerkship locations, check; post-clerkship locations, holy hannah gigantosaurus check; full description of Operation Bushmaster, check; patient care and insurance, quadruple check; job opportunities, checkitty check; and on and on and on.

From what the dean of admissions was saying, if you've got an interview, you're on the gravy train already, it's a 1 in 2 chance you'll be offered an acceptance (they interview ~600, accept 300, matriculate ~175). And as it was explained to me, because it's rolling admissions, the majority of people not offered acceptance are late in the interview cycle (after October/November). So get the secondary done ASAP and get an early interview!

 

[Mace1370]

We'll see if I get an acceptance or not (just interviewed last week)
But stats are pretty basic: 33R, 3.7 even, loads of EC's (I have no life... counterintuitively??).

The interviewers were pretty neat. It was very informal. I had a lieutenant commander and a captain. They asked me about things in my personal statement, "tell me more about working on Catalina?? That sounds cool." Was one. I got asked if I'd be interested in research, things like that. No real, "why medicine?" "why mil med?" (but I've got strong military history... so that might be why).

The only thing that kind of tripped me up was the Captain asking me to go through in 60 seconds high school to now, except he interrupted every 15 seconds. I later realized he was trying to see what my reaction was, lol. That and the Captain went, "if you got into Yale, would you go there or here, no bull**** answers" he later agreed and said I should go to Yale, and bring all that knowledge back to the Navy, but that threw me off-guard.

But if you count interviews going well by them going long, then I did pretty snazzy. I ran both interviews long, one ended up being an hour (they're supposed to be half hour max). But I learned a lot, both of my interviewers had done a second residency, because they wanted to do something different (which I thought was neat). The Captain had some insights into PTSD for doctors which was sobering (think of how 1 person seeing their friend blown up scars them, now think about a doctor seeing 3-5 people he knows and having to sew their faces back up).

Biggest thing I came out of those interviews with in a singular advice piece: ASK QUESTIONS! You'll learn a lot and you'll engage more, and I'm told it is a very good quality to have in interviews. Plus, it will help you decide if military medicine is right for you, along with USUHS
The whole interview day sold me more on USUHS than anything on SDN or their website. National Simulation Center, check; recorded lectures, check; clerkship locations, check; post-clerkship locations, holy hannah gigantosaurus check; full description of Operation Bushmaster, check; patient care and insurance, quadruple check; job opportunities, checkitty check; and on and on and on.

From what the dean of admissions was saying, if you've got an interview, you're on the gravy train already, it's a 1 in 2 chance you'll be offered an acceptance (they interview ~600, accept 300, matriculate ~175). And as it was explained to me, because it's rolling admissions, the majority of people not offered acceptance are late in the interview cycle (after October/November). So get the secondary done ASAP and get an early interview!

I think you have a great chance. You interviewed early and your stats are very strong. Assuming you didn't bomb the interview (and it sounds like you didn't), I would assume acceptance.

 

[MilMD01]

How was the boot camp thing in the summer? I'm kind of looking forward to it, what should I expect?

 

[SDSU EB]

From what I know, it depends on the service (Air Force is way less fun than the others... because well... Mississippi and Alabama in the middle of the summer). But if you know ROTC Field Training, it's not as crazy as that (PT-wise... no stress fractures and stuff). The way it's been described to me is some PT mixed with death by powerpoint. You're already commissioned, so you get the yelling from the chiefs but it comes with "sir or ma'am" (they can still make you feel like a tiny tiny little person, but hey, still funny).

A lot of it is focused on teaching you about the military, SOP, drilling, etc.