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Those of you that have applied and interviewed at USUHS, can you tell me what to expect and a tenative timeline for receiving secondaries and interview invites.
USUHS
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don't send pm's for stuff like that! i wanted to hear the answer, too, as i'll be applying to USUHS next year and going thru the same thing
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Sorry brats! Here's the info I sent to trauma_junky:
I interviewed at USUHS last year and had a great time. I was active duty Air Force living in San Antonio. The school is great. I didn't visit any other where the faculty and staff was so committed to students' success. Unfortunately, the application process to USUHS is a bit slow ( as is any thing in the govt). I submitted my primary in early Aug, received my secondary in Oct and returned it within a week, and was offered an interview in late Nov. For USUHS, timing is the key. They fill the class as they interview with the majority of their spots gone by late Oct. The AF slots move first, then Navy, followed by the Army. I was waitlisted for the AF and notified in mid Jan. Because I was active duty and looking at being deployed for the war, I opted to go to another school and withdraw from the waitlist. But if you're patient, the waitlist moves quite a bit after mid May. The chances of actually getting in are great. Oh, I forgot to mention that a waitlist spot at USUHS is basically an acceptance... they have just offered all the available seats to others already.
I am sure that you will be impressed by the program- especially if you have an affinity for the military. And there's no better way to support a family while you're in school. The active duty lieutenant pay with the housing and food allowance is more than substantial to provide if you live somewhat modestly. To increase your chances of acceptance, you must apply early. Also, be willing to accept any of the services. I personally love the AF. They treat their families well once you've graduated. The deployment schedule is more predictable that that of the Army.
Another tip, stay with a student host when you interview. They have a vast amount of info to offer, and they can introduce you to faculty and other students. Never hurts to have an inside connection. If you're a civilian, it would be a good method for you to gain some exposure into the military lifestyle.
Feel free to pm me with more questions about USUHS or the military. I'll give any info that I can. Good luck!
Cynthia Reed, 2nd Lt, USAF
I interviewed at USUHS last year and had a great time. I was active duty Air Force living in San Antonio. The school is great. I didn't visit any other where the faculty and staff was so committed to students' success. Unfortunately, the application process to USUHS is a bit slow ( as is any thing in the govt). I submitted my primary in early Aug, received my secondary in Oct and returned it within a week, and was offered an interview in late Nov. For USUHS, timing is the key. They fill the class as they interview with the majority of their spots gone by late Oct. The AF slots move first, then Navy, followed by the Army. I was waitlisted for the AF and notified in mid Jan. Because I was active duty and looking at being deployed for the war, I opted to go to another school and withdraw from the waitlist. But if you're patient, the waitlist moves quite a bit after mid May. The chances of actually getting in are great. Oh, I forgot to mention that a waitlist spot at USUHS is basically an acceptance... they have just offered all the available seats to others already.
I am sure that you will be impressed by the program- especially if you have an affinity for the military. And there's no better way to support a family while you're in school. The active duty lieutenant pay with the housing and food allowance is more than substantial to provide if you live somewhat modestly. To increase your chances of acceptance, you must apply early. Also, be willing to accept any of the services. I personally love the AF. They treat their families well once you've graduated. The deployment schedule is more predictable that that of the Army.
Another tip, stay with a student host when you interview. They have a vast amount of info to offer, and they can introduce you to faculty and other students. Never hurts to have an inside connection. If you're a civilian, it would be a good method for you to gain some exposure into the military lifestyle.
Feel free to pm me with more questions about USUHS or the military. I'll give any info that I can. Good luck!
Cynthia Reed, 2nd Lt, USAF
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heh. thanx a lot. always great to hear more good things about my top choice school. now i just have to deal with waiting another year before i can apply. 😉
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bump
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What to expect...
I actually still have the packet with the schedule they gave out on interview day. It was fairly laid-back. I remember arriving at a conference room with all the other interviewees at around 7:40am. There was a mix of mil academy and non-mil applicants, it seemed (telling from those in uniform). The interviewees I happened to sit with were very laid back, friendly, and easy to talk to. But then again, isn't that how all future med students should be? Anyway, I also got to meet and talk to Michelle and Nashieka that morning (the two people who answer the phones in the adcom office and whom you will get to know quite well if you stick with USUHS). Although their frequent jokes weren't all that funny and they may seem quite blunt at first, they are the best adcom phone-answerers I've encountered and they really try to be helpful. I actually feel like giving them a big hug when I get there in the fall out of relief.
