Topics:

  1. What courses fulfill Admissions course prerequisites?
  2. What if I don't meet Admission Requirements?
  3. What makes a candidate competitive?
  4. What is the Admission Process?
  5. I am already in the military. What about me?
  6. You want a Pre-Medical Committee letter of recommendation. What is it? What if I don't have one?
  7. How do I choose between the Air Force, Army and Navy? Is there any difference?
  8. I hear there's an MD/PhD program?
  9. What is the Admission Process?
Do you accept transfer students?

No. Due to the unique military nature of our university, no students are accepted with advanced standing. All medical students must take the full four year curriculum.

Is there a fee for your Secondary Application?

No, it's free. Note: The Committee does NOT automatically send the secondary application to every applicant; they are screened.

What is the military commitment?
1. What courses fulfill the Admission course prerequisites?
 
1 full year of Biology with one full year of laboratory:

The Admissions Committee will accept any of the following: General Biology, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology (or Anatomy & Physiology combined), Microbiology, Zoology, Animal Biology, Cell Biology. The Committee will NOT accept: Botany, Plant Biology, Environmental Biology, Pro-karyotic Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geology. If you have taken a course which is not listed above, contact the Admissions Office for a personal response.

1 full year of Inorganic Chemistry with 1 full year of laboratory:

The Admissions Committee will accept any of the following: General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Introductory Chemistry.

1 full year of Organic Chemistry with 1 full year of laboratory:

The Admissions Committee will accept the following: General Organic Chemistry, Introductory Organic Chemistry, Structures and Reactions, Chemical Structural Analysis. The Committee will NOT accept Biochemistry in place of Organic Chemistry. Please consult your school's course catalog to make sure that your particular course is Organic.

1 full year of Physics with 1 full year of laboratory:

The Admissions Committee will accept any of the following: Introductory Physics, Calculus based Physics, Algebra based Physics, Mechanics, Fluids, Engineering. The Committee will NOT accept Meteorology, Astronomy, Mechanics of the Heavens etc.

1 full year of English:

The Admissions Committee will accept writing and literature courses and foreign languages. The Committee will NOT accept communications courses, public speaking or social science classes (i.e. Psychology, Sociology or Political Science).

1 semester of Calculus:

The Admissions Committee will accept Business Calculus, Survey of Calculus and Introductory Calculus. The Committee will not accept Pre-calculus or Statistics. If your school designates a course as "Analysis," please be sure to note whether it is Calculus.
 
** 1 year denotes 2 semesters or 3 quarters of study. It is advised that you note on your application whether a class includes a lab or not.

2. What if I don't meet the Admission Requirements?

If an applicant is missing a course prerequisite, and can complete it before 15 June of the year of matriculation, their file can be reactivated. Any offer of acceptance would be contingent upon completion of the coursework. If the person is a non-citizen, but can become a citizen on or before 1 November, of the year preceding matriculation, their file can be reactivated.
 
For those applicants with weak academic packages, there is hope! USU recommends post-baccalaureate (or graduate) work to improve a below average GPA. Many undergraduate schools offer such programs, some specifically to prepare an applicant for medical school. The Admissions Committee recommends about 25-30 additional credit hours. A listing of post-baccalaureate programs is available at http://hpap.syr.edu/pblist.htm (note: USU does not endorse any particular Post-Baccalaureate Program). USU also recommends to those with low MCAT scores to retake the test. The Admissions Committee does not average multiple test scores together and any improvement is looked upon as valid.
 
If, however, an applicant does not meet the requirements of USU, another option for military medicine is the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) administered by the Air Force, Army and Navy. This program provides funding for medical school in exchange for service.

3. What makes a candidate competitive?

The Admissions Committee does look at the "whole" person, however, academics are crucial to being competitive. The five main factors considered are: Your undergraduate cumulative GPA and science GPA, MCAT scores, Letters of Recommendation (LORs), clinical (patient oriented) experience and your AMCAS and USU statements.
 
The first year of medical school at USU has as its core courses Anatomy Physiology and Biochemistry. Therefore, a strong undergraduate science GPA is necessary as preparation to handle the stresses of a first-year medical student. A high total GPA is also important because it shows one's ability to master a wide range of material. The MCAT score indicates to the Committee how well an applicant would do on standardized tests such as the National Boards (USMLE). Even if a student is carrying a 4.0 in medical school, if they do not pass the USMLE they are not eligible for graduation.
 
