What are the top 3 med schools in the Philippines as of "NOW"? [Archive]

GoldenAzn

04-28-2005, 09:35 AM

Hi! I'll be a freshman this June but i still haven't chosen the school that's best for me. I've read a lot of info. about those med schools from the thread of "filipino med schools" which really had helped me a lot. My greatest dilemma now is to know the difference of these top 3 schools as of "NOW". A lot of things changes as time passes. A reply from that thread was posted 2 years ago but I need some FRESH news. Of course asking those schools will be a whole lot easier but an experience is still the best. I know that career still depends on the student but schools really have factors. I also care about each's reputation. Any fresh graduates here? pls.? help? I got one week left to decide. NMAT is not a problem.

I'm not so sure though but this was what I was told roughly from some people.

1. UP..university of the philippines
2. UST..university of santo tomas
3. UERM....University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, College of Medicine
4. St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine
5. FEU..Far Eastern University

Again don't quote me though on it. But from what I hear 3-5 can flip flop a lot but I believe that is the pecking order. Or from what I was told...but like I think any of the schools up here you can't go wrong either way...they are all quality from what I got...only thing is St. Luke is like a 5 year school not 4 like the rest.

Congratulations since you already seems to have gotten in and are picking from the top of the crop. Especially if you got into the number one school...usually there is only 2 slots available through the alumni route.

hnerypaoho

04-28-2005, 06:43 PM

I'm not so sure though but this was what I was told roughly from some people.

1. UP..university of the philippines
2. UST..university of santo tomas
3. UERM....University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, College of Medicine
4. St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine
5. FEU..Far Eastern University

Again don't quote me though on it. But from what I hear 3-5 can flip flop a lot but I believe that is the pecking order. Or from what I was told...but like I think any of the schools up here you can't go wrong either way...they are all quality from what I got...only thing is St. Luke is like a 5 year school not 4 like the rest.

Congratulations since you already seems to have gotten in and are picking from the top of the crop. Especially if you got into the number one school...usually there is only 2 slots available through the alumni route.

-yeah! I agree with goldenazn. those are the top five med schools in the philippines. but still, each schools have their disadvantages with their system. coz there's no such thing as a perfect school. anyways, either way.. they will make the best out of you. st lukes included internship (5th year) as part of their curriculum. it means that you're not going to get a chance to pick hospitals for your internship. not like the other schools you're just obligated to finish 4 yeras and after that.. you're on you own.. by the way, I'm going for feu this june.

snowflake

04-28-2005, 11:04 PM

hnerypaoho

04-28-2005, 11:58 PM

GoldenAzn

04-29-2005, 01:17 AM

Thank you for your replies. I got a week left. I'm choosing from FEU, ST. LUKES, UERM and FATIMA. :)

Pls. give me some point of views regarding these schools pros and cons/ advantages and disadvantages. I know they are good ones but every school is different right so... i need to know more of that :confused:

Again thanks for the reply :)

Well most of those schools are good. Fatima do has that rep but I mean you get your good and your bad with all. But I believe if your looking for loans-wise that is..I think Fatima is the only one on that list that you can get a stafford loan (like some people did in undergrad) if your looking at that through US.

I think you should also look at their speciality..i think uerm from the thread if i remember right is neuro..also uerm has a nice location from what i remember reading..feu has some peds they did move to quezon city i believe and not in manila like in old days..but i'm not sure though. But I believe Fatima even though it has a bad rep..has some residence based on the thread in US..if that helps...but like I'm not sure though..this is like recollection..and I'm not rereading that big thread again kehehe. I really don't know much about st. lukes becuase didn't really look at that to be honest...becuase i didn't want that extra year.

I got into FEU too..but decide to hit UST instead..gl with your decision. At least you have options still hehe. But you might wanna try to decide fast if you want to get a nice/decent place to live at khehee.

phlipsquad

04-29-2005, 01:10 PM

Hi! I'll be a freshman this June but i still haven't chosen the school that's best for me. I've read a lot of info. about those med schools from the thread of "filipino med schools" which really had helped me a lot. My greatest dilemma now is to know the difference of these top 3 schools as of "NOW". A lot of things changes as time passes. A reply from that thread was posted 2 years ago but I need some FRESH news. Of course asking those schools will be a whole lot easier but an experience is still the best. I know that career still depends on the student but schools really have factors. I also care about each's reputation. Any fresh graduates here? pls.? help? I got one week left to decide. NMAT is not a problem.
Hi,
Based on my asking people from the Phils and from other internet research and talking to Filipino doctors and residents practicing here in the states, I was informed that the top 3 are:
1. UP
2. UST
3. UERM

* Hnery and Golden also think so. As for Fatima, I suggest choosing UE instead. Fatima has low admissions standard and basically accept all foreigners. There is no NMAT cut-off.

*I believe that with greater minimum requirements, and more selective admissions process, reflects quality and reputation of a particular school.

Think about this: These are the NMAT CUT-OFFS for the top 3 schools:

1. UP - 90 percentile
2. UST- 65 percentile
3. UERM - 55 percentile

* if you have anything less than this, with the 3 schools, even if you are a foreigner, they will NOT look at your application.

* Hence you have to do better than a little over half of all the people who took the NMAT, just to apply to UERM...etc etc for the other top schools.

The rest.... most, have no cut-offs, but I am not completely sure since I only applied to UST and UERM....but I believe it to be so...since I have checked a few brochures from many schools when i was in the Philippines.

In the end, I truly believe that with higher admissions standards equals higher quality and reputation for whatever school, theoretically speaking. Do you guys agree?

* Out of the 4 schools you got into, 3 are good. I would not go to Fatima..for a variety of reasons, plus..it has a bad reputation in the Phils. I would choose UERM as your best bet.

phlipsquad

04-29-2005, 01:31 PM

Thank you for your replies. I got a week left. I'm choosing from FEU, ST. LUKES, UERM and FATIMA. :)

Pls. give me some point of views regarding these schools pros and cons/ advantages and disadvantages. I know they are good ones but every school is different right so... i need to know more of that :confused:

Again thanks for the reply :)

Hi..
With UERM, go to their website, they claim to be in the top three along with the reputable UP and UST. Check www.uerm.ph/ and then click on education... and look at college of medicine.

UERM: Great school academic-wise, their campus is small though and does not look too attractive. They have access to the MRT or LRT...one of those....I guess that's a plus.

UST: Why its Great? Oldest medical school in the Philippines, academics has always been great. I know of alot of surgeons in the states who are UST grads and some in quite competitive specialties. Biggest Plus....Campus is BEAUTIFUL....very ornate and the buildings in the university are historical works of art.. I could be a little biased...nevertheless, because I am going to UST.

UP: The best! Accepts 0-2 foreigners per year. Very competitive.

St. Luke's: They have one of the best medical centers in the Phils, but their med school is quite new....still good though.

FEU: Also a great school...has a good reputation in the Phils.

Spartan Doc

04-30-2005, 11:00 PM

fremitus

05-01-2005, 05:19 AM

This is how I would rank it:

1. UP College of Medicine
2. UST Medicine and Surgery
3. FEU-NRMF Institute of Medicine
4. PLM College of Medicine
5. UERMMMC College of Medicine

I would ike to quote philipsquad

"*I believe that with greater minimum requirements, and more selective admissions process, reflects quality and reputation of a particular school."

This might not be totally true. I would like to take FEU as an example. The NMAT has a very small bearing if you want to bea accepted at FEU, the larger concern would be your performance iin college. But despite of this, most applicants are accepted. FEU has a reputation of placing students thru a so called "strainer". I would also like to take my Class as an example. We started out back in 2000 with 400+ students. We graduated 2004 as 150+ in the class. This 150 included those that were delayed and eventually finished with us. So all in all only around 90 students out of the original 400+ finshed in time.

I guess this is FEU's way of screening students. An acceptance never assures you a slot in the graduating class.

But for me, I honestly think that FEU should start stiffening up it's admission process as to avoid rascals students from getting in and eventually finding a way to graduate.

As with FEU's falling reputation, let's wait until after the August boards! I'm very confident that my class will put FEU back on the map and we will regain our glory!

Anyway, my list above is interchangable from ranks 2 to 5.

hnerypaoho

05-01-2005, 07:39 AM

a_cube07

05-01-2005, 04:21 PM

sine

05-05-2005, 01:01 PM

Snowflake- where do you intend to practice??
I would consider UERM first, then probably FEU, followed by St. Lukes, then Fatima.

UERM- good teachers, reputation on the upswing, lots of graduates in the US. Great reputation in the Philippines and US

FEU- reputation falling, lots of successful graduates in the Philippines, known in the some residency programs in the US

St. Lukes- still very new, good hospital, but very limited reputation

Fatima- produces good docs, but has a lukewarm reputation in the philippines. Still limited reputation in the US

I would rank them in that order, too. To say that Fatima has a lukewarm reputation in the Philippines would be a big understatement.

PLM is an often overlooked school. I would rank them in my top 3 med schools together with UP and UST. The thing with PLM is that they prefer Manila residents (since they are funded by the city government) over Filipinos from other areas, so if you're from the US, your chances aren't that good, even if you have excellent credentials...

markfreak

05-19-2005, 05:59 PM

here's another forum about this topic... http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=196094

tantrum

05-30-2005, 01:21 PM

phlipsquad

06-05-2005, 03:26 AM

Here is the top 10 school based on percentage passing on the Philippine Board Exams (August of 2004). Again as Spartan doc said, this is only relevant if you're thinking of reputation in the Philippines. The Phil Board exam questions are crappy and won't prepare you to pass the USMLE. If you're planning to have your residency in the States, then you have to prepare independently to augment your curriculum (especially the basic sciences).
1. U.P. - 94% (133/142)
2. UST - 86% (276/322)
3. CIM (Cebu) - 85% (55/65)
4. St. Louis U. (Baguio) - 76% (31/41)
5. PLM - 74% (55/74)
6. WVSU (Iloilo) - 67% (47/70)
7. UERM - 56% (138/247)
8. St. Luke's - 55% (50/91)
9. Cebu Doctor's - 51% (22/43)
10. FEU - 50% (77/153)
Some other schools mentioned in threads
11. De La Salle - 45% (72/159)
...Fatima - 24% (41/172)

You also have to look at the categories. You cannot literally just base it on this. UP and UST have alot of takers..take this into account.compared to some schools that have less than 100 takers.. For example, if there are 2 takers from a particular school and 2 passed it has a 100% passing rate. Does not really say much...except for those that have over 100 takes...with a greater proportion of passers.

tantrum

06-06-2005, 09:45 AM

You also have to look at the categories. You cannot literally just base it on this. UP and UST have alot of takers..take this into account.compared to some schools that have less than 100 takers.. For example, if there are 2 takers from a particular school and 2 passed it has a 100% passing rate. Does not really say much...except for those that have over 100 takes...with a greater proportion of passers.
That's the reason I did not include those with less than 40 exam takers. I only included the big ones where foreign or local grads might enroll. if there are only 1 or 2 takers then it's a crap-shoot.

savi

06-08-2005, 08:22 AM

tantrum

06-08-2005, 01:15 PM

From International Medical Education Quarterly Newsletter ( Vol 1, No. 2,Summer 2003)

"There are 32 Phil med schools listed in the IMED...30 operating, 2 closed.
Three of the operating schools have been identified by the Commission on Higher Education as 'Centers of Excellence' and one is a 'Center of Development' based on 'their track record, performance in the licensure examination and excellent faculty'."

the Centers of Excellence (any order):
1)University of the Philippines
2) University of Sto Tomas
3) Cebu Institute of Medicine (that's why i was wondering why no one listed this in the top five--although the rankings may be based on personal opinion)

Center of Development:
Xavier University (Cagayan)

Check out http://www.prc.gov.ph/ and the InMedEd website.
Unfortunately, due to the popularity of Nursing in the Philippines, a lot of medical schools will close in the future. Some with less than 100 enrollees are in danger of closing in the future. Those with big alumni supporters like UST, FEU, and even UERM will make it depending on their alumni.

Filipinos in general are Manila-centric. CIM has been known for years as a good school outside Manila. Some of their top sutdents also do their post-graduate internship in UP-PGH and they do well. But as I said if I'm a foreigner or Fil-Am, your school will not matter much as long as you prepare and pass your USMLE. Some schools have a larger network in the US (UP,UST,UERM,FEU) because of the large numbers of alumni there. If I'm a Fil-Am, my choices would be UST, UERM, FEU, CIM (If I'm Visayan), or St. Louis.
If I'm Filipino (local grad), my choice will be the public Unis like UP, PLM, Or West Visayas as their tuition is lower and it does not pay to spend a lot on med school then practice in the Philippines.

Mar Jehan P. GA

07-05-2005, 04:46 AM

tantrum

07-05-2005, 10:01 AM

hi! im new here and i would like to have someone who care enough to guide me here. by the way im a BSPT intern student and expecting to grad in april next year ( may God bless me! ) and after i gained my Bachelor degree i would like to pursue on medical schools but my problem is i dont have any idea about the procedures at all. The likes of Nmat testing procedures, when to take it, where to take it, what review center is the best and everything about it. I already visited the web on how to apply in med schools, and i think the very first to do is took and passed Nmat as high as possible to be into dignified schools. But for me i think st. luke's is the one right for me ( but still im in doubt for it requires a 5 year to grad and i took a 5 year pre -med course, i will grow old still studying ), i ask you if you could help me through this, about NMAT for me to have a concrete idea on it. And i will be very grateful to anyone who could help me
You can look at the thread about Filipino medical shcools and you can get an idea about the process. NMAT is usually given twice a year (usually April and December). Try to inquire with CEM and apply early for the December exam so you can start school in June next year. Very few schools nowadays require high score (except for UP and UST). Even St. Luke's which has an official cutoff of 65 accepted an applicant with 54 this year (this guy had an extensive IT work experience), so once you score 65 you're most likely in at St. Luke's. If you will be practicing in the Philippines, everybody will need 5 years before they can take the Philippines Boards. Even UP has a 5 year program. In other schools, after you graduate in 4 years, you still have to take a 1 year internship in a hospital of your choice (which is already incorporated in the curriculum of UP and St. Luke's). So the length of time to finish is basically the same for all schools. The reason foreigners don't need the 5 year program is that they are not required to take the extra year for internship as they will not take the Philippines Boards. Having said that, I know of at least 1 Fil-Am who took the 5 year program in St. Luke's before going back to the States.
Try to apply to other schools other than St. Luke's (so you have more choices) and take note of their application deadlines. If you like St. Luke's, you will probably like UST,UERM, FEU,San Beda or even DLSU-HSC.

naijabony

05-03-2006, 12:46 PM

hnerypaoho

05-03-2006, 08:37 PM

Hi.Pls I need guidance. I'll be completing my BS-Pharmacy course next year (God willing) and I intend to go to medical school. I am thinking of doing it here in the Philippines but av no idea of which school. Which is better off, med skul in Manila or outside manila? I am intrested in UERM. But what are the opportunities of working in the States after finishing from UERM? I'd like to know what's in store for me after i finish as i wish to move to the States.....Thanx

-just like the messages that were written in the threads, it's all up to the student to get a residency slot in the US. coz what i heard was, hosptilas in the US don't care where you graduated. Is the USMLE scores that they are interested with it. so if you get a high score with it. i dont think you'll have a problem finding a job.

tantrum

05-04-2006, 12:18 PM

I agree. As long as you score high on your USMLE, it does not matter which school you graduated from. You might also consider getting into Kaplan review (for USMLE) if you are not confident.

Hisbenz

07-26-2006, 02:20 AM

You may find other information, community forum and discussion and find answers to your questions about UST medical school:

http://ustexchange.yehey.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=148

savana

09-21-2006, 07:50 PM

ricksakti

09-22-2006, 02:30 AM

If i want to start class of june, when should i apply to reg to the med skul?

bakekang

09-23-2006, 02:53 AM

What are the top 3 med schools in the Philippines as of "NOW"?

