difficulty of admission into Phillippine MD programs

[iron_monkey]

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I reside in Australia and contemplating a Phillippine MD as one of my options.
I heard that one of the universal admission requirements is a 4 year degree. Is that only because almost all science/art programs in the phillipines are 4 years? Or is the technicality of 4 years itself still important? I.e. Are you eligable if you have a 3 year science degree?(most science degrees in australia are 3 years, theres an additional optional honours year on top of that)

I know from reading other threads that admission of foreigners into UP is certainly hard, almost impossible. What I am still not sure of is the other schools. How difficult is it to gain admission into phillipine schools such as UST,UERM, VEU? How is the difficulty compared to entry into eastern/central european, carribean, or US schools?

 

[tantrum]

I reside in Australia and contemplating a Phillippine MD as one of my options.
I heard that one of the universal admission requirements is a 4 year degree. Is that only because almost all science/art programs in the phillipines are 4 years? Or is the technicality of 4 years itself still important? I.e. Are you eligable if you have a 3 year science degree?(most science degrees in australia are 3 years, theres an additional optional honours year on top of that)

I know from reading other threads that admission of foreigners into UP is certainly hard, almost impossible. What I am still not sure of is the other schools. How difficult is it to gain admission into phillipine schools such as UST,UERM, VEU? How is the difficulty compared to entry into eastern/central european, carribean, or US schools?

All medical schools require a Bachelor's degree for entry. If your 3 year course (whether it's in Arts or Sciences) will give you a bachelor's degree, then it's acceptable. There is also an NMAT requirement. It's not a difficult test but you need a high score to be in competitive school.
Aside from the publicly-funded schools (UP,PLM), UST is still competitive as they are the only private medical school which did not see a decline in enollment. So you need a high score in the NMAT there. There rest of the schools will probably admit you without a problem (with NMAT of at least 65%) but you still need the Bachelor's degree requirement.
Most medical schools won't give you a hard time but you still have to study very hard as the tesing style there is different. Comparing it to Caribbean schools, the only Caribbean school that is competitive is probably St. George's in Grenada. But most of the Caribbean schools will accept you as long as you have the dollars (some are even more expensive than US schools) and some of them are even fraudulent. So if you're going to be an IMG, the Philippine schools will give you the best bang for your buck.

 

[iron_monkey]

thanks for the post trantrum. Im still not sure as I see many websites specifically say four year degree. I emailed the universities about this.

How is the testing style there different? From previous reading, the tests focus on memorizing, is that what you are refferring to? I much rather that than subjective oral exams the european students face though.

BTW fatima's website say they charge $9000 per year. Is that true? it seems very expensive for a phillippine school. http://www.fatima.edu.ph/cost_concern.htm

 

[tantrum]

thanks for the post trantrum. Im still not sure as I see many websites specifically say four year degree. I emailed the universities about this.

How is the testing style there different? From previous reading, the tests focus on memorizing, is that what you are refferring to? I much rather that than subjective oral exams the european students face though.

BTW fatima's website say they charge $9000 per year. Is that true? it seems very expensive for a phillippine school. http://www.fatima.edu.ph/cost_concern.htm

I don't have a problem with the testing too. I just have to prepare independently when I took my US exams. The $9000 probably includes total yearly expenses including board and lodging plus extra fees. It's probably on the expensive side as they tend to give extra attention to foreigners in Fatima. You can get by with less in other schools but you have to learn your way around the area.

 

[iron_monkey]

There rest of the schools will probably admit you without a problem (with NMAT of at least 65%) but you still need the Bachelor's degree requirement.

Sorry need you to elaborate on this. Are you saying provided I meet all admission criteria and a decent score in NMAT(which ppl say is an easy test) its very likely I can get in? How about the interview in filo schools? Here in Australia, the interview is a major obstacle that does make or break alot of students' entry into med.
And how on earth do you obtain "certificates of good moral character from professors"? Professors cant possibly know much about the personality of the thousands of students they teach, let alone their names.

