During undergraduate, I began thinking about attending Medical School in the Philippines for a lot of reasons. Now, everyone has different reasons for attending a foreign medical school, and each one of my friends have their own specific reasons including myself, and I'm sure those who have taken the NMAT and are planning to apply to schools here in the Philippines must also have theirs... thus why they are considering attending here. Prior to such said decision, I am pretty positive that most if not all have done extensive research about attending Medical School in the Philippine; Cause I was once in your shoes and I did the same. I search the internet for different forums and medical school websites in hopes that I can find the right school. I am currently a student at UERMMMC. In hopes that I can shed some light about my college, I'll try to share and divulge some information about my university. I'll try to be unbias as possible. I hope this can answer several questions that you guys may have since sometimes contacting the schools in the Philippines are hard. At least i'll share with you guys my first hand experience.I'll share both pros and cons as well regarding my opinion about certain things.
What type of education am I going to get in UERM?
UERM is a tradiational base medical school. Their curriculum WILL prepare you greatly for the Philippine Boards, but will not prepare you for the USMLE. Although it'll give you a foundation, you MUST parallel study in order to do well for the USMLE. Most of the Professors are good and conducts their lessons in English, with occassional tagalog from time to time. Learning tagalog is optional and will make things a lot easier (I'll explain why later), but its not mandatory. Classes are from 8 am to 5 pm, with 1 hour lunch break from 12 to 1pm. So as one can see, everyday is really long and this goes on 5 days a week. After class, its mandatory (because you will fall behind) to study for the rest of the night in order to catch up. Although attending class will give you a basic idea on what to study, self-study is a MUST especially for fil-ams. The way things are conducted here are completely different from what you've encountered. Its tons of memorization, with emphasist on... memorization. The Philippine Board Exam seems to rely heavily on memory and thus exams in UERM ask very, very detailed questions... sometimes too detailed that it feels so uncessary, but nonetheless it is their goal to prepare their students for the Philippine Boards. Those who intend to practice in the US, which are basically all the filams and foreign students, are left to study for the USMLE on their own. UERM and most schools in the Philippines are competing every year to see who gets the highest passing rate in the PHilippine boards every year. This is the way they determine which school is the best and increase their attractiveness for potential future students as well as increase their student body. this is very important for UERM and thus the reason why they cater for the students towards the Philippine Board exams. They Long term exams and student preparations revolves around their boards...which of course are completely different from USMLE style questions which are relaint on Problem Base Lectures, with emphasist on clinical correlation and applications.
In UERM, and UST and probably several schools in the Philippines, gives you an option studying from transcripts. What are they? First question I asked when I saw them. Transcripts or "trans" for short are documents that was typed up by students that covers everything that the professor lectured in class, and covers all topics for that day. It comprises of multiple trans, with each year being updated. For example, the freshmans this year are using the trans from last year and updating it and creating their own in preparation for exams. It's quite helpful for the exams, as it gives you a somewhat detailed studying material prior, during, and after lectures. Sometimes, trans alone can give you a high grade during exams especially if "memorized". This again will help you really well for the test in the Philippines but definitely not for the USMLE. You'll find yourself, especially during first year, relying on trans just to pass the exams that you wont have time for anything else which is the case for many of the foreign students here. If ever, ask around and they will tell you the same... no time for USMLE prep, during first year especially.
However if you look around this forum and happen to stumble upon Doc Tan, who studied USMLE from Day 1 and managed to match in surgery... his case was different.... WAY different. What made me attend UE was because of stories such as DocTan's however what I failed to realize was that there is such a huge difference during his time (2006) as compared to ours. UERM was PBL back then, and went back to traditional after 2006.. He was basically the last to have done PBL. As I mentioned earlier, UERM cares a lot about its reputation and appearance, maybe even too much, that it cannot do things that might harm their image. During PBL, many of the local students did not fair well during the Philippine Board exams, however, this was very benefitial for USMLE test takers in many ways.
The Facilities: Oh man... where do I begin... Now you guys have to really look at this in two perspective views. I'll try to be unbiase with this one but it's just really hard... not to be...
