I found UNIBE on the WHO (World Health Organization) and it stated this about UNIBE:

~ESCUELA DE MEDICINA~
UNIVERSIDAD IBEROAMERICANA (UNIBE)
AVENIDA FRANCIA 129
APDO 22233
SANTO DOMINGO
Tel.: +1809 689 4111
Fax: +1809 686 5533
E-mail: unibe!castagnoc@redid.edu.do
Year instruction started: 1982
Language of instruction: Spanish, English
Duration of basic medical degree course, including practical training: 7 years
Entrance examination: Yes
Foreign students eligible: Yes

I don't understand! Does this mean that UNIBE's curriculum and MD program takes 7 FULL years to complete???

I could see if your pre-med as well but even that only takes 5.5 yrs to complete...

Why does it state that it takes 7rs to complete?
Can anyone verify this?

I would call them, and I did, but I'm at work and when I called them earlier it turns out that EVERYONE was on lunch break over there so I couldn't get through.. But got through to admissions atleast...

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Today is friday, so have that in mind.
I'm sure you will get the answer soon here.

__________________
Moderator: USMLE AND Residency Forums.

Your best friend will die, we can go to war tomorrow, don't care about those things anymore just study.

Some day I will be the next Goljan/Daugherty/fissher for IMG's all over the world.

thank You.. I'll keep that in mind...

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The Pre-Medical level consists of 4 semesters of 16 weeks each. The complete level totals 64 weeks and 90 credits.

Medical School Program

After completion of the 1st to 4th semester (Pre-Medical Level) the student enters the Medical level. This level comprises of eight semesters of 16 weeks each. The first five semesters of this level (5th to 9th semesters) correspond to Basic Sciences. The other three semesters (10th to 12th semesters) correspond to Clinical Sciences. After the 12th semester, 3 semesters of Sub-Internship begin (13th, 14th, 15th).

I did not bother to check WHO and do not know what they have listed but this is the curriculum for an M.D. degree from Unibe.
Been around since 1982 granting M.D. degrees.

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ERNEST C. HOLBROOK, M.D. FACS

Is that how UCE curriculum is also right?
I always thought it was a 3 moth semester or is that Intec.
Ok now I know I'm getting senile. LOL

__________________
Moderator: USMLE AND Residency Forums.

Your best friend will die, we can go to war tomorrow, don't care about those things anymore just study.

Some day I will be the next Goljan/Daugherty/fissher for IMG's all over the world.

ERNEST: Do you know if you have to complete a year of mandatory service to DR after getting your MD Degree?

Or would it be that right after you get your degree your allowed to apply for an Internship/Residency in the US?

Thanks!

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Take step1 right before or starting intership
Take step2 ck In your last semester
Take CS during you intership
No you do not need to do Pasantia

__________________
Moderator: USMLE AND Residency Forums.

Your best friend will die, we can go to war tomorrow, don't care about those things anymore just study.

Some day I will be the next Goljan/Daugherty/fissher for IMG's all over the world.

Take Step I after Semester 5 (that is when you are eligible, after completion of basic sciences. BUT DO NOT TAKE ANY STEP UNTIL YOU FEEL TOTALLY PREPARED. Only you know when you have done all you can do...there is nothing left. You get three tries....don't waste them.

This is an article (IN PURSUIT OF A DREAM) I wrote and published a few years ago and you might find some of the information valuable for you. Many students have had successful careers following graduation from Caribbean Schools. But you must be dedicated and remain focused.






























They are called "offshore" medical schools because they are located In the Caribbean Islands very close to the United States. They are becoming increasingly more popular since their inception in the 1970's, when they were created to offer students, denied admission by U.S. schools, an alternative in their quest to obtain a medical education.
The exact number of U.S. citizens attending medical schools abroad is unknown but the GAO, (General accounting Office) In 1992, estimates between 4,500 and 6,500 were enrolled in medical schools outside the United States, primarily on Caribbean Islands. The reason for such interest in foreign medical schools Is quite simple, there are some 46,000 applicants for about 16,000 domestic positions available.
Routinely, premed advisers attempt to discourage students from pursuing their medical career dreams in offshore schools for obvious reasons such as language and culture barriers but also for the, not so obvious, unknowns such as quality of instruction and the resources available (libraries and laboratories) to students.2
In 1994, approximately 6,750 graduates of foreign medical schools entered residency programs, or almost 40% of the number of graduates of U.S. medical schools who entered residencies. Seventeen percent of these graduates of foreign medical schools were U.S. citizens. It should be noted that only half of the U.S. students who go abroad to study medicine actually become practicing physicians.

