Caribbean vs. Puerto Rico

[Genossa maximillian]

Well, besides graduating from an LCME program you will save a bundle on your USMLE Sep 1 and 2 (ck)exams as well. Don't let the rotations issue trick you, I know literally hundres of graduates from LCME schools in P.R. who have done residencies in the U.S.A. cardiology, ophthalmology, etc, very competitive and they did their entire 4 years of med-school in P.R..

I think it will be more economical than Ross and SGU, not sure though.

PM means private message me, to send me a private message.

Good luck anyways, to be honest if I had had the chance of going into any LCME school, I would have done so, no matter where it was. But choices are choices.

Good luck

Max

Originally Posted by Arq22

I'm kind of new at this...so I don't really know what PM means...but what I meant was that with St. George's and Ross I get to do my last 2 years (all my rotations) in US hospitals. With Universidad Central del Caribe (which is LCME accredited) I think it would just be San Juan Hospital or something like that. I believe i would spend the 4 years in PR and I think I would probably have a more difficult transition once i go into residency or time to practice, because I would have never been in a 100% English speaking hospital- inside the US. Spanish is not a problem , i'm actually pretty fluent..some rough spots here and there but I think i'd be confortable with it. I am lacking information which is why i decided to try the forums out...but there is just so much controversy about IMGs and US grads. I mean my whole point is ...just because the PR school is approved by this LCME that should be my only reason to choose it?...I think perhaps once I go visit the campus then I'll learn more about it...and perhaps learn to like it...but as of right now, like I go to their website, and they don't even tell me what their percentage is to pass the USMLEs or what kind of residencies their students get into...so there isn't much attracting me to it right now.
I know what the stigma with foreign medical doctors is...but honestly i thought things were changing...I mean I really don't understand what the big deal is because when I reasearch what kind of residencies ppl from Ross or St. george's get into.....there are pretty competitive ones...that you prob wouldnt have seen 5 years ago....and of course it all depends on the student, grades and USMLE scores....so if they are getting competitive residencies..why is it still being put down?
Anyways, I appreciate any inputs anyone might have.

[Junito]

Puerto Rican Schools (except for San Juan Bautista) are the way to go. They offer Fin aid that no Carib school qualifies for. Univ Cent del Carib has a hospital in Bayamon. Many people on the island speak English, and it is an easy transition. Send me a Private Message if you need more info.

[Genossa maximillian]

Correct, however San Juan Bautista also has financial aid with Stafford loans and own their own hospitals. Their drawback is they are in the process of LCME accreditationm and for the time being is basically for local residents. I lived there for several years. Ponce and Bayamon are your best bets , UPR, only if you have a 3.7 or 3.8 GPA and a top notch MCAT.

Good work Juni.

Originally Posted by juni711

Puerto Rican Schools (except for San Juan Bautista) are the way to go. They offer Fin aid that no Carib school qualifies for. Univ Cent del Carib has a hospital in Bayamon. Many people on the island speak English, and it is an easy transition. Send me a Private Message if you need more info.

[ut_cougar]

Someone said Ross is Texas approved? Texas has no approval committee. I think any FMG can practice in Texas after 3 years in another state. Can students from Ross do rotations in Texas and the practice in Texas right after graduating? Whereas other schools can not do this?

[DominusMedicus]

PR for sure.

[wordman30]

LCME approved is calling your name!

[Junito]

Originally Posted by Genossa maximillian

Correct, however San Juan Bautista also has financial aid with Stafford loans and own their own hospitals. Their drawback is they are in the process of LCME accreditationm and for the time being is basically for local residents. I lived there for several years. Ponce and Bayamon are your best bets , UPR, only if you have a 3.7 or 3.8 GPA and a top notch MCAT.

Good work Juni.

Thank you. Just a heads up...DO NOT GO TO San Juan Bautista Med school till it is once again LCME approved. Students who graduate from there are in a bind since you are graduating from an unapproved school on US soil. You would be at a greater disadvantage than someone who attends a foreign school in the Caribbean. I knew of a few students who transferred from SJB to Ross. They told me horror stories.

[Genossa maximillian]

http://www.lcme.org/surv0607.htm

http://www.docnet.org/physicians/phy...sp?phys_id=511

http://www.capitalcardiology.com/papaleo.htm

And I can keep going on and on. I have visited Ross, SGU and many other Caribbean schools as well as all the schools in P.R. and I challenge your friends to substantiate their "horror" stories. As a matter of fact, I am currently working as a consultant for a competing school in another Caribbean Island and still affirm what I am saying, even if my client does not like it, but you can't dispute facts. Now, have you personally visited the school in order to compare?

As you can see from the aforementioned links, there seems to be a myth as to SJBSOM been confined to P.R. and being at a diadvantage with other Caribbean schools. Ohterwise, How can you explain these graduates practicing in the US? There are more grads in the US. Google them.

If we are going to discuss this lets substantiate our arguments and prove them, not base them on rumors.

Peace to all

GM

Originally Posted by juni711

Thank you. Just a heads up...DO NOT GO TO San Juan Bautista Med school till it is once again LCME approved. Students who graduate from there are in a bind since you are graduating from an unapproved school on US soil. You would be at a greater disadvantage than someone who attends a foreign school in the Caribbean. I knew of a few students who transferred from SJB to Ross. They told me horror stories.

[Junito]

I was just sharing what two students that actually attended the school shared. SJB had LCME accreditation but it was revoked. It is good to see that there will be another site visit. Wonderful. But the school was approved at one point and then its approval was revoked for whatever reason. I heard that the LCME said that there were too many med schools on the island. Either way, my point is do not attend a school that is not accredited in the country it is located in.

Once SJB is accredited by the LCME it will be a great choice. But for now be weary of going there.

[Genossa maximillian]

That I am aware of the school was never LCME accredited because, as you just said they tought that there were too many med schools on the island. I may be wrong but I will confirm this the week of March 13 when I am heading back to Puerto Rico to visit SJBSOM as well as UCC.

Not to bother you but just to debuke your mis-informed comment of not to attend a school not accredited in the country it is located. The school is accredited by the following:

MIDDLE STATES COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION The Commission on Higher Education is the unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region. It examines the institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within the institution. All MAJOR Universities in Puerto Rico have this one, as well as the CES (CONSEJO DE EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR DE PUERTO RICO) The Council of Higher Education of Puerto Rico is the governmental agency with the responsibility to coordinate the efforts related to the higher education in Puerto Rico

The school is also WHO listed. Check the WHO listing.

The school is also DOE approved by means of its accreditation with the Middle States.

Please, check your facts again.

Originally Posted by juni711

I was just sharing what two students that actually attended the school shared. SJB had LCME accreditation but it was revoked. It is good to see that there will be another site visit. Wonderful. But the school was approved at one point and then its approval was revoked for whatever reason. I heard that the LCME said that there were too many med schools on the island. Either way, my point is do not attend a school that is not accredited in the country it is located in.

Once SJB is accredited by the LCME it will be a great choice. But for now be weary of going there.