Their facilities here (UERM) are lacking... For the most part, you're entire 3 years here will require you to travel to two buildings... only. This school consist of 3 buildings, a hospital, and a gym. Yep... thats it... Sad to say (opinion here) my HS is bigger than this place...
3 Buildings: 1st Building consist of the admin/nursing/physical therapy building: Classes here are a lot nicer for some reason which is specifically only for nurses and physical therapies. 2nd Building - Med college building which consist of the medical depatments and a very small library. On top of the floor is a room called PLR, which you will have to familiarize yourself with... thats your classroom for the next 3 years. A windowless room with lots of chair... 3rd Building is (i forgot the name) its the building next to the hospital lol which has the biochem and anatomy department. this is where biochem labs and anatomy labs are located. The top floor is called Ani Amphi Theatre, a room which you will love and hate as you are stuck there for again, 3 years.
Classrooms - There are several, which consist of rooms, and just chairs with built in desk. If you are 6 feet and above or slightly big... you are going to have a hard time... One room to be specific is again the ani amphi room. It's severely cramp in there and the seats are really OLD... like 1970s old... I dont know why UERM is not changing it... its quite hazardous really lol..Its rows of connected wooden chairs... (there is no such thing as ass cushion!) and behind the back rest of the other person is a wooden table that u pop up (like a airplane tray) to put your stuff on. This is nice but... its so old that it does not hold into place and falls on you... atleast on your knee, sending all of yoru stuff into the floor. Just adding this info because imagine dropping your lap top. Its really is bad...
Labs - Cadavres... I really feel bad about them. In the Philippines they are obtained from unclaimed bodies from hospitals and are bought. These are people who did not ask to be dissected but are forced because no one claimed them... These bodies have also been in the cooler for quite sometime now and are hard to study since they aren't fresh... anymore... Furthermore, they are kept in a semi warm room and preserve with a very toxic formula. But its okay though... the room is ventilated... for the most part. Several cadavres are so bad this year that there are actually maggots growing in certain places inside the cadavre...
As for biochem lab... where in the US there was a huge emphasis on safety and protocols, here there is none. No goggles, sometimes no gloves and tons of chemicals to hold with. Whats worse is that, the tools are obsolete. They had to make homemade pipets for titration... makes me wonder.. where our money is going to? (will discuss later)
Library - Opens at 8 am and closes at 5/7pm... i'll be bias here this time. Really... if you are in class from 8am to to 5pm and the library closes at 7 pm... 2 hours to study? Maybe I've just been spoiled with my univeristy's library being 24/7 or something... But the major problem here is finding a place to study properly...if you can study inside your dorm, then major props for you. But this school really doesn't cater for students after school. Doesnt feel college like... again.. wheres our money going to?
Hospital/Insurance Etc - This was a question I kept asking a lot when I was inquiring before going here. What happens when we are sick or get sick or need medical treatment and services? Theres an infirmary clinic for students... very very small and lacking. This clinic is your starting point whenever you get sick. This is where you obtain fee waivers from medicines, excuse notes, and referrals. As for curing you, forget it... The only thing they will keep doing is give you paracetamol (equivalent to tylenol) and kill your pain and thats about it... If its really bad, then they will send you to the ER.. For me, from my experience I had an awful time at UERM's hospital. I will only go there to pick up medicine until my (free meds which the student insurance gives you) runs out... because well... its limited. The hospital did not ask for medical history (quite hypocritical since in class they empahsize on taking medical history) and prescribed me meds that I might be allergic to. Just remember guys, its money first before your heatlh... trust me... and you have to run and do things on your own. Even if your dying from pain... Best have a friend to help you or go to st. luke's for your medical needs.
Classmates: Lot of them are nice. They are very helpful, giving, and friendly. Though some may have a tough time talking english to you not because they are incapable but its just not a comfortable thing for them. You will hear this saying "nose bleed" a lot which I believe means they are running out of english or something. But nonetheless many of them are smart and hardworking. Dont underestimate them though because they are used to their system and do well on exams. As for us, it takes getting use to, but again its all up to the students. However, you have to remember that many of your classmates are no older than 22 years old. So there are moments that will catch you off guard and there are things that they do may seem immature... sometimes too immature, and does not seem appropriate for medical school. Also remember, majority of the class are females and are very passive aggressive... just a warning...
