In your opinion...

[cpb80]

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I am sure that this question has been addressed thousands of times, but I will ask it again in hopes that you all will be patient w/ me...
In your opinion(s), how would you rank the competitiveness of Carib. schools, INCLUDING the schools in Puerto Rico?
For ex.
1.Ponce
2.Universidad Central del Caribe
3.SGU
4.Ross etc.
Thanks for the help!

 

[bts4202]

I am sure that this question has been addressed thousands of times, but I will ask it again in hopes that you all will be patient w/ me...
In your opinion(s), how would you rank the competitiveness of Carib. schools, INCLUDING the schools in Puerto Rico?
For ex.
1.Ponce
2.Universidad Central del Caribe
3.SGU
4.Ross etc.
Thanks for the help!

Puerto rico is nothing like the caribbean schools. Puerto rican schools are LCME accredited. Go to one of them over a caribbean school any day of the week and twice on sunday 😉

 

[awdc]

I had a friend that transferred to Ross from a LCME school in Puerto Rico... he hated it at the school in Puerto Rico but loved it here at Ross. Even said that the library, computer labs, and lecture halls at Ross were better. And no, he didn't transfer because he was failing. However, that LCME accreditation would probably come in handy when matching to a residency.

 

[bts4202]

LCME accreditation = official US school = much more respected than any caribb school + more known by US residency directors + more likely to get competitive residency spots + etc, etc, etc

Regardless of better bookshelves ... puerto rico >>>>>>>ross

 

[Skip Intro]

I had a friend that transferred to Ross from a LCME school in Puerto Rico... he hated it at the school in Puerto Rico but loved it here at Ross. Even said that the library, computer labs, and lecture halls at Ross were better. And no, he didn't transfer because he was failing. However, that LCME accreditation would probably come in handy when matching to a residency.

Careful...

I've heard of transfers from PR, but I'm not sure they are transferring in from an LCME accredited school.

-Skip

 

[RussianJoo]

Do these Puerto Rican Schools teach in English, or Spanish??? And also How much harder is it for an American to get into a Puerto Rican school over SGU?? I am hopping I didn't make a mistake by going to SGU.
thanks for the input....

 

[Skip Intro]

Do these Puerto Rican Schools teach in English, or Spanish??? And also How much harder is it for an American to get into a Puerto Rican school over SGU?? I am hopping I didn't make a mistake by going to SGU.
thanks for the input....

You didn't make a mistake by going to SGU. Be confident in your decision and focus on your studies. Things will turn out just fine. Look forward, not backwards.

Just my advice.

-Skip

 

[awdc]

Careful...

I've heard of transfers from PR, but I'm not sure they are transferring in from an LCME accredited school.

-Skip

Actually, I do know which school it is and I do know for a fact that it is LCME accredited (as listed in the MSAR). I chose not to divulge the name of the school nor the details of my friend. Besides, I don't think it's important that I should point out the specific school... just wanted to make a point that just because a school is LCME accredited, doesn't mean everything about it is golden.

If I remember correctly, he also said that Spanish is a must since some of the teaching is in Spanish.

 

[Skip Intro]

Why is it that all of Skip's sappy posts make me want to cry?

😉

Go away. Aren't you a PGY-2 Caribbean-grad anyway? You should be agreeing with me instead of crying, you hypocrite.

-Skip

P.S. bts4202 is a Ross student.

 

[bts4202]

Go away. Aren't you a PGY-2 Caribbean-grad anyway? You should be agreeing with me instead of crying, you hypocrite.

-Skip

P.S. bts4202 is a Ross student.

Actually, I am not a ross student, nor am I a student in PR. I just know that if you wish to pracice in the US, going to an LCME accredited school is better than going to any other type school, regardless of quality.

 

[stephew]

I agree with BTS on this. However I will note that it ain't all that easy coming from a school in PR either unless youre an islander. BUt ultimately any North American school trumps and overseas one, and in this instance the PR schools LCME accredited count in that. I dont know if you need spanish but I beleive you do.

 

[mig26x]

are you sure the PR school is LCME accredited? because i had a friend who was studying in the NON-LCME Puertorrican school and transfer to Ross. SJB School of Medicine. there are 4 schools in PR, 3 are LCME accredited. The other one is fighting to get LCME accredited.

Yes spanish is a must, but I study in Ponce School of Medicine (im puertorrican) and we have alot of north americans at the school right now. Classes are in spanish, but the test and books used are in english, so if you study from the books you are gonna do find, also, the classes might be in spanish but the power points presentations and handouts are in english. That makes it easier for north american students. When you get to 3rd year patients are gonna speak spanish to you, but by that time you are gonna have 2 years of listening to spanish people, so you are gonna have some spanish skills. 🙂

 

[Skip Intro]

are you sure the PR school is LCME accredited? because i had a friend who was studying in the NON-LCME Puertorrican school and transfer to Ross. SJB School of Medicine. there are 4 schools in PR, 3 are LCME accredited. The other one is fighting to get LCME accredited.

The students that transferred into my class, three of them, were also from this non-LCME school. They came to Ross specifically so they could study in NYC.

-Skip

 

[Dr Who]

I respect the hell out of IMG's. The fact that they are willing to go to another country to study medicine says a hell of a lot about their desire to become physicians.
Although I take nothing from SGU, ROSS and the other carib schools, the fact that the schools in PR are ACCREDITED should make it a no brainer!!!!