In January 1994 approximately 6% of United States Physicians were U.S. Citizens who obtained their Medical Degree from foreign schools.3
"While many foreign medical schools are considered excellent, congressional investigations have found the quality of education and clinical training at some to be way below the levels provided by U.S. and Canadian schools. The problem is greatest in some of the for-profit schools that were set up primarily to train Americans unable to get into U.S. medical schools. Some of these schools are owned by Americans, and classes are conducted In English."4
"These schools are much more dependent on federal loans than are U.S. medical education institutions. According to the GAO report, tuition and fees made up only 4.3% of total 1989-1990 revenue for U.S. medical schools. Among the three foreign medical schools (St Georges University Medical School, Grenada; Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Mexico; Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica) most frequently attended by U.S. nationals receiving student loans between 1986 and 1991, tuition accounted for 92% to 99%."' it is obvious that these projects are "cash cows." It should be noted that Dominica is a separate island in the Caribbean from the Dominican Republic.
"Some of these proprietary schools are capitalizing on the desperation of would-be doctors These kids are extremely vulnerable and there is a lot of money to be made on them." "For aspiring physicians, however, the cost of attending an offshore school-which can be comparable to some out-of-state tuition in the United States-is a price many are more than willing to pay."6
Know that many students have matriculated through offshore schools and have gone on to have rewarding careers in medicine in the United States.
The road to a Medical Degree, via a foreign, offshore school, is not an easy path to follow, to be sure, but it is not impossible if one is willing to persevere the obstacles and difficulties a foreign graduate encounters that a domestic graduate does not.

The U.S. Congress acted in 1992 by demanding that the Department of Education appoint an advisory panel of medical experts to determine the comparability of foreign medical schools The panel was established only recently, and it is currently reviewing accreditation standards established by host countries.7
It is difficult, If not impossible, to establish any quality control standards of offshore medical schools at the present time. It is therefore incumbent upon the prospective student to Investigate thoroughly, any school they are considering for matriculation. This investigation should include an on site visit of the school by the student to afford an opportunity to actually meet with administration and faculty and to see the facilities first hand and not through "glossy" photos that may not represent the true picture An on site visit will also afford the prospective student the opportunity to meet and question the current students in order to get a balanced picture of the program offered. Administration is not going to paint the school in a derogatory fashion no matter how direct the question. And, in fact, some have been known to actually lie to the students to get them to register for class at their institution.
There are several questions the neophyte medical student should ask of School Administration and have confirmed, as best as possible, by students in attendance.
1. Specifically what States permit graduates Of the school to pursue Post Graduate training(Residency)?

2. Specifically what States "'recognize or credit" the school and will permit graduates to be licensed to practice medicine In their state?

3. Is the school approved for students to receive Federal Student Loans?


4. What percentage of the students are accepted for post graduate residency programs?

5. How many or what percentage of the faculty are U.S. trained? How can a student be trained for the U.S system when no one on the faculty is familiar with the U.S. system?

6. What percentage of the faculty are full time faculty members devoting full time to the school?

7. What are the admission criteria for acceptance into the school? Be wary of any school that will accept students with the only requirement that they have the price of tuition!

8. What Is the class by class failure rate of students and how many times are they allowed to fail a subject(s) before being discharged from the school as unacceptable to continue the study of medicine?

9. Upon graduation from a particular school, is the student eligible for licensure in the country in which the school is located? Very important!

10. How much time is spent in actual clinical training? where is the training conducted and by whom? How much actual clinical time is under direct supervision of a professor and not "house staff'?"

The above ten questions are considered very important, especially in foreign medical schools where the quality of training is, for the most part, unknown. These are questions that the prospective student should ask of the school administration and the student body.

The following ten questions are the ten most frequently asked by students making inquiries about foreign medical education. The information given is for the Dominican Republic only and the data is considered current as of this writing (August 1999). There Is no attempt to "rate" any of the schools, however, some schools enjoy a better reputation than others.

All schools are located within Santo Domingo with the exception of NORDESTANA (located in San Francisco de Macoris, 60 miles from the Capital.) UCE (Central University of the East), (located in San Pedro de Macoris, 45 miles from the capital.) Pontifical Catholic University Madre and Maestra (PUCAMAMA), (located in Santiago, 85 miles from the capital.) To continue, to familiarize you with the acronyms of the various schools:
UNIBE Universidad Iberoamerican

UNPHU National University Pedro Henriquez Urena
UNIREMHOS Universidad Eugenio Maria de Hostos x
INTEC Instituto Technologico de Santo Domingo
UFEC Universidad Frederico Henriques Carvajal x
UTESA Universidad Technologico De Santiago
UASD Autonomous Universidad of Santo Domingo
(OLDEST UNIVERSITY IN WESTERN WORLD!
THE DOMINICAN STATE SCHOOL)


x = Finally closed by Dominican Government as totally inadequate for a school of higher learning.