Area - Mostly safe but VERY polluted... Just dont be out very late at night.
Dorm - 3 areas, Robinsdale at 24k pesos a month (roughly 500 dollars) all utilities paid for,hotel like size rooms, but some are nicer - looks like suites, fully furnished, including a very unstable wifi; keystone 15k a month, furnished, utilities not included in rent, apartment like (usually a decent size room); Anglo Residences: ranges from 6 - 10k a month, not furnished, utilities not included, room sizes ranges depending on rent price, usually the cheapest of the three. Fairly new building and stable electricity with generator. Meza Condo; makes you feel like your living outside of manila. Swimming pool, jogging place... its a condo. Its nice, rooms ARE VERY SMALL and ranges from 1 bedroom to 2br to 3br. Mostly you have to buy a unit but there are people who are renting it out. Rents ranges from 15 - 25k, utilities not included, not furnished... but again... its a condo...
Anglo and keystone u cannot cook inside... Robinsdale and Meza condo you can... but then again... imagine trying to cook inside your bedroom... enough said...
US rotation - umm 9 months I think, 2 hospitals: 1 in NY and 1 in Chicago. Greenbook in IM ONLY... Both are decent hospitals so you guys shouldnt worry about it. But again only greenbook in Internal Medicine.. Please see google what greenbook means if you dont know it.
Tuition - umm roughly 90k pesos per sem, 180k pesos a year: 4k dollars a year. There are a lot of things you have to pay for... that I didnt include. Oh ya I forgot, 10k dollars one time fee for foreign students. "donation fee" ha....
As for FAFSA? They said they will have it this year but I havent heard much of it. From what I was told, several students have been successful on helping out the school trying to get reapproved, but if you ever attend here, you will know that everything takes a long time. This year I don't think they will have it.
Also, everything in school is Student funded.... YES thats right... from our own pockets. makes you wonder where our money is going huh? Its just not me, its also everyone else. They only provide one copies to class for the most part and its up to the class to distribute and make a copy of it. Paper apparently is an issue in school so you will find yourself making copies of everything. Again the things that you may think the school will provide... will come from your pocket and IS not included in your tuition =)
Again I'm a current student here in UERM and if need be, email me for my own opinions and experience. This post I included is neither degrading or praising UERM. Showing the school based on my experience. There are things I'm happy about but there are things also I am very unhappy about...
I'll write a PRO and CON later... but as a student here this is my concern right now, also some of my own opinion.
USMLE - they are not training us for this and not even giving us time to prepare for it. Comming back from school at 5pm, the first thing I want to do is eat then sleep. Take a short power nap and to wake up and study... Its giving you a foundation but not helping you really for whats really important. The materials are similar but preparation is catered for its local students. I think Fatima has a foreign exclusive class or something. Why cant UE have that? A lot of people are taking the USMLE after their third year which is again up to them but its much better to take it after second year. But with the lack of time UE gives you to prepare for it, especially since they are back to traditional base lecture, really hinders parallel studies. What makes it worse is that there are assignments given meant for college and high school. We had to do a skit infront of the class, or make music videos as one of the assignments... really now... in medical school? instead of using my time to study we're making a skit and acting in class... I never knew UE is a liberal arts medical school... There are alot of time wasted on unnecessary but mandatory "materials" which is such a pain.. and a waste of time... then theres research... Im not sure if in medical school we have to do research but its mandatory here also... I thought that was something you do in college but guess its mandatory here too...
my main concern is money... where is it going? We dont have an ECG machine to practice with... no safety tools.... crappy facilities... just see it for yourself instead of taking my word for it... again where is our money going to?
What disturbs me is that they announce the school as a non-profit school but truthfully, its profiting BIG time. Does it cater for its studentS? Yes to some degree they do... if its going to improve their reputation. Again every filam and foreign students here are always wondering where our money is going... Becuase we really dont see it come back to us in anyway or form... They dont update their equipments and facilities... its like... the school has excess money comming in and yet they are budgeting... But again, money is an issue in the Philippines so... I'll leave it at that. But again, the owner of the UERM is also the owner of PHilippine Airlines... thats saying something isnt it... but who knows... Its non-profit yet the school is UERMMMCi: University of the EAST Rammon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center incorporated... lol I just find it funny... but hey... if these are not an issue for u, UERM is a good school to go to...