From 8:30 - 11:30 were a series of "briefings" by different admins that throw tons of information at you about what you'll be getting into if you matriculate at USUHS. It was truly impressive and amazing. I was sort of apprehensive before interview day, but afterwards, I completely changed my priority school list (USUHS to top) based in large part on this series of briefings. After the briefings, the interview schedules were distributed, and the group was split into 2. One that toured the school before lunch and the other that toured after lunch. The tours were given by 1st and 2nd year students (on my day they were all the latter).
After the tour and lunch came the interviews. There were 2 interviews, which for me took between 40 and 50 mins each.
The rest of the afternoon is left for getting paperwork done (security clearance, etc.) and for visiting the deans and company commanders for informal "walk-in's" and group Q&A sessions. This part is also crucial, especially if you're non-prior military like I am. All the deans are truly approachable and helpful, and you can't afford not to stop by and gather information from them. I had maybe 1 or 2 questions after my interviews, but after I sat in on some group Q&A's, I had tons to ask. It just gets you thinking, and you can also get all the questions out that you want about your chances of getting accepted.
Interview day ends around 4pm.
The best thing about visiting was getting input from current students who seemed to freely talk about how much they enjoyed being there. I guess we stood out because we weren't in uniform, but it seemed to be random occurrences of random students coming up to me to tell me how great USUHS is--I wanted to say, ok ok, the problem is, I haven't been accepted. My overall impression--USUHS really takes care of its students and with all of the non-academic hassles of medical school pretty much eliminated by the military (such as tuition, insurance, etc), USUHS students can truly focus on medicine while living (a good) life in the present.
Anyway...
Tentative timeline...
I'm not sure what it is if there even is one. But, like cdreed said, the earlier you get everything done, the better. This can't be overemphasized. If you interview around Oct, I can't imagine your not getting accepted. If you interview around Feb (last month of interviews), get ready for some excruciatingly long months of waiting and frustration.
I turned my primary in mid to late June. I received the secondary in early Sept, and turned it in postmarked on the last day of the 2-wk (I think) deadline for return. I received an interview invite 2 weeks before my interview day, and I interviewed in January. On interview day they told us we'd hear back from them in 2 months. But I was medically disqualified due to a previous condition, so I applied for a waiver. I was waitlisted in early May. I then received my waiver approval in early June. And finally got accepted in mid-June. So it's been a year-long process for me.
Anyway, this is a rather long-winded reply to your post. I'll be happy to try to answer any more questions. 🙂
I actually still have the packet with the schedule they gave out on interview day. It was fairly laid-back. I remember arriving at a conference room with all the other interviewees at around 7:40am. There was a mix of mil academy and non-mil applicants, it seemed (telling from those in uniform). The interviewees I happened to sit with were very laid back, friendly, and easy to talk to. But then again, isn't that how all future med students should be? Anyway, I also got to meet and talk to Michelle and Nashieka that morning (the two people who answer the phones in the adcom office and whom you will get to know quite well if you stick with USUHS). Although their frequent jokes weren't all that funny and they may seem quite blunt at first, they are the best adcom phone-answerers I've encountered and they really try to be helpful. I actually feel like giving them a big hug when I get there in the fall out of relief.
From 8:30 - 11:30 were a series of "briefings" by different admins that throw tons of information at you about what you'll be getting into if you matriculate at USUHS. It was truly impressive and amazing. I was sort of apprehensive before interview day, but afterwards, I completely changed my priority school list (USUHS to top) based in large part on this series of briefings. After the briefings, the interview schedules were distributed, and the group was split into 2. One that toured the school before lunch and the other that toured after lunch. The tours were given by 1st and 2nd year students (on my day they were all the latter).
After the tour and lunch came the interviews. There were 2 interviews, which for me took between 40 and 50 mins each.
The rest of the afternoon is left for getting paperwork done (security clearance, etc.) and for visiting the deans and company commanders for informal "walk-in's" and group Q&A sessions. This part is also crucial, especially if you're non-prior military like I am. All the deans are truly approachable and helpful, and you can't afford not to stop by and gather information from them. I had maybe 1 or 2 questions after my interviews, but after I sat in on some group Q&A's, I had tons to ask. It just gets you thinking, and you can also get all the questions out that you want about your chances of getting accepted.
Interview day ends around 4pm.