 

[markfreak]

in some schools, you have to be smart enough to pass their interview. UST would give you a hard time in this part (i heard)...

in most schools, you don't need to worry about being interviewed. most schools would just like to have a chat with you. they will just ask probably 2 or 3 questions. most of the time, they'll just promote their school.

about the certificate of good moral char, what i did was i just asked my professor from colorado to copy a letter i did on a stationery with the university letterhead. i can send you via email a copy of that if you want.

are you really serious in applying in fatima? reconsider that decision if i were you. 😉

 

[phlipsquad]

Sorry need you to elaborate on this. Are you saying provided I meet all admission criteria and a decent score in NMAT(which ppl say is an easy test) its very likely I can get in? How about the interview in filo schools? Here in Australia, the interview is a major obstacle that does make or break alot of students' entry into med.
And how on earth do you obtain "certificates of good moral character from professors"? Professors cant possibly know much about the personality of the thousands of students they teach, let alone their names.

Hey ironmonkey,
I am a 1st year med here in UST. It really depends in what school you are applying. Guranteed, Fatima will accept you, if you take the NMAT....no matter what score you get. Yet...RECONSIDER.. going to better schools like FEU, UE and UST. I hear carribean schools are very easy to get into, but you save alot more if you go to the phils. Are you Filipino-Australian. I know that for UST, during my interview, the comittee was concerned with a foreigner's adjustment to the phils. I had to explain to them that it was not a problem for me, since I spent half my life here in the phils. Anyway, good luck with the NMAT!

 

[iron_monkey]

Dont worry now, I found out that if I went to overseas medical schools, I am forced to practise in a district of workforce shortage for 10 years after I return . Which is basically rural Australia, but im an urban guy. You may be thinking why do I need to practise in Australia. The answer is to pay off the ****load of debt.

Not saying overseas schools arent into consideration anymore, but theyre a very distant prospect now. Besides the 10 year setback, I need to pass the difficult AMC exams, and even then getting desired training programs is difficult for an IMG(GP would be easy though). I may not even bother by then, due to unforseen commitments.

Im not phil-Aussie, Im chinese australian. I heard there was a big chinese community in the phils? You know what major dialect they usually speak? Cantonese, or Mandarin?

 

[kitsune714]

Dont worry now, I found out that if I went to overseas medical schools, I am forced to practise in a district of workforce shortage for 10 years after I return . Which is basically rural Australia, but im an urban guy. You may be thinking why do I need to practise in Australia. The answer is to pay off the ****load of debt.

Not saying overseas schools arent into consideration anymore, but theyre a very distant prospect now. Besides the 10 year setback, I need to pass the difficult AMC exams, and even then getting desired training programs is difficult for an IMG(GP would be easy though). I may not even bother by then, due to unforseen commitments.

Im not phil-Aussie, Im chinese australian. I heard there was a big chinese community in the phils? You know what major dialect they usually speak? Cantonese, or Mandarin?

Although there is a small Cantonese community in the Philippines, the majority of Chinese people in the Philippines speak Fukien.

 

[tantrum]

Dont worry now, I found out that if I went to overseas medical schools, I am forced to practise in a district of workforce shortage for 10 years after I return . Which is basically rural Australia, but im an urban guy. You may be thinking why do I need to practise in Australia. The answer is to pay off the ****load of debt.

Not saying overseas schools arent into consideration anymore, but theyre a very distant prospect now. Besides the 10 year setback, I need to pass the difficult AMC exams, and even then getting desired training programs is difficult for an IMG(GP would be easy though). I may not even bother by then, due to unforseen commitments.

Im not phil-Aussie, Im chinese australian. I heard there was a big chinese community in the phils? You know what major dialect they usually speak? Cantonese, or Mandarin?

A lot of Filipino doctors (Family Practitioners) are trying to get to Australia even if it's in the rural areas. Life is getting difficult for doctors in the Philippines that they tend to emigrate whenever they have the opportunity.