Anyways class is gonna start so if there are any other questions about UE, please feel free to post here or email me, especially if you want to know my own reasons for attending this place. Thanks...
What type of education am I going to get in UERM?
UERM is a tradiational base medical school. Their curriculum WILL prepare you greatly for the Philippine Boards, but will not prepare you for the USMLE. Although it'll give you a foundation, you MUST parallel study in order to do well for the USMLE. Most of the Professors are good and conducts their lessons in English, with occassional tagalog from time to time. Learning tagalog is optional and will make things a lot easier (I'll explain why later), but its not mandatory. Classes are from 8 am to 5 pm, with 1 hour lunch break from 12 to 1pm. So as one can see, everyday is really long and this goes on 5 days a week. After class, its mandatory (because you will fall behind) to study for the rest of the night in order to catch up. Although attending class will give you a basic idea on what to study, self-study is a MUST especially for fil-ams. The way things are conducted here are completely different from what you've encountered. Its tons of memorization, with emphasist on... memorization. The Philippine Board Exam seems to rely heavily on memory and thus exams in UERM ask very, very detailed questions... sometimes too detailed that it feels so uncessary, but nonetheless it is their goal to prepare their students for the Philippine Boards. Those who intend to practice in the US, which are basically all the filams and foreign students, are left to study for the USMLE on their own. UERM and most schools in the Philippines are competing every year to see who gets the highest passing rate in the PHilippine boards every year. This is the way they determine which school is the best and increase their attractiveness for potential future students as well as increase their student body. this is very important for UERM and thus the reason why they cater for the students towards the Philippine Board exams. They Long term exams and student preparations revolves around their boards...which of course are completely different from USMLE style questions which are relaint on Problem Base Lectures, with emphasist on clinical correlation and applications.
In UERM, and UST and probably several schools in the Philippines, gives you an option studying from transcripts. What are they? First question I asked when I saw them. Transcripts or "trans" for short are documents that was typed up by students that covers everything that the professor lectured in class, and covers all topics for that day. It comprises of multiple trans, with each year being updated. For example, the freshmans this year are using the trans from last year and updating it and creating their own in preparation for exams. It's quite helpful for the exams, as it gives you a somewhat detailed studying material prior, during, and after lectures. Sometimes, trans alone can give you a high grade during exams especially if "memorized". This again will help you really well for the test in the Philippines but definitely not for the USMLE. You'll find yourself, especially during first year, relying on trans just to pass the exams that you wont have time for anything else which is the case for many of the foreign students here. If ever, ask around and they will tell you the same... no time for USMLE prep, during first year especially.
However if you look around this forum and happen to stumble upon Doc Tan, who studied USMLE from Day 1 and managed to match in surgery... his case was different.... WAY different. What made me attend UE was because of stories such as DocTan's however what I failed to realize was that there is such a huge difference during his time (2006) as compared to ours. UERM was PBL back then, and went back to traditional after 2006.. He was basically the last to have done PBL. As I mentioned earlier, UERM cares a lot about its reputation and appearance, maybe even too much, that it cannot do things that might harm their image. During PBL, many of the local students did not fair well during the Philippine Board exams, however, this was very benefitial for USMLE test takers in many ways.
The Facilities: Oh man... where do I begin... Now you guys have to really look at this in two perspective views. I'll try to be unbiase with this one but it's just really hard... not to be...
Their facilities here (UERM) are lacking... For the most part, you're entire 3 years here will require you to travel to two buildings... only. This school consist of 3 buildings, a hospital, and a gym. Yep... thats it... Sad to say (opinion here) my HS is bigger than this place...
3 Buildings: 1st Building consist of the admin/nursing/physical therapy building: Classes here are a lot nicer for some reason which is specifically only for nurses and physical therapies. 2nd Building - Med college building which consist of the medical depatments and a very small library. On top of the floor is a room called PLR, which you will have to familiarize yourself with... thats your classroom for the next 3 years. A windowless room with lots of chair... 3rd Building is (i forgot the name) its the building next to the hospital lol which has the biochem and anatomy department. this is where biochem labs and anatomy labs are located. The top floor is called Ani Amphi Theatre, a room which you will love and hate as you are stuck there for again, 3 years.
