Usuhs

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mathlegend said:
Thanks. Physical standards, such as some sort of test that includes running, push up, sit ups I guess. Not sure how fast I can run 1.5 miles or 2 miles and I can't do perfect pushups (90 degree angle). Navy is more strict than Army for medical corps physical standards?
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You can actually find the requirements with a quick google search. (they are the same for all officers regardless of job but vary by service so Army isn't the same as Navy, etc) The Navy requirements can be found here: http://www.navy-prt.com/

For the Navy you have the PRT which is the fitness test. You also have a height/weight requirement. If you are over that weight they measure body fat with your neck and waist circumference.
 
where is the USUHS class of 2013 thread located?

I got a call on Friday for USAF class of 2013! Sweet. I had already sent in my primaries for next year! Don't have to worry about those secondaries now.

I was told I wouldn't make COT, but I got the acceptance email, signed it and sent it back, and was told to expect a package in the mail as well. Didn't get a chance to talk to anyone else... I was busy at work and I am in CA, 3 hours behind Bethesda.

Is there a place where I can find an outline of the summer before MSI? How will missing COT effect me? meaning, will I not know/learn protocols that I need to know? I am non-prior.

Wow, I am super excited. Can't wait to see you all there!

Davnport
 
SirGecko said:
You can actually find the requirements with a quick google search. (they are the same for all officers regardless of job but vary by service so Army isn't the same as Navy, etc) The Navy requirements can be found here: http://www.navy-prt.com/

For the Navy you have the PRT which is the fitness test. You also have a height/weight requirement. If you are over that weight they measure body fat with your neck and waist circumference.
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Thanks, I wasnt too sure if they were they same for all officers.
 
Davnport said:
where is the USUHS class of 2013 thread located?

I got a call on Friday for USAF class of 2013! Sweet. I had already sent in my primaries for next year! Don't have to worry about those secondaries now.

I was told I wouldn't make COT, but I got the acceptance email, signed it and sent it back, and was told to expect a package in the mail as well. Didn't get a chance to talk to anyone else... I was busy at work and I am in CA, 3 hours behind Bethesda.

Is there a place where I can find an outline of the summer before MSI? How will missing COT effect me? meaning, will I not know/learn protocols that I need to know? I am non-prior.

Wow, I am super excited. Can't wait to see you all there!

Davnport
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Congrats! The thread is here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=567903

There is also a facebook group. Check it out.
 
Going through the secondary I see that under other disqualifying conditions, Hx of use of marijuana is listed. I got caught over 7 years ago when I was in HS with a small amt...paid a fine havent done it since. Is this possibly going to keep me from getting into USUHS (if my GPA and MCAT dont do it)? Will it keep me from the HPSP as well?
Does anyone have any experience with this or know of anyone who has had something like this waived? What would this process involve?
Thanks
 
teacherman84 said:
Going through the secondary I see that under other disqualifying conditions, Hx of use of marijuana is listed. I got caught over 7 years ago when I was in HS with a small amt...paid a fine havent done it since. Is this possibly going to keep me from getting into USUHS (if my GPA and MCAT dont do it)? Will it keep me from the HPSP as well?
Does anyone have any experience with this or know of anyone who has had something like this waived? What would this process involve?
Thanks
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I wouldn't bring it up unless prompted. Meaning, on the security paperwork I think there is a section asking about past illegal acitivities.

Will that keep you out? I don't think so. Once accepted (to the AF at least), you have to sign and have a witness sign a form that states you don't abuse drugs and alcohol. It clearly states on it that you won't be punished for past infractions, but that as an officer, you are expected to behave in a professional manner.

The short of it - stay clean and you should be fine.
 
what are the advantages of usuhs over civilian med schools+hpsp? Let's say I am very interested in the military. But obviously after doing hpsp I can extend my contract if I want to. But if I don't want to, I might have to serve an extra 3 years in a place like alabama when I want to live somewhere else entirely(I am not certain right now where I want to settle down). In fact if my contract were finished at 4yr point, I could extend it with my choise of base? So during residency and payback you do the same job whether hpsp or usuhs grad. But what are the advantages of USUHS over civilian schools during the 4 years of med school??

