Hello, I'm a Dominican physician and also a graduate from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). I've just noticed this forum and I wonder if any of you has or had experience with graduates from UASD joining US residency programs, how are they doing, and how hard it is to get in for us. I reemember very few Pakistani, Hindues or U.S. students in my class (compared to the majority of the population in UNIBE or other schools), and I don't know the specific reasons. If anyone from UASD is reading this, please feel free to reply, too. Right now i am preparing to take Step 1 next year, so any suggestion on this matter (considering my "UASD-Dominican" status) would be greately appreciated ! ..........Gracias !!!

In regards to your post. To begin with, what is your nationality?

About the Boards, where are you preparing for them at? Are you currently in the US or abroad? There's a few things that you have to have clear about the boards and getting into residency here in the US.

If your abroad and preparing you your USMLE Step 1, I would recommend you come to the US and take a 3 Month live Lecture @ any KAPLAN location in the US. That way you know exactly what to focus on, and your more familiarized with the way the exam is formatted and presented to the student. It usually goes for about $3,000.00 US, for the 3-month Live Lecture and about $1,000.00 more if you want to do the extended Prep Courses.

I believe you hold the information ask to what are the requirements for IMG students, seeking licensure in the United States, if you don't already know, PM me and I will inform you. Also, if you seeking to practice and obtain a license in the United States you have to atleast know, in which state you plan to practice in, and learn what are the exact requirements for that state.

For IMG students, seeking residency in the US, I will be straightfoward and tell you that as long as you have what the State Board of Medicine, in which ever state you want to practice Medicine in require for the applicants to have, there should be no problem at all, for IMG's to get into residency. But then again, there are some ins and outs about everything.
The Medical School in which the student recieved their MD Degree has to be listed in the WHO list, ECFMG certified to allow their students and graduates to sit for the Board Exams(Step 1, 2, and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge-replacing the name for ECGMG CSA) to recieve the ECFMG Certificate, also Medical Doctor's who are not Legal US Residents or US Citizens must obtain a Visa. It's really not alot of documents that the student must submitt and have, but without the major one's the changes of even landing a residency spot in the US are very low.

Again, if you have any questions, you would like clarified in further detail don't hesitate to PM or e-mail me.


Take Care!

Ivan:

Well I also went to Med School in the DR, I am dominican, and the program I attended was exclusively taught in Spanish.

First off, regardless of where you are from, you are an IMG. When I went on my interviews for residency you are put in the same boat as all the other IMG's; guys that went to Ross, AUG, St Georges etc. not to mention all the schools from India and Pakistan everyone is an IMG regardless of what they'd like you to believe. The only advantage that being from the US gives you is that you will not need a J1/H1 visa. The advantage of doing your clerkships in the US is, I think, exagerated. (more on this later)

Believe it or not in the eyes of many you are at an advantage over the people that go to the DR from the US. The fact is that you went to medical school in the DR because that is where you are from. Most people that go to UNIBE/UTESA go there because they were unable, for whatever reason, to get into a school in the US. So guess what is a popular question among residency directors at interviews? "Why did you choose go to medical school in (insert country, island)" Who do you think will look better: the guy that is from Ohio and went to UNIBE or the guy that is from San Cristobal and went to UASD?

Note: [Before anyone feels insulted and blows a gasket, I am not insinuating anything degrading, but it is a safe to assume that anyone who was given the choice attend medical school in the US or overseas would go to school in the US in a heartbeat; therefore anyone that is going to med school overseas is doing so because they are unable to do so in the US.]

At a school like UASD you are able to do things that look very good in an interview.

UASD students have a "Ciclo Social". Think about it, you are spending 3 months in the country side delivering primary health care to an underserved population. You can get alot of mileage out of that.

At a school like UASD you are able to be a teaching assistant (monitor) where in addition to getting certain perks and advantages (hey I hung out with a lot of the UASD interns) you are able to engage in teaching. Something that also looks very good.

The UASD has a lot of research opportunities... if you know where to look and take the iniciative. Go ahead and talk to a few people, there is a lot of stuff to do out there.

At the UASD you have access to publications. As a graduate from the UASD you already wrote and presented a Thesis. I know of quite a few UASD alumni that have been very productive submitting publications and having them accepted.

