Usuhs

[mslall]

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so got called and accepted last week but still haven't gotten my letter in the mail to return saying i'm going to take the acceptance. Should I just call tomorrow? Will verbally accepting it keep them from withdrawing my acceptance/application?

 

[airforcedukie]

So, I just checked my DoDMERB status and here is what it says:

07-OCT-08 Actual date of exam
17-OCT-08 Date exam received at DoDMERB
17-OCT-08 Medical data entry
22-OCT-08 Date letter sent - DD2368: Status Letter
22-OCT-08 Date letter sent - DD2368: Status Letter R263.02

Agency: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Admission Status Change Date: 2-SEP-2008
Current Medical Status: Qualified (as of 22-OCT-08 )


So I thought, great! I'm qualified!....but then I wondered why it has a remedial code (R263.02) on the last line where it says Date letter sent. R263.02 is the remedial code for a urinalysis (protein).....so if I needed a repeat urinalysis, why the heck would they put my status as "qualified" and not "remedial"?

Any ideas? Should I expect an actual remedial in the mail?

was this on the dodmets website?

mine says everything is "received" -- it's been like that for a while....and I havent heard anything otherwise, so I'm assuming I'm good to go.


for ppl calling the adm office -- any word on when 2 oct interviewees will hear? i'm thinking if they are behind on the sep ppl they may be behind on others as well.............

 

[dwb8p]

No, it was not on dodmets.com (concorde) website. It was here:

https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/

This is the official dodmerb website where you can track your status after concorde has submitted your application to them.

 

[mslall]

https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/

here is the website. Make an account if you dont already have one and you can see everything. Cleared w/ no remedials!!! BP of 138/88 didn't call for remedials, wooo hoo. now for security

 

[dwb8p]

so got called and accepted last week but still haven't gotten my letter in the mail to return saying i'm going to take the acceptance. Should I just call tomorrow? Will verbally accepting it keep them from withdrawing my acceptance/application?

Is your AMCAS address up to date?

I'd call them tomorrow morning. I really doubt they would even retract the offer so strictly and without notice this early in the application cycle.

 

[Davnport]

so got called and accepted last week but still haven't gotten my letter in the mail to return saying i'm going to take the acceptance. Should I just call tomorrow? Will verbally accepting it keep them from withdrawing my acceptance/application?

I would follow up with a call. It would be a shame if for some reason you didn't get the paperwork soon enough and the school decided to pass you over because of a deadline. I am totally not trying to freak you out though! I am just saying, if I were in your shoes - and it sounds like you are set on attending USUHS - I would do everything in my power to make sure all my t's are crossed and i's are dotted - even if it means appearing overly anxious.

Congrats! I hope the rest of us from the earlier interview dates get a call this week! Otherwise I am going to start thinking that they don't like giuseppe for some reason - j/k. lol. Hopefully the insider information pulls through and we can all have a stress free weekend knowing that we will be future classmates.

 

[giuseppe]

Congrats! I hope the rest of us from the earlier interview dates get a call this week! Otherwise I am going to start thinking that they don't like giuseppe for some reason - j/k. lol. Hopefully the insider information pulls through and we can all have a stress free weekend knowing that we will be future classmates.

if there is one thing i've learned in my roughly 5.5 years in the military. be persistent. i have no problem calling every day until i get an answer (which has nearly been the case since the 15th!)...

 

[DrMetal]

if there is one thing i've learned in my roughly 5.5 years in the military. be persistent. i have no problem calling every day until i get an answer (which has nearly been the case since the 15th!)...

i don't think it's nec. to call everyday. careful, you don't want your sense of persistence to turn into annoyance. my years in the military have taught me that sometimes pissing off that GS-5 admin clerk could be worse than pissing off an Admiral! (Ironically enough, the former tend to have a lot power, especially when it comes to minute paperwork).

you should be fine. you interviewed early, will get notified early, will get in early!

 

[utahjazz]

So nobody heard today? Maybe tomorrow then... I hope the 10/23 interviewers had fun.