1. Will I be required to study in Spanish?
No, there are 2 schools that teach in English (UNIBE, UTESA) the rest teach in Spanish. However, YOU are given accelerated courses in Spanish to facilitate working in the hospitals. All hospital work is in Spanish.

2. Will I be able to receive Federal Student Loans if I study in a foreign country?
You are eligible for Federal Student Loans if you are a U.S. Citizen (Permanent Residents are not eligible to study abroad on Federal Student Loans) and your school is an approved school. I believe UTESA lost their approval and you can no longer receive loans as a student of this University.

3. How much is the tuition in foreign medical schools?
The tuition for schools In the Dominican Republic range from a low of $1,200 per semester at UASD to $4,500.00 per semester at UNIBE.

4. What about living facilities while in the Dominican Republic?

Affordable housing is available in the Republic, however, you must look for it. You can find small apartments comparable to US standards that are usually within walking distance of most of the schools. It is advisable to arrive a week or two early and stay at an APART-HOTEL (efficiency or one bedroom type apartment (rents by week or month) that does not require any lease or deposit) until you have made inquiries from other students as to the best and most convenient place to live.


5. What about transportation? Can I drive?
To be quite honest, driving in the Dominican Republic is a nightmare! Riding in a car that is being driven by someone else, can be that same nightmare! They have rules of the road but everyone seems to think that they (the rules) do not apply to them! City Bus Service (OMSA) is government owned and operated and are similar to any bus service you would find in a large metropolitan city. The REGULAR bus is 5 pesos (15¢ U.S.) and the Air Conditioned busses are 10 pesos (30¢ U.S.) Both travel the same routes and stop at regular bus stops. They have private automobiles that are known as "publicos" and they traverse a specified route. You get on and off sort of like a regular city bus and the ride depends on how far you are going (usually 15-20 pesos)! You can secure a taxi and travel almost anywhere in the city for $4.50. if you prefer to drive your own car, you must obtain a Dominican License (after 90 days) and have adequate Dominican Insurance and documentation of ownership. Best to speak to students who have automobiles and what difficulties they faced. Many Puerto Rican students bring their cars on the local ferry that services the two islands.

6. What about mail and communications with home?

There is no problem with the telephone system. It is quite modern (VERIZON) and features direct dial to just about everywhere in the world. Most apartments have phones or at least facilities for phones to be installed. The postal service is another matter. It is totally unreliable at times and most students and expatriates rely on private mail companies where you both send and receive your mail for a fee. This should be investigated immediately upon your arrival to establish a mailing address. The Republic is also served by UPS, FedEx and DHL to mention a few carriers. Internet and e-mail is also available.


7. How easy is it to process my "official" documents, letters and transcripts once I have arrived and again, when I process out of the island with my degree?

Unfortunately, this part is not easy and requires a great deal of patience on the part of the student. Transcripts and documents are frequently "lost", misplaced and misfiled and may require that you submit them to administration more than once. When it Is time to leave the Island, the same thing may happen Also, the documents originated here are all in Spanish, including the Medical Degree (even from English Programs). They must be "validated" by the State Education Office, (CONES) translated, and then "legalized" by the State. This can, and usually is, a very time consuming, expensive process ($2,200.00 U.S.) and very frustrating for the student. This process, and the expected cost involved, should be fully explained to the student. Arrangements for the documents needs to be made well in advance of leaving the island permanently.

8. Will any of my pre medical college courses be accepted In transfer?

Most likely they will. However, you must check each individual case with the school. One problem area is when a course is required in medical school and It has been taken by the student in undergraduate studies. For example, Biochemistry may have been taken by an undergraduate Chemistry Major in the U.S. The course will probably transfer but will not be applied to the Biochemistry that is necessary in Medical School even though it is the same course. The reason; it was not taken while a student in Medical School. It is also not uncommon for a school to accept several courses and then, when the student is getting ready to graduate, notify them that the courses did not actually transfer Also, be aware of "hidden" charges for transferring credits.

Some schools charge as much as $10.00 per credit to transfer previously earned university credits and call It an "administrative charge." It is best for the student to have ALL agreements and total charges IN WRITING from administration as policies have been known to change during the period of attendance.
9. what about the cost of living in the Dominican Republic?
Native Dominicans can live off of the local economy very cheaply! However, Americans are used to more of the amenities of life. They have some large American style Super Markets with many of the items you would find in your own local store. There are also some nice shopping areas with comparable American prices. Remember, with the exception of local produce and locally made products, everything else is imported and this adds to the cost of items.