 

[butrfly116]

in some schools, you have to be smart enough to pass their interview. UST would give you a hard time in this part (i heard)...

in most schools, you don't need to worry about being interviewed. most schools would just like to have a chat with you. they will just ask probably 2 or 3 questions. most of the time, they'll just promote their school.

about the certificate of good moral char, what i did was i just asked my professor from colorado to copy a letter i did on a stationery with the university letterhead. i can send you via email a copy of that if you want.

are you really serious in applying in fatima? reconsider that decision if i were you. 😉

is the interview for admission in UERM as hard as in UST? thanks..... 🙂 🙂 🙂

 

[butrfly116]

in some schools, you have to be smart enough to pass their interview. UST would give you a hard time in this part (i heard)...

in most schools, you don't need to worry about being interviewed. most schools would just like to have a chat with you. they will just ask probably 2 or 3 questions. most of the time, they'll just promote their school.

about the certificate of good moral char, what i did was i just asked my professor from colorado to copy a letter i did on a stationery with the university letterhead. i can send you via email a copy of that if you want.

are you really serious in applying in fatima? reconsider that decision if i were you. 😉

is the interview for admission as hard as the interview in UST?? thanks.... 🙂

 

[markfreak]

they no longer interview their applicants.

 

[butrfly116]

they no longer interview their applicants.

wow that's a relief..🙂 i always get pretty nervous when it comes to interviews. by the way, do you know if kaplan is a good review center for NMAT or is there a better one you'd recommend? wen does the review usually start? having a hard time planning to prepare for it coz supposedly ima take the nursing boards this december but i still got minor sbjcts left. i'll be done by sept so i'll be able to take the boards in june. i'm planning on taking the NMAT in december instead. i called CEM regarding the NMATs they said application starts in sept. wondering if the review starts in sept. too.. pls need more info.. thanks=)

 

[tantrum]

wow that's a relief..🙂 i always get pretty nervous when it comes to interviews. by the way, do you know if kaplan is a good review center for NMAT or is there a better one you'd recommend? wen does the review usually start? having a hard time planning to prepare for it coz supposedly ima take the nursing boards this december but i still got minor sbjcts left. i'll be done by sept so i'll be able to take the boards in june. i'm planning on taking the NMAT in december instead. i called CEM regarding the NMATs they said application starts in sept. wondering if the review starts in sept. too.. pls need more info.. thanks=)

Other than UP and UST, most interviews are just for formality and as long as you are not arrogant or obnoxious, you'll pass the interview. They are just trying to know you and the strength of your desire and resolve to become a doctor. Most private schools are having problem filling their quota of students. Even UERM (which used to be popular) can barely get more than 200 enrollees.
As for NMAT, most people did not prepare well as the cutoff scores for most schools are not really that high for most schools (55 for UERM based on their website, dont know for FEU,DLSU, or San Beda). Some dont even care for your score as long as you took it. But if you are not confident, Kaplan is a well known review center but a bit expensive. Most likely the review will also be on September for the December NMAT. Try asking around for reviewers if you can do it on your own. PLM have their own exam (MCAT).

 

[butrfly116]

Other than UP and UST, most interviews are just for formality and as long as you are not arrogant or obnoxious, you'll pass the interview. They are just trying to know you and the strength of your desire and resolve to become a doctor. Most private schools are having problem filling their quota of students. Even UERM (which used to be popular) can barely get more than 200 enrollees.
As for NMAT, most people did not prepare well as the cutoff scores for most schools are not really that high for most schools (55 for UERM based on their website, dont know for FEU,DLSU, or San Beda). Some dont even care for your score as long as you took it. But if you are not confident, Kaplan is a well known review center but a bit expensive. Most likely the review will also be on September for the December NMAT. Try asking around for reviewers if you can do it on your own. PLM have their own exam (MCAT).

ey tantrum, are you still in med school or u an MD already?=) just wonderin. 🙂 thanks for answering my questions. really appreciate it. just called kaplan, found out that review starts in october. wana get a high NMAT score so that i'll have more options though my 1st choice is UERM. my 2nd choice is UST, great school but i think its too far. UP is not on my list bec dnt want to be disappointed in case i try and do my very best but stil wont be accepted.. can you please recommend other good schools? thanks a lot! 🙂

 

[tantrum]

ey tantrum, are you still in med school or u an MD already?=) just wonderin. thanks for answering my questions. really appreciate it. just called kaplan, found out that review starts in october. wana get a high NMAT score so that i'll have more options though my 1st choice is UERM. my 2nd choice is UST, great school but i think its too far. UP is not on my list bec dnt want to be disappointed in case i try and do my very best but stil wont be accepted.. can you please recommend other good schools? thanks a lot!

