anyone going to FATIMA this coming June

[SACTOBOY]

I am considering going to Fatima. Wanted to know if there are some folks in this forum who are going to the same school and how did you find the admission process and whether you already took the NMAT or not yet.

[SachayRizvi]

where is this school located?

[SACTOBOY]

Valenzuela Metro Manila

[hunteradam07]

where is this school located?
Valenzuela is one major high way (McArthur Highway) town, which tends to get jamp-up from 6am-9pm. Some of my friends (FU students) told me most of the time takes up 2 hrs to go 4 miles on this high way during traffic hours. They gets very frustrated about this! I almost missed my interiew at FU back in the days, cuz i didnt think traffic was that bad. Oh yea dont forget the 9,000-20,00 dollars tution at Fatima too. For that much money u would figure, they can have their own highway for their students :p

[lrry]

Valenzuela Metro Manila Fatima, you better run for your life...they will drain your wallet and leave you out to dry...the stafford loan is for THEM.....there are way better schools here....the S....T hole of medical schools in the PI.

[SACTOBOY]

I am still confused about the tuition fee...is it 900/year or 20,000/year? What school you guys went or presently going? I heard that the dormitory cost 7,500.00. Do you know of any FU students that I can contact regarding some inside stories? Any inside stories about this school is greatly appreciated as I am strongly considering attending to this school because of there attractive clerkship program here in the US. My other confusion is how would a international student does clerkship rotation in the US while in fact most of the program requires completion of 12- month rotation prior to doing US electives. It is my understanding that for someone to do core clerkship in the US the shcool should be affilaited to the hospital and that a pre-arrangement or pre-agreement between the 2 institution is needed. This is only the reason why FU is shinning out in my choices. Like what I said, please, any feedback from this school is greatly appreciated.

[hunteradam07]

I am still confused about the tuition fee...is it 900/year or 20,000/year? What school you guys went or presently going? I heard that the dormitory cost 7,500.00. Do you know of any FU students that I can contact regarding some inside stories? Any inside stories about this school is greatly appreciated as I am strongly considering attending to this school because of there attractive clerkship program here in the US. My other confusion is how would a international student does clerkship rotation in the US while in fact most of the program requires completion of 12- month rotation prior to doing US electives. It is my understanding that for someone to do core clerkship in the US the shcool should be affilaited to the hospital and that a pre-arrangement or pre-agreement between the 2 institution is needed. This is only the reason why FU is shinning out in my choices. Like what I said, please, any feedback from this school is greatly appreciated.According to this Fatima University College of Medicine, Philippines, International Medical Schools (http://www.valuemd.com/fatima.php), Fatima's tution is 20,000 dollars. I dont know about the 9,000 dollars somebody is mentioned, but i have not seem it on their website or any proof of it. Maybe 9,000/yr tution is only a 1st year fee, then they would jack it up to 20,000/yr after that. It makes you wonder if there are so much confusion about tution what else is not on the up and up! Clerkship in US for PI medical schools is a very complicated issue since all PI medicals require 52 weeks straight of core rotations (no days off or weeks off). Meaning that you can not jz have any missing dates during your rotation at all. If you do, you might not be able to graduate on time, or have to make up 3x for every 1 day that you absent for whatever reasons. Look PI medical schools are cheap except for Fatima, but the logistic are much more difficult to come back to US than Carribean medical schools, which tailor their entire system to US residency. So make sure you think hard before commit to PI medical schools. And dont forget to visit each campus in PI that you interested in, because it's the only way you going to be able to get the most accurate info. Good luck.

[m ehsan]

why dont any one tried to get admmsion in kyrgyztan state medical academy in kyrgyztan. in that college fees is only $1800 per anum. i planning to go their this august . any one have any idea about it

[hunteradam07]

why dont any one tried to get admmsion in kyrgyztan state medical academy in kyrgyztan. in that college fees is only $1800 per anum. i planning to go their this august . any one have any idea about it
Most PI medical schools are only 1800-2000 dollars/year. Even when i went to FEU, it was that much. Only at Fatima, the price is 9,000 (according to some sources) or 20,000 (according to Valuemd.com). You can still get a good value for your dollars in PI medical schools, just not at FU.