Classrooms - There are several, which consist of rooms, and just chairs with built in desk. If you are 6 feet and above or slightly big... you are going to have a hard time... One room to be specific is again the ani amphi room. It's severely cramp in there and the seats are really OLD... like 1970s old... I dont know why UERM is not changing it... its quite hazardous really lol..Its rows of connected wooden chairs... (there is no such thing as ass cushion!) and behind the back rest of the other person is a wooden table that u pop up (like a airplane tray) to put your stuff on. This is nice but... its so old that it does not hold into place and falls on you... atleast on your knee, sending all of yoru stuff into the floor. Just adding this info because imagine dropping your lap top. Its really is bad...
Labs - Cadavres... I really feel bad about them. In the Philippines they are obtained from unclaimed bodies from hospitals and are bought. These are people who did not ask to be dissected but are forced because no one claimed them... These bodies have also been in the cooler for quite sometime now and are hard to study since they aren't fresh... anymore... Furthermore, they are kept in a semi warm room and preserve with a very toxic formula. But its okay though... the room is ventilated... for the most part. Several cadavres are so bad this year that there are actually maggots growing in certain places inside the cadavre...
As for biochem lab... where in the US there was a huge emphasis on safety and protocols, here there is none. No goggles, sometimes no gloves and tons of chemicals to hold with. Whats worse is that, the tools are obsolete. They had to make homemade pipets for titration... makes me wonder.. where our money is going to? (will discuss later)
Library - Opens at 8 am and closes at 5/7pm... i'll be bias here this time. Really... if you are in class from 8am to to 5pm and the library closes at 7 pm... 2 hours to study? Maybe I've just been spoiled with my univeristy's library being 24/7 or something... But the major problem here is finding a place to study properly...if you can study inside your dorm, then major props for you. But this school really doesn't cater for students after school. Doesnt feel college like... again.. wheres our money going to?
Hospital/Insurance Etc - This was a question I kept asking a lot when I was inquiring before going here. What happens when we are sick or get sick or need medical treatment and services? Theres an infirmary clinic for students... very very small and lacking. This clinic is your starting point whenever you get sick. This is where you obtain fee waivers from medicines, excuse notes, and referrals. As for curing you, forget it... The only thing they will keep doing is give you paracetamol (equivalent to tylenol) and kill your pain and thats about it... If its really bad, then they will send you to the ER.. For me, from my experience I had an awful time at UERM's hospital. I will only go there to pick up medicine until my (free meds which the student insurance gives you) runs out... because well... its limited. The hospital did not ask for medical history (quite hypocritical since in class they empahsize on taking medical history) and prescribed me meds that I might be allergic to. Just remember guys, its money first before your heatlh... trust me... and you have to run and do things on your own. Even if your dying from pain... Best have a friend to help you or go to st. luke's for your medical needs.
Classmates: Lot of them are nice. They are very helpful, giving, and friendly. Though some may have a tough time talking english to you not because they are incapable but its just not a comfortable thing for them. You will hear this saying "nose bleed" a lot which I believe means they are running out of english or something. But nonetheless many of them are smart and hardworking. Dont underestimate them though because they are used to their system and do well on exams. As for us, it takes getting use to, but again its all up to the students. However, you have to remember that many of your classmates are no older than 22 years old. So there are moments that will catch you off guard and there are things that they do may seem immature... sometimes too immature, and does not seem appropriate for medical school. Also remember, majority of the class are females and are very passive aggressive... just a warning...
Area - Mostly safe but VERY polluted... Just dont be out very late at night.
Dorm - 3 areas, Robinsdale at 24k pesos a month (roughly 500 dollars) all utilities paid for,hotel like size rooms, but some are nicer - looks like suites, fully furnished, including a very unstable wifi; keystone 15k a month, furnished, utilities not included in rent, apartment like (usually a decent size room); Anglo Residences: ranges from 6 - 10k a month, not furnished, utilities not included, room sizes ranges depending on rent price, usually the cheapest of the three. Fairly new building and stable electricity with generator. Meza Condo; makes you feel like your living outside of manila. Swimming pool, jogging place... its a condo. Its nice, rooms ARE VERY SMALL and ranges from 1 bedroom to 2br to 3br. Mostly you have to buy a unit but there are people who are renting it out. Rents ranges from 15 - 25k, utilities not included, not furnished... but again... its a condo...