Because the Committee members are unable to get to know an applicant on a personal basis, LORs are important. The LORs provide the Committee with insight into one's character as well as academic history. For this reason, the Committee advises applicants to choose recommenders that know them well. When possible, choose professors that you have had for more than one class. For the clinical letter, an applicant should choose the person who most closely observed their work. If that happens to be a nurse rather than a doctor, that is acceptable. The Committee needs to know specifics. If you have rotated among several individuals, but have one administrator who receives activity reports about you, choose that person. Remember, the better an individual knows you, the more thorough their letter can be.
 
Clinical experience is crucial. The Committee feels that a person cannot make an informed decision about becoming a doctor if they have not gained any patient experience. Some experiences recommended by the Committee are: shadowing a doctor or nurse, getting certified as an EMT, working with the Red Cross on blood drives and as hospital orderlies, working in a nursing home or with the terminally ill, working in an ER. The experience can be paid or as a volunteer experience. There is no specific length of time required, but you cannot have too much! Also, communication between doctor and patient is as important as the knowledge of how to care for him/her.
 
Finally, do not underestimate the power of your essays! The Committee puts a lot of weight on the essays. Remember, this is your chance to tell the Committee why you want to be a doctor. Do not give the Committee your resum�. In your AMCAS statement, tell the Committee about your motivation for medicine. Talk about how your clinical experience impacted on your decision and what drives you to be a doctor. In your USU statement, tell the Committee why you want to be a military doctor and why you think USU is the place for you. Your personal statements can tip the balance. The Committee is looking for those individuals that are "above" average. What makes you stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. Do not be afraid to tell us!
 
If you are interested in the average MCAT scores and GPAs for those accepted, see the Class Profile. This profile has remained constant for the past four years.

4. What is the Admission Process?

The USU Admissions Committee works on a "rolling" admissions basis. This means that an applicant's file is advanced onto the next phase as soon as the previous phase is completed. The process begins with an application to AMCAS (USU advises applicants to apply in June, prior to the year of matriculation). Three to four weeks after the application is received, the file will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic prerequisites (courses, citizenship, etc.) and is eligible for supplemental materials. If applicable, the supplemental materials are mailed. As soon as the forms are returned and the letters of recommendation received the file is sent back to the Committee to make a decision regarding an invitation to interview. All interviews are conducted at USU. Once the interview is completed, the file is sent to the Committee again to make a recommendation for acceptance. If recommended, and concurred in by the Dean of the School of Medicine, the applicant is offered a conditional acceptance. This means that the person holds a place in the class, but will not receive commissioning papers or official orders until the physical exam and security check are cleared and the acceptance form is returned. Once the physical and security checks are cleared the applicant is offered an unconditional acceptance. Commissioning papers and orders are then processed.
 
The length of time at each stage is determined by the amount of files before the Committee. Please bear in mind that the Committee is conducting all these reviews simultaneously. One applicant may be under review for an invitation to interview while another is under review for supplemental materials. Please have patience!

5. I am already in the military, what about me?

Military applicants compete with civilian applicants on the same level. However, there are two considerations which set them apart. First, if you are on active duty, in one of the military academies, or the ROTC, you must obtain a Letter of Approval (LOA) to apply from your branch of service. See Military Contact Offices.

Remember, the LOA must clearly state that approval is granted. The letter should not say "recommends approval." It should state "has approval."
 
For those in the reserves, a letter from your commanding officer (who has the authority to release you) will suffice for the LOA. Those in the IRR do not need the LOA.
 
Secondly, active duty and other military obligates, are restricted when selecting a branch of service. Civilians may choose from the three services offered (Air Force, Navy and Army). Active duty applicants must comply with their LOA instructions. Note: it is rare that a component will give permission to transfer into another component. If such permission is not given, the applicant must enter the same component they currently serve in. For military applicants concerned about the status of pay and retirement, please see Entitlements
 
Additionally, having prior or current military involvement would indicate to the Committee that an applicant has made a commitment to a military career. However, this will not compensate for poor scholarship or inadequate academic performance. To be admitted to the F. Edward H�bert School of Medicine, one must be a competitive candidate for medical school.

6. You want a Pre-Medical Committee letter of recommendation. What is it? What if I don't have one?

Some undergraduate schools have a Pre-Medical Committee that interviews students, compiles LORs for them and writes cover letters to the medical schools. The cover letter usually ranks an individual among the pool of applicants from that school. (i.e. "Recommends with enthusiasm," "recommends," "recommends with reservations" or "does not recommend.") USU prefers an applicant have a pre-medical letter, if their school offers one. If an applicant's undergraduate school does have a pre-medical committee, and they are not providing a letter from that committee, then they must explain their reasons for not providing it. If an applicant does not have a pre-medical committee, do not worry! Please inform USU that you do not have a committee and USU will accept individual LORs. The Admissions Committee recommends three to five letters. Three from academia, preferably science professors, one non-science professor, and a professional (work related) letter (optional). ALL applicants must provide a letter from a supervisor of clinical work!! This letter can be part of a pre-medical committee letter or separate.