I was accepted to UMDNJ and Howard University but I chose the Uiversity of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. Not only is it accredited, but tuition is $5,000 a year!!! That to me made a HUGE difference, it meant saving maybe $150,000 in loans over 4 years.
The other schools (Ponce SOM and UCC) each have a tuition of <$19,000/ year, which is a hell of a lot less than most schools out there, yes even state schools.
UPR accepts strictly state residents but the other two schools accept US students. So if I had to choose between SGU, ROSS or any other carib school ( which are more expensive by the way) and Ponce or UCC, the choice would be obvious.

 

[Dr Who]

I had a friend that transferred to Ross from a LCME school in Puerto Rico... he hated it at the school in Puerto Rico but loved it here at Ross. Even said that the library, computer labs, and lecture halls at Ross were better. And no, he didn't transfer because he was failing. However, that LCME accreditation would probably come in handy when matching to a residency.

What the hell was that guy thinking!!!!
Seems to me that guy doesnt get how important LCME accred is to his career. Tell him to basically say bye bye to any competitive residency program.

 

[rokshana]

I agree the LCME accreditation gives the PR schools a HUGE leg up, but there are other factors to be considered. Though they may be easier to get into than the mainland schools, that is probably more true for those of PR descent or those with connections on the island. Also I would think that having some knowledge of Spanish would be necessary to do well- in school and ultimately that is the MOST important thing about the med school that one selects- because if you do poorly in a LCME school you won't be eligible for the competitive residencies either.
So if you are PR descent, or at least have a spanish language background(or are comfortable knowing you can develop one quickly), then the PR schools would be a great choice, otherwise you may want to consider the better recognized off shore schools - do well there and some competive residencies may be within your reach(remember they are competitive to US students as well, just because you're in A US school doesn't mean that at the end of 3 years you can get every residency as well).

 

[doogyhowser]

I respect the hell out of IMG's. The fact that they are I was accepted to UMDNJ and Howard University but I chose the Uiversity of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.

they all require a functional knowledge of spanish though right?

or at least "poquito" (sp?) 😀 ???

 

[cpb80]

they all require a functional knowledge of spanish though right?

or at least "poquito" (sp?) 😀 ???

From my understanding- yes doogy

Dr. Who-
Great avatar. My sister has a chihuahua- Pablo. We love him!. Anyway, would you mind telling me a bit more about...

1. how and when you applied to UPR
-I thought I read that you are not a resident- are you PR?
-There wasn't the option to select UPR when choosing schools to send your primary through AMCAS- did you send on your own?
-I am not resident, but I have ties to the island (father was born there and some relatives still live there). Would it still be impossible for me to attend next yr, or should I just concentrate on UPR? Any advice on whom I should talk to?

2.What the interview was like

3.The level of Spanish required

4. How UPR compares to Ponce (from what I hear it sounds a bit more competitive)

5. Your stats if you don't mind. So I can get an idea if I would be competitive for next yr- I think the deadline for primary apps to UPR was Dec 1 right/

6. Any other advice

I am very interested in working with Latino pop's as a physician in a big city , like NY (I am currently an ESL teacher to hispanic immigrants). Therefore, I think it would be invaluable for me to get clinical experience with Spanish pop's. Plus PR weather wouldn't be so bad 😉 , and I hear great things about matching from schools in PR (ie UPR, Ponce, UCC)

Thanks and congrats on your acceptances! I think you're making a very wise choice.

 

[doogyhowser]

cpb80

denata (sp?) 😉

 

[awdc]

What the hell was that guy thinking!!!!
Seems to me that guy doesnt get how important LCME accred is to his career. Tell him to basically say bye bye to any competitive residency program.

I don't want to give away too much personal info but let's just say that he was just having a miserable time there. In any case, yes he realized that he threw away all the perks a LCME school gives when it comes time for residency. Trust me, everyone who knows his story had the same question, "why? oh why...?" But he says he's much happier now with Ross and I think that's goes a long way in doing well in your studies and in becoming a physician. I'm not sure though, but I heard elsewhere that the LCME PR schools don't do as well as stateside schools in competitive residencies either. Anyone know? Besides, as another poster pointed out, competitive residencies aren't out of reach for Ross grads anyways.

 

[Dr Who]

I'm not sure though, but I heard elsewhere that the LCME PR schools don't do as well as stateside schools in competitive residencies either. Anyone know? Besides, as another poster pointed out, competitive residencies aren't out of reach for Ross grads anyways.

Im not sure who told you that, but I'm sure he/ she doesnt know much about PR. The LCME acrredited schools in PR have as much standing as any other accredited school in the US. Unless you go to a top 5 school, where the name alone opens many doors, every other school (including those in PR) are competitive. The reason they recieved accreditation is because they set and achieve very high standards for their students. In fact two of the three schools in PR (UPR and Ponce) have USMLE step 1 scores at or slightly above (in the case of Ponce) national average. That says a lot, dont you think?
Now in the case of residencies, you have every chance to compete for the best residencies. In the end the responsibilaty is yours to win or lose your most coveted residency spot. Work hard, get good grades and competitive USMLE scores and many oportunities open themselves to you.
As for Ross and SGU, competitive residencies are not out of reach, but they must work that much harder to acheive a coveted spot. Remeber when residencies open up they first look for qualified applicants from LCME accredited schools Allo schools, then DO schools and lastly IMG's. So it is a bit of an uphill battle to get into the very best residencies. But in the end is your drema is to becaome a physician, where you did your residency shouldnt matter all that much.