From what I've read, hpsp students can also take as many clerkships as they like at military hospitals(especially acting internships). Both usuhs and hpsp have to pay their own airfare.
USUHS get paid 50k vs 25k. But Washington is so expensive that the difference might be negligible, especially if u go to a school in some rural area otherwise. And hpsp get a $20k signon bonus and a $20k usaa loan(just like usuhs) so it is still possible to buy a nice car. What if you do not like washington? Is the question really in which city you would rather spend those 4yrs?

I did read that usuhs students may get summer clerkships in exotic places of their choice while hpsp have to do adt in some specific place in alabama or something. but thats just 1month.
 
To follow that up, what are the advantages of USUHS over FAP?

FAP gives you more control over your residency and gives you a pretty good amount of money to pay off your loans.
 
CUBR said:
To follow that up, what are the advantages of USUHS over FAP?

FAP gives you more control over your residency and gives you a pretty good amount of money to pay off your loans.
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How much of a bonus do you get through FAP?
 
Website says more than $45,000 annually and $1,900 monthly stipend.
 
So I know that we can do rotations at other hospitals for third and fourth years. How do most people handle the traveling housing wise? Do we still keep getting BAH for Bethesda? Does the navy provide temporary housing/ funding for temporary housing? I'm just wondering if most people keep a lease for all four years and how they pay for housing when moving around the country.
 
im pretty sure they said that you keep getting your Bethesda BAH in addition to a per diem for wherever you are on rotations. The Ensign I had my interview with told me that some people don't keep their leases since they're out of town so much and they make Bank.
 
Oh god I am just so excited I had to tell someone! I just got my receipt from the US postal service saying that they delivered my secondary to USUHS last Thursday at 9:43 AM!

I got the secondary wendsday night, pasted and printed my pre-written essay, (a masterpiece🙂 and overnighted it!

Cost me $19 including the confirmation of delivery but every single day counts when your dealing with rolling admissions.

I just hope that my 34S MCAT and 3.97 GPA is good enough to get into the Navy or Air Force program.

I keep having dreams where I don't get in because the Army has half the seats reserved and the 2010 class is only 172 people!

Now if I can only finish that half marathon on Sept 13, the week before the interviews start I think my odds may go up enough to let me sleep at night!

Sorry about the ranting, I am a bit neurotic but what med student isn't?
 
xmsr3 said:
Oh god I am just so excited I had to tell someone! I just got my receipt from the US postal service saying that they delivered my secondary to USUHS last Thursday at 9:43 AM!

I got the secondary wendsday night, pasted and printed my pre-written essay, (a masterpiece🙂 and overnighted it!

Cost me $19 including the confirmation of delivery but every single day counts when your dealing with rolling admissions.

I just hope that my 34S MCAT and 3.97 GPA is good enough to get into the Navy or Air Force program.

I keep having dreams where I don't get in because the Army has half the seats reserved and the 2010 class is only 172 people!

Now if I can only finish that half marathon on Sept 13, the week before the interviews start I think my odds may go up enough to let me sleep at night!

Sorry about the ranting, I am a bit neurotic but what med student isn't?
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I guess this isn't a joke. If this is an accurate reflection of your personality, I want to be there for your first day as a post-call intern.

This is the real marathon, brother, and it lasts decades.
 
xmsr3 said:
Oh god I am just so excited I had to tell someone! I just got my receipt from the US postal service saying that they delivered my secondary to USUHS last Thursday at 9:43 AM!

I got the secondary wendsday night, pasted and printed my pre-written essay, (a masterpiece🙂 and overnighted it!

Cost me $19 including the confirmation of delivery but every single day counts when your dealing with rolling admissions.

I just hope that my 34S MCAT and 3.97 GPA is good enough to get into the Navy or Air Force program.

I keep having dreams where I don't get in because the Army has half the seats reserved and the 2010 class is only 172 people!

Now if I can only finish that half marathon on Sept 13, the week before the interviews start I think my odds may go up enough to let me sleep at night!

Sorry about the ranting, I am a bit neurotic but what med student isn't?
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WOW.... this has to be a joke, right?

If not - you could have the best stats in the world, and "a masterpiece" (in YOUR opinion) of an essay, or even have gotten your secondary delivered at 9:42 am instead of 9:43, but if you are seriously THIS INTENSE and cocky in person, you'll scare your interviewers (not to mention future classmates and patients).

I'm not a doctor yet, but I'd prescribe a serious chill pill 😉
 
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In all fairness I am not really such an excitable lunatic.

I realize that life, even the life of a doctor, nay, especially the life of a doctor, is pain, suffering and angst in abundance.