[FutureFilaMD]

HUH? 20,000 per a year? Where did you get that price? Why don't you just call the school to ask them. I'm a student at OLFU. I don't even pay half of that in a school year. The price also differs in price between the local and foreign students.

[hunteradam07]

HUH? 20,000 per a year? Where did you get that price? Why don't you just call the school to ask them. I'm a student at OLFU. I don't even pay half of that in a school year. The price also differs in price between the local and foreign students.
Posted right on this website Fatima University College of Medicine, Philippines, International Medical Schools (http://www.valuemd.com/fatima.php). Can u telling me why valuemd would lie about tution of Fatima? So how much is it then according to you? Dont tell me it's less than 9,000 a year! Even if it's 9G/Yr, why would anyone have to pay that much. FEU's tution is only 3500/yr when i went to school and i know other programs are jz as inexpensive as that. Is there something unique about FU that they would charge that much? I would love to know. Maybe they are telling you that they are using USMLE cirriculum. What a bunch of **!

[FutureFilaMD]

The prices have gone up each year for the incoming 1st year. Fatima has a seperate foreign class. Meaning if you are a foreign student there are only foreign students in your batch. So the foreign class basically looks like the united nations. For example: Second year foreign class pay 3500/semester. The locals in the "regular" class pay only a fraction of that price. Maybe 60,000 pesos but i don't know about dollars.

[hunteradam07]

The prices have gone up each year for the incoming 1st year. Fatima has a seperate foreign class. Meaning if you are a foreign student there are only foreign students in your batch. So the foreign class basically looks like the united nations. For example: Second year foreign class pay 3500/semester. The locals in the "regular" class pay only a fraction of that price. Maybe 60,000 pesos but i don't know about dollars.
So according to you, FU charges 7000/yr mininum rite? So valuemd said 20G, other said 9G, and you said 7G and now 60,000 Pesos. Why so much confusion about the tution? Imagine if a simple issue likes tution has so much confusion, What about the rest? Would u want to take that kind of chance? Even as 7G mininum/ yr, FU still way too expensive compared to FEU, UST, EU, St. Luke, DLSU, and UP. I think even you would have to agree with me that these school has a much better rep and more prestige programs than FU. So why should anyone pay that much?

[FutureFilaMD]

Its doesn't really matter where you go to school. What matters most is you USMLE scores and experience that you get during clerkship. Also if you have clerkship experience in the states definitely the LOR is key too. Prestige Universities mean nothing to me. Honestly whatever the price is... 4000 or 3000/year its so much cheaper than medical school in the states. For most of us in the foreign class money isn't much of an issue. I'm friends with past graduates and current students of UST DLSU and FEU, they'd agree with me that big names only matter if you are here in the Philippines and plan on working here. Fortunately I don't plan on staying here after graduation. I don't want to stay here longer than I have to. Also we all get lumped together once you get to the states. We are all IMG's and thus have it a little bit harder when compared to US medical students. A couple of my american friends parents are doctors. I asked them if they heard about the medical schools in the philipines. They said no, but they say every hospital has at least 1 or more filipino nurse.

Actually I'm not confused about the price i know how much I have to pay and that's all I really care about. Maybe those people trying to find out how much the tuition is online are the ones confused. Why try to ask prices about schools if they can go straight to the school for that information. I also knew doctor graduating from UE, DLSU, and UST who couldn't pass the US board on their first or second attempt and also the one doctor ended up as a nurse in the states. Prestigous schools right? It doesn't matter where you go, only how hard you work.

[FutureFilaMD]

I do agree though that here in the Philippines it does matter to the filipino's which university you go to school in, especially among the older generations. I hear alot of good things about these other schools. Fatima is a fairly new school compared to these other schools so it has a LONG way to go... but stilll things are sort of going. Hopefully, one of these days Fatima can meet the standars of these other great universities here in the philippines.