The best thing about visiting was getting input from current students who seemed to freely talk about how much they enjoyed being there. I guess we stood out because we weren't in uniform, but it seemed to be random occurrences of random students coming up to me to tell me how great USUHS is--I wanted to say, ok ok, the problem is, I haven't been accepted. My overall impression--USUHS really takes care of its students and with all of the non-academic hassles of medical school pretty much eliminated by the military (such as tuition, insurance, etc), USUHS students can truly focus on medicine while living (a good) life in the present.
Anyway...
Tentative timeline...
I'm not sure what it is if there even is one. But, like cdreed said, the earlier you get everything done, the better. This can't be overemphasized. If you interview around Oct, I can't imagine your not getting accepted. If you interview around Feb (last month of interviews), get ready for some excruciatingly long months of waiting and frustration.
I turned my primary in mid to late June. I received the secondary in early Sept, and turned it in postmarked on the last day of the 2-wk (I think) deadline for return. I received an interview invite 2 weeks before my interview day, and I interviewed in January. On interview day they told us we'd hear back from them in 2 months. But I was medically disqualified due to a previous condition, so I applied for a waiver. I was waitlisted in early May. I then received my waiver approval in early June. And finally got accepted in mid-June. So it's been a year-long process for me.
Anyway, this is a rather long-winded reply to your post. I'll be happy to try to answer any more questions. 🙂
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What kind of stats must you have for USUHS? I'm only applying to 4 MD schools, and it's on the list.
By the way, what's the commitment? 4 years + 4 IRR?
And do you think this will help: my dad has been an EMT for the DoD/Army (non-military) since I can remember, so I basically grew up around the military.
By the way, what's the commitment? 4 years + 4 IRR?
And do you think this will help: my dad has been an EMT for the DoD/Army (non-military) since I can remember, so I basically grew up around the military.
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From what I heard, USUHS has a pretty comprehensive way of selecting their acceptees after an initial numbers-cutoff approach, of which I don't know the numbers. But it's not so clear-cut. They make exceptions in extraordinary cases. And everything is taken into account even after the interview (as in, your stats are not taken for granted once you're granted an interview). Their bulletin (2001-2003 edition) lists for the entering class of 2000 a mean undergrad GPA 3.51 (3.49 sci) and 30 MCAT.
The commitment is 7 years, and the IRR varies, but only applies if you serve on active duty less than 10 yrs:
- active duty service less than 8 yrs: 6 yrs on IRR roster
- active duty service of more than 8 yrs, but less than 9: 4 yrs on IRR
- active duty services of 9 yrs or more, but less than 10: 2 yrs on IRR
I assume your experience will help in the same way any unique experience helps an applicant. It helps during interviews and on the personal statement. It seems like both prior and non-prior military have a good chance at USUHS, but it seems logical that leadership skills and military experiences (beyond exposure) are taken into more consideration here.
Hope this helps!
The commitment is 7 years, and the IRR varies, but only applies if you serve on active duty less than 10 yrs:
- active duty service less than 8 yrs: 6 yrs on IRR roster
- active duty service of more than 8 yrs, but less than 9: 4 yrs on IRR
- active duty services of 9 yrs or more, but less than 10: 2 yrs on IRR
I assume your experience will help in the same way any unique experience helps an applicant. It helps during interviews and on the personal statement. It seems like both prior and non-prior military have a good chance at USUHS, but it seems logical that leadership skills and military experiences (beyond exposure) are taken into more consideration here.
Hope this helps!
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In the words of my hommie Snoop, "Bizump!"
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bump for usuhs-ers 😉
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Sup everyone-
Are there any people out there that are still on the WAITLIST for USUHS (not alternate list)? I'm still waiting but am going ahead with the AMCAS 2004. Just curious to see if anyone has gotten in lately?
FOR FUTURE applicants, I can only emphasize how important it is to turn in everything early !! I think I made a big mistake as I was offered an interview in December but postponed it till the first week in Jan because it was in the middle of Finals. After my interview, I found out that I was phys disqualified ... I appealed and was granted a waiver, but that took some time (like 3-4 months). I think that was a major reason why I was waitlisted. I keep questioning to myself, what would have happened if I had interviewed in Dec...but, I then tell myself, shutup and just keep your head up.
So, if current apps have some Q's, I can answer some of them...for USUHS 2003 class people, do you know the chances of someone like (let's say, me) who was waitlisted this past year, getting in this year?
