Filipino - Best path to take if with plans to work in the US?

[bampandaboo]

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[lmesina]

I was in contact with UST and UE recently. UE offers 1 year clinical rotations in the United States (as does OLFU), and it is open to everyone (easier for US citizens due to the visa issues of foreigners). Both UE and OLFU have clinical affiliations with hospitals in New York and Chicago.

UST only allows 2 weeks USCE.. however; one poster in another thread told of his Fil-am friend that actually got permissions from UST's dean to do US clinical rotations for a year (4th year), and come back to finish off required UST rotations (5th yr). He was basically delayed a year, but still pulled it off. Good luck!

 

[lmesina]

^

Is a year (or 9 mos in UE's case) enough clinical rotation to be "more" easily accepted in the US?

Hmm I'm not too keen on going for 5 years for UST though --- i'll have to look schools to rotate to on my own. Although I am quite familiar with UST's hospital environment since I've been on clinical duty in the hospital as a nursing student since 2nd year college.

How much of an impact does having USCE have when applying for rotations? What factors aside from USMLE scores, grades, LORs matters? 🙂

It's really difficult because I'm also considering that maybe going to the US is the best option so that i'll be familiar with the environment but I don't want to graduate from medicine too late (too old -- hope this doesn't offend anyone -- it's just common in the Philippines to have young doctors, aside from a woman's ticking biological clock that tells us we shouldn't wait to finish med too long)

Thank you Imesina -- which are you going to? Are you a US citizen?

USCE is essentially required. Up until recently, it wasn't, but was very helpful in getting US attendings to vouch for you (which is so important that it basically was an implied requirement). Now however; it IS a requirement of about 2/3 of residency programs in the US, so it would be to your benefit to get that USCE to maximize your chances of matching (both in terms of requirement and LOR)

Yes, I'm Fil-am. I am still considering UST and UE, but recently started applying to a dual degree program in China, for MBBS/MS-Clin.Pharmacy. If it falls through for whatever reason such as financial, I'll consider UST for sure.

Also, as you go through this site, It seems that although most ppl state that "an IMG/FMG is a foreign grad, and that's all that matters, residency programs directors don't know or care what school".. but I've met many physicians practicing here (San Diego, CA) that came from both UE and UST. And I also hear that UST is known among the physician community here in the US, and that contradicts what ppl on SDN are saying, so your own research is best for deciding what's best for you. USCE is a must.

*What I know is that UE and Fatima have USCE opportunities that don't set you back an extra year, as UST might

 

[DrNee]

This may actually be a dumb question, but are there other ways to get USCE aside from the school?

 

[DrNee]

Well the reason I asked is because I came across a post wherein the person said "there are agencies that helps you set up clinical rotations in the US."

 

[bampandaboo]

There are?

I read that you must take your USCE rotations BEFORE graduations --- otherwise the only thing you can do is an observership. That means no hands-on works. Not much to help you with those LORs in my opinion

 

[lmesina]

There are?

I read that you must take your USCE rotations BEFORE graduations --- otherwise the only thing you can do is an observership. That means no hands-on works. Not much to help you with those LORs in my opinion

Not just in your opinion - you are correct. Also, a major factor is the issue of student malpractice insurance, hence only observerships. You need to be a student.

 

[bampandaboo]

@Imesina

So what are your plans? 🙂 going to med school next year right?

 

[whatbout2morrow]

I have heard that FEU has US clinical rotations also, but I am not sure. You will have to double check.

I also have heard that Southwestern University and Cebu Doctors' University both allow students to do their final year of rotations in the US provided they arrange their own clerkships (perhaps with help from an agency like Americlerkships). However, you must be careful to choose rotations which are likely to be accepted for credit at these universities.