10. What is the process for getting a medical license or training in the U.S. if I graduate from a foreign medical school?
Even if you are an American citizen and a graduate of a foreign medical school, you are considered a "foreign" medical graduate/International Medical Graduate (FMG/IMG) and required to submit to the requirements of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and be certified by ECFMG. The ECFMG certification program was established to provide assurance that a physician educated outside of the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico has met minimum standards and is eligible to enter an accredited residency training program or fellowship In the United States. Most, if not all, states In the U.S. require ECFMG certification as a prerequisite for licensure. In order to be certified by ECFMG, International Medical Graduates must pass the ECFMG qualifying examinations and document completion of the educational requirements to practice medicine in the country in which they have received their medical education.
The examination requirements for ECFMG certification include a Medical Science Examination and an English Proficiency Test, however the Language test was discontinued June 2004 and assimilated in Step II of the USMLE. Currently, there is only one examination available for certification, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
The USMLE Step I and Step 2 each require two days to complete. Step I assesses whether a physician understands and can apply key concepts of basic biomedical science. Step 2 assesses medical knowledge and understanding of clinical sciences. Step 2 CK is to evaluate clinical skills with actors taking the part of patients.
To be eligible to take the examinations administered by ECFMG, an applicant must be either a medical student officially enrolled in a medical school listed in the current edition of the World Directory of Medical Schools published by the World Health Organization or must be a graduate of a medical school which was listed in the World Directory at the time of graduation. Eligibility to sit for the USMLE examinations or having an EGFMG certificate Is no assurance that such will grant acceptance in ALL states for either Post Graduate Training or Licensure. Each state has their own specific licensing and training requirements and it Is suggested that students check with the various states in which they might like to train or eventually be licensed. ft should be noted at this time that domestic graduates are required to spend one year in Post Graduate training prior to licensure while the Foreign Medical Graduate must spent three years in Post Graduate Training prior to eligibility for licensure. Step 3 of the USMLE is taken near the completion of the third year of training and is the prelude to licensure.
(CSA: Clinical Skills Assessment) Exam has been added to the USMLE to be taken soonafter Step II. This has been added in 1999 and requires that you actually take patient models (trained actors) and diagnose and recommend treatments.

It is mainly an exam to see how well you can comprehend English and relate to an English speaking patient.
The CSA has now been incorporated into the USMLE Step II and the CSA will no longer be given as a separate exam after June 2004.

If you are still interested in a medical education in an offshore facility after reading this article, I suggest you arrange for a visit to the school of your choice and investigate first hand. A personal visit will pay huge dividends and may prevent aborted beginnings. It is a small price to pay before you invest major sums of money. Who knows, you may not enjoy the adventure of living and studying in a foreign country away from the security of family and friends. It happens! Not too infrequently, it DOES happen!


REFERENCES

1., 7.Wiebe, C. In their quest to become physicians, U.S. students increasingly set sail for off shore medical schools. The New Physician 1995 October 15.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4.Govemment Report Gives Department of Education and Some Off Shore Medical Schools Failing Grades. JAMA Apr 1995 Vol.273, No 151163
5. Ibid.
6.Ibid.

N.B.
DR. H IS A FELLOW, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS AND AWARDED HIS M.D. DEGREE (1964) FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE (KENTUCKY) SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. DR. H RECEIVED HIS POST GRADUATE TRAINING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HOSPITALS IN THE FIELD OF UROLOGY. HE SPENT TWO YEARS IN FELLOWSHIP IN NEURO-UROLOGY AT THE LONG BEACH V.A. SPINAL CORD INJURY FACILITY. HE WAS CHIEF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY, MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AT HIGHLANDS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FLOYD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN EASTERN KENTUCKY. HE WAS CHIEF OF STAFF, MEMBER OF BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY OF A LARGE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MEDICAL CENTER (INLAND VALLEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER) PRIOR TO RETIRING TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IN 1993. HE WAS IN THE PRIVATE PRACTICE OF UROLOGY FOR 35 YEARS WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST IN SPINAL CORD INJURY. HE IS CURRENTLY A PROFESSOR OF UROLOGY, AND MEDICAL ETHICS AT UNIVERSIDAD IBEROAMERICA (UNIBE) IN SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ONE OF THE PREMIER ENGLISH LANGUAGE MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN THE CARIBBEAN. HE ALSO SERVES AS THE ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL STUDENTS.

__________________
ERNEST C. HOLBROOK, M.D. FACS

Great article.
Thanks doctor.


A small correction-students who are permanent residents of USA, can avail federal aid in the dom. rep. and also any where in the world, if the school is certified by the dept. of education.

Thank You for the article! It's of much help!

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