At the end of the day you have your good paycheck, job security, prestige and the knowledge that you made the world a better place, to comfort you and keep you going.

If I am cocky, (and what med student isn't) its because the quest to become a doctor is only capable of being made by the most dedicated people, willing to forsake all things to achieve the ultimate goal.

Some people speak of medicine as a calling, rather than a career. To me its more than even that.

Its a way of life.

Some people say, "don't let what you do define who you are".

I am proud to define myself by what I am going to do.

I will be a career Naval Doctor, serving my country and humanity in general, doing a job that will, most of the time be horrendously tedious and often, physically painful, (or so I imagine).

I fully expect Military medicine to be a hell that leads me to weep, drop to my knees, throw back my head and howl, "what the hell have I done?!"

But you know, a life without challenge or purpose is not a life worth living.

As difficult as it gets for me, I will derive strength from the fact that 99% of people would have failed where I succeed.

To succeed in medicine and the military takes a rare breed. You must be both arrogant and humble. Both idealistic but also cynical and pragmatic.

The key is to take pride in accomplishing great things in the face of incredible obstacles and learning to compartmentalize your idealism, to shield it from the daily **** storms that are the life of a military doctor.

I apologize if my post came off as overly cocky.

I suppose I was boasting of my accomplishments, as they are the things I am most proud of.

I am partly joining the military to learn humility which I am sure to learn in spades.

All my life I have been the over achieving geek, the smartest one in the class.

If I am lucky enough to get into USUHS I will be but one amoung hundreds of intelligent, dedicated young people, my intellectual equals in the truest sense of the word.

It will be a shock to be sure, but a shock that is sure to make me a better person in the long run.

I may be a neurotic pre-med student now, but if there is one thing I am sure of its that I will make a fine Naval Physican.
 
I fully expect Military medicine to be a hell that leads me to weep, drop to my knees, throw back my head and howl, "what the hell have I done?!"
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[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlrX3bwQ2rk[/YOUTUBE]
 
So, I just mailed my secondary stuff yesterday. And... that's all I have for now.

Oh, and some of my fellow applicants this year scare me a bit.
 
I am going for Navy HPSP or USUHS Navy program as my #1 program in that school but I will rank AF as a close second for USUHS.

For me its largely a question of where bases are located.

I like costal cities, california and Hawaii specifically.
 
xmsr3 said:
I am going for Navy HPSP or USUHS Navy program as my #1 program in that school but I will rank AF as a close second for USUHS.

For me its largely a question of where bases are located.

I like costal cities, california and Hawaii specifically.
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Interesting, my problem with the military is that I do not like any of the cities where bases are located. I dont like california or hawaii. I might be interested in germany because Ive never been there. But it seems that you need to finish your obligation before you can choose your base.
 
Soba said:
So, I just mailed my secondary stuff yesterday. And... that's all I have for now.

Oh, and some of my fellow applicants this year scare me a bit.
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I sent mine today... we are probably way behind according to some fellow applicants 😉

do you at least have a masterpiece of an essay???
 
scooter02 said:
I sent mine today... we are probably way behind according to some fellow applicants 😉

do you at least have a masterpiece of an essay???
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Nah, compared to the AMCAS PS, I wrote in a more military, a.k.a. "to-the-point-and-no-BS," kind of way. 😛

I guess I wanted the committee to know that I realize military medicine is no joke. I hope I didn't go overboard and come off as a cynic.

My clinical letter got delivered this morning, so I am all done with the secondary application. Ah, now the good old waiting game... 😀
 
Okay, well I have decided that I want to go into the Air Force. However, I have always wanted to be a medical doctor, so when I found USUHS it sounded perfect. I would be really grateful for any answers and/or advice.

What happens when you go into USU? Is Basic Training in the summer before my first year? What happens over the summers?

More questions to come later.

Thanks
 
medschoolis4me said:
Okay, well I have decided that I want to go into the Air Force. However, I have always wanted to be a medical doctor, so when I found USUHS it sounded perfect. I would be really grateful for any answers and/or advice.

What happens when you go into USU? Is Basic Training in the summer before my first year? What happens over the summers?

More questions to come later.

Thanks
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Read through the FAQ on the USUHS website. Then do some searches on this (the milmed) forum and this thread. You should find the answers to most of the basic questions that way.
 
Arrrggghhh!

