Road to Med school in the PH setting

21 years old. BS Biochemistry graduate. Future Doctor. Kulang pa rin sa tulog hanggang ngayon.

[roadtomedschoolphsetting]

Applying to Med school in the Philippines

Henlo! This is the on vacation sleep deprived incoming MD student here to bring you tips for your med school application~

Is it hard? Not really. Is it hassle? Well, if you’re a crammer like me, Yes. But it isn’t as long as you plan ahead!

So what is the first step?

STEP 1: KNOW THY MED SCHOOL Usually, people go for hearsay like, “Ah maganda yung itong school na ito” then just stop researching. I suggest to learn more about the program you are entering in, how is the passing rate of the particular campus in the boards, scholarship opportunities, and the overall feel of the school. 

The curriculum you are entering into should be something that suits your tastes as some med schools may offer different subjects or the MD is mixed with another program (ex. UPM’s MD-PhD & ASMPH’s MD-MBA). The curriculum of the each school has something to unique to them and the teaching style is also different so best to research on what the teaching style is predominant in a campus.

The board exam passing rate is also important. This basically just dictates how well the school teaches the students. However, SHOULD NOT be the only thing that you look at as the high passing rate maybe due to the student’s hard work. 

Some schools are very generous for scholarships especially for those with latin honors and a high NMAT. But let’s say you don’t have either of those, there is always in school scholarships meaning, when you get  a high grade and maintain it, the school may grant you an academic scholarship that can really help financially. 

Overall feel of the school may make you think that you need to go there but you can always search for the student council of each campus as sometimes they post their activities. You can also look into some vloggers or bloggers with their experiences of the school to help you know the school more and have a good look into student life. 

STEP 2: KNOW THEE REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES OF SCHOOLS TO BE APPLIED TO Now that you know more about the school, it is time to look into their requirements and deadlines. (Don’t be like this sleep deprived student since everything was done last minute) 

Usually, schools require you the following

Application form 

Transcript of Records

Birth Certificate

Recommendation letters (usually at least 2)

Certificate of Good Moral

Official NMAT Score 

But sometimes they require more such as an essay (ASMPH), parent’s ITR (UP), Baptismal Certificate if Catholic (UST), or Certificate of Extracurricular activities (UST). So better read up on their requirements. 

So many of you maybe wondering why did I bold the at least 2. Well, simply because more chances of winning HAHA jk but seriously it helps if you get more than the minimum amount (just don’t go overboard) also it helps if the prof does not use the staple letter he/she uses for all the students asking for a recommendation letter so that it would show that the prof actually knows you. 

NMAT! Ohh lordy HAHAHA Well it is another thing med schools look at when you apply and some med schools have cut off grades. (Some schools have cut off grades of 90 while others maybe at 80 or 70) But the higher the NMAT the better! If you get a 99+, it is very eye catching to the people reviewing your application and may consider you as a top pick. So if you aren’t satisfied with your current NMAT score or if it is at the border line of the cut off, better try again to get it higher as you just need to submit 1 NMAT score to the school.

STEP 3: WAIT FOR THY INTERVIEW

Some campuses require interviews while other don’t. It is kinda a staple thing in most med schools but for my case, I didn’t have an interview for UST.  In the interview, wear smart casual or something that you may wear in a job interview! Don’t be nervous and just be yourself when answering questions. Smiling also helps I can’t fully disclose what to do in interviews as some schools require you to sign a non-disclosure agreement so can’t really help there but just know yourself and be confident and you would do great :)

If you have any questions, you can always ask via message or ask box! Good luck <3

[roadtomedschoolphsetting]

Huge Update!

Well, I have been busy with vacation over the past few months but going for the MD is still there <3 So, I said I was applying to St. Luke’s (SLCM) and DLSHSI but fate *cough* parents *cough* told me to not waste anymore money since I was already accepted to other med schools.

Out of the four med schools I have already applied to, I was accepted to 3/4! :D I was accepted to UERM, ASMPH, and USTFMS (still shookt about the last one) :D

It was actually funny since UST came out with the results on March 1. I kinda screamed for my mom to tell me my name was on it since I really didn’t expect. A week later, UERM came out and I was part of the first list of successful applicant. Then finally, on the day I was getting documents for confirmation, ASMPH sends me an email saying that I was accepted. I am really grateful for being accepted in these med schools but I had to make a decision.

and ultimately I chose

.

.

.

. UST-FMS and I have already enrolled for SY 2019-2020 <3 

Yasss Future Thomasian Doctor <3 A lot influenced my decision but really it was one of my parents. When I found out I was accepted to both UERM and UST, I had to list the pros and cons of both schools. Personally, I found the curriculum of UST more appealing and I liked the campus more the more I think about it. 

The post regarding application processes and some tips will be posted soon as I just need to edit it a bit more <3  Till the next~ 

[roadtomedschoolphsetting]

What Medicine schools have I applied for and will be applying for?

I currently applied for 4 med schools and 2 more upcoming (because more chance of winning ahahaha)

The four medicine schools I have applied for are

University of the East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM)- I really really like the campus <3 Also, the interviews are done for this (Hooray!) The results will be given out in March <3 

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH)- In all honesty, I wasn’t suppose to apply but parents told me to try and so I finished my application within 3 days (no joke and I didn’t even have a printer at home HAHAHAH) But I like their program since you would get an MD and have a masters in business administration. I think this is one of the curriculum eye candy for me HAHA and interview will be this week huhu Good luck to me!

UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (USTFMS) - Big oof since there are extremely low chance for me to get in since people have been telling me that I should have retaken the NMAT for a higher score but eh. Also, I didn’t graduate with latin honors nor did I have certifications for my extracurricular activities. :( 

University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM)- Another big OOF. I applied since my mom told me to try but here I’m like.. “You serious?” I didn’t graduate with honors nor did I have the best track record in grades so I have zero expectation in this but I like one of their programs which was the MD-PhD. If ever I get accepted, I might even force myself to go for the curriculum huhu but chances are low. 

The last two schools that I will be applying will be:

St. Luke’s College of Medicine (SLCM)- I will be applying for this since I like the hospital <3. The campus not so much (I like bigger campus rather than one building) but again it has a really nice hospital so I might not mind. Deadline: March 29, 2019 (Interviews started last January 2019)

De La Salle Health Science Institute (DLSHSI) - I love the facilities <3 I went on a campus tour here and I really love how the tests are given electronically rather than on paper (based from my knowledge) and the campus looks new which gives it plus points. Deadline: May 15, 2019

Overall, I don’t know where to go. Hintayin ko nalang kung saan ako matanggap HAHAHA. All the schools have their advantages and disadvantages so Ill wait till the results of all the schools come out. 

Detailed experiences for all the applications will be posted ( I just don’t know when) But Watch out for that!

Till the next time <3

[roadtomedschoolphsetting]

Henloo

Hi! 

This is your sleep deprived college student here to give tips and tricks regarding applying in med school in the Philippines and more random stuff <3  Catch ya later!