Thread: Puerto Rico Vs UAG

I have this dilemma...I have heard that it may be a bit harder to get a residency match coming from a foreign school. But Puerto Rico is considered a US school right? I know UAG is a much better school that PR but which would be a better option if Im worried about my residency match to go to PR over UAG? The specialty I want to do is Cardiothoracic surgery and i have heard that is very competitive that's why I have my concern. I know it is mostly based on USMLE scores and interviews I just dont want anything to hold me back. Any ideas?? Thank you all!

Jen, what are you talking about.

Are you talking about going to Ponce for Medical School? Or doing 5th pathway in Ponce after going to UAG?

Ponce is not exactly the same as an American Medical School. They are preparing students to take the Revalida and not the USMLE. They are hoping to prepare doctors to practice in PR and all of the classes are in Spanish as far as I know.

This is interesting! I know a cardiothoracic surgeon and I was speaking to his wife a few weeks ago at their house and she was telling me there is a huge demand for them. There wasn't enough people to fill the spots. He works almost everyday 8am-11pm. For CT surgeon, just be prepared to not have a life until you retire.

Originally Posted by Karplus

Jen, what are you talking about.

Are you talking about going to Ponce for Medical School? Or doing 5th pathway in Ponce after going to UAG?

Ponce is not exactly the same as an American Medical School. They are preparing students to take the Revalida and not the USMLE. They are hoping to prepare doctors to practice in PR and all of the classes are in Spanish as far as I know.

I was looking into Universidad Central del Caribe. I thought you could just take the USMLE and come to the US after the 4 years there since its technically a US school. Was I misinformed?

Originally Posted by jbparrish

This is interesting! I know a cardiothoracic surgeon and I was speaking to his wife a few weeks ago at their house and she was telling me there is a huge demand for them. There wasn't enough people to fill the spots. He works almost everyday 8am-11pm. For CT surgeon, just be prepared to not have a life until you retire.

really?! that's awesome and great to know! I definitely have heard the no life comment haha but I think it would be a very interesting career! i wonder if its so competitive because there arent as many residency options who knows?

Dr. Williams loves his job as a CT Surgeon, but the demand her is so overwhelming for them and as a doctor you cannot refuse people medical care. So he works a lot, on the positive note, I know he makes >= $500,000/year. I know a lot of surgeons and they all enjoy their job except a neurosurgeon I know, but they are married to their jobs.

Originally Posted by jbparrish

Dr. Williams loves his job as a CT Surgeon, but the demand her is so overwhelming for them and as a doctor you cannot refuse people medical care. So he works a lot, on the positive note, I know he makes >= $500,000/year. I know a lot of surgeons and they all enjoy their job except a neurosurgeon I know, but they are married to their jobs.

That's awesome! I'm pretty much preparing myself for that haha! what specialty are you looking into?

I have many interests but I have completely gave up on that question. I will know what specialty I want after clinicals. I originally wanted to be a GP but not anymore after speaking with some specialist.

Originally Posted by Jennifer0811r

I was looking into Universidad Central del Caribe. I thought you could just take the USMLE and come to the US after the 4 years there since its technically a US school. Was I misinformed?

All of PR medical schools are LCME so basically you can transfer after the second year to any LCME medical school in the US, I don't know how you can assume PR schools are not as good as UAG, when in fact they model the US schools, don't think is easy to get in, is as hard as any other LCME school in the US, in fact, many students from PR have to go to UAG because they could not get in into any of the 3 (now 4)medical schools from PR.

How hard is it to get into Ross?