Are you a doctor in the states already?

[hunteradam07]

I do agree though that here in the Philippines it does matter to the filipino's which university you go to school in, especially among the older generations. I hear alot of good things about these other schools. Fatima is a fairly new school compared to these other schools so it has a LONG way to go... but stilll things are sort of going. Hopefully, one of these days Fatima can meet the standars of these other great universities here in the philippines.

Are you a doctor in the states already?
I have nothing against FU except Dr. Enriquez the VP. I met her for my interview. She was rude and full of herself. At the end of the interview, I knew i didnt want to go there and she is a horrible human being. I can only imagine the rest of the Santos would be like if this is the most educated one. I hope you never have to deal with her. I graduated from FEU last year and now currently studying for my steps. I guess you must be from a wealthy family since you didnt mind paying 2x or 3x more for medical school in PI. Even though 7G-9G dollars/year at FU is not as high as some of Carribean schools, but u still have to pay much more for your US clerkship rite? I thnk FU will charge you 5500 dollars/3mons rotation in Chicago or NY. I did my rotation at JPH in Chicago for 6 months, but i went through my own agent and only pay 3800/3mons. So u tell me why would u have to pay tution on top of clerkship fees? Make no sense. I knew a few FU students during my time in PI, they usually studied at Starbucks in Timog, we talked and they all agreed that they will take lot of time of to study for their steps after graduation. And dont be fools by USMLE cirriculum ad from FU agent or website. Good luck with ur study and stay away from Dr. Enriquez Hahahah

[cutegap22]

sactoboy, i remember before that you have already made a decision to not go t OLFU, but... regardless I'm still going there. Honestly - I really don't know where do they get the idea of:
1. tuition being 20k a year. although it actually says on the website the it is 20k, but when my Mom visited the school last month, she was already told and she even has the breakdown and the tuition is 7k a year. She talked to Josie at the registrar's office and even talked to the VP of Finace and accounting there. and the foreign fee donation is 6k and not 10k.
2. I will be in the Phils this coming June 2. And then a week after that probably will go to Fatima Univ. But I don't start not until Sept because the classes for Foreign students don't start not until later this year (which is September 8.
3. About admissions. All you have to do just like all other Phil. Medical School is to get ur Transcripts, diploma, Letters of Financial Support, Police Clearance, 2X2 pics, recomendation letterspersonal history sheets, and NMAT.

now the NMAT, I myself have not taken it (but I did take the MCAT here at home) I was already told that the NMAT can be taken there in the Phils this coming December. It is a requirement for evey Phils. medical school to have that taken. (actually I think it is only for formality that you have to take that).

Now, for the dormitories, my mom did look at several dormitories. What the School offer is this. My Mother said that the school dormitory is a bit far from the school. Although it is gaurded (with security guard), the rooms are not very nice, even the Bathroom and the bed actaully is really scary. There are other dormitories around and across the school. She said that they are better looking and descent. The OLFU dorm charges 5500 pesos a month (they do not require deposit) but the dormitories around and across the school ranges from 5500 to at least 8000 pesos and most of them are not airconditioned , but OLFU dorm is equiped with AC. The only thing that is not included in the rent at OLFU dorm is your internet access and utilities. But that is the same as the other dorms there around and across the school.

So if you have any questions, you can message me. But like what i said, i will be there in June, but will not stay in Valenzuela right away but will stay with my Lola's house in Cavite and then will move to Valenzuela on the first week of Sept. right before classes starts.
I am considering going to Fatima. Wanted to know if there are some folks in this forum who are going to the same school and how did you find the admission process and whether you already took the NMAT or not yet.

[hunteradam07]

1. tuition being 20k a year. although it actually says on the website the it is 20k.