 

[airforcedukie]

https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/

here is the website. Make an account if you dont already have one and you can see everything. Cleared w/ no remedials!!! BP of 138/88 didn't call for remedials, wooo hoo. now for security

awesome! yeah they just approved me today .... i was actually worried given my horrible distance vision & previous issues with dodmerb (but I've learned).


NOW just need that phone call..............!!

 

[Davnport]

So nobody heard today? Maybe tomorrow then...

My fingers are crossed!

Good luck all.

 

[rkonmd]

Hoping today is the lucky day.

 

[DrMetal]

good luck all . . . . try to take your mind off things (much easier said than done!) , it'll make the time go by faster,

just got an invite for an interview, for 11/20. So that's where they are in scheduling.

 

[utahjazz]

good luck all . . . . try to take your mind off things (much easier said than done!) , it'll make the time go by faster,

just got an invite for an interview, for 11/20. So that's where they are in scheduling.

Congrats! I'm kind of surprised they aren't scheduling for December yet.

 

[giuseppe]

good luck all . . . . try to take your mind off things (much easier said than done!) , it'll make the time go by faster,

just got an invite for an interview, for 11/20. So that's where they are in scheduling.

well, they're pushing that 4-6 week limit. despite my best efforts, it seems that sept 18th interviews won't find out until next week.

 

[DrMetal]

question for you all:

After you got your interview evite, then how long did it take for you to rec'v the concord(dodmerb) paperwork (so you could make an appt)? and did this come via email too?

 

[utahjazz]

question for you all:

After you got your interview evite, then how long did it take for you to rec'v the concord(dodmerb) paperwork (so you could make an appt)? and did this come via email too?

After about 2 1/2 weeks by mail.

 

[mslall]

it comes to you via snail mail. Not sure how long after you get invited they send it to you. Mine went to my parents place (amcas address). I want to say it was something like a week or two though.

 

[Coastie2Doc]

question for you all:

After you got your interview evite, then how long did it take for you to rec'v the concord(dodmerb) paperwork (so you could make an appt)? and did this come via email too?

Since you are AD, I recommend doing the physical at your base clinic. Concord is the contracted agency that schedules the DODMERB physical with civilian practitioners. It can take weeks to get an appt. PM me with your email address and I will send you the two forms you need to get it done by your base doc. First get your optometry portion done, then schedule with your doc.


And I am still waiting to hear as well (18th interview). For all the neurotic ppl wanting to compare: 29M MCAT (PS11 VR8 BS10), 3.40 GPA, 3.55 BCPM GPA, 7 years AD time, EMT.


I talked to another applicant that does not post on this forum. Prior service Air Force got his call on the 15th for Air Force.

 

[DrMetal]

Since you are AD, I recommend doing the physical at your base clinic. Concord is the contracted agency that schedules the DODMERB physical with civilian practitioners. It can take weeks to get an appt. PM me with your email address and I will send you the two forms you need to get it done by your base doc. First get your optometry portion done, then schedule with your doc.


And I am still waiting to hear as well (18th interview). For all the neurotic ppl wanting to compare: 29M MCAT (PS11 VR8 BS10), 3.40 GPA, 3.55 BCPM GPA, 7 years AD time, EMT.


I talked to another applicant that does not post on this forum. Prior service Air Force got his call on the 15th for Air Force.

id love to do it at my own MTF with my doc, but I thought we didn't have a choice?

so all i have to do is get these two forms filled out, then I can submit to dodmerb and its a done deal??? i shall pm you.

 

[TheGoose]

when you go in for the interview, talk with Rebecca, the commissioning coordinator. She is responsible for all this stuff. Better to hear it from the source and she can work with you to figure out a plan. Good luck!

On another note im sad to hear that more decisions are being backlogged meaning my oct 2nd interview decision might not be until the week of nov 1 as i had originally hoped =/

 

[eschott]

I talked to another applicant that does not post on this forum. Prior service Air Force got his call on the 15th for Air Force.

That really freaks me out!!

 

[utahjazz]

That really freaks me out!!

Yeah... maybe (hopefully?) he interviewed on the 18th.