If you already did your "Pasantia de Ley" not only do you already have 1 year of work experience as a doctor, but also a medical license. How many non-dominicans that went to UTESA/UNIBE can clain that?

I was at a residency interview not too long ago. I started talking to one of the candidates who went to Md School in one of the Caribbean islands and told me that was he was in debt close to US $150,000, but that he at least was able to do all his clerkships in the US because he went to (I'm reserving the name) Medical School. I smiled and told him that I paid 300 pesos per credit at my school (how much is a credit at UASD... RD15.00?) and didn't own a penny... and where did I do all of my rotations... in the DR; yep, the Salud Publica, and Instituto Dominicano de Seguro Social health systems. Ultimately we were both in the same hospital, going for the same interviews, applying for the same spots. What kind of statement is that saying?

Are you worried that Dominicans can't get as good of spots as anyone else? Do some asking around and ask some questions, you'll be surprised. Dominicans have been accepted at some of the best hospitals in the US and generally do very well for themselves.

My advice is to first off, stop worrying about the petty stuff. Make sure you get a high USMLE score on your first attempt and make sure that your CV is great. Programs use USMLE scores and CV as a first screen, but ultimately its the interview that makes or breaks a candidate.

Oh, and I'd advise you to take the Kaplan course in the Dominican Republic rather than Miami, you'll be living at home and spending less money.

That's my 2 cents.

>First off, regardless of where you are from, you are an IMG. When I
>went on my interviews for residency you are put in the same boat as all
>the other IMG's; guys that went to Ross, AUG, St Georges etc. not to
>mention all the schools from India and Pakistan everyone is an IMG
>regardless of what they'd like you to believe. The only advantage that
>being from the US gives you is that you will not need a J1/H1 visa. The
>advantage of doing your clerkships in the US is, I think, exagerated.
>(more on this later)

True, and I agree with you on the above points.

>Believe it or not in the eyes of many you are at an advantage over the
>people that go to the DR from the US. The fact is that you went to
>medical school in the DR because that is where you are from. Most
>people that go to UNIBE/UTESA go there because they were unable, for
>whatever reason, to get into a school in the US. So guess what is a
>popular question among residency directors at interviews? "Why did you
>choose go to medical school in (insert country, island)" Who do you
>think will look better: the guy that is from Ohio and went to UNIBE or the
>guy that is from San Cristobal and went to UASD?

Now THATS STRETCHING the truth a lil bit. As soneone who was ACTIVELY involved with resident selection/recruiting/interviewing process when I was a resident, I can tell you that this particular issue NEVER CAME UP. In fact, many of the folks who were from another country to went to school in their home country, their English was so bad, they got the unanimous THUMBS DOWN from not only the program director, but all the residents. What we all looked for was NOT why this person went offshore, but what were his BOARD scores, and can he/she communicate in ENGLISH well, and can he/she GET ALONG with the other residents (in other words, can johnnie play well with the other kids).

>Note: [Before anyone feels insulted and blows a gasket, I am not
>insinuating anything degrading, but it is a safe to assume that anyone
>who was given the choice attend medical school in the US or overseas
>would go to school in the US in a heartbeat; therefore anyone that is
>going to med school overseas is doing so because they are unable to do
>so in the US.]

Don't worry, I'm not insulted, and my gasket is still intact
And I agree, that US Medical education is a preferable choice versus going offshore.

>At a school like UASD you are able to do things that look very good in >an interview.
>UASD students have a "Ciclo Social". Think about it, you are spending 3
>months in the country side delivering primary health care to an
>underserved population. You can get alot of mileage out of that.

baloney, that issue never comes up in an interview. You don't score points from something that is already mandated by law.

>At a school like UASD you are able to be a teaching assistant (monitor)
>where in addition to getting certain perks and advantages (hey I hung
>out with a lot of the UASD interns) you are able to engage in teaching.
>Something that also looks very good.

You are judged mainly on 2 things...Board scores and Personal presentation at Interview. All the other nonsensical fluff that people make out to be important is really not.

>The UASD has a lot of research opportunities... if you know where to
>look and take the iniciative. Go ahead and talk to a few people, there is
>a lot of stuff to do out there.

