Hi, my name is Alethea and I'll be attending UAG in August 2004. I'd really like to meet others going to UAG in August since I don't know anyone in Guadalajara. I'm 23, a Biochemistry and Chemistry Major, and currently live in California. I look forward to hearing from someone...

Welcome to UAG...

I'm a second semester student here. Each class will most likely have handouts that you will need to buy and are quite helpful for exams. It is possible that you will have stomach problems your first week here but it will subside. There will be a written exam about computers that ya'll have to take to be exempt from having to take the actual computer class. You need a 90% to pass, though I think the scores are curved. It will be to your advantage to exempt yourself from the class. You can get a handout from the copy center across the medical campus. Study it thoroughly. I read it about twice and got exempt from the class. Another thing is to always keep copies of your paperwork. CU (Centro Universitario) and the medschool seem to not be connected through a computer network so any administrative duties will be done manually (Stamping documents, etc). You will find yourself going to CU and back to the medical school to get something acomplished. Always have an original and copies of your payment for the semester. They frequently ask for one when you are doing something administratively. If you dont have a copy it will cost you 5 bucks every time to get one. I wasted about 25 bucks cuz I kept forgetting. Stay on top of your private loans. They take care of the Stafford loans very quickly but the private loans are another deal. I've seen some of my classmates wait untill midway October to see their money. Call up CU and San Antonio to check. STAY ON TOP OF IT! :-)
I suggest to not fall behind in Anatomy for it is a lot of material. OH, and IPM (a class to learn clinical abilities) is in Spanish. That's all for now. Try to enjoy your stay here. There will be a lot of studying ahead but Mexico has many kool things to offer. Try to use all the resources that the med school offers. It will be to your advantage to start preparing for the USLME from day 1 of class. Don't wait 'till 4th semester............

If anyone has questions just ask away!

Congratulation for been admitted to the everyone is welcome Medical School of Mexico!
I am not trying to be the bad guy here, but I was there too!

My main problem with AUG is the cost. The education is average only for the first 2 years, because the try to imitate the USA system. The teaching staffs that are worth it are Biochem guy, which I hope he still there, physiology lady and the anatomy guy; they are pretty good in English. As far I know every one else, well you know what I mean!

This university in my opinion charges you too much, like if you where in a Med school in the USA, for a Mexican school. How much will they charge you $9000? They raise it every semester. The library books are very old, if you like history, except for the textbooks. This university is own by a very powerful family in Guadalajara the Leaños, they pretty much own I guess like 60% of the city. The university makes around 4 million dollars per semester only with their Pilot Program, but you probably won’t see that money reinvested in your education.

If money is not a problem for you is ok here. If you are looking for a high quality education you are in the wrong place. Best medical School in Mexico are 1) La Salle University, 2) Tec of Monterrey, 3) University of Monterey/or Univ. of Nuevo Leon,
4) Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (The Best one but to Political) and 5) Universidad Politecnica de Mexico. Tuition in this university are for the 3 like $3000/semester the most and for the last 2 like less than $1000/semenster. Surprisingly the Universidad de Guadalajara the state university cost free for Mexican admitted and like $600dls/semester to others.

Do you get my point? If I would know this before I would try first one off those Caribbean schools first. Anyhow Guadalajara is an interesting city, and I am sure you are going to enjoy you stay. Housing could be difficult so start looking now the area where the Univ. is located in a high meddle class neighborhood, meaning you are going to be paying relatively higher rents. A lot of students sale a whole packed of stuff, like refrigerator beds, furniture’s etc. Always negotiate the prices remember they are eager to sale

The practice or medical skill class is in Spanish, so you should start practicing now but don’t you worry about this, there is going to be about half of your class students from Puerto Rico, that they will help you if you are nice to them.

Ahhh! Do not spend you money in the test books, buy the USMLE review books that are suggested by the FIRST AID guys and start preparing for USMLE from day 1.Remember this and make it as your goal. Puerto Rico open like 10-15 Spot every year in 2 of the 4 Med. School there, If you pass the Step 1 and you are in the to 20 of the class (which will be like 300) you can transfer there and be part of the USA system and you can for get about the 5th Pass way or Internado.