According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED):
1. University of the Philippines
2. University of Santo Tomas
3. Cebu Institute of Medicine

Coincidentally, these are my top 3 choices as well.

bleudsky

09-24-2006, 09:42 AM

bleudsky

09-24-2006, 09:47 AM

If i want to start class of june, when should i apply to reg to the med skul?

that depends on which school you wanna go to. some schools are already open for applications since they decide the eligible applicants by march.

bleudsky

09-24-2006, 09:51 AM

UST:... Biggest Plus....Campus is BEAUTIFUL....very ornate and the buildings in the university are historical works of art.. I could be a little biased...nevertheless, because I am going to UST.

i agree!! :D sometimes, walking on those gardens makes me at ease..

marblesmd

09-24-2006, 09:52 AM

If i want to start class of june, when should i apply to reg to the med skul?

Applications start as early as September for some schools. You'll have to call the school registrar's office for more accurate info.

marblesmd

09-24-2006, 10:01 AM

hi. im an irregular nursing student and i want to be an MD (planning to take nmat in april), i just like to know why fatima have a bad reputation (im planning to go there), why university of perpetual help is not in your top choices of good med schools. & can anyone give me a list of nmat review book that is available in a bookstore. thanks.:)

I have no concrete evidence as to why Fatima has a bad rep...all I know are based on hearsay and it wouldn't help anyone if I mention any of it here in the forum. You can check out the performance of these 2 schools compared to others based on the recent August 2006 Licensure Exams http://www.inq7.net/exam/phys_08172006.pdf#search=%22physician%20august%202 006%20philippine%22

Review for the Social Science part of the NMAT and you'll be fine. The only review book I know which is available commercially is the one published by MSA which is available in National Bookstore, although I do not recommend that you buy one. The practice materials given by CEM when you apply for the NMAT will be sufficient review. Besides, those questions on the MSA review book are a lot harder than the actual exam.

agwising

10-20-2006, 07:58 AM

UP remains as the number one med school in the country and eventually 2nd ang PLM. congrats PLM!!!!

hentaisocrnmdph

10-21-2006, 04:21 AM

UP remains as the number one med school in the country and eventually 2nd ang PLM. congrats PLM!!!!

Source please... doesnt UST follow after UP?

agwising

10-24-2006, 09:10 AM

LocutusofBorg

10-24-2006, 09:56 PM

sorry bout my previous post, i was so excited i didnt check it. anyway as of the previous board results the top 5 schools are:

1. UP-PGH: 97%
2. CIM:88%
3.PLM (YES!! PLM): 86%
4. UST: 84%
5: SLU (YES!!! My undergrad alma mater!): 75%

source: http://newsinfo.inq7.net/examresults/20060817_phys_08172006.pdf

As it has been stated before, board results do not necessarily mean a better school. A school that is more selective may offer a poor education, but select out only the best students, and get the better board passing rate as a result. Also, Philippine boards are not a good indicator of US boards (as I've discovered when I took the NMAT... in spite of mine having done great on the MCATs, I seem to have dropped the ball on the NMAT...)

HarryPotterMD

10-26-2006, 11:29 PM

:laugh: Kakaloka kayo.

Dagdag lang ng lola nyo ha ... o heto, galing sa FSMB yan (Federation of States Medical Boards), which also uses IMED's resource as the world's repository of medical schools.

Medical schools in The Philippines have been the source of a large number of physicians who come to the United States for graduate medical education and the practice of medicine. During the 10 year period 1993-2002, ECFMG issued Standard ECFMG Certificates to 4,561 graduates of medical schools in the Philippines.

The first medical school established in the Philippines was the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Santo Tomas in 1871. Currently, there are 32 Philippine medical schools listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED), 30 of which are operating and 2 of which are closed.

Three of the currently operating medical schools have been identified by the Philippines Commission on Higher Education as "Centers of Excellence" and one as a "Center of Development" based "on their track record, performance in the licensure examination and excellent faculty."[2] The Centers of Excellence are at the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas and the Cebu Institute of Medicine. The Center of Development is at Xavier University.
---------------------
As a good estimate, UST has produced more than TWENTY TIMES the COMBINED TOTAL number of graduates produced by all medical schools other than the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. (details are tedious and deleted)

Kaya Saludo ang lola nyo sa UST-FMS ... pioneer yan!! And ... the History of the Philippines IS NOT complete without mention of the University of Santo Tomas FMS. When you graduate from UST-FMS, you become part of over 130 years of excellence in medical education.

Yun mga ninuno nyo hats-off silang lahat sa UST. Yan ang number one pillar in the history of the Philippine medicine.

Siempre, ang University of the Philippines din, dahil mandate nya to be the State's University.

Pero ha, ang PLM may sarili ring mandate. Also ang CIM. Lahat naman sila may mandate and missions.

Huwag natin maliitin ang ibang medical schools dito ha, Kasi they also (and equally) fulfill very important mandates and roles in the Philippine society. Sa mata ng lola nyo, lahat ng medical schools sa buong Pilipinas, ay dapat ipagtanggol at ipagbunyi -- dahil tinutugon nila ang mga pangangailangang pangmedikal, pangkalusugan, at higit sa lahat, ang mahalang papel ng mga medical schools sa pagbabalangkas ng isang nasyon (nation building).

So, para sa lola nyo, heto lang ang masasabi ko ha, bagamat marami tayong tinitingnan sa pagpili ng isang medical school na papasukan -- sa ibabaw nito halungkatin din natin ang realisasyon na lahat sila importante at may sari-sariling karakterisasyon at lakas (unique charasteristics and strength), na mahalaga para sa pangkalahatang pangangailangan ng lipunan (na maaaring hindi parating mahalaga para sa isang partikular na estudante).

Gayundin, sa tagiliran ng ganitong usapin, payak at maliwanag ang ideya: ang pagpili ng isang estudyante ay batay sa sariling preperensya (preferences), pangangailangan (needs), pananaw (views), beliefs (paniniwala), obhetibong propesyonal (professional career objectives/goals), at marami pang mga bagay at situwasyon na partikular sa estudante.

Sa usapin na "which is the best medical school?" .. tinutugon lang natin ang sariling pangangailangan, at hindi ang pangangailangan ng lipunan (dahil para sa lipunan, kung sino ang makakatugon sa mga pangangailangan nya, yung ang the best).

Ganun pa man, sa ilalim ng pagtugon natin sa orihinal na interogasyon "which is the best medical school", anong kahulugan ng "best" ? Tinutumbok ba ng tanong na ito ang "which is the best choice?" o kaya "which is the best in terms of quality teaching?" o kaya "which is the best in terms of low attrition, yung konti ang nagdro-drop-out ?" o kaya "which is the best in term of allowing one to do overseas clerkship or residency training?" o kaya "which is the best in terms of popularity?" o kaya "which is the best in terms of faculty?" o kaya "which is the best in terms of percentage of boards passers?"

Ang kalidad ng tugon sa tanong ay nababatay sa kalidad ng orihinal na tanong.

ang lola nyo, mahilig sa lohika. :laugh: :laugh:

:meanie: :meanie:

kittycrinkles

03-17-2007, 11:28 AM

for me, a medical school has to provide good opportunities for knowledge and training. it doesn't matter what facilities they have, how many graduates they've churned out... a med school's job is to produce physicians. so, what really matters is are they doing their job?

here's an update for those who are wondering:

from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=15821"]this article... (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=15821)
Of the 2,696 who took the medical board exams, 1,491, or about 55 percent, passed, the PRC said.

UP-Manila posted the highest passing average among medical schools, with 130 of its 134 graduates, or 97 percent, passing the board exams.

Second was CIM, with 67 successful examinees among 76 graduates, or 88 percent; and in third was the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, with 87 of 101 graduates, or 86 percent, passing the exam.

The rest of the 10 schools with the best passing averages are:

Fourth – UST – 271 passers of 322 graduates, 84 percent
Fifth – West Visayas State University – 68 passers of 86 graduates, 79 percent
Sixth – Saint Louis University – 60 passers of 80 graduates – 75 percent
Seventh – Xavier University – 37 passers of 54 graduates
Mindanao State University – 18 passers of 26 graduates – 69 percent
Eighth – Saint Luke’s College of Medicine – 45 passers of 66 graduates – 68 percent
Ninth - Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation – 135 passers of 206 graduates – 66 percent
Tenth – Ateneo de Zamboanga – 13 passers of 22 graduates – 59 percent

dexter85

03-19-2007, 09:34 PM

Peter Roelandts

03-23-2007, 10:12 PM

THE TOP 5 MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES in terms of board examination pass rates:

:thumbup:1. PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA (PLM)
:cool:2. UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES (UP)
:)3. CEBU INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE (CIM)
:D4. UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (UST)
:eek:5. UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST (UE)

Monday, February 26, 2007, The Manila Times

Pamantasan scores
100% passing rate in board test

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) achieved a 100-percent passing rate in the recent medical board exams.

According to the results of the board exam conducted by the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC), it was also a PLM graduate—Meleo Ian Nagal Alonzo—who ranked number 4 among the passers achieving a grade of 83.83 percent.

“This is just the latest honor garnered by the PLM for the city,” Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said. “We congratulate the whole institution for proving that the Manileño’s can shine above the rest.”

Atienza lauded PLM President Dr. Benjamin Tayabas and Dr. Eleanor Galvez, College of Medicine dean, for consistently producing outstanding graduates.

Aside from this latest achievement, a PLM graduate topped the board examinations for architecture; the PLM’s Nursing School was also named the third top performing school nationwide; and PLM’s Mechanical Engineering graduates were ranked number seven and eight in the latest professional examinations.

According to Dr. Tayabas, because of the recent achievement, the PLM is expected to be named the number 1 performing medical school in the Philippines by the Board of Medicine of the PRC.

Dr. Tayabas thanked the city government and Mayor Atienza for their invaluable support for PLM under the Buhayin ang Maynila Program.
According to Dr. Tayabas, it is this support that enabled PLM to become a topnotch university that Manila residents can be proud of.

“The mayor’s nine years of investment in quality education for Manileños has born fruit,” Tayabas said. “No city administration has exceeded that of Mayor Atienza’s in the support he has given PLM as a city university.”

:idea: Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/feb/26/yehey/metro/20070226met7.html (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/feb/26/yehey/metro/20070226met7.html)

Peter Roelandts

03-23-2007, 10:28 PM

I would rank them in that order, too. To say that Fatima has a lukewarm reputation in the Philippines would be a big understatement.

PLM is an often underrated school. I would rank them in my top 3 med schools together with UP and UST. The thing with PLM is that they prefer Manila residents (since they are funded by the city government) over Filipinos from other areas, so if you're from the US, your chances aren't that good, even if you have excellent credentials...

PLM is open to ALL FILIPINO CITIZENS, not just Manila residents... :cool:

"Admission in the first year is open to any student with a college degree, who meets all the requirements prescribed in the criteria for admission. Freshmen admitted to the College are classified according to the two types of program offered: the scholarship and the non-scholarship programs. In the latter, the students pay a very reasonable amount for tuition and other miscellaneous fees, while the scholars are tuition free, but they are required to enter into a contract with PLM and the City government to serve the City of Manila under the PLM Community Health Program, for 5 years after graduation."

:thumbup: Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLM_College_of_Medicine, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ospital_ng_Maynila_Medical_Center

Peter Roelandts

03-23-2007, 10:52 PM

-yeah! I agree with goldenazn. those are the top five med schools in the philippines. but still, each schools have their disadvantages with their system. coz there's no such thing as a perfect school. anyways, either way.. they will make the best out of you. st lukes included internship (5th year) as part of their curriculum. it means that you're not going to get a chance to pick hospitals for your internship. not like the other schools you're just obligated to finish 4 yeras and after that.. you're on you own.. by the way, I'm going for feu this june.

FEU and ST. LUKE'S College of Medicine, which are equally good schools, belong to the top ten list of best medical schools, not on the first 5 list. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Peter Roelandts

03-23-2007, 11:11 PM

hehehe, i might be biased here. but basically the facilities, the instruction, and the students should all be considered when trying to rate the quality of education of a certain school. so with that, i've got to rate UP-PGH first and what generally follows is UST.:D

ust might be just fourth in the latest medical board exam but look at the hundreds of physicians it has produced. it's the only school who can still attract more than four hundred students and 80+ percent are sure to pass the medical board. and if you consider its tradition of medical excellence, it might even equal UP. but since the students in up are generally well-screened, usually they always got an almost hundred percent passing rate. what's better in ust would be the facilities and the environment as well.

Those that belong to the TOP 5 medical schools (PLM, UP, CIM, UST and UE) more or less produce the best physicians in the country; other medical colleges have also produced a long list of what they consider "best physicians."

UP and PLM (the two best government schools), operate on a limited budget. Thus, both schools are highly selective in terms of student admission. I think this is very logical. A school's resource has to be in proportionate to the number of students it can best serve. :cool::love:

Peter Roelandts

03-23-2007, 11:15 PM

Hi..
With UERM, go to their website, they claim to be in the top three along with the reputable UP and UST. Check www.uerm.ph/ (http://www.uerm.ph/) and then click on education... and look at college of medicine.

UERM: Great school academic-wise, their campus is small though and does not look too attractive. They have access to the MRT or LRT...one of those....I guess that's a plus.

UST: Why its Great? Oldest medical school in the Philippines, academics has always been great. I know of alot of surgeons in the states who are UST grads and some in quite competitive specialties. Biggest Plus....Campus is BEAUTIFUL....very ornate and the buildings in the university are historical works of art.. I could be a little biased...nevertheless, because I am going to UST.

UP: The best! Accepts 0-2 foreigners per year. Very competitive.

St. Luke's: They have one of the best medical centers in the Phils, but their med school is quite new....still good though.

FEU: Also a great school...has a good reputation in the Phils.

St. Luke's is considered one of the Philippines' best hospital. Yes, their medical school is quite new, and has around 30-35% board exam flank rate!!! :cool:

kittycrinkles

03-24-2007, 11:22 AM

Peter Roelandts

03-26-2007, 04:26 AM

PLM, UPM and CIM all got 100% in the Feb boards.

it's here (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/examresults/20070221_physician02212007.pdf) (pdf file).

Yes, PLM, UP Manila and CIM are consistently at the upper-tier of the rankings! Great schools, indeed!!! :cool::cool::cool:

It's not the first time PLM has achieved 100% pass rate. Truly creme de la creme... KEEP IT UP!!! :thumbup:

endograsper

04-05-2007, 05:23 AM

kittycrinkles

04-05-2007, 07:21 AM

but i definitely want a ONE yr rotation at PGH
is that possible even if you're from other med schools?

yes, you can do your post-grad internship in PGH.

hentaisocrnmdph

04-07-2007, 11:06 PM

KittyKrinkles

Magkano na nga uli ang tuition per sem ng UPCM ngayon? Ilang percent yung price hike?