 

[airforcedukie]

u sept-interviewees need to chilllllllllll -- if you havent gotten paper notifications of the waitlist by now, you should be fine. wait until the 1st, then start freaking out again.

 

[Coastie2Doc]

Yeah... maybe (hopefully?) he interviewed on the 18th.

Yes, he interviewed with me on September 15th.

I would like to make a request to the forum: Could all the people that are still waiting for "the call" post a small reply. I have counted about 8 acceptances; I am just wondering how many of the rest of us there are.

 

[rkonmd]

Yes, he interviewed with me on September 15th.

I would like to make a request to the forum: Could all the people that are still waiting for "the call" post a small reply. I have counted about 8 acceptances; I am just wondering how many of the rest of us there are.

I am still anxiously awaiting "the call". I interviewed on Sept. 25th.

Just as an aside, I talked with an October 2nd interviewee who told me that he was told on his day that up until that point 17 ppl have been offered acceptances. So, a purely wild guess might say another 15-20 people were offered acceptances from the 2nd - 15th...which would mean ~30 spots are currently filled with over 100 still remaining.

Still...the next 7 days are gonna feel like an eternity.

 

[giuseppe]

I am still anxiously awaiting "the call". I interviewed on Sept. 25th.

Just as an aside, I talked with an October 2nd interviewee who told me that he was told on his day that up until that point 17 ppl have been offered acceptances. So, a purely wild guess might say another 15-20 people were offered acceptances from the 2nd - 15th...which would mean ~30 spots are currently filled with over 100 still remaining.

Still...the next 7 days are gonna feel like an eternity.

was it just 130 slots? for some reason i thought it was closer to 200. like 180ish. it seems like the ones that have received acceptances are those that are currently serving. prior officers/enlisted with 3-20 years active time under their belt. am i wrong?

 

[DrMetal]

was it just 130 slots? for some reason i thought it was closer to 200. like 180ish. it seems like the ones that have received acceptances are those that are currently serving. prior officers/enlisted with 3-20 years active time under their belt. am i wrong?

I think you're right, I remember seeing 180 somewhere. The class is big.

I don't think prior service has anything to do with it. I think they have some sort of system, where they admit the strong applicants right away, reject the weak ones. If they're thinking about putting you on the waitlist, I think you may get notified later, b/c they're holding onto your application to compare with others in the near future. [i don't have any confirmation of any of this, but I think this is what's going on . ... . similar to other med school adcoms]

 

[juniata09]

From what I remember the class is about 165, and I got accepted despite having no military background. I come from a military family (uncles and grandparents) but I didn't grow up on base. I think USUHS is exactly like a civilian school for the initial acceptance it's only when you get to the DODMERB and security that you really see the military side of it.

 

[eschott]

There was a Navy o-3 who interviewed with me on the 25th who still is awaiting the call. (I am too).

 

[rkonmd]

was it just 130 slots? for some reason i thought it was closer to 200. like 180ish. it seems like the ones that have received acceptances are those that are currently serving. prior officers/enlisted with 3-20 years active time under their belt. am i wrong?

Well, I wrote that I think its OVER 100 slots left, so you guys are right, I just didnt know the exact number.

Also, I know at least 1 or 2 non-priors have gotten accepted as well.

 

[Brocimus]

Hey everyone! I received my interview invitation yesterday for the 20th of Nov. For those still waiting to hear, I sent my secondary in on Sept. 15th. My stats are 34 MCAT - 11PS, 11VR, 12BS; 3.35sci, 3.7cum. Hope that helps if you are still waiting on an invite.

Does anyone have an idea about how my chances look to be accepted interviewing 11/20 with those stats?

 

[TheGoose]

Does anyone have an idea about how my chances look to be accepted interviewing 11/20 with those stats?

That all depends on how your interview goes. The stats got you the interview - now you need to get the acceptance based on your interview.

 

[rkonmd]

That all depends on how your interview goes. The stats got you the interview - now you need to get the acceptance based on your interview.

I agree. The schools where I've interviewed have implied that earning an interview shows that someone is academically qualified to attend the school (albeit some obviously moreso than others), but that the interview is where you really seal the deal.

