August 2010 02/2010 New Student thread!!

[cpt.ricard]

This is a thread for all incoming students starting August 2010 to communicate and get to know each other.

[Xelha10]

I was waiting for this thread, :) I'm from Los Angeles, CA

[surferdude_mx]

Hello I'm from Albuquerque NM/ Puerto Vallarta Mexico

[Deelighted]

Hi! Im from Chicago Illinois and don't speak a lick of spanish. Anyone looking for a room mate let me know. Im so excited about living in Mexico foe the next 4 years and learning spanish.

[surferdude_mx]

I may be looking for a roomate, I dont know yet, depends if I decide to take my two dogs down. Still trying to figure it out, any one know how difficult it would be to find a house with somewhat of a yard, even if its a dirt patch.

[RhoRoe]

You can find a house in a Coto with a small yard or garden area. I lived in one with my 3 dogs. Many people have dogs in the private cotos, but rent is much higher.. around 9000-13000 pesos a month. I'm sure you can find a cheaper house without the security, club house, pool, etc with a yard too.

[surferdude_mx]

Is Coto a colonia? I've tried looking on a map but can't find it, how far are you from school?

[cpt.ricard]

A Coto is a closed off neighbourhood that shares guards.

[RhoRoe]

I'm no longer at the school.. I had to take a medical leave of absence. There are many private cotos that you can find a house in on Naciones Unidas. There is an entrance to the school on Naciones Unidas, so you can just take the one street all the way down to school. Because of the lights and traffic it used to take me 10-15 minutes to get to school by car.

[kocorap]

can any of you recommend hotels that are relatively close to the school? or if any of you have had any good experiences with a particular hotel over there?

[Beachangel117]

how are students getting to and from campus until they can find a car to buy? are there buses or shuttles?

[surferdude_mx]

I think the majority probably live close to campus, many probably use the buses and some take their own cars down. The buses are cheep and once you get used to them not too bad, but it will probably add a bit of time to your commute

[brainteazer07]

it depends on where u r living. Buses might not be an option if you live on certain streets. most students usually walk or carpool with their friends who have cars.

[nj07200]

Hello! At this moment, I'm in the process of applying for the Fall 2010 session. If I get accepted to the program, I would be interested in having a roomate. I'm from California, and some of my family is from Chicago Illinois. Can you tell me if it was hard getting into UAG medical program compared to American Medical School programs? What types of questions did they ask during the interview? Did it take long for you to find out your acceptance? :D

[scientific88]

Hello! At this moment, I'm in the process of applying for the Fall 2010 session. If I get accepted to the program, I would be interested in having a roomate. I'm from California, and some of my family is from Chicago Illinois. Can you tell me if it was hard getting into UAG medical program compared to American Medical School programs? What types of questions did they ask during the interview? Did it take long for you to find out your acceptance? :D




well compared to getting into U.S. med school most schools that have an international med program might be not necessarily easier to get into than U.S. med schools but most tend to have a lower mcat requirement (look in the websites for details). as far as i know caribbean schools and UAG have a minimum gpa and mcat score for acceptance but people still get in with lower scores. i think you know this already otherwise you would not really think of applying out of the U.S.. but do not think that just because the gpa and mcat score requirements are lower school is going to be easy.

about interview questions some of them are the basic ones that you get asked in U.S. medical schools but if you want some that are more specific do a search and i know i have seen some people write them. they are here in the forum .

about knowing if you get accepted. once you interview it takes about a week for them to let you know whether you are accepted.

look at old threads in the forum. you will find a lot more information about UAG. but whenever you have any doubts about anything either e-mail or call the san antonio office for more information. remember that this forum was not created by UAG so do not believe everything you read. well good luck

[LaTeeCatin]

For those of you in Fall 2010, how long has it been taking for you to receive an interview from UAG after application?I see that acceptance takes about a week. I'm trying to figure out how soon I will need the fee if I'm granted an interview after a January application. Thanks

[Beachangel117]

anyone here starting for med1?