WaZoBia

04-08-2007, 12:34 AM

i asked my MD sis in nyc, she graduated from up manila med sch
her choices were: up, uerm, ust

my personal choices are: uerm, feu, st lukes, cim

but i definitely want a ONE yr rotation at PGH
is that possible even if you're from other med schools?

st lukes runs a 5 year medical program (internship is included in the curriculum) this means internship in st lukes is mandatory for their med students.

as far as internship at PGH goes, it is possible but competitive.

all the best.

kittycrinkles

04-08-2007, 05:33 AM

KittyKrinkles

Magkano na nga uli ang tuition per sem ng UPCM ngayon? Ilang percent yung price hike?

i'm not sure. i think it's around 20K for the new ones. price hike started last year.

freyja

04-08-2007, 11:18 AM

how does the tuition work for international students. somebody posted that he's paying $1K every year, I think. And what is the deal with the $6-15k donations?

tantrum

04-09-2007, 09:02 AM

how does the tuition work for international students. somebody posted that he's paying $1K every year, I think. And what is the deal with the $6-15k donations?
The $6-15K donation is a one-time fee. However, I think you will spend more than $1K a year as some private med schools are already costing PhP80,000 PER SEM.

freyja

04-09-2007, 11:32 AM

It's definitely something to think about then. even with the donation and living expenses, education in the philippines is a lot cheaper since the cheapest here in Ontario, CA for med school is 10 grand a year (I think) and that doesn't include books, residence and other expenses. It's not as expensive as med school in the states but it's not insignificant either. What I am afraid of, if I decide to go back to the Philippines for med school, is what if I eventually want to decide to practice medicine here or even do my residence, I will have to do it as an IMG. And it is hard to match as an IMG. I think I'm leaning towards staying where I am.

tantrum

04-09-2007, 12:31 PM

WaZoBia

04-09-2007, 11:55 PM

If you are planning to practice in Canada, do your best to study there as it is much more difficult for an IMG to get residency spot in Canada. Most Canadian IMG go to the US for their residency before going back to Canada or many just stay in the US.

tantrum's absolutely right, a lot more hurdles for canuck IMGs. it is possible though but i think IMGs from eire, SA, the UK, Oz and NZ have a better shot so you might also wanna consider med schools in those countries.

all the best.

freyja

04-10-2007, 12:57 PM

thanks guys! I. I'm actually more likely to stay here in Canada to avoid meddling relatives in the Philippines plus the fact that I have more options. Although, I would love to get out of the country for a while and Australia does ring a very nice tune in my head. NO SNOW!

feurn2006

04-25-2007, 02:40 PM

Great forums!i was just wondering if you guys have any idea how I could take the NMAT here in the US?

amrmd

05-01-2007, 04:35 AM

Ever since and even according to The Commission on Higher Education only 3 schools are considered "Centers of Excellence". This is based on the history of passing rates not just a recent board examination.

1. UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
2. UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS-FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
3. CEBU INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE

The only one in the "Center of Development" category which means very good but needs extra refinement is XAVIER UNIVERSITY.

And according to the ECFMG , the Philippine medical schools with the highest passing rates are come from UST and UP.

If you want to go to a medical school with a TIGHT budget but yet provides quality education...try UP and PLM..they are formidable schools. You have to make sure you have a good NMAT score though.

If you want to go to a medical school in a private institution that will still provide a great education...go with UST ,CIM, FEU, UERM. NMAT cutoff for UST is 65...i dunno with the rest

If you want to attend a medical school just for the sake of attending it...then any university will do (be it the COE's or COD's or regular schools)..what matters is you pass the class and pass the boards

beefdelight

05-12-2007, 05:54 AM

its nice to see so many people aspiring to be a doctor. :) guys/future colleagues, pls do practice here in the phils. naman hehe.. wawa naman mga tao d2 bcoz of the decline of md's.

ravensong

05-18-2007, 04:09 AM

amen to that...

it's kinda sad to see so many doctors leaving the country...

bleudsky

05-21-2007, 08:05 AM

they have their own reasons for doing so..

chatu11

05-21-2007, 10:04 AM

wow, i finally found people to talk to,who i can relate with.. yipee:) i'm soo happy. These forums gets me more inclined..

*Med*

here here we come!

phlipsquad

05-28-2007, 01:45 PM

St. Luke's is considered one of the Philippines' best hospital. Yes, their medical school is quite new, and has around 30-35% board exam flank rate!!! :cool:
you must be a plm alumnus/student to have so much pride in PLM. My past post failed to mention plm, im sorry to say because i am talking about med school perspectives for those who are eventually going to apply to the USA. I have heard alot about UP,UST, and UE being the best in getting doctors to practice here in America. Im sorry to say but i have not heard graduates from that particular school(PLM) practicing here in the USA. I assume since it is a government school and most of its graduates eventually practice in the Philippines. I need some more info on this.... I could be wrong.In terms of those who wants to practice IN the philippines, i think its an excellent school.

For the rest of those concerned about schools that get you to practice here in the states... check out the website DOKTORKO.COM..you can check up on the docs who are practicing here in america...it gives their specialties and where they graduated.The most graduated from UP and UST. Hope this helps those who wanna practice in the states.

P.S. I know PLM is a great school (i've heard),and in MY opinion definely in the top 5 and even probably in the top three, but in terms of applying to america, i still need some proof. sorry. SO I have to say UP and UST will give you a better chance of practicing in the US. BOTH are well recognized in many residency programs here in the states.My previous boss, who happened to be a residency director in pulmonary here in new york city accepted 6 filipino med graduates....All from UP and UST.

As what many people had emphasized from previous posts,philippine board is not a good indicator of how the students will fare in the USMLE. I myself am really scared if ill be prepared for my step 1! I dont know if UST has prepared me enough..i only hope so. In the end, the school can only provide that vehicle to success, but it up to the INDIVIDUAL to drive it.

i miss posting here. been too busy with med school.haha. Good Luck everyone!

tantrum

05-29-2007, 06:45 AM

PLM is a very good school. The reason few of them will practice in the United States is that they are Manila scholars. They pay little tuition but in return, there is a PAYBACK in terms of service. They are REQUIRED to serve in Manila for a few years so few of them can leave the country. Most of the students cannot afford other schools so applying for USMLE is out of the question for them.

Pogi MD

05-30-2007, 03:49 AM

Hello.

Am new here.

I am also an alumnus of the prestigious yet underdogged PLM-CM. IMHO, PLM-CM is a GREAT school to consider for your post-grad medical studies. It has top notch instructors, IMHO, that's it sad to say.

First of all, it's facilities are crappy, cadavers are crappy, teaching materials are crappy, administration is crappy (but the PEOPLE behind it are the best, if you get the drift). But what do you expect from a school subsidized by the corrupt government of manila by the Atienza administration (maganda nga ang kalsada, bulok naman ang sistema). The training hospital for clerical training is also crappy (Ospital ng Maynila), but in this institution you WILL find the best doctors that CAN and WILL HEAL patients in a very, sad to say, sub-par hospital, which is, sad to say, again subsidized by the city of Manila. You will die in clerkship (in my time), but believe me you will be born again with enough knowledge than residents from other private institutions, that's how good the experience is if you study in PLM (mind you of the REQUIRED 6 months to 2 YEARS payback).

But again, that's it sad to say. In the topic of US-based medicine, there are many PLM alumni who are currently practicing abroad, but believe me they are STRUGGLING doctors because they are still financially unstable, not clinically and medically insufficient. That's why they chose PLM in the first place, because of the low tuition fee (which is currently about 10 to 15k per sem nowadays, basic, bisem) compared to other private institution (FEU and UST, about 40k to 50k per sem, basic, bisem,... WTF!). Even my entire clan don't have that kind of money.

In response to the 100% passing rate in the Feb boards, keep in mind that 13 of those 20plus persons are repeaters, so if that counts to anything, i don't fu*#@ng care. I still am a PLM alumnus, and the board exam was and will never be a gauge of how good you are as a medical student, it just gauge how hard you reviewed for that exam and how lucky you were to review the questions that came up in the boards. It's still up to you if you want to pass the boards or not.

So, finally, the top three med schools for me are...

1. UP-CM (I was also an undergraduate at UP Manila, so, hehehe...)
2. PLM-CM
3. UST-FMS

kittycrinkles

06-02-2007, 01:08 PM

^ what can you say is the future for PLM now that Lim is the new mayor?

Pogi MD

06-03-2007, 12:34 AM

I can only hope for the best...

Good luck with Fred Lim cleaning up the mess Atienza did in PLM. Hehehe...

And a stricter admission policy please.

heartDoctor

07-13-2007, 05:47 AM

do you guys know the tuition fee's for uerm, fatima, ust, st lukes, and feu?

:)

heartDoctor

07-13-2007, 05:58 AM

how can I apply at PLM? what's their NMAT cut off score?

thanks:)

MDego008

08-12-2007, 01:08 AM

TOP Medical School for me:

1. UP Medicine
2. UST
3. CIM

Watching for: ATENEO

For those who base their top performing med schools on board exam results, use the AUGUST board exam result please. Dun nakikita kung sino magaling at hindi sa February (where most of those who failed the August exam took). 90-100% of students from the top medical schools (UP, UST) took their board exam in August. So sino na lang ba ang nagtetake ng February Board Exam? Hehehe. At sa August din nakikita kung sino magaling, kung sino prepared at confidentmagtake ng board exam given less than 5 months to prepare!

When you present evidence for your arguement, check the quality of it. Hindi basta may evidence OK na.

Saipan

08-12-2007, 05:08 AM

90-100% of students from the top medical schools (UP, UST) took their board exam in August. So sino na lang ba ang nagtetake ng February Board Exam? Hehehe. At sa August din nakikita kung sino magaling, kung sino prepared at confidentmagtake ng board exam given less than 5 months to prepare!

When you present evidence for your arguement, check the quality of it. Hindi basta may evidence OK na.

This thread is laughable. You might as well ask the corner trike driver for his opinion as read this thread.

Please notice that MDego008 doesn't offer any evidence to back up his claim that 90-100% (100%...Really?...seems highly unlikely) of students from the top medical schools took their board exams in August. This is the sort of rhetoric that can be expected in this nonsensical thread.

Remember, if you are a mediocre student, then you will probably continue to be a mediocre student whether you attend a big Manila school or a small provincial school.

bleudsky

08-12-2007, 08:15 AM

MDego008, alam mo ba kung anu-ano ung mga pinagsasabi mo?

For those who base their top performing med schools on board exam results, use the AUGUST board exam result please...... At sa August din nakikita kung sino magaling, kung sino prepared at confidentmagtake ng board exam given less than 5 months to prepare!

whether August or February, the local physician licensure exams is NOT a good gauge of which medical school is the best in the country. as 1 colleague mentioned, the boards is a "big bully". taking the med boards is a test of determination to be a licensed physician and preparedness to face 1200 questions (12 subjects, 100 questions each). ndi porque matalino, garantisado nang papasa sa Aug boards. sure, bragging rights of being "the best medical school" may happen when the results of the licensure exams come out (laging meron nyan that even some medical & non-medical students alike "bash" other schools - bato bato sa langit, ang tamaan huwag magagalit) but it's just temporary. one medical school is not the best medical school for eternity.

....hindi sa February (where most of those who failed the August exam took). 90-100% of students from the top medical schools (UP, UST) took their board exam in August. So sino na lang ba ang nagtetake ng February Board Exam? Hehehe.

False. not all those who take the Feb boards are second-takers.

when you want to take the boards is an OPTION. preparing for it is/are based on personal style of studying/reviewing &/or other priorities (i.e. long vacation, USMLE then boards, other medical or family problems, etc.). no one will force you when you should take it (except for Fatima). if you think that you don't have enough/sufficient time to prepare for the Aug boards or if (at least) 2 months is not enough, you can take it on Feb. it's your own decision.

second, there are some internship-related situations/reasons (make-ups, LOA, etc.) which force those bright and not-so-bright doctors to go for the Feb boards instead. if they miss the deadline set by APMC & PRC (for the filing of application for the licensure exams), they have no choice.
advantage na ung more time to review. the disadvantage is may tendency na tamarin or mainip.

lastly, some medical graduates (aka midyear interns) personally chose to start their internship by november & not purely because of intellectual reasons. technically, they cannot take the August boards coz they still haven't completed their 1 yr internship. thus, they can take the Feb boards (provided they have completed all requirements).

gets? please don't make any generalizations/statements which are based on "i think" or "i guess", and among matters you haven't yet been involved in.

if you're just a MD student, please concentrate on your medical studies muna!

bleudsky

08-15-2007, 11:20 AM

guys, the results of the local licensure exams just came out..

to those wondering which schools got the highest # of passers, these are:

1. UP Manila College of Medicine - 141/142 (99%)
2. UST Faculty of Medicine & Surgery - 298/327 (91%)
3. FEU NRMF - 155/188 (82%)

congrats to my newly licensed colleagues!

GO PBL!!

dexter85

08-15-2007, 07:42 PM

do you guys know the tuition fee's for uerm, fatima, ust, st lukes, and feu?

:)

don't know bout the other schools, but ours in ust is already 84K+ per sem from 79K+ last year. it keeps on ballooning year after year. ironic, the number of med students keeps on increasing also, now its more than 500 freshmen from 460+ last year. i hope there's still a good screening method for admitting applicants. but i guess the real screening is when you're in med school already, survival of the fittest(s).

anyway, congrats to the newly licensed doctors. congrats to ustfms' last batch of pbl, you succeed to defy the fears of many. the 91% passing rate is a comeback from the last years' 80+. hope it will continue to rise (or at least be maintained). :D

kittycrinkles

08-15-2007, 09:47 PM

shucks sayang naman yung isa sa UPCM.

i hope in our class we finally get the elusive 100%. :hardy:

bleudsky

08-15-2007, 10:46 PM

anyway, congrats to the newly licensed doctors. congrats to ustfms' last batch of pbl, you succeed to defy the fears of many. the 91% passing rate is a comeback from the last years' 80+. hope it will continue to rise (or at least be maintained). :D

thanks. :) we just made those anti-PBL professor/s wish they never cursed our curriculum during our first 3 yrs in ust. :laugh: niweys, there's no such thing as a perfect curriculum.

lots of thanks to dra alora (she was the dean who implemented the PBL), dra bongala, dra coronel & to the rest of pro-PBL profs for believing in us.

tantrum

08-16-2007, 08:48 AM

IF we are just talking about local board performance, these schools should be congratulated as well (other than UP,UST,FEU) for their good or improving passing percentage:

1. CIM- 100% (54/54)
2. MSU - 93% (28/30)
3. PLM - 89% (76/85)
4. St. Luke's - 84%
5. St. Louis U - 82%
6. UERM - 80% (the used to pass in the 50%)
7. WVSU - 79%

sinus rhythm

08-22-2007, 11:33 PM

Top Med SChhols For me:

1.UP-CM and UST-FMS
2.cebu institute of Med, UERM, SLU

UST's exellence in medicine dates back not only from the result of the previous august/february board exams but from way, way older times. Talk about more than 100 years of reputation. UP is excellent, very tough screening, (in fairness, very very good ang performance dito ng mga former
UP students na ndi nakapasok sa UPCM).

In UST, easy to enter the med school, pasok ka ng med school as a PASAWAY and it will turn you to a very good doctor! Bar None! =) Ched and PRC has their records! =) Love ur own school with some support from known facts! Yeah!

I like this forum, sobrang edukado ang mga tao! Mabuhay doctors!

melbruinMD

08-24-2007, 02:33 AM

sharmei17

08-24-2007, 04:08 AM

sharmei17

08-24-2007, 04:12 AM

what exactly is a pasaway? i've heard that term a few times before..

pasaway is kinda naughty... i don't know if that's the exact word but the idea is there:)

sinus rhythm

08-24-2007, 05:15 AM

what exactly is a pasaway? i've heard that term a few times before..

