filipino med schools [Archive] - Page 3 - Student Doctor Network Forums

DocTan

10-07-2005, 11:35 AM

I have a few questions regarding residencies and choosing a specialty. I hope someone can help.

From my understanding, IMGs have a harder time matching with the more competitive residencies (i.e. surgery) despite having competitive step 1 board scores. It would be naive of me to not think so. With that said, does anyone know with which residencies IMGs tend to have to most matching success here in the US?

Choosing a residency is a very important decision. However, some US residencies require you to do a US clerkship rotation in the field which you are applying. Unfortunately for people who are undecided such as myself, the clerkship year would have been an opportunity to make a better informed decision. The problem lies in the fact that you must apply for these US clerkship rotations in the middle of your 3rd year in the PI. How can one do so if he isn't sure of which specialty path to take? Were the first 2 and a half years of med school theory sufficient for you to discern where your true interest lies?

Finally, the reason why I'm asking these questions is because I am currently trying to decide where I should place St. Luke's on my priority list (that is IF I am fortunate enough to get accepted to PI med schools). I know they have a mandatory 5th year of rotations which turn some people off. Personally, I don't mind the extra year. I figure if I am going to spend 8+ years doing this, one more year couldn't hurt. Anyways, instead of doing a US rotation my 4th year, can they be done during the 5th year at St. Luke's?

Thanks to anyone who can help me with these questions!

Hi realbigchris!

I am currently a 4th year Fil-Am student from UERMMMC in quezon city. I have done my entire clerkship year in the United States (except for optha and com med). I have to say that the experience has been second to none. It is so different training in the States as compared to the PI. So many differences I can't discuss them all. One big advantage is getting US clinical experience on your resume. This is extremely important if you plan to ever practice in the US. Secondly, obtaining a Letter of Recommendation from a US physician is essential for getting into a residency program of your choice.
I would recommend going to UERMMMC because of the many affliations in the US. Currently you can do your clerkship at St. John's in NY, Mt Sinai Hospital in NY, and Norwegian Hospital in Chicago. I personally have rotated in St. John's for 6 months in surgery, IM, and Ob/Gyn. Mt. Sinai for 2 months in psychiatry and neurology, and Norwegian hospital 2 months in peds. This is as close to a US medical school as you can get coming from a Philippine school. Better than Fatima, UP, UST, or FEU.
I don't think any other school has that many affliations in the States and the tuition cost is relatively cheap. Imagine, you can attend Mt. Sinai (one of the best medical schools in the US) and get your foot in the door for residency. Next year, our dean will be allowing students to go to (Albert Einstein) Beth Israel in NY and possibly a hospital in California.
UERMMMC has been extremely helpful in catering to their Fil-Am students and have really helped us in getting residency in the States.
I am a fourth year student and I have passed Step 1/2CK/2CS before I have graduated because the school prepared me properly. I currently have 7 interview offers for general surgery and 2 in neurosurgery. I got these offers simply do to the fact that I had nearly a year US clinical experience, good USMLE scores, and LOR's from US physicians.
If you have an questions about our school or any questions regarding residency applications, send me a private message.

TheRealBigChris

10-07-2005, 02:48 PM

Thank you Markieboy and Doc Tan for the responses. I really appreciate it.

TheRealBigChris

10-07-2005, 04:12 PM

tantrum

10-08-2005, 03:23 PM

If any other fil-ams have had any clerkship time in the US, I would love to hear about your experience obtaining them. Doc Tan was very informative of his experience at UERM. If possible, I wouldn't mind hearing about US clerkship from the other schools as well (St. Luke's, FEU, UST, etc) from any alumni.

Doc Tan, I sent a private message since your post piqued my interest in your school.
St. Luke's is one of the few exception where they require the 5th year even for foreigners (UP is another school) to be able to graduate in their program.
If you want to do most of your clerkship in the US, then Fatima or UERM (Check with DocTan how he arranged for it) will be your options. Near the beginning of this thread, a certain doctor (SpartanDoc) from FEU did 2 rotations in NY but that was because he knows he want to go into Internal Medicine. Fatima I think will charge more than UERM if you want to do a lot of rotations in the US, so I would follow the advice of DocTan if i'm in your shoes. DocTan also took his Step 1 after his 2nd year but you have to ask him how he pulled that off as that would require a lot of discipline and extra review (maybe with Kaplan).

DocTan

10-10-2005, 10:24 AM

tantrum

10-10-2005, 01:32 PM

Hi all! I am pleased to report that I received a couple of more interview offers for general surgery. I am just so excited because I have been offered an interview to Yale for categorical general surgery. I hope I make it. Oh yeah, the other offer was from Union Memorial in Baltimore, MD.

With your good USMLE scores and mostly US rotations, I think you have a good chance of getting into a general surgery residency (categorical). Neurosurgery is tougher but not impossible.

TheRealBigChris

10-10-2005, 11:01 PM

Hey guys,

First of all, congrats to Doc Tan for getting more interviews. :clap:

Earlier in this thread, people have brought up PDAs and Pocket PCs. For anyone who has completed or is in the process of completing their med school education, do you think it is necessary to have a PDA?? If so, at what point during the 4 years would it be best to buy one?? I just don't want to be at a disadvantage if I don't have one while the majority of my batchmates do. However, I also don't want to waste money on something I might not need. What do you guys think?

yourmom

10-11-2005, 04:55 PM

Hey I'm new to all this and thank you everybody for posting valuable information, except for JOHNNY DRINKSAL who is probably 40, has no life and sits in his mother's basement joining chat rooms all day. Anyway, is anybody taking the NMAT in Chicago this October? Has anybody heard about how the April Nmat went? Any words of advice? I took the MCAT recently, however the NMAT seems totally different. Is there anything besides the practice test I can use to study with?

THANKS, YOURMOM

phlipsquad

10-15-2005, 08:50 PM

phlipsquad

10-15-2005, 08:59 PM

-thanks! i just knew how tough feu could be after my prelim exams.. coz you need to have alot of reference just to pass your exams.. and i mean just to pass! and the system now is way different than before. we have semestral subjects instead of yearly as was before. it means that, you should pass all of the subjects for the 1st sem. in order to get the subjects for 2nd sem. so i just hope the other freshmen are doing better at their school. so God bless to all of us! i know we can make it through!
hey hnery,
Med is hard we all know that, but thankfully,I feel alot more adjusted this time around. We already finished a semester (2 shifts) Whew! I hope u are adjusting as well.

GoldenAzn

10-18-2005, 01:20 PM

Well I'm going to try to answer some questions that people have..and so fort

First off Hi to everyone..and hope everyone is okay..now on to random questions. Also warning...don't get mad at me...i'm just going to give my opinions and hopefully you won't bash it.

As most schools go...since these are based on my experences or what i'm heard...so don't be mad again..since i know some from other school. These are from my friends who are filams from the schools I'm about to say.

FATIMA
Pros:
1) when based on going to US for the 4th year..don't forget Fatima. I met some who go there, and a 4th year who went back to the states for her 4th year. So UE isn't the only school i believe who has the 4th year in the states.
2) Well this years freshmen class...has advantages like basically foreigners are all in one class. Which can be helpful for some..so that's another thing you might wanna consider..because this is the only school i heard were they actually seperate the filams. So that's something you can consider if you don't know tagalog that much. Also you don't have to worry about learning tagalog i guess since you'll be going to america your 4th year
3) Also another thing to consider is basically if you haven't taken your NMAT or just got wait listed in a school in america..or didn't get in. FATIMA accepts people without having to take NMAT..i know becuase some of this years freshmen batch got in without taking NMAT
4) Also i think the pace of the classes are slower than others...like i remeber they didn't start doing dissections on the body for a long time...while others like UST and St. Luke were already at a different module. Also it seems they don't have to worry about classes that much..because they usually party during the time most of us are studying. Or from what i see..again not saying bad things. but it's just an observation. So you might wanna consider this if your a party animal. If you need more one and one help since class size is like i think 12 or less so i assume you have more attention. Also the pace probably will be doable.

St. Luke
Well don't know much about this since I really haven't met a filam yet from this school. Just know from bf from one of my submates...but i see them studying. So i assume class is hard. But i know they said class sizes are small since enrollment went down. There is this rumor to pass you need a 45 to pass..not sure about that? They do have a good hospital.

FEU
Only filam i know is a 3rd who i think is now a 4th year. So can't really describe a 1st year there.

UE
Only filam I know again is like a 3rd year. Sorry no 1st year yet.

So yeah you can see most of the filams know each other..or i think they do if they want to be known. I know mainly fatima people since i see them studyin with us. Also, we (Fatima and UST) go out sometimes together.

UST
Well this is my school..it's a very big class class. I think there is like 125 or so per section. Yes, we were one of the few schools that actually increased in numbers. So most of the filams have been divide based on their last names to section a to d. We know each other mostly...since section a and section c have the same schedule just that we flip our schedule like for example anatomy would be in the morning for sec a then section c will have it in the afternoon. So usually sec a and c hang out together, with b and d hanging out together. Or from what i see. I like how they mix the filams with the other members.
Now concerning the floods. Knock on wood...luckily i haven't really had that problem yet. Only one time comign home late did i have to go through a flood and it wasn't really high up to my ankles. But it's a real problem when you want to get a taxi..so blah. But that's the only problem i've had. We haven't really had a flood where they cancelled class. One time after school there was a big one...but still not what most of the upper years have talkeda bout..We have just been lucky. But like this might not be a problem in the future. Since they might be moving UST to another place away from Manila in the future from what they said in opening ceremony. But it won't be for another 4-5 years.
Also in our school, passing is like 65 which becomes translated to 75%. Now don't laugh..it's really harder than you think. A lot of my schoolmates beside of coures a select few are near that range. And be prepared for the worse grades you'll ever have. Becuase i remember laughing when i heard the numbers..since i've never had to worry about an overall semester grade of even near that range. But yes i'm one of the borderline ones. Thanks to getting adjusted to school, but i'm getting the hang now. Hopefully i didn't make a big hole hehe. But you remember how college was harder than highschool..think times 3 harder than college..i kid you not
Now, another thing that some have said about your classmates. Now UST i think can be considered like the Yale of the phillippines. You will have some really rich people as your classmates..as well as normal. I don't think you really have to worry about your classmates getting you for a green card. Well i'm basing this on UST of course, most have been to the states or are ballers. Well of course based on the friends i have, and yes some will be most westernized than some of the filams. From what i see..so don't be surprised by that.
Also about being close to your classmates, in our school you just do get close with them. It's really not advisable to alientate yourself or think your in a high horse. Becuase some are richer than most of the other filams i see. Also, they are very helpful in terms of getting past exams and also these summaries for your classes.

I really can't think of anything else..so just ask..i'll hopefully check once and awhile..sorry i get busy. But it's break for us now..so it's okay.

As to if you should know tagalog of not questions?

I'm basing this on UST of course, but yes it would be nice to know taglog. I would recommend actually know it. Becuase while yes they teach in English, sometimes they'll have jokes you won't know. Also, some professors do teach in tagalog also since i remember one of the foreign students argued one teach did. (really only one professor who is slightly old does teach in tagalog the rest are english only with jokes in tagalog) But, when you divide up into your subsection..that's when it's really important to know tagalog. Example when your dissecting the body..most of the time they'll teach in tagalog even the professors and your classmates which are comfortable in tagalog would teach each other in tagalog. So i think it would be good to know...for me i understand mostly so I get the jist and luckily i have a subsection who are really nice to me so they help me out. But to be honest...they will perfer tagalog than engligh. Also it'll be nice to know if you plan on going your 4th year in the hospitals here. But as soon as 2nd year you start needing to talk in tagalog in hopsital settings in UST..so just fyi.

As to question which technology you should need?
I'll go through some of the technology i think might be helpful
1. Flash Drive...yes something silly but it's a must. I'd recommend a 1 gb one. But the reason..say example some teacher has a lecture...of course if they are nice enough to give you the ppt. There is a mad rush the happens with flashdrives after. So I'd highly recommend this. Also good for transfering files sometiems between friends or like pictures that people take
2. IPod/some MP3 player...yes sound stupid again. But you don't understand how many hours you'll be studying. And if you study at starbucks or a coffee house like most of the filams do. The songs get retarded after awhile. But know yourself...if your going to stay at home and study by yourself..then you won't need this.
3. PDA..while i do have one...i really don't use it. Sometime i use it to look at pictures but as a first year student you won't really need it. I'll update on this when i go up in years..(hopefully that is..school is hard here)
4. Laptop...again know yourself. Some of my friends have one..i use a desktop becuase i perfer using one and don't like carrying it around becuase the books are hella heavy as it is. I usually go up to a internet cafe and just print up anythign i need. There are usually one around. For me i usually use my computer just to surf the net at my place and get emails from my classmates or files they send thorugh our yahoo groups..Yahoo messenger since they use it loads here and each section has a yahoo group to post info.files.
5. Printer...now you might be asking me why this fool is saying this. I'd recommend having a printer that is an all in one. So that you can copy thing..like samplexs and what not. Yes, i own one..and yes i copy a lot of stuff on it. Also they have ink and powder copy here...let just say ink copy is so cheap and after a few copies...it becomes really bad. So i'd recommend copying from home if you can...but again it's rare. I usually do it in school..but just one thing to consider. And if you do get a printer...get a canon..not telling you it's awesome...but let's just say if you want to refill the ink cartrages it's cheaper. Here in the phillippines they have actually stores where they just fill up your old ink cartrages so it saves you money. If you go that route.
6. Camera...i'd recommend getting a good digital camera with a good video on it. Try to get one with a bigger than 30 second video..i luckily have a cannon and it has like 3 mins video so check before you buy. Becuase i use my camera to video like people point out structures so as to quiz myself. Also use it get pictures. Due note though...people do give out pictures so like it's not like it's a must have.

GoldenAzn

10-18-2005, 01:22 PM

Hello,

I posted this on a thread, but was anxious to hear from someone. Read a couple of your posts and seems like you're a Fil-Am that's attended/still attending UST.

I wanted to know if it was difficult adjusting to life in the Philippines. I was born there, but left at a young age. I've vacationed there, but spent most of it in air conditioned homes, cars, malls, etc., i.e., never exprienced true weather. I know money goes a long way in terms of comfort, but I personally will have some financial constraints. So... before I commit to 4 or 5 years there, I'd like to hear the worst case scenarios. Of course I'm committed to med and it'll be more than worth it, but... just want to be prepared. BTW, I do speak Tagalog so figure that'll go a long way.

More specifically, heard there is flooding in the UST area... is it really so common, and how severe? Are there affordable, safe, quiet living accomodations nearby?

Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks much.

Now to answer someones pm..which i think would be helpful for others...

Since you know tagalog..you'll be fine really. Only ones who have a problem are filams who don't really. But you get buy of course

Well adjusting..there are lots of thing.
1. Getting used to the peso rate...because i'm used to dollars all my life..it's one of the things i still ahve problem. I usually adjust to dollars still.
2. Airconitioned areas...well while yes it's a 3rd world country. It does get really bad and you need to get use to the warmer weather for awhile. When your outside you sweat. But like when you go to school...normally classes are cool and you don't have to worry about it. For me only during anatomy lab do i have problems with it being hot since it's not really aircondition since they have to ventilate it. Also we study at like coffee places..so yeah it's airconditioned. We even call one starbucks..the frozen tundra..and yes i bring a thick sweater there when i study. For school..you don't ahve to worry about it..it's just when your out of the building..and when i go to like malls and stuff i really don't sweat so don't know..unless you sweat a lot. It's not really a problem...only when your not indoors.
3. Let see going out...hmm you'll have to say goodbye to most of your beers...but like san mig isn't all that bad. Also it's cheaper if you get local stuff.. Movie theaters are nicer..but sometiems they have retarded film version that skip sometimes litterally..which irritates me. Since i got here some movies come here immediately like star wars 3 came fast and others that are important lets say. Like harry potter will be here the opening week...some of course really take a long time. Like example fever pitch..was in dvd in the states and like just came out last month.
4. Financially look into a stafford loan..for schooling...some of my friends have it. It'll help..since it's like 18,500 i think subsidized and unsubsidzed
5. Cell phone..i'd be honest go to tmobile get the phone you like there or any other company that uses sim..get it fixed and work over here. It's basically the same. I remember someone telling me dont' worry about phones it's cheaper in the phillippines...blah. There are ones over in teh states i like from tmobile like the sidekick..that you can't find here really.
6. One thing that you really have to get used to is wearing uniforms...it get's very bland after awhile. While yes..you know exactly what to wear when you wake up...it gets boring. Also seeing the opposite sex...yeah...not flatter for girls lets just say. That's a big adjustment hahah since i'm used to having color in my life...not just white.
7. Dating...ask your parents or friends...litterally big adjustment...courting girls...dating in general...like for example depending on the type of girl you going out with..the good girls...getting the first kiss can be a good bit of a wait..not like in the states were you can get it in the first date.
8. Getting a haircut..man it can take awhile..since yeah..they use scissors sometimes instead of the razors..even if they have one...and it's much better haircut and cleaner well to me. But you might need to bring a picture of what you want..because they might not know what hair style you have or want. hahah that was one of my big adjustment..took awhile to find one who knows what i want and can do it well
9. Taxi..that's what is my worse experience...since they hella get picky sometimes if you wanna go somewhere so sometiems it takes awhile to find one who'll get you from UST to wherever. Worse case was waiting like 1 hour outside for a silly cab. Generally going from Makati or whatever to UST it's pretty fast. Some have drivers..i'm considreing getting a car myself haha.
10. Books..of course it's weird here..some are xeroxed some are international version. But i would recommend a good anatomy book with pictures from the states...of course grey's is good but it's hella big. There is one that is really good i'd recommend..since i'm borrowing it from one of teh 2nd years..it has a good disccected versoin for anatomy practicals.
11. Directions/Map..since i'm one of those that drive in teh staes i get used to streets and stuff because i drive it and learn it myself. When i'm in a cab, i get lazy so usually talk or whatever so i still knwo what it looks like if i'm going the right way..but don't know the streets i'm drving at...i got to get better at that haah

To be honest...i really don't have any problems here. It's okay here...just got to get used to things. Your dollar stretches farther...but like don't ask me really. I sort of work still in the dollar world here..so i don't have that much problems when it comes to worry about money. So my experience wouldn't be really good to compare too. Because typical schedule honestly is school..go to a coffee house in another part via taxi...during the weekend i'm usually in makati. Going out usually da fort or makati. Luckily knock on wood nothing really bad has happened to me. After getting used to thing so course. Going out is fun when you go out...if you go to ust..you'll have a good filam base since it's one of the bigger population out here. From what i see..since we all go out or from the ones that do on the occasional week we can go out..which honestly isn't. Also if your from a big city...then club fees are really cheap..sometimes i just spend 30 dollars on drinks and entrance..even if we go to a karokee bar..somethign you got to get used to hhahah. I think honestly you'll enjoy it here..remember 1 year in america medical school...literally is 4 years in school here...that's a big point you need to really consider.

Question about safe, living.
Yeah..they have guards...just know which type of person you are first when you decide to look for place to stay. If you are the type that study with groups..then don't go crazy with a nice place just something nice. becuase honestly sometimes you only come home just to sleep, shower, and change of clothes. Some places even have liek a study area in the actual building which is nice since you can mingle with others and just go downstairs to study. If your that type of person of course...just know what type of person you are. As compare to afforadable...like it ranges of course...but you can find one like less than $200 american if you want to be alone...of course sharing makes it loads cheaper. Really just ask one of us if you really are consdiering which place to stay at. Just make sure it's high. Some of my friends live in condos nearby which are nice.

Now something you might want to look into while still in the states:
The biggest hastle some of my friends have is Student VISA and immigration. Ask phlipsquad about this, but it's hella a problem for some of my friends. For me luckily when i was asked what i was goign to declare if dual citizen or student my dad called one of his friends and had it done the next day.

But some of my friends have to pay stupid fees, have to go through stupid hassles, skip class sometimes just to do paperword or checkups or what not. I really don't know honestly. Also, you'd have to go through these hassle a lot. I have one friend who pays like every 2 months like 100 american becuase of her student visa thing. Or from what i'm told she's a filam who is from china..so dont' know if that made a difference. It's like a cash cow for them i think.

But if you decide to consider looking into dual citizenship...go to one of the embassy in america. I heard from another filam, it took him 1 week for it get done there. Which i would highly recommend, unless you know people of course i guess..not sure about this one. But in the phillippines, i was told it was suppose to take roughly 6 months.

Also as to the foreign fee in UST being decreased...even if your dual citizen..they have one loop hole which u can't go around. I tried becuase i don't like wasting money and was hoping to get a fee less thatn 10k american. But the loop hole the got me...even though i was dual citizen is i graduated from a foreign school. So yeah..that will stop you unless you went to school in the phillippines like some of the filam or foreign students (like korean, chinese, arabic country, india, and etc) transfered here (like UST or some other school) sometimes just for their last year to go around that loophole.

Well i think that answers most of the stuff..i hope it help..sorry everyone for two loooooong post..have fun and ingat

GoldenAzn

TheRealBigChris

10-18-2005, 09:54 PM

Hey GoldenAzn or anyone in the know,

I, too, heard about the hassle of having the student visa. However, I do have a question concerning the dual citizenship. Lets say you obtain your dual citizenship, graduate from med school, then come back to the US to practice. Are you still subject to the Philippines income tax?? Or are you immune if you work in a different country?? I just don't want to be paying income taxes to two countries in the long run.

PhiPsi1

10-19-2005, 12:39 PM

just wanted to see from med students from the philippines that are FILAMS if the admissions commitees at schools like UE and UST are strict on their percentile cutoffs for gaining acceptances for the school. OR is it basically a formality because the schools wouldn't want to turn down the $10,000 donation fee. so basically, filams, out of formality sake is required to the NMAT?

tantrum

10-19-2005, 02:59 PM

TheRealBigChirs - All Filipinos who work overseas don't pay taxes to the Philippines.

PhiPsi1 - UST is strict with it's cutoff score. As you can see from the post of GoldenAzn, passing each year is a struggle and definitely not a piece of cake.

For people who are going to Fatima just to party, it's still advisable to study hard. Just use your extra time to prepare well for the USMLE. Use your time well and gear your studies for the USMLE, otherwise you are just wasting your time and money there.

dcque

10-19-2005, 08:29 PM

For all you medical students that plan to study near the university belt, and need a place to stay, please check out www.ubelt.net. It is walking distance to San Beda & FEU and not far from UST and UE. It is very secure as it is located inside the Malacanang Palace compound ( presidential palace ).

surething1

10-21-2005, 03:08 PM

I am aware that U.S. citizens can recieve financial aid to attend FATIMA. I am also aware that you can borrow up to $18,500 through sub and unsub loans through the dept. of education. Does anyone know if you can borrow the entire amount (18,500) as a student at FATIMA or is the student aid budget for foreigners at that school less then that? I am curious as their site says you can attend for 9,000 including room and board. If anyone is familiar with this aspect of financial aid please let me know. thanks.

bleudsky

10-22-2005, 04:37 AM

something out of topic..