I'm already an MD. Go for it if you really want a high score. I have friends from both UST and UERM and these are solid choices. If I were you, I would still try for UP since you're aiming for a high score. Other school I would consider are PLM, FEU, St. Luke's and DLSU (San Beda is too new). Other good schools are far from Metro Manila like CIM(Cebu) and St. Louis (Baguio).

 

[bleudsky]

Sorry need you to elaborate on this. Are you saying provided I meet all admission criteria and a decent score in NMAT(which ppl say is an easy test) its very likely I can get in?

not exactly. it depends on the school you're applying to. remember that some medical schools admit those whom they think are eligible enough for them (especially if the # of students of applying is high), & most of the time they prefer those who had their pre-med in the same institution.

 

[tantrum]

not exactly. it depends on the school you're applying to. remember that some medical schools admit those whom they think are eligible enough for them (especially if the # of students of applying is high), & most of the time they prefer those who had their pre-med in the same institution.

This is true especially with UST and public colleges (because of low tuition). Although the other schools are becoming less selective, admission does not guarantee graduation. They put the students through a "strainer" or pyramidal system. For example, FEU used to admit 360 to 400 students (nowadays they get a little more than 200). They will usually keep about 150 students till graduation, so a lot of students don't finish in the same school. UERM do the same thing to a lesser extent.
I have attached enrollment trend in selected schools and you can see that a lot of schools have dramatic drop in their admissions. Less selectivity does not mean that everyone will graduate but at least the odds are improved that they might keep you. To be safe, you should be in the upper 50th percentile in the class.

 

[bleudsky]

tantrum, thanks for the stats. good to know UST still has a big # of applicants every yr. i wonder what will happen with Ateneo School of Medicine (w/c will open by 2007) considering that there're less students applying for Medicine?

 

[byrdj]

How well respected is Our Lady of Fatima? I am interested in applying to UP, UST and Fatima. UP is what i'm hoping for, but Fatima appears to be pretty good since it is a Title IV school and recognized here in the US. Anyone have any advice?

 

[tantrum]

How well respected is Our Lady of Fatima? I am interested in applying to UP, UST and Fatima. UP is what i'm hoping for, but Fatima appears to be pretty good since it is a Title IV school and recognized here in the US. Anyone have any advice?

If you're an American, the medical school will not matter much as long as you prepare for the USMLE independently. The advantage of Fatima is that you can take a lot of your clerkship (4th year) rotations in the states (they have affiliations with NY and Chicago hospitals). They also have a lot of foreigners. Fatima does not have a good reputation IN the Philippines, but then it will be up to the students if you study hard for the US Boards. In the Philippine Medical Board Examinations (August 2004), Fatima had a pasing rate of 24% (41/172). However, this may be misleading as a lot of their grads especially their best students take it every February to increase their chance of being in the top 20 in the Boards. That means they are accepting a lot of students (maybe 400 or more) and they take transferees from other schools. However, as long as you do well on your USMLE the school won't matter much as you will still be an IMG.
UP does not take a lot of Fil-Ams (maybe 2 per batch) but you need some powerful "connections" to pull that off. It is subsidized by taxpayers.
I would suggest UST,UERM,FEU, or even DLSU if you're staying near Metro Manila. Most schools will allow US rotations but it will be up to you to make the arrangements (unlike Fatima).

 

[tantrum]

tantrum, thanks for the stats. good to know UST still has a big # of applicants every yr. i wonder what will happen with Ateneo School of Medicine (w/c will open by 2007) considering that there're less students applying for Medicine?