Hmmm... Pasaway... Roughly Equivalent to loko/ naughty/ barubal/ iwa moto/ makulit... This wordf just popped out 4 or 5 years ago i think.

kittycrinkles

08-24-2007, 10:06 PM

pasaway is Pinoy slang for a person who breaks rules and tries to make his own rules to compensate for his lifestyle or what he prefers.

i can't find an exact English term, but that's the best i can think of. :D

PGH just turned a 100 years! hooray! :hardy:

here's the link to the results of the recently concluded Philippine Physician Licensure exams: clicky (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/examresults/20070815_phys08152007.pdf).

for the the names of students in the Top 10, here they are:
1.
Ma Christina Cedilla Jovida, Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela City -- 86.92
2.
Ansarie Pedrosa Salpin, West Visayas State University-La Paz -- 85.92
Sherilyn Alvaran Tuazon, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.92
3.
Diana Rivadelo Tamondong-Lachica, University of the Philippines-Manila -- 85.75
4.
Marjorie Co Golekoh, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.58
5.
Aries Caesar Patdu Gavino, University of the Philippines-Manila -- 85.50
6.
Ronald Artuz Luna, University of the Philippines-Manila -- 85.33
7.
Jeffrey Palarca Mendoza, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.25
8.
Lowe Lebosada Chiong, University of the Philippines-Manila -- 85.17
Lily Mae Quevedo Dacay, Cebu Doctors’ University -- 85.17
9.
Ronald Alvin Villanueva, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center -- 85.08
10.
Carmela Gan Gonzales, University of the Philippines Manila -- 85.00
Razel Carlos Siron-Gonzales, Angeles University Foundation -- 85.00

and lemme just say that UPCM's Top 1 got the third rank and she became a mom during internship year. astig! :D

bleudsky

08-28-2007, 04:09 AM

re: OLFU... i don't like the idea that they dictate/tell their students when they should take the local boards or not, based on their performance on the mock boards. they're very much concerned about taking the number 1 spot (individually speaking), not in terms of school ranking. i know someone who graduated yrs before me but still hasn't taken the boards.

niweys, announcement to my batchmates. we have a thanksgiving mass tomorrow, aug 29, 2007, 4 pm at the sanctissimo rosario church, ust campus. (the same way we had a mass prior to the boards, last july 25)..

again, congrats to us, UST Medicine & Surgery Class 2006... 91%!!!

sinus rhythm

09-06-2007, 04:00 AM

again, congrats to us, UST Medicine & Surgery Class 2006... 91%!!![/quote]

-haayyy... always makes me proud...

sharmei17

09-06-2007, 07:16 AM

Hi..
With UERM, go to their website, they claim to be in the top three along with the reputable UP and UST. Check www.uerm.ph/ (http://www.uerm.ph/) and then click on education... and look at college of medicine.

UERM: Great school academic-wise, their campus is small though and does not look too attractive. They have access to the MRT or LRT...one of those....I guess that's a plus.

UST: Why its Great? Oldest medical school in the Philippines, academics has always been great. I know of alot of surgeons in the states who are UST grads and some in quite competitive specialties. Biggest Plus....Campus is BEAUTIFUL....very ornate and the buildings in the university are historical works of art.. I could be a little biased...nevertheless, because I am going to UST.

UP: The best! Accepts 0-2 foreigners per year. Very competitive.

St. Luke's: They have one of the best medical centers in the Phils, but their med school is quite new....still good though.

FEU: Also a great school...has a good reputation in the Phils.

you're right.
UST is the best and one of the most (or the most) beautiful university here.:). I maybe biased also coz I am planning to enter in that school.

hnerypaoho

09-07-2007, 02:09 AM

-hi guys! it's been a while since my last message. well, you know how toxic med school could be. especially at FEU. we hardly have our own social life now. well, for the new students who have decided to go into med school , i just like to you guys to know that is not the school who makes a good doctor. coz acing the board exam doesn't tell you how good he/she could be in actual practice. but it is the one who really has the willingness to learn and care for the patient. so i like to congratulate those who passed the board. i just hope they could make a good and caring doctor.

bleudsky

09-10-2007, 03:18 AM

^ thank you.. :)

now i can prescribe... haha!

jgmr89

09-14-2007, 08:21 AM

ill be graduating this school year with a three-year course..until now, i'm still undecided where wil i take my proper med..wat medical schools can u suggest? do u think admu-asmph is a good school?

sinus rhythm

09-18-2007, 09:36 PM

ill be graduating this school year with a three-year course..until now, i'm still undecided where wil i take my proper med..wat medical schools can u suggest? do u think admu-asmph is a good school?

admu-asmph is i good school? of course nobody knows. The newest med school and seems promising. May not be a good school (they have to prove it first after 5 or years from now) or may also be a good school (ateneo is a good university). probably one of my choices if it's already present when i graduated college. Try mo. =)

sinus rhythm

09-18-2007, 09:37 PM

ill be graduating this school year with a three-year course..until now, i'm still undecided where wil i take my proper med..wat medical schools can u suggest? do u think admu-asmph is a good school?

admu-asmph is i good school? of course nobody knows. The newest med school and seems promising. May not be a good school (they have to prove it first after 5 or 6 years from now) or may also be a good school (ateneo is a good university). probably one of my choices if it's already present when i graduated college. Try mo. =)

endograsper

09-26-2007, 09:53 PM

i am here now in the country been trying to settle down
and applying around...

my opinion so far:

dlsu campus...i loved it! i have lots of parking for my car...and very near golf course for my stress reliever... never checked dorms yet... i wish they have condos instead... im too old for a dorm :confused:
fatima campus... i was afraid of the mcarthur hwy construction...but i like the school's very good passing rate in board exams... i wonder if they can also teach me how to pass usmle steps 1 to 4:D ... and hey they have clerkship in brooklyn...that means i can continue partying in nyc again after just three years:thumbup:
st lukes... has a great hospital...perhaps great minds too:rolleyes:
up manila... still the greatest! but too tight competition. i wonder how my sister made it there. im so jealous:barf: imagine my savings if i only pay 20k php ughh freaking unfair... die now die! :laugh:
feu... seems to have intellectual ambience and comfortable space. love ittttt! :love:
uerm... i am afraid to cross that highway!:eek: please give me a pink bridge over there... no parking also... but why am i so inlove with uerm :biglove:
ust... awesome school! reminds me a lot of my parents who both went to ust... but i dont feel like wearing a skirt...:meanie: is that okay???...will take nmat this dec 9 then off to usa again
for family xmas... i miss usa but i have things to do here in phils

also, i am dual citizen... fil-am
i can go to school as filipino student doctor right?

my world is so aseptic... i barely know immigration stuff.

endograsper

09-26-2007, 10:10 PM

i dont like crappy cadavers no fun!:laugh:

bleudsky

09-27-2007, 04:09 AM

ust... awesome school! reminds me a lot of my parents who both went to ust... but i dont feel like wearing a skirt...:meanie: is that okay???

i don't think so. part of the lady's uniform is wearing a knee-length white skirt (from 1st yr to 4th yr). the only chance you'll get to wear white pants is during your internship (that is, if u decide to undergo internship here).

as for the other schools, that i don't know.

endograsper

09-27-2007, 05:48 AM

st lukes runs a 5 year medical program (internship is included in the curriculum) this means internship in st lukes is mandatory for their med students.

as far as internship at PGH goes, it is possible but competitive.

all the best.

thank you

endograsper

09-27-2007, 05:50 AM

i don't think so. part of the lady's uniform is wearing a knee-length white skirt (from 1st yr to 4th yr). the only chance you'll get to wear white pants is during your internship (that is, if u decide to undergo internship here).

as for the other schools, that i don't know.

thank you for the info

kittycrinkles

10-02-2007, 06:54 PM

for pgh, keep in mind that it is a government hospital... more patients, but less budget.

going to med school here has its pros and its cons. :hardy:

dolfenal

10-06-2007, 06:52 AM

St. luke's college of medicine now requires applicants to have an NMAT score

of at least 90%:thumbup:! Same as UP. :DAstig di ba?! But i must admit the extra

year for internship sucks! Imagine getting stuck in the same hospital for 2

years (clerkship & internship) :thumbdownmastering the art of being an excellent

medical transcriptionist. Yes, as in dakilang secretary! Kumusta naman ang

tone-toneladang paperworks!!! :meanie:Where is the learning in that???

bleudsky

10-06-2007, 11:26 PM

^ 90%?! bago yan ah!

the advantage is that you have a (fixed) hospital for internship. unlike others, you have to think where you'll have it then when may 1 comes, you start to have doubts if you made a good decision. also, you are not guaranteed coz they put you on "wait list" when slots are filled up immediately. you wait when somebody quits or changes his/her mind.

oh well, just my opinion. :)

dolfenal

10-09-2007, 01:28 AM

Internship in st.luke's costs around P18,000 when i heard, in some hospitals internship is absolutely free, and interns even get paid;). They are given monthly stipend, i just don't know how much exactly.

bleudsky

10-12-2007, 07:03 AM

yep that's true. i never paid anything for my internship (except for the P1500 to APMC). it's an added bonus if your hospital pays for the blazers that you use, since in some institutions they just give you your monthly allowance, & meal allowance. stipends depend on every hospital.

archaea

10-23-2007, 02:05 AM

hi, here's my top 3 :)
1. UPCM
2. UST
3. UERM

maikmd

10-29-2007, 08:23 PM

i think your personality will determine what school you'll want to end up in...

UP-PGH -if you're the altruistic, hardworking, highly-cerebral individual who's willing to commit to serve the general public
UERMMMC - if you want the PBL-type aka unorthodox (during my time, it was still PBL), laid-back atmosphere of med school, with none-too-strict professors and numerous extra-curriculars (sm centerpoint as your playground). i'm a graduate there, mind you, and PBL has taught me to think outside the box. enough said.
UST - if you like the traditional style of pedagogy, century-old style of revalida, quasi-pseudo ivy-league campus, excellent facilities with wintermint-smelling cadavers and social hierarchy (must admit, they are the most cono from all med schools in manila)
as for the ff: FEU, DLSU, SLMC, Fatima - sorry, have limited exposure to their alumni so really can't say much

really doesn't matter which school you'll end up in. it all depends on how serious and focused you are and how much you really want to learn. becoming a physician entails life-long hardwork and emotional stress. first year is just the beginning and it gets harder each year because human lives are in your hands. personal life can get you off-track most of the time. hope you can handle it!

AlleghenyPOD

11-01-2007, 03:22 PM

I hear CIM is a good school.

That and many of my relatives graduated from there.

joseph76

11-05-2007, 08:06 AM

PLM / UP - Medical school(s) with the highest board passing rate though somebody wonders why they don't top the board exam - someone responded, they're the best but they're just giving chance to others. Another volunteered, they're just simply shy. And we thought all along that they are assertive. At least that's what they're telling people.
State schools...therefore, prioritizes native students with best credentials and influential sponsors before accepting foreign applicants. Has a low tuition fee as it is subsidized by the government. All clerical and internship rotations at PGH - for UP only. Not the best facilities. Non-sectarian - (even atheists, communists, nazis, rebels, terrorists, radicals are welcome). Good reputation. Also, for those with a strong sense of nationalism ( oops...This school is rumored to be the top exporter of Filipino MD's to basically anywhere in the world in general and the US in particular). Fraternity membership could help.

UST - Oldest Medical School in the Country. It's even more antique than Harvard Medical School - no kidding. Also produced board topnotchers. Also has the highest tuition fee (I think - correct me if I'm wrong) Run by Catholic friars - beware if you're a pagan much worse if you think like Galileo. Atheists, communists, nazis, rebels, terrorists and radicals need not apply. Expels students not only due to poor grades but also because of immorality (with regards to priest(s) and bishop(s) involved - I don't think it applies to them as they are not students). hehehe. Good Reputation. Has an NMAT requirement. Good Facilities. Good board performance rating.

UERM - don't really know. They have their own world - I think they're the only one still embracing the PBL scam... I mean scheme. Good reputation though. One of the guys who gave us a hard time in the medical boards came from this school. Hope they are not as arrogant as he was balding. They say that it also has a high expelling rate.

FEU - Best Medical School in Fairview, Quezon City. Good Facilities. High Expelling Rate - forces you to think or sink. Reputable faculty. Good facilities. When it's your first time to apply the interviewer is gonna ask: CASH or BUST? Those wanting full scholarship need not apply (Just go to UP, UST or better yet FATIMA). Fraternity membership can be lethal especially for first year students.

Fatima - Best Advertised School as they claim to consistently produce individuals who top the medical boards since 2002 (So maybe they are not shy). NO NMAT Requirement. Good Facilities. No extracurricular activities in this school. No student council. Fair tuition fee (if you're not one of the upper 20% of the class - beware). It's NO PLAY BUT ALL PAY. Free tuition with board and lodging and ALLOWANCE FOR BOOKS to those who are lucky to qualify - no wonder the other schools are losing talented students. Is that their secret? Will gladly accept any student and will never expel anybody as long as he/she is physically, morally, intellectually, socially and most especially FINANCIALLY capable of answering all the endless wretched remedials and removals. One told me they have the best forced board review. And I heard you have to be MOCKED (board) before they let you take the REAL thing. Another secret? I can't blame that policy. Good Reputation - though controversial, intriguing, mysterious and surprising.

Nevertheless,

My own School - Simply THE BEST AMONG THE REST.

***I hereby certify that all of the above statements are purely hearsay except the last. HA HA HA

skyeMD

11-05-2007, 09:16 AM

FEU - Best Medical School in Fairview, Quezon City. Good Facilities. High Expelling Rate - forces you to think or sink. Reputable faculty. Good facilities. When it's your first time to apply the interviewer is gonna ask: CASH or BUST? Those wanting full scholarship need not apply (Just go to UP, UST or better yet FATIMA). Fraternity membership can be lethal especially for first year students.

i can definitely relate to the " it forces you to think or sink" :)

AlleghenyPOD

11-06-2007, 04:51 AM

ricksakti

11-07-2007, 06:05 AM

FEU-NRMF: The best school in Quezon city. :D:D:D

kittycrinkles

11-10-2007, 06:56 AM

joseph76, i believe the number of board topnotchers don't really count as a measure of how good a school is. it's the passing rate. :D

according to the post-grad interns i've met as a clerk in PGH, they applied here because they wanna see MORE cases. PGH is exactly the place for that.

bleudsky

11-10-2007, 08:57 PM

^ agree!!! :)

NagmalitongYawa

11-12-2007, 10:01 PM

^ i agree also.

i also think that being an intern in a public, less manned hospital could be to your benifit.

---

im a bit surprised that most of the initial posts of this thread did not include CIM... are most of you guys here from luzon?

joseph76

11-14-2007, 10:16 PM

Hi!

I appreciate the interesting answers and reactions.

I'm glad to hear different voices from intelligent minds.

It's nice someone is able to relate to some of the statements here;I think I can also relate to most of your statements, too.

I may agree that the number of board topnotchers do not necessarily make the school superior from the other and that the percentage of the passing candidates is one of the determinants of the superiority of a particular institution.

But setting aside one's prejudices and feelings, I think it is more accurate to say that an institution that could produce a better candidate out of an average material with an inferior educational background deserves greater recognition and admiration.

When a school accepts only "bright students", it is expected that most, if not all of them, will be successful. Our UP and PLM would seem to fit in this given scenario. There is no question about that.

On the other hand, a school that indiscriminately admits anyone regardless of educational background and training may not be expected to produce 100% board passers.

Yet, what is significant is that , for example at FATIMA, aside from some of their students topping the board exam, many of their "average" students are able to hurdle the challenge. In this case, the school could be considered to be more successful compared to the two above-mentioned schools because it has transformed an ordinary person into a much better performer or the number one (so far as they claim since 2002).

I would not be greatly surprised if products from UP and PLM would top the boards. In fact, we have high regard for their graduates and we always expect then to be the "number one" (?).

What is really surprising is that "inferior schools" consistently top the exam. That is something to think about.

With regards to cases, it is somewhat inappropriate to say that one is much better than the other only because the former has handled more cases. Although, I agree that it helps to have more exposure, one should also consider factors like:

1. Quality of Diagnosis and Treatment
2. Commitment to the Profession
3. Availability and Reliability of Laboratory and Other Services
4. Desire to Excel
5. Stamina of a Bull - you sometimes work 48 or more hours without rest
6. Attitude of a Saint - In clerkship/internship/residency, you keep your cool despite the barrage of hassles from pugnacious patients, meddling peers and most especially from OLD, psychotic consultants - just kidding, Sir/ Ma'am!
7. Courage of a Barbarian - You need this in dealing with dimwit, corrupt politicians and skimming, crooked lawyers during lawsuits.
8. and the Appetite of a Boar - hahaha - really, no kidding, you need this to sustain you and ultimately, your family's health.

Therefore, It is not merely quantity of board passers that makes a school superior but the quality of service which is, sad to say, inadequate and neglected in our country.

In the last analysis, it is the INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE that will count the most - whether in the board exam or in the actual field of our noble but exhausting (hehehe) profession (and as long as you are adequately compensated - right? I'm just joking).

So good luck to all of us lucky guys (that includes the one from CIM). It does not really matter what school one belongs to.