ENJOY YOUR SEM BREAK!

coz when you're already in the hospital (especially during clerkship year), you'll be definitely looking/wishing for it.

masaya

10-23-2005, 09:23 PM

DocTan

10-24-2005, 07:35 AM

First off, CONGRATS! Sounds like a dream come true... Was hoping you could share a little about the cost of doing 4th year in the US thru UERM. I know they let you do the whole year in the US thru an affiliate. So, besides cost of living, are there additional expenses, i.e., higher tuition or extra program costs? Thanks in advance...

AND, congrats again. That is mind boggling to me that you at least have the opportunity to interview with Yale... I mean, YALE! Best of luck and look forward to future posts w/ updates.

Hi masaya!. Masaya ako din! Yale is definitely a dream come true. I have my interview on Jan 18th. Unfortunately, I am from california and I would like to be closer to home so U of Washington is my first choice right now.

Tuition cost in the US. UERM requires that we pay for our tuition at UERM and the cost of tuition in the US. This required for CHED since we are still under UERM while rotating in the US. Here is a break down of the entire cost for my 4 years in the PI (tuition only)...gimmicks not included...hehe!

1st year- 55,000 pesos/sem= 110,000/yr + $10,000 donation fee for non-Filipino citizens.
2nd year- 58,000 pesos/sem= 116,000/yr
3rd year- 62,000 pesos/sem= 124,000/yr
4th year- 66,000 pesos/sem= 132,000/yr + $6250 tuition fee for St. john's + $600 tuition fee at Mt. Sinai school of Medicine (2 rotations) + unknown cost for Norwegian American Hospitals (haven't paid yet).

St. John's- $250/wk (ie 6 months rotation is $6000)
Mt. Sinai- $300/4wks (ie 8 weeks is $600)
Norwegian American Hospital- unknown. I will get back to you on that.

I know that it is more expensive to rotate in the US. But it was well worth it for me. I got a letter of recommendation from the Chairmen at St. John's and he even call Yale for me to give me a high recommendation. I tried to get our chief of clinicals at UERM to call, but the Program Director at Yale said UERM? Who? Where???? if you get my point. So US clinical experience is essential in getting into a competitive specialty. FP, IM, Peds, or any primary care residency might be easier to get into and USCE is not as important. In the end, it is all up to you and what you goals are.

surething1

10-26-2005, 09:37 AM

Just wondering if anyone out there has any information regarding Silliman University Medical School. Please pm me if you know anything good or bad.

hnerypaoho

10-26-2005, 04:34 PM

-hi guys! how's life for the past month? i hope you guys are still hanging around! anyways, have a great sem. break vacation! coz we deserve this break! and for those who didn't do good from last sem.. don't give up! just try harder next sem. just try to remember that good doctors aren't the ones who aced the all the subjects in med school. but the ones who are really passionate for thier work and who truly do care ofr their patients. Happy halloween!

tantrum

10-26-2005, 07:08 PM

Just wondering if anyone out there has any information regarding Silliman University Medical School. Please pm me if you know anything good or bad.
Silliman is a good in many programs (Nursing, Accounting, and other courses) but their medical school just started. So the jury is still out and we may not know for a few years.

masaya

10-27-2005, 08:25 PM

GoldenAzn

10-29-2005, 01:11 PM

So I've finally clued in to the fact that this is THE forum to get quick, informative replies re: filipino med schools. Thx again to Golden for replying to my PM re: adj to life in the PI... and to DocTan about 4th yr costs in the US.

Hopefully someone can answer this one... is it possible to defer one year if accepted to UST? I'd love to go next year, but my life's a tad tipsy turvy these days, so I might not be able to start until June 2007. I figured I'd apply just in case, but if I can't defer, that doesn't seem practical given all tedious steps involved because I'm a "foreign student".

BTW, I'm sure most people already know this, but UERM is not eligible for U.S. fed loans. Was waiting for in-person visits before deciding between UST and UE, but guess I'll just be applying to UST. Hope I get in :p

One of my friends told me she got in the year before..but decide to go the next year.. she's in my class with us right now. But she got accepted the year before i believe. So just asked them if it's okay, or that your considering going the year after for ust that is.

Yeah UERM isn't one of the schoool that does the fafsa..it's only like fatima and ust i believe that does the stafford loan if that is one thing your considering for going to med school in the phillippines. I believe also filam wise there are more filams in ust from what i get..and it does help having something in common to be honest. Well if there are UE filams they are really quiet and don't go out much..from what i see since i only know one ue person. But depends on you. if it really makes an effect. Well good luck whatever you decide. Take care.

DocTan

10-29-2005, 02:32 PM

One of my friends told me she got in the year before..but decide to go the next year.. she's in my class with us right now. But she got accepted the year before i believe. So just asked them if it's okay, or that your considering going the year after for ust that is.

Yeah UERM isn't one of the schoool that does the fafsa..it's only like fatima and ust i believe that does the stafford loan if that is one thing your considering for going to med school in the phillippines. I believe also filam wise there are more filams in ust from what i get..and it does help having something in common to be honest. Well if there are UE filams they are really quiet and don't go out much..from what i see since i only know one ue person. But depends on you. if it really makes an effect. Well good luck whatever you decide. Take care.

GoldenAzn and Masaya are right. Fatima and UST are the only medical schools in the PI that are eligible for Federal Aid. So if you need Financial Aid I would recommend going to those two schools. And GoldeAZn...thats funny that UERM students are quiet...because PBL gives us so much time to go out. I think I went out every weekend for my three years at UERM. Too bad I didn't get to meet you. :)

masaya

10-29-2005, 06:56 PM

TheRealBigChris

10-29-2005, 09:33 PM

Hey guys,

Just curious about everyone's CV. I know med school is generally a busy time for everyone but did any of you guys do any extracurriculars to fatten your CV a bit such as volunteer/community work or research? Or do most people's CVs consist of just class grades and clerkship grades?

Masaya - good luck on the nmat.... I'll be taking it next saturday in LA too

GoldenAzn

10-30-2005, 01:42 AM

Thx for the reply Golden... I'm waiting for an email reply from Dr. Mercado for details about the deferral, but get kind of impatient for answers sometimes. Relieved to hear about your friend's experience. It would be kind of a hassle and impractical to re-do all those notorized docs and the police clearance. But I did take the advice on the dual citizenship... took less than a week but I'm sure will save lots of further problems.

Anyway, HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone. Although, I'm personally semi-cramming for NMAT and skipping the costume parties... which I know is lame, but oh well. Just timed myself today and I'm not finishing those stupid puzzles in time. Good luck to everyone else taking the NMAT in LA next Sat :)

It might take awhile for the reply maybe becuase we're on break right now for classes.

Gl on anyone taking the NMAT soon.

Hehhe..maybe it's becuase we study at the same starbucks typically and UE studies somewhere else hehe. We do occasionally go out together..saying fatima and ust...but i dunno if that's because those two schools generally have a bigger filam class..so i'm not sure.

masaya

11-01-2005, 09:47 PM

In case anyone else wanted to know about deferring, this was the response from Dr. Mercado from UST:

[You'd better wait till you are sure about your plans. You might just be wasting time and effort if you apply now and not really enroll.

The police clearance must be from your present residence.*

We always keep the documents in cases such as yours who may defer their enrollment. However, you need to re-apply.

Dr Mercado]

* This was addressing my question to him about moving to another state w/in the year.

AurA

11-07-2005, 04:05 AM

any third years here from UST? just want to ask if you still use Bates' Guide to Phusical Exam and History taking in Medicine II and if that's what you studied for all the shifting exams. I never really paid that much attention to it and i think i'm paying the price!!! please help!

thirdclius

11-09-2005, 08:33 PM

tantrum

11-10-2005, 08:49 AM

Thanks Masaya for informing us that only UST and Fatima are FAFSA eligible.
I want to know how people pay for UERM, FEU, DLSU, etc.? I want to attend UERM (because of PBL) but I cannot pay for it from my own pocket and noone can help me pay for it. Are Fil-Ams studying at UERM or DLSU paying from their (or mom/dad's) pockets? Can we use private loans? If not then I guess its just UST and Fatima for me.
This is from a previous post of GoldenAzn (It's not only Fatima and UST)
[QUOTE] I don't know if this helps but these are the school in the phillipines that are Title IV schools.

UST, Angeles University Foundation, Asian Institution of Managment(no Med School), FATIMA, and SILLIMAN.

So you know fatima isn't the only one if stafford loan (financial aid in the us) is an implication of basis for you choosing which school to attend.[/QUOTE}

GoldenAzn

11-11-2005, 02:36 AM

This is from a previous post of GoldenAzn (It's not only Fatima and UST)
[QUOTE] I don't know if this helps but these are the school in the phillipines that are Title IV schools.

UST, Angeles University Foundation, Asian Institution of Managment(no Med School), FATIMA, and SILLIMAN.

So you know fatima isn't the only one if stafford loan (financial aid in the us) is an implication of basis for you choosing which school to attend.[/QUOTE}

The reason why i put UST and Fatima as the schools for stafford loan was becuase of the fact they were medical school you might be looking into. Silliman i'm not so sure if they have a medical school or not yet...and don't know exactly that you can get a stafford loan for that.

Trust me...getting your school recognize by your state is hard. I was the only one from florida so far..so it's hella hard to get it done. Took a whole semester and just got the forms finally signed. Sad part it was one hella form..stupid. And sent it fedex...so basically that's info for you. But like for schools where there are typical filams coming here..like california, new york, and new jersey it was easy for them. They just had to sign one form and send it. That's assuming someone from an earlier year did the hard work of doing the paperwork and get yoru school recognize. Each state has to recognize your school...unless someone has before...since the state's educational department (or somethign like that) will be your guarator for the lease..through stafford loan. Also know..you are probably going to be your own financial aid person..and doing the hard work. My old school they did everything...but some school in us...you were the financial aid person for paperwork sending and filling out..so don't know how use to doing student aid are you. Also who knows you might actually get grants depending if you qualify for any from the states. Sorry i don't know how this work..i wasn't qualified for it.

As to concern about other school..since one of the peeps here are considering UERM for medical school and are worried about funding. I assume either mom or dad..or someone else is paying for their stuff. OR...they got a private loan. Or you can use credit cards...but of course that's hella stupid since the interests rates will kill you. Becuase i think one of the options was to pay your tution through a credit card if you want...well in ust when i enrolled it was.

One of my friends, who is a filam, chosed to get a private loan for his own reason. But of course you can shop probably better for a low interest rate which is good. Anyways, he is attending UST right now with a private loan..so if your credit is good..or your parent's or someone yet again can get it..then you can pay through private loan. I don't think any of the schools really care how you pay for it..as long as you have the money.

Reason why some people are interested in going through the Stafford loan is the loan interest rate...for one thing. The other reason is the fact the subsidized loan of up to 8,500 i believe it is...the government pays for your interest rates while you in school. So let say it takes you 4 years to go to school here..so that's 34,000 which is pretty nice..considering that's one year of medical school for a public or something in US. When you graduate you own still like 34,000 and the interest starts then..compare to if you had get interest compounded. Also another reason why people choose the stafford loan is the fact they won't have to pay until like i think 6 months after you graduate..sorry i don't really know i've never took a loan before. So that's the two reason why one might choose the stafford loan the money save from not having to pay for interest for the first 8,500...and then also not having to pay one payment til a few months after you graduate. Final reason would be some people...not saying you would..but some don't have a good credit history because of whatever reason so they can't get a private loan. But that's the reason why a stafford is better i guess..not sure if anyone has any other reasons.

Also you can still of course get like 10k more for unsubsidized for a total of 18,500...but like it has interest added on it for the 10k. But you don't have to pay til like after you graduate again...unless you choose the option of paying while in school..up to you of course.

But looking at the private loan. Of course you have to pay for every penny including the interest while your in school. Also, you have to factor the fact someone...if not you..have to pay for the loan already..they might wait of course..but i don't think any private loan will wait 4 years or so for you to graduate then you have to pay the first time. Besides the fact that you have to get a loan every year..which can be a hassle..unless of course you get one loan one time. But again i've never really taken a loan in my life..so like i'm not the one who can answer this good.

Also...a little added stuff about PBL..I'm basing this on the 4th years i met. But they told me they couldn't take the usmle part 1 (until your done with school) becuase with the pbl circulum you won't be prepared for it by the end of your 2nd year. But of course that's only pretains to you if your considering taking the first part at the end of 2nd year. I heard of some who take the first part pass it with a great score and try to come back to the states. But of course that is hard to do. UST was PBL but changed to integrated i believe.

Good luck whichever you decide on...it's really you that can make or break you. Hope my little two cent helps some. Take care

bleudsky

11-12-2005, 05:06 AM

Also...a little added stuff about PBL..I'm basing this on the 4th years i met. But they told me they couldn't take the usmle part 1 (until your done with school) becuase with the pbl circulum you won't be prepared for it by the end of your 2nd year.

true! but some plan to take the 1st step of the USMLE prior to the local boards so that their review will be like "hitting 2 exams with just 1 review" (or something to that effect).

Saipan

11-13-2005, 06:48 AM

A big thank you to Tantrum for clearing up the question about which schools are eligible for US financial aid. I think that information is also posted deep in the old posts. But instead of searching and reading, people were just posting what they thought was true and presenting it as fact. I hope those people are suitably embarrassed.

Which is better? Traditional or PBL? Well, in MY OPINION...neither. These are teaching methods from that great waffling discipline known as Education. Education as a discipline is the unending search to try to make learning easier. And, in my opinion (again), it is the discipline most prone to trends, fashions, and politics.

Perhaps one has the edge over the other, much as powerpoint presentations are a little snappier that old-fashioned transparencies. But try not to let this questions make you lose track of what's REALLY important...competent teaching, and (most important!) lots and lots of hard work on the part of the student.

If you think that the Traditional/PBL question is an important one, then bone up on the history of educational teaching methods in America over the last fifty years. You will see that the same methods come and go, change names, get combined, go out of fashion, come back into fashion...etc. All in the rather naive hope that we can somehow take the hard work out of study.

If someone is in a PBL program and they tell you that it is easier than traditional, then I suggest that you tell them that they are missing the point of the PBL structure and that they are probably not studying hard enough (geniuses excepted).

Does PBL prepare you for the USMLE? Sure it does. Most definitely, for Step 1 anyway. Take a review manual for the USMLE, Step 1. Read the sample tests. Categorize the questions. You will find that the questions match up with the 1st and 2nd year curriculum in both Traditional and PBL.

Of course, the USMLE also requires a great deal of study outside of class time, whether you are in a Trad or PBL program.

I find that most students attending Filipino med schools are afraid of the USMLE. Also it's quite expensive. So, if a student hasn't prepared properly, then the only rational thing to do is to postpone taking it for a while. But too many students seem to postpone, and postpone, and postpone, and then take Step 1 at the end of fourth year or later.

Hey, I sympathize. I can procrastinate with the best of them, but don't let those fourth year students talk you into believing that the curriculum is the problem. They are just rationalizing, and that is a defence mechanism, and that's a part of first year curriculum in both Trad and PBL, and that's a USMLE Step 1 topic.

Don't believe me...pick up a review manual and check for yourselves!

fozzy40

12-22-2005, 07:29 AM

Thank you for your help. I am still waiting for response from the schools.

GoldenAzn

12-29-2005, 01:24 AM

Thank you for your help. I am still waiting for response from the schools.

Gl on getting in.

bleudsky

12-29-2005, 08:11 PM

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! :)

rencelyn08

01-12-2006, 02:08 PM

Hi spartan Doc, i am just new here,, i just want to ask you if you have any idea about my situation,,i am from the philippines and i studied my first year college at FEU, i want to apply there again, i'm currently enrolled here at OCC in Los Angeles,i'm just hoping to come back,tnx for ur time,

jokii2ash

01-26-2006, 03:41 PM

Hi everyone,

If you attend UST, will you be ready to take the USMLE after your 2nd year? How many fil-ams at UST students have actually done that?

Duncan MacLeod

03-08-2006, 12:40 PM

Error: Wrong Forum

Bali Guy

03-08-2006, 06:53 PM

I have pretty much decided to apply to Fatima, but I still have a number of questions Specific to OLFU, is there anyone here from Fatima that can asist me? I would be very gratefull. Thank You! :)

surghan

03-10-2006, 05:57 AM

I am also thinking aobut applying to medical school out there. the person I talk to in newYork favoring Fatima(might be shool representative). I do not know about the quality of school, however when I talk to several immigrant from there, they are indicating that Fatima is not a good school. I think the only way to find out is to visit school or possibly find a graduate. let me konw about your decision.

hi mas...if youre considering to pursue med, i think you better keep your options open, and Ask students who actually go there (not school representatives). and if you're willing to pay a lot amount of money for med, think u better search for Quality schools.

surghan

03-10-2006, 06:02 AM

Hi everyone,

If you attend UST, will you be ready to take the USMLE after your 2nd year? How many fil-ams at UST students have actually done that?

is usmle applicable for fil-am students or aslo for locals?

tantrum

03-10-2006, 07:33 AM

Hi everyone,

If you attend UST, will you be ready to take the USMLE after your 2nd year? How many fil-ams at UST students have actually done that?
Some students there said they took it after their 3rd year as some subjects are not yet covered during their 2nd year. Most local students actually take it after their graduation.

tantrum

03-10-2006, 07:34 AM

is usmle applicable for fil-am students or aslo for locals?
It's for anyone who wants to do their residency in the US (locals or Fil-Ams). Most locals do it after their boards or internship.

bleudsky

03-14-2006, 02:52 AM

Congratulations to all my fellow Doctors of Medicine who'll be graduating this month & next month!!

DocTan

03-21-2006, 04:07 PM

Hi Folks...well I have been posting on this link for awhile. I think my journey started 2 years ago when I started posting about the USMLE step 1. I hope all my past posts have been helpful. I am here to share my experience with the match and how I got a residency position in the USA.

First of all, I would like to say that it is possible to match right after you graduate from a Philippine med school. So Senior-Internship is not required (I'm speaking to the US citizens/GC). Visa holders are a whole other story. I started out by taking my USMLE steps early. I took step 1 after 2nd year, step 2ck during 3rd year and step 2cs during 4th year. (I have to mention that all steps must be completed before dec 31st of the year before you are planning to graduate...ie for me dec 2005).

What may complicate matching right after you graduate is interviewing with the prospective hospitals that you applied to. I am fortunate because I was able to do my junior internship year in the US so I was able to attend my inteviews without too much trouble. If you do your entire J-I in the Philippines I guess matching is not a possibility or will be an extreme challenge. If you can't do your entire year in the US at least try to do some of the clinicals in the US during the months of Nov-Jan because this is the time hospitals will interview for the match. I recommend being in the states during this time.

The most important thing to do in order to get matched from a Philippine school is:
1. get your application in on the first day ERAS can send your application to the hospitals applied to.(ie I recommend having at least your step 1 and 2ck scores in before sept 1).
2. Apply to a broad spectrum of hospitals-community based and university based. (ie spend the money to apply to as many hospitals as your wallet can afford).
3. Attend all of the interviews you are invited to. The more interviews the more hospitals you can rank
4. Prepare for the interviews (ie know why you want to go into a certain specialty) You can use Iserson's guide to getting into a residency.
5. Lastly, rank as many hospitals that you are comfortable going to. The more on your ROL the better chance you have of matching.

These are the steps that I did. I am sure their are other ways of doing it. But I found success with this formula. I ended up matching at Temple University, Categorical General Surgery.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

gil t azel

03-26-2006, 11:54 AM

Hi Folks...well I have been posting on this link for awhile. I think my journey started 2 years ago when I started posting about the USMLE step 1. I hope all my past posts have been helpful. I am here to share my experience with the match and how I got a residency position the USA.

First of all, I would like to say that it is possible to match right after you graduate from a Philippine med school. So Senior-Internship is not required (I'm speaking to the US citizens/GC). Visa holders are a whole other story. I started out by taking my USMLE steps early. I took step 1 after 2nd year, step 2ck during 3rd year and step 2cs during 4th year. (I have to mention that all steps must be completed before dec 31st of the year before you are planning to graduate...ie for me dec 2005).

What may complicate matching right after you graduate is interviewing with the prospective hospitals that you applied to. I am fortunate because I was able to do my junior internship year in the US so I was able to attend my inteviews without too much trouble. If you do your entire J-I in the Philippines I guess matching is not a possibility or will be an extreme challenge. If you can't do your entire year in the US at least try to do some of the clinicals in the US during the months of Nov-Jan because this is the time hospitals will interview for the match. I recommend being in the states during this time.

The most important thing to do in order to get matched from a Philippine school is:
1. get your application in on the first day ERAS can send your application to the hospitals applied to.(ie I recommend having at least your step 1 and 2ck scores in before sept 1).
2. Apply to a broad spectrum of hospitals-community based and university based. (ie spend the money to apply to as many hospitals as your wallet can afford).
3. Attend all of the interviews you are invited to. The more interviews the more hospitals you can rank
4. Prepare for the interviews (ie know why you want to go into a certain specialty) You can use Iserson's guide to getting into a residency.
5. Lastly, rank as many hospitals that you are comfortable going to. The more on your ROL the better chance you have of matching.

These are the steps that I did. I am sure their are other ways of doing it. But I found success with this formula. I ended up matching at Temple University, Categorical General Surgery.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Congratulations DocTan. What’s the difference between a preliminary and categorical residency?

DocTan

03-26-2006, 11:36 PM

Congratulations DocTan. What’s the difference between a preliminary and categorical residency?

categorical means that you matched into a 5 year program. That means you will finished the program and will not be kicked out after 1 year. (ie that is if you don't mess up too bad). For surgery this is important because most surgery programs elimated the pyramid system and all categoricals who start will become chief and graduate.

prelim means that you are only guaranteed 1 year of internship/residency. You may be offered a 2nd or 3rd year of residency and in some cases prelims prove themselves and become categoricals but their is no guarantee to become a chief and graduate the program.

hnerypaoho

03-28-2006, 06:18 PM

categorical means that you matched into a 5 year program. That means you will finished the program and will not be kicked out after 1 year. (ie that is if you don't mess up too bad). For surgery this is important because most surgery programs elimated the pyramid system and all categoricals who start will become chief and graduate.

prelim means that you are only guaranteed 1 year of internship/residency. You may be offered a 2nd or 3rd year of residency and in some cases prelims prove themselves and become categoricals but their is no guarantee to become a chief and graduate the program.