I'm working on my secondary and am having much more trouble than I thought I would. I figured this would be the easiest secondary for me to write because I have concrete reasons for wanting to attend and it is my number one choice. But I am having trouble articulating my reasons. I do have a lot of strong emotions behind wanting to serve, but I fear I am going to come off as angry, emotional or naive. My dad already told me my primary application essay made him cry. Eww, I sound like such a girl. I know these are personal statements, but how personal do I get? I also want to construe to fact that this is a decision I have thought long and hard about and that I have come to a logical conclusion.
 
USPS says my last bit was received Friday...how soon should we expect to hear about an interview or lack thereof?
Hopefully they see past my poor undergrad GPA and appreciate my recent 5 semesters of a 3.85 taking all my prereqs and experience with milimed.
For those working on, or that have finished their secondary already, and dont come from a military background...how did you write about experience with milimed and the military? Or does everyone mostly come from a military family?
 
teacherman84 said:
For those working on, or that have finished their secondary already, and dont come from a military background...how did you write about experience with milimed and the military? Or does everyone mostly come from a military family?
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I basically said, I have no personal experience, but here are the reasons why military medicine interests me based on my own investigations...

We'll see if that's good enough!! :xf:
 
Caprica, Kudos on making your dad cry, that should be the goal of everyone writing a PS. Remember you want to show and not tell why you want to go into medicine. Since this is difficult to do with writing you really need to pour your heart and soul into your PS and make your reader feel your passion for medicine.

I openly wept while writing my PS, as I recalled the seminal event that cemented my dedication to medicine.

When my mother and grandfather read it they too cried. My father, though deeply moved, didn't cry but 3/4 isn't too bad in my opinion🙂

Teacherman, I don't have any prior experience with the military so, like scooter I talked about my motivation for serving my country and humanity through a life time of service in military medicine and tried to do it in the most stirring and eloquent fashion possible.

In order to not sound naive I mentioned some negative aspects of mil med, but made sure to point out that I viewed these as acceptable sacrifices and that part of why I wanted to do mil med was because of the challenge it posed due to the difficulties.

Several times I mention a deep respect for those that protect our liberty and I am very humble throughout, while also mentioning the fact that I have never failed at anything I have set my mind too and tha I want nothing more than the oppertunity to prove myself worthy of this noble way of life, (mil med).

Overall I can honestly say that the essay sounds as if it were written by a commitee consisting of Lincoln, Jefferson and the Obama speech writing team. It is eloquent and majestic without useing pompous vocabulary and I believe hits all the major points.
 
xmsr3 said:
Overall I can honestly say that the essay sounds as if it were written by a commitee consisting of Lincoln, Jefferson and the Obama speech writing team. It is eloquent and majestic without useing pompous vocabulary and I believe hits all the major points.
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the vocabulary you are "useing" might not be pompous, but you sure are.
 
Sorry about that, I suppose that description was a bit over the top. I have a habit of useing a lot of similies and metaphors and grandiose lagnuage to try to express my deepest emotions. When it comes to military medicine, I have never wanted anything more in my entire life and I want to make sure the USUHS admissions committee knows it. Thus when it came to my PS and USUHS secondary I pulled out all the stops and tried to really let my literary soul shine through. It has crossed my mind that perhaps the USUHS adcoms will not appreciate such an essay but I just choose to label that neurotic thinking caused by too much stress and time on my hands.

Could I write an essay that is plain spoken pronouncment of my desire to serve in the military medical corps? Sure, I could do that, but then I wouldn't be giving it 100% and I am the kind of person who always gives 100%. That is really the only thing you can do, write the best essay you can, something you take pride in and hope that the right people appreciate it.

But theGoose, thank you for calling me out on my pomposity. It is a character flaw I have and am working on. I am reasonably confident that I can tone it down in time for the interview but I can always use more help in expressing myself in a confident manner that dosn't come across as crass and arogant.
 
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Caprica6 said:
Arrrggghhh!

I'm working on my secondary and am having much more trouble than I thought I would. I figured this would be the easiest secondary for me to write because I have concrete reasons for wanting to attend and it is my number one choice. But I am having trouble articulating my reasons. I do have a lot of strong emotions behind wanting to serve, but I fear I am going to come off as angry, emotional or naive. My dad already told me my primary application essay made him cry. Eww, I sound like such a girl. I know these are personal statements, but how personal do I get? I also want to construe to fact that this is a decision I have thought long and hard about and that I have come to a logical conclusion.
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There is a fine line here and its wise of you to recognize it. I'm generally not a fan of "risky" personal statements or secondary essays. There is always a chance you could turn someone off and I believe there are few examples of these essays making a big positive difference in an application.