May we all survive successfully and... most importantly...

May all our patients improve ...physically and also financially so they can pay us well (hehehe - just kidding)

See you guys...

kittycrinkles

11-22-2007, 08:17 AM

joseph76, i think the stuff you've enumerated are actually things that all med students SHOULD have in order to become licensed physicians. :cool:

i honestly have no idea how things work in other schools, but the thing I love most about training in PGH is we get to see not just a lot of patients but "quality" ones, the kind you'd think you'd only read about in books.

i'm not saying that this can surely translate to better scores in the boards, but academics-wise, i get a thrill out of handling these patients (even if that means missing meals and getting grilled during endorsements)... :D yes, i can be such a geek, hehe

medpassionate

12-02-2007, 12:23 AM

tantrum

12-06-2007, 08:30 AM

AlleghenyPOD

12-27-2007, 08:53 PM

hi guys! just want to know what you guys think about being an IMG? i am still doing my pre-med here at University of Alberta, Canada and I am considering doing my med proper in the philippines. Cause apparently, here in Canada it is really competitive to get into med school eventhough i have good GPA and volunteer works. I still have 2 yrs left of pre-med, but i wanna have a pretty good idea of where I wanna go and what route to take after i graduate. I'd definitely love to experience studying at PI again but i know that it would be really hard to get a residency spot hir in canada since I wanna do my practice hir. So do u guys have any insights about this? Great appreciate it!

Also, would it be easier if I do my residency in the US and then go back to Canada? and can i do my residency in the US eventhough i am canadian citizen?

Greetings. Where do you plan to practice medicine? Canada? the Philippines?

1. You should know that Canada has a protectionist policy when concerning medical physicians; and prioritizes Canadian medical students and graduates. This means that it will be harder for you to practice medicine in the Dominion of Canada than it is for Filipino medical graduates that apply for medical residency in the United States (though it is hard for them, its not impossible, and can also apply for the Canadian view-point, nonetheless take that into notable consideration).

2. You should apply to Canadian Medical Schools first. Its easier that way for you (if you are planning to practice medicine in DOC)

As a medical student who and one who is a Fil-Am, take this into consideration. I have been in your steps before. That is the only reason why I chose not to apply to medical school in the Philippines as its harder to land a residency match in the US.

On the contrary, I would advice you to consider some caribbean medical schools if your grade is above par. There are great Allopathic medical schools in the Caribbean such as St. James School of Medicine, St. George, Saba, American University, St. Matthews, St. Eustatius, Xavier University that guarantees top green schools during your 3rd and 4th year (clinical years) in the United States. Residencies are also guaranteed, however, mostly in the United States.

Note*** If you follow this route, its is rather difficult for you to land on a residency position in Canada (as canada, as I reiterated earlier, maintains a rather conservative protectionist policy in its medical system). You will probably land on American residency positions/ practice in the U.S.A.

You are more than welcome to PM me for more questions.
Good luck, kababayan. :thumbup:

voltron77

12-28-2007, 12:28 PM

Greetings. Where do you plan to practice medicine? Canada? the Philippines?

1. You should know that Canada has a protectionist policy when concerning medical physicians; and prioritizes Canadian medical students and graduates. This means that it will be harder for you to practice medicine in the Dominion of Canada than it is for Filipino medical graduates that apply for medical residency in the United States (though it is hard for them, its not impossible, and can also apply for the Canadian view-point, nonetheless take that into notable consideration).

2. You should apply to Canadian Medical Schools first. Its easier that way for you (if you are planning to practice medicine in DOC)

As a medical student who and one who is a Fil-Am, take this into consideration. I have been in your steps before. That is the only reason why I chose not to apply to medical school in the Philippines as its harder to land a residency match in the US.

On the contrary, I would advice you to consider some caribbean medical schools if your grade is above par. There are great Allopathic medical schools in the Caribbean such as St. James School of Medicine, St. George, Saba, American University, St. Matthews, St. Eustatius, Xavier University that guarantees top green schools during your 3rd and 4th year (clinical years) in the United States. Residencies are also guaranteed, however, mostly in the United States.

Note*** If you follow this route, its is rather difficult for you to land on a residency position in Canada (as canada, as I reiterated earlier, maintains a rather conservative protectionist policy in its medical system). You will probably land on American residency positions/ practice in the U.S.A.

You are more than welcome to PM me for more questions.
Good luck, kababayan. :thumbup:

AlleghenyPOD is right and I agree with the above post. Obtaining a residency in the US and/or Canada is difficult for medical students who graduated from foreign medical schools. This is not because FMGs (foreign medical graduates) are not qualified. It is because programs tend to look for graduates who went to institutions in the US and/or Canada. FMGs do obtain residencies in the US and Canada every year but it can be more difficult. Any way you look at it, medical school and residency is tough and for FMG's it can be a lot tougher. At the end of the day, you will work hard and hopefully be happy with your choice! I know I am happy to be a 4th year medical student at UCLA! Go Bruins!!!! ;) Best of luck to everyone!:luck:

spinaltap

12-28-2007, 11:40 PM

It is true that obtaining a residency in the US is a lot harder for FMG/IMGs, but it is by far not impossible to achieve.

being a graduate from THE BEST MEDICAL SCHOOL IN FAIRVIEW (thats FEU for the uninitiated LOL) and a Fil-am, who was lucky enough to be offered a pre-match for next year, i'd like to throw my two cents into this topic.... (i've been know to throw more than 2cents on numerous occasions which has gotten me into more trouble than id care to reveal :D)

anyhow... for the fil-ams and prospective students planning to take up their medical education in the philippines and who are planning on taking up residency in the US (or any other country for that matter), any of the schools in the PI whether it be in the TOP 10 or not will be more than adequate and adept to provide you with the knowledge that one must acquire to achieve the goal of adding those two little letters at the end of you name. M.D.

Sure, being able to say that you graduated from the best school so and so, with top honors, best in clerkship, best in scrubsuit, able to don surgical gloves in a blink of an eye and what not is nice... but in the end, that is all they really are... bragging rights. which really doesnt go far...specially if you are one of the thousands of FMG/IMGs vying for the limited (although attainable) residency spots in the US.

whether or not a school consistently places in the top 3 or top 10 among successful board passers in the PI as a criteria for choosing which medical school to attend should be on your list of traits for most desirable, it should be placed fairly low on that list. Why? you may ask... for this simple reason....

IT MEANS DIDDLY SQUAT!!!! when you try to apply for residency in the US.

for FMG/IMGs, scoring well on the USMLE Steps are far more important than the grades you got in med school, whether or not you graduated top of your class in the best medical schools in the PI, INDIA or PAKISTAN etc.

BUT WHY, you ask again.... simply because these are the first things that PDs use to guage whether or not they are interested in you. But high USMLE scores are not the end all as to what makes a candidate more popular.

Clinical experience in the US gives you an edge over those who have none. the ever important LORs help out a lot as well. an LOR coming from the most famous doctor in the PI in his respective field means little compared to a well written LOR coming from a mediocre physician in the US!!!!!!!! trust me... its true!!

I graduated from FEU and if i were asked by a person interested in going to the PI for med school, which is the best med school for him or her to enrol at... i would say without batting an eyelash.... FATIMA!

I'd like to share a little story about four friends who graduated from four different schools in the PI. A. graduated from UP, with honors, INTARMED at that. scored a 94/97 on step 1 and 2 of the USMLEs B. graduated from UST, again with honors and an impeccable scholastic record 97/97 on both steps C. graduated 43rd out of 54 in his class from FEU. 91/91 both steps D. graduated from Fatima. 87/92 on both steps.

all four participated in this years match applying to well over 100 hospitals offering positions in IM, SURG, ENT, ORTHO. all were offered 5 interviews out of the 100+ hospitals they applied to. D. was offered an interview at the same hospital where A and B were invited to interview as well. only one was offered a pre-match... can you guess who got it? yep thats right... the LOWLY Fatima graduate was offered the pre-match!!.

How is this possible YOU ask scratching your head with a puzzled look on your face... simple... Dr. D. having graduated from Fatima (where it is sooo much easier for students to be able to take their clerkship rotations in the US since all they have to do is foot the Bill and FATIMA will take care of the rest... being affiliated with several hospitals along the eastcoast in the US) as compared to students from the "top 10" PI med schools where those students have to do the research, travel back and forth to the US and PI to find a hospital willing to take them in for their clerkship.

with the "simple" benefit that FATIMA students have over all others, DR. D. was able to gain US clinical experience and the ever so important LOR written by a U.S. Physician he encountered during his rotation back home. But im sure there were other qualities as to why the PD offered the prematch to Dr. D. as opposed to the two graduates from the top 2 schools in the PI.

in conclusion (i know i probably lost more than half of my readers due to the lengthy post :scared: LOL :scared: KUDOS to those who read everything) while it might be nice and EGO-BOOSTING to be able to say "i graduated from the best medical school in the PI" ; the only time you will be able to say a comment like that is during orientation parties and gatherings... (they will most probably end up falling on deaf ears since no one will really even care. :eek: besides, most AMGs will think LOWLY of you for having to take your schooling outside of the US anyways. harsh fact...but true nonetheless.)

tantrum

01-02-2008, 01:58 PM

There's a lot of factors going into residency applications. They usually look at many factors.
1. USMLE scores- most have cutoffs but after that, they look at other parameters.
2. Citizenship- If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, they will prefer you. Some programs don't even give interviews to non US residents. They don't care if you are from UP Intarmed or an honors grad from UST, you are not their priority. I dealt with a lot of administrators who hate doing paperwork for those with J-1 visa. I know a lot of very good students with J1 with excellent scores doing residency in primary care in community hospitals. That's just the way it is but eventually they will do well as they can get into subspecialty fellowships.
3. US Clinical experience with LOR from a US attending- If you have these you have a leg up from those without US clinical experience.

That is why if you can afford it, and you are gunning for competitive residencies, it is better to go via the Caribbean route. If not, as spinaltap mentioned, Fatima is not a bad alternative.

spinaltap

01-06-2008, 02:46 AM

i agree with tantrum... you should exhaust all efforts to first try to get into a US med school... then a carribean and finally any of the schools mentioned in this thread. :D but i do recommend fatima.

well... the local boards are coming up next month.... goodluck to all those taking the exams. :D

joseph76

01-26-2008, 09:57 AM

Hello again!

I was just wondering what you might say to my biased opinion (I'm not a foreigner though I have a few half-foreigner friends and immigrant relatives).

With regards to the best medical schools for foreigners in the Philippines (I'm assuming you target residencies in the US right after you graduate unless you want to become a hero, martyr or masochist and save this country from Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Dengue Fever, and the dreaded, irrepressible ...common cold), here's my list:

Fatima - (Again! They seem to have all the good stuff.) They allow you to do clerkship in the US which is already an advantage. The School President, they say, is alleged to literally assist or "carry you there" if you have the necessary qualifications - a part of which is financial strength which should be stronger than the current dollar. They say she really has that certain charisma to boost your residency application. Most probably advantageous if you are her relative or "friend".

Ateneo School of Medicine - Someone told me that the students are "packaged for export". When you finish med school you also receive an MBA diploma. I just hope the students don't end up confused about their future - whether to pursue their medical training or to become an entrepreneur or worst end up in a mental institution due to severe mental indigestion. Why not go the whole hog offering them Law degrees (for future litigation secondary to medical malpractice) , PhD's (for excellence in preparing resumes) and Science Doctorate degrees (just for the fun of it) etc ...? hehe

I think this is excellent especially to those who want to spend a lot of money and time... to waste. They say they will become the leaders of the future in medicine - most probably in marketing medicine hehehe. No offense intended but medicine is already such a rapidly expanding field - and they want to cram both MBA and Medical subjects in 4-5 long suffering years! This will really be a challenge even for a super brain. No sane person can focus on 2 masters - either you want to be a Doctor or you want to become an entrepreneur.

The Other Schools . . . may follow Fatima's or Ateneo's strategy. Now if you are at the top "national schools" - UP / PLM, you're in trouble 'cause they're going to put you at the bottom as they would prefer that you use your "talents" - whatever that may be - in our country - the Pearl (Harbor) of the Orient Seas. The current Secretary of Health is generically upbeat about Filipino MD's going abroad.

But the main issue is that the reason you get abroad is less on what you know but more on who you know (if you get the point).

I'm not saying the USMLE's are not important. They're actually the first obstacles you MUST hurdle whether you like it or else.

Well, most DO PASS the USMLE eventually for one reason or another. But not all will get Letter of Recomendations from U.S. Physicians including recommendations from highly influential and inventive people - in the US and our country - who may not be necessarily doctors. You know, senators, congressman, governors, mayors, business managers, Chief nurses, jueteng lords etc... But not from the DOJ Secretary.

Note: I hope the present US recession does not effect your chances of working there. The Dollar is in trouble due to huge monetary deficits allegedly caused by the war against terrorism. The government is planning to infuse 150 Billion Dollars to the federal budget. Implementation is by May of this year.

Good Luck to those planning to work there - at the Mecca of Western Medicine - which is the US. Just avoid Terri Hatcher types and 9/11 events.

tantrum

01-28-2008, 09:14 AM

^
You might need to get your facts straight. Fatima's only advantage is their US rotations for clerks.
Ateneo is not giving MBA with their MD's, its MM or Masters of Management. They are also encouraging people to stay in the country and they are not "for export" whatever that means. Also new schools will be difficult for Americans as most States medical boards don't recognize schools until they are at least 5-7 years old and they have been grandfathered by the first applicants (graduates) which involves a lot of paperwork.
Healthcare is one of those profession that is recession-proof. The only problem is that they are not expanding the amount of residency positions and it's still competitive to get one while there is an ever increasing number of applicants.

bleudsky

01-29-2008, 07:37 AM

The Other Schools . . . may follow Fatima's or Ateneo's strategy. Now if you are at the top "national schools" - UP / PLM, you're in trouble 'cause they're going to put you at the bottom as they would prefer that you use your "talents" - whatever that may be - in our country - the Pearl (Harbor) of the Orient Seas. The current Secretary of Health is generically upbeat about Filipino MD's going abroad.

one reason why PLM grads are very few in the US because most of the students can NOT afford to pay for the USMLE. they are obliged to serve their country for maximum period of 2 yrs as "pay back" for the low tuition fee of the school.

if i were you, i wouldn't underestimate the skills/knowledge (& perhaps connections such as US-based alumni support) of doctors who didn't graduate from the 2 schools you have mentioned. for one, these are the sons/daughters of some well recognized, highly-respected specialists (who had their fellowship training in the US). two, they are products of schools who were taught well during their medical school & have undergone tough training.

you won't expect other schools to follow suit as Fatima or Ateneo coz they have their own way. Ateneo's just starting & has a long way to prove themselves, locally & internationally.

