Transferring from Unibe to other caribbeaan med schools

[Sunscreen]

I want to know if it is easy to transfer from Unibe after the basic science to another crbn med. school that offers clinicals in NY, example Ross. Due to my unique family situation I can only spend a maximum of two years out of NYC and I very badly want to learn spanish so the schools I am concentrating on at this time are Unibe and UAG. Does the administration make it very diificult for one to transfer out.
(please no advise on how it is unwise to transfer between caribbean med schools, I have done my research and weighed my options.)
If anyone has had experience transferring out for the clinical science years please share. Thank you.

[ojmdc]

I'm guessing you've already considered this but these questions are more appropriate for a forum of the school you hope to transfer TO. All the reputable schools in the DR will issue you a transcript of your completed coursework provided you've paid what you owe them. You should bear in mind that they won't issue transcripts for some time after a semester is completed. For instance, a semester with final exams on the last week of July would probably have grades and transcripts available for dispersal at best 3-4 weeks later. This could throw a wrench into your application process at the other school since you'd be trying to transfer into their clinical rotations the only thing they're likely to care about are those transcripts which would be coming in at an odd time. the best you could do is hope to get an earlier set of 'scripts not reflecting your most recent semester's coursework and hope they'll do something with that until you can get them the most updates ones. Otherwise, they're not likely be able to do anything with your application until they receive that final transcript which might result in your losing a semester in that other university due to the lag in paperwork inherent in all things Dominican. As for any other problems with your leaving the medical program prematurely...I see none. I know that at INTEC at least it's common for students in other professional programs to leave for several semesters to complete coursework in the states and spain, these student have no problems getting their transcripts. the real trick is seeing if these other universities are willing to accept basic science coursework completed at another university. It seems to me that they would make it extremely hard for you to do this much the same way american medical schools look unfavorably upon would-be foreign school transfer students. Every reputable school has a pretty much equal basic science regimes with subtle differences, the only "major" difference is that some schools have rotations in the states. I doubt these schools roll out the red carpet for student who wish to circumvent paying their lofty tuition for the first two years of their program and leap0frog into the most unique and hard fought part of their program. But, again, these are questions that students actually AT these other schools would be better able to answer for you. I can only urge you to exercise extreme caution in choosing which school in the DR you choose to attend since you have the aim of transferring out. I'd limit my choices to UNIBE, INTEC, PUCCM and possibly UASD, steer clear of UCE, UNPHU, UTESA.
take care and God Bless.
Ozzie.

[dksamp]

Despite the rhetoric, it is dayum near impossible to transfer. Most of the time, ppl who transfer tend to come out of St. Georges, AUC or Ross, and THOSE ppl are usually top of their class. Just my $0.02

[Sunscreen]

Thanks for the advice and info.

[TTUmed]

ozzie:

you mentioned to "steer clear of UCE, UNPHU, UTESA."

Is there anything bad that you know about UNPHU ?

Considering that it is an approved school in both Texas and California, I would like to believe that there is nothing substantially wrong with UNPHU. In fact, I would like to believe that it is among the best medical schools in DR.

[ojmdc]

I mention to steer clear of UNPHU because they've recently undergone a decline. INTEC and presumable the other universities in the capital as well have been hit with a bunch of students leaving the university. I't smy understanding that many of their quality professors have left or are entertaining leaving. UNPHU was one of the best Dominican universities in years past, but docs here in the DR now seem to agree that the school is having trouble. It makes sense that a struggling school would try to bring in the one sure cash caw, the american student. At $2,500 a pop, each on is worth at least 7 or eight dominican students, and they pay in DOLLARS!! Woo-Hoo. Still it is a long standing university, I can't imagine that it would be shut down or anything of the like, just that those 2500 dollars per semester would probably be better spent elsewhere. Another thing to consider is the UNPHU in it's heyday was a title IV school. This is no longer the case. I'm not sure if they're reapplying or not but I know that as of right now they're not recognized by the department of education of the united stated for stafford loan purposes. This is typical of universities that have either slipped somehow or frankly never cared enough to solicit this recognition in the first place. For UNPHU, the latter seems most likely. Still if you find yourself down here in the DR, pay it a visit, it's right down the block from INTEC. Ask em about their present status see what they tell you. In my opinion that money would probably be better spent elsewhere. Remember that UTESA also offers an english program cheaper than that offered by UNIBE, but I wouldn't touch UTESA with a ten foot pole although it once churned out numerous docs that what go on to practice in the states and gave students their money's worth. If anyone has heard anything to the contrary about UNPHU please let us all know. Take Care.
Ozzie.