In my mind, a little naive is fine (if a premed wasn't a little naive, you'd have to be a real cynic) but you don't want to come off angry.

Good luck.
 
xmsr3 said:
Caprica, Kudos on making your dad cry, that should be the goal of everyone writing a PS.
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Oh dear God, no it shouldn't...

There are genre's of medical school applications, and you want to avoid being in any of them, as it makes your readers eyes glaze over.

1. Sirens Screaming in the Night (from former EMTs)
2. Weepies
3. No $hit, There I Was

When you write a medical school essay and it makes your family cry, that gives you a warm fuzzy, but you need to remember two important points: a) Mom, Dad, and Grandma all know and love you. We at your potential medical school do not. b) Any of your readers have only read a handful of these essays, if any. We've read many.

This is more meant to be instructive for anyone else out there still writing their essay, but please do not feel that tugging at your reader's heart strings should be any kind of goal. If anything, it should be avoided. You'll resemble a fair chunk of others doing the same thing.

Just tell us about your life and let us see why you're hard-working and (please) mature enough to make it through med school and will make a fine physician. Do not worry about flowery language or trying to sound "like a writer". Just speak plainly and let us get a feel for who you are. You in writer mode are not really you so it defeats the purpose.
xmsr3 said:
I am very humble throughout, while also mentioning the fact that I have never failed at anything I have set my mind too and tha I want nothing more than the oppertunity to prove myself worthy of this noble way of life, (mil med).

Overall I can honestly say that the essay sounds as if it were written by a commitee consisting of Lincoln, Jefferson and the Obama speech writing team. It is eloquent and majestic without useing pompous vocabulary and I believe hits all the major points.
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Irony.
 
Gastrapathy said:
There is a fine line here and its wise of you to recognize it. I'm generally not a fan of "risky" personal statements or secondary essays. There is always a chance you could turn someone off and I believe there are few examples of these essays making a big positive difference in an application.

In my mind, a little naive is fine (if a premed wasn't a little naive, you'd have to be a real cynic) but you don't want to come off angry.

Good luck.
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You make a very good point, Gastrapathy, that you never know how someone will take your PS. Don't include anything that is obviously contraversial, like religion or politics.

But it can get tricky when it comes to expressing idealism. Do you want to try to write an inspirational essay, a tale of personal growth and realization of your truest beliefs? Or is it better to try to be more down to earth?

You want your reader on the admissions committee to say, "this person is truely committed to a lifetime of serving others in a medical capacity" but if you come across too idealistic then you appear naive and you always risk your essay reader being some cynic who has grown dissilusioned with medicine and who might be so sickened by your idealism and apparent naivete that they throw your application in the trash.

That is why I hate the fact that essays, ECs, LORs and PS have such a say in the decision process. I understand the reason, because many people approach medicine from a non traditional path and they too deserve a chance to get in, despite poorer grades and MCAT scores, but its frustrating.

MCAT and GPA are at least objective. If you don't get a secondary its because you missed the cutoff for the MCAT GPA screen. You at least know why you were rejected so you can try again next year, improve your stats and get in.

But with LORs, (which you are not supposed to read) and PS, essays you can't tell what went wrong and so you can't improve. You can only do your best the first time and hope that by applying to enough schools you can get some essay readers who appreciate your words, or stumble across schools that really don't care about essays and just look at your stats.

If only we could know which schools those were and they all didn't say that every aspect of an applicant is important, when to some schools its not.
 
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notdeadyet said:
Oh dear God, no it shouldn't...

There are genre's of medical school applications, and you want to avoid being in any of them, as it makes your readers eyes glaze over.

1. Sirens Screaming in the Night (from former EMTs)
2. Weepies
3. No $hit, There I Was

When you write a medical school essay and it makes your family cry, that gives you a warm fuzzy, but you need to remember two important points: a) Mom, Dad, and Grandma all know and love you. We at your potential medical school do not. b) Any of your readers have only read a handful of these essays, if any. We've read many.