Ella Shepherd

02-09-2008, 08:27 AM

UP Manila is the best. :) But all med schools are good in their own way. They have to be good because they're teaching and training doctors who deal with lives. It's a very critical job. :)

desperateRN

02-16-2008, 03:21 AM

:confused: im a registered nurse and i just took my ielts exam hours ago. my family members are all prepped up with me leaving for the states soon as i pass this and my nclex. but what i really want is to go to med school. they forgot that the reason i took nursing was for me to have a fall back if ever i decided not to pursue med anymore. this was not supposed to be the major highlight and now that im done, all they think about is me leaving. they said i can study med in the states. but that will probably take years before i can start.

i talked to my mom and she said that i should do this if this makes me happy. im taking the nmat this april. so now, here's the thing:

i have no idea where to study, well actually, i graduated from UERM, and i know it's one of the best med schools in the country (but i also want to see other school grounds because it is admittedly not one of the nicest sights out there.:p

anyhoo, i have my own list but i want to know from those who have better judgment.
thanks

bleudsky

02-17-2008, 09:59 AM

^ if that's what you really want & if it will really make you happy, then be honest & tell it to your family. they should respect your decision coz it's your life, & your career. though nursing sounds more promising & lucrative (nowadays) than medicine, remind them you took up nursing as your pre-med.

let them know that studying medicine is far more expensive/costly in the US. while your young & very determined at it, better do it as soon as possible. when u start to work (& earn), it'll be very difficult to go back to school.

you have many schools to choose from in the NCR (like UP, UST, st luke's, FEU, UERM, PLM, ateneo, san beda) . if u plan to enroll on june, better call some of your potential schools if they still accept applicants. though UST has nice grounds, i think applications for june has closed down already & tuition fee is expensive.

jaypeeMD

02-18-2008, 01:56 AM

just want to give an input about the school named FATIMA...

i'm actually a graduate of a very reputable state university (haha, let me guess you are thinking UP). i applied at UPCM but wasn't able to pass their standards. maybe it's because of my not-so-attractive transcript that give these guys the hint that i shouldn't be in med school (i got 4 flunked grades, repeated a subject 4 times, etc). i also wasn't able to pass UST, PLM, and wasn't able to apply at St Luke's and UERM. i just thought maybe i'm not really geared towards medical school at all.

in a desperation act of entering med school, i applied at FATIMA. the lowly and not-so-popular FATIMA (or so it is in the philippines). though the application process was really a breeze (if you have all the requirements with you), everyone was subjected to their interview (as most schools do). they asked me several standard med school questions, but they also told me some things about their application system. they accept almost every able bodied and minded applicant in their school, regardless in they have flunked several subjects or kicked out of other medical schools. they take it as their duty to educate these people to be able to treat other people - to save lives. however hard or painstainkingly long it would take, they are willing to accomodate these people because they know that it is the will and the determination of the student that would eventually matter. that is on of the reasons why they have all of these top notchers. i personally became enlightened with the thought that even if i did not get high marks in college, it is the determination to be a good doctor that would really matter. i really have to commend them of such philosophy in education.

so here i am now, a very good medical student (though i did not studied at fatima :D). and i have to give credit to my interviewers in fatima for that.

(hahaha, now define personal experiences...:laugh:)

tantrum

02-18-2008, 08:12 AM

zealot

02-18-2008, 12:30 PM

FYI...UP medical students are allowed to do clinical electives/clerkship abroad. :D

spinaltap

02-22-2008, 11:08 AM

being "ALLOWED" is totally different from being "taken cared of". with fatima, all you have to do is show interest in wanting to take your clerkship abroad, (pay the fees), and fatima takes care of the rest. the hospital you get to rotate in, what field, is all taken cared of by fatima.

as for the other schools, the student has to go back home, apply to different hospitals on whether they can take their clerkshhp there, go back to the PI and work it out with the school.

being able to just pay the fee and fly to the states takes all the hassle and red-tape (not to mention the extra cost of flying out just to look for a hospital willing to take you in) out of the equation.

FATIMA took 2nd and 10th place in the FEB board exams. if im not mistaken :D and where was UP, UST,FEU (heck FEU didnt even place LOL)and the other top medical schools ? proof that graduating from the TOP medical schools in the PI doesnt necessarily mean you are the best (or smartest). :D

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080222-120405/Top-10-new-doctors

dexter85

02-22-2008, 05:56 PM

spinaltap

02-22-2008, 09:23 PM

hahahaha and i bet you go to UP? and who took first place last aug??? FATIMA did! LOL

im not trying to start a flame war with anyone who goes/went to UP/UST or the top medical schools. heck i didnt even go to fatima. im just trying to make a point that after graduation.... the only time you can say that i went to so and so or i took top honors or i placed first on the boards are during parties and what not.... which will most likely end up falling on deaf ears since no one will really care... specially if you are trying to apply for residency in the states.

schools...teach you the same thing... they all have similar if not use the same medical textbooks.... its the student who makes the grades...not the school. its just nice to see that other schools such as fatima are churning out top doctors (note that i said TOP doctors... i dont know about the average performing doctors LOL) that you can say are on par with graduates from UP and the other schools.

coming from the best school doesnt necessarily mean that you will be the best doctor. knowledge is a big part of this profession... but there are other qualities that one must possess.... think about it. :hardy:

bleudsky

02-23-2008, 12:19 AM

FATIMA took 2nd and 10th place in the FEB board exams. if im not mistaken :D and where was UP, UST,FEU (heck FEU didnt even place LOL)and the other top medical schools ? proof that graduating from the TOP medical schools in the PI doesnt necessarily mean you are the best (or smartest). :D

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080222-120405/Top-10-new-doctors

so what if graduates from other schools only had 1 board placer (UP, UST, WVSU, St Luke's)?! at least each medical school had at least 1 board placer - that's something the PMA can be happy about..

being a board placer does NOT necessarily mean you are the best.

sometimes you pass the local boards because you read the right reviewers, you prayed a lot, you had lots of luck & you have a good memory. some pass it but doesn't deserve the license.

bleudsky

02-23-2008, 12:27 AM

hahahaha and i bet you go to UP? and who took first place last aug??? FATIMA did! LOL

they are SO much concerned on getting the 1st place but they care less about their performance (by schools) because that's the only way they know of being recognized. they even made advertisement about it. the boards is just a test if you're ready to stand in your own 2 feet, if you're ready to take responsibility for your own decisions & actions, if you're brave enough to be scolded at/shouted by the patients' relatives.

IMHO, i'd be happier if our school placed in the top 3 performing schools (which had happened last aug) than being top & celebrate it alone (or just a few).

joseph76

02-24-2008, 04:44 PM

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 1,054 out of 1,985 passed the Physician Licensure Exams last February, 2008. That makes a 53% national passing rate - higher than last year I think.

This could mean a lot of things:
1. The Board of Examiners are placing more emphasis on the "basics". They may have realized that they are not getting any younger (perhaps becoming more tired, sick and cranky ?) and we need more doctors as replacements.
2. Medical Schools have reached a higher state of sophistication in teaching.
3. Many are getting lucky (?)
4. Schools are getting better students.
5. Questions are deliberately easy. There is an outrageously unfair rumor which I don't agree alleging that some examinees were related to you-know-who... reminds you of Lord Voldemort of the Harry Potter series?
6. The Computer did not malfunction. It was "user friendly"7. THEY REALLY DESERVE TO PASS which I whole-heartedly agree.

Oh...and by the way...I really appreciate all the inputs from the previous posts. I learned so much from your comments. Just to reiterate that most of my posts are entirely hearsay. My official stand is that: All MD Schools are good or "best" in their own way. It's up to the student to make good.

Just FYI...Here are the Top 10 doctors in the Feb 2008 Physician exam

INQUIRER.net
First Posted 00:41:00 02/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Below are the top 10 medical examinees:
1. Edilfavia Mae Suaybaguio Uy, Cebu Doctors University-College of Medicine -- 86.33
2. Abegail Ramos Arana, Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela -- 86.00
3. Arik Paolo Isaiah Carpio Dela Cruz, West Visayas State University-La Paz -- 85.58
4. Kathryn-Daphne Masangkay Ong, University of Santo Tomas -- 85.33
5. Rex Villadarez Samson, Ateneo De Zamboanga University -- 85.25
6. Allan Dizon Corpuz, Saint Louis University -- 85.17
7. Deirdra Yumang Miguel, University of Perpetual Help System-Laguna -- 85.08
8. Evita Taplac Paguia, Saint Luke's College of Medicine -- 85.00
9. Dan Philip Fronda Hernandez -- University of The Philippines-Manila -- 84.83
10. Sharon Sarmiento Santos, Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela -- 84.75

Based on the results, no school was dominant at least with regards to the number of topnotchers each school had (Oh wait... what the heck!... Fatima got 2 top places ... dogs growling - grrrrr... just kidding) in this particular exam . But that's not what got my attention.

If you notice, our "probinsiyano" colleagues topped the board exam. For me, they deserve our toast for their brilliant showing and their school for their efforts.

Now, I cannot help but agree with some of jaypeeMD's and spinaltap's insights although Bleudsky also has a point.

When I was in Med school, we used to have a friend whom we thought was a certified "average" student. Imagine our surprise (jaws dropping) and mortification when we learned that she placed in the top ten.

One cannot help but feel envious considering that she even repeated a major subject not once but twice.

That really made us think that all things being equal, one can never judge the potential of a person because of his/her previous failures.

Being a repeater should not be something to be ashamed of (easier said than done). Repeating a subject can be psychologically crippling. It takes a superior mind and special courage to overcome the ensuing negative feelings,the reproaches of relatives, indifference of friends, not to mention the insults of superior-minded colleagues and overkill professors.

In spite of these fallouts, if the student persisted and later on topped the board exam, he/she merits our accolade.

I used to think before that schools are crucial in becoming a very successful practitioner. I was wrong.

Being a graduate of "one if not the best medical school in NCR", I salute our graduates from "inferior schools (?)" !!!

I extend my warmest congratulations and good luck (regardless of what school you belong to and with both fingers crossed hehehe) to the new batch of MD's !!!

spinaltap

02-24-2008, 06:46 PM

spoken by a true professional! couldnt have said it any better myself!

congrats to all board passers. :thumbup:

bleudsky

02-27-2008, 07:15 AM

"The best doctors are not necessarily the brightest ones" - a good friend told me that.

after they have passed the boards, the real challenge comes - the medical practice itself (whatever the specialization they choose & wherever they wanna train & practice it).

to my "new" colleagues, welcome to the medical profession! :) hope to work with you.

bleudsky

02-27-2008, 07:22 AM

[B]The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 1,054 out of 1,985 passed the Physician Licensure Exams last February, 2008. That makes a 53% national passing rate - higher than last year I think.

wrong! our passing rate during the august 2007 licensure exams was 60+%. dr miguel noche (the chair back then) said during our oath-taking last september at picc that it was the highest passing rate in the last 4 yrs. of course, we were all very proud of it. :)

tantrum

02-27-2008, 11:41 AM

The Phil. Board exams is a test for basic knowledge. I can't get excited on who will top the boards (It's only in the philippines where they publish board topnotchers). Percentage passing is more important. Where you graduate is also not important as it's only the first step in a long struggle. They also need to change the format into USMLE type questions to challenge your analytical skills. In the past there are years where there are some trivia questions.

angiostent

03-12-2008, 04:13 AM

kung di ako nagkakamali 23 taw ngaun sa up.

angiostent

03-12-2008, 04:16 AM

nung nagtanong ako dun last september 2007, 23 taw daw. i don't know if they have changed the price..

bleudsky

03-12-2008, 08:22 AM

^ i heard that there's already an approved proposal at the UP College of Medicine to have a 3-year return service obligation for ALL its graduates. i've read somewhere in a forum site (of local MDs) that one of three absolutes if you wish to apply at UP CM is for you to sign a return service obligation contract. the other two are GWAG of 2.5 & an NMAT score of at least 90. it's similar to PLM's "2 yrs pay-back" policy.

the full details are still in the process. the targeted implementation is AY 2009-2010.

angiostent

03-12-2008, 06:41 PM

KittyKrinkles

Magkano na nga uli ang tuition per sem ng UPCM ngayon? Ilang percent yung price hike?

as of september 2007, if i still can remember it right, the tuition fee for upcm is 23,000,000 php.

angiostent

03-12-2008, 07:18 PM

sorry guys.. wrong post.

angiostent

03-12-2008, 07:27 PM

bleudsky

03-13-2008, 06:02 AM

"who are more intellectually superior?" -- we're all in equal ground & we study the same thing/s; it's the method that varies. you can't judge a doctor as being superior than the others because of where he/she had his/her medical schooling.

nasa estudyante ang pagsisikap, wala sa paaralan.

as for the rest of your queries, i don't know.

tantrum

03-13-2008, 10:01 AM

As I said in a different thread, there are rascals in all schools. For me FEU and UERM is about equal (I agree na nasa estudyante yan). If you had your pre-med in the Phil., FEU might be a better fit but I had some feedback in the past that it is more competitive.

angiostent

03-13-2008, 07:09 PM

bleudsky, tantrum
thanx a lot. if there are still other people there who also want to give me some ideas, your advices will surely be appeciated. thanx guys.

doctors..simply the best!!! ;)

hEaVensEnT

03-15-2008, 05:14 AM

hi. any one out there who is willing to give me a non- biased advice? il enter med school this june 2008. i was accepted both at feu-nrmf and uerm. now, i don't know what to choose. i believe both are really good schools but i know only one is better than the other. who among those two do you think it is? which school is more prestigious? which is more technologically advanced? who are more intellectually superior? which among those two has the highest percent in terms of passing the boards for consecutive of years? WHICH OF THE TWO SCHOOLS HAS A MORE DISCIPLINED MEDICAL STUDENTS (I don't want rascal classmates). and most importantly, which one is more internationally known? please guys, i need your advice.

with regards to your "i dont want rascal classmates" statement. 1st of all let me tell u that becoming a doctor or any health care provider for that matter would require a non judgemental character. although i know that most practicioners still tend to be judgemental. in what way would rascals trouble you? worst comes to worst they would get kicked out of med school...it has no effect on u...and in the future u will get pasaway patients...u cant say u dont want to treat them because they are like tht...rascals too have their reasons for being rascals...maybe a little consideration should be given to the psychological aspect of the human person...thats all :D

chappy88

03-15-2008, 11:48 PM

guys, im from mindanao. i need a good med school in which is located in the island.

my choices are as follows:

davao med sch foundation
xavier university-ateneo de cagayan
zambo med sch-ateneo de zambo
ozamiz university medical center

which is the most competitive among these schools? feedbacks pls...

dont recommended state university. they have this 2:1 ratio which means you will serve the government for 2 years for every year in study.

thanks!

angiostent

03-16-2008, 01:18 AM

among your choices, il choose xavier university. it was stated previously in this forum that the said university was the centr for development. personally, i can say that xavier university also has a good passing rat because i have a copy of the prc's passing rate of each medical school for the medical boards of 2007. if my memory is right, xavier university garnered a percentage of about 70+. davao is my 2nd choice. i dunno d odrs. i had a copy of the whole universities and colleges offering med course. i got it from the cem when i was to take nmat.there was no ozamis university medical center in the list. tip: be sure of ur choices.

bleudsky

03-16-2008, 03:31 AM

^ if i were you, i wouldn't base my preference on each school's performance in the physicians' licensure exams. the rates are just plain and simple stats of how many graduates from this school passed/studied well/had luck on their side/prayed well, and how many failed. in itself, it does not reflect which school is more competitive. like one colleague said, it's "only in the philippines" that the top performing schools are announced. but in practice, who cares where u graduated? ok maybe a chosen few do but it does not really matter where u studied. another, the rates change. what's stated in PRC may not be true after 5 yrs (when you guys take your exams).

just my opinion.

angiostent

03-16-2008, 03:43 AM

bleud,

in nursing, the ranking of the schools are based on five years performance. in medicine, is there also a ranking in medical schools based on 5 years performance? if there is, do you know where i can get the source?

i have a msg 4u. juz check it out.

bleudsky

03-16-2008, 03:48 AM

hmm.. i don't think the PMA (phil medical assoc) nor PRC does that. i haven't heard of any stats/ranking based on a 5-yr performance. they're more concerned in solving the decreasing number of medical school applicants in the country, continuing exodus of MDs to other countries and career shifts to nursing.

it's up to you (and your batch) to make your school proud in your performance in the boards. not the PRC.

i already have a response to your PM.

angiostent

03-16-2008, 04:15 AM

Ei Tnx.. Its Nys To Talk With You In This Forum.

angiostent

03-16-2008, 04:15 AM

I Think I Got Another Msg 4 U Which U Haven't Read Yet.

bleudsky

03-16-2008, 04:23 AM

^ please stick to the topic and refrain from using "text speak" language.

may reply na po ako.. hahaha! miron.. :D

angiostent

03-16-2008, 05:52 AM

what are the top three or top ten schools in terms of passing rate during the february 2008 exam?

bleudsky

03-16-2008, 07:45 PM

^ PRC did not release the list of top 3 performing schools during last month's licensure exams.

lifestudent

03-20-2008, 09:48 PM

Ella Shepherd

03-21-2008, 01:44 AM

Hi, i'm new here, and i'm actually setting my sights on PLM, i'm gonna take the MCAT next week. i Heard its pretty difficult. any tips? Unfortunately, i cannot locate the 'post new thread' option. waaaaaaah XD

Hi! If you wanna post a new thread, you have to go back to the list where you saw the title of this thread in. You can't post a new thread while you're reading another. Hope I made sense. LOL :D

MCAT is challenging. All I can really say for now is to review for the exam as much as you can. I hope you have reviewed some time before today. If not, don't panic. :p Just keep your cool and review with friends and even teachers who are willing to help. Good luck!:D

angiostent

04-02-2008, 09:25 PM

check this out: form www.feu-alumni.com (http://www.feu-alumni.com) :

FEUNRMF Registration
Count for Year 2005
At the February 10, 2005 Board Meeting of the FEUNR- Medical Foundation, Institute of Medicine Dean Remedios T. Habacon, reported that the registration of as that date include the following: 1136 for the School of Nursing; 133 for the School of Medical Technology, 276 (local) for the Institute of Medicine (five foreigners: 4 Fil-Ams and one from India).
At the last meeting of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges, CHED Commissioner Rolando dela Rosa presented the 5-year summary of board passing rank of medical schools. The three top schools with the highest passing averages were UP, UST and FEU, in that order.
The August 7, 2004 Medical Licensure Board Examination had a 51.43% passing. There were 2300 examinees and 1183 of them passed.

