Schools in PR

[cpb80]

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I am thinking about applying to the 3 LCME accredited schools in Puerto Rico (Ponce, Universidad Central del Caribe, & University of Puerto Rico), and I would like to get some feedback (ie general perceptions, what you've heard about students' scores and preparation for USMLE, residency matches, whether all courses are taught in Spanish etc). Also, is there a website, which compares schools based on USMLE pass rates?
Thanks!

 

[Bevo]

dont know much but I know this.

1. they are taught in spanish
2. board scores probably vary because english isn't there first language there, so some issues related to that aspect
3. not sure about residencies. my puerto rican friends tell us about getting a residency on PR sucks. You get paid $500 a week and funding comes from a different source.
4. not sure if its ponce or another school you didn't list that has issues with lcme. I could be very wrong on this matter.

hope this helps.

 

[ny skindoc]

I am thinking about applying to the 3 LCME accredited schools in Puerto Rico (Ponce, Universidad Central del Caribe, & University of Puerto Rico), and I would like to get some feedback (ie general perceptions, what you've heard about students' scores and preparation for USMLE, residency matches, whether all courses are taught in Spanish etc). Also, is there a website, which compares schools based on USMLE pass rates?
Thanks!

The courses are taught in a mix of spanish and english some level spanish proficieny is needed although you dont have to be perfectly fluent.The Univ of PR has by far the best reputation and takes few who are not actually from Puerto Rico or have a strong connection there.I have seem some of their grads get into competitive progrmas in the US.The other schools are more likely to take US mainland applicants and do pretty well in the match,the interviews may be conducted in spanish.

 

[Lara]

The Univ of PR has by far the best reputation and takes few who are not actually from Puerto Rico or have a strong connection there.

My Mom was not only born and raised in PR, but is a UPR grad. But when I applied (with an above-average MCAT for the school) I was immediately rejected based on my not being a resident. I think it's very unlikely that you could get in without having done some studies on the island, which is unfortunate since it does have the best rep by far.

I believe Central and Ponce were formerly on probation (per an online article I read last year), but given that Temple recently was for non-academic reasons I wouldn't jump to conclusions. Best thing is to visit if you can, but if you understand Spanish to a reasonable extent they're surely worth going over becoming an FMG.

 

[cpb80]

thanks for the info. I am still curious as to how these schools compare to the big 3. Any thoughts?

 

[Bevo]

compare to the big 3?

favorably. THe PR schools are american schools. They're LCME certified schools I believe.


I forgot about the resident thing. Very hard to get in I believe if you're not from or living in puerto rico.

 

[obg2005]

I'm a fourth year medical student from Univ. of PR, and I can tell you this:
-for UPR you HAVE to be a resident to even be considered
-it has the best reputation
-you have to know some spanish if you want to survive (although all the books and power point presentations are in english; almost everybody speaks in spanish; all the students from my class speak spanish as their first language)
-I know we are in the Caribbean, but are US schools

For the other schools (Ponce and Central) you don't have to be a resident.
Students from these two schools are more encouraged than the ones from UPR to go to US for residency (most of the residency programs are from UPR, so they would have to compete with UPR students for them). That been said, a lot of students from UPR go to US for residency.
All three schools are fully LCME certified.

 

[mig26x]

Im a 3rd year student at ponce:

-classes are taught in spanish, handouts are in english, test are in english.
-Ponce takes the highest amount of USA residents from the 3 schools
-Ponce was given full-acreditation (7 years) i think it was like 3 or 4 years ago, so no LCME problems there.
-Like the student from UPR said, alot of graduates from Ponce go to the USA to do residency, like 70% of the graduating class year after year.
-BIG advantage over the 3 schools of the carribbean, LCME accredited.
-Dont know that much about UCC (Bayamon school).

 

[ispic]

I second obg2005,

I am a second year at Ponce and even though my entire family is from the island, UPR did not even consider my application, even though my stats were on par with the schools requirements. I did HS and undergrad in Arizona, and I guess that wiped out my chances at admission there. I have a friend at UCC and he has been having a little bit of a hard time up there since they have been revamping their curriculum and their hospital keeps coming up on sanctions. That's about all I know about it.

 

[dr. deez]

I am thinking about applying to the 3 LCME accredited schools in Puerto Rico (Ponce, Universidad Central del Caribe, & University of Puerto Rico), and I would like to get some feedback (ie general perceptions, what you've heard about students' scores and preparation for USMLE, residency matches, whether all courses are taught in Spanish etc). Also, is there a website, which compares schools based on USMLE pass rates?
Thanks!

I work with ppl/have friends that have graduated from UPR-RCM that did not match well, were not adequately prepared for the USMLE step1,2, or were not advised adequately as to how to get into a competitive residency. I also know of a case in which a stellar student did not match well because his Dean's letter was a mediocre 1.5 paragraphs long.

Make sure you are well informed, as the choices you make about your medical education will likely affect you as a physician. If you do have a choice you should spend the extra cash and attend a school in the mainland. don't get me wrong... there's no substitute for hard work. but the more you know about the programs you apply to the better off you will be. I also happen to know that the research/teaching/hospital/training facilities are below par and there is not much to chose from. Most of these people i know had to spend $$ and do research rotations/ clinical work at other schools (US) just to make themselves look better. Thus, if you are really interested and are selected to interview, spend some time and get to know current students/graduates.
GOOD LUCK to all!!!