[PILOTOMD]

Steer clear of INTEC and get a real education at Univ of Miami

[PILOTOMD]

Leave INTEC and get a real education at Univ of Miami

[PILOTOMD]

Don't go to INTEC, go to Univ of Miami, better education for sure!!!

[PILOTOMD]

watch out

[ojmdc]

Hi Patrick,

You would think a person with so many advanced degrees would be a little less petty. But I'm not replying to speak to your insults, I'm replying to clarify my position on UCE and UNPHU yet again. UCE and UNPHU are both schools which at present, based on my experience with transfer students from both schools, that are undergoing some academic difficulties. You undervalue the high cost of UCE but that's at the center of my argument against choosing to go there. Both UCE and UNPHU are considerably more expensive than INTEC. I have had an excellent experience at INTEC with the professors and classes save for a few problems with loan status and convalidations. I have enumerated those problems on other posts. In any case if I were to choose a spanish program I would want to choose the least expensive program that offered me the highest quality of education. At present, based on my experience with transfer students from UNPHU and UCE, the smart money would go to INTEC. Assuming that the five students who transferred from UCE in the past months are a random occurence (highly unlikely) then it can at least be said that both schools are on equal academic footing in which case the smart money would again go to INTEC at nearly half the cost. So I say again, based on the above I would steer clear of UCE and UNPHU for the reasons mentioned.

As has been said repeatedly here it's ultimately up to the student to make the best of the program which they ultimately choose. However, that doesn't mean that I'm going to deliberately choose a program with difficulties to complicate my life more than what it already will be studying in a foreign country. The smart individual weighs the information available and makes a choice, I am providing some of that information.

It makes little difference to me personally if more students come to INTEC, they've been graduating doctors since the late 70's, the program is not in desperate need of fresh blood. I'm sharing this information becaue I feel that I've discovered a little examined jewel among the med schools in the DR, one with no major academic problems and one that's offering that education at a bargain price compared to it's competitors.

I make it very clear that the advice I post here is merely advice. I've never claimed to be the expert of all DR programs, but I do know a bit about several of them. I certainly know more than most prospective students who've never set foot on the island and they are the ones who will benefit most from that information. It's great that you had wonderful experience at UCE, but a student entering UCE now would be spending considerably more and wouldn't have the same guarantee of a great experience. For argument's sake let's say they have the same odds of having a solid education at UCE, INTEC at half the price is still the clear choice in my book.

All this is opinion based on available information, I've divulged my sources, I've not concelaed my sources of information. I've been completely forthcoming. It is up to the educated reader to weigh that information and the sources from which it's derived and decide for themselves how that information factors into ther choice of school if at all.

I too would love to hear from other students attending these schools. I would love it for dozens of students to come online or write and say that they think UCE's program is top-notch. Until I hear from those silent students I have no choice but to rely on the information I've received firsthand from not just one but three different transfer students from UCE.

I should take up my problems with the UCE program with its president you say. My objective is not to seek the improvement of UCE's program but to inform potential students of it's present status as seen through the eyes of the sources I draw that information from. What UCE student's want to do about any problems with their program is their business. Let me add that the strongest vote you can cast is with your money, this is particularly true of foreign students who pay far more than the dominican students do. If enough students start to transfer out any shool would be forced to reassess the situation. But that's the topic of another thread.

It's clear that you had a great experience at UCE. Such has not been the case for all. You're presenting your case and I'm relating the situation of several students who didn't have such a wonderful time. Moreover I'm highlighting that any potential weaknesses in UCE's program compounded with their abusive tuition rate makes INTEC the clear choice for anyone trying to decide between spanish programs in the DR. Now that obviously discounts other periferal factors that are personal to each student and are the reason why if possible you should visit the schools yourself and talk to students and professors and deans.

I certainly hope you're alone in feeling that I've elected myself the authority on DR med schools. On the contrary, I hope in my posts it shines through that I am careful to site my sources of information and always qualify my statements. There are no absolutes in anything, there are only alternatives. My aim is to present some alternatives prospective students might never have heard of.

Take care and God Bless.
Ozzie.

[ojmdc]

Hi Patrick,

You surprise me. I think you're alone in your opinion that my comments are childish. That they might be a waste of your time, that may be true, paritcularly since you've graduated from UCE and no longer have to choose a medical school.

