Are Uniformed Service University Students Well-Matched?

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is a health science university and professional school of the U.S. federal government. The university consists of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, the Postgraduate Dental College, and the College of Allied Health Sciences. The university's main campus is located in Bethesda, Maryland, and it was established in 1972. USUHS is similar to a federal service academy, and students are members of the uniformed services of the United States and receive an education in exchange for a service commitment after graduation. All medical students enter the university as commissioned officers, and no prior military service is required for admission to USU's medical school. Approximately 60% of all accepted students have no prior military service. USUHS students become part of an elite group of healthcare professionals and researchers across all military services and the Public Health Service. They gain advanced skill sets through exciting and rewarding opportunities and are challenged with an outstanding leadership and ethics program, learning in a multiservice environment to become the nation's next generation of military leaders.

The benefits of military medicine

Military medicine offers a range of benefits to physicians, from financial incentives to diverse and exciting career opportunities.

One of the most significant advantages is the financial support provided by the military. Medical school is notoriously expensive, but the military offers various scholarship and loan repayment programs to offset the cost of tuition and other expenses. For example, the Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) offers up to $120,000 in student loan assistance in exchange for a service commitment. Additionally, the Army, Navy, and Air Force offer full-tuition scholarships to students enrolled in medical school, with the requirement to serve one year in the respective branch for each year of scholarship received.

Military physicians also enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, including base pay, housing and subsistence allowances, and special pay based on specialty and experience. They are eligible for retirement benefits, life insurance coverage, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement savings program similar to a civilian 401(k).

Beyond the financial benefits, military medicine provides physicians with diverse and unique career opportunities. Military doctors can work in a variety of settings, including hospital ships, international medical centers, and combat-zone hospitals. They may be called upon to provide care during international relief efforts, respond to public health crises, or treat soldiers during combat and other emergencies. Military physicians have the opportunity to travel to different locations, both domestically and abroad, and often have the chance to select their preferred destinations.

Military medicine also offers a wide range of specialties and subspecialties. While the military primarily employs doctors with common specializations such as pediatrics, family care, and neurology, there are also opportunities in areas like undersea medicine, aerospace medicine, and orthopedic surgery. Military physicians can pursue research, teaching, or clinical practice, and often have access to state-of-the-art medical facilities and resources.

Additionally, military medicine fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among physicians. Physicians become part of an extended family, caring for soldiers and serving their country together. The military also emphasizes leadership development, providing opportunities for physicians to take on leadership roles and contribute to decision-making processes.

Overall, a career in military medicine offers financial stability, diverse career paths, exciting opportunities, and a sense of service and community for physicians willing to commit to the unique challenges and responsibilities of military life.

The application process

Step 1: Understand the Prerequisites

Before initiating the application process, it is essential to ensure that you meet the basic prerequisites. All applicants must be U.S. citizens by November 1st of the year of application and must be at least 18 years old, but no older than 36, as of June 30th in the year of matriculation. Additionally, applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. Territory by June 1st of the planned matriculation year. The minimum cumulative GPA requirement is 3.0, with the average incoming class GPA being 3.7.

Step 2: Prepare for Standardized Tests

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a crucial component of your application. The MCAT must be taken within three years prior to the desired matriculation year, and the minimum total MCAT score for consideration is 496.

Step 3: Gain Clinical and Leadership Experience

USU values applicants with clinical experience and a record of leadership. For clinical experience, you can consider volunteering, shadowing, or working in a healthcare setting. As for leadership, you can showcase your skills through extracurricular activities, such as serving as a scoutmaster or leading a student organisation.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Step 5: Complete the Supplemental Application

Once your AMCAS application is received, you will receive information on submitting the supplemental application. This typically includes essay questions and letters of recommendation. The supplemental application, excluding letters of recommendation, is usually due within 21 days of receiving the notification.

Step 6: Interview Process

Approximately 600 applicants are invited to interview, and this involves separate interviews with a clinical faculty member and a current medical student. During the interview, you will be asked to rank your preference for the four available services: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Service.

Step 7: Medical and Security Examinations

Applicants who are invited for an interview must schedule a medical examination through the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) before the interview. Additionally, all applicants must complete an SF-86 security investigation as a criterion for entrance to the university.

Step 8: Final Review and Acceptance

After completing the interviews and meeting the medical and security requirements, your application will undergo a final review by the Admissions Committee. If approved, you will receive a conditional offer of acceptance, which becomes unconditional once you are deemed eligible for a security clearance and are physically qualified.