The figures for FEU alone are as follows the past four years:
FEU Passing
National Average
August 2004 50.96
51.4
February 200464.46
51.94
August 2003 61.28
55.69
February 2003 71.97
57.23
August 2002 60.15
59.11
February 2002 92.77
66.19
August 2001 69.54
64.9
February 200183.16
55.81

[/URL]from www.wikipedia.com (http://www.feu-alumni.com/whatsnews/08-04-2004.htm) :
Through the years, it has contributed some of the finest names in the healthcare field: four Secretaries of Health, seven Philippine Medical Association Presidents, six Presidents of the Philippine College of Surgeons, two Presidents of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America, four Presidents of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America, and one President of the World Medical Association. In 1986, the Board of Medical Education, DECS, and the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges gave the Institute the highest level of accreditation, and awarded it as a [U]Center of Excellence in Medical Education.

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Far_Eastern_University_-_Nicanor_Reyes_Medical_Foundation&action=edit&section=1)] West Fairview Campus and Medical Complex in Quezon City

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e4/Feu-nrmf-atrium.jpg/180px-Feu-nrmf-atrium.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feu-nrmf-atrium.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feu-nrmf-atrium.jpg)
Institute of Medicine atrium

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b8/Feu-im.jpg/180px-Feu-im.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feu-im.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feu-im.jpg)
Institute of Medicine facade

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e7/FEU-NRMF.jpg/180px-FEU-NRMF.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FEU-NRMF.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FEU-NRMF.jpg)
Facade

In December 22, 1996, Dr. Josephine Reyes (NRMF Chairman and former FEU President), presided over the groundbreaking of the new P500 million modern medical school and hospital. Also present were some members of the Board of Trustees which included the late Dr. Ricardo Alfonso, Hector del Rosario, and Nicanor Reyes III; hospital officials like Dr. Lilian Luna, then Medical director, and Dr. Flordeliza Baltazar, then dean of the Institute of Medicine.
In 2001, the new facilities of the Medical Foundation were formally inaugurated which was attended by former President Corazon Aquino (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corazon_Aquino) as guest of honor.
At present, the hospital operates with 141 pay beds, 99 charity beds, and boasts of state-of-the-art facilities at par with leading tertiary hospitals.
The last meeting of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges, CHED presented the 5-year summary of board passing rank of medical schools. "FEU-IM ranked 3rd overall with the highest passing averages after UP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Philippines%2C_Manila) and UST (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Santo_Tomas)."
Degree Programs in the Institute of Medicine

tantrum

04-03-2008, 08:56 AM

Regardless of the so-called rankings, FEU is a very good school. They used to accept a lot of students then "strain" or pyramidalize them. I'm not sure if that is still true as most schools have less applicants nowadays.

angiostent

04-04-2008, 06:39 AM

angiostent

04-04-2008, 07:07 AM

uerm:

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=University_of_the_East_Ramon_Magsa ysay_Memorial_Medical_Center&action=edit&section=5)] College of Medicine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UERMMMC_College_of_Medicine)

The centerpiece of the UERM Memorial Medical Center is the College of Medicine. Recognized as a Center of Excellence in Research by the Department of Science and Technology and has Level II Accreditation by PAASCU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAASCU), Innovative Curriculum. The first and only private Medical School with a PAASCU Accredited Program, Level II. From the time the UERM College of Medicine produced its first graduates, it immediately established itself as one of the finest medical schools in the country. Soon, it was acknowledged as one of the best three schools of medicine, mentioned in the same breath as University of the Philippines (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Philippines) & University of Santo Tomas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Santo_Tomas).
All the Medicine graduates of 1996 passed the Medical Licensure Examination given last February 1997. The Professional Regulation Commission awarded the Center a plaque in recognition of the feat, the fifth time for the center since 1993.

tantrum

04-04-2008, 08:10 AM

know what? just wondering. why are you guys, spexaly d fil-ams on the other thread, more interested with uerm rather than feu? when it comes to age, feu is more older than uerm. and when it comes to facilities, feu has better facilities also...:confused:hmm.. juz wonderin...
For local Filipinos, FEU might make more sense but for Fil-Ams, they prefer UERM as they have the option to take most of their clerkship (clinicals) with affiliated hospitals in NY and Chicago. These are more expensive rotations but at least they have the option to do that.

kcsaraza18

04-13-2008, 07:50 PM

I dnt even know how to reply to posts...hehe..my apologies...anyway, im planning to go to UERM for med school and im from California....I am a Fil-Am and I dnt know the procedures for getting in.... =(

check this out: form www.feu-alumni.com (http://www.feu-alumni.com) :

FEUNRMF Registration
Count for Year 2005
At the February 10, 2005 Board Meeting of the FEUNR- Medical Foundation, Institute of Medicine Dean Remedios T. Habacon, reported that the registration of as that date include the following: 1136 for the School of Nursing; 133 for the School of Medical Technology, 276 (local) for the Institute of Medicine (five foreigners: 4 Fil-Ams and one from India).
At the last meeting of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges, CHED Commissioner Rolando dela Rosa presented the 5-year summary of board passing rank of medical schools. The three top schools with the highest passing averages were UP, UST and FEU, in that order.
The August 7, 2004 Medical Licensure Board Examination had a 51.43% passing. There were 2300 examinees and 1183 of them passed.

The figures for FEU alone are as follows the past four years:

FEU Passing
National Average

August 2004 50.96
51.4

February 200464.46
51.94

August 2003 61.28
55.69

February 2003 71.97
57.23

August 2002 60.15
59.11

February 2002 92.77
66.19

August 2001 69.54
64.9

February 200183.16
55.81

from www.wikipedia.com (http://www.wikipedia.com) :
Through the years, it has contributed some of the finest names in the healthcare field: four Secretaries of Health, seven Philippine Medical Association Presidents, six Presidents of the Philippine College of Surgeons, two Presidents of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America, four Presidents of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America, and one President of the World Medical Association. In 1986, the Board of Medical Education, DECS, and the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges gave the Institute the highest level of accreditation, and awarded it as a Center of Excellence in Medical Education.

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Far_Eastern_University_-_Nicanor_Reyes_Medical_Foundation&action=edit&section=1)] West Fairview Campus and Medical Complex in Quezon City

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e4/Feu-nrmf-atrium.jpg/180px-Feu-nrmf-atrium.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feu-nrmf-atrium.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feu-nrmf-atrium.jpg)
Institute of Medicine atrium

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b8/Feu-im.jpg/180px-Feu-im.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feu-im.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Feu-im.jpg)
Institute of Medicine facade

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e7/FEU-NRMF.jpg/180px-FEU-NRMF.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FEU-NRMF.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FEU-NRMF.jpg)
Facade

In December 22, 1996, Dr. Josephine Reyes (NRMF Chairman and former FEU President), presided over the groundbreaking of the new P500 million modern medical school and hospital. Also present were some members of the Board of Trustees which included the late Dr. Ricardo Alfonso, Hector del Rosario, and Nicanor Reyes III; hospital officials like Dr. Lilian Luna, then Medical director, and Dr. Flordeliza Baltazar, then dean of the Institute of Medicine.
In 2001, the new facilities of the Medical Foundation were formally inaugurated which was attended by former President Corazon Aquino (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corazon_Aquino) as guest of honor.
At present, the hospital operates with 141 pay beds, 99 charity beds, and boasts of state-of-the-art facilities at par with leading tertiary hospitals.
The last meeting of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges, CHED presented the 5-year summary of board passing rank of medical schools. "FEU-IM ranked 3rd overall with the highest passing averages after UP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Philippines%2C_Manila) and UST (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Santo_Tomas)."
Degree Programs in the Institute of Medicine

angiostent

04-15-2008, 06:44 AM

its ok.:)

MDMM

04-15-2008, 12:18 PM

Friends.
I wanna know which medical universities/colleges/schools have one or two years diploma in gastroenterology,endocrinology,cardiology.
I am done with my MD.
Please give me idea of total expenditures,duration,passing ratio.??
Thanks

bleudsky

04-16-2008, 01:47 AM

^ you can inquire at any training hospital if they offer fellowship programs for gastroenterology, endocrinology, cardiology (after you have finished 3 years of residency training in internal medicine & have taken the PCP exam).

angiostent

07-05-2008, 04:01 AM

angiostent just want to inform all the members of this forum and to all those who will visit this thread that FEU-nrmf Institute of Medicine again ranked third in the february 2008 medical board exam and still has its deregulated status and is one of the center of excellence in medicine in the whole archipelago!!:thumbup::thumbup:

respect

09-01-2008, 08:00 AM

what is the tuition fee in PLM?

PLMGrad

09-12-2008, 07:22 AM

I came across this forum while checking on the top med schools in the Philippines and it is interesting to read on all the different points of views. I am also a proud graduate of PLM-CM years back and even then it was a new and struggling med school but most of us had the heart and ambition of being an excellent physician. I was also accepted at UP-CM but cannot afford the tuition. One of 3 who opted out and the other 2 went to the US for med school. I did my internship at PGH then afterwards did my 2 year service as a payback. I did not mind this at all because it gave me a good perspective of the practice of medicine in the Philippines. During that 2 years I also took and pass the USMLE. Really had to save my meager salary to afford this. I passed it with flying colors and did the interview circuit for a residency program. None of the program directors that I interviewed with that time knew anything about PLM but I was offered a position in all the 22 programs I interviewed. I accepted a position at a University Hospital in New York City. At that time only foreign graduates from UP-CM were being accepted in their program and they are about 2% of the residents. Most of them are in the top 10 grads of UP. I became chief resident then went to Cleveland Clinic for an interventional Cardiology fellowship and then moved to another state to practice. I'm now the chair of the Department of Medicine in our hospital. I am one of so many Philippine graduates who are doing well and have done well in the United States. Regardless of which med school you come from, it is a sad fact that the US has been through the years the beneficiary of the best and the brightest doctors from the Philippines. I write so many LOR's but i always feel proud when I am doing it for a Filipino grad. During my time, there were many residency and fellowship slots but that has significantly changed thru the years because of funding. Nowadays, it will almost take an act of God to be accepted in a university hospital training program if you are an FMG.
Hello.

Am new here.

I am also an alumnus of the prestigious yet underdogged PLM-CM. IMHO, PLM-CM is a GREAT school to consider for your post-grad medical studies. It has top notch instructors, IMHO, that's it sad to say.

First of all, it's facilities are crappy, cadavers are crappy, teaching materials are crappy, administration is crappy (but the PEOPLE behind it are the best, if you get the drift). But what do you expect from a school subsidized by the corrupt government of manila by the Atienza administration (maganda nga ang kalsada, bulok naman ang sistema). The training hospital for clerical training is also crappy (Ospital ng Maynila), but in this institution you WILL find the best doctors that CAN and WILL HEAL patients in a very, sad to say, sub-par hospital, which is, sad to say, again subsidized by the city of Manila. You will die in clerkship (in my time), but believe me you will be born again with enough knowledge than residents from other private institutions, that's how good the experience is if you study in PLM (mind you of the REQUIRED 6 months to 2 YEARS payback).

But again, that's it sad to say. In the topic of US-based medicine, there are many PLM alumni who are currently practicing abroad, but believe me they are STRUGGLING doctors because they are still financially unstable, not clinically and medically insufficient. That's why they chose PLM in the first place, because of the low tuition fee (which is currently about 10 to 15k per sem nowadays, basic, bisem) compared to other private institution (FEU and UST, about 40k to 50k per sem, basic, bisem,... WTF!). Even my entire clan don't have that kind of money.

In response to the 100% passing rate in the Feb boards, keep in mind that 13 of those 20plus persons are repeaters, so if that counts to anything, i don't fu*#@ng care. I still am a PLM alumnus, and the board exam was and will never be a gauge of how good you are as a medical student, it just gauge how hard you reviewed for that exam and how lucky you were to review the questions that came up in the boards. It's still up to you if you want to pass the boards or not.

So, finally, the top three med schools for me are...

1. UP-CM (I was also an undergraduate at UP Manila, so, hehehe...)
2. PLM-CM
3. UST-FMS

GoMD

09-13-2008, 06:13 AM

I'm a current freshman student of Fatima. I'm in the special/foreign class which has started Sept. 1. So far, I like the school and the instruction is really great...great professors..very friendly, approchable and knowledgable. Most of all we don't have a Saturday class so I have some time to do parallel study for the USMLE....the class is cool because we all came from different states in the US. I'm curious to know what is all about that bad reputation about this school that I'm seeing in this forum? As for me, this is a great school with good facilities and the best professors.

bleudsky

09-14-2008, 06:55 AM

^ 1 bad reputation is that those students who failed at other med schools go there. another is how they force local grads when to take the local boards based on their performance in the mock boards.

iguodala76ers

09-21-2008, 01:42 PM

^ 1 bad reputation is that those students who failed at other med schools go there. another is how they force local grads when to take the local boards based on their performance in the mock boards.

Are there any other schools (in the P.I.) like this? i would avoid them at all costs

tantrum

09-22-2008, 08:25 AM

Are there any other schools (in the P.I.) like this? i would avoid them at all costs
This is applicable to locals only. Foreign grads are not required to take the local boards.
They do this for local Filipinos as their pass rates is very bad and they want to make up for it by having few topnotchers (only in da philippines where they publish topnotchers) on the newspapers.

angiostent

09-25-2008, 02:49 AM

Are there any other schools (in the P.I.) like this? i would avoid them at all costs

i think it would be below the belt if we are going to mention the med schools who are poorly performing. i think it would be better for us to give you the list of the top performing schools in the philippines instead. i'll try to look for the performance of the medical schools in the philippines, down load it and post it here. but if you're goin to ask my opinion, up ust feu uerm and plm are the best med schools in metro manila but if we are goin to include all the med schools in the philippines, cebu doctors, cim, slu are also top performing med schools. in the mindanao, mindanao state university is also a good medical school. i hope this info would help you. but if you really want to know the med schools who are poorly performing, i'll send it to you through pm.:)

LocutusofBorg

09-28-2008, 11:12 PM

I think a frank discussion of whats good and what sucks about different schools is very pertinent to this board.

My experience suggests that "top" and "bottom" are difficult concepts to measure. Board passing is as much a reflection of the incoming student body, as it is of the capacity of the school to educate. Being "top" is also a self-fulfilling prophesy - top schools draw top students which maintain the school at the top, regardless of the educational experience. I learned it first had when I enrolled in CIM, a school that consistently claims a 100% board passing rate. I feel its success is primarily due to the quality of the student body, because we as students received very little assistance from the docs. No lectures, no handouts, just exams. Discussions were moderated by docs, but they didn't always step in and correct if someone said something wrong. Facilities were also quite drab, cadavers stinky - and for the first bimonthly period there were just 2 of them for a class of 90+!!!