-hi, i would just like to ask about the process for non-US citizen to get a spot for residency in the US. is it conplicated or it's really tough? thanks

thirdclius

03-29-2006, 12:40 AM

Congratulations DocTan! We're so proud of you!! :thumbup:
Mabuhay si DocTan! ;)
Hi Folks...well I have been posting on this link for awhile. I think my journey started 2 years ago when I started posting about the USMLE step 1. I hope all my past posts have been helpful. I am here to share my experience with the match and how I got a residency position the USA.

First of all, I would like to say that it is possible to match right after you graduate from a Philippine med school. So Senior-Internship is not required (I'm speaking to the US citizens/GC). Visa holders are a whole other story. I started out by taking my USMLE steps early. I took step 1 after 2nd year, step 2ck during 3rd year and step 2cs during 4th year. (I have to mention that all steps must be completed before dec 31st of the year before you are planning to graduate...ie for me dec 2005).

What may complicate matching right after you graduate is interviewing with the prospective hospitals that you applied to. I am fortunate because I was able to do my junior internship year in the US so I was able to attend my inteviews without too much trouble. If you do your entire J-I in the Philippines I guess matching is not a possibility or will be an extreme challenge. If you can't do your entire year in the US at least try to do some of the clinicals in the US during the months of Nov-Jan because this is the time hospitals will interview for the match. I recommend being in the states during this time.

The most important thing to do in order to get matched from a Philippine school is:
1. get your application in on the first day ERAS can send your application to the hospitals applied to.(ie I recommend having at least your step 1 and 2ck scores in before sept 1).
2. Apply to a broad spectrum of hospitals-community based and university based. (ie spend the money to apply to as many hospitals as your wallet can afford).
3. Attend all of the interviews you are invited to. The more interviews the more hospitals you can rank
4. Prepare for the interviews (ie know why you want to go into a certain specialty) You can use Iserson's guide to getting into a residency.
5. Lastly, rank as many hospitals that you are comfortable going to. The more on your ROL the better chance you have of matching.

These are the steps that I did. I am sure their are other ways of doing it. But I found success with this formula. I ended up matching at Temple University, Categorical General Surgery.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

DocTan

03-30-2006, 09:10 AM

-hi, i would just like to ask about the process for non-US citizen to get a spot for residency in the US. is it conplicated or it's really tough? thanks

Hi Henry. I hope your are doing well over at FEU. US citizens/GC holders have a slight advantage over those who are seeking visas. However, if you view the 2006 match stats, US IMG's vs non-US IMG's, the matching percentages were almost the same. (ie USIMG's 50% vs non-US IMG's 48%). The process to get into residency as a visa holder is exactly the same as for US IMG's. However, you are limited in the programs in which you can apply to because the program has to sponsor either a J1 visa or H1b visa or both.

surething1

03-31-2006, 07:11 PM

anyone attending UST or FATIMA who has first hand knowledge of using FAFSA to get loans please pm me. I have been getting differing stories on how much one can borrow and for how many years and I need to talk with someone who has relatively current knowledge of the process. i know what the fafsa website says so please dont speculate people, i need someone who has been there done that and even better if currently doing it. PM ME PLEASE!!!

hnerypaoho

04-10-2006, 02:47 AM

Hi Henry. I hope your are doing well over at FEU. US citizens/GC holders have a slight advantage over those who are seeking visas. However, if you view the 2006 match stats, US IMG's vs non-US IMG's, the matching percentages were almost the same. (ie USIMG's 50% vs non-US IMG's 48%). The process to get into residency as a visa holder is exactly the same as for US IMG's. However, you are limited in the programs in which you can apply to because the program has to sponsor either a J1 visa or H1b visa or both.

-thanks for the for info Doc Tan. anyways, i should deal with my studies first before thinking of the matching thing.. coz we all the know that whether US or PHIL med schools. they all give us the same education that we need. we just have to manage it. and for those other med students in the phil, congratulations for the job well done! hope that we'll have a great vacation! coz we surely deserve it!

Lilac84

04-11-2006, 11:03 PM

Hey guys, I have an availabe NMAT Reviewer by Allan Paul Carreon for sale. PM me for details or e-mail me at karen_s1984@yahoo.com.

MSA NMAT Reviewer (ISBN 971-8740-319)
by Allan Paul Carreon

bleudsky

04-16-2006, 02:06 AM

just wanna ask when will kaplan hold its next review for usmle step 1. & do they still conduct seminars for the usmle during the last friday of every month?

thanks in advance.

cm28

04-17-2006, 12:08 PM

Just wondering if there are any other fil-ams or fil-canadians out there besides myself who are planning to attend UERM this coming June?

misseloise

04-27-2006, 05:03 PM

Does anyone know if it's competitive to get into DLSU for a foreign applicant?

hnerypaoho

04-27-2006, 10:18 PM

Does anyone know if it's competitive to get into DLSU for a foreign applicant?

-I don't think you'll have a hard time to get in a medical school in the phil. except for UP and PLM though. They are all trying to get many students as they can. coz now a days, the percentile of medical students is decreasing dramatically. so it means, no students, no school. by the way, try looking at other schools too. you might find the suitable environment that you always wanted.

jonjonmd

04-28-2006, 06:57 AM

-I don't think you'll have a hard time to get in a medical school in the phil. except for UP and PLM though. They are all trying to get many students as they can. coz now a days, the percentile of medical students is decreasing dramatically. so it means, no students, no school. by the way, try looking at other schools too. you might find the suitable environment that you always wanted.

everyone is going into nursing. being a doctor here in the philippines is not economically practical anymore... unless you took up medicine to become a good nurse. :laugh:

surething1

04-28-2006, 11:25 AM

Anyone Out The currently Attending Fatima Please Send Me A Private Message I Would Like To Speak With You. Thanks

surething1

04-28-2006, 11:32 AM

Any Current Students Of Fatima Please Contact Me In Private Message Thank You

july80

04-29-2006, 01:38 AM

chocopinipig

04-29-2006, 11:39 PM

there are a LOT of indonesians taking up residency training in the philippines.. im starting to wonder why.. if you could shed some light on that i would appreciate it :)

Given the huge number of indonesians here, im sure you won't have a hard time looking for one. sadly i just don't know any so i can't help you on that.

goodluck :)

hnerypaoho

04-30-2006, 05:54 AM

everyone is going into nursing. being a doctor here in the philippines is not economically practical anymore... unless you took up medicine to become a good nurse. :laugh:

-you're right about the financial downstream of doctors now. but it's not all about money right? everybody should have that little spot that we called "care". coz for me to be able to make people feel more comfortable or giving helpful medical advices to lessen their burden is enough to put a smile on my face. hope eveybody feel the same way.

chocopinipig

05-01-2006, 08:25 PM

medicine is a vocation. I think it was never meant to be a money making profession...the financial gain is simply a reward.... (speaking on an idealistic point of view of course)

tantrum

05-02-2006, 09:33 AM

It is a good attitude to be idealistic as you go through med school (otherwise you wont last).
The time to be cynical and jaded would be 5-10 years after graduation.

bleudsky

05-07-2006, 06:26 AM

Hello, i am from indonesia.Is there any indonesia doctor studying or taking residency in filipino med schools here in this forum? or anybody have indonesian friends maybe?i will be very grateful if i could have his/her name & e-mail. I just want to make friends and asking about residency stuff in phillipine. since i'm interested in taking residency in phillipine, but i just don't know how.Thanks.

there are a lot of indonesians taking up their residency (in various fields - internal medicine, pediatrics, otorhinolaryngology, surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology) at STUH. i heard there's gonna be 1 who will train under anesthesiology.

i'll send u a PM regarding their names. but pls don't tell 'em it was I who gave their names to u. hehe!

summerhype

05-08-2006, 04:53 PM

summerhype

05-08-2006, 05:27 PM

Koji

05-08-2006, 07:51 PM

Hi I am a graduate of Fatima Med School. What's up?

tantrum

05-09-2006, 08:03 AM

O yea one more thing... is the BS degree in Physical therapy in the Philippines the same as DPT (doctor of physical therapy) in the U.S.? Meaning, will the PT programs in the PI be sufficient enough to prepare someone to take the U.S. board exams to allow someone to be a licensed pysical therapist in the U.S.? Thanks!
PT graduates in the Philippines can take the US PT Boards. A lot of PT grads from the Philippines are practicing there. However, if you are not in one of the top PT programs in the Phil. (like UP and UST), you might have problems passing the US PT Boards.

tantrum

05-09-2006, 08:07 AM

Hello,
I am seriously considering going to med school in the Philippines for various reasons (and the pros outweigh the cons actually). Anyway, are there any required pre-requisite courses I need to take. I am not majoring in any type of biology courses so I want to know what other classes I have to take other than the ones required for my major. Thanks a bunch! Hope to hear from someone soon!
Some schools have certain pre-requisite course requirements. But due to lack of applicants, some schools are waiving these pre-requisites (as long as you have a Bachelor's degree). You have to inquire with each school you're interested for their requirements. Some school requirements on their web site are more like "wish list" (especially NMAT cutoff and grades).

bleudsky

05-10-2006, 11:26 PM

However, if you are not in one of the top PT programs in the Phil. (like UP and UST), you might have problems passing the US PT Boards.

i have to disagree.

my pre-med's PT from a school not mentioned above. i have batchmates who passed the state boards in just 1 take & are currently practicing in the US, UK for quite some time now. some are fil-ams, the rest are pure filipinos.

the important thing is that you complete ALL necessary requirements to be eligible in taking the state board REGARDLESS OF YOUR SCHOOL. i don't think they give a damn about the ranking of your (PT) school, locally.

bleudsky

05-10-2006, 11:33 PM

O yea one more thing... is the BS degree in Physical therapy in the Philippines the same as DPT (doctor of physical therapy) in the U.S.? Meaning, will the PT programs in the PI be sufficient enough to prepare someone to take the U.S. board exams to allow someone to be a licensed pysical therapist in the U.S.? Thanks!

i think BS PT is different from DPT coz in any sense doctorate degree is higher than just a bachelor degree.

the PT programs may depend on the state you wish to work. some might require additional credits/units in certain subjects (though i'm not familiar what exactly are those subjects) that u had here in the Philippines. so, u gotta have a copy of your TOR/transcript of record and course description at hand.

GoldenAzn

05-22-2006, 04:05 PM

Some schools have certain pre-requisite course requirements. But due to lack of applicants, some schools are waiving these pre-requisites (as long as you have a Bachelor's degree). You have to inquire with each school you're interested for their requirements. Some school requirements on their web site are more like "wish list" (especially NMAT cutoff and grades).

As far as i know UP and UST...since their numbers are still up they are very stringent about nmat cutoff and grades. Not sure about UE..though. But the rest of the school are having problems filling their roster just to keep their school up..since most everyone there is going nursing it seems.

But always weigh which school you want and what you want out of it. Like if you wanna go to US for 4th year..i think UE and Fatima only one not sure though.

I know some schools don't require an NMAT. I remember some filams from fatima saying they didn't even take the NMAT..basically the money was all that fatma cared about. It was even funny i saw a advertisement for Fatima nursing that ran in the manila times and other newspaper...and the two pictures for two different nursing batch were two filams in their med school program. They had 3 nursing batch with their passing rate..2 never took nursing at all..and one was a real one. So that's an example of how things are now hehe.

On of my filam friends went to St. Luke when he was looking for medical school, they knew he was a filam and he didn't even give them any paperwork or what not and they already said he was accepted. The reason why he didn't go to St. Luke he said to me.

Now i'm not trying to say either school are bad...all school have their good and bad problems...just look into which school is best for you. Just telling you that's how it is basically it's sad but it's what is going on now a days since nursing is the more prefered route for most locals to go to the states. And it's a running joke where they say sometimes your prenursing major is being a doctor first.

bleudsky

05-29-2006, 01:44 AM

hello!!

just giving a shout out to all my fellow PGI's (post graduate interns). hope you're all settled now in your chosen hospitals.

God bless and good luck!

drthanksgiving

06-07-2006, 02:36 PM

drthanksgiving

06-07-2006, 02:38 PM

hey guys check this out.

http://ezmedaccess.com/

tantrum

06-07-2006, 05:26 PM

I have heard the number of enrollees in Phil medical school have plummetted. Sad to see this plight of medicine in our country. i'm one culprit joining the US bandwagon after finishing my med school in the Philippines.

Any news on this?
I'm also like you but I still have lots of attachments (family and friends) there.
I posted the available stat a few months ago. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=5054
It's really difficult to practice there as menitioned by a lot of colleagues in the Philippines. As you can see from the file only a few schools like UST, UP and another state U (WVSU) did not suffer huge drop in enrollment.

RaaMD

06-16-2006, 04:24 AM

As far as i know UP and UST...since their numbers are still up they are very stringent about nmat cutoff and grades. Not sure about UE..though. But the rest of the school are having problems filling their roster just to keep their school up..since most everyone there is going nursing it seems.

But always weigh which school you want and what you want out of it. Like if you wanna go to US for 4th year..i think UE and Fatima only one not sure though.

I know some schools don't require an NMAT. I remember some filams from fatima saying they didn't even take the NMAT..basically the money was all that fatma cared about. It was even funny i saw a advertisement for Fatima nursing that ran in the manila times and other newspaper...and the two pictures for two different nursing batch were two filams in their med school program. They had 3 nursing batch with their passing rate..2 never took nursing at all..and one was a real one. So that's an example of how things are now hehe.

On of my filam friends went to St. Luke when he was looking for medical school, they knew he was a filam and he didn't even give them any paperwork or what not and they already said he was accepted. The reason why he didn't go to St. Luke he said to me.

Now i'm not trying to say either school are bad...all school have their good and bad problems...just look into which school is best for you. Just telling you that's how it is basically it's sad but it's what is going on now a days since nursing is the more prefered route for most locals to go to the states. And it's a running joke where they say sometimes your prenursing major is being a doctor first.

Interesting.

thirdclius

07-20-2006, 10:08 PM

I just thought of reviving this thread!
I just want to let everyone know that I got in to two DO schools this year. I am going to be attending Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. I was already planning on applying to Philippine med schools this year but ended up not having to. I would really love to attend a Philippine med school because I LOVE the Philippines and I really admire Filipino doctors. Hopefully I can do a rotation there in the future!
Thanks to everyone who posted and offered advice (ie doctan, tantrum, etc.) in this thread! It was very informative and helpful when I was planning my applications to various Phil. med schools.
Alrighty guys!

tantrum

07-21-2006, 01:47 PM

Shuevee

07-26-2006, 11:37 PM

tantrum

07-27-2006, 04:55 AM

Hello all. I've been going going over this thread for the past couple of days and want to thank all who have replied. It's been very helpful and informative.

I'm a Fil-am who graduated with a bio degree from New York and now looking toward a career in medicine. My grades and MCAT score just make the cutoffs for most of the DO schools in the US. However, recently I've been flirting with the idea of going to med school in the Philippines, because of it's inexpensiveness (about $20,000 with donation compared to $160,000 for DO school in US).

If you had the choice of either going to a DO School in the US or going to med school in the Philippines (either UST or UP) and are planning to do residency and practice in the states, which would you choose?

Thanks for everyones help.
Go for DO schools first. They are still considered American medical schools. You can get into more competitive residencies like many surgical fields. If you can't get into DO schools (they are still competitive), consider Philippines schools especially if you dont want to spend too much money on Caribbean schools (SGU/ROss/AUC/Saba).

zcesz

08-02-2006, 01:10 AM

Dr_Zero, hi, im frm Up manila. There's no med in Up diliman... just wanna clarify that info. UP Manila is the Health Science Center of the UP system... it's where med, nursing, dentistry and other healthcare-related courses are being offered... there's no med, nursing, dentistry etc in UP diliman... :-) Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is in Manila, beside UP Manila...

redsiren

08-02-2006, 11:40 PM

tantrum

08-03-2006, 06:20 AM

hi guys, im a newbie!!!

my situation is: im in southern CA and just graduated with my B.S. in Biological Sciences. My GPA is not the greatest, and yes I will admit it's from not taking things seriously and not doing my best. I am a good student and I did prove it to myself with a few semesters but it wasn't enough and too late. I also took the MCATs but was unfortunately at the same time when I wasn't taking things too seriously.

I honestly knew right now that if I were to apply to med skol here in the US, that I prob wouldnt even get my foot in the door. I've also considered DO skol and although Ive read the pros and cons, I think that will be my last choice if I didnt get into ANY skol.

For some time now Ive been contemplating on med skol in the PI. Mainly because I truly feel more confident in getting acceptance. And pls dont get me wrong that I feel this way because I thik it's easier to or that PI skol have an easier curriculum. It's not that way, I have all the trust in the PI med system, which is why im thinking about it.

Basically if I wanted to get accepted in the US, I feel I need to build up my application more like getting a masters or something. If I did I would prob get in 2yrs from not at the most b/c im already late for sept 2006 school year. Then, I can try applying for med skol, which is not certain I'll get in then. If this route I'd have to wait 2yrs(to get into masters prog) and 4yrs (for med skol) which is total 6yrs at the LEAST. Plus studying very hard again for the MCATs. I dont like having to do all this then in the end have to keep trying and trying just to get into med skol, as in applying and re-applying if necessary.

However, if I applied in the PI, hopefully by June 2007 I can get in, if im not too late. Then I can already get started on my MD.

Eventhough I haven't applied (b/c I know my chances) to any skols here in the US, I feel more confident in getting acceptance in the PI. I feel as if the longer I wait to go to medskol the more discouraged ill get, which is why Id like to go to the PI.

Other reasons is so I can spend time with my family there, esp my lola. I didnt get to with my lolo recently b/c he was sick.Ive been back and forth to the PI for some time now and I truly like it there. And even born here,I am not americanized, im very pinoy =). Im basically looking at Angeles University Foundation, AUF, in Pampanga, b/c that's where Im from.

For me personally as long as get into a medical skol, it doesnt really matter for me, b/c after all med skol is what u make of it right?! =) I know most ppl would say make PI ur last choice esp if ur already in the US, but like I said before the longer I have to wait, the more discouraged ill get.

So my questiong I guess is: EVEN W/O APPLYING YET TO MED SKOL IN THE US(I have a low confidence of acceptance), SHOULD I APPLY TO PI MED SKOL (I have higher confidence)?

Sorry for such the long post, but I truly thank anyone for some advice/comments.

P.s. in regards to not applying to US med skols...i know ppl say dont think negatively...i try not to, but im just being realistic...thanks again

As long as you know what you are getting into. As an IMG, you will be limited in your choices of specialty (IM/Peds/FP/Psych) unless you score so high in your USMLE's (upper 90's). If you are aware of this and these specialties are acceptable to you then get your degree in the PI, but you have to review independently for USMLE (usually via Kaplan). As a US citizen, you still have a good chance of being a doctor but in a limited number of specialties.

Shuevee

08-03-2006, 07:32 AM

Go for DO schools first. They are still considered American medical schools. You can get into more competitive residencies like many surgical fields. If you can't get into DO schools (they are still competitive), consider Philippines schools especially if you dont want to spend too much money on Caribbean schools (SGU/ROss/AUC/Saba).

Thanks for the reply. I'm with you all the way, Tantrum, but just to think about the money you save by going to PI makes me think twice. I wonder if getting residency and getting 90's on your USMLE is as hard as people say it is for an IMG.

tantrum

08-04-2006, 05:30 PM

Thanks for the reply. I'm with you all the way, Tantrum, but just to think about the money you save by going to PI makes me think twice. I wonder if getting residency and getting 90's on your USMLE is as hard as people say it is for an IMG.
Bear in mind that schools in the Philippines will not prep you at all with USMLE type of materials (unlike Carib schools). As long as you are ok with it and willing to study hard (and review for USMLE) from day 1, then it's ok. Getting high 90's is difficult wherever you go so just do your best.