Thank you, and really good luck!
Medphoto, 2nd year OB/GYN Resident

Hey,

I have been reading this forum about UAG and at other sites (http://groups.msn.com/UAGMD/messageboard.msnw) and have read alot from past students and future students(like myself, Aug/04).

However, I am looking for currently enrolled students responses, since over the course of 2-3 years much can change at an instituation. Here are some questions:

How many students are in your class(Jan or Aug)? Is enrollment going up or down?

How has the mandatory USMLE passage rule between 4rd & 5th semester affected the students (motivation, passage rate, etc......)? Any course curriculm changes in response?

What total percentage of students have transferred out of your class to Carribean schools, U.S., Pueto Rican and other Medical schools? Is the transfer rate increasing or decreasing since your arrival?

Are more clinical rotations being made available in the US. for 4th year students?

Have you heard anything regarding California 5th Pathway or other states?

How many students are chosing 5th Pathway and how many ECFMG pathway?

What specific changes have you seen at UAG regarding classes, courses, buildings, physical improvments, etc.....since you first started attending?

Many institutions experience shifts in student population, academic strength, highly valued graduates in the market place, and school prestige. How do you see the UAGs' overall trend without statictical outliers? Do you see UAG at a time in its' history of advancing change or a slow modurate continuation of developmently change ?

I have read many, many, many responses on the forum and have been able to garner some of the problems and positive consequenses of attending UAG. What specifically might you like to emphasize in each catagory?

Gracias!

I haven't posted in awhile, but maybe this will address some your questions? I am currently a second semester student.

How many students are in your class(Jan or Aug)? Is enrollment going up or down?

There are approximately 140 students in my class. This January's entering class had much less. This seems to be a "typical" distribution. The August classes are almost always larger than the January classes (from what I have observed and been told from upperclassmen). A few students from our class repeated first semester, therefore, I suppose my entering class was well in excess of 150 students. I believe this year's fourth semester class had around 140 students as well since they were awarded the large auditorium for the Kaplan lectures (I'm not really sure about third semester). So, as of now, I would estimate that enrollment has stayed roughly "the same."

How has the mandatory USMLE passage rule between 4rd & 5th semester affected the students (motivation, passage rate, etc......)? Any course curriculm changes in response?

This is a difficult question for me to answer. I can only tell you what I have been told by my roommate who is a 5th semester student. I hope I have understood everything correctly (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). This rule has not been officially enforced but is "supposed" to be in place for this year's fourth semester students. My roommate's class was given the option to advance to fifth semester in order to grandfather in the policy, but they may not advance to sixth unless they pass the USMLE Step I or the Reválida Examination (for Puerto Rican students). However, according to Dr. Villalobos my class (of 2007) will not have the option of taking the Reválida. It's Step I or nothing.

What total percentage of students have transferred out of your class to Carribean schools, U.S., Pueto Rican and other Medical schools? Is the transfer rate increasing or decreasing since your arrival?

None from my class (as of yet). Generally transfers occur after fourth semester (after Step I). However, my roomate tells me quite a few transferred to U.S. or Caribbean schools (namely Ross) from his class. I can't give you an actual percentage, but I would estimate from talking with him about 20-30% since his class was at one time around 150 and is now less than 50.

Have you heard anything regarding California 5th Pathway or other states?

California is the process of reinstating their 5th Pathway. It should be in place very soon (if not already). New York and Puerto Rico are currently the only two locations (CA pending) with this program. I've heard a rumour Illinois may be considering a program --but I can't confirm that.

How many students are chosing 5th Pathway and how many ECFMG pathway?

Almost all students choose 5th Pathway (if they are accepted for it). It's much shorter, and it's a wonderful opportunity to acquire experience in a U.S. hospital setting. I've heard of some students selecting the ECFMG route, but I would say they are in the minority.

Are more clinical rotations being made available in the US. for 4th year students?