This is more meant to be instructive for anyone else out there still writing their essay, but please do not feel that tugging at your reader's heart strings should be any kind of goal. If anything, it should be avoided. You'll resemble a fair chunk of others doing the same thing.

Just tell us about your life and let us see why you're hard-working and (please) mature enough to make it through med school and will make a fine physician. Do not worry about flowery language or trying to sound "like a writer". Just speak plainly and let us get a feel for who you are. You in writer mode are not really you so it defeats the purpose.

Irony.
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Ok, I suppose that is richly ironic but let me clarify. Throughout my essay I make it clear that I consider a life in military medicine to be the highest honor a person can recieve and I never once state that I assume I will be accepted. Rather I say things like, "if I am granted the honor of attending your prestigious instition....." and much of my essay is about my desire to "prove myself the equal of the many fine men and women who have come before me and have served their nation honorably and with distinction in the United States Military Medical Corps."


Personally I think this is the appropriate level of formality and a good writing style for a commissioned officer to have so I wrote the entire essay in that style of language.


And as for my PS, well there I admit I probably screwed up. Prior to writing my PS I read through the online tutorial on the medical school essay editing services website. They made a big deal about, "showing not telling" about why you wanted to be a doctor. It was also recommended that you write your essay in the style you're best at and avoid cliches. They talked about gripping your reader from the very first line, which is why my PS begins with, "Margery Taylor was dieing".


Now, I am a very strong writer and many of my essays have been published, (in fact I coauthored an english textbook) and so I did what I was best at. I poured my heart and soul into my PS. I tried to remember ever detail of my life chancing experience with Margery Taylor and remember what that made me feel like. I then did my best to put that into word form, so that my reader would feel what I felt.

As for getting to know the real me, well at least my writing is honest to who I am. I am a polite, eloquent and shy person who tries to find shelf expression through his writing. I once had someone ask me, "do you really talk like that?" referring to the formal nature in which I had spoken with them. Well that is indeed how I speak and who I am.


As an example, I write all my emails as if they were letters.


Dear Dr. Kagen,


..........................................................................

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please have a wonderful week, a terrific summer and may you and yours know only health, joy and prosperity in the days to come.


Sincerely,
(name)


I figure it won't be a problem for me because a commissioned officer can never be too formal or too polite.

By the way, isn't it true that there are no unique PS? I mean the reader of your essay has probably read hundreds this year, thousands in the past and there is nothing new under the sun you could say. So in a way, isn't every PS in some category or another?

And as for reader's eyes glazing over, I believe that will happen no matter how unique your essay may be if they have been at it for several hours. In fact I would venture to guess that how your essay is viewed is largely a function of where in the pile it is.

If your essay is the first they read in the day, when they are refreshed after a good night's sleep, then they are more likely to find it favorable. If yours is in the middle of the pile then they will be exhausted and not really paying attention and it may not matter what your wrote, especially because anything in your essay is likely to be something they have read dozens of times before.

Indeed I would like to know how one can write a good essay? Doesn't almost every med student have very similar backgrounds?
We all volunteer at hospitals and other community activites, we all study our asses off for pre-med courses and MCAT, we all love science and want to help people and make a difference in the world. Is there anyway you can NOT make your essay cookie cutter?

And if most essays are derivative of some category, (and how could they not be unless you were born on another planet and truely had a unique upbringing) then isn't it true that they don't really have much say in the admissions process?

I mean sure, if your GPA was a bit low but your MCAT was great and you explain how you traveled the amazon for a year learning traditional herbal medicine from a tribal witch doctor, then perhaps your essay will help. But other than something like that it seems that all essays will essentially say the same thing, just in slightly different ways.

Thus since my experiences are essentially the same as everyone else's, why not see if I can't make it stand out by writing it in a very emotionally powerful way. If I fail then it becomes just one of many similar essays. But it will still be a hell of a lot better than those essays that say the same thing as mine but less eloquenty and there is a chance that the essay reader is impressed with my writing style and I get a few extra points, or whatever they do to rank essays.

Thoughts?
 
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xmsr3 said:
You make a very good point, Gastrapathy, that you never know how someone will take your PS. Don't include anything that is obviously contraversial, like religion or politics.

But it can get tricky when it comes to expressing idealism. Do you want to try to write an inspirational essay, a tale of personal growth and realization of your truest beliefs? Or is it better to try to be more down to earth?