7. How do I choose between the Air Force, Army and Navy? Is there a difference?

There is a difference! Applicants are not required to make a decision regarding service until the day of the interview. Interviewees are provided a form asking them to rank the services in order of preference and rank their commitment to each. (i.e. Army first with a 1 ranking indicated you want Army, Navy second with a 2 ranking indicates you would consider serving in the Navy if Army is not available). Interviewees will be given briefings about the services and the Admissions staff will be available for questions. However, applicants are advised to gather information about the services prior to the interview. We suggest you visit the services' home websites. www.army.mil, www.af.mil, www.navy.mil.

8. I hear there's an MD/PhD program?

The M.D./Ph.D. Program at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) was established to train outstanding, dedicated, military officers as independent physician-scientists to carry out both clinical investigations and biomedical research in the basic sciences. The Program combines a rigorous basic science graduate curriculum with outstanding clinical training, and special integrated M.D./Ph.D. activities that qualify students for careers in academic medicine, biomedical and clinical research, as well as clinical practice.
 
The decision to enter this Program is formidable and requires the student to dedicate 7-8 years to complete this challenging combination of medical and scientific training. Entering students must demonstrate a high level of preparedness, outstanding academic credentials, motivation and commitment to the goals of the Program. Matriculants to the M.D./Ph.D. Program must maintain all requirements necessary to be commissioned into the United States military throughout the Ph.D. portion of his/her training.

Financial Support and Military Service- MD/PhD

Students admitted to M.D./Ph.D. Program will receive a graduate stipend from the Graduate Program for the first three years. In most cases, the M.D./Ph.D. student will be commissioned in the United States military as an O-1, at the end of the third year in the program. Commissioning will mark the beginning of the student's military service.

Application and Admission Procedures- MD/PhD

Applicants interested in the M.D./Ph.D. Program will first apply directly to the F. Edward H�bert School of Medicine using the Association of American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS). Applicants from whom a secondary application to the M.D. program is requested will indicate their interest in the M.D./Ph.D. Program and return a completed USU Ph.D. Program application (GRE scores not required) along with the secondary Medical School application materials. The Admissions Committee for the Medical School Program will review the application and, if deemed acceptable for admission into the M.D. Program, forward the file to the Graduate Education Office. The Admissions Committee of the appropriate Graduate Program will review the graduate application and determine if the applicant is acceptable for the Ph.D. Program. If the applicant is not accepted into a Ph.D. Program, they may continue the medical school application process.

The Curriculum- MD/PhD

The curriculum combines and integrates the requirements for both the M.D. and the Ph.D degrees. The M.D./Ph.D. Program consists of three phases to be completed in seven to eight years. The first or Graduate Program phase will generally last three years. The M.D./Ph.D. student will complete this initial phase as a civilian, under the guidance of the Graduate Program director, thesis advisor, and M.D./Ph.D. Advisory Committee. The student will complete all required courses for the Ph.D. during the first and second years and many of the courses required for the first 2 years of the Medical School curriculum. The qualifying examination for advancement to candidacy will be taken at the end of the second year and a doctoral thesis proposal subsequently submitted to the thesis advisory committee. The third year will be a research year.
 
The transition phase begins after the third year and will last two years. The student will complete all requirements to be commissioned in the United States military and will attend Officer Basic Training. As a uniformed officer, the student will complete the remaining requirements of the first and second years of the Medical School curriculum. The student will also continue to spend significant time on thesis research, finalize the thesis project, and prepare and defend his/her doctoral dissertation.
 
The final phase of the M.D./Ph.D. Program is the clinical phase over the 6-7th years of the Program. The student will begin full participation in the Medical School curriculum and complete all required clinical rotations and clerkships. Subsequent to the completion of all requirements, the student will be awarded both the M.D. and the Ph.D. degrees and commissioned as an active duty officer (O-3) at commencement.

Contacts- MD/PhD

Office of Medical School Admissions    1-800-772-1743 or admissions@usuhs.mil
Office of Graduate Education              1-800-772-1747 or graduateprogram@usuhs.mil

Address all admissions inquiries to:

Office of Admissions
F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Room A1041
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799

Toll Free: 1-800-772-1743
Commercial: 1-301-295-3101
DSN: 295-3101
E-mail: admissions@mxa.usuhs.mil

Resources