Shuevee

08-05-2006, 07:07 AM

lazy_eye

08-16-2006, 02:35 AM

Hi, I'm from Manila. Currently an intern. Here's what you can do:
1. Make sure you've taken the NMAT. It's given here December and May. You can apply around this time of the year. You need to get a high mark 80+ if you want to get in 2 of the best med skols in the PI, UP and UST.
2. While waiting for the results you could go med skol shopping. UP is the best md skol here in the Phils but they prioritize applicants who are graduates of the UP campuses around the PI. UST's next, they have the most number of MD graduates every year in the PI. They fare high in the MLE's. They have 90+% passing rate every year for the national licensures. They have a four year program so you can go back right after you finished clekrship. Other options would be St. Luke's Medical Center, UERM, FEU-NRMF, Fatima. These skols are in Manila. In the province you can choose AUF, DLSU, University of Perpetual Help in Laguna, Lyceum in Pangasinan, SLU in Baguio City. UST holds entrance examinations in the US I heard so you won't have to travel here for that.
NOTE: You would be classified as an IMG by the US but you're still good because you're a US citizen. Just make sure you choose a good skol that will make you do good in the MLE.
It's really cheaper here in the Philippines to go to medical school and the instruction and training is not substandard especially if go to UP or UST. Good Luck. If you have questions, my e-mail add is brick_and_maggie@yahoo.com

needsInfo

08-19-2006, 08:43 PM

bleudsky

08-20-2006, 06:02 AM

deftfingers

08-20-2006, 12:04 PM

helo, im from PI, ive search in the net that the NMAt exam will be on dec 11, if im not mistaken, would anybody have an idea when is the next batch of NMAT exams? some say its on april, is it true?// and I know that the NMAt results are based on students percentile on the exam, will pre-med course really be an advantage in the NMAT and med. proper? since im a 3rd yr psychology major, my course is not as good as med. tech (or others) in terms of the medical field. and im also looking for a review center.. but i dont knw where to begin..

im also planning to aply at: FEU, La SAlle-dasma, MADOX (manila doctors, located at Pasay) and UE.. can someone give me pointers on which school to choose?

hey there! i took the nmat back in dec 2k.. as far as i remember, it was just like taking the cheesy iq tests guidance counsellors used to give while they went off to hit a blunt. 7 or 8 parts spread over 2 days ( sat and sun), sequence stuff, some chem, some math, some botany, some physics, some zoology, some stat.. not too bad if you don't panic.

as for review centers, BRAINS is pretty good, high 80s to low 90s passing average per batch, private tutors also abound, usually cheaper but not quite as reliable, MSA has also been in the review business for a long time.

hope this helps. good luck

deftfingers

08-20-2006, 12:27 PM

Bear in mind that schools in the Philippines will not prep you at all with USMLE type of materials (unlike Carib schools). As long as you are ok with it and willing to study hard (and review for USMLE) from day 1, then it's ok. Getting high 90's is difficult wherever you go so just do your best.

some departments are giving what they claim to be MLE type questions, what these actually are are case based questions replete with various imaging modalities, histo slides, lab results from dna blots to elisas.. imho, they're too caught up with the construed 'high tech' level of questioning instead of focusing on sound fundamentals which will enable students to proceed with precision thinking at a fast clip. tools will only help the prepared mind and hard work will always pay off. the best thing i learned at a philippine school is how to teach myself, pick my references, set my schedule, and stick to it. i know it's more personal than institutional but in this country, where they either shove the info into your every orifice or make you jump off the ledge for it, it's what wil keep you sane.

deftfingers

08-20-2006, 12:42 PM

deftfingers

08-20-2006, 01:22 PM

-you're right about the financial downstream of doctors now. but it's not all about money right? everybody should have that little spot that we called "care". coz for me to be able to make people feel more comfortable or giving helpful medical advices to lessen their burden is enough to put a smile on my face. hope eveybody feel the same way.

i don't think anybody will ever admit that it actually is about the money. in the same way, i don't think that there is a single doctor out there who doesn't care, at least at some level. don't get me wrong, bad rhetoric isn't a crime. the crime, i think, is to support the fallacy that doctors who leave the philippines don't care about the philippines. it's easy to judge how other people choose to live when one lives in different, often better, circumstances. remittances from overseas foreign workers make up a huge part of the philippine economy, without which, the sick man of asia would probably just shrivel up and die. i'll smile when mothers and their children, husbands and wives, the beloved and the dear don't have to be apart to simply survive. until then, remember this, the worst thing a doctor can do is mouth off about something he doesn't really understand. after all, we are doctors for others, not for ourselves.

deftfingers

08-20-2006, 01:31 PM

Shuevee

08-22-2006, 05:07 AM

tantrum

08-22-2006, 11:49 AM

Wow. I just found out they don't offer the NMAT in New York. I think I'm going to wait until the next time I go to the Philippines to take it. Does anyone know how much the fee is and exactly when to take it?
I think they still give it in Chicago and LA but just verify with CEM. I dont know their current fee.

needsInfo

08-23-2006, 01:20 AM

hey there! i took the nmat back in dec 2k.. as far as i remember, it was just like taking the cheesy iq tests guidance counsellors used to give while they went off to hit a blunt. 7 or 8 parts spread over 2 days ( sat and sun), sequence stuff, some chem, some math, some botany, some physics, some zoology, some stat.. not too bad if you don't panic.

as for review centers, BRAINS is pretty good, high 80s to low 90s passing average per batch, private tutors also abound, usually cheaper but not quite as reliable, MSA has also been in the review business for a long time.

hope this helps. good luck

thanks for that info.. do u have contact No. for BRAINS and is it located at katipunan?

RaaMD

08-23-2006, 01:50 AM

I think they still give it in Chicago and LA but just verify with CEM. I dont know their current fee.

Yeh, that's correct. It'll be in Chicago and Los Angeles in October this year.

Shuevee

08-23-2006, 04:11 AM

Yeh, that's correct. It'll be in Chicago and Los Angeles in October this year.

Thanks. Their fee is $350.

needsInfo

08-25-2006, 05:21 AM

tantrum

08-26-2006, 11:32 AM

I know that the NMAt results are based on students percentile on the exam, will pre-med course really be an advantage in the NMAT and med. proper? since im a 3rd yr psychology major, my course is not as good as med. tech (or others) in terms of the medical field. will it really matter???? :o
Medicine is the great equalizer. Everybody will suffer regardless of pre-med course:laugh: During the first year the PT's and OT's have slight advantage with anatomy. During the 2nd year, Med Tech's have the advantage with the subjects. You still have to study hard regardless of your pre-med and even psych majors are doing well in some batches.

hentaisocrnmdph

08-30-2006, 12:22 AM

:confused: :confused:
Esteemed doctors (Tantrum, Shuevee, RaaMD...) and those at best to advice na hindi naman taga Ateneo at walang bias sa Ateneo de Manila University,

I am a 20 year old UP nursing student in my final year and will be taking the 2006 december NMAT and in need of advisement on some medical schools. Having viewed some of your messages posted here really offered me quite the enlightenment in my quest for a quality medical education.

1. Am seeking advice of Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health which will be opening next year. They havent finished yet their core curriculum but their physical structure was patterned from UP, UST (I think FEU and UERMMMC)- the usual PBL applied at 40% and the traditional type at 60% implementation. They did provide well selling of their medical school (same price as that of UST)- their doctors of medicine will be graduating with a Masters in Management degree. Their pre- med program (BS Health Sciences) and BS Bio program in the Loyola Schools are united in taking their medicine there. I was trying to get some data about their perceptions and interest of it in terms of their application to other, more tested medical schools but it seems their bias is clouding their answers. I am asking for a non biased esteemed advice whether you think it is a good step to apply to such a school considering its offers- they do after all have Kenneth Hartigan- Go as a curriculum consultant? Their allied hospital is medical city in Pasig. One quotes below...
" The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) will open its 5-year professional phase in a new facility set to be operational in June 2007 beside the Medical City in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City (Metro Manila, Philippines).

The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health aims to train the best and brightest students to become future physician-leaders. It seeks to educate physicians who will be outstanding clinicians and, beyond that, be leaders who will influence how health in the Philippines (and in the world) is accessed and delivered.

Thus, the ASMPH is committed to molding outstanding clinicians, who will also be dynamic managers and social catalysts. This is done through three important teaching and learning strategies – interactive classroom learning, practical application and leadership formation. First, students will be trained in the best possible way as clinicians, in the basics of medicine and curative care. Second, they will also be taught how to understand health and health systems from the wider vantage point of organizations, populations and society. In the third and fourth years, students’ application of clinical knowledge in the hospitals, clinics, communities and other health facilities is complemented by courses in management and in the understanding of social determinants that affect the public’s health. At the end of the five year Professional Phase, the graduate is awarded a degree of Doctor of Medicine and Master in Management. The ASMPH seeks to attract the best students. They may come from a number of undergraduate programs. One is the BS Health Sciences Program under the School of Science and Engineering in the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University. The Health Sciences Program is an integrated curriculum, particularly designed for the ASMPH program, so the undergraduate and professional years are integrated into a 9-year period to prepare the future physician-leader.

The ASMPH also seeks to attract the best students coming from other undergraduate programs, in particular the B.S. Biology and B.S. Psychology programs of the Ateneo Loyola Schools. Other equally acceptable and recommended routes to enter the Professional Phase of the ASMPH are through graduates of disciplines of various BS and AB degrees holders of disciplines such as Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, Physics, Medical Technology, Zoology, Economics, Interdisciplinary Studies, etc from the Ateneo de Manila’s LoyolaSchools and other schools and universities as well.
All applicants will be assessed based on requirements such as NMAT scores and compliance with the different natural science and health cognate pre-requisites. In order that applicants from the various disciplines are able to seamlessly integrate into the professional phase of ASMPH, they will be provided with various preparatory workshops and sessions that will be conducted during the summer months prior to the opening of the first professional year in June. These summer sessions will familiarize the students with the various areas that ASMPH seeks to highlight, as well as introduce them to the values, culture and foundational principles that animate the school.

The ASMPH draws from the collective strengths and expertise of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila, the Health Unit of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and its partner training hospital, The Medical City.

Programs Offered
The School will provide a dual degree of Doctor of Medicine and/Master in Management. Vision:
The ASMPH as an institution seeks to be a leader in redefining health and how health is accessed and delivered in the country.

As such, it will serve as a catalyst for systemic, systematic, and structural changes in the health sector by producing graduates who are physician-leaders.

ASMPH will be at the frontline of the university’s efforts in contributing to nation-building, particularly in addressing the poverty challenge.

In all of the above, the ASMPH is animated by the Jesuit, Catholic, and Filipino character of the Ateneo de Manila University

Mission Statement:

The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health seeks to form, educate, train, and field physician-leaders who will actively catalyze and take charge of the process of affecting and effecting systemic changes in society through the health sector.

The Ateneo Doctor: The Doctor of the Future

• An OUTSTANDING CLINICIAN with mastery of clinical skills and compassion to care for the health needs of the individual.
• A DYNAMIC LEADER with the expertise to bring systems and resources together to enable the clinician to practice his craft.
• A SOCIAL CATALYST with the leadership competencies to systematically solve the systemic problems of ill-health and poverty and make quality health care available and working for all.

Location:

Adjacent to the New Medical City building along Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City"

2. At this juncture, please forgive the lengthiness of my letter- am also seeking advice for a recommended reviewer for the NMAT other than PICS. Which parts would you recommend I focus on, I tend to do well on my Math but if that should hinder the percentage for the other sciences and the Logical part, do you think I should focus on the later rather on the "other sciences" like the social sciences?

3. What is the best indicator for a medical school? Is it the curriculum, the name of the university, the percentage of passers, the faculty- if ever they are all important, by how much will you give them percentages (dispensa, I tend to be a little mathematical on my questioning- like Pain Scale)?

4. Do they ask clinically related questions in the NMAT- something about disease management already? The MCAT does and thinking that there might be patterning there, are there great odds that such questions will be asked?

5. Especially to those who were admitted to the UP and UST College of Medicine, what questions do you remember being asked to you during the interview (tama ba grammar ko...)?

Please help me and sorry for the lenghthiness of my post- I am just really agitated by school work, patient (ER) work, NMAT, Medschools and personal problems. Maraming salamat sa maitutulong nyo sa isang abang tao gaya ko.

bleudsky

08-31-2006, 06:48 AM

^ try speaking more in english coz majority of the peeps posting here are fil-am though i believe they could also understand tagalog.

i can't remember any question thrown to me during my interview but who cares? since i already went through 4 years of medical education (ongoing 5th), i hardly remember any of it. as long as i answered every question sincerely and honestly as i can, i know i did fine. though there was 1 eternal question "why do wanna be a doctor?". they are used to hearing the answer "to serve humanity" which we all hardly believe we (still) do by the time we get into the hospital setting. haha!

as far as i could remember, the NMAT during my time (dec 2001) did NOT ask any single question regarding disease management. i'm not sure though of the most recent ones.

there is no BEST indicator for a medical school. it's always up to the student to do his/her best academically and clinically speaking. but in my case i considered reputation (based on the local exams), the quality of graduates it produce, the # of years it was established, & endorsement of other MDs. curriculum? didn't matter to me much.

in your case i think they will challenge u on why do u wanna study medicine since u r a nursing grad considering the reality that doctors are taking up nursing.

tantrum

08-31-2006, 02:37 PM

Hentaisornmdph...
1. I'm not biased against ASMPH. I think it has a good chance to be a good medical school. The problem with new school is that you'll never know how long it would take them to iron out the "kinks" or problems of a new school. It might reach or surpass the level of some schools like UERM, FEU, and St. Luke's but the more established schools (and selective) like UP,UST,CIM,or even PLM would have advantages as they have proven programs.
If you are planning to train or work in the US, it takes about 5-7 years before most states recognize newly-established foreign schools.
2. I did not review for the NMAT and it's mostly IQ tests and stock knowledge.
3. As bleudsky said, it is up to the student to make the most out of med school and med school alone will not make you a good doctor. You have to work and study HARD. Try to get into the more selective ones (UP,UST,PLM) or you can even take a chance on ASMPH. You'll get in into one of these schools.
4. I dont think they will ask clinical questions in NMAT. Even MCAT's "clinical" questions were more like reading comprehension tests.
5. I can't remember the questions but be honest to a point but definitely don't even give a hint that you plan to leave the country.

Shuevee

09-01-2006, 06:15 PM

Does anyone know the fee for the NMAT in the Philippines?
In the states it's $350. I'd rather put that toward a plane ticket to the Philippines and take the test there, while enjoying a vacation.

tantrum

09-02-2006, 11:55 AM

Does anyone know the fee for the NMAT in the Philippines?
In the states it's $350. I'd rather put that toward a plane ticket to the Philippines and take the test there, while enjoying a vacation.

ALthough the fee is much lower there, the price of a RT ticket is about $1500.
Plus with the jet lag, you might be too sleepy during the exams unless you give yourself weeks to acclimatize. Philippines is about 12-13 hours ahead of EST.

squash22

09-04-2006, 02:11 AM

Shuevee

09-04-2006, 09:00 PM

I'd believe that you would have to complete those units either at your old school or somewhere else. Do you know how much the fee is for the NMAT?

squash22

09-06-2006, 01:53 AM

yup. about 500 for the registration fee and 1300 for the testing fee, i think.

so i have to really complete the units, eh? sigh... anyway, im planning to take the nmat in april 2007 instead of this coming december. i'll be 24 by the time im starting freshman yr in med school. i hope i wont be too old... hehehe

where in manila exactly is the nmat testing center? :o

marie15

09-06-2006, 09:54 AM

24 is not too old? i went to medschool in the philippines with people over 30. NMAT in the philipppines is given once or twice a year i think and A LOT of people take it. the testing centers are distributed to the different universities throughout the philippines, i don't remember there being a specific testing center. but you could take the NMAT here in the US. save you the plane fare home.

Saipan

09-07-2006, 01:43 AM

The NMAT is held on the second Sunday every December and April. The December testing is held simultaneously at a number of locations around the Philippines. The April testing is only held in Manila.

The company that administers the NMAT normally uses the St Benilde college as the testing location.

squash22

09-13-2006, 11:32 PM

goodness! ive just read most of the posts in this thread! it has been very helpful in giving me an idea of the medical school pathway.

medicine has always been at the back of my mind but its only a few months ago that i decided to take medicine after my nursing board exams. i can really see myself as a doctor in the future no matter how hard the journey will be.

hmm.. anyway. are there any nursing graduates here (other than maia) who are contemplating about med school?

good God! the unit requirements seem tough! I only have 5 units in organic chem, 5 for human anatomy, 3 for physics, 3 for stat. the last time i studied trigonometry was when i was in junior high school! i hope i'll finish all of them next year, probably enroll at the nearby school which also have their own college of medicine but im not sure if its recognized by the WHO.

they say nmat is easy but i have browsed through the review book and i dont think it is. ha ha ha. anyway, i'll get through this. my dream school is ust. ive been there for two semesters and i just love the old main building and their library.

>and another thing, i also plan to practice in the us but i still dont even have a passport. jeez... its going to be a long ride. :))

Shuevee

09-14-2006, 06:19 AM

I just searched the UST web site for medical school requirements and couldn't find any. Can anyone direct me to a site with that information?
I also noticed something about taking an entrance exam in order to go to UST. Does everyone have to take that? Thanks for the replys.

squash22

09-14-2006, 06:39 AM

http://www.ust.edu.ph/sitelinks/academics/Medicine.asp?progid=07

;)

DrMcSteamy

09-17-2006, 12:25 AM

I know I'm still a sophomore in college here in Cali but I'm already considering my options for medical school. A family friend recommended that I consider going to school in the Philippines in case I didn't get in here which seems to make my folks really happy for some reason. How much does it cost to go to school there and which schools are ok to attend? And will I still be able to practice medicine here in the US once I've graduated?

Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

bleudsky

09-18-2006, 01:37 AM

http://www.ust.edu.ph/sitelinks/academics/Medicine.asp?progid=07

;)

i don't think UST Faculty of Medicine & Surgery's website is updated. surprisingly, it still has the link "innovative curriculum" that talks about the problem-based learning (PBL), which is NOT implemented anymore (well i don't know if they have plans of implementing it again in few years based on the 1st batch's performance with the local licensure exams). the faculty's present curriculum is the integrated type - combination of the traditional and problem-based learning. you have the usual subjects in every year level, not modules as described in the site.

my advice is don't rely solely on this website. if you have friends enrolled in the faculty, it's better that u ask them.

hentaisocrnmdph

09-18-2006, 07:42 AM

filchiPT

09-18-2006, 07:26 PM

Wow. I just found out they don't offer the NMAT in New York. I think I'm going to wait until the next time I go to the Philippines to take it. Does anyone know how much the fee is and exactly when to take it?

check their website for more info on NMAT
http://www.cem-inc.org.ph/

bleudsky

09-19-2006, 03:52 AM

I think it's quaint that filipinos think they can do medicine.

if you can't say something nice, then shut up!

Shuevee

09-19-2006, 07:48 AM

Thanks for the link filchiPT.
Are you also going from PT to MD?

filchiPT

09-19-2006, 02:07 PM

yea thinkin about it,its kinda hard to give up things i got use to living and working here in the US, but ill be taking nmat in dec .

squash22

09-21-2006, 02:42 AM

bleudsky

09-21-2006, 06:19 AM

^ no problem

as of the moment, their curriculum is back to the integrated one - mixed traditional and problem-based learning. the greatest challenge is finishing your formal education (of course, that means getting promoted to the next level at the end of each school year) after 4 yrs.

good luck to all aspiring thomasian doctors.

AurA

09-22-2006, 03:41 AM

hentaisocrnmdph

09-22-2006, 07:25 PM

hentaisocrnmdph
-->> im planning to apply at ust, feu, ue, and cim, and maybe st. lukes. up is just too much for me (hehehe). and i'll take nmat in april 2007 :)

about the ust website: tnx! i didnt realize it was outdated ;)

yes, its quite out dated
squash, they are already filing the application forms in UST by surname- I havent the list with me right now but I think its a-j surnames for september, k-n for october and the rest for november. UST always comes second to UP in terms of tuition so considering your situation- application in UST is already on the go. St. Lukes is just starting and upon attending a forum of theirs, they pretty well screwed it up. They said they are training "physicians for tertiary care and experts in consultanship as they are proud of their first world equipments" something like that but curriculum, name and the rest, you have better chances in UST- I was told in the same forum.

at AurA,
(hahahahahahaha)
- are the risks inhibiting you from attending ASMPH
- what course did you take up in Ateneo and was that your premed course
- where else will you be applying other than UST

bakekang

09-23-2006, 01:29 AM

Hey everyone!

Just want people to know about the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, a product of the Ateneo de Manila University (Loyola Schools) and the New Medical City Hospital. They are currently accepting applicants for School Year 2007-2008. It will be a 5-year course which includes a Master's degree in Hospital Management and, if I'm not mistaken, one year of internship.

I wonder what motivated Ateneo to integrate Medicine and Hospital Management since fresh grad doctors usually concentrate on the application rather than the management (business) side of it.

It's a pretty sweet deal for 5 years in what would probably be the best medical school campus in the country (especially compared to other medical schools...hehe).
Best medical school campus in the country??? :rolleyes: Have you been to other schools? Have you had the chance to compare facilities, laboratories, teaching hospitals, etc?

On a side note: If you want to become a doctor, you should learn to do with what are available at you. It's not a good idea to sell medical school on the basis of having an attractive building structure. This is probably why UP, UST, CIM and PLM graduates excel in the medical profession because their students -- aside from being smart and diligent -- are industrious and do not rely on spoon-fed learning method.

Since next year will be the first year, word has it that students will be spending time between the Rockwell Campus in Makati and the New Medical building in Ortigas. No idea how they're going to do that, but that's what I've heard so far.

If the words are true, then that wouldn't make Ateneo an attractive medical school to go to. There was a study made several years ago about the plan to house the INTARMED students of UP at Diliman campus instead of current location, Manila. INTARMED students are the Top 40 qualifiers in the UPCAT, the toughest entrance exam to beat in the whole country (less than 8% make it out of the more than 80 thousand applicants). They are perceived to be country's brightest and smartest medical students. They graduate 2 years ahead of their peers. They are the valedictorians/salutatorians of the best high schools in the Philippines. They usually make it to the Dean's List, graduate with honors and land in the top 20 in the local medical board exams. Their existence in UP is contributing to UP's enormous prestige here and abroad.

The plan was abolished. The reason: it's not conducive for medical students to be traveling from one campus to the other especially in Metro Manila because travel time is very long.

I'd have to admit this would be a risk, the program being new and all. But it might be worth considering as a choice.

I would say that going to Ateneo medical school is worth risking if you're not smart enough to get into UP, UST, PLM and UE, but do not risk a UP or UST diploma to a new and unproven medical degree provider because becoming a doctor is not about a game of risk especially if you can afford to go to top-notched medical schools.

So far, everything looks good on paper and Ateneo has always had a good reputation when it comes to delivery.

I hate to burse the bubbles but the BS ECE program in Ateneo was a big flap, in case you didn't know. It never produced a 100% in the local board examination. For example, only 50% of its takers passed the board exam this year. Only 12 out of 27 passed in ECE board exam last year. The year before that was their worse.

If I were just graduating from my BS, I'd seriously consider it as one of my options versus UST, UP and UE.

Sometimes loyalty blinds you. Sometimes, it makes you stupid.

Of course, when it comes to experience and reputation, Ateneo would be incomparable.

Experience is relative. CIM students can claim theirs is the best and so are the UST students.

When it comes to reputation, nobody beats UP, whether in the Philippines or abroad. I agree that Ateneo is reputable. But come on, let's face it, it can't be the most reputable. In fact, both DLSU and UST are more reputable than Ateneo whether in the Philippines or abroad. And whether we like it or not, when it comes to reputation, nobody beats UP. In the Philippines, the UP brand name is far and away the best brand name in all of academia. No other school even comes close in terms of sheer branding. Not DLSU, not UST, not MSU, not Ateneo, not anybody. This is not a close call by any means. Whether we like it or not, UP is the most famopus and the most prestigious university in the entire Philippines. It is the only well-respected Philippine university outside of the Philippines. And, it is the only Philippine university admitted to the prestigous, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). Check this out: http://apru.nus.edu.sg/about/members.htm

It's faculty, however, are from these three schools. I'd have to say that I may be biased, being an Ateneo Alumna, but I just think that Ateneo might have an edge because of [B]its ideal to train doctors also as leaders, which is something other medical schools do not seem have.

Your peers will salute to you if you are professional in what you do. To become a professional doctor, you perform your duty as medical practitioner heartily. You do not learn this thing in management school.

bleudsky

09-24-2006, 08:18 AM

bleudsky

09-24-2006, 08:23 AM

PS I have a question for the docs out there:What hospitals would be good for internship?

Best to go in a training/teaching hospital. Or in a hospital where u want to spend your residency training. Some based it on the proximity of their residence since they've been gone away from home for a long time (esp for those who came from the provinces).