I don't have a direct answer for this question either (sorry). Since I've entered it hasn't changed --the top 10 or 11 students are rewarded U.S. rotations --the rest have to arrange them independently (but they must have a minimum GPA of 8 in order to do this), so this could vary. However, I hear "more" and "less" periodically.

What specific changes have you seen at UAG regarding classes, courses, buildings, physical improvments, etc.....since you first started attending?

I have to confess....not much --at least at the ICB campus. They added a 24-hour study room adjunct to the library which is pretty nice (and actually quiet). Other than that, many students have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of funds being reinvested in student technology and services. The computer lab needs renovating desperately. UAG pours a lot of money into promoting the school --I personally don't see much money being used to improve the medical school at my campus (again, at least at ICB). However, on the bright side, it seems that UAG is using a lot more visiting professors from the U.S, which is good thing. The majority of them have been excellent for my lectures.

Many institutions experience shifts in student population, academic strength, highly valued graduates in the market place, and school prestige. How do you see the UAGs' overall trend without statictical outliers? Do you see UAG at a time in its' history of advancing change or a slow modurate continuation of developmently change ?

This is my personal opinion. UAG is improving, but slowly. It's probably not improving to keep pace with U.S. schools, but remember --we're in México. That statement is not intended to be condescending either. This country is great, but it's not the United States, so I urge potential students not to get the mistaken impression that this school is a typical U.S. instituion set in a Spanish colonial paradise. UAG supplies you with a good, sound medical base to begin your career, but it's not "quite" up-to-pace with newer trends in medicine compared to the U.S. The student population hasn't really changed that much in its distribution. The majority of students are from Puerto Rico, then probably California, and New York. I would say the academic quality of the school is improving --but again, slowly. I would expect that once they enforce the Step I requirements it will improve even more.

I have read many, many, many responses on the forum and have been able to garner some of the problems and positive consequenses of attending UAG. What specifically might you like to emphasize in each catagory?

I hope my answers are not ambiguous, but I would essentially stress this: The school is not all good and not all bad. It has some great advantages, and then again, some things are not so great. I'm very pleased with the education that I'm receiving. It really doesn't matter what people say about UAG --even me. Indeed, I want to help you and give you my point-of-view, but in the end it all depends on you. If you want to be a good doctor, you'll be self-motivated and do everything in your power to do just that. It doesn't matter if you attend here, Harvard, or the Caribbean. There are some great medical schools with excellent professors, but they can't teach you a damn thing unless you want to learn. I would say that the schools who are considered "good" have good students. They want to be doctors. So the bottom line: it depends on you -not the statistics.

I hope that helps a little. Good luck!

Hey cgarmany,

Thanks for the information and your time. I am sure to come up with some more questions and will start an new disscusion. Enjoy the weather and I hope your Spring Break was great!!!!!!!!

And here is some medical humor for you....

Dr. Jones goes to the retirement home for his monthly rounds. He sees Joe and asks him, "Joe, how much is three times three?"Joe responds "59."

He goes over to Tom and asks, "Tom, how much is three times three?" Tom responds, "Wednesday."

He finally goes over to John and asks, "John, how much is three times three?" "NINE" replies John.

"That's right ...now how did you come to that answer?" "It was easy...I just subtracted 59 from Wednesday!"

Saludos!!!

I am starting in August 2004 and would like to meet other people who will be heading down to Mexico. I am a Biology major from California. Has anybody found a place to live?

I will be attending UAG in August, 2004 also.
You may email me at TLMTexas@aol.com.
I will be attending the Medical Spanish course in July and then start looking for a place.

Taffy

My roommate told me today that Dr. Villalobos relayed the news that ALL students will have to pass the USMLE Step I by the end of the 6th semester or they will not advance --this applies to 5th semester students and below. They will not accept the Reválida examination.

Also, they recently upgraded the computers at the ICB and Leaño campuses! I would like to say thanks to the administration for that.

Good luck to everyone starting in Aug. '04.

hi, i'm a second semester student at uag. I have some books that you might need, if you are interested email me. I also have the so called "handouts" that are basically where most of the lecture notes come from. you'll see that theese handouts are what students use the most to study for along with BRS. Like I said if you are interested email me.
mduag