Maybe because it actually said on the website that it's 20G/yr. Most people tend to believe the official website more than some stranger who posted on forum. Dont you think? Here is a simple question: If it is not 20G/yr, why is it on the webstite?
Why so much confusion on the issue of tution? Is there something else going on? I am a school admin i would BOLD PRINT the correct tution on my website and make sure all the other website or forum would get it correctly. Dont u think it's a big deal for those who doing their homework before come to a school? If this how they run a school, do you really want to be in that system and at the mercy of the REAL SMART FOLKS? I went to FEU, and dont get pay a penny by them. I have few Filam friends from Fatima, they often complain to me about the school ranging from tution to passing classes at FU. Supposely, special class (foreign onlly) exams are much harder than the local, and FU only passing about 5% outright. Most have to take what they call remedial classes=more money for FU to be able to go on. I think mabye why starting tution according to you is only 6G, but in the end w the remdials classes put together about 7G/yr. Look if you going to be in PI for that long before starting school, i would jz simply tell you this CHECK OUT OTHER SCHOOLS BEFORE GOING TO FU. There is a nice campus and great school in Cavite=La Salle University. I knew some interns from there, they love it there. And if you going to go to FU. I say make sure you ask them about the passing rate of special class and how many have to take remedial per sem. Get these information from the current students not admin or those who work for the school. Good luck to you.

[cutegap22]

I do agree with what the other person says. Money is not an issue for me to go to the Phils to study Medicine. I know for a fact and even when my Mom wne to FU, that the tuition is 7k a year. I mean 7k or 9k and or 20k is nothing compare to paying 35k to at least 45k a year for medschool here in the US. Geesssss!!!! in the school where i currently go to is rally expensive as well. Imagine paying 27k a year not including my dorm fees which comes out to 35k a year for my undergrad? now thats a lot of money. And besides, if your a US citizen, it shouldnt be as hard to go back here in the US compare to other folks needing papers to get here in the US. There are 4 doctors in our family. My oldes brother went to UST now practicing in the state of CO (Pathology), my other brother went to OLFU is now practicing in HI (internal Medcine), my other brother went to OLFU is now practicing here in CA (internal Medicine) and my sister went to OLFU as well and now practicing here in CA as well (Family Medicine). So i think it really doesnt matter where you go to school at. I think my parents are just being SMART ( i guess you can say cheap) to send all of us there in the Phils just to study.

And by the way, if you would remember me asking you before about OLFU. You told me to run away from that school. Because of this one incident that Mrs. Santos was not too nice and professional about your interview because she made you wait? I think it is very childish to base a decision to not go to a certain school because of that reason.

I wish you all the best and all the luck on your USMLE's hope that you pass all of them.

By the way, im not trying to contradict you with your statements about OLFU and your opinion.

I will go to Med School and I'm going to OLFU. Now if other students are so confused on which school to go to, i know it is a hard and very difficult task. Decision making is one of the hardest task to do when it comes to going to Professional School/Grad School. If you are not too sure about which school to go to. Call the school you are interested in going to. Ask for who to talk to about foriegn students that is wanting to attend their school. They are all very accomodating ( at least to all schools that I called and inquired to) and but those Phone cards =) that will save you money as well.

And I guess this does not relate to anything about being a foreign student and phils. medical school. But why do locals call filipinos that was born and raised here or raised here to be Amboy or Amgirl?

I have nothing against FU except Dr. Enriquez the VP. I met her for my interview. She was rude and full of herself. At the end of the interview, I knew i didnt want to go there and she is a horrible human being. I can only imagine the rest of the Santos would be like if this is the most educated one. I hope you never have to deal with her. I graduated from FEU last year and now currently studying for my steps. I guess you must be from a wealthy family since you didnt mind paying 2x or 3x more for medical school in PI. Even though 7G-9G dollars/year at FU is not as high as some of Carribean schools, but u still have to pay much more for your US clerkship rite? I thnk FU will charge you 5500 dollars/3mons rotation in Chicago or NY. I did my rotation at JPH in Chicago for 6 months, but i went through my own agent and only pay 3800/3mons. So u tell me why would u have to pay tution on top of clerkship fees? Make no sense. I knew a few FU students during my time in PI, they usually studied at Starbucks in Timog, we talked and they all agreed that they will take lot of time of to study for their steps after graduation. And dont be fools by USMLE cirriculum ad from FU agent or website. Good luck with ur study and stay away from Dr. Enriquez Hahahah