ROA12

09-25-2006, 11:32 PM

Hello. quick question.
I got this information from the Fatima College of Medicine website, and am very surprised at the high tuition :eek:
---Does this tuition only apply to foreign applicants? Or is it for all applicants including Filipino citizens???

TUITION (excludes textbooks):
BASIC SCIENCES:
First Year Tuition $20,000

Second Year Tuition $20,000

CLINICAL SCIENCES (US INTEGRATED CLINICAL CLERKSHIPS:
Third Year Tuition $32,000

Fourth Year Tuition $32,000

There is no financial aid.

marblesmd

09-26-2006, 04:56 AM

For foreign applicants

LocutusofBorg

09-26-2006, 12:33 PM

at those prices I'd go for Saba in the Carribean. Or even a more expensive school that is eligible for Stafford (low interest) loans would come out cheaper.

JoshuaChoi

09-27-2006, 02:17 PM

JoshuaChoi

09-27-2006, 05:46 PM

There are a number of Fil-ams who get accepted in UP. They fair pretty well. I have not heard of any foreign applicant rejected because he/she can't speak the language. But since training mainly involves charity/indigent patients, I highly recommend that you try to learn the language. You don't necessarily have to be fluent, but know keywords.

UP is the best place to train if you want to see rare/full-blown cases. Tuition, if I'm not mistaken is the MOST reasonable of the top tier med schools in the country.

Sure, PM me. I'm glad to be of help.

1) Proper Med has only 4 years in duration not 5, correct ? UP-CM website says Year Level V&VI are integrated into one year. Year Level VII is one year internship. So, that means only four full years in duration. Can you please confirm this ?

2) Regarding admission, do you know (or do you have an idea) about the stats of those foreigners who got in to UP-CM ? (gpa/nmat score)?

3) Do you know (or can you find out) if UP-CM puts the foreigners into separate pool, that is, given that only 2-3 foreign applicants are accepted, are the foreign applicants competing for those 2-3 spots ? You know what I mean: there is a 2-3 spots for foreign applicants "allocated" and the competition is only amongst the foreign applicants to secure these spots.

4) Do you know or feel or have you heard if UP-CM uses International Transcript Evaluation to assess foreign applicant's transcript ?

5) Given that graduates of four-year BA/BS in UP need to do Master's in the Philippines (preferably in UP) in order to apply to Master's degree here in Canada, and given that the International Transcript Evaluation lists that a "B" grade here is "A" in UP, it looks that a summa in UP is only a "B" in Canada. A four-year BA/BS in UP is not even at par with Canadian four-year BA/BSc Honours. In Canada, Honours is required to enter Master's, and UP grads who apply to Canada's master's program need to have master's to begin with from the Philippines. Given all these, do you feel UP-CM Admission Office even consider the differences in their evaluation process ? There is such thing as International Transcript Evaluation -- and "A" in UP is a "B" in Canadian Universities. Can you give a comment if a "B" average in Canadian degree (specifically, Engineering which is very difficult program in Canada -- a very high entrance requirement, and considered a professional program) will be competitive in foreign applicant pool (or the whole pool, if there's no separate pool for foreign applicants where foreign applicants compete within that pool) ?

Salamat.

Josh

MedKev

09-27-2006, 06:16 PM

RaaMD

09-27-2006, 09:04 PM

bleudsky

09-28-2006, 05:35 AM

Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum and have read most of the threads regarding Philippine Med Schools. I am interested in applying to UST Med Program for 2007. Does anyone know when the applications are due? Are there are fil-ams here who are in that process and would like to correspond? Thank you.

i'm not sure with foreign/fil-am students but as far as i know, applications are ongoing until december (including copy of your partial transcript of records)

they release the list of eligible applicants between late february to early march next year.

JoshuaChoi

09-28-2006, 10:18 AM

Hello,

UST requires its applicants to write the UST Entrance Test (in addition to the NMAT test). MCAT can also be used in lieu of the UST ET.

Nonetheless, the UST Entrance Test is also administered in the States. The source did not have complete info. Does anyone know about the UST ET administered in the States ? When and contact info ?

Thanks.

DaPhGiRL

09-28-2006, 11:02 AM

Hello,

I just wanna make sure what's going to be on NMAT.

Will there be botany and zoology questions ? Biochemistry?

What I was told:
Organic Chem
General Chem
Biology (cell biology, genetics, microbiology, but no plants and zo-o stuff)
Physics (mechanics, kinematics, but no rotational motions -- only linear motions)
Math (Trigo, Algebra, some Geometry)
Sociology
Psychology
Verbal - Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning
Non-verbal Reasoning

The cem-inc.org.ph website does not have specific topics in each main area.
(and I haven't got my Practice Sets just yet -- they said they'll be sending soon, but hasn't arrived in the mail).

Please comment, add or subtract subtopics from the list.

Thanks.

Hey man, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm taking the NMAT in like 2 weeks in L.A. and I just took the MCAT in August. It sooo freakin different its crazy when you compare the two. I received the packets like early August and have been studying here and there. I don't have much of a zoology or botany background, the last time i took social sciences or algebra was in middle school, so I get stuck on things when it should be elementary! When are you applying?

DaPhGiRL

09-28-2006, 11:04 AM

Currently I am studying for the NMAT in October and right now I already have it in my mind that I will be in the Philippines by May going to medical school over there. I graduated from UC Irvine and my GPA wasn't the best, and I just took the MCAT in August and I have yet to receive my scores.

Honestly, I think going to medical school in the Philippines is probably the best way to go for my situation, as it would probably take longer for me to even get into a med school in the US. My cousin, a Fil-Am, graduated from UCSB, attended De La Salle, took the USMLE, and is now in his residency in Tennessee, so I KNOW its totally possible. Plus, my dad was a doctor in the Phil. (UERM is his alma mater) before coming here and taking the boards just to practice here.

My sister actually had the opportunity to go to the Philippines this summer to visit the Medical schools (De La Salle and UERM) so all of what I know is secondhand information from her. We would be going to medical school together (she's 2 yrs older than me) as well as her roommate so we would all be eachother's support. I didn't get to go because I had just graduated and I was preparing for the MCAT.

I am a little apprehensive because I feel like I don't know enough about med schools in the Philippines for me to feel sure that this is what I want to do. I want to go there without a doubt in my mind that there is a better option out there. Plus, I haven't gone to the Philippines to check out the schools (I'm planning a trip for this January) and get a taste of what my everyday life is going to be like (living situations, etc.).

I think what I'm asking for is some advice from recent Fil-Am Phil. med school graduates on how you overcame all the obstacles of just going to school abroad as far as how different it is from the US, leaving a significant other, being far away from family, how difficult it was to study for and pass the USMLE, and anything else!

morgagni

09-28-2006, 07:49 PM

hi bakekang! i must agree...no other medical school beats the u.p. college of medicine. hehe.

"dr.morgagni"
upcm 2005

I wonder what motivated Ateneo to integrate Medicine and Hospital Management since fresh grad doctors usually concentrate on the application rather than the management (business) side of it.

Best medical school campus in the country??? :rolleyes: Have you been to other schools? Have you had the chance to compare facilities, laboratories, teaching hospitals, etc?

On a side note: If you want to become a doctor, you should learn to do with what are available at you. It's not a good idea to sell medical school on the basis of having an attractive building structure. This is probably why UP, UST, CIM and PLM graduates excel in the medical profession because their students -- aside from being smart and diligent -- are industrious and do not rely on spoon-fed learning method.

If the words are true, then that wouldn't make Ateneo an attractive medical school to go to. There was a study made several years ago about the plan to house the INTARMED students of UP at Diliman campus instead of current location, Manila. INTARMED students are the Top 40 qualifiers in the UPCAT, the toughest entrance exam to beat in the whole country (less than 8% make it out of the more than 80 thousand applicants). They are perceived to be country's brightest and smartest medical students. They graduate 2 years ahead of their peers. They are the valedictorians/salutatorians of the best high schools in the Philippines. They usually make it to the Dean's List, graduate with honors and land in the top 20 in the local medical board exams. Their existence in UP is contributing to UP's enormous prestige here and abroad.

The plan was abolished. The reason: it's not conducive for medical students to be traveling from one campus to the other especially in Metro Manila because travel time is very long.

I would say that going to Ateneo medical school is worth risking if you're not smart enough to get into UP, UST, PLM and UE, but do not risk a UP or UST diploma to a new and unproven medical degree provider because becoming a doctor is not about a game of risk especially if you can afford to go to top-notched medical schools.

I hate to burse the bubbles but the BS ECE program in Ateneo was a big flap, in case you didn't know. It never produced a 100% in the local board examination. For example, only 50% of its takers passed the board exam this year. Only 12 out of 27 passed in ECE board exam last year. The year before that was their worse.

Sometimes loyalty blinds you. Sometimes, it makes you stupid.

Experience is relative. CIM students can claim theirs is the best and so are the UST students.

When it comes to reputation, nobody beats UP, whether in the Philippines or abroad. I agree that Ateneo is reputable. But come on, let's face it, it can't be the most reputable. In fact, both DLSU and UST are more reputable than Ateneo whether in the Philippines or abroad. And whether we like it or not, when it comes to reputation, nobody beats UP. In the Philippines, the UP brand name is far and away the best brand name in all of academia. No other school even comes close in terms of sheer branding. Not DLSU, not UST, not MSU, not Ateneo, not anybody. This is not a close call by any means. Whether we like it or not, UP is the most famopus and the most prestigious university in the entire Philippines. It is the only well-respected Philippine university outside of the Philippines. And, it is the only Philippine university admitted to the prestigous, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). Check this out: http://apru.nus.edu.sg/about/members.htm

Your peers will salute to you if you are professional in what you do. To become a professional doctor, you perform your duty as medical practitioner heartily. You do not learn this thing in management school.

RaaMD

09-29-2006, 04:10 AM

hi bakekang! i must agree...no other medical school beats the u.p. college of medicine. hehe.

"dr.morgagni"
upcm 2005

What a mayabang post! Some may disagree with you, because there are other great schools out there. One thing is for certain, however, you represent your school poorly by displaying yourself in such a showy manner. Is there someone else with more humility that can represent UP rather than yourself? I would appreciate their comments better. Nothing personal, I just believe they would be more forthright and not feel a need to boast about UP. I am not sure if the 2005 means you are part of the 2005 entering class or 2005 graduating class. If you are already a physician, then I am surprised by your immature behavior.

JoshuaChoi

09-29-2006, 02:01 PM

MedKev

09-29-2006, 04:22 PM

Hi,

Does anyone know if the US$10,000 foreign fee for UST can be paid in installment basis (eg. every semester) or does it have to be paid in FULL in the beginning of first year ?

Thanks.

Foreign fees:
UST US$10,000 (resident and non-resident Alien)
UP Manila US$400 per semester (Non-resident Alien); US$200 per sem (resident Alien)
De La Salle University US$5,000 (Alien)
UERRM US$5,000 (Alien)

In UP, you can pay the foreign fee on semestral basis.

Bro, di ko alam. (I dont know). But im interested in knowing too if anyone out there knows... Are you applying to UST for fall 2007?

RaaMD

09-29-2006, 04:33 PM

Bro, di ko alam. (I dont know). But im interested in knowing too if anyone out there knows... Are you applying to UST for fall 2007?

Interested in an answer as well. Bump.

serenity08

09-30-2006, 12:54 AM

Does anyone know if IMG need to take the COMLEX exams or just the USMLE?

LocutusofBorg

09-30-2006, 11:02 AM

Does anyone know if IMG need to take the COMLEX exams or just the USMLE?

Isn't the COMLEX just for DO's? If so, you definitely don't need to take it. Your degree is MD, if you go outside the USA.

MedKev

09-30-2006, 11:39 AM

Isn't the COMLEX just for DO's? If so, you definitely don't need to take it. Your degree is MD, if you go outside the USA.

Yes, you're right Locutus..Comlex is for DO. I have met a few people who have graduated from UST and they are now taking or have passed their USMLEs. So its USMLE for MD, Comlex for DO.

JoshuaChoi

09-30-2006, 01:17 PM

This thing of going to UST med (as opposed to elsewhere) is really growing on me, either the school is beginning to make more sense or I'm the one who is beginning to get obssessed with it. And the more information I get about this school, the more I get excited to actually *want* it.

Although UP Manila is the cheapest on the planet, at US$500 (Php 12,500 x 2 semesters) per year tuition (US$1,000 if you add $400 semesterl foreign fee), UST is still value-for-money school.

De La Salle is in Cavite, now how far is that from Manila ? ..

The place (house/flat/condo) I wanna stay in, I'd like to be able to just walk, so I don't have to put up with the traffic, as driving to school may be inconvenient on heavy traffic (which is quite frequent in Manila) and the flood (which is quite frequent as well) -- I surmise I'd have to use my vehicle (at any event I'd buy one) only a few times in a month -- which begs the question if I should own one -- or defer until clerkship years. If I hire a driver and laundry woman, that will cost Php6,000 a month for the driver and Php 500 per week for the laundry woman.

And I'd bet I would only be going clubbing every two weeks, so a taxi is probably less hassle (if not more convenient) than owning a vehicle and worrying about driving around the City of Manila and about, vandalism, theft, collissions -- and flood. It will probably feel like an audition in Survivors in Panama, living for 10 months in each of 4 years in Manila, until the novelty wears out -- and I will feel convinced that I am in Manila. I am a student in Manila. I am a medical student in Manila. How real could that get, I will have to pinch myself to check that I'm not dreaming, because half the time, I feel I'm half-dreaming when my obsession-compulsion gets on the over-drive knowing that getting an MD in Manila is highly attainable and quite likely! And then I will enter a five-minute half-awake half-dreaming episode. And I could almost smell and feel it. And if I'm not too picky, it could very well be a shoe-in.

Studying medicine in the Philippines and tourism are not mutually exclusive. They shouldn't be and I don't want them to be -- so I hope there are no shifting exams (like in FEU) where you have to write an exam at the end of each topic or block (or whatever they'd call it there) -- because when there's lots of things to see and places to go, studying and tourism are inseparable, or else, the former takes precedence over the latter. But there is no rush for leisure and pleasure. Talking about value-for-money all-in-one: studying medicine, tourism, leisure, pleasure, and at the end of it all, an MD degree.

Damn, this going to Philippine medical school thing is growing on me. I couldn't believe it. This is gotta be the least inexpensive medical school on the planet.

Help, I'm obssessed.

:-)

JoshuaChoi

09-30-2006, 01:31 PM

RaaMD

09-30-2006, 04:38 PM

hentaisocrnmdph

09-30-2006, 10:47 PM

Am obsessed as well- thing is, UP really sets the balance when it comes to tuition and quality education (that includes the good practice as well)

UST is excellent when it comes to the theoreticals and patient- doctor interaction- hats off to the highest levels not to mention the school spirit unlike UP

In line with this, the discussion in the forum is getting a little hot just from what AurA said (kawawa naman yung tao, baradong barado na). Its just for the sake of school spirit guys.

To those who are also OBSESSED in entering UST, application forms are in- its already october so for the second batch of surnames, please submit them already to the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. They are already filing (not giving) the applications so hurry.

If ever Ill be goint to UST- hello classmates na lang ang masasabi ko

morgagni

09-30-2006, 11:04 PM

DLSU-Medicine is about 25 miles south of Manila, in the town of Dasmariñas, in the province of Cavite.

rey

This thing of going to UST med (as opposed to elsewhere) is really growing on me, either the school is beginning to make more sense or I'm the one who is beginning to get obssessed with it. And the more information I get about this school, the more I get excited to actually *want* it.

Although UP Manila is the cheapest on the planet, at US$500 (Php 12,500 x 2 semesters) per year tuition (US$1,000 if you add $400 semesterl foreign fee), UST is still value-for-money school.

De La Salle is in Cavite, now how far is that from Manila ? ..

The place (house/flat/condo) I wanna stay in, I'd like to be able to just walk, so I don't have to put up with the traffic, as driving to school may be inconvenient on heavy traffic (which is quite frequent in Manila) and the flood (which is quite frequent as well) -- I surmise I'd have to use my vehicle (at any event I'd buy one) only a few times in a month -- which begs the question if I should own one -- or defer until clerkship years. If I hire a driver and laundry woman, that will cost Php6,000 a month for the driver and Php 500 per week for the laundry woman.

And I'd bet I would only be going clubbing every two weeks, so a taxi is probably less hassle (if not more convenient) than owning a vehicle and worrying about driving around the City of Manila and about, vandalism, theft, collissions -- and flood. It will probably feel like an audition in Survivors in Panama, living for 10 months in each of 4 years in Manila, until the novelty wears out -- and I will feel convinced that I am in Manila. I am a student in Manila. I am a medical student in Manila. How real could that get, I will have to pinch myself to check that I'm not dreaming, because half the time, I feel I'm half-dreaming when my obsession-compulsion gets on the over-drive knowing that getting an MD in Manila is highly attainable and quite likely! And then I will enter a five-minute half-awake half-dreaming episode. And I could almost smell and feel it. And if I'm not too picky, it could very well be a shoe-in.

Studying medicine in the Philippines and tourism are not mutually exclusive. They shouldn't be and I don't want them to be -- so I hope there are no shifting exams (like in FEU) where you have to write an exam at the end of each topic or block (or whatever they'd call it there) -- because when there's lots of things to see and places to go, studying and tourism are inseparable, or else, the former takes precedence over the latter. But there is no rush for leisure and pleasure. Talking about value-for-money all-in-one: studying medicine, tourism, leisure, pleasure, and at the end of it all, an MD degree.

Damn, this going to Philippine medical school thing is growing on me. I couldn't believe it. This is gotta be the least inexpensive medical school on the planet.

Help, I'm obssessed.

:-)

morgagni

09-30-2006, 11:11 PM

there may be "other" great schools out there, but i was just stating a well-known fact that nothing really beats UP medicine.

and if you don't have an "M.D." after your name yet, i don't think i should even argue with you.

dr. morgagni

What a mayabang post! Some may disagree with you, because there are other great schools out there. One thing is for certain, however, you represent your school poorly by displaying yourself in such a showy manner. Is there someone else with more humility that can represent UP rather than yourself? I would appreciate their comments better. Nothing personal, I just believe they would be more forthright and not feel a need to boast about UP. I am not sure if the 2005 means you are part of the 2005 entering class or 2005 graduating class. If you are already a physician, then I am surprised by your immature behavior.

bleudsky

09-30-2006, 11:15 PM

being accepted into UST is a good thing.

graduating from it is the best feeling & experience you'll ever had.

take it from me. it was the best 4 years of my academic life. :)

plus, i love the campus - buidlings, gardens, christmas lights (can't wait for it. december's fast approaching).

RaaMD

10-01-2006, 01:10 AM

...i was just stating a well-known fact that nothing really beats UP medicine...

dr. morgagni

You reiterate my point exactly. Thanks again! Your attitude is lousy. You have no tact. Since you've put so much work into getting a degree, maybe you can put some work into working on your personality. :)

ROA12

10-01-2006, 02:40 AM

hentaisocrnmdph

10-01-2006, 08:00 AM

What's with the petty arguments on this thread? There is obviously a lot of pride in Philippine schools. My dad and lolo are Ateneans, so I know first hand how prideful some alumni can be. However, most of us on this forum are seeking practical advice for med school, and it is useless to have to read through posts with unnecessary comments.

to hentaisocrnmdph,

-Can we send in an application to UST even if we haven't taken the NMAT yet? I wouldn't want to send in an application before I know for sure that I've made their cutoff score.

-I am going to be back in Manila for winter break in December, do you think UST will accept my application then?'

Thanks to everyone for all the good info, I would be completely lost without it!

Speaking as a therapist- people, lets take a deep breath and focus in the here and now (deep diaphragmatic breathing exercise)- things are getting hot and we need protection from the thrashing of emotions otherwise we will be stuck with these issues so distant from this thread making us less psychosocially adapted to an ever changing mode of discussion (what am I saying? C/O UP College of Nursing)

Pareho naman kasing magaling ang UP and UST- iba lang talaga yung fields ng pinagkaka galingan nila (pwede nating tingnan sa tuition, sa values and attitudes sa pasyente, hilatsa ng mukha, attitude in studying etc... probably an infinite number of indicators)

Anyway
- yes you can send your applications already- and HURRY PLEASE (why? because you might be a potential classmate which I am so interested in meeting you whoever you are:D. Your surname might be off already at the list so youd better hurry up if youre planning to attend the 2007 Medical Academic Year ). They already handed the forms and are already filing for them according to surnames. There is a part in the application form indicating wether one has taken the NMAT or not. Youll just have to follow that up after having taken the exam this december (Putsa, napalaban ako sa english- tama ba grammar ko?). Tinatanggap pa nila yung mga kumuha ng december NMAT kaya okay lang- ipasa mo na at sabihin mo, since december taker ka, to follow na lang sa faculty of medicine and surgery ng Saint Martin De Porres Builiding (Yun yung pangalan ng building sa UST)

- Dont you suppose youll be a little late if not ill prepared for the NMAT if youll be returning here on december- make it earlier like... TODAY (hahahaha :laugh: ) or november. The exams are on December 10 and I think its a two day exam, you have to adjust to the climate here and the people and the place where to take the exam atbp. Yes, UST will be accepting your application as long as your not late in the filing- Started September for A- J surnames I think. Application fee of 1320 php.

Grabe- nasabi ko yon? I am not an authority here- will just be filing mine tomorrow.

MedKev

10-01-2006, 10:44 AM

Speaking as a therapist- people, lets take a deep breath and focus in the here and now (deep diaphragmatic breathing exercise)- things are getting hot and we need protection from the thrashing of emotions otherwise we will be stuck with these issues so distant from this thread making us less psychosocially adapted to an ever changing mode of discussion (what am I saying? C/O UP College of Nursing)

Pareho naman kasing magaling ang UP and UST- iba lang talaga yung fields ng pinagkaka galingan nila (pwede nating tingnan sa tuition, sa values and attitudes sa pasyente, hilatsa ng mukha, attitude in studying etc... probably an infinite number of indicators)

Anyway
- yes you can send your applications already- and HURRY PLEASE (why? because you might be a potential classmate which I am so interested in meeting you whoever you are:D. Your surname might be off already at the list so youd better hurry up if youre planning to attend the 2007 Medical Academic Year ). They already handed the forms and are already filing for them according to surnames. There is a part in the application form indicating wether one has taken the NMAT or not. Youll just have to follow that up after having taken the exam this december (Putsa, napalaban ako sa english- tama ba grammar ko?). Tinatanggap pa nila yung mga kumuha ng december NMAT kaya okay lang- ipasa mo na at sabihin mo, since december taker ka, to follow na lang sa faculty of medicine and surgery ng Saint Martin De Porres Builiding (Yun yung pangalan ng building sa UST)

- Dont you suppose youll be a little late if not ill prepared for the NMAT if youll be returning here on december- make it earlier like... TODAY (hahahaha :laugh: ) or november. The exams are on December 10 and I think its a two day exam, you have to adjust to the climate here and the people and the place where to take the exam atbp. Yes, UST will be accepting your application as long as your not late in the filing- Started September for A- J surnames I think. Application fee of 1320 php.

