It does take effort to get into UP or UST, but when it comes to all other Filipino schools, a decent score on the NMAT (seriously, its NOT hard at all... a bit of studying will definitely get you 70+) and a GPA thats a 3 or better is a virtual guarantee of acceptance (of course some will ACT like its a priveledge, but believe me, they want foreign students and their foreign fees...).
Several recommendations before you continue on your path:
1) Think carefully about the option of doing a Masters in the US, taking the MCATS and then going the DO or MD route at home. There are numerous advantages to doing your MD in the US.
2) I believe the Philippines is the best offshore option for US under-performers (Schools in Israel and England and Australia will be as hard to get into as US schools, and carribean schools are in my opinion the worst option you could take). Again, consider carefully if you want to go the underperformer route (philippines), or improve your credentials and try for the US.
3) If you decide on the Philippines, you MUST appreciate the fact that the reason why you come there is because your grades suck. In addition, acknowledge the fact that at the same time, your Filipino classmates might be some of the best performers in their country - cum laudes, scholars, etc. Especially early on, you will be outbrained, outexperienced, and in general feel like a complete ***** next to them. There are several ways of ameliorating this embarrassing situation:
a. Dont choose a top school in the Philippines. Top in the Philippines does NOT mean better facilities or better professors. It means higher requirements, smarter and more prepared classmates, more focus on INSIGNIFICANT topics with the assumption that you can learn the IMPORTANT stuff on your own, and for non-geniuses it might also mean greater reliance on old exams, rather than textbooks, in order to make a passing grade. Anyway, I guarantee even a mid-ranked Philippine school will be quite a challenge. Education here is tough. Don't think you'll have any time to party (compare that with the party time carribean students get).
b. Come early. Get on that airplane and get to the Philippines this October. Second semester starts November, so take up undergrad Medical Technology subjects - I strongly recommend Anatomy and Physiology, Histology, Microbiology, and possibly Biochemistry (the latter can be taken from another major). This will orient you to the Philippine learning style (quite different), the school and the locality, and give you the necessary prerequisites to do well in Medicine early on. REMEMBER: Official prerequisites for medicine in PI is NMAT and a bachelors. However, 70% of your classmates will be licensed nurses and med techs. They will know a LOT of the first year material, and you better know some too if you wanna stay afloat.
c. Start studying on your own. Get Guyton Physiology, memorize all the bones in the body and their major surface parts, and start studying a Histology atlas.
d. Make sure everything in your life in the Philippines focuses on school. Know where you'll eat, where you'll do laundry, and when and how you'll be converting your tourist visa to a student one. Especially at first, you'll have no time for anything except studying. Learn to sleep less. This is the hardest thing you'll be doing, and most of your classmates have been working really hard in undergraduate years and they will have more experience than you in study habits. Its an uphill battle. But if I and my 2.7 undergrad GPA (including 12 failing grades) could do it, so can you.
4) Consider schools outside of Manila. If you are not a filipino, you will be treated better outside of Manila. Also there are less distractions. Finally Manila schools will charge you a $10000 enrollment fee (forgive me, "donation"). THis is subjective, but here in Cebu, I find that people speak better English than in Manila also.
5) Don't allow anyone to "help" you get into a Philipino school. They just want your money. Interview in person, enroll, and go. Ditto for your visa processing, etc.
good luck!
