I wonder if the requirement for the Ochsner cohort to do a minimum of 8 weeks of observership at the end of M1 year is too much while they have the USMLE to study for, or family to visit... Subtracting the mandatory observership, the Ochsner cohort has only 2 weeks of summer at the end of M1 year. The traditional UQ cohort is required to do just 4 weeks of observership. Is there any reason why the Ochsner cohort is required to do double that? What do you current Ochsner students feel about that? Is it something that is worth bringing up for changes?
Posted this already in the previous thread.
In what ways can one get screwed on electives, and how to minimize this risk?
The Australian school year starts in February. Application cycle usually ends in November, but it can end earlier because it's rolling admissions. The last day you should be receiving an interview is some time in October.
Minimum GPA is 3.0.
There's no way that was the average. It was the minimum. The admission website states that the minimum is a "B average" now. And that video was from 2 years ago, I think.
Refer to my post above:
I agree that Skype won't give an accurate representation of the Ochsner Clinic and have committed to an in person interview on Jan 22nd. Mededpath has been very helpful thus far with the entire process, even going so far as offering pre-interview advising sessions to ensure we are adequately prepared for the interview. Seems like a great opportunity and a pretty unique experience, IMG status notwithstanding. Let me know if you end up going down on the 22nd.
Turns out I can't schedule for Jan. 22nd anymore. The date is locked :O
I've heard that you can't schedule online if it's within two weeks. You may want to call MEP and see if there are still slots available if you want to interview on the 22nd.
I'll try calling first thing tomorrow. Good Luck on your interview!
The MCAT is required for admission, so your application will most likely be held until they receive the score. I'd recommend calling MEP and discussing with them. The admissions staff are extremely helpful and they want to ensure the success of their applicants.
I'm not sure how they calculate retakes, that would be a question for MEP. They require a B average (based on the Australian grading scale) to be interview eligible. If he is below a 3.0 I'd definitely recommend retaking any class he received a C or lower and/or a postbacc to bring his GPA up. Average GPA of the 2015 cohort was 3.35 for a bachelor's and 3.55 for a master's, with an MCAT of 29 (507ish). In speaking with the admissions faculty, the program is becoming more competitive with every cycle, and they are looking for serious applicants with a demonstrated interest in global medicine that will do well in their program, do well on the USMLE, and match into a top residency.
I interviewed on campus last Friday and I'm even more excited about the program now than before. Ochsner is very well known and respected throughout the area, and all of the people are very friendly and really want their students to succeed. I'm sure on Skype it's more difficult to gauge how things went but I wouldn't sweat it too much. Good luck!
It is getting much more competitive now that US residency programs are becoming familiar with the program. It really is a great program from all of the students, residents, and admin that I've talked to. UQ medical school is ranked in the top 50 in the world (higher than 80% of US schools) and Ochsner is in the top 10 for GME. Per the assistant dean, Ochsner residency programs give preference to UQO students, and the program goes above and beyond in helping you match in your chosen specialty.
You should be fine in March/April. UQO is on rolling admissions so early application is advisable, but they don't begin sending acceptances until after match season. Last year applicants were still being accepted in the fall.
Thanks buddy! I hope it works out for both of us!
MEP will forward your application to Ochsner when it is complete. This can be pretty rapid (a couple of days) as long as you aren't missing any part of your application. If you are eligible for an interview then Ochsner Clinical School will contact you with information regarding the process. This also is typically fairly quick depending upon how many applications they are going through. Decisions are made by the University of Queensland 6-8 weeks after the entire application packet is sent to UQ. The earliest decisions for the 2017 cohort are expected in April.