Grabe- nasabi ko yon? I am not an authority here- will just be filing mine tomorrow.

Thanks for your comments and hope to be ur classmate too... Do you know when the filing for applications are for last name P? And do you know if they accept NMAT scores if i take it this coming april for the coming 2007 class?
And do you know what the entrance exam at UST is supposed to be like? What subjects? Sorry for all the questions, but in the states and hard to get info from here... thanks.

JoshuaChoi

10-01-2006, 12:58 PM

Hello,

Here's the info I got.

APPLYING TO UST:
================================================== ====
Important Application Dates
Application starts:
SURNAMES
A-H Sept. 18 - Sept. 29, 2006
I-P Oct. 2 - Oct. 27, 2006
Q-Z Nov. 6 - Nov. 29, 2006
(Note: These dates are dates when application forms become available to the applicants to start their application process. They are not dates for deadlines to submit the application and documents. As an example, if your surname is Q-Z, you will not be able to fill-out the form just yet, but you can gather all your documents before this date. As a futher example, those who have surnames A-H must obtain the application forms only in the dates given above, then can later submit the filled-out application form along with the required documents.)
DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE TRANSCRIPT OF RECORDS:
DECEMBER 15, 2006
INTERVIEWS start in November (For those who have their application forms + required documents completed)
LIST OF ACCEPTED APPLICANTS RELEASED BY 1ST WEEK OF MARCH

In other words, in American medical school admission parlance, UST has "Rolling Evaluation Process", but NOT "Rolling Admission Process" as they only release the acceptance in March to everyone (and the waiting list subsequent thereafter). The "Rolling Evaluation Process" works for them, they can start evaluating right away as soon as an application becomes COMPLETE -- as opposed to waiting for a specific DATE and on this date they will BEGIN evaluating the completed files. While the Evaluation Process is "Rolling", there is a due date for Transcripts. It follows that the Application Form must be submitted before this date. NMAT can be submitted after the due date for Transcripts for those who will write NMAT in December, however, if you submit your application, transcript and payment, and your NMAT doesn't cut it, your application will not be looked at. Those who write their NMAT earlier or in October 2006, should be able to get their results by November and lodge their application before December (foreign applicants must still have at least 7 semesters on their transcript).

ADMISSION
- Bachelor’s degree in arts or science (AB/BS) conferred by a duly recognized institution
- An applicant with an NMAT score below 65% need not apply because his application papers will not be processed.
TUITION
- Php 70,000 per semester
- US$10,000 foreign fee (resident or non-resident Alien).

The application dates based on surnames:
- Although the application date for surnames A-H (for example) is earlier than the application dates for other surnames, these applicants may still submit their documents later.
- Deadline to submit Transcript of Record (at least 7 semesters) is Dec. 15, 2006.
- Applications can be submitted, while you're waiting for the NMAT result, but NMAT needs to be submitted ASAP when becomes available. (For those who prefer to submit their application, after they get their NMAT result to see if they meet the cut-off, should write the NMAT at the latest October 21 in LA, California. Writing the NMAT in Manila in December may be too late -- except for the schools who don't weigh NMAT heavily and/or have more lenient application deadlines for foreign applicants.

Fast-forward:
- UST students are allowed to do their electives and/or clerkship outside the country. (UST has four-year MD curriculum which already includes the internship -- not internship on top of the four-year and that'll make it five-year, eg. St. Luke's).
- (Preferably) on the 1st semester of Year 4, you attempt to write the USMLE 1 -- not only because the contents/topics have already been covered, but if you are doing electives in the States, you might as well be in the States doing your electives AND studying/writing your USMLE 1, then return to the Philippines for the other part of 1st semester AND 2nd semester -- all the way to graduation. (Unless you want to fly every so often). There is no medical school in the world that will allow you -- if you're not their student -- to do more than 3 months (12 weeks) of electives and your home institution will not allow that either. So only part of 1st semester Year 4 can be spent on electives in the States, then you can return to the Philippines to finish continuously, uninterruptedly, your MD on to your graduation. (Granting the request to do your electives/clerkship abroad also depends on your grades from previous MD years).

Residency Training
- Doing some electives/clerkship in the States will help, but you need to score high on the USMLEs.
- Develop very good relationships with your medical school professors (and also the people you will be working with during clerkship) -- good letters of recommendations on top of a decent transcript and high USMLE score(s) -- are recipe to land the residency training you choose (if not, want).

---- Application info for UP, UERMM, and DLSU ---
UP has deadline to submit all requirements (in December).
NMAT 90% cutoff -- that means only the top 9.99% of NMAT takers. (The number of NMAT takers has declined. If there are 5,000 people, both local and foreign, who sit for NMAT - that means about 500 people are eligible to apply to UP Manila based on NMAT alone. And out of these 500, the gpa will be looked at, and a combination of both will be considered. But that's not all, UP is a State University and has quota for some groups and also favours children of alumni. With only about 167 or so (less than 200) admitted per year at US$1,000 per year tuition+foreign fee cost -- the lowest cost school only admits 2-3 foreign students.

more later.

MedKev

10-01-2006, 01:21 PM

RaaMD

10-01-2006, 03:24 PM

Shuevee

10-01-2006, 03:59 PM

Hi,

Does anyone know if the US$10,000 foreign fee for UST can be paid in installment basis (eg. every semester) or does it have to be paid in FULL in the beginning of first year ?

Thanks.

Foreign fees:
UST US$10,000 (resident and non-resident Alien)
UP Manila US$400 per semester (Non-resident Alien); US$200 per sem (resident Alien)
De La Salle University US$5,000 (Alien)
UERRM US$5,000 (Alien)

In UP, you can pay the foreign fee on semestral basis.

If I recall correctly, one of the prior posts said that you cannot pay the foreign fee in installments. Although, if you have a relative who is part of the schools faculty, you might be able to get away this.

Shuevee

10-01-2006, 04:03 PM

Thanks for your comments and hope to be ur classmate too... Do you know when the filing for applications are for last name P? And do you know if they accept NMAT scores if i take it this coming april for the coming 2007 class?
And do you know what the entrance exam at UST is supposed to be like? What subjects? Sorry for all the questions, but in the states and hard to get info from here... thanks.

Using the contact information from the UST web site, I've e-mailed them many times for some information on applying to UST and haven't received a reply yet. There has to be another way to get accurate info other than this forum.

MedKev

10-01-2006, 04:42 PM

Using the contact information from the UST web site, I've e-mailed them many times for some information on applying to UST and haven't received a reply yet. There has to be another way to get accurate info other than this forum.

Thanks for letting me know...I will try to call them tomorrow (the # in the philippines)...Does anyone know if they are good with answering the phones? Thanks... ill let you guys know what info I get should I get through...

morgagni

10-01-2006, 07:00 PM

why are you reacting so violently to my post? perhaps you are still sour-graping for not getting into UP med?

dr. morgagni

You reiterate my point exactly. Thanks again! Your attitude is lousy. You have no tact. Since you've put so much work into getting a degree, maybe you can put some work into working on your personality. :)

morgagni

10-01-2006, 07:08 PM

this is a public forum, you know. you can't keep everyone from expressing their opinions and ideas. if you don't think my statement is accurate, then just say so. and, if you want, you can also state facts to prove my statement wrong. but i really doubt that you have such facts right now.

dr. morgagni

You reiterate my point exactly. Thanks again! Your attitude is lousy. You have no tact. Since you've put so much work into getting a degree, maybe you can put some work into working on your personality. :)

RaaMD

10-02-2006, 12:46 AM

why are you reacting so violently to my post? perhaps you are still sour-graping for not getting into UP med?

dr. morgagni

I guess I get riled up because you are a cocky individual. The fact of the matter is that I am enrolled at an Allopathic School in the US. I am not happy with the way things are here, and am contemplating reapplying. Just in case I don't get into US schools, I am looking into the Philippines as well. You shouldn't assume things. Didn't they teach you that in med school? If the students at UP are anything like you, I would rather not apply there. As I said before, I hope that you are not an accurate representation of the UP med students.

RaaMD

10-02-2006, 12:47 AM

this is a public forum, you know. you can't keep everyone from expressing their opinions and ideas. if you don't think my statement is accurate, then just say so. and, if you want, you can also state facts to prove my statement wrong. but i really doubt that you have such facts right now.

dr. morgagni

You are extremely arrogant. That's all I'm pointing out. Acceptance is the key :).

phlipsquad

10-02-2006, 04:08 AM

hello everyone! im new here and i have a question.
im a nursing graduate and about to take the licensure exams (dec 2 and 3) and nmat in december.

My problem is that i lack units in some subject requirements. My target schools are ust, cim (cebu institute of medicine), feu, ue, and st. luke's.

How will i complete my units? am i going to re enroll in my old school or these schools have extra programs for students lacking in units? :)

my email is kalabasa_salad@yahoo.com

tnx

Hi,
Im in ust med, I never took pyschology or statistics. I think ust is lenient with their entrance requirements if you are fil-am or foreigner. I guess the 10 thou donation fee is an incentive for them to accept you. Do not get me wrong though. They select qualified applicants but their selection criteria for foreigners are slightly less stringent than the locals.

P.S. Im a second year and I am so unhappy with med right now! I have no life and it seems like my world revolves around study.ARGH !!!! I MISS HOME and 2nd year is super hard! I HATE PHARMACOLOGY! I respect pharmacists now!

hentaisocrnmdph

10-02-2006, 04:12 AM

You are extremely arrogant. That's all I'm pointing out. Acceptance is the key :).

PEOPLE please- lets take a deep breath first... masyado na pong mainit ang usapan

In fairness to doctor morgagni, it is but innate for UP students to really brag about their school especially those already in UPCM- the entrance is rigorous enough, one is given quite the quality education for a very low a price. Probably I am from UP as well thus I understand her feelings- she has the right to be that arrogant (Doc, please dont even mention if you took the intarmed...)

Then again doctor Morgagni, let us remember that most of these people here are the rich Filipinos (Fil Am) that happen to have supported and paid for your education thru the countless taxes- if it were not for these people, the very essence of UP, not just UPCM, would not exist. Furthermore, UST beats the crap out of UP Med when it comes to patient doctor interaction and theoreticals. Alam naman natin kung bakit- burn out na ang mga doctors sa charity patients ng PGH (even if they know that their health is in their hands). Hindi ho ako doktor pero pagnakakatrabaho ko po sila sa pasyente, the patient with a kind and humble doctor seems to have a better prognosis. Di ho ba mas nakakabuti sa ating mga taga UP kung humble po tayo- tandaan po ninyo na kayo ang nagsimula ng diskusyon na ito sa remark ninyo kahit na alam po nating reaction yon talaga kay AurA (na bagamat nakakaasar eh kawawa naman po dahil binara ng todo).

Anyways- regarding the issues in this thread

the ones posted here were far more comprehensive data although I used to really remember the lady in the admissions office to file it as early as one could- so no harm perhaps in filing it as early as now right.

There was a question if they will accept april NMAT takers- I think they wont. You really have to take it this december so youd better go here na if you want to be included in the 2007 batch. So come in- excited ka na ba mag Med- ako excited na.

MensaPrince

10-02-2006, 10:51 AM

I just want to share this to put things in perspective...

My brother went to Intarmed in UP Manila. I went to Princeton University in New Jersey, magna cum laude. Itinuloy na ng brother ko yung Med nya sa UP Manila, although he could have went sa UCLA or Mt. Sinai. -- first choices nya. Why in UP? Low cost. The money he could've spent in medical school here in the States, he used them to travel around the world after he finished his MD. He finished all his Steps before his year-long world tour and started his residency training here after that. He is now doing his masters while specializing. Sabi nya, iba daw talaga ang mga students sa UP. I never thought and imagined the height of arrogance based sa mga stories nya. In his best friends' own words, nag-Intarmed din, ignorance-based yung arrogance ng mga taga-UP, para daw lumalabas na napaka-great accomplishment nung Intarmed, ang dali naman daw makapasok. Meron din daw na direct from high school to Medicine sa Australia, UK, Ireland, and even in the States, na mas mahirap pa ang entrance requirements. Sa UP daw, madali makapasok, ang nagpahirap lang daw kasi 40 lang ang kukunin! Kaya sabi nya, it's ridiculous, kasi they could choose 20 lang, or 10 lang, so does that make them special ? Napaka-arbitrary. Marami daw classmates nila sa Intarmed bumabagsak naman once they are in. Yung UPCAT daw hindi reliable predictor. Sa Chemistry daw ang daming bumabagsak na Intarmed students. Pero tuloy pa rin daw. Maraming brighter students na hindi nag-apply sa Intarmed. Pero what my brother and his friends didn't like, yung arrogance daw ng mga students sa UP Manila, and we compared the students from Princeton, Harvard and MIT, malayong-malayo. Sa Philippines lang daw ang UP, there is no comparison, not even a margin of comparison sa Ivy League schools dito. More so dun sa attitude and personality ng mga students. Ang comparison lang daw ng UP is with a 4th-tier university sa States, and malaki pa rin daw ang gap, as in malaking-malaki. Also, yung mga arrogant and conceited daw sa UP Med na kilala nila, they re-wrote their USMLE Steps more than once. Bagsak daw sa pre-clinical Steps, merong 3rd timer pa nga sa Step 2. Ang curriculum daw sa UP Med (and I don't know about other schools) is geared towards memorizing things and knowing raw facts, the danger is a lot of these facts will be obsolete as new research will supersede those that were previously known. Very weak daw sa research ang UP, and iba daw talaga ang approach ng mga students sa research. Iba pa rin daw ang thinking pattern. In preparing for USMLE, it takes a year, sometimes over a year mag-prepare yung UP Med students bago makapasa. Ang tagal, several months, a year or over a year, compared sa few weeks lang for other test-takers in the States. But most UP students are so cocky in an obnoxious way. My brother and his friends did not like the student atmosphere in UP. Kaya nag-masters silang lahat dito para mapatungan daw ng American degree yung degree nila sa Philippines. Yung entrance requirement lang daw ng UP ang source ng "perceived cream of the crop" ng mga students, pero mababang mababa pa rin daw compared sa International standards. Yung SAT daw, six times harder than UPCAT. My brother took SAT din. The entrance req in UP is higher than in other schools because it's taxpayers' money, very tight ang number of students na kukunin. But as university, for research and other aspects, UP is below mediocrity. This is from the views of people who have international exposure and experience. The clinical portion of UP Medicine is also very shallow, again by International standards.

And yung daw mga fil-am rich students sa UP ang nasasabihang mayayabang. But, it is the other way around. According to our fil-am family friends (who also went to UP), being a rich student in UP is perceived by local poor students as non-deserving. The rich students actually find the local poor ones very conceited, arrogant, assuming, and obnoxious. When confronted, the poor ones assume the "victim" status or "oppressed", when in fact, they started the act of provoking.

All these happen in third world country. I have lived on/off in the Philippines, and I just noticed that all my friends that I have invited sa Resort namin in the Philippines all came from wealthy families, that's by chance, because I actually select based on attitudes not on economic means. But it's probably by no chance, because local students who are not wealthy, who have no international exposure and experience, are the ones who show conceit, inappropriate attitude, lame arrogance, and pettiness. The fil-ams don't judge the locals, the locals judge the fil-ams. I'm just glad I didn't go to UP, coming from my brother and his friends who all went to UP from Intarmed to their MDs, they all prefer the students' attitude in the States, not cocky or arrogant, just plain and simple. Fil-ams who have lived in the States know what "quality" in education, attitude, and personality mean, and UP students shouldn't flatter themselves at that, because one has to go by international standards, and UP certainly is way way down in the list. A UP student who will make a contrary claim will only reinforce his/her ignorance of international standards that are in place. Viewed from outside Philippines, the quality is substandard. But it's the bargain that people are going after, knowing that beyond that, success becomes individual-based. The locals should acknowledge this reality (instead of bragging) and from here, how the health care system in the Philippines can be bettered (from being poor). It is ridiculous and sickening that a UP student mindset such as some found from this forum, perpetuates and continues to play out in governance and bureaucratic system in the country. From my brother's own words, who is a medical doctor from UP and public health specialist, the problem with the Philippines, amongst other things, is the problem of poor attitudes and mindsets of those who, while the taxpayers pay for their education, are missing the whole point of having a state university in the Philippines. Decades upon decades, this country has steadily been going downhill. The students' mindset says a lot and is but a mere reflection of the future of this country.

Fil-am

MedKev

10-02-2006, 11:32 AM

[QUOTE=MensaPrince;4216046]I just want to share this to put things in perspective...

hi Mensa,

salamat sa thoughts mo..para sa akin lang, its more important to be a compassionate and competent physician regardless of what school one goes to...my goal is simple- to heal and help people... yun ang reason na gusto kong maging doc... not for image or waelth (there are far better ways to make good money), but for the real desire to make a difference in the world we live in today.

thanks for sharing your insight and personal experience. but i do hope that people who go into medicine will go into it for the sake of the people they will be serving. It shouldnt be about status, name of school or money- but the heart.

Shuevee

10-02-2006, 12:54 PM

ROA12

10-02-2006, 05:22 PM

bakekang

10-02-2006, 09:15 PM

JoshuaChoi;4209636[/B]]

Although UP Manila is the cheapest on the planet, at US$500 (Php 12,500 x 2 semesters) per year tuition (US$1,000 if you add $400 semesterl foreign fee), UST is still value-for-money school.

I have nothing about UST, but I'm curious what made you say it is "still value for money." can you elaborate this? I am hoping you did not compare it with UP-CM because of you did, that would be an intriguing comment.

De La Salle is in Cavite, now how far is that from Manila ? ...
To give you an idea... it's about the same drive (time allocation) from downtown SF to Berkeley. Not that far really.

bakekang

10-02-2006, 09:23 PM

Am obsessed as well- thing is, UP really sets the balance when it comes to tuition and quality education (that includes the good practice as well)
agree.

UST is excellent when it comes to the theoreticals and patient- doctor interaction- hats off to the highest levels not to mention the school spirit unlike UP
I've always thought that UP grads are the proudest... and the most arrogant... not just in the field of medicine but in any field there is.

bakekang

10-02-2006, 09:48 PM

there may be "other" great schools out there, but i was just stating a well-known fact that nothing really beats UP medicine.

and if you don't have an "M.D." after your name yet, i don't think i should even argue with you.

dr. morgagni

I have to agree with this post. I mean, if you know very well about the set-up here in the Philippines, you wouldn't assess his post "mayabang". The reality here is, many "elite" med aspirants are much willing to break arms just to get into THE UP College of Medicine.

To give you an idea how this school stand over and above the "others"... it is the only Philippine school that can attract the vale/salu of the TOP 10 high schools in the Philippines. This is the only Philippine school where the vale and or salu of the Phillipine Science HS, La Salle Greenhills & Zobel, UP Integrated School (& Rural-LB), Poveda, Manila Science HS, Colegio de San Agustin Makati, International School Manila and Ateneo High School become classmates, working their studies in harmony. This may sound arrogant but the truth is, a school like UST cannot attract students of their kind.

In the Philippines, UP is above from the rest. All its programs are next to none. The second spot is a very far distant and is a hotly contested spot, meaning, there's no clear second, among De La Salle, UST and Ateneo.

This is how the ranking goes:

PRESTIGE:
1. UP
2. DLSU/Ateneo
3. UST/UA&P

SELECTIVITY:
1. UP
2. Ateneo/La Salle
4. UA&P
5. UST

MEDICINE:
1. UP
2. UST
3. CIM
4. La Salle

LAW:
1. UP
2. Ateneo
3. San Beda

BUSINESS/FINANCE/ACCOUNTANCY/MARKETING/MANAGEMENT
1. UP
2. La Salle
3. Ateneo
4. UA&P

ENGINEERING:
1. UP
2. DLSU
3. MIT

OVERALL:
1. UP
2. LA Salle
3. Ateneo/UST

----------

A fact is a fact no matter how you try to twist it, it would remain a fact. With that note, let's try to keep cool.

Peace.

RaaMD

10-02-2006, 10:02 PM

I have to agree with this post. I mean, if you know very well about the set-up here in the Philippines, you wouldn't assess his post "mayabang". The reality here is, many "elite" med aspirants are much willing to break arms just to get into THE UP College of Medicine.

To give you an idea how this school stand over and above the "others"... it is the only Philippine school that can attract the vale/salu of the TOP 10 high schools in the Philippines. This is the only Philippine school where the vale and or salu of the Phillipine Science HS, La Salle Greenhills & Zobel, UP Integrated School (& Rural-LB), Poveda, Manila Science HS, Colegio de San Agustin Makati, International School Manila and Ateneo High School become classmates, working their studies in harmony. This may sound arrogant but the truth is, a school like UST cannot attract students of their kind.

In the Philippines, UP is above from the rest. All its programs are next to none. The second spot is a very far distant and is a hotly contested spot, meaning, there's no clear second, among De La Salle, UST and Ateneo.

This is the ranking goes:

PRESTIGE:
1. UP
2. DLSU/Ateneo
3. UST/UA&P

SELECTIVITY:
1. UP
2. Ateneo/La Salle
4. UA&P
5. UST

MEDICINE:
1. UP
2. UST
3. CIM
4. La Salle

LAW:
1. UP
2. Ateneo
3. San Beda

BUSINESS/FINANCE/ACCOUNTANCY/MARKETING/MANAGEMENT
1. UP
2. La Salle
3. Ateneo
4. UA&P

ENGINEERING:
1. UP
2. DLSU
3. MIT

OVERALL:
1. UP
2. LA Salle
3. Ateneo/UST

Perhaps it is true that UP is the best school in the Philippines. I just believe that this could have been communicated in a better manner. I stand by my opinion that morgagni is mayabang.

bakekang

10-02-2006, 10:25 PM

Pareho naman kasing magaling ang UP and UST- iba lang talaga yung fields ng pinagkaka galingan nila (pwede nating tingnan sa tuition, sa values and attitudes sa pasyente, hilatsa ng mukha, attitude in studying etc... probably an infinite number of indicators)

Please don't hate me for saying this.

