LCME Schools in Puerto Rico

[xJoseph]

Which school(s) in Puerto Rico are LCME accredited, if any?

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[IslandStyle808]

http://lcme.org/directory/accredited-u-s-programs/

Howz my research skillz!

 

[drdeliz]

There are 4 medical schools in Puerto Rico. All of them are LCME accredited. All you have to do is look at the accredited schools list of the LCME web page.

1. University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus
2. Ponce University of Health Sciences School of Medicine
3. Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine
4. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine

There are 2 of these in the Metropolitan Area or vicinity of San Juan, while the other 2 are in lesser cities. The last one to be accredited was San Juan Bautista, in Caguas, PR, which is halfway between San Juan and Ponce. Ponce University of Health Sciences is located in the South of PR.

 

[Chelsea FC]

UPR less likely to take a non native Puerto Rican. It kinda works like a state school. You might have a shot at the 3 others. With ponce being the best of the rest.

 

[drdeliz]

It is a state university and most people know that it has been politicized to the point that approximately 85% of students were accepted because "someone" made a call. Of course, those students deny it but... I know it to be a fact. This I know because I have some friends that studied there utilizing that method. Indeed, this does not take away from the ability of the students... just saying that maybe there were more qualified students that were rejected because they did not know "someone". Unfortunately it is a corrupt system the way UPR Medical Sciences Campus admissions work.

You are right, non-natives will probably not be admitted to UPR. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine accepts between 33 and 50% non-residents of PR.

 

[xJoseph]

It is a state university and most people know that it has been politicized to the point that approximately 85% of students were accepted because "someone" made a call. Of course, those students deny it but... I know it to be a fact. This I know because I have some friends that studied there utilizing that method. Indeed, this does not take away from the ability of the students... just saying that maybe there were more qualified students that were rejected because they did not know "someone". Unfortunately it is a corrupt system the way UPR Medical Sciences Campus admissions work.

You are right, non-natives will probably not be admitted to UPR. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine accepts between 33 and 50% non-residents of PR.

Yes, I've heard a lot about this. It's a shame, really.

 

[drdeliz]

indeed...

 

[Dr. Basketball]

Does anyone know what GPA/MCAT requirement averages look like for OOS applicants? I would imagine it´s higher for OOS, but I can´t find an exact number. If anyone has any further information it would be much appreciated.

 

[drdeliz]

It is the same MCAT score for everyone, whether you come from out of state or not. Remember most non-native-English speakers think differently, as well as, we do not have the same language skills as native-English speakers. The MCAT is developed by US-Americans with US-Americans in mind, thus we do not normally score as high as they do. So, the MCAT minimum requirement for PR medical schools, albeit a great education in medicine, is lower than that requirement in the US. Check each school's website for the minimum requirements to each med-school.

 

[Dr. Basketball]

It is the same MCAT score for everyone, whether you come from out of state or not. Remember most non-native-English speakers think differently, as well as, we do not have the same language skills as native-English speakers. The MCAT is developed by US-Americans with US-Americans in mind, thus we do not normally score as high as they do. So, the MCAT minimum requirement for PR medical schools, albeit a great education in medicine, is lower than that requirement in the US. Check each school's website for the minimum requirements to each med-school.

I understand that. The intention of my comment was purely to gather information. I don't doubt that an excellent medical school education can be obtained in Puerto Rico. I only ask if anyone has an idea of averages(not minimums) for OOS applicants so that I can be strategic about what schools I apply to with my MCAT score and not waste money. Obviously the language difference is taken into consideration for IS applicants, as it should be. In fact, my wife's first language is Spanish. I said nothing about, nor did I imply that it was a different MCAT score.

 

[drdeliz]

Great! I have no idea about averages. Told you about minimums... Keep in mind that at most medical schools in PR you MUST be bilingual. If you surpass the minimum, you have a change to be admitted. There is another option for you that may be attractive... USUHS... the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. Free education plus a stipend of about $38,000 per anum, the security of a specialty plus the fact that you will have a job with the military when you graduate. Oh! The average MCAT is 34 while the minimum is about 24... I think.

 

[ufrunner94]

I understand that. The intention of my comment was purely to gather information. I don't doubt that an excellent medical school education can be obtained in Puerto Rico. I only ask if anyone has an idea of averages(not minimums) for OOS applicants so that I can be strategic about what schools I apply to with my MCAT score and not waste money. Obviously the language difference is taken into consideration for IS applicants, as it should be. In fact, my wife's first language is Spanish. I said nothing about, nor did I imply that it was a different MCAT score.

PMed you

 

[epimed22]

It is a state university and most people know that it has been politicized to the point that approximately 85% of students were accepted because "someone" made a call. Of course, those students deny it but... I know it to be a fact. This I know because I have some friends that studied there utilizing that method. Indeed, this does not take away from the ability of the students... just saying that maybe there were more qualified students that were rejected because they did not know "someone". Unfortunately it is a corrupt system the way UPR Medical Sciences Campus admissions work.

You are right, non-natives will probably not be admitted to UPR. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine accepts between 33 and 50% non-residents of PR.

San Juan Bautista does not accept that amount of OOS student. Maybe 10 out of 60

 

[epimed22]

UPR less likely to take a non native Puerto Rican. It kinda works like a state school. You might have a shot at the 3 others. With ponce being the best of the rest.

Ponce is not the best school...

 

[kuroba00]

Ponce is not the best school...

Could you explain better this point, please? I am considering between Ponce and other school.

 

[Splenda88]

UPR > Ponce > UCC > SJB

But it does not matter that much if you score well in step1/step2. I know students from SJB who have obtained good residency positions (Neurosurgery, Ophtho, Radiology etc...) in the states.

 

[epimed22]

UPR > Ponce > UCC > SJB

But it does not matter that much if you score well in step1/step2. I know students from SJB who have obtained good residency positions (Neurosurgery, Ophtho, Radiology etc...) in the states.

True, it all depends on your step1/2 score.

 

[epimed22]

Could you explain better this point, please? I am considering between Ponce and other school.

Go to Ponce, it's a good school. My friend just got into Mayo Clinic

 

[NicMouse64]

Go to Ponce, it's a good school. My friend just got into Mayo Clinic

I interviewed at Ponce. I wouldn't say it's a "good" school. If spanish is not your first language (it is my second), I would think long and hard about going on an interview to Ponce as there have been some issues that will become obvious on interview day. I did a lot of talking to current and incoming students after my interview at the school and had some concerns (cost, rotations, preclinical curriculum, board pass rates, etc.). If you are already accepted, I would say you have no choice, but if you have the opportunity to ride it out for one more cycle I would recommend that before going to Ponce.

 

[epimed22]

I interviewed at Ponce. I wouldn't say it's a "good" school. If spanish is not your first language (it is my second), I would think long and hard about going on an interview to Ponce as there have been some issues that will become obvious on interview day. I did a lot of talking to current and incoming students after my interview at the school and had some concerns (cost, rotations, preclinical curriculum, board pass rates, etc.). If you are already accepted, I would say you have no choice, but if you have the opportunity to ride it out for one more cycle I would recommend that before going to Ponce.

Yes tuition is so much. I'm finishing my first year but not in Ponce