[madgtec]

Hey, just finished 8th and I am here until 15 of Feb. If you need anything feel free to message me here. I recommend that as soon as you get here you go to the NASA office it is at ICB (they will orient you here in GDL). If you are looking for an apt there is a list at the Extranjeros office (where you will do your orientation, immigration and other information).

[jasmine22]

hello...i'm from New York. Got accepted recently. ;)

[jasmine22]

well when i went to the interview they asked for the fee.

[TXDR]

Hello! I'm from Texas and plan on moving down there in June. I haven't figured out how I will be moving all of my stuff. Any suggestions?

[jasmine22]

Yea i'm in the same situation, but i'm coming from NY. I also don't know where to exactly look to find an apartment and a roommate?

[brainteazer07]

When you come down here, the office has list of apartments and land lords phone number. however, best thing to do is go to ICB campus [thats where your medical classes will be at] and look at the bulletin board around the classes. you would be able to find roommate there quite easily.

good luck.

[TXDR]

brainteazer07 do you have any advice on moving a whole household down there? My husband and dog will be going with me and I really don't want to have to buy all new stuff. Will I run into any problems at the border? Also, how far in advance do you advice I find an apartment?

[brainteazer07]

i honestly dont know but i do remember some other thread mentioning some movers who do that kind of stuff. if u have a truck or anything...you can use that too...border people usually dont give much trouble if you declare everything. sometimes they dont even bother checking..so i guess depends on your luck.

as far as apartments are concerned...lot of them would start getting emptied up around june 2nd week...so that might good time to come here...and look at some of the places. you can even start moving things lil by lil.

good luck

[vaughn_z304]

Hello! I'm from Texas and plan on moving down there in June. I haven't figured out how I will be moving all of my stuff. Any suggestions?


Hey I'm from Texas too! Where are you from? I live in Houston now for work. But i graduated from UTPB in Odessa, TX last summer with a biology degree. I'm zac.


To everyone else,
I haven't actually gotten accepted yet, but I have my interview coming up pretty quick. I did wonder though, what did you guys think about the 1500 fee? If i pay that and go to the interview, is it possible to NOT get in?? or is it kind of a given that I'll get in upon payment of it? To me, that is a big chunk of change. And its hard for me to get that kind of money together. i guess i'm just wondering what everyone thinks about it?

[adais]

Hey I'm from Texas too! Where are you from? I live in Houston now for work. But i graduated from UTPB in Odessa, TX last summer with a biology degree. I'm zac.


To everyone else,
I haven't actually gotten accepted yet, but I have my interview coming up pretty quick. I did wonder though, what did you guys think about the 1500 fee? If i pay that and go to the interview, is it possible to NOT get in?? or is it kind of a given that I'll get in upon payment of it? To me, that is a big chunk of change. And its hard for me to get that kind of money together. i guess i'm just wondering what everyone thinks about it?

by the way the fee is refundable if you are not accepted so, unless you change your mind after being accepted then you are not losing the money

[Dr.30564]

Hello,

I know this is a UAG thread . . . with that said, I have a question. Im in the middle of a though decision. Im trying to decide between UMHS and UAG. It's ultimatley my decision, but Im curious why I should chose UAG over UMHS or the other way around. Where do students at UAG do "clinicals" or their 5th yr? This is a big concern for me. Thanks in advance for your help.

[ml22]

Hello I'm Michelle from Texas, and had my interview yesterday! I was told that I would hear back by Tuesday :) I am nervous but excited!!! Cant wait to hear from other future classmates!!

[brainteazer07]

By the way, I would recommend a book called "Step to USMLE step 1". Its like First Aid, but I find it more helpful. Combo of those two books wont hurt either.

[acgtacgtacgt]

The main difference between UAG and UMHS is that UMHS is 4 letters, and UAG is 3. Also, UAG has 3 vowels, and UMHS has 1 vowel and 3 consonants. UAG is also a "stop" codon in genetics.

Fifth-year is HAL, HRG, or NYMC, but they may add a few more acronyms by next year.