In whatever angle you wanna see it, UP is > than UST. And the distance is wide. This is a no brainer. So please let us not argue anymore about this. It would only make things worse. If you want a sensible discussion, just argue and/or explain why UST deserves to be the next best med school. But don't let us believe that UST is better than UP because it is NOT -- in all aspects -- no matter what criteria you're using.

The TOP aspirants -- as in the really, really TOP ones -- the ones who graduate with cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude... those MENSA members... those members of honor societies... those "who's who" in their respective colleges... they all aspire to enter UP-CM. Even UST's top graduates want to go to UP-CM than to their own. (Ask around where the summas of UST went for their med studies.) These geniuses are NOT stupid to choose UP if it's not the best. And take note that only the best can apply to UP-CM in the first place. (To be an applicant alone requires a high level of requirements … what more for the accepted…)

With this note, let's not argue which is the better school because there is already a clear answer to that.

There are several good medical schools in the Philippines and UST is absolutely among them. UST is a fine school and it has a good reputation in the medical world. But to say it is the best is just an overstatement.

UP is number one. Let's leave it that way because that is the fact. Those brilliant students would not have it as their first choice if it wasn’t number one.

Peace to all. Now let’s go back to regular programming.

:D

bakekang

10-02-2006, 10:31 PM

Perhaps it is true that UP is the best school in the Philippines. I just believe that this could have been communicated in a better manner. I stand by my opinion that morgagni is mayabang.

Hi RaaMD,

I think what you have with morgagni is just between to 2 of you. But I hope you sort things out soon. :D Whe're you from?

bakekang

10-02-2006, 11:03 PM

If this is true, then my intentions of applying to med school in the Philippines have just gone down the toilet.

How can your brother pass up going to UCLA or Mt. Sinai for UP?

I also got into several prestigious schools in the US and UK and I turned down the offers for a UP education. I got into Yale, CAL Berkeley, Stanford, USC, Dartmouth, among others. Money was not a problem for me. I chose UP because I wanted to stay home and I never regretted that decision.

I also have friends in UP who got offers from UCLA, Duke, Columbia and NYU. A good friend of mine was the top guy at Brent International School in 2000. He got offers from Yale and NYU but he chose to stay. Another friend of mine graduated from La Salle Greenhills (ranked 7th in the class) received offers from UCLA, Amherst, Boston College, Colgate and Columbia. He chose UP.

Choosing UP over the ivy is not really an unusual scenario here in UP though for some who did not understand why... that would surely hard to fathom.

In the global scene, UP is not “Harvard” or anything near it. But for people who would want to stay home, it is the best choice.

And about the issue of arrogance... hmmnn... i bilieve they're everwhere.

ROA12

10-02-2006, 11:41 PM

hentaisocrnmdph

10-03-2006, 02:35 AM

hentaisocrnmdph

10-03-2006, 03:14 AM

Dun sa post ko sa taas, modesty aside yon at kung magagalit lang kayo, siguraduhin nyong nasa posisyon kayo at alam nyo pinagsasasabi nyo kung gusto nyo ng argumento- katatapos lang ng duty ko sa PACU kaya mataas pa ang burn out level ko!!!!!!!........ (joke only- then again, jokes are half ment):D

Bueno
Will be inquiring how to make a poll here... better yet, to those who will be taking the NMAT this december for Medical Academic Year 2007- 2008, what pre med courses are you taking?

Hello to potential classmates in medschool (whether UP, UST, UERM, PLM or... Ateneo... hmmmmm.....)- hoping we will all still be friends even if fate separates our alma maters

bakekang

10-03-2006, 06:14 AM

bakekang,

-Everyone knows that UP is the best in everything, you don't need to convince us. However, I just want to remind you that not everyone is as privileged as you - to be accepted into some of the best Medical colleges in world, and to not have "money" being a major issue. With that being said, it is better to discuss the University of the Philippines by itself, rather than in the context of other schools. Because we all know that they would pale in comparison.

-By the way, some people on this forum come from families that have traditionally attended the private schools (UST, Ateneo, and DLSU). For some of us, it's a matter of maintaining tradition and legacies to attend these schools, not necessarily because we aren't privileged enough to attend UP.
Point taken ROA12. Thank you for clearing that up.

Some of us just prefer the private schools.
Ok, allow me to comment on this.

The Philippines is not like the US where there's a separation between state-run (public) and private schools. I'm talking about perception here. I am very much aware that in the US, a school like Stanford is treated with much higher regard than a school like UC Berkeley even though both are inseparable in academic standard simply because the former is a private while the latter is a public.

In the Philippines, that sort of thing does not apply to UP. Why? Because UP is the NATIONAL University, which means to say that it is not just another state u. It is the Philippines premier institution of higher learning. UP is what is NUS to Singapore or University of Tokyo to Japan or Oxford/Cambridge to UK. I know that there's nothing like it in the US and a person like you would have a hard time understanding this thing. Nonetheless, I admire that you’re fast catching up with what we’re trying to tell you. Good luck on your application and I hope you’ll make it to the school of your choice.

Cheers!

bleudsky

10-03-2006, 06:16 AM

JoshuaChoi
- UST students are allowed to do their electives and/or clerkship outside the country. (UST has four-year MD curriculum which already includes the internship -- not internship on top of the four-year and that'll make it five-year, eg. St. Luke's)

correction.

UST has a four year curriculum, EXCLUDING INTERNSHIP. the last year (4th yr) is called clinical CLERKSHIP (which you have to spend at the UST Hospital & other outside rotations). clerkship and internship are 2 different levels. do not confuse them.

in internship, you get to choose your hospital. you are already conferred the degree DOCTOR OF MEDICINE but you do not have a license yet coz completion of internship in a span of 1 year is a requirement to take the local licensure exams.

off topic: congratulations to the UST Growling Tigers for winning the men's basketball! :)

bleudsky

10-03-2006, 06:26 AM

Hi,
Im in ust med, I never took pyschology or statistics. I think ust is lenient with their entrance requirements if you are fil-am or foreigner. I guess the 10 thou donation fee is an incentive for them to accept you. Do not get me wrong though. They select qualified applicants but their selection criteria for foreigners are slightly less stringent than the locals.

P.S. Im a second year and I am so unhappy with med right now! I have no life and it seems like my world revolves around study.ARGH !!!! I MISS HOME and 2nd year is super hard! I HATE PHARMACOLOGY! I respect pharmacists now!

well if you dont have life now, it'll be worse when you're into your clerkship & internship (& in the rest of your training). you'll be saying good byes to weekends, holidays, sem breaks & vacations (& even to the comforts of your own room) coz you'll be at the hospital on (24 hr) duty.

this is just a reality check. but if u are enjoying what you're doing (& toxicity keeps you going) well then go for it. :)

hentaisocrnmdph

10-05-2006, 09:05 AM

And I was expecting someone was posting today

isko_elbi

10-06-2006, 01:14 AM

una sa lahat, hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagamitin kong medyum dito sa pagsusulat dito; kung filipino ba o ingles. pero bilang isang iskolar ng bayan (woohoo! mabuhay ang mga iskolar ng bayan! :D ), sa tingin ko eh mas maganda kung gagamitin ko ang ating sariling wika, kahit dito man lang sa unang sinulat ko.

magpapakilala sana muna ako. ako nga pala si isko_elbi. sa lahat ng nakakaintindi ng filipino, mabuhay kayong lahat. :D ako'y isang estudyante ng biology sa university of the philippines at los baños. (mahirap tagalugin yun kaya pagbigyan niyo na)

sa darating na panibagong taon ng pag-aaral (2007-2008), ako ay umaasang maging isang estudyante ng medisina. nawa ay marami akong matutunan mula sa inyo, at gayon din kayo sa akin (sana nga may matutunan din kayo sa akin :D ).

hanggang dito lang muna siguro. baka nababadtrip na sa akin yung mga hindi nakakaintindi ng filipino. :D wag silang mag-alala, yung mga susunod kong isusulat ay sa salitang ingles na. pero baka mas maikli kaysa dito kasi dumudugo ilong ko pag nagsasalita ako ng ingles. :D (juk lang)

maraming salamat sa mga nagtiyagang magbasa ng sinulat kong ito. mabuhay ka! :D

jusmile

10-06-2006, 03:23 AM

Any korean-American med students in the phil?
is FEU better than UST?
in international standard that is...
I'd like to know the facts please

MedKev

10-06-2006, 04:27 AM

hentaisocrnmdph

10-06-2006, 07:03 AM

Alam mo- nung una, nagtagalog din ako tapos nun, may nagsabi sa akin na dapat daw "...you should speak in english because not all students here can understand Tagalog..."- napahiya ako dun.

Anyways, magandang gabi potensyal kong kaklase sa medisina. Iniisip kong marahil ay gusto mo ring pumasok sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Maynila- Kolehiyo ng Medisina.

Naway maging magkaklase tayo. Nakuha mo na ba ang NMAT mo?

J1ConferenceGuy

10-06-2006, 08:14 AM

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We hope to see you at a conference soon!

AurA

10-07-2006, 12:56 AM

Woah, I didn't expect that. Everyone needs to calm down.

First of all, as this is a forum on Philippine med schools, I just wanted to include Ateneo to the mix, and yes, most probably because of my loyalty and experience with the school. What's wrong with that? I never said that ASMPH would be perfect. All schools have its flaws. I'm sure you've all had complaints regarding your schools, medical or otherwise. I have friends in other medical schools and they complain too, mostly about the facilities. No harm in wanting better ones. And if the excuse is that they want us 'trained to be resourceful', what good would our ignorance, or rather 'resourcefulness', be if we want to get into big hospitals abroad? When I said experience, I meant the experience OF Ateneo as a medical school and NOT the experience of the students. And if people didn't notice or understand, I admitted that lack of experience was one of their flaws. It still has a lot to prove.

It's true that respect and professionalism are not things you learn from any school. But if you get the respect and admiration of doctors and patients, it's not enough if you can't translate this into something more practical. If with that you can create well-designed and well-organized programs that will help your community or hospital, how can you if you have no knowledge in management. You may think it's easy and common sense, but it's not. If you've tried taking a management course, you'll realize that things can be done more efficiently without being 'cold-hearted' and 'business-like' all the time. Management is not the same as business. Good management is not just about how to make money, but it's more about the PEOPLE who are involved in running it and how things operate.

Why are people so close-minded about having a management course anyway? Who knows? We might not know what we're missing.

And for the record, I didn't start the UP vs everyone else issue...that wasn't my fault. :D

But I wonder if i'll get more violent reactions with this one...no need to be hostile people!

For hentaisocrnmdph:
I shouldn't be answering your questions after laughing at me, but I'm not that person.

"Are the risks inhibiting you from attending ASMPH?" clearly, you did not understand my post. I'm already a third year in UST. Loyalty is binding but I am not stupid. If I were, I'd have to stop in the middle of clerkship to transfer and be a freshman again.

"what course did you take up in Ateneo and was that your premed course" BS Biology was my premed course in Ateneo.

"where else will you be applying other than UST?" Three years ago, I also applied to UP and UE.

bakekang

10-08-2006, 08:51 AM

Woah, I didn't expect that. Everyone needs to calm down.

I never said that ASMPH would be perfect.
You better not be because it's very far from it. It has lots of flaws and flaps. Several of its new programs were big a flap, most notable of which is their engineering programs. :meanie:

Three years ago, I also applied to UP and UE.
I'm sure as hell that you did not get into UP. :laugh:

hentaisocrnmdph

10-08-2006, 07:59 PM

isko_elbi

10-09-2006, 01:49 AM

to MedKev:

maraming salamat din po sa mainit na pagtanggap! :D may ilan lang po akong gustong itanong sa inyo:

1) bakit po saglit lang kayo nag aral dito sa UP Los Baños?
2) ano pong course ang kinuha niyo?
3) babae ka po ba o lalake? (pasensya na po, hindi ko talaga alam eh :D )

sa ngayon po, nag apply na po ako sa uerm at sa st. luke's. ano po pala ginagawa niyo diyan sa estados unidos?

maraming salamat muli! :D

____________________

to hentaisocrnmdph:

kapwa isko, malungkot mang isipin pero hindi ako nagtangkang mag-apply sa UP-CM. kung gusto mong malaman kung bakit, mas mabuti pa siguro kung atin-atin na lang. :D

nakakuha na ako ng NMAT nung nakaraang Disyembre 2005. kung hindi man tayo maging mag kaklase sa parehong paaralan, ninanais ko pa ring ikaw ay makadaupang-palad ko. :D

maaari ko bang malaman kung saan-saang paaralan ka nag-apply?

____________________

have a blessed day everyone! :D

hentaisocrnmdph

10-09-2006, 03:12 AM

isko_elbi

10-09-2006, 06:49 AM

mag aaply pa lang ako sa UST, UP, UERM at baka sa Ateneo- o kung hindi eh baka mag trabaho muna ako sa PGH bilang isang nurse. guluck sa medicine.

ah uu. bata pa naman tayo pwede pa mag antay yung pagdodoktor. :D

ako din magtatrabaho ngayong november hanggang april siguro.

MedKev

10-09-2006, 09:20 AM

to MedKev:

maraming salamat din po sa mainit na pagtanggap! :D may ilan lang po akong gustong itanong sa inyo:

1) bakit po saglit lang kayo nag aral dito sa UP Los Baños?
2) ano pong course ang kinuha niyo?
3) babae ka po ba o lalake? (pasensya na po, hindi ko talaga alam eh :D )

sa ngayon po, nag apply na po ako sa uerm at sa st. luke's. ano po pala ginagawa niyo diyan sa estados unidos?

maraming salamat muli! :D

Kamusta na Isko,

Sumali ako sa isang study abroad program sa UPLB kaya saglit lang ang studies ko sa UPLB- isang sem lang. Nagaral ako ng history sa UPLB. Pero naggraduate ako sa Univ. of California. Nagtrabaho ako pagkatapos ng grad, pero ngayon gusto kong magapply sa UST 2007 Med. Sana maging classmates tayo sa UST...hehe :). oh, lalaki ako...hehe. Sige ingat ka dyan at gdluck...

MedKev

10-10-2006, 04:13 PM

hentaisocrnmdph

10-10-2006, 10:42 PM

Does anyone know how important the Letters of Recommendation are when applying to UST, UERM or St. Lukes or in general? I graduated a while ago and now it seems a bit difficult to get LOR now. Any help/thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

I think it is very important that you accomplish these letters now- some offices here in the Philippines will be closing by this time as it is nearing a semestral transition. UST proposed their deadlines based on the surnames of the prospective students so you might want to hurry up about that. I think there is special mention of the dean or department head or whatever. I am not that sure on that. Please prioritize the UST forms as they have the earliest deadline. The transcript of records are to be submitted for the first 3.5 years of BS/ BA degree before the 10th of December- I think (again).

isko_elbi

10-10-2006, 11:17 PM

Does anyone know how important the Letters of Recommendation are when applying to UST, UERM or St. Lukes or in general? I graduated a while ago and now it seems a bit difficult to get LOR now. Any help/thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

st luke's-cm requires 2 certificates of good moral character/letters of recommendation from the dean, guidance counselor or student affairs; as for uerm, they require that the letters/certificates be written by 2 former professors.

skyeMD

10-11-2006, 07:55 AM

hi i was just wondering why FEU is not in the ranks of one of the good medical school here in the Philippines? Because there are a lot of doctors who are saying that FEU is a good medical school

mSbehavin84

10-11-2006, 11:41 AM

hi vrybody... newbie here.

me going to med school also next year,

im thinking CIM. yea..:)

is anybody currently enrolled sa CIM here? au2x!

MedKev

10-12-2006, 01:41 PM

hi vrybody... newbie here.

me going to med school also next year,

im thinking CIM. yea..:)

is anybody currently enrolled sa CIM here? au2x!

hi msbehavin84!
Welcome to the forum! :)
I hope to start too next year..good luck to you!

MedKev

10-12-2006, 01:43 PM

Any fil-ams going to take the NMATs in Manila in Dec? Just wondering bc i'll be going to Manila to take it.

To everyone taking the NMATs either in the states or in Manila, Good luck! :)
We can do it! God bless!

mSbehavin84

10-13-2006, 09:04 AM

hi msbehavin84!
Welcome to the forum! :)
I hope to start too next year..good luck to you!

hey..u be attending med school in manila ba?

MedKev

10-13-2006, 10:46 AM

hey..u be attending med school in manila ba?

yeah im applying to schools in manila.... nagapply ka na ba?

HarryPotterMD

10-13-2006, 08:56 PM

Naku naku ... nakaka-excite naman kayo !!

I am so excited na talagang makapasok sa MedSchool.

Inhibitory yung iba ha, pero excitatory talaga yung iba ... and to top it all off, sana merong gay MD classmate akong ma-meet, para mas bongga. O di ba? Para mas masaya !!!!

And ... I was in UST, UP, UERM last week, get this gals and guys, mas madaming cute guys sa UST MED !!! At ang babait pa. Pasok na pasok na nga ako !! I can't wait.

Pero sa totoo lang ha, pasok din ang lola nyo sa UP, sa UST at sa DLSU. 95% ang NMAT ng lola nyo, at Cum laude pa. Premed Physics sa UP, cum laude ha, Repeat: Physics ... hindi nila matatalo yan. Pero mas easier magpark ng Chedeng sa UST kaysa sa Padre Faura, so more likely dun na lang ang lola nyo. Besides, mas maraming cute at mga demure pa ha. Brains and Handsome faces kung baga. Rich pa !! Oh diba, wala nang tatalo dyan!

Teka teka ... sino-sino ba dito pupunta sa UST ? at saka sa UP ? at saka sa UE and DLSU ? Bilis-bilisan lang nyo mga iho iha ... dahil time is running out.

Grabe ... meron ba kayong kakilalang mga gay MD student ?? Share nyo naman, huwag magdamot. LoL :laugh:

Dapat masaya sa med, para ganadong ganado. O di ba Kuya Boy ??

hee hee

O sya, park muna ang lola nyo ha.

OB-GYN wanna be

HarryPotterMD

10-13-2006, 09:17 PM

mSbehavin84

10-14-2006, 09:48 AM

yeah im applying to schools in manila.... nagapply ka na ba?

di pa. be applyin the last minute napara mas masaya hehehe.filam ka? why not enrol sa CIM? ;)

mSbehavin84

10-14-2006, 10:09 AM

GUYS, THIS ONE SCARE THE HELL**** OUT OF ME!!

CHECK THIS URL OUT ---->
http://www.gov.ph/forum/thread.asp?rootID=126965&catID=2

HarryPotterMD

10-14-2006, 06:20 PM

GUYS, THIS ONE SCARE THE HELL**** OUT OF ME!!

CHECK THIS URL OUT ---->
http://www.gov.ph/forum/thread.asp?rootID=126965&catID=2

O ayan, one manifestation lang yan ha. Talaga namang malalim, at sobrang grabe ang problema ng health care dito sa Pilipinas no !

The entry level salary for doctors at public hospitals in the Philippines is about 12,500 pesos, while doctors at private clinics earn about 17,000 a month.

The basic monthly salary for nurses working in public hospitals in the Philippines is around 9,900 pesos ($190) and 7,000 pesos for those in private institutions. In the United States or Britain, they would earn between 100,000 to 120,000 pesos

Of the roughly 1,600 private hospitals in the country, only 700 are now operational due to the shortage of nurses and doctors.

O heto naman yung Salary Averages Comparison for various occupations sa Pilipinas:

http://www.pinoytechblog.com/archives/salary-averages-comparison

Take note ha, mas mataas pa ang income ng Computer Programmer kaysa sa Medical Doctor sa private hospital. And ... lalo na mga Accountants/Auditors, they surpass Medical Doctors' income here.

For Internship here (you need to do before you attempt the Board Exam), some places are giving allowances Ph400 per month pero payable every 4 months, so Ph1,600 for 4months. In some teaching hospitals, no allowances, like in St. Luke's ha. In other places too, like UP no allowances pero you get free meals/board so parang ganun rin.

Residents get paid dirty cheap, masuwerte ka na kung nasa Php15,000 a month ang take-home mo. Less than $300 a month lang yan ha. Yung pamasahe o kaya gas pa lang, parking, snacks, ubos na agad. Nakakaiyak ang suweldo ng mga doctor dito. Mapa-residente, mga fellows, at mga consultants. Eh paano kung may pamilya ka na or baby diba ? Mahirap yun, nakasandal ka pa rin sa mga parents mo, eh doctor ka na!! "Pala-" ka pa rin. Tapos Paano naman yung papa ko, hindi magkakasya sa min yun susuwelduhin ko ? LoL Magmomodel na lang yung papa ko, ako pa ang susustentuhan nya. LoL Ipambili na lang ni Juan de La Cruz ng tatlong jeep yung pang-tuition nya, tapos mag-hire ng mga drivers. Tapos magpa-upa ng bahay. Baka yumaman pa. LoL
Kaya Grabe, kaya ako pagkakuha ko ng MD ko, sabay-alis. LoL o di ba? Eh anong problema nila, hindi naman sila (taong bayan) ang nagbayad ng pampaaral ko no, at lalong hindi sila ang gumagastos at nagfe-feed sa lola nyo, kaya i'm free to go to the greener pasture. o di ba kuya boy ? Isa din yan kaya ayokong pumasok sa UP kahit pasok na pasok ang lola nyo, mas gusto ko pang magbayad at malayang makaalis, kesa pag-aaralin ka ng bayan tapos aalis naman ... puro rherotic lang nung nasa Diliman pa ha, tapos aalis naman pagkakuha ng MD sa Padre Faura, kung anu-anong isinusulong nung nasa Diliman, tapos dun din ang bagsak, yung mga radikal na yan - mga ungas. naku parang gusto kong manampal nun ha. Bakit hindi pumunta sa Private school at magbayad kung kaya naman, gumastos sila. Kaya maraming nakaaway ang lola nyo sa Diliman, naku. Di ba Kuya Boy ?

O heto ha, Kaya toxic na toxic sa PGH, hindi lang burn-out yung mga residente, interns, clerks dun. Toxic din kasi gustong makaalis nung mga residente pero hindi naman puwede, they are "stuck". O ha, may isang Chief Resident kilala ang mommy ko ha, nag-nurse. Ilang UP MD graduates ang nag-nurse ... grabe. Siempre yung iba tinuloy na nila yung USMLE nila. Pero ito yung mga may mapagkukunan ng pera, dahil magastos yan. And besides, mas maraming Visa allocated for Nurses kaysa sa foreign MD residents, at mas madali ang NCLEX (Nurse Exam for US), kaya ang daming nag-opt na mag-nursing ha. Yung iba nga, hindi na nag-resident training dito ... diretso nang nag-USMLE. Para ano pa, eh di dun ka na lang mag-resident. Puhunan na lang nila yung mga ginastos nila sa pag-aapply. Yung ibang nag-enroll ng Nursing from MD, two years additional for those who have MD degree na, pero ha ... sulit yun... eh kapiranggot lang naman ang suweldo ng Doctor dito ... eh ano ba naman yung two years na tuition fee sa Nursing kung makakaalis papuntang Tate ... di ba Kuya Boy ?