Anglo and keystone u cannot cook inside... Robinsdale and Meza condo you can... but then again... imagine trying to cook inside your bedroom... enough said...
US rotation - umm 9 months I think, 2 hospitals: 1 in NY and 1 in Chicago. Greenbook in IM ONLY... Both are decent hospitals so you guys shouldnt worry about it. But again only greenbook in Internal Medicine.. Please see google what greenbook means if you dont know it.
Tuition - umm roughly 90k pesos per sem, 180k pesos a year: 4k dollars a year. There are a lot of things you have to pay for... that I didnt include. Oh ya I forgot, 10k dollars one time fee for foreign students. "donation fee" ha....
As for FAFSA? They said they will have it this year but I havent heard much of it. From what I was told, several students have been successful on helping out the school trying to get reapproved, but if you ever attend here, you will know that everything takes a long time. This year I don't think they will have it.
Also, everything in school is Student funded.... YES thats right... from our own pockets. makes you wonder where our money is going huh? Its just not me, its also everyone else. They only provide one copies to class for the most part and its up to the class to distribute and make a copy of it. Paper apparently is an issue in school so you will find yourself making copies of everything. Again the things that you may think the school will provide... will come from your pocket and IS not included in your tuition =)
Again I'm a current student here in UERM and if need be, email me for my own opinions and experience. This post I included is neither degrading or praising UERM. Showing the school based on my experience. There are things I'm happy about but there are things also I am very unhappy about...
I'll write a PRO and CON later... but as a student here this is my concern right now, also some of my own opinion.
USMLE - they are not training us for this and not even giving us time to prepare for it. Comming back from school at 5pm, the first thing I want to do is eat then sleep. Take a short power nap and to wake up and study... Its giving you a foundation but not helping you really for whats really important. The materials are similar but preparation is catered for its local students. I think Fatima has a foreign exclusive class or something. Why cant UE have that? A lot of people are taking the USMLE after their third year which is again up to them but its much better to take it after second year. But with the lack of time UE gives you to prepare for it, especially since they are back to traditional base lecture, really hinders parallel studies. What makes it worse is that there are assignments given meant for college and high school. We had to do a skit infront of the class, or make music videos as one of the assignments... really now... in medical school? instead of using my time to study we're making a skit and acting in class... I never knew UE is a liberal arts medical school... There are alot of time wasted on unnecessary but mandatory "materials" which is such a pain.. and a waste of time... then theres research... Im not sure if in medical school we have to do research but its mandatory here also... I thought that was something you do in college but guess its mandatory here too...
my main concern is money... where is it going? We dont have an ECG machine to practice with... no safety tools.... crappy facilities... just see it for yourself instead of taking my word for it... again where is our money going to?
What disturbs me is that they announce the school as a non-profit school but truthfully, its profiting BIG time. Does it cater for its studentS? Yes to some degree they do... if its going to improve their reputation. Again every filam and foreign students here are always wondering where our money is going... Becuase we really dont see it come back to us in anyway or form... They dont update their equipments and facilities... its like... the school has excess money comming in and yet they are budgeting... But again, money is an issue in the Philippines so... I'll leave it at that. But again, the owner of the UERM is also the owner of PHilippine Airlines... thats saying something isnt it... but who knows... Its non-profit yet the school is UERMMMCi: University of the EAST Rammon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center incorporated... lol I just find it funny... but hey... if these are not an issue for u, UERM is a good school to go to...
Anyways class is gonna start so if there are any other questions about UE, please feel free to post here or email me, especially if you want to know my own reasons for attending this place. Thanks...
Last edited:
I grew up in Manila but have lived in the states for the last 13 or so years. I came back last month to start applying for med school here. 
) she was admitted to UP. But that student really wants to go for surgery and seems to be a good student who just missed on being admitted in a US school. In the next few years those issues will be solved as they are opening many med school in the US in the next few years.