 

[eschott]

I agree. The schools where I've interviewed have implied that earning an interview shows that someone is academically qualified to attend the school (albeit some obviously moreso than others), but that the interview is where you really seal the deal.

I think a nice phone call would 'seal the deal' for me right now!! 😉

 

[Davnport]

u sept-interviewees need to chilllllllllll -- if you havent gotten paper notifications of the waitlist by now, you should be fine. wait until the 1st, then start freaking out again.

So does that mean those who have been waitlisted and/or rejected have already heard by now?

 

[airforcedukie]

So does that mean those who have been waitlisted and/or rejected have already heard by now?

I obviously have absolutely no idea, but I'm just assuming that if everything is "sent" on the 1st/15th that people would have known by now. But, I am not exactly a trusted source or anything. Just trying to alleviate some of the stress on this forum 😉

 

[Davnport]

Yes, he interviewed with me on September 15th.

I would like to make a request to the forum: Could all the people that are still waiting for "the call" post a small reply. I have counted about 8 acceptances; I am just wondering how many of the rest of us there are.

sept 25th interview - still waiting.

 

[DrMetal]

Hey everyone! I received my interview invitation yesterday for the 20th of Nov. For those still waiting to hear, I sent my secondary in on Sept. 15th. My stats are 34 MCAT - 11PS, 11VR, 12BS; 3.35sci, 3.7cum. Hope that helps if you are still waiting on an invite.

Does anyone have an idea about how my chances look to be accepted interviewing 11/20 with those stats?

im interviewing on 11/20 too. I think we're still reasonably "early" in the cycle (they haven't filled up all of the spots yet). So if you can nail the interview, you can get a spot.

What service do you prefer? likes AF is the most competitive one.

 

[Roberie]

Just flew back into town after my Oct 23rd interview...boy are my wings tired (never thought I'd get to use that one).

I sure hope it went well. My first interviewer asked me whether I saw a dichotomy between being a physician and military officer, and it kind of caught me off guard. I hadn't planned for that question so, needless to say, my answer was a bit shaky. The rest of the interview went great, as did the second one with the student. Other than the above question, everything else was pretty standard (why medicine, why military, leadership experiences).

The Simulation Center was awesome, the campus was great, and the people were friendly. God I hope they let me in.

 

[mslall]

its not just prior service that have heard. I'm a non-prior and got called on the 15th with a conditional acceptance. Although I'm starting to think Dr. Calloway was just playing a joke on me since my acceptance paperwork/forms haven't come yet.

Too bad admissions mailed my stuff to Brescott St (live on Prescott). If they told me this past wednesday that they would re-mail it I should expect it by Monday not?

Good luck everyone. 1 more week? or will it be 3 since the 1st is on a weekend? Ok sorry, bad attempt at humor. Good luck, hopefully I'll be hearing from some more classmates this week!!

 

[DrMetal]

Just flew back into town after my Oct 23rd interview...boy are my wings tired (never thought I'd get to use that one).

I sure hope it went well. My first interviewer asked me whether I saw a dichotomy between being a physician and military officer, and it kind of caught me off guard. I hadn't planned for that question so, needless to say, my answer was a bit shaky. The rest of the interview went great, as did the second one with the student. Other than the above question, everything else was pretty standard (why medicine, why military, leadership experiences).

The Simulation Center was awesome, the campus was great, and the people were friendly. God I hope they let me in.

Thanks for the input. Just outta curiosity, were any of you asked about anything in your amcas primary essay, or your usuhs secondary response? I know that the interveiwers have access to this . . .

 

[airforcedukie]

Thanks for the input. Just outta curiosity, were any of you asked about anything in your amcas primary essay, or your usuhs secondary response? I know that the interveiwers have access to this . . .