At ito ha ... prangkahan, hindi ba kaya nag-aaral at nagsisikap, eh para sa sarili at sa pamilya (o kaya para din sa papa mo, kung may papa ka, :laugh: ) ?? Pangalawa na lang siguro yung para sa bayan (kung meron man) LoL o di ba?

Maraming problema yung mga nagbayad ng DOST scholarship nila, dahil hindi nag-workout yung Plan B nila. Yung iba ha, hindi alam ang gagawin pagtapos na yung J1 Visa nila .... babalik na dito yung mga yun. Pero huwag ka, aalis na naman. LoL

Hindi judgmental ang lola nyo ha ... spyuk ko lang.

bleudsky

10-15-2006, 07:41 AM

Good luck to all applicants. Hope your name will be on the list of eligible applicants next year. Hopefully, you'll be able to graduate on time also. :)

See you all on the floors/wards.

:)

shantelle

10-16-2006, 01:59 AM

hi im new here! Im a 3rd yr bio student in ust. when do you think should i take NMAT? Dec 2006 or april 2007? some said to get best NMAT results take it durning 4th yr and what subjects should i review more? thanks!

squash22

10-17-2006, 02:15 AM

hentaisocrnmdph

10-17-2006, 07:52 PM

umm... where in manila can i get an nmat form? my parents are going to manila tomorrow. need help.. :) taga bicol po ako

and is it ok to get an nmat form now even though im planning to take the test in april 2007? :)

Thats if you plan entering medschool at 2008. Those who will be entering medicine by 2007 have to take the exams by december this year- thats most of the requirements for medschools like UST, UP and Ateneo.

squash22

10-18-2006, 08:56 PM

Thats if you plan entering medschool at 2008. Those who will be entering medicine by 2007 have to take the exams by december this year- thats most of the requirements for medschools like UST, UP and Ateneo.

yep, im planning to go to med scool in 2008. but does anybody here know where in pasong tamo, makati can i get an nmat form? pls pls

agwising

10-20-2006, 06:41 AM

greetings fellows and diplomates! i am a medical student and i am aware of how much is being spent in medical books during medical school and i was able to collect medical books which were downloaded as well as bought through the internet and you may bring all these books with you in your palm or laptop and even cellphones that supports applications and adobe acrobat reader without bringing thick books to school!
i am selling them for 500 pesos for 2 cds, i can have them sent through LBC or we can meet up. please contact me if you are interested.

these are the books i am using and have used so only 21 books are in my library. here's the list:

PDF files:

Bate's guide to physical examination and history taking 9th ed

Katzung Clinical Pharmacology

Harper's illustrated biochemistry 26th ed

Harrison's manual of medicine 16th ed

history and physical exam

medical microbiology

Robbin's pathologic basis of diseases 7th ed (pictures only, text is in pdb format 6th ed)

**pdb files (to be run in isilo application which is included in the package)

infectious diseases by cohen 2nd ed

williams hematology by Beutler 6th ed

grey's anatomy

Harrison's principles of internal medicine 16th ed (the whole book in contrast with manual of medicine which is in PDF format)

infectious diseases and antimicrobial notes

infectious diseases and clinicians' guide to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

kaplan's textbook of psychiatry with images 7th ed

Nelson textbook of pediatrics 16th ed

Robbins pathologic basis of diseases 6th ed (text only, images are in pdf format)

Schwartz principles and practice of emergency medicine 4th ed

Schwartz principles of surgery, companion handbook 7th ed

Schwartz principles of surgery, 7th ed

Adams & victor's Principles of neurology 7th ed

William's Obstetrics 21st ed

*i will also include stedman's medical dictionary version 4.0 (application)

contact me if you are interested:
cellphone: 09182290076

email: agwising@yahoo.com

phlipsquad

10-22-2006, 05:12 AM

phlipsquad,
Congrats on completing your first year at UST. Currently, I am doing as much research as I can on med schools (both here and in the Philippines), and just wanted to get your opinion.

-Overall, how satisfied are you at UST? Would you still have chosen UST if you had to do it all over again? And in comparison to schools like UERM or St. Luke's, how would you rate the education, teaching hospital, and student life?

Thanks.

Hi,
I am just really sad here in the PI but that doesnt mean i am giving up medicine It is a struggle but i am not quitting. UST can account to part of that. i think its just that as a fil-am you are used to american style teaching. Be prepared guys, whoever is going to UST. Education is good I think EXCEPT You have to do things on your own! Professors rarely help you although your classmates do. Nevertheless, You are on your own. Let me just give you an example, a friend of mine in a particular class did not recieve her testpaper back from the department. They held her liable for that. in the end, she had to take a remedial since she missed the passing grade by a fraction of a point. I guess Im just a little bitter about that and about other things that could be improved about our school.

IN MY OPINION, (maybe this will help) UST: (scale from 0 to 10)

Faculty help: 3 / 10
Concern from department: 2/10
Help from classmates: 8 / 10 * Strong Point
Learning from classes: 6/10 * More self- learning
Campus activities: 5/10
Student Life: 6/10: * Not alot goin on.
Living off campus: 2/10 * UST borders has Pollution, traffic, and
so hot. i guess its like this everywhere in manila!
Food : 7/10 * they built a new foodcourt within university campus
5 min walk from med school
Education: 8/10 Still strong but you do more self-learning to pass your
exams than in class ( my opinion)
Faculty: 7/10 Some are excellent (Like my neuroana prof
like DRa. Bautista!) others are either incompetent or way
too strict.

What else? I really cant compare from other med schools, dont know how they work!

I hope this helps a little.

princesslexxie

10-23-2006, 01:14 AM

ung submission ba ng ust application kelangan kasabay na ung letters of recommendation? (parang dko nabasa kse sa website nila ung instruction re: LOR).. thanks...:)

skyeMD

10-23-2006, 09:18 PM

ung submission ba ng ust application kelangan kasabay na ung letters of recommendation? (parang dko nabasa kse sa website nila ung instruction re: LOR).. thanks...:)

Yup kasabay na din, though hinde ko sure kung pwedeng mo to follow kasi un birth certificate ko dati to follow ko n siya

FloridaMD

10-23-2006, 09:49 PM

Yup kasabay na din, though hinde ko sure kung pwedeng mo to follow kasi un birth certificate ko dati to follow ko n siya

Please write in english so that we can understand your views as well.

bleudsky

10-25-2006, 04:41 AM

ung submission ba ng ust application kelangan kasabay na ung letters of recommendation? (parang dko nabasa kse sa website nila ung instruction re: LOR).. thanks...:)

yep! you have to submit it altogether with the other requirements. or else they won't be able to process your papers smoothly. incomplete submission of requirements can be a hindrance for you to be accepted to the faculty.

HarryPotterMD

10-26-2006, 11:25 PM

Yup kasabay na din, though hinde ko sure kung pwedeng mo to follow kasi un birth certificate ko dati to follow ko n siya

LoLzz biglang nahilo ang lola mo ..

In fairness ha, fil-ams try to speak tagalog, o di ba Kuya Boy ??

Nakakaaliw nga lang. :scared: :idea: :love:

Kung puwede, pagsabayin lahat ng mga dokumento nyo, para hindi rin kayo mahirapan (it is to your advantage to have them in at the same time). If your NMAT is written in December, then you have to send them a copy of your NMAT result ASAP. (They also verify your result from CEM's masterlist of NMAT results). LORs have to be submitted at the same time as the APP, if you can't submit them at the same as your APP, make sure you have them submitted ASAP.

Also, they will only begin processing your APP package when all missing requirements have been submitted. They will also not make a decision until missing requirements have been submitted.

You can submit missing requirements later (except the major requirements, like TOR, NMAT (with December NMAT as the latest writing date), personal documentations), but that is not to your advantage, as it is first-come first-served (or processed) basis.

DEPENDING on school, deadlines of submissions may be more lenient for foreign students (because of delay in securing documentations, processing, etc.), and because there is separate quota for foreign students (that is, local applicants do not go to the same applicant pool as foreign applicants) (There is also a rule in place on the number of foreign applicants a school can take, or ratio of Filipino and non-Filipino applicants to local Filipino applicants, ie, a school cannot take 70%/30% local and non-local applicants, for example). I don't know what the ratios are, but they vary for every school. Also, the NMAT cutoffs are set by the CHED. They are not set solely by the school.

Also, note that NMAT result reports the percentile rank. So, if there are 5,000 NMAT takers, the 90% of this is ONLY 450 !! UST-FMS takes the upper 35% of NMAT takers (ie, 65% cutoff), otherwise, they will not have enough applicants :laugh: :laugh: UP takes the upper 9.99%. Their NMAT cutoffs are set by CHED, depending on the mandated admission criteria, enrollment spaces and whether a state or private funded school.

Bilis-bilisan nyo mga fil-ams ... time is running :love: :love:

skyeMD

10-28-2006, 05:42 AM

Please write in english so that we can understand your views as well.

umm, sorry about that :)

squash22

11-03-2006, 12:04 AM

teka teka teka...

ano tong letter of recommendation? are these the same as the certifcates of good moral character sa ust application? parang wala akong nabasa about LORs. HELP! the ust d-line is in 3 weeks! :)

bleudsky

11-06-2006, 04:35 AM

^ you did not? the requirement for letters of recommendation are written in bold letters coming from the dean of your previous college (pre-med). it's different from the certificates of good moral character.

chocopinipig

11-07-2006, 06:37 AM

hentaisocrnmdph

11-08-2006, 06:52 AM

letters of recommendation usually come from the dean. Most schools have these letters prepared on hand by the deans office. You can get another LOR from a professor who knows you well.

Im not sure if UST specifically cites that one of the letter should come from the dean of your previous school. Otherwise any well known professor of excellent standing in your school would do.

Does the UST- Faculty of Med and Surge seriously check out the character references and call them? Had a mistake getting one of my professors to be my character reference but she turned out a bastard. Any thoughts on how serious they call/ converse with these character references?

chocopinipig

11-10-2006, 11:55 PM

I don't think UST will call the individuals you would mention in the character references. These are usually filled up for the sake of formality nowadays. Your college grades still carry the most "weight" for acceptance into medicine. Make a good impression on your interview. Some UST physicians are known to ask questions and make comments to the point of almost offending the interviewee. I think it serves the purpose of pushing a very tense student to the limit, trying to see his/her ability to answer question you wouldn't otherwise expect to be asked.

goodluck :)

squash22

11-13-2006, 01:10 AM

phew! mali pala nabasa ko... for foreign applicants lang pala yun! hehehhe
anyway.. naipasa ko na application form ko plus yung sa essay. I hope I'll get accepted in UST. sigh...

bleudsky

11-14-2006, 03:50 AM

^ prayers can do anything & everything. :)

princesslexxie

11-15-2006, 11:04 AM

naku squash dko pa napapasa ung akin... later pa lang... pwede pa kaya?!?! nyax!!!

anyone here who'll be entering UST next year or in UST na and wants to rent a place in the area? wanna join you guys sana... at most 4 lang sa room sana... :) (hehe, feeling accepted na... high hopes!just being optimistic.):D

despair

11-18-2006, 05:35 AM

Masyado na pong ang mga emosyon natin, kasalanan lahat ni AurA ito (Ahahahaha)

Most that I am going to say is in Tagalog as the emotions best befit them...

About ASMPH- they are requiring their students to have biology, molecular biology (separate) and other hard science units (even intro to epidemiology which they will be compensating on a "transition program")

Ang sa akin, isnt it a little unfair that they ask this from non Ateneo premed students yet experts in the "REAL" health sciences like nursing, pharmacy, medtech/ public health, PT, OT, Midwifery and other hard core (allied) medical sciences- one notes the term REAL because they have a course called "BS Health Sciences" but really, I dont know what that is for (Sablay ang curriculum nung nakita ko)... and to think they even said "We are not the school that you go to because you didn't get accepted to the medical school of your priority choice". Isnt it a little too mayabang of Ateneo to demand these of their prospective/ incoming students. Truth be told, they are selling their school of medicine and they make it hard for students to be interested in it. Buti na lang pala at may leadership and management course kami sa nursing to (hopefully and somehow) compensate for a management unit they are asking of the incoming freshmen med students.

It is the case that it is normal for a new school (of medicine) to be second or even 5th rate/ choice as compared to the really established medical schools like UP, UST, UERM, PLM and FEU. The ones most likely to be accepted in the school are those they have prepared with the above mentioned requisites and most likely the ones in their BS Health Sciences Program. Nagtayo pa sila ng eskwelahan kung sa kanila rin pala kukuha ng mga papasok diba? Putsa eh kung kami nga eh 18 years old pa lang eh humahawak na ng pasyente at nakikipaglanghapan na ng hininga ng may TB at batak na sa trabaho sa ospital eh hindi tatanggapin, eh paano na mangyayari dun sa inaasam asam nilang mag produce ng "doctors of the future"? Nagsasayang lang sila ng talagang mga deserving na estudyante na may kagustuhang mag medisina. Conspiracy theory, one might think, they will get the best students there are in this batch since "ASMPH is not a second rate- fifth choice school of medicine" and claim that if ever they produce good doctors its because of the school and not because of the students who are supposedly, in the first place, "the best" to begin with. Just think of the saying "ako ang nagbayo, ako ang nag saing- iba ang kumain".

Nakakapanghinayang lang naman kasi if you want to keep your options for a school of medicine. This is enough to upset an "IN fairness..." phrase even if they have a Masters in Management degree to offer with an MD. Sobra naman ang hinihingi nila sa incoming students nila eh wala pa nga silang napapatunayan (ni hindi pa nga gawa ang curriculum nila eh).

To focus in the here and now (regular programming)
What is your schedule for reviewing for the NMAT?

Okay. I am a bit surprised at this. I am a BS Bio student from Ateneo. If you think about it, the whole principle behind our med school makes sense. Hey, I was skeptic too- believe it or not, I fought with everyone just to NOT be forced to go to ASMPH. But the truth is, it makes a whole lot of sense. Okay, I think it may be time to clear a few things up:
These are the requirements for Ateneo Med:
1) Cell and Molecular Biology (Lecture and Lab, 5 units)
2) Biomedical Applications (Lecture and Lab, 5 Units)
3) Biochemistry (Lecture, 3 units)
4) Epidemiology (3 units)
5) Leadership and Strategy (3 units)
6) Development Studies (special topics on Health) (3 units)

And an NMAT cut-off of 80.

I agree that it can be perceived as quite arrogant. But, a school's standards must be set at the start. Remember, a name is to be guarded with your life.

Okay, I also applied to UST, St. Luke's and UERMMC. However, (and I do not mean to insult or be arrogant here. Forgive me.) when I went to the UST campus two weeks ago, it was culture shock. Yeah. It was. And I was dead scared of being mugged outside the campus. A number of friends have been held-up, robbed and mugged outside. The campus itself, though, is very pleasant. Almost like a park. Same goes for UERMMC. And UP? I did not even bother to apply. I'm not graduating suma or whatnot, and I was not allowed by my parents to study there for pre-med, although I passed molecular biology. DLSU is not really an option. It's simply too far. Fatima etc., are far too (okay, I mist admit that I don't know where it is).

For now, my options are St. Luke's and ASMPH. But I am leaning towards Ateneo because I will be completing the requirements when I graduate in March.

Truthfully, we need not compete. Different schools suit different people. So what? Diba?

As doctors, we are really responsible for the future of this country. So why fight? Why not just acknowledge each other's strengths and weaknesses,diba? It surely must be the mature thing to do, don't you think?:)

despair

11-18-2006, 05:44 AM

You better not be because it's very far from it. It has lots of flaws and flaps. Several of its new programs were big a flap, most notable of which is their engineering programs. :meanie:

I'm sure as hell that you did not get into UP. :laugh:

Well, if everyone in UP were as arrogant as you, then I am glad I was coerced to go to Ateneo instead of UP. We all have our flaws, you know. And I am quite positive that you would not like what most people have to say about UP graduates, or UP itself. And may I remind you that people from the provinces have an added 0.5 (if I'm not mistaken) added to their score for the UPCAT. So, no. Being in UP does not equate with being the cream of the crop. Sorry.

I will not deny that your med school is the best in the country. It is tough to get into, competitive, you need high grades, etc. BUT, doctors are do not function to cerebrate alone, mind you. I hope you get my point.

chocopinipig

11-19-2006, 08:10 AM

safety among medical students is a primary concern. I do understand that point. However med school is not like law school, where you stay in the university most of the time, graduate and work in a nice office. The UST campus is relatively safe compared to where we've been through, Fabella, San Lazaro and even Tondo General for others. Scared the hell out of me everytime i walk to those places a few years back

tantrum

11-21-2006, 08:32 AM

If the requirements posted by Ateneo Med is true (especially the 80 MAT cutoff), they will have very few students.
Please, let us all stop these school bashing and false school pride. Once you get out of the country and start residency, we are all "foreign grads" like the numerous Indians and Pakistanis.

jsilverm

11-21-2006, 10:53 AM

tantrum

11-22-2006, 06:47 AM

Is it difficult for a US grad to get accepted to UP? I will be graduating from Purdue University with a 3.25 gpa and a 99 NMAT. I was just applying to UST, but when I got my NMAT scores people suggested I apply to UP as well. I have not even looked at the application process for UP. I will be going to the pi for my UST interview next month and was wondering if I should even consider UP? Both my parents went to UST medical school and I have no connections to UP...any suggestions?
It's going to be difficult without any connections. They also have an earlier cutoff date for applications (early December i think). Apply if you can meet the deadline, you'll never know unless you try. You have a decent GPA, why not consider US DO schools? They have better residency matches.

bleudsky

11-22-2006, 06:51 PM

Once you get out of the country and start residency, we are all "foreign grads" like the numerous Indians and Pakistanis.

very true!

regardless of the school we came from, we're all medical doctors. whether we like it or not, we will be working with others for the healthcare of 1 patient.

bleudsky

11-22-2006, 07:00 PM

Okay, I also applied to UST, St. Luke's and UERMMC. However, (and I do not mean to insult or be arrogant here. Forgive me.) when I went to the UST campus two weeks ago, it was culture shock. Yeah. It was. And I was dead scared of being mugged outside the campus. A number of friends have been held-up, robbed and mugged outside. The campus itself, though, is very pleasant. Almost like a park.

u were (culture) shocked? nye! well, that's Manila. what did u expect? maybe you haven't visited Manila for a long time.

i'm sorry for your friends who were robbed, held up. however, your friends should have been smarter not to show-off their cellphones, PDAs, wallets, jewelries (& expensive things) in public knowing that the surroundings of UST is very unsafe at certain places and in certain times.

chocopinipig

11-23-2006, 10:03 AM

The best areas for learning medicine are the more "dangerous" areas of metro manila. They have more clinical cases and the patients are more patient with their physicians. Ateneo medical school will probably send their students into these areas in the future. Otherwise their student will miss out a lot if they are all crammed into The Medical City. Private institutions that cater to the "A" class patients will unfortunately teach you less than a third of the skills you would otherwise learn from other semi-private / government hospitals.

Take Fabella Hospital for example, its right behind a public market, it stinks, lots of scary characters around, i lost a few stuff while in there. But you get to deliver over 50 babies on your own without anyone assisting you.

San Lazaro Hospital, Tondo area, squatters area just around the corner, very dangerous area, but you get to see all cases of infectious diseases.

Medical school doesn't start with getting into the college of medicine, and studying for exams. it starts in clerkship (4th year) onwards.

bleudsky

11-24-2006, 12:52 AM

^ very true. also, u become aware of the present health care situation in the country.

WaZoBia

11-25-2006, 10:42 PM

u were (culture) shocked? nye! well, that's Manila. what did u expect? maybe you haven't visited Manila for a long time.

i'm sorry for your friends who were robbed, held up. however, your friends should have been smarter not to show-off their cellphones, PDAs, wallets, jewelries (& expensive things) in public knowing that the surroundings of UST is very unsafe at certain places and in certain times.

i don't think it's fair to make assumptions about the events that led to despair's friends being robbed. you might not have liked the post but i think as medical doctors we need to show some restraint. from the tone of your post it's almost as if you're trying to justify the actions of these criminals.

LocutusofBorg

11-26-2006, 12:03 AM

WaZoBia

11-26-2006, 06:20 PM

I think safety is largely a factor of familiarity than particular behavior. When you've been somewhere a while, you develop a walk, a talk, a look that makes you blend in - even if you do not. Of course, the learning curve is different, and some are able to mimic their surroundings faster than others.

Whoever gets mugged, it's their fault only if they assume a better-than-thou attitude and refuse to learn the mores of their area. But sometimes, it's a matter of being new, and in the wrong place at the wrong time.

On the other hand, simply dismissing the muggers as "criminals" isn't the way to go, I think. Many of these "criminals" will be your patients someday. As a physician, I think maintaining a non-judgemental attitude is essential. Otherwise, there are plenty of careers in law enforcement.

hehehe,:laugh: gimme a break, just because i am a physician doesn't mean i can't tell the difference between right and wrong, a person who commits crimes e.g mugs others = criminal.

locustsofborg i think you're taking PC to a whole new level, it's not wise to go to that extent. i worked at east avenue for a bit and had several patients there who are career criminals, the fact that they had been convicted of crimes or that they were handcuffed to the bed didn't affect the way i treated them, and i was able to earn the trust of many of them. but that doesn't mean that they weren't criminals. if they ask, i'll tell them "you're a criminal, i'm a doctor and that man is the cop who's going to take you to prison when you get better." i'm not going to develop a naive view of the world simply cos i'm a doctor. i will however endeavour everyday to treat my patients with the respect they deserve regardless of their social class, career, race or beliefs.

hopefully you'll learn that before you get out of med school. :)

all the best.

p.s i don't think it's right for anyone to say that a victim of a crime is the "cause" of the crime perpetuated against them. certainly it goes without saying that there are times when perhaps unwise actions might make an individual the target of a crime. however, the statement that "it's their fault only if they assume a better-than-thou attitude and refuse to learn the mores of their area" doens't take into consideration the fact that man is capable of saying "no, i will not mug you today." you might want to reconsider your stance on this issue and actually put your PC to use where it matters.