Usuhs

[MeDreams]

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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?

 

[Gastrapathy]

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.

 

[NavyFP]

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.

The exception to that would be the Post-Baccs with guaranteed acceptance upon successful completion.

I have seen several osteopathic schools accepting students with 2.7-3.0 GPAs and less than 24 MCATs, but no allopathic. Then the question would be, will you be offered a scholarship. While prior service makes it easier, there certainly have been low academic performers turned down in favor of higher performing non-priors.

 

[pgg]

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.

 

[DrMetal]

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!

 

[BlackFrancis33]

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!

If you use the AFIP as an example, USUHS is definitely at risk and probably always will be. The AFIP was the most well known medical asset the military, it closed. It only takes one cycle of politicians looking to cut costs in the short term. Hope it doesn't happen.

 

[MeDreams]

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! 🙂

 

[pgg]

Never heard of AFIP but will look them up to get the history.

AFIP = Armed Forces Institute of Pathology

It was a truly (truly!) world class institution, and the military killed it.

 

[AF M4]

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.

 

[MeMoMa]

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.

 

[ahowardmd]

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.

I thought the guys from Outbreak were supposedly from USAMRIID? I always thought it would be cool to work with them in the future because of Outbreak lol

 

[Gastrapathy]

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.

This is just not true at all. There were world famous GI and liver pathologists at the old AFIP. They ALL left during the "reorganization." These were guys who wrote the textbooks. Now what we call AFIP are AD pathologists who are 2 years out of training just like everyone at our place. AFIP used to be where I wanted samples sent for a second opinion, not anymore.

 

[pgg]

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.

The current NNMC/WRAMC shenanigans is of course going on, but isn't what killed AFIP, and mere "reorganization" doesn't quite catch the essence of what has really happened there. The place was gutted quite some time ago. It's just another path lab now - which is really quite sad and disappointing when you take a step back and look at what the military has simply lost in the last couple decades.

 

[pgg]

AFIP used to be where I wanted samples sent for a second opinion, not anymore.

And for that matter, AFIP used to be where top quality civilian institutions sent samples for second opinions. Not anymore.

 

[notdeadyet]

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.

Jeeze, where are you getting this from?

AFIP was without much doubt the best achievement in military medicine and it was killed, not just "reorganized."

Not too many people in fields of academic medicine say, "This surgeon is among the best of the best: he worked at Travis..." or "Recruit this woman ASAP- she spent 10 years at Lackland..." They said such things about AFIP pathologists. It wasn't a strong department that lived up to its civilian counterparts, it was actually better, which is a rareity.

 

[hrsraddish]

.

 

[In4thelonghaul]

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.

It doesn't feel like that post was so long ago, but I just completed my first day of class at USUHS and I can't believe I made it. For everyone else working toward your goals, don't give up, you'll make it. 🙂

 

[ms8171]

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[elderjack21]

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.

Very wordy, try to use too many words when you interview ;-) Anyway, interviewing in November is fine. Don't forget that many of the people accepted initially will choose to go somewhere else (this applies to most programs). So many people get acceptances later on.

Don't wear your uniform...wouldn't do you any favors and if anything may make you look like some foreign military officer or something in an unrecognized uniform. Your resume and service experiences will be plenty to set you apart at the interview. You should do great.

 

[silverhorse84]

In terms of outright acceptance, it depends on your service preference. Army shouldn't be full by the time your application is up for review after your interview, but Navy and/or AF may be full. That said, if you're waitlisted, like others have said, it does move quite a bit.

I would not wear the fire department uniform. You'll just confuse people, and that's not what you want on interview day. I would definitely talk about the experience in your interviews, but not wear the uniform.

 

[backrow]

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?

Go with the suit and tie (add on a small lapel pin if you have one from your fire dept). There is nothing to be gained from wearing the uniform and way too much to be lost if someone isn't a fan.

 

[ms8171]

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[pgg]

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.

Army has the most slots. Kind of some nasty locations too.

Air Force has the perception that it's an "easier" service or "less military" than the others, and it maybe attracts some people who have some nervousness about being in the military. The irony is that Air Force medicine, as an organization, seems to be substantially more f'd up than either the Navy or the Army.

All the cool kids pick the Navy.

 

[jvqd]

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.

 

[Cooperd0g]

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.

 

[jvqd]

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.