I think they used the essays from both -- both of my interviewers (AF Col & 4th -year) asked me about a lot of things I wrote about in my essays - pretty much just had me elaborate on a lot of things. They also made a point to say "I read about this in your essay ....." I had submitted an update form too with what I did over the summer and they asked me about that as well. So, just be familiar with everything you wrote down and be able to talk about / explain it 🙂

 

[mslall]

I wasn't, which surprised me. I think they assign interviewer's to interviewee's on the day of. I know at my first interview the interviewer read through my amcas activities right there (i asked if he minded if i went to get some water and he was cool with it). He apologized when I came back and said something to the effect of "sorry I just got out of a meeting about you guys" (referring to those interviewing). I'm fairly certain I remember them saying that this was the first year where they've given interviewers access to materials. I could be wrong about that. They may glance through them but I dont think they do an in-depth reading of them with the intent on quizzing you on them. I mean, if you can answer the questions why milmed? and why USUHS? you've already sort of answered what was in your usuhs secondary.

If I could give all of you who have to interview still one piece of advice I would say have some knowledge or at least a general idea of the current state of and the problems facing military medicine. You'll get to ask your interviewers questions and I think I impressed both of them when I asked about the state of military GME and how they thought it prepared physicians for practicing and what prevents the military from just contracting civilian physicians. Read through some of the threads on milmed, not just the USUHS thread. Even though a lot of it is negative, having an idea that there are negative opinions of the milmed system show that you definitely know what you're getting into. Take some time and do a bit of research that way you can knowledgeably ask questions. Of all of the information that is given on interview day I found that my time interviewing was the most informative, especially if you're interviewing with USU graduates, faculty, or students. Its nice to hear what people who are not fully associated with the admissions process think.

Be careful if you get a 4th year student. Just dont expect them to be overly friendly like a lot of the senior officers who interview are.

another tip, RELAX. seriously, the interviews really aren't stressful. I've had summer job interviews that were more intimidating than one of my interviews. They want to know that if offered a spot that you would considering taking it for more reasons than just the financial incentives (i.e. you wont do your 7yrs after residency and not even consider signing up for more). I'm fairly certain there's a line in the USUHS mission statement about training career military physicians.

Give yourself plenty of time if you plan on traveling by metro. USU is within walking distance (like 20 minutes, i guess?, maybe a little more). There is a bus that runs from the metro to the campus, but there are like 30 bus stops at the NIH station, each with a different bus route. It was easier, I thought, to just cross the street and walk the rest of the way (it was a nice morning, like in the 50s and clear, so walking in a suit was actually pretty comfortable).

Ok, so there's my 2cents on the interview process/day. If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

 

[Davnport]

To add to mslall's advice for interview day - if you can get a host, do so! I can't stress this enough. I had the opportunity to stay with 2 different students and both were super helpful at answering all of my bagillion questions. Seriously, I think my first night with the host was more informative than all of the questions I asked my interviewers.

Here is to hoping this Friday brings some good news to those of us still waiting!

I am a non-prior (that has interviewed, but is still waiting to hear back) and will answer any PMs that fellow posters might have too!

 

[regnaR175]

For those of you who have been granted interviews, how long after you submitted the secondary did it take before you were invited? My issue is that I just added USUHS to my AMCAS list as I have finally realized that I would rather go there than doing HPSP. Unfortunately, late October puts me at a great disadvantage. I am however selecting an Army option (granted I get an interview) as I am prior service Army. And from what I understand, the Army's alt-list is the fastest moving alt-list at the school. Someone please correct me on that if I am wrong. Another thing working against me is my crap MCAT score: 26 Q -->PS9 VR8 BS9. But my GPA is 3.4 Overall (would be 3.68, but I had some bad classes ten years ago, before discovering my medical calling), and 3.7 Science. So anyhow, any timelines on secondary to interview...and maybe interview to invite/alt-list would be appreciated.

Take care and best of luck to you all

 

[Brocimus]

im interviewing on 11/20 too. I think we're still reasonably "early" in the cycle (they haven't filled up all of the spots yet). So if you can nail the interview, you can get a spot.

What service do you prefer? likes AF is the most competitive one.

I'm going Army. I haven't decided between AF or Navy as my second choice, but I'm leaning towards AF. See you there on the 20th.