Any University trying to open a medical school is not paying attention to the trends. It's better for them to open a school of Nursing as it is more viable. If I am a local grad (Filipino), I would rather go to a public university than waste my money on a new school. Unless they are doing it to take care of their undergrads. In that case, other medical schools will have to close (and they should) as Medicine is no longer a popular course in the Philippines.

 

[bleudsky]

How well respected is Our Lady of Fatima? I am interested in applying to UP, UST and Fatima. UP is what i'm hoping for, but Fatima appears to be pretty good since it is a Title IV school and recognized here in the US. Anyone have any advice?

what does a Title IV school mean?

 

[byrdj]

a title IV school is a foreign school that is eligible to receive US financial aid for american students that attend that school. The school has to be recognized as fulfilling US standards for the type of school it is.

 

[markfreak]

there's this review center called BRAINS. Most people i know studied there for NMAT. I just reviewed my textbooks two months before the exam. I did pretty well.

Just an update... St Luke's currently has 60+ 1st year students (they used to have 200+ freshmen). San Beda has 120+ freshmen. This is not surprising.. many are attracted to San Beda since we share most professors with UP College of Med. The only two forensic pathologists in the country (Dra Lim and Dra Fortun) teach only in these 2 schools. The only epilepsy surgeon in the phil teaches only in UP & San Beda. former health secretary jimmy galven-tan is also our professor.

anyway, goodluck bleudsky!!! 😉

 

[bleudsky]

byrdj, thanks for the info.

markfreak, thanks for the encouragement. hopefully i could make it through clerkship/4th yr medicine. 😀

 

[maia]

there's this review center called BRAINS. Most people i know studied there for NMAT. I just reviewed my textbooks two months before the exam. I did pretty well.

Just an update... St Luke's currently has 60+ 1st year students (they used to have 200+ freshmen). San Beda has 120+ freshmen. This is not surprising.. many are attracted to San Beda since we share most professors with UP College of Med. The only two forensic pathologists in the country (Dra Lim and Dra Fortun) teach only in these 2 schools. The only epilepsy surgeon in the phil teaches only in UP & San Beda. former health secretary jimmy galven-tan is also our professor.

anyway, goodluck bleudsky!!! 😉

hi! i assume you're in San Beda?
do they have subject prepreq's in your school too?
thanks!

 

[markfreak]

All medical schools in the phil require those supplementary subjects (physics, social sciences, etc). this is what the commission of higher education requires.

 

[tantrum]

there's this review center called BRAINS. Most people i know studied there for NMAT. I just reviewed my textbooks two months before the exam. I did pretty well.

Just an update... St Luke's currently has 60+ 1st year students (they used to have 200+ freshmen). San Beda has 120+ freshmen. This is not surprising.. many are attracted to San Beda since we share most professors with UP College of Med. The only two forensic pathologists in the country (Dra Lim and Dra Fortun) teach only in these 2 schools. The only epilepsy surgeon in the phil teaches only in UP & San Beda. former health secretary jimmy galven-tan is also our professor.

anyway, goodluck bleudsky!!! 😉

I would not be surprised if San Beda and the future Ateneo School of Medicine will overtake St. Luke's as an alternative to the big schools (UST,UERM,FEU,DLSU). Both are established universities and have money to withstand future problems. I also know Dr. Helen Sigua-Santiago who is the chairman of their Family Medicine Dep't. San Beda has to work on its recognition by the California Medical Board (www.medbd.ca.gov/Applicant_Schools_Recognized.htm#P) but I don't think it will be a problem as most Philippine schools are recognized.

 

[maia]

All medical schools in the phil require those supplementary subjects (physics, social sciences, etc). this is what the commission of higher education requires.

yup! but that was probably before.
not sure but, i heard that UP does not, as long as one graduate with a BS and so do West Visayas in Iloilo and CIM in Cebu. I called the latter 2 schools three weeks ago and the Registrars both said that the CHED no longer required them and one said that it was just implemented this school year.
that's why i was wondering if this was also being implemented in the other schools for this schoolyear or the next.

can some of you guys shed some light about these prereq subjects in your medschool? especially those who just applied this Schoolyear?
Thanks!