[hunteradam07]

I dont think it's being childish when I had an appointment and treated like i wasnt welcome. I guess you right in away that if you dont care how much it would cost and all the remedial issues, then by all means go to FU. Spend your parents money and enjoy it. I guess since i had to pay my school for myself, i wasnt as lucky as some who have parents allowance money or borned with a silver-spoon. But i think most of those on this forum are looking for a school with good reputation, reasonable tution, and treat them fairly. I jz dont think it's fair to charge 3x or 4x as much as most medical school in PI. I really wish you all the luck in the world, and maybe after you have to wait for Dr. Enriquez for 3-4hrs and stress out over remedial classes, then tell me how childish i was. Best of luck.

[joeylim]

Fatima is one of the best medical and nursing university in the Philippines. The money they earned from those brainless students go to their scholars. The scholars graduated from that school are really the best of the crops in all medical schools. This is what I observed when I studied in that school several years ago.

[hunteradam07]

Fatima is one of the best medical and nursing university in the Philippines. The money they earned from those brainless students go to their scholars. The scholars graduated from that school are really the best of the crops in all medical schools. This is what I observed when I studied in that school several years ago.
So according to you, they accept students whom they know dont have he grey matter to make it. In order to get tution from them, Whoa what ethical bunch of people! Is that what make them one of the best medical school? I didnt know that having a very high rate student failure would make any university more prestige. But you rite maybe that is how it's at Fatima. The more students fail, the more prestige FU will be. YAHOOO! LET COUNT THOSE DOLLARS OR PESOS BABY. Is that why so many foreign students have to take remedial class to pass? Maybe they are all brainless too! AWSOME! WAY TO GO FU!

[makulit23]

im going to FU this june
so whats this all about the smart ones getting special treatment? do they have better lecturers? can one work their way up to that special class? more importantly, do the smart ones and the average students get the same exams? and the books...

does FU use cadavers for anatomy?

btw,im not a filam
pure pinoy here

[trauma]

im going to FU this june
so whats this all about the smart ones getting special treatment? do they have better lecturers? can one work their way up to that special class? more importantly, do the smart ones and the average students get the same exams? and the books...

does FU use cadavers for anatomy?

btw,im not a filam
pure pinoy here
I don't think you'll have a problem since you are a "pure pinoy". They have exams that many students fail and you have to take remedials repeatedly until you pass and you have to pay each time (for each remedial). From verbal reports from past students, they use cadavers but I'm not sure about the student ratio.

[makulit23]

hows the faculty in fatima?

[hunteradam07]

hows the faculty in fatima?
The faculites are not the problem at FU. In fact most of the faculties taught at my school FEU as well. The problem at FU is the Admin=TOO GREEDY! They dont want to pass their students outright, because remedial meaning more money in their pockets. So they mandated their professors to make the exam impossible to score high. And if they dont curve it=more will fail=more money for Santos. Yahooooooo!

[makulit23]

ok honestly i came from ust... got unlucky so im going to fatima. regarding remedials, thats scary! \i want to avoid that for the rest of my med school life. r u saying the tests in fatima are way harder??? or just at par with the top 4 phil med skuls?

[trauma]

ok honestly i came from ust... got unlucky so im going to fatima. regarding remedials, thats scary! \i want to avoid that for the rest of my med school life. r u saying the tests in fatima are way harder??? or just at par with the top 4 phil med skuls?
I think if you are a local and you are one of the top students there, there might not be a problem as they want to recruit future board topnothcers. The problem is that if you are just average, you might struggle there.