Thanks,
medboy
Are there any people out there that are still on the WAITLIST for USUHS (not alternate list)? I'm still waiting but am going ahead with the AMCAS 2004. Just curious to see if anyone has gotten in lately?
FOR FUTURE applicants, I can only emphasize how important it is to turn in everything early !! I think I made a big mistake as I was offered an interview in December but postponed it till the first week in Jan because it was in the middle of Finals. After my interview, I found out that I was phys disqualified ... I appealed and was granted a waiver, but that took some time (like 3-4 months). I think that was a major reason why I was waitlisted. I keep questioning to myself, what would have happened if I had interviewed in Dec...but, I then tell myself, shutup and just keep your head up.
So, if current apps have some Q's, I can answer some of them...for USUHS 2003 class people, do you know the chances of someone like (let's say, me) who was waitlisted this past year, getting in this year?
Thanks,
medboy
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I really love USUHS too, and I have wanted to go there ever since I found out it existed (three years ago). I'm really concerned about the residencies, though. I would really like to go into emergency medicine, but all of the ER residencies are either in Texas or Washington state, neither of which are places I would like to live in. Deployment doesn't worry me because it's short-term, but spending 3 years halfway across the country?
I don't know if anyone else shares my concerns, but as much as I really like USUHS, I am starting to re-consider because of this.
- Quid
I don't know if anyone else shares my concerns, but as much as I really like USUHS, I am starting to re-consider because of this.
- Quid
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medboy,
I'm sure you'll get in this time around. Well, of course don't take anything I say as any guarantee. But, if you got waitlisted, that means they basically accepted you and wanted to take you in, but didn't have any more seats, as I'm sure you know painfully enough. Plus, now you'll have an extra year of work to add to your credentials. Good luck, and hope to see you next year finally.
quideam,
I have a similar concern. But, are you sure it would be impossible to do an ER residency at Walter Reed or NNMC in Bethesda? I love the east coast too. Perhaps you should call USUHS and ask about it. Also, what do you dislike about Washington state? It might be good to gain new perspectives for 3 yrs. Remember also that during 3rd year rotations you'll be able to travel to all those places to sort of "test out" whether you'd like a residency position there. Besides, you'll still be within a supportive military community. I believe (although I am not sure) that if you do HSPS instead you'll have the last choice in military residencies.
I'm sure you'll get in this time around. Well, of course don't take anything I say as any guarantee. But, if you got waitlisted, that means they basically accepted you and wanted to take you in, but didn't have any more seats, as I'm sure you know painfully enough. Plus, now you'll have an extra year of work to add to your credentials. Good luck, and hope to see you next year finally.
quideam,
I have a similar concern. But, are you sure it would be impossible to do an ER residency at Walter Reed or NNMC in Bethesda? I love the east coast too. Perhaps you should call USUHS and ask about it. Also, what do you dislike about Washington state? It might be good to gain new perspectives for 3 yrs. Remember also that during 3rd year rotations you'll be able to travel to all those places to sort of "test out" whether you'd like a residency position there. Besides, you'll still be within a supportive military community. I believe (although I am not sure) that if you do HSPS instead you'll have the last choice in military residencies.
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Quideam, I have just finished OBC in Fort Sam Houston and will start classes at USUHS soon. I am from Washington state. It is actually a quite beautiful area. I have gone to Madigan, located in Fort Lewis (Tacoma, WA) and it is awesome there. I shadowed a few physicians in their Emergency Department. Everyone there loved it. You may find that you will actually enjoy the area. There are many mountains, the ocean is near, and if you drive 120 miles east, you get the Columbia River and agricultural communities.
If the Texas Emergency program you are referring to is in Brook Army Medical Center, then I believe you will also like it. San Antonio is pretty hot, but it is definately tolerable. Most of the time you will be indoors with AC anyway.
My wife and I have most of our relatives in Washington state, so I know that it is difficult to be limited in your input regarding where you want to live. You will need to move throughout your career, usually every 3-4 years from what I am told. You will more than likely be deployed at least once. I have children myself, and it is difficult to be away from them and my wife; however, it definately worth it to be a part of the medical team that keeps our troops healthy.
Before you rule out the military, I would suggest that you go to a military medical center or a military clinic and spend a day shadowing a physician or a resident. I was a civilian and made my decision after thoroughly evaluating my options.
Good luck,
Republicandr
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bump