 

[tantrum]

yup! but that was probably before.
not sure but, i heard that UP does not, as long as one graduate with a BS and so do West Visayas in Iloilo and CIM in Cebu. I called the latter 2 schools three weeks ago and the Registrars both said that the CHED no longer required them and one said that it was just implemented this school year.
that's why i was wondering if this was also being implemented in the other schools for this schoolyear or the next.

can some of you guys shed some light about these prereq subjects in your medschool? especially those who just applied this Schoolyear?
Thanks!

Due to the small number of applicants, some schools will definitely waive their prerequisite subjects. I think DLSU-HSC is doing it too but it's better to call or email each school to verify. BTW, West Visayas is a good school and they have a nice web site (courtesy of Dr. Rolour Garcia).

 

[GoldenAzn]

a title IV school is a foreign school that is eligible to receive US financial aid for american students that attend that school. The school has to be recognized as fulfilling US standards for the type of school it is.

I don't know if this helps but these are the school in the phillipines that are Title IV schools.

UST, Angela University Foundation, Asian Institution of Managment, 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.

 

[bleudsky]

^^ err.. what i think you're referring to is Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga. not Angela.

 

[tantrum]

I don't know if this helps but these are the school in the phillipines that are Title IV schools.

UST, Angela University Foundation, Asian Institution of Managment, 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.

So for medical schools, you have 3 choices accepting Title IV financial aids.
UST(1st choice in my opinion), Fatima, then Angeles University Foundation.

 

[maia]

So for medical schools, you have 3 choices accepting Title IV financial aids.
UST(1st choice in my opinion), Fatima, then Angeles University Foundation.

Silliman too. Just opened medschool.

 

[tantrum]

Silliman too. Just opened medschool.

Forgot about that. San Beda last year, Silliman this year, then Ateneo in 2007. Who said medical schools are dying (well maybe some older ones)? Silliman is a good institution and will be better in the long run. However, if byrdj is an American and will practice in the states, Silliman or any of the new schools (like San Beda or Ateneo) will not have recognition in most states (especially California) for a while so it may not be a good choice for him/her. It will be an excellent choice for Filipinos though.

 

[markfreak]

Forgot about that. San Beda last year, Silliman this year, then Ateneo in 2007.

ooopsss. correction... san beda started june 2002.
there's another new med school... emilio aguinaldo college. i think it started 2001/2002

there are fil-am students in our med school too (san beda). in fact, one of them has already taken USMLE.. he passed it in just one take. 😉

another one (immigrant) practiced nursing for 5-7 years in michigan before he enrolled he finally enrolled in medicine two years ago. top 3 nga sya sa class e.

another fil-am from west virginia plans to spend 6 months of his clerkship in michigan next year. he plans to practice in US eventually

 

[maia]

Forgot about that. San Beda last year, Silliman this year, then Ateneo in 2007. Who said medical schools are dying (well maybe some older ones)? Silliman is a good institution and will be better in the long run. However, if byrdj is an American and will practice in the states, Silliman or any of the new schools (like San Beda or Ateneo) will not have recognition in most states (especially California) for a while so it may not be a good choice for him/her. It will be an excellent choice for Filipinos though.

👍

 

[byrdj]

i didn't think my entry in the thread would take it this far. Fortunately, Title IV will serve two purposes for me. 1.) if a school is Title IV eligible, that means when i return to the states (yup, i'm an american---half filipino though) the school will be recognized and 2.) if for some odd reason i needed school loans, i could get them. Fortunately UST (the school i'd like to go to) costs about $1300 US per semester whereas the average school in the states is about $20000 US.

 

[tantrum]

Forgot about that. San Beda last year, Silliman this year, then Ateneo in 2007.

ooopsss. correction... san beda started june 2002.
there's another new med school... emilio aguinaldo college. i think it started 2001/2002

there are fil-am students in our med school too (san beda). in fact, one of them has already taken USMLE.. he passed it in just one take. 😉

another one (immigrant) practiced nursing for 5-7 years in michigan before he enrolled he finally enrolled in medicine two years ago. top 3 nga sya sa class e.

another fil-am from west virginia plans to spend 6 months of his clerkship in michigan next year. he plans to practice in US eventually

Oops. Sorry for the mistake. Been out of the country for a while. The old EAC of Medicine became DLSU-HSC, so the new EAC must be the one in Manila. I wonder where will they get the students?