 

[Dr Who]

From what I know Ponce has above average USMLE pass rates, UPR has average or a tiny bit above USMLE pass rates and Bayamon (UCC) has below average pass rates. In terms of residencies they all pretty much have good matches in all residencies. I have heard over and over that if you are not a Puerto rico resident then you wont be considered for admission to UPR, well I am not from PR and I recieved an interview and acceptance letter last week.
The most important thing to understand is that basic knowledge of spanish is a MUST! Although all tests, quizzes, textbooks and presentations are in english, some classes are held in spanish. Also, during clinical rotations you will be dealing with a spanish speaking population. So these are very important points to consider when applying to a school in Puerto rico.
As with the quality of education they are all accredited so that pretty much speaks for itself.

 

[HussainGQ]

What type of stats do you need to be competitive enough to get into Ponce? About the language issue, I took SPanish 1 and 2 last year in college. I did pretty good in them, but I have forgotten quite a bit of it, as I have not used it (at all) since then, I remember yo, tu nosotros etc. and a few words here and there. I still have my textbook though, but let me know.........

 

[Dr Who]

What type of stats do you need to be competitive enough to get into Ponce? About the language issue, I took SPanish 1 and 2 last year in college. I did pretty good in them, but I have forgotten quite a bit of it, as I have not used it (at all) since then, I remember yo, tu nosotros etc. and a few words here and there. I still have my textbook though, but let me know.........

If you get into Ponce you'll learn spanish pretty fast, I garantee it.
If you are a mainland (US) student, you would need a decent MCAT (>25 to enter), and ok GPA (<3.40). Compared to what other schools require those stats are not at all out of your reach. Like I said in other posts, I believe Ponce to be on of the few undiscovered jewels in the american med school system. I still havent met a person who goes there that has regreted it.

 

[HussainGQ]

So, if I were to go to Ponce, I would be considered an American grad right?? Meaning not having too much difficulty matching into Ortho Derm etc. My overall stats are not very good, but would a one year masters help me out??

 

[shivalrous]

Matching into Ortho, Derm, and those specialties are just as tough for medical students coming out of the actual states. They need the USMLE scores through the roof, research, etc. By going to PR, you won't be able to bypass these requirements.

 

[Dr Who]

So, if I were to go to Ponce, I would be considered an American grad right?? Meaning not having too much difficulty matching into Ortho Derm etc. My overall stats are not very good, but would a one year masters help me out??

If you go to Ponce You will be considered an American grad. Just remember that Ponce is totally accredited by the AMA and the LCME. So it has the same standing as any other school in the mainland US. Any graduate from Ponce is on the same footing as say Mount Sinai SOM or any other med school. In other words, it wont affect your chances of getting into any residency you want. In the end the only factor limiting your choice of residency is how competitive YOU are as an applicant.
The fact that it is not well known im the US is a definite asset for me, less competition to get in. The student culture and faculty are a definite plus, Ponce is most definately pro- student. Its pass/ fail grading system also gets rid of the nasty competition and gunning that goes on in many other schools, so those that are there go to learn and could care less what scores their fellow students have.

 

[Dr Who]

Think about it, in mid January while most med students are miserable and freazing their asses in some med school in the mainland, you can hop on your car and in 20 minutes be lying down in a hammock by the carribean sea, "studying" anatomy. Not many schools can say that, can they. lol 😀

 

[vanelo]

I work with ppl/have friends that have graduated from UPR-RCM that did not match well, were not adequately prepared for the USMLE step1,2, or were not advised adequately as to how to get into a competitive residency. I also know of a case in which a stellar student did not match well because his Dean's letter was a mediocre 1.5 paragraphs long.

Make sure you are well informed, as the choices you make about your medical education will likely affect you as a physician. If you do have a choice you should spend the extra cash and attend a school in the mainland. don't get me wrong... there's no substitute for hard work. but the more you know about the programs you apply to the better off you will be. I also happen to know that the research/teaching/hospital/training facilities are below par and there is not much to chose from. Most of these people i know had to spend $$ and do research rotations/ clinical work at other schools (US) just to make themselves look better. Thus, if you are really interested and are selected to interview, spend some time and get to know current students/graduates.
GOOD LUCK to all!!!

There's no substitute for hard work? Are you implying students from PR dont have to work hard? Gee.. Maybe you can explain to me how was it possible for 6 students from Ponce to score > 250 on the Step 1.

And, while you are at it, so far 100% IF THE STUDENTS HAVE MATCHED in the early match. (1 radio-military match, 3 ophth, 9 neuro)

If I were you, I would be a little more selective, or maybe educate yourself more when discussing topics in which you OBVIOUSLY don't know ****.

 

[PineappleGirl]

Hi,
I'm bumping this thread up in the hopes someone could answer my question about UPR: How long do you have to be a resident of PR in order to apply there?

I am currently a MA resident but am pretty much shut out of UMASS because it requires all applicants to have been MA residents for 5 years. I've only lived here for 2.
I'm seriously considering medical school in PR since my goal is to become a multi-lingual physician. I'm proficient in Spanish, but want to become fluent.
I am definitely considering moving to PR and just hanging out for a year in order to establish residency and apply to UPR, if it is indeed a one year requirement. Does anyone know?