I, and I think most other serious readers of this forum would regard your posts as rather childish. The object of these forums is to present and exchange information. All the information I have provided here is valid and I've clearly stated it's sources. It is not a childish waste of time for students who have to decide where they will spend the next 4+ years of their lives. I've been the first to describe the problems I've had at INTEC, just as I'll not refrain from sharing what I believe to be reliable information about other programs.

Nonetheless I feel compelled to share you PM and my reply to that message for the forum at large to judge for themselves. All those years of university level education and military experience should ahve taught you a greater appreciation for diversity and more importantly should have taught you how to discern opinion based on facts from one-sided mindless fabrications as you seem to think my posts are.


I quote Patrick's PM:

"Ozzie:

Why would you go to an English program in the DR. All of your patients speak only Spanish! Maybe that's why California doesn't recognize these type of programs! Ofcourse!!!!

You remind me so much of many students that I attended med school with. You are always right and you talk so much crap about things you don't know about. You use the infamous they and ofcourse you know all the DOC's who are teaching at all these programs. And yes the "Fallen Flies"! These flies probably deserved to fall because they had no reason to be in med school in the first place. I am glad they left UCE because these type of people give UCE a bad name!!! I hope that they stay at your school (The Best School: **)! Any student who professes to want to learn medicine and then takes off and doesn't attend class and then complains that they didn't have to attend class---- what an Idiot!!

I hope all the Idiots fall like flies and decide to attend INTEC, that's where they belong! Just think that will make you look better! Ofcourse that is what you want, right ...to look better and seem smarter. If you were as smart as you purport to be, why aren't you in medical school in the US??????

Ozzie, I am really glad that you are at INTEC and not at UCE! Congradulations on your choice! UCE does not need someone like you stirring the pot about **!

Patrick, PILOTOMD (MD: UCE '04)"

And my reply to this PM:

"Hi Patrick,

I have no idea what you're referring to. What I have always said in my posts is that there have been several students who have transferred from UCE to INTEC because they felt they weren't getting their money's worth at UCE. UCE as you know charges nearly as much as UNIBE which is twice the present tuition at INTEC. If you're attending UCE and can get pass your classes while having attended only a couple of days of class then there is a problem with that program, or you're a genius. That has been the experience of three of the students I've talked to who have transferred from UCE. Not just one, but three students share the same experience. In my book that constitues a pattern, one that prospective UCE students should be alerted to.

I've never said INTEC is the best school. I've never called for UCE students to renounce their school and all come and transfer to INTEC. What I am saying is that if you're considering UCE you should also seriously consider INTEC for the above reasons and others that I've mentioned in my posts. I'm sorry you view that as stirring up. The way I see it, and the way I think most people in this forum see it is simple reporting of conditions of these schools. As I've mentioned before, I'm always careful to qualify my statements as I'm aware that I'm by no means the ultimate authority of the medical schools down here. I do however feel it's my obligation to warn students of potential pitfal and present alternatives they might not have considered before. This forum is a place for people to collect information so that they may make an informed decision. I'd like to think I'm helping with that.

With regard to recommending english programs, I have never advocated that students attend an english progam in the DR. To the contrary, I've always said that such programs are suspect in light of the fact that the patients and collegues you'll be dealing almost exclusively speak spanish. I've never claimed to know all the professors, in fact I was very clear in saying that I have only spoken with one professor in the spanish program at UNIBE. Now, for students who don't speak any spanish at all, it might be wise to consider UNIBE or possibly UNPHU's new program, but I have always urged students to consider the spanish schools.

Of the spanish medical programs in the DR there are only a few that qualify to receive stafford loans. UCE and INTEC are the only ones in the capital. UCE charges 3,500 per semester for a total of around 11,000 per year. INTEC offers a spanish medical program that costs around 6,000 per year. Not only is INTEC significantly cheaper, in light of the reports that I've heard of students who've transferred from UCE, the quality of education here at INTEC is superior. You're getting more for your money than at UCE. At INTEC I don't care how brilliant you are, it is not possible for you to miss all but a week of class and hope to pass the subject. Now, it's always up to the reader to weigh the information I provide and take into account the source. I can only report what I've heard. What's more, this is information I've heard from three independent sources, not a lone imbittered transfer student.

Has everyone had a similar experience at UCE? Of course not. But if you haven't yet chosen a school you should consider these experience and the economic savings and seriously consider INTEC which I believe is better investment for all the above mentioned reasons.