Another overhyped generalization. And of that research done in medical school, how much of that research gets eventually PUBLISHED IN PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS??
While you are in med school. Research is not something that is done "in your spare time" The type of research that gets published, is something that takes MANY months/sometimes YEARS of full-time work. Who has time for that during medical school??

Let me say for the record, that I have NEVER in my life published nor have I ever done a GAT DAYUM bit of research, and that has NEVER prevented me from acheiving my goals.

>At the UASD you have access to publications. As a graduate from the
>UASD you already wrote and presented a Thesis. I know of quite a few
>UASD alumni that have been very productive submitting publications
>and having them accepted.

While that may be nice, NONE of this has any correlation with your success in the residency selection process.

>If you already did your "Pasantia de Ley" not only do you already have
>1 year of work experience as a doctor, but also a medical license. How
>many non-dominicans that went to UTESA/UNIBE can clain that?

I can't claim that, however, having a dominical license is IRRELEVANT in the residency selection process, as it cannot be used as leverage in obtaining a residency nor a state license. We interviewed many people who were licensed in their own country. Did we ever delve into that detail?? NO Did it have anything to do with our selection/rejection of that applicant?? NO

Plus, lets put things into perspective, the pasantilla is RARELY done under supervision, and cannot take the place of a residency, thus it is a FERTILE breeding ground for BAD HABITS to develop (which will have to be unlearned in the US)

>I was at a residency interview not too long ago. I started talking to one
>of the candidates who went to Md School in one of the Caribbean islands
>and told me that was he was in debt close to US $150,000, but that he at
>least was able to do all his clerkships in the US because he went to (I'm
>reserving the name) Medical School. I smiled and told him that I paid
>300 pesos per credit at my school (how much is a credit at UASD...
>RD15.00?) and didn't own a penny... and where did I do all of my
>rotations... in the DR; yep, the Salud Publica, and Instituto Dominicano
>de Seguro Social health systems. Ultimately we were both in the same
>hospital, going for the same interviews, applying for the same spots.
>What kind of statement is that saying?

NOT MUCH...Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be belligerent, however, we MUST put things in their proper perspective and in the proper context in order to understand the situation. While all these things MAY be advantages at some level, it ultimately has NOTHING to do with your selection as a resident. Every program is different in how they view clinical rotations in the US. Some mandate it, whereas some don't care.

IN terms of the economics, if you are lucky to have wealthy patrents who pay for everything, thats fine, but many people (like myself) had to borrow $$ for school and living expenses and had no other option. There is much more than price that factors in to the equation. A school may e cheaper, but ultimately you have to feel comfortable there and get the right vibe. The only school environment that made me feel comfortable was at UNIBE (I visited ALL the schools when I was hunting back in 1995.)
Plus while tuition may have been cheaper, what about living expenses?? books, food?

Plus you failed to mention the numerous HUELGAS that often result in the school shutting down for various lenghts of time. Plus all the political protests that go on regularly. The first time I ever experienced the feel of TEARGAS was when I was walking too close to UASD one day during one of y'alls uprisings. How come U didn't mention that?

>Are you worried that Dominicans can't get as good of spots as anyone
>else? Do some asking around and ask some questions, you'll be
>surprised. Dominicans have been accepted at some of the best hospitals
>in the US and generally do very well for themselves.

TRUE, I agree with that.

>My advice is to first off, stop worrying about the petty stuff. Make sure
>you get a high USMLE score on your first attempt and make sure that
>your CV is great. Programs use USMLE scores and CV as a first screen,
>but ultimately its the interview that makes or breaks a candidate.

NOW, you're preachin Reverned!!! Wellllllll, can I get an ameeennnnn! :-)

Don't get me wrong, I have MUCH love and respect for UASD. That school had a RICH history and tradition that spans 400+ years. Howvever if presented with the same choices, I still would have chose the same school that I did.
PEACE!!!!!!!!

-Derek Sampson, MD

Board Cetified in Family Practice.