Now, I am attending SWU-MHAM, a school that accepts many students from "top" schools who didn't make it. Its not a top rated school, but not a bottom one either. However, I find that Im LEARNING a lot more here. Facilities are decent. Labs are open after hours and weekends for individual study. Handouts and lectures supplement book assignments. Docs can be approached with questions. In short, I have what I need to help me learn what I must.

My point is not that CIM is the worst or that MHAM is the best - there are better and worse schools out there. Im just saying that rank alone says little about the education experience. We need to be frank about our schools. Do docs at school X habitually miss lecture time? Does the administration of school Y pass too many failing students? Did school Z get enough cadavers?

Lets be more detailed in our descriptions so we know. As far as Fatima goes, my only (and major) objection to that school is the tuition expense. Its so excessive by local standard, I am questioning the integrity of the program as a whole.

mdy

11-15-2008, 09:37 PM

angiostent

11-15-2008, 11:55 PM

bleudsky

11-23-2008, 03:39 AM

I'm a graduating student (BS NURSING) this coming march 2009.
I'm planning to take up medicine after nursing since my parents are both doctors.
I already submitted my application at UST. I'm aware of the requirements (NMAT, TOR, etc)..
But can anyone tell me more about the process on how UST-FMS selects its applicants? and what are the chances that students from other schools will be accepted at UST-FMS?
What are the preparations if there would be any?
Is UST-FMS...

process include submitting all requirements, undergoing interview and the entrance exam (actually, it's just a psychological exam).

i'd say you have an equal chance in being accepted. i dont know about the "400 ust premeds and 100 non-ust premeds" discussed above but as long as you have good premed grades, high NMAT score and have undergone other requirements you'll do fine. there are no strict preparations. just stay calm, be focused and show your determination. my sister and i had our pre-meds in other schools but we got accepted at UST FMS. :)

goodluck!

samahantayo

12-23-2008, 11:15 AM

What does "top rated" schools really mean anyway? I know very good physicians who graduated from unknown, obscure schools in the PI. Of course, the schools that are established and existed for years with a medical program and have proven track records based on their graduates should not be ignored. If that is the only criteria then the decision will be a no-brainer. What would the reasons be to explore beyond that? Cost mainly? How much less would an unknown be?

It seems that the main factors to look for in selecting include:
- up keep of facilities
- availability of training facilities such as a hospital
- quality of professors (find out what school they came from)
- how big is the teaching staff and how many are full time vs part time (thinking that more full time is better)
- for FilAms, the availability or proximity of good housing.

Feel free to comment or add...

dasher

01-21-2009, 05:54 AM

ok ba sa san beda?

archsword

02-02-2009, 07:32 AM

St. Luke's is considered one of the Philippines' best hospital. Yes, their medical school is quite new, and has around 30-35% board exam flank rate!!! :cool:
mas maganda pa performance ng school namin MCU sa St. Lukes eh

archsword

02-02-2009, 07:32 AM

ok ba sa san beda?
mag MCU ka na lang bro

archsword

02-02-2009, 08:04 AM

ok ba sa san beda?
Mag Manila Central University ka na lang mas established kami kesa beda at marami nang alumni here and abroad.Look at the training hospital of the school and consider it.Do they have a lot of patients?Baka naman puro modern equipments lang tapos ala naman pasyente.http://edge.studentdoctor.net/images/icons/icon7.gif

larke

02-02-2009, 10:07 PM

tantrum

02-03-2009, 08:31 AM

i'm a graduating pre-med student and took the nmat last december. i only got a score of 50 and passed an application form to UERM. it was the last day of passing for applications so i didnt have time to check on other schools..... is it really true that if i passed an application and the nmat score that i have is lower than the required, they really wouldnt look at my application form ?? its the only med school where i apllied to but i plan to retake my nmat this april.... will i still have the chance to get in ? what are the schools' (UERM) bases for admitting ??
Their cutoff for local Filipino applicants is 55. I read from another forum that if your NMAT is below 55, they will ask you to retake in April and make sure you get a 55.
Other schools will still accept you. Try inquiring with those not strict with NMAT like FEU-NRMF, DLSU-HSC, and Fatima.

saykiatrist

02-03-2009, 06:41 PM

Hi! I'm hoping to be accepted into either Cebu Institute of Medicine or Cebu Doctors' University for school year 2009-2010. I'm also applying at Xavier University - Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine.

Does anyone have any feedback (negative and/or positive) with regards to these schools? What's a typical schoolday like, in each of these three schools?

I still have A LOT of questions, but I guess I'll stop with these two first...

Thank you in advance!

larke

02-03-2009, 07:00 PM

oh , okay .. so then i really have to make sure that i get a score higher than 55......

the school told me that they will give me a call to inform me about the schedule of the interview... but they still aren't giving me one !! damn.. napa-paranoid nako .. feeling ko i'm applying for a job, and they're not calling me because i'm not qualified!! hehe :laugh:

but hey, i'm thinking of other schools ... gusto ko sana sa fatima, peo sa forum na to , parang puro negative ata cnsbi bout the school...... anu nga b tlga ?

dasher

02-04-2009, 04:09 AM

mag MCU ka na lang bro

ok ba sa MCU? ano yung passing rate nyo? heheheheh need a lot of infomation on this matter! thanks!

akihiro

02-05-2009, 08:49 AM

1st: UP
2nd: UST
3rd: PLM
4th: UE
5th: FEU

this has been the ranking almost every year.

portlandcity

02-13-2009, 01:28 PM

excellent, real info. I am making a last-minute dash to try and get into a '09 class.

Can you please-please help me with any contact names, cell, emails.
I am going to go over in-person end of the month to do things live.

looking at UERM - UST.
lost job, just discovered the Philipines med schools.

Incoming

03-13-2009, 12:14 AM

For my undergrad, I took up BS Biology in UPD, you could say I was one of the fortunate few who were admitted to that course. Most of us had our sights set into being a doctor, eventhough we underwent rigid training in thinking like scientists, researchers you could say. My motto back then and until now was "best foot forward" but the first three years was a struggle, especially with Calculus (which i flunked twice), Organic Chem (flunked once) and Genetics (flunked once).....

Needless to say, even if I got a 96% NMAT score, I wasn't even considered for the UPCM applicant interview.....

And imagine how hard it would be for a person aspiring to be a doctor to be told that in order for me to continue with pursuing my medical studies, I would have to have a scholarship.Yep, its harsh and it happened to me.....

And now all of my hopes (and childhood dreams, perhaps) of becoming a doctor are pinned on one school which could probably provide me with a full scholarship: Our Lady of Fatima College of Medicine, Valenzuela.....

If there's anything I learned throughout this whole process, its that we should not judge one school based on our biases or rumor-inspired prejudices, students aspiring to become doctors should not be hindered by factors such as superb intellect or financial status.....

Only one thing matters, the DESIRE of the student to learn, excel, and serve his fellowmen, either here or abroad.....

To my fellow incoming freshmen (that's assuming I pass the Fatima scholarship exam, please pray for me), ours is a noble profession, always bear in mind that what we make of the five years we spend as med students will ultimately be put to the test when a life is already on the line.....

Time to get serious:)

dexter85

03-18-2009, 05:12 AM

ust fms accepts 500 students. it is composed of 400 ust premeds and 100 non ust premeds. i hope this figure would help you. i just don't know if the figures varied on the past school years. but it's a good approximation. preparations: good nmat, good grades.

not really, our batch (2010) got an almost equal ratio of students who are graduates from ust and those from other universities.

although it may be wise to infer that they would prioritize ust grads because of the loyalty factor, still the grades and nmat score will matter most.

DoctorStarCraft

03-18-2009, 07:38 PM

ashriel

04-06-2009, 12:16 AM

hi. i'm new here. :) i am graduating my premed course this april and am currently torn between attending PLM or St. Luke's. any insights ? it would be of great help if you could mention anything on the curriculum, competency of the faculty, clerkship and internship experience, and some others (preferably not based on the tuition and the passing rate in the board exams).

thanks in advance.

angiostent

04-13-2009, 05:14 AM

st. lukes: they offer a 5 year curric. it means that you will become a PGI at St. lukes hosp whethr u lyk it or not.

Plm: great minds. great doctors. i have a doctor who is a grad of plm, dr. basco-pedia, he is very good doctor and has a segment in the radio.

but in terms of facilities, st. lukes is far better

orangekiss

04-17-2009, 05:32 AM

PLM, UPM and CIM all got 100% in the Feb boards.

it's here (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/examresults/20070221_physician02212007.pdf) (pdf file).

Please take into consideration the number of students that take the boards. It doesn't mean that if a certain med school garners 100% passing rate, they are already the best school. For all we know, they might have like 50 or so students. They have more advantage than schools that have a very big population of students, like UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who has a total of 500+ students. Also, consider the date of the board exam, if it's August or February...because there IS a difference.

iwnt2bfree

05-16-2009, 06:29 AM

Saipan

05-17-2009, 06:49 AM

Hello,

Is it true that as a foreigner you cannot sit and take the Philippine Exams to get licensure in the Philippines?

What about those that move to the Philippines to live? They just simply cannot become doctors and practice there?

Jeff

Hoy Pare, please learn how to start a thread. Most of your postings to date are inappropriately located. Try to make an effort.

You need to be a Filipino citizen to take a PI board exam.

And what people are you talking about?

iwnt2bfree

05-17-2009, 10:35 AM

I apologize for the posting to the wrong place. This is my first time posting on a forum of any kind. Thanks for your help.

tantrum

05-18-2009, 11:05 AM

Hello,

Is it true that as a foreigner you cannot sit and take the Philippine Exams to get licensure in the Philippines?

What about those that move to the Philippines to live? They just simply cannot become doctors and practice there?

Jeff
It's true but laws may change in the future when doctor shortage hits hard. I doubt it would happen in 10 years.

kittycrinkles

08-30-2009, 01:00 PM

Please take into consideration the number of students that take the boards. It doesn't mean that if a certain med school garners 100% passing rate, they are already the best school. For all we know, they might have like 50 or so students. They have more advantage than schools that have a very big population of students, like UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who has a total of 500+ students. Also, consider the date of the board exam, if it's August or February...because there IS a difference.

i didn't say anything like that AT ALL. that was a reply to some entirely different discussion. okay? :rolleyes:

@iwnt2bfree, a foreigner can sit for a licensure exam as long as his country also allows for Filipinos to take exams for practice in that country. Rule of reciprocity... which i discovered while "studying" legal med, haha :thumbup:

can't find the school rankings for the August 2009 Boards. i believe that's the best indicator for a good medical school. but i'm just so proud of the ~71% passing rate of my colleagues! (the link of those who passed can be found HERE (http://www.prcboardexamresults.com/august-2009-physicians-board-exam-results/).)

and to reiterate what our seniors and consultants have told us in the past, the board exams is NEVER a good indicator of how good you will be as a healer. my favorite neurosurgeon said, "being a topnotcher doesn't ensure a good practice."

what matters is what you do with that frikkin license! :D

pero still... IT FEELS SO GREAT TO HAVE PASSED! THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD! :laugh:

Saipan

08-30-2009, 07:20 PM

@iwnt2bfree, a foreigner can sit for a licensure exam as long as his country also allows for Filipinos to take exams for practice in that country. Rule of reciprocity... which i discovered while "studying" legal med, haha :thumbup:

Hahaha....nice try KC, but try to pull that one over on someone else.

Seriously, don't you think that we have all read the same (out of date!!!) textbooks by Solis. Those texts and the information within have absolutely no relevance.

What on earth is the rule of reciprocity? Interpretation is everything. Which interpretation should be used? Yours? Mine? The Supreme Court? Good luck to you on that. File a case today and the Supreme Court will make it's ruling about the time you retire. The rule of law in the PI is WEAK. (That's what allows Vicki Bello to stay in business).

They lecture about reciprocity in legal med, but did anyone in your class question the lecturer about what it actually means and how it is applied to foreigners? I bet not, because questions are generally frowned upon in a Filipino classroom. It upsets the status quo.

List the countries that have reciprocity with the PI? Where can such a list be found? How does a foreigner prove that his country has reciprocity with the PI? What's the process? When denied, what's the process of appeal?

Maybe you have the answers, but I have NEVER talked to anyone else that had them.

Your reference to the trivia contained in Solis obscures a fundamental truth. It is bascially impossible for a foreigner to sit a PI board exam.

"The Philippines for the Filipino."

Congrats on passing the board. Rote Memorization is a real talent.

Climb your way up the ladder and never question your superiors. Cory is dead and we haven't changed. :laugh:

Really, KC......:thumbdown

kittycrinkles

08-31-2009, 02:38 AM

I am not a lawyer but I learned legal med from one... surprise, NOT Solis. I suppose that shocks you? :rolleyes:

This is from our Medical Juris lecture:

R.A. No. 2382, which provides who may be candidates for the medical board examinations, merely requires a foreign citizen to submit competent and conclusive documentary evidence, confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), showing that his country's existing laws permit citizens of the Philippines to practice medicine under the same rules and regulations governing citizens thereof.Have you taken the Philippine boards? If yes, how long ago? Do indulge me with your experience. Because I don't think simple memorization can make a person pass it. That has never been the way we were taught in UP Med. ;)

And oh, it's been done. Foreigners have been given license to practice medicine in our country. As for the list and all your other questions, just ask a lawyer... and I'm sure he'd say he thinks it's time that Solis isn't the only thing doctors read for legal med and med juris.

tantrum

08-31-2009, 08:42 AM

There will be some reciprocity soon among ASEAN but I will believe it when I see some lists. I have an Indian and Pakistani classmates who were born and grew up in the Philippines but were not allowed to take the local boards (even with an internship there). Go figure. Maybe because nobody challenged PRC in court but I have not found a practitioner who is not a naturalized or dual citizen practicing there.

kittycrinkles

08-31-2009, 11:03 AM

i have gone through my old legal med notes and i found the case. Googled it for those who are interested to know of how reciprocity applies here (link for the Board of Medicine vs. Yasuyuki Ota case (http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/decisions.php?doctype=Decisions%20/%20Signed%20Resolutions&docid=12166851971186714988)). it's been done. just last 2008. so it definitely won't be found in Solis' books.

i understand this is already off-topic. well, it's an update on the law pertaining our profession. and what is medicine without constant updates, right? hehe

tantrum

08-31-2009, 12:41 PM

Just to continue to be OT:laugh: The Japanese guy finished medicine in 1991 and got his decision in 2008?? Yipeee!!!:laugh: Finally, he can practice.
However, the Japanese Government allows a foreigner to practice medicine in Japan after complying with the local requirements such as holding a valid visa for the purpose of taking the medical board exam, checking the applicant's qualifications to take the examination, taking the national board examination in Japanese and filing an application for the issuance of the medical license.
It might be legal but those Japanese requirements are freaking tough. It's very difficult to be proficient in Japanese to pass their exam plus the needed visa to take the exam (permanent residency). The Japanese guy got lucky as the Supreme Court did not have the common sense to see that it is VERY difficult to attain those requirements.

kittycrinkles

08-31-2009, 01:09 PM

but the requirements make sense. how else will you practice in japan if you don't speak japanese? the japanese aren't exactly good with english. it doesn't mean that just because the requirements are difficult to most filipino doctors, doesn't mean it can't be done. ;)

as for this thread, i believe the performance of medical schools are best assessed with the school rankings in the local board exams. after having gone through that hell recently, it is only now that i felt the years of "slavery" in medical school and the hospital (!!!) truly paid off to prepare me for getting this license.

so yes, working your ass off in your undergrad course to get accepted into a very competitive, good medical school is definitely highly advised. :thumbup:

tantrum

08-31-2009, 02:04 PM