Comments on: School beating me down once again

By: M Don

M Don — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:18:11 +0000

Dear Former and Current UAG Med students:

I need to talk with some UAG students desperately! Planning to end a very very advanced career in another field that includes college teaching to pursue a dream interrupted about a decade ago. I am published, super serious and very encouraged to read herein some articulate and dedicated UAG students….I too am no “spring chicken;”" and this will mean a huge sacrifice the proportions of which I cannot even express….Can one of you send me a way to email you that is not a blog? I went to UAG two years ago to evaluate the prgram just as the semester ended and attended an Immun. lecture where half the forum of students were asleep and the lecturer’s English was so compromised I wondered how either the English speakers or Spanish speakers understood him. I am fluent in Spanish, very serious, MA degree cum laud, and have dreamt of medicine every day since I was eleven (maudlin, but true). Can I talk with some actual students at UAG to have some questiosn anawered. How on earth can it be $92,000 per semester–is that possible? The brochure says $40,000 per year…please respond…much rides on this and I would so like to communicate with some of you. Please.

By: Mexico Medical Student » The Goodbye, Part 1: Leaving Mexico

Mexico Medical Student » The Goodbye, Part 1: Leaving Mexico — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:03:23 +0000

[...] after blogging about things in December here before, as well as going on the radio about my problems with school, with the Christmas holiday [...]

By: Jorge L.

Jorge L. — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:23:05 +0000

Avoid Xochicalco if you can… even if its 10k tutition… they will problally rip you off for lesser reasons… they did it to two Puerto Ricans I knew there and tried to do it to me too…

Thank god I transfered out of there to a legitimate US school in Puerto Rico, try to transfer there… there are 4 acredited schools in the island by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)…

Is a better option than Xochicalco, I just waisted two years there… Xochicalco is good for nothing.

By: philip enomoto

philip enomoto — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:25:09 +0000

Hi Enrico,

Sir, I am an older student age 59 with all paperworks finished and due to start in January 2008. After attending a semester at St. Matthew’s in the Caribbean for a semester I visited the UAG campus and believe that this is a “legitimate” medical school. I had also applied to Xochicalco with classes held in Spanish but in the end believe that the International Program in English will at least ensure a fair shot. Within the same breath….I’ve also been accepted to an accredited FNP / MSN program here in Hawaii. for the Fall 2008.

I just learned 1 week ago that my father may have cancer and at Age = 91 is definitely a poor surgical / chemo / radiation candidate. Should he pass away while I’m in attendance at the UAG will necessitate my returning on a Leave of Absence. However, if this kind of Human Problem offers the UAG a window to mess up with communications.

I am Shocked, and disappointed at your situation. I would have thought your treatment by the school to be more in line with a “rip-off” techniques reserved for “Some Caribbean School” but certainly not a school with a 70+ year history.

It is December 28, 2007 and my feet is still planted in Hawaii but Stafford Loan(s) all in place, Sallie Mae Grad Plus approved and a clothes dryer full of brand new scrubs and more White uniforms in the mail. The plane ticket was next.

Now, with you situation and plight Enrico I’m not sure. Perhaps Xochicalco with it’s
$10K tuition per year might be a viable option.

I’ll keep you in my prayers. I fimly believe that God can make thinkgs all new again.

Dios tu bendijo.

Felip
el abuelo

By: Zac

Zac — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:59:12 +0000

shit, man.

By: Bentonmedicine

Bentonmedicine — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:41:46 +0000

Well, it appears that you have thought the situation through from all angles. After reading the blog, what comes to mind again is the fact that the UAG is a business. U.S. medical schools (admin. & professors) do have a stock in their students and do value what their students actually get out of medical school, because that’s the future health care of their own state (usually), and in many cases, their own city. However, when it comes to an International program like this……you’re not gonna be their personal doctor. Anyway, you’ve gotta meet ‘business’ head-on with ‘business.’ The best business decision, is the one that it looks like you’ve resorted to…. do whatever possible to get back into the UAG, and finish it, and get out. The bright side is this is probably the last time you’ll get nailed by the UAG while you are here. (they will go get someone else next time) ~$9000 is the cheapest way, as you say to fulfill your goals at this point. And though, I myself am about principle as well, I would just take emotion out of it (like they have), and just make the best business decision if I were faced with such a dilemma.

By: Celeste

Celeste — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:20:29 +0000

I agree with the others, do what it takes to try to get back in. Switch to one of Sybil’s multiple personalities to grovel. Just do it. Of course it’s wrong and you shouldn’t have to. The ends justify the means. If you try to switch schools, what are the odds of you getting any credits transferred? I can’t see paying a double med school bill.

The ends justify the means. Play any card you have.

I am hoping for the best. Hang in there and keep us posted.

By: Punchberry

Punchberry — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:20:05 +0000

Enrico, this sucks. I cannot believe how unreasonable people can be, and hope that with the right amount of kissing up to random office workers, pleading, explaining personal circumstances, etc., someone will see you as a person rather than a pawn of bureaucracy and the issue can be resolved.

By: Moof

Moof — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:40:25 +0000

Enrico … I’m soooo sorry about all of this! (

Sending you all of my best thoughts and wishes … if there’s anything I can do, please … holler!

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:56:43 +0000

Shit !

By: Sid Schwab

Sid Schwab — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:14:19 +0000

Enrico: I’m really sorry to hear about your travails. Given all the ramifications, it seems you need to exhaust all the possibilities for reconciliation there, including groveling. “I screwed up, I should have made my intentions better known, etc…..” It seems clear that they operate on a very different paradigm than those north of the border, and it sounds like you’re up against a very sodden bureaucracy; I hope there’s someone within the process that might listen to reason, and be moved by your situation.

By: Vijay

Vijay — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:58:45 +0000

Enrico, I had no idea this was what you were referring to when you said you were ‘in the middle of a very emotional blog post.’
I don’t know what else to say other than you have my whole-hearted moral support.
Hang in there my friend. Let us hope and pray that things work out well.

By: rlbates

rlbates — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:35:24 +0000

So sorry Enrico. We always told ourselves (during the toughest times in residency) that “This too shall pass”. Some days it was like a mantra.

Hang in there.

By: The way UAG treats its best and brightest - ValueMD Medical Schools Forum

The way UAG treats its best and brightest - ValueMD Medical Schools Forum — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:44:54 +0000

[...] way UAG treats its best and brightest UAG beating me down once again Summary: Excellent student takes a voluntary leave of absence for personal reasons, good GPA, all [...]