And regna, it took me five weeks to get an invite after I sent my secondary in. The interview was scheduled for four weeks from when I got the notification. You're looking at about two months before you're interviewing. By that time, I would guess the class will be mostly full. Good luck, though.

 

[DrMetal]

For those of you who have been granted interviews, how long after you submitted the secondary did it take before you were invited? My issue is that I just added USUHS to my AMCAS list as I have finally realized that I would rather go there than doing HPSP. Unfortunately, late October puts me at a great disadvantage. I am however selecting an Army option (granted I get an interview) as I am prior service Army. And from what I understand, the Army's alt-list is the fastest moving alt-list at the school. Someone please correct me on that if I am wrong. Another thing working against me is my crap MCAT score: 26 Q -->PS9 VR8 BS9. But my GPA is 3.4 Overall (would be 3.68, but I had some bad classes ten years ago, before discovering my medical calling), and 3.7 Science. So anyhow, any timelines on secondary to interview...and maybe interview to invite/alt-list would be appreciated.

Take care and best of luck to you all

my app was complete and sent to the adcom on 9/22 (was waiting for scores from the aug. mcat). recd my interview invite on Fri (10/24), for an interview date of thurs. 11/20.

they only have two interview dates in dec, so you're likely to get a jan/feb interview date. by then the class will already be full, but if you can get on the waitlist, that's not so bad either, b/c there's a lot of movement from the waitlist. so go for it, see what happens. you can always apply next cycle if you don't get in (that may give you some time to retake the mcat, if you feel so inclined).

 

[regnaR175]

you can always apply next cycle if you don't get in (that may give you some time to retake the mcat, if you feel so inclined).

That's something I have actually anticipated doing. I was scoring 30+ on the Princeton Review and AAMC practice exams, but my wife was getting ready to have our son around the time I took the real one. Haha, I actually fell asleep at least once in all three sections 😴. Let that be a lesson to all...proper planning prevents piss poor performance.

There is the fact that I have 17 other schools on my app list. It was well after I submitted AMCAS that I realized UHUSH was my number one (and not just for the money thing.) So, the problem is that if I get accepted somewhere...and not USUHS...it would be ahuge red-flag if I denied my acceptance to wait untill next year. There would be that whole "you had a chance to become a doc and denied it...you don't really want to be a doc do you" question when I reapply next year. Of course, HPSP would not be an extremely horrible alternative. I simply believe I would fit in far better at USU.

Well, if that happens, then it happens and I deal with it. So, I guess we'll just see. I appreciate the encouragement. Hopefully, things go my way and I get a high spot on a fast moving waitlist, or I just flat out get in right away and see you all there in Fall. Regardless, good luck. Kick ass and take names on the 20th. RLTW!

 

[whtlight2121]

That's something I have actually anticipated doing. I was scoring 30+ on the Princeton Review and AAMC practice exams, but my wife was getting ready to have our son around the time I took the real one. Haha, I actually fell asleep at least once in all three sections 😴. Let that be a lesson to all...proper planning prevents piss poor performance.

There is the fact that I have 17 other schools on my app list. It was well after I submitted AMCAS that I realized UHUSH was my number one (and not just for the money thing.) So, the problem is that if I get accepted somewhere...and not USUHS...it would be ahuge red-flag if I denied my acceptance to wait untill next year. There would be that whole "you had a chance to become a doc and denied it...you don't really want to be a doc do you" question when I reapply next year. Of course, HPSP would not be an extremely horrible alternative. I simply believe I would fit in far better at USU.

Well, if that happens, then it happens and I deal with it. So, I guess we'll just see. I appreciate the encouragement. Hopefully, things go my way and I get a high spot on a fast moving waitlist, or I just flat out get in right away and see you all there in Fall. Regardless, good luck. Kick ass and take names on the 20th. RLTW!

I don't know how to quote a particular line or else I would have. I don't think it is true that if you turn down another acceptance to reapply to USUHS that it would be held against you. If you think that you are a better fit for USUHS than any other school be sure to explain how this is true in your PS. The more enthusiastic you are about the program, the more they will like you.