[hunteradam07]

The faculites are not the problem at FU. In fact most of the faculties taught at my school FEU as well. The problem at FU is the Admin=TOO GREEDY! They dont want to pass their students outright, because remedial meaning more money in their pockets. So they mandated their professors to make the exam impossible to score high. And if they dont curve it=more will fail=more money for Santos. Yahooooooo!
I cant tell u exactly if FU tests are harder than other university in PI. However, what some of my friends from FU told me that only about 10-15% of all local students passing outright/subject. And the foreign class passing less than 10% (more money to pay for remedial). So Major of my friends passed most of the subjects outright, but have at least 2-3 subjects for remedial. Of 4 students that i knw from FU, none passing out right without any remedial. These are no bad students either, so you do the math. Have u try other University like St. Luke, MCU, Angeles, or St. Louis. So many med schools there why settle for FU.
OH have u met Dr. Enriquez (VP of the school)? If u do your interview, you will see how bad FU is.

[lrry]

just let them learn the hard way...been here 6yrs....the best advice..if you have money to burn....you will pass, as a foreigner no matter how smart, no matter what exam score, you will still take remedials, that's the system, you want change it. In the end, you have bought an MD..... the tuition is 10,000 donation...and foreigners IT IS 20,000 YRLY NOT INCLUDING RENT ETC... AS I SAID SPARTAN WOULD BE HEAVEN COMPARED .... I live 2BLOCKS FROM THE SCHOOL, WAS A STUDENT LIKE SOME OF THE PROSPECTIVES, HOWEVER, GOT OUT BEFORE IT WAS 2LATE......IT'S NOT THE SCHOOL......JUST THE GREEDY ADMINS. ALL IN THE CLAN....MONEY FOREIGNERS....BRING US THE DOLLARS...41TO OUR 1..... AND GUESS WHAT...? LIVE IN DENIAL FOR THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT....COMPLAIN? TO WHOM.....ALL ARE IN THE CLAN, HAHAHAHAHA ....RUN FOR YOUR LIFE FRIEND!!!!!

[makulit23]

what i meant about coming from ust is that i flunked two major subjects there so i dont have much choice regarding choosing schools. Most of the other ppl who recently got debarred are going to san beda (but they dont have a hospital of their own).
Yes, im average and study hard but biochem really got me and another subject got dragged into the pit of doom.
Some lady doc interviewd me a few days ago, twas a breeze. Im having my grades evaluated next week and im not sure whether to repeat all my subjects this coming school year (like what my cousin advised, feu-nrmf graduate) or just take the subjects that i flunked.
Another thing, does FU give multiple quizzes in one day? U know, like 3 short quizzes in physiology, and a long quiz in neuroanatomy, sumthing like that?
Samplex anyone?
And i got a nice place just across the school. Im just thankful that the school has a wifi area and a couple of restaurants.

[makulit23]

okkkayyy... ive been scouring for infos in a lot of threads and a couple of forums. some say that the school is good even if it has a lot of pitfalls and a lot of bad stuff

i must say i am worried.. i dont see any other options. dlsu-hsc is way too far

is anybody kind enough to give me some tips in how to survive med school in fatima other than the money stuff? like about the professors and how they give exams?

[hunteradam07]

okkkayyy... ive been scouring for infos in a lot of threads and a couple of forums. some say that the school is good even if it has a lot of pitfalls and a lot of bad stuff

i must say i am worried.. i dont see any other options. dlsu-hsc is way too far

is anybody kind enough to give me some tips in how to survive med school in fatima other than the money stuff? like about the professors and how they give exams?
Oh so you from UST originally. Well, i cant tell u how to surive at FU, bt i think if u jz try your best and pay off the santos u will be fine :). Good luck my man.

[hnbaby]

where is this school located?

[trauma]

where is this school located?
Valenzuela City, at the outskirts of Metro Manila going to Bulacan (used to be part of Bulacan).

[grey_thoughts]

I am going to olfu this Sept. I was wondering who else is in the same boat? In the international/foreign class.

Where are ya'll staying?

maybe you can email me: jonjreyes at gmail.com

I'm excited.. gonna leave aug 29th.

send me an email!