Thread: Anyone staring Fatima this September 2012? Post here!! (Philippines)

Im just starting a thread to see who is attending Fatima foreign class this September 3, 2012.

Please post. Thanks! See u there!

Im male 22 yrs of age from LosAngeles and ready to start!

1. first year has a lot to get used to - just living here in the philippines, getting used to the school system, style of teaching, classmates, etc.
2. classes have a syllabus and structure similar to curriculum elsewhere. biochem is known to be the most difficult.
3. you have a quiz every time you have class on what you learned the last class.
4. we have prelims (preliminary exams), midterms, and finals for each class per semester.
5. dont know if anyone failed yet. our year ends june 30.
6. atmosphere is fun - lots of people from different classes with different backgrounds, can get clique-y and high school-ish but we're all after the same thing.
7. advice: come open-minded and with a lot of patience
8. feel free to ask any questions

how big are the classes?
are there different sections or does everyone have the same class schedule?
i would love to take a look at a syllabus, would it be too much trouble to post one on here?
also, do you have any info on rotations? how hard is it to set up rotations in the US at a hospital thats not one of the affiliated hospitals?
thanks again!

our class started with a roster of 50+, some never showed, some left. we're at about 40 right now. just one section - you all have the same schedule.
you guys should start a facebook group. that's what we did. it's easier to post stuff. i dont know if i can post one on here? not sure about rotations gonna have to ask upperclassmen

Keep in mind that just because you graduate in let's say 2016, you will be ready for match 2018. Good luck!

why would it be 2 yrs later? Is it because students in the PI usually take all the steps for the usmle after they graduate? ToxicPIdoc are you currently a student at Fatima? do you have any additional info on rotations in the US?

Think of it as 1.5 years. When you finish 4th year in July, you might get out of here by September-October with all the ** paper chase you will have to do. If you start on the USMLE study plan 1st year and continue throughout 2nd, you may be ready for testing the Summer after 2nd year. You will have to miss a month of class to do this, but I'm sure you will be fine in doing so. This will place you to match the following year. But then, you have to complete step 2. When will you do that? So realistically, to get everything in order and complete the steps, 1.5 years ahead of graduation date is the norm. Another option is to study hard for the MCAT and place in a US based med school. Even if it requires another year to do, you will still graduate and match before anyone in the PI. Good luck!