So i have received a hold letter. What can i do to increase my chances of admittance?

 

[felipson]

Quick newbie question. One of the prereqs is 3 semester credits of calculus. Will 5 term credits of calculus suffice? Thank you.

 

[notdeadyet]

By 5 "term credits" do you mean "quarter credits"? If so, yes, 3 semester credits is considered equivalent to 5 quarter credits.

 

[felipson]

By 5 "term credits" do you mean "quarter credits"? If so, yes, 3 semester credits is considered equivalent to 5 quarter credits.

Yes I meant quarter credits. Thank you.

 

[citrusguy2010]

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?

 

[Greenz]

so i have received a hold letter. What can i do to increase my chances of admittance?

+1

 

[NavyFP]

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?

You can defer, you are a student.....no, they don't pay your prior loans.

 

[citrusguy2010]

does 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?

 

[dwb8p]

does 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?

That is definitely a possibility 4th year

 

[mcja]

What is a typical day at USUHS like? Is there PT or formations or anything of that sort?

 

[grotto]

What is a typical day at USUHS like? Is there PT or formations or anything of that sort?

Just go and watch "Surviving the Cut" for Army special forces, add medical training.

... and subtract all yelling, military bearing, formations, and PT.

 

[SirGecko]

What is a typical day at USUHS like? Is there PT or formations or anything of that sort?

A typical day? Not really that different from civillian medical school, just different clothes. First two years (now a year and a half with the curiculum reform) you go to class, study and take tests. After that clinical rotations really change more by specialty than they do by the transition civillian to military.

To answer your specific questions: we don't do regular formations and there is no regularly scheduled mandatory school wide PT. (unless you get put on FEP for failing the PT test but I'm not exactly sure what the FEP policy is, just PT on your own time and pass the test. It isn't hard.)

 

[pgg]

What is a typical day at USUHS like? Is there PT or formations or anything of that sort?

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.

 

[mcja]

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

 

[pgg]

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

🙂

I suppose we did "group PT" when we took the fitness test twice per year. But that was actually kind of fun as a Navy guy, because we could stop running after 1.5 miles, and hang around making fun of the Army guys who were only 1/2 way through their 3 mile run.

Of course, the Air Force guys were sipping lemonade on their exercise test bikes while watching big screen TVs and getting periodic calf massages.

 

[submariner07]

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!

 

[NavyFP]

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. Getting them done is adequate. Rocking on the MCAT is essential. If you can accomplish both AACC is OK. UMD may be better, but the ultimate enemy of good is better.

2. Yes, there are prior nucs. Contingent resignations have been accepted in the past. There is a bit of luck associated though. Timing is everything.

3. Save pay is in effect. You will retain your current base pay while at USU. (O3 over 10) but BAH will be at the O1 level.

 

[mcja]

.

 

[submariner07]

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.

 

[NavyFP]

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.

 

[af616]

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.

 

[In4thelonghaul]

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.

Agreed, I'm a current MSI, applied last year as an active-duty AF member, did the majority of my science pre-reqs at a CC and it never came up as an issue. In fact, about half the stuff I took was introductory, I never even took Bio I or II, or Orgo II, or Phys I, or Gen Chem II. I had a total hodgepodge of crap to meet the requirements, I had a good GPA and an ok MCAT. I wouldn't stress too much, take your classes and do well in them where ever you go. Put effort into your personal statements, they really do care a lot about what kind of person you are and how motivated you are. Good luck.

 

[a1qwerty55]

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!

Why delay -

Let's do the math -
You have served in the Army so you know what you are getting into
You speak Chinese - a big selling point
Your grades are good - not great but good enough.
Not sure not having recent experience volunteering/shadowing will hurt you.

My rec - focus on the MCAT - do everything to crush it as it will off set the GPA.
Apply as soon as you possibly can - medical schools become more selective as they have fewer slots to give out - being early is always better.

good luck

 

[TheGoose]

One thing to add to A1's post is that they do require a 'clinical letter' of recommendation. So, take that for what it's worth - if you can shadow a doc and they'll write a letter saying youre motivated I dont think you need to worry about much else in terms of volunteer/shadow

 

[citrusguy2010]

any current MS3's or MS4's willing to let me PM them with some questions about student life/academics/rotations during that time? i'm in incoming USUHS navy student for the class of 2016. thanks!