You want your reader on the admissions committee to say, "this person is truely committed to a lifetime of serving others in a medical capacity" but if you come across too idealistic then you appear naive and you always risk your essay reader being some cynic who has grown dissilusioned with medicine and who might be so sickened by your idealism and apparent naivete that they throw your application in the trash.

That is why I hate the fact that essays, ECs, LORs and PS have such a say in the decision process. I understand the reason, because many people approach medicine from a non traditional path and they too deserve a chance to get in, despite poorer grades and MCAT scores, but its frustrating.

MCAT and GPA are at least subjective. If you don't get a secondary its because you missed the cutoff for the MCAT GPA screen. You at least know why you were rejected so you can try again next year, improve your stats and get in.

But with LORs, (which you are not supposed to read) and PS, essays you can't tell what went wrong and so you can't improve. You can only do your best the first time and hope that by applying to enough schools you can get some essay readers who appreciate your words, or stumble across schools that really don't care about essays and just look at your stats.

If only we could know which schools those were and they all didn't say that every aspect of an applicant is important, when to some schools its not.
Click to expand...

Maybe I am biased because I am nontraditional and my stats aren't as strong but I have never once met a physician that said grades and testing ability make a great physician. Some of the greatest physicians, and surgeons for that matter, that I have ever met have admitted they didn't have stellar performances in undergrad and the first two years of med school...
Med schools do put priority on GPA and MCAT...but these other things are important too because a good physician isn't predicted by good scores...its the whole person and this is true no matter what path you take to medical school.
 
xmsr3 said:
Ok, I suppose that is richly ironic but let me clarify. Throughout my essay I make it clear that I consider a life in military medicine to be the highest honor a person can recieve and I never once state that I assume I will be accepted. Rather I say things like, "if I am granted the honor of attending your prestigious instition....." and much of my essay is about my desire to "prove myself the equal of the many fine men and women who have come before me and have served their nation honorably and with distinction in the United States Military Medical Corps."

Personally I think that sounds like the appropriate level of formality for an commissioned officer to use and so I wrote my entire essay in that style of language.

And as for my PS, well there I admit I probably screwed up. Prior to writing my PS I read through the online tutorial on the medical school essay editing services website. They made a big deal about, "showing not telling" about why you wanted to be a doctor. It was also recommended that you write your essay in the style you best at and avoid cliches. They talked about gripping your reader from the very first line, which is why my PS begins with, "Margery Taylor was dieing".


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


I tried to remember ever detail of my life chancing experience with Margery Taylor and remember what that made me feel like. I then did my best to put that into word form, so that my reader would feel what I felt.


As for getting to know the real me, well at least my writing is honest to who I am. I am a polite, eloquent and shy person who tries to find shelf expression through his writing.


I once had someone ask me, "do you really talk like that?" referring to the formal nature in which I had spoken with them.

Well that is indeed how I speak and who I am.


As an example, I write all my emails as if they were letters.


Dear Dr. Kagen,


..........................................................................

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please have a wonderful week, a terrific summer and may you and yours know only health, joy and prosperity in the days to come.

Sincerely,
Click to expand...

Listen mate, i get that you're excited to apply to med school and have been for some time, we were all there at one point. But you need to start listening to some of the advice that people have given you on this forum. First off, don't tell us your name, several of the people on here conduct interviews at usuhs and trust me they'll remember who you are. In addition there are a ton of usuhs students and we'll remember you too if you do get in. Several of the senior attendings and residents who typically provide the best advice on this forum belittle your posts instead of responding because you come off as extremely arrogant. Tone it down and you'll get a much better response and may actually get some of the information you're looking for, keep ignoring the advice of the people in the community you say you want to join and you're in for a long couple years.

don't post your stats again, i know you're proud of them but we all have them memorized now and don't tell us what a sacrifice you're making joining the military, its insulting.
 
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Manucelt, thank you so much for pointing out that I put my name in that last post. I honestly did not realize I was even typing it. I have edited it out of the original post but unfortunately it is present in your quotation of my last post.

If you could please edit your post so that it is not visible I would be most grateful.

Also, I must apologize for offending you when I mentioned the sacrifices of military medicine. I was simply pointing out the fact that anyone who serves in the miltary makes sacrifices to be there, such as personal autonomy, but If I came off as arrogant or entitled, then I beg your forgivness.

