Thread: What are my chances of getting in to medical schools in the philippines?

What are my chances southwestern university MHAM college of medicine?

Hi Drgeosprint,
Are you studying at Fatima? I am also accepted for this septembers class. Can you please help me answer this question?
1. I read a lot of bad reviews about the school. I hope to believe the complainers are people who are not studying hard enough. Do hard working students survive the scary description of the school?
2. I know the I know the title IV loan has been taken away. Do you think the loan from sallie mae is there to stay for students?
3. How many US students are there in the special class?
4. How many of them move on to be successful in USMLE and land clinical orations in USA?
Thank you and I hope to see you soon!

kingm....hi there...I am on summer break so I just got this......i WILL TRY AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.......... Sorry for the caps....lst.......Yes I am a student at Fatima.....
Anyone who studies will do okay.....this school will not pass you because you pay money.......study hard and you will succeed.......if you do not study you will not pass.......it is simple and I believe this holds true for ANY medical school......
People are using Sallie Mae and continue to use this to fund their education....a few students also incorporate Davenport.
The class started with around 46+or - students and ended up with around 30 something.......approximately 70% are from the US.....fil ams seem to compose the majority of the class......
question number four is harder to answer....the school does not track nor divulge these statistics..........The USMLE are done independent of the school...therefore some take the test post graduation, after 3rd or 4th year or even after 2nd year. The school does not have a prep course for this test......I have heard of a few students that have done very well on the test......the problem is you never hear from those who do poorly.
Overall the school like any has good and bad points.......the country is different from what you are familiar. This is an adjustment. The teaching style is different.......So initially it is a period of adjustment and may take a few months....People who have family here or even have lived here before are in a better position. If you have any unresolved issues in the states while you are in school it makes it very difficult to focus.........You do not want to be distracted by matters that take up your time. Relationships will suffer! Your fellow students are generally eager to help you...make friends with the 2nd and 3rd years as they can give you valid advice.....Try and avoid all drama.....Be consistent in studying every night......you will start at 8 am every morning and finish when ever they decide to stop. Yes, they do have classes on Saturdays..........When you have a day off...study...... you will have a test at least daily........
Overall I am glad I am a student here.......there are pluses and minuses but I have made it work for me......the degreee and knowledge is not a gift....I work for these......Best of luck to you and I will see you in September at your orientation day....!!!!

Originally Posted by Drgeosprint

kingm....hi there...I am on summer break so I just got this......i WILL TRY AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.......... Sorry for the caps....lst.......Yes I am a student at Fatima.....
Anyone who studies will do okay.....this school will not pass you because you pay money.......study hard and you will succeed.......if you do not study you will not pass.......it is simple and I believe this holds true for ANY medical school......
People are using Sallie Mae and continue to use this to fund their education....a few students also incorporate Davenport.
The class started with around 46+or - students and ended up with around 30 something.......approximately 70% are from the US.....fil ams seem to compose the majority of the class......
question number four is harder to answer....the school does not track nor divulge these statistics..........The USMLE are done independent of the school...therefore some take the test post graduation, after 3rd or 4th year or even after 2nd year. The school does not have a prep course for this test......I have heard of a few students that have done very well on the test......the problem is you never hear from those who do poorly.
Overall the school like any has good and bad points.......the country is different from what you are familiar. This is an adjustment. The teaching style is different.......So initially it is a period of adjustment and may take a few months....People who have family here or even have lived here before are in a better position. If you have any unresolved issues in the states while you are in school it makes it very difficult to focus.........You do not want to be distracted by matters that take up your time. Relationships will suffer! Your fellow students are generally eager to help you...make friends with the 2nd and 3rd years as they can give you valid advice.....Try and avoid all drama.....Be consistent in studying every night......you will start at 8 am every morning and finish when ever they decide to stop. Yes, they do have classes on Saturdays..........When you have a day off...study...... you will have a test at least daily........
Overall I am glad I am a student here.......there are pluses and minuses but I have made it work for me......the degreee and knowledge is not a gift....I work for these......Best of luck to you and I will see you in September at your orientation day....!!!!

Hi Drgeosprint, thank you for the response.
I have this one more question about police clearance. What type of police clearance do I need? My city or FBI clearance? City is easy to get in an hour but FBI clearance can take up to 8 weeks. I got my admission last friday and I don't have much time before September. Thank you in advance!

Can do the police checks in manila....... do not bother doing anything in the US........seriously...do not waste your time..........

Originally Posted by Drgeosprint

Can do the police checks in manila....... do not bother doing anything in the US........seriously...do not waste your time..........

Drgeosprint, One last question:- Can you please tell me about housing. Do you think it is possible to find housing within a block or two from the school. How much would the closest 1 Bedroom apartment cost? I appreciate your help!

I pay around 5k/125 a month for my place a 7-8 minute walk to school. 42 pesos per dollar.........most students live close.....figure anywhere from 200 on up.......fairly easy to find a place near school........

Originally Posted by Drgeosprint

I pay around 5k/125 a month for my place a 7-8 minute walk to school. 42 pesos per dollar.........most students live close.....figure anywhere from 200 on up.......fairly easy to find a place near school........

Thanks a lot Drgeosprint... Now I have one lessen thing to worry about.

Hell my friend. Can you please be able to list the list of textbooks for first year students. I like to buy before I arrive since I will be coming the weekend before the start of the class.
Thanks a lot for all the answers to my questions!

There are quite a few text book recommended/required...however......A lot of them you never use.........You can get most everything via e-book....here...also if you email Ma'am Josie at Fatima she can give you that list..........My favs where BRS physio, Bernes and Levy physio, Manter and Gantz's Neuroanatomy and physiology book, As many good books on histology as you can find......it will really help......seriously.....Makes sure they are picture heavy........Biochem of course there are always the heavy weights....so if and I mean if you can read them they are great otherwise shoot for the biochem for dummies type books...learn the concepts then fill in the details later......Anatomay ...snell, netter, McMinns, etc....The class that most folks fail is biochem followed by histology..........Any of the made ridiculously simple books are also great....pick up the second year stuff also.....hope this helps..see ya soon oh btw do not bring a printer with you...buy one here they have huge ink wells modified for heavy use....very cheap that way.......bring lots of USB's hard drives for back up, camera for pictures....of the slides in microscopy.....also a voice recording device....they do not allow video recordings of their lectures and do not always provide the power points get a majic jack for talking to home also skype can be good..........take care

Thanks a lot Drgeosprint, This has been very helpful. I have iphone with sprint that doesn't have a SIM slot. Is it possible to get a wireless service on it without SIM card? If I can bring the phone it can be very useful both for good picture, storage and voice recording.