As for trying to make myself look smarter I'm not sure what you're referring to. I've only ever told people of the differences that I'm aware of between these two schools. I've never made any mention of my intelligence or lack there of. In fact if you read my early posts you'll find that I've flat out admitted that I've made plenty of academic mistakes just as the majority of american med students here in santo domingo have made. I'm not in an american medical school because my grades weren't good enough. Perhaps your reasons were different, some people come here because it's cheaper of because they want the experience of living in another country. Those are not my motivations, I'm here because the choices that I've made in my life have led me here.

It's unfortunate you've misinterpretted my posts as you have. My intention is to help, not to stir things up as you say.

Take care and God Bless.
Ozzie."

[TTUmed]

I enjoy reading what people have to say about schools in the DR. Unlike other forums on this site, the DR schools forum had never had the problem of 'school bashing.' I've had the opportunity to ask ozzie some questions about DR schools, especially UNIBE. He has always given a straigtforward, no nonsense response. If he didn't know something, he would not try to invent or rationalize anything and therefore he has become, in my opinion at least, the best person to ask questions about DR schools from a student's perspective. PILOTOMD posted some good things and seemed to be a credible source, however, seeing the way he has responded, made me lose any interest in anything he has to say. He does not act like a person with 17 years of college experience or military training. Ozzie's reponses have always been clear in most respects, and it appears that PILOTOMD has miscontrued ozzie's comments.

[PILOTOMD]

More fallen flies at INTEC!!

Is that where you want to be with fallen flies! Go to Univ of miami or Nova Southeastern and learn medicine!

[dad]

INTEC are not approved in Texas.
The link below provides information regarding World Wide medical schools, including Domican Republic medical schools, that are accepted in Texas.

http://www.tsbme.state.tx.us./professionals/docinfo/STDNHPSE.rtf

So far the following Dominican Republic schools are on the list:

1.UNIV AUTONOMA DE SANTO DOMINGO, SANTO DOMINGO
2. UNIV NACIONAL PEDRO HENRIQUEZ URENA, SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REP
3. UNIV CENTRAL DEL ESTE, SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS
4. UNIV IBEROAMERICANA (UNIBE) ESC DE MED, SANTO DOMINGO, DOM REPUBLIC

[ojmdc]

Hi,

That list is a list of schools whose graduates need not show substantial equivalence of their education. It is not a list of approved or disapproved schools. PUCMM, UASD, and Nordestana aren't on this list either, yet all three are highly reputable schools. It seems that graduates of schools not on this list would simply have to go to greater lengths to prove that their medical eduaction is valid, something I doubt would be difficult for graduates of INTEC, PUCMM, UASD or Nordestana, these graduates will simply have to do a little more footwork it would seem. Not knowing much about Texas' requirements and guiding myself by the title of the document I wouldn't say that INTEC is disapproved, there's a big difference between a list of disapproved schools and a list of "Schools Whose Graduates Do Not Have To Prove Substantial Equivalence Of Their Education" Correct me if I'm wrong.

Take care and God Bless.
Ozzie.

[ojmdc]

Hi,

Thanks for your comments TTUmed. It's my hope that others out there view my comments in the same manner. I always answer truthfully and have certainly never fabricated any information I've provided on this forum. Thanks again for your comments.

Take care all and God Bless.
Ozzie.

[Mr. Rolon]

if we spent more time studying than we do bashing, maybe we'd crush the usmle

[galenito]

cant we all just get along!?!?!?
uce and intec are among the best universities of this country.

if you are decided to be good in what you do and put all the efort into it(twice if you dont speak spanish) you will do great in any of them, at the end its not about the school, its about you.

i graduated from the UASD, its 624 dollars per semester for foreigns but its 6 and a half years long(could be done in less time if you take summer courses wich are not included in that stimate) but to be honest i didnt knew any usa student there(indians, pakistan, iran, latin america but not usa)

if you have any questions about anything i would galdly help you in as much as i can. im dominican and i know my country well enough.

holterv@yahoo.com

[PILOTOMD]

NO

[Sunscreen]

I actually think Ojmdc and Pilotmd have provided invaluable information/perspective on DR medical schools and I am sure I speak for not just myself when I say we appreciate their imput and continued presence on this forum which is quite deprived of information as there seems to be a paucity of DR students on this forum compared to the other foreign med schools.