Hello,

I know this is a UAG thread . . . with that said, I have a question. Im in the middle of a though decision. Im trying to decide between UMHS and UAG. It's ultimatley my decision, but Im curious why I should chose UAG over UMHS or the other way around. Where do students at UAG do "clinicals" or their 5th yr? This is a big concern for me. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Dr.30564]

The main difference between UAG and UMHS is that UMHS is 4 letters, and UAG is 3. Also, UAG has 3 vowels, and UMHS has 1 vowel and 3 consonants. UAG is also a "stop" codon in genetics.

Fifth-year is HAL, HRG, or NYMC, but they may add a few more acronyms by next year.

good one . . . very informative.

[GuadRad98]

GOOD LUCK To the future clases at UAG. I went to school there a "few years" back. I see nothing has changed. Martinez Sandoval Still teaches anatomy etc. A few words of advice from someone whos been there.

Guadalajara is a beautifull city with awesome surroundings. Lots of great clubs. There is soooo much temptation to have fun...Get there a few weeks in advance and enjoy but when school starts hit the ground running like there is a freight train on your tail.

1. If you interview and have the required information and application in order you get in. So dont worry about the fee. They are in it to make money!!! Same...if you apply. If your paperwork is in order you will have an interview...and get in. Short of having some horrendous criminal reccord, or incomplete PreMed requirements.

2. The school system is such that all get in but not all graduate. It might seem like fun until you take your first antomy test with Sandoval. Study like you are a serious US medical student. Because when you take the USMLE...that is who you are competing against. And those guys in the US TRAIN for the USMLE.

3. There are allways old tests in Guadalajara. If you get them fine....you will ace the exams...but dont cheat yourselves out of learing.. You may get a 10(A) on a test but if you just memorized answers thats just another part of the USMLE you will do bad on. If you get an old test...learn the topics asked...but try to read the USMLE books for the subject to make sure you understand and can answer what you will be tested on at the end of the 1st 2 years. THE USMLE SCORE will be the only thing anyone in a US Residency will look at or even understand when you apply!!!!

4. Find a good roomate, and or make a good study friend Easier said than done. But its very critical. It divides some of the networking time, and provides someone to lean on. I remember looking out the window on my Pablo Neruda/Monte Video apt and thinking Im never going to make out of here to practice in the us..... We all felt the same way at times...but hung in there and just studied hard day in and day out... That was/is the ticket out.

5. The teachers there may seem different but take them seriously....its a different culture....and as you find with time a wonderfull one.

6. In the second year DO your homework.....and try to transfer to a US medical school. San Juan, Puerto Rico and Ponce School of Medicine are US LCME accredited and usually take a couple of transfers from the UAG. Its competitive...but if you are a good student PLEASE TRY(NOT a diss on UAG...but uag is foreign Puerto Rico is Not)...and note...your friends will try and not tell you untill they dont come back for 3ed year. :)

Any questions?

[brainteazer07]

GOOD LUCK To the future clases at UAG. I went to school there a "few years" back. I see nothing has changed. Martinez Sandoval Still teaches anatomy etc. A few words of advice from someone whos been there.

thanks for the good info; however Dr. Sandoval doesnt teach anymore. hehe

[GuadRad98]

Is the crazy old Lad ok? Even back in the 90's he was coughing his lungs out....and sadly after our first anatomy test with him... and at the end of the sememster people were kind of hoping he'd drop a lung or...2. Toward the end he was more understood.... He was sort of the first wake up call from the bliss and gorgeous ladies of Guad to the realities of med school.

[natalia49882]

I've been accepted for the August 2010 term and St. George's and I'm super excited to get on with my career path! I'm from Fargo, ND. It's going to be quite the change from our freezing cold weather to the tropics!

[cfimaster]

6. In the second year DO your homework.....and try to transfer to a US medical school. San Juan, Puerto Rico and Ponce School of Medicine are US LCME accredited and usually take a couple of transfers from the UAG. Its competitive...but if you are a good student PLEASE TRY(NOT a diss on UAG...but uag is foreign Puerto Rico is Not)...and note...your friends will try and not tell you untill they dont come back for 3ed year. :)

Any questions?

At the University of Puerto Rico and the others, are the classes in English?