As I have stated previously, I feel that military medicine is the most honorable way of life I could ever aspire to attain and I am honestly in awe of the valiant men and women who serve our country in uniform. They, on a daily basis, show a dedication to a higher cause that requires mental, physical and emotional discipline that is a rare thing to find in an individual.

If I am granted the privaledge of attending USUHS, then I will have the oppertunity of a life time. To attain a world class medical education while surrounded by some of the finest young men and women our nation has ever produced.

I know I come off as arrogant sometimes and I am sincere in my desire to change that character flaw in personality. I know that, if I am allowed to attend USUHS I will become a better person, one that represents both his profession and his country with honor, humility and in a manner befitting a commissioned military officer.

I only hope that you find it in your heart to forgive me for offending you and edit your last post quickly to remove my name from the quote located within it. To come so far in my quest to serve my nation and mankind in a medical capacity and to be undone by such a foolish and innocent mistake would be soul crushing.

Again, a thousand apologies to any and all I may have offended with my posts. Especially to any service men or women who may read these posts.

Yours is the greatest honor a person can possess and I only hope I can prove myself worthy of sharing it, one day, after several years of very strenuos studying and personal growth.
 
Gastrapathy, I will take your advice and stop posting, (after I apologize to teacherman) but if you would please be so kind as to edit your post to remove my name I would be most appreciative. And Manucelt, thank you so much for editing your post to remove my name from it.

As I explained, I didn't mean to put it on here, it was just an automatic reflex and I am attempting to remedy the situation.

Sorry again, everyone for any offense I have caused, I will now depart and leave you fine folks in peace. But first I feel I owe teacherman84 an apology.

Dear teacherman84,

I sincerely apologize for any offense I may have caused you in my previous posts.

I just wanted to say that I too am biased, but towards grades and MCAT because I am a bit self conscious about my lack of life experience.

I have no special ECs to speak of, other than the standard ER volunteering and doctor shadowing and so I like to think and tell myself, (and unfortunately post on these forums) that stats are all that really count. Its just a defense mechanism and I know its not really true.

Of course you are right and stats can't tell you if a person has the right personality to be a good doctor, which is why things like ECs, PS and secondary essays are important.

I realize now that my previous posts may have been construed as dismissive and insulting to everyone who approaches medicine from a non traditional route, such as yourself. I am sure that you a wonderful person who has a lot to offer the medical profession and will make an excellent physician.

If I have offended you I sincerely beg your forgivness as I meant no harm. My words were simply the terrified ravings of a self conscious and frightened young man whose only dream in life is to serve his nation and humanity in a medical capacity.

Sorry again and please have a wonderful week, a terrific summer and may you and yours know only health, joy and prosperity in the days to come.

Sincerely,
XMSR3
 
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No need to apologize. I wasn't offended...just annoyed at your persistence in glorifying yourself and ignoring the masses of people trying to discourage it for you own good. Take gastrapathy's advice and read for a while...simmer down with the posting.
Your PS editor had a good point...dont tell people how great you are, show them by how you handle yourself.
Take some time away from the computer and find a military base...see if you can meet and spend time with some military doctors...see what milimed is all about. It most cases it is like civilian practice in camo.
Posting about your grand ideals and higher calling for the most noble of career choices is all good but see what its actually like. The best insight I have received into military medicine hasnt been on this forumn.
I think youll find this is the best way to get your questions answered.
 
As someone who has read hundreds of medical school application personal statements I can honestly say that none have ever brought me to tears or made me even a little choked up. Nauseous? Oh yes. Laugh my butt off?
Again yes.

The stories of your relatives (or yourself) injured, sick, and/or dying inspiring you to join the healing arts are typically over embellished. The EMTs breathing life into the dying patient also have a bit of a hollow ring. The desire to serve humanity and develop the universal cure AIDS, Cancer and male pattern baldness (all in the same treatment) have been done as well. I think I have heard them all.

What do I want to see? Evidence that you have some understanding that medicine is a lifestyle and not just a job. Show me you have some abilty for critical thinking. Show me you can relate and work with people.
These are what I care about.
 
Sorry for posting again but I can't pass up the oppertunity to ask someone who has sat on an admissions committee this question.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you ever read a PS that included all of these criteria and was done well? Have you come across an essay that made you think, "this person really gets it" or got you excited about a candidate? How often does this happen?
 
just to jump in - i think that the usuhs secondary essay is one of the only personal statements that is treated in a very high regard in the admissions process across the board.
 
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