Remember to carefully review all the requirements and instructions provided by the Uniformed Services University during the application process. Good luck with your application!

The curriculum

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is a health science university and professional school of the U.S. federal government. The university consists of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, the Postgraduate Dental College, and the College of Allied Health Sciences. The curriculum at the School of Medicine begins with 1.5 years of basic sciences organised into organ-system-based modules called "Molecules to Military Medicine". This is followed by courses such as Parasitology, Combat Medical Skills, Military Medical History, Officer Professional Development, Military Applied Physiology, and Epidemiology.

The clerkship year begins in January of the second year and is followed by the USMLE Step 1. After Step 1, students participate in an integrated advanced didactic module, "Bench to Bedside and Beyond", and then begin fourth-year clerkships/subinternships at various military hospitals across the country.

The Graduate School of Nursing offers advanced practice degrees, including a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. The Postgraduate Dental College offers a Master of Science in Oral Biology to students enrolled in selected graduate dental education programs of the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

The College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) is the newest college, established in 2017. It offers Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees to students who opt to enrol in CAHS after enrolling in their Service-required training program. CAHS supports Army, Navy, and Air Force Medical Enlisted Services, with enrolment across programs exceeding 7,000 students per year.

The match rate

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is a health science university and professional school of the U.S. federal government. The university consists of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, the Postgraduate Dental College, and the College of Allied Health Sciences.

The USU School of Medicine students learn what specialties they will pursue and the location at which they will practice medicine during their final year of school. The matches are based on service needs and student preference. Typically, more than 90% of USU students receive their first choice in specialty and location.

The university is similar to a federal service academy, such as the United States Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. Students are members of the uniformed services of the United States and receive an education in exchange for a service commitment after graduation. All medical students enter the university as commissioned officers via direct commissions in the pay grade of O-1 or rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Army or U.S. Air Force, or ensign in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Public Health Service. No prior military service is required for admission to USU's medical school.

Approximately 60% of all accepted students have no prior military service. However, after being accepted into the medical program, all students must commission into the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Public Health Service prior to starting their first year. Before the first year begins, all future students are sent to their respective officer training facilities, where they are taught how to become military leaders.

The Application Process

The application process for USUHS is highly competitive, with around 3200 applications each year for only 171 spots. The average MCAT score for accepted students is between 509 and 510, and a minimum score of 496 is required for an application to be reviewed. In addition to MCAT scores, the Admissions Committee considers undergraduate cumulative GPA (with a minimum of 3.0), letters of recommendation, clinical experience, and AMCAS and USU statements.

The application process also includes an interview, during which candidates are evaluated on their motivation and potential as future military physicians. Applicants must be able to articulate why they want to pursue a career in military medicine and commit to the associated responsibilities and service commitments.

Benefits of USUHS

USUHS offers several benefits to its students, including:

• Paid salary and benefits: Students receive the full salary and benefits of a junior ranking officer during their time at the university, with no tuition or fees.
• Residency advantage: Training through the military makes it easier to get into competitive residency programs, with exclusive programs for the military match and special health professions programs.
• Unique experiences: Students have the opportunity to practice medicine in novel settings, such as aboard a carrier ship or in a submarine, and respond to public health and medical crises around the world.
• Sense of community: Military medicine provides a sense of belonging and the privilege of caring for soldiers who have sacrificed for their country.
• California advantage: The university has a strong presence in California, with the Navy in San Diego, the Air Force in Davis, and Camp Pendleton for family medicine.

The student experience

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is a health science university and professional school of the US federal government. The university consists of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, the Postgraduate Dental College, and the College of Allied Health Sciences. The university's main campus is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Students at USUHS become part of an elite group of healthcare professionals and researchers across all military services and the Public Health Service. They gain advanced skills through exciting and rewarding opportunities, and are challenged with a unique medical curriculum, as well as an outstanding leadership and ethics program. The curriculum includes basic sciences, combat medical skills, military medical history, officer professional development, military applied physiology, and epidemiology, among other courses.

In terms of admissions, USUHS is competitive, but it does accept students without any prior military service. Approximately 60% of accepted students have no prior military experience, and the average MCAT score is 509-510. The admissions committee looks at the "whole person," considering factors such as undergraduate GPA, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, clinical experience, and essays.

Overall, the student experience at USUHS offers a combination of academic excellence, leadership development, and real-world exposure, providing a unique and rewarding path for those aspiring to serve in the healthcare profession.

Frequently asked questions