I'm not saying you cannot be licensed in the states if you attend a new school. It's just if you are one of the pioneer graduate of that school, it will take a lot of pulling and pushing your school administration and the state board you're applying to. The paperwork alone might take you more than a year to finish. It's doable but a lot of hard work. Some states like Texas and California are so strict (pain in the #@%) that they sometimes wait until the school is 7-10 years old before recognizing it. However, if you are not picky on which states to practice, you can be licensed eventually in some states.

 

[bleudsky]

Oops. Sorry for the mistake. Been out of the country for a while. The old EAC of Medicine became DLSU-HSC, so the new EAC must be the one in Manila.

hmm.. the DLSU-HSC College of Medicine has been existent ever since i applied for PT way back late '95. back then, it's name was DLSU-EAC (since it was co-managed by 2 schools) but DLSU had complete control by 1996, thus the name changed. right now, they re-named again to DLS-HSC. they omitted the word "university" sometime last year i think (according to my college friends working in the hospital as PT staff).

EAC built their institution at the same time with DLSU (in cavite) but i'm not sure which institution established the College of Medicine first.

 

[markfreak]

i was actually referring to the Emilio Aguinaldo College of Medicine in Ermita, Manila. It started in 2001/2002. It's the medical school of Medical Center Manila.

 

[masaya]

i didn't think my entry in the thread would take it this far. Fortunately, Title IV will serve two purposes for me. 1.) if a school is Title IV eligible, that means when i return to the states (yup, i'm an american---half filipino though) the school will be recognized and 2.) if for some odd reason i needed school loans, i could get them. Fortunately UST (the school i'd like to go to) costs about $1300 US per semester whereas the average school in the states is about $20000 US.

hi, just found this wonderful little forum. thx to all the knowledgeable people out there giving advice. i've only recently started looking into going to phil for med. forgive the novice questions... 1) however do i go about getting an NMAT review book in the US? 2) anyone got an actual contact # for the LA phil consulate? the phone just rings and rings and rings.... argh! 3) what's this i've been reading about donations? just to confirm, it's an upfront one time (huge) cash "donation" to be eligible for the program?

thx in adv for the help.

 

[zedka]

I was not able to enroll in a review school for NMAT. Any online source for things to review?

I'll take the exam this December but because of lack of preparation I think I would need a retake in April. If I'm planning to enroll for next year, will the med schools here in the Phil accept NMAt results of the April exam?

Thanks

 

[chocopinipig]

when you took the NMAT isnt a problem. Getting a good grade is though. It'll boost your image i would say 40 to 50 percent to getting accepted. But still college grades would give the largest percentage to getting into a competitive school. NMAT is a one-time-but-can-still-take-another-one-exam. College grades are a different story.

 

[savana]

choco, what do you mean about the college grade? it matter? really? 😕

 

[chocopinipig]

choco, what do you mean about the college grade? it matter? really? 😕

college grades are reflective of your overall performance for a total of 4 or 5 years. NMAT is an exam that can be "learned". Plus the fact that IQ test are all very similar and can actually be studied to perfection.

One aspect of the exam is reading mirror images. You only need to train yourself to read mirror images and the exam becomes easy. Some schools make NMAT a screening test. But college grades will carry the weight whether to accept a student or not.

 

[tantrum]

choco, what do you mean about the college grade? it matter? really? 😕

Sure grades matter but like NMAT, most schools don't really have a HARD cutoff. It depends on whether they can fill their quota (maximum) of first years. Although it's harder to get into UST, they have a large quota (450)- they even cancelled their interviews as there are less applicants. Other universities are having difficult time just filling their quotas so it's a good time to apply to med school.

 

[kittycrinkles]

i think in UP, your college standing during graduation matters when they deliberate on whether you'll get accepted. so, yes, grades matter. but a high NMAT score can't hurt. 🙂