I really like it. We have an integrated organ-system curriculum, in which each system is offered in blocks, throughout the year. Classes are small, of about 60 students each. There is a 6:1 student-cadaver ratio. Cadavers are not pre-dissected (unlike UCC or Ponce); brand new for you to prepare and dissect. Facilities are beyond adequate: we have 2 large auditoriums where lectures are held and smaller, newly renovated classrooms. Study rooms and anatomy lab (each with separate A/C system) are available 24/7; security staff is also on campus 24/7 and parking lot is huge. The clinical skills center is undergoing renovation.
We are mainly affiliated with the Mennonite Health Care system, a very large group of hospitals and clinics located around the island. "Menonita caguas" is right next to our school. The hospital is currently undergoing major remodeling and is our main teaching site. I was there for my Peds EM rotation and the entire ER is brand new, state of the art.
Now with the biggest controversy of them all: language. Interviews can be conducted in English, Spanish or both. That ultimately depends on you and the interviewer. I know English speaking OOS that were only interviewed in English. In other words, you never know but you should be prepared to talk in Spanish of course.
As far as classes, that depends only on the professor. Some will only lecture in Spanish, some others will only lecture in English, however, most professors will lecture in Spanish (only 2 English speaking professors). We have visiting professors that will ask us for our preference and he/she will lecture based on that. Since all you'll do is study for your first 2 years, there's no really a need for you to use your Spanish. ALL lecture slides, presentations, textbooks, manuals, quizzes and tests are in English.
With all honesty (and trying to be as objective as I can) SJB is your best option of all PR schools as far as USMLE preparation. We take standardized, NBME tests at the end of each block. The NBME, the same company that makes all USMLE Steps offers these CAS exams. It is basically a large question bank where professors can browse and use to design our tests. There are only a handful of medical schools around the country that offer CAS exams. With that being said, there is no better preparation for your Steps than this. Exams simulate the Step every single time, with regards to difficulty, format and time. At the end of every CAS you obtain a report with your performance, compared to your class, divided by subjects, for your review and better preparation.
As far as the match, there has been no problem at all. From very respected programs (TX Southwestern, FL Jackson Memorial) to highly competitive specialties (radiology, IM/PEDS, Neuro/PEDS, surgery, orthopedics)