__________________
Moderator - UNIBE, Main Foreign Med Schools

Hi there:
Maybe will be better for me to get back to "la lengua de los reyes"..
acabo de leer tu posting soy graduado de la PUCMM ,actualmente estoy en mi segundo año de residencia en Family Medicine, comence en NY state y me mude de programa a New Orleans hace cosa de 6 meses; estuve en NYC por mas o menos 3 años consecutivos; hay una gran poblacion de UASD,PUCMM,INTEC,UNIBE en la zona tri estatal.
Si estas em pezando el proceso te recomiendo que inviertas en el kaplan, es la maner mas facil de pasar los steps; solo me queda el step 3 pendiente y creo que voy en uno o dos meses; cuando apliques a las residencias trata de estar en los EEUU, consigue buenas cartas de medicos en los EEUU, y alguna de profesor/decano que diga buenas cosas de ti.
Los scores son importantes por que son el unico filtro que tenemos los FMG's.
Los/as Dominicanos/as Medicos/as en los estados unidos somos un 6% del total de la poblacion medica(JAMA); y somos casi un 30% del total de los /as FMG"S; asi que dondequiera te encontraras alguin.
la mejor de las suertes
un abrazo
Jose

ultimamente me ha despertado una inquietud en estudiar medicina o odontologia en la republica dominicana para despues regresar a los estados unidos ha cojer los examenes correspondiente. todavia estoy en el servicio militar pero solo me quedan unos meses para terminar el contracto. el gibill me va a pagar los estudios si voy para alla. solo quiero saber quien me puede orientar hacerca de las universidades, cual seria la mejor obcion, y si es verdad que tengo que tener un bachelor hecho en los estados unidos en pre-med para poder cojer todos los examenes. ya se que en caso de odontologia no se necesita. alguien me puede orientar porfavor.

Ricardo - us navy (sorry I did not do my post in English)

hola!
bueno en republica dominicana existen varias escuelas en medicina y en odontologia.....solo te dire algunos pro - y contras de algunas...
1. si no estas familiarizado con republica dominicana...te aconsejo que busques escuelas que esten en la capital...el por que de esto ...es que tienes la ventajas de vivir en una ciudad y las comodidades que esta te puede dar....ej transportacion ....shopping center...teatros....hospitales para las rotaciones en su mayoria caen dentro de la ciudad etc
2.. Las universidades que mas atraen estan la UNIBE...INTEC....UTESA.....PCCMM(esta ultima se encuentra en santiago de los caballeros)....LA UNiversidad del este y la uasd..y por supuesto La unphu........esta última recomiendo que la quites de tu lista
3...Debes asegurarte que estas escuelas sean reconocidas para que puedas obtener el beneficio de prestamos STafford...eso lo puedes hacer contactando la oficina de asistencia economica de cada una de ellas
4 .Si tienes un bachelor en ciencias vas conventajas por que entras de lleno a ciencias basicas,,,claro tendras que tomar unos cursos obligatorios por la institucion ..VIDA ESTUDIANTIL UNIVERSITARIA.....historia dominicana....entre otros.....etc
si tienes alguna otra duda no dudes en comunicarte.....

Peter,

Is UNIBE near the capital? Tell us about a normal day (at school) in the Dr. Also, please tell me more about the "English" part of the capital...
What types of businesses are there?

Thanks,
JayVon

hello again!!
YES unibe is in the capital...inclusive....near the historical areas....
well a normal day in the school in the first 2 or 3 years is like any other school...you take your courses...starting at 800am-...and sometime you finish at 500pm.....but it depend which section you select..school have their own library , gym, cafeteria...etc
In advance year 4th , 5th years....you take your courses and have practice in different hospitals...In the last year your work is done only in the hospitals...like an intern..
WELL I never hear about english part----but sometimes group of students from states decide to live all together in the same block or building apartment ...just in case of any problem..
Domican republic have all kind business, you can find anything... believe me anything!!.. any other question please write..

Hey Peter,

que tal la vaina?

soy americano y estoy pensando estudiar la medicina en Santo Domingo. Me gustaria saber segun tu opinion cual escuela dominicana tiene la mejor reputación. Voy alla el año que viene y quiero visitar Pontificia Universidad Madre y Maestra en Santiago y tambien UNIBE por lo menos. Quiero escoger la escuela que mejore mi posibilidad de coger una residencia en los EEUU.

ya conozco la Republica y he vivido en PR por 6 años. No creo que PUMMC tiene programa en ingles pero por hablar el castellano no me importa mucho.


peace

Denny