Medical Schools accredited in the U.S in Costa Rica (NO MCAT REQUIRED)

I'm almost certain Costa Rica is the last place on earth that does not require MCAT to Americans. So here is a list of The Universities available and my impression of them...

1.Unibe (Universidad de Iberoamerica)
http://unibe.ac.cr/

Degree offered:General doctor and surgeon (Medico y cirujano)
Open since:1995
Language: Spanish
Duration of Medicine program: 5 years
Cost of the program:

Total Tuition cost for 5 year $ 65.000/ Close to $100.000 including living expenses Accreditation in the US: Not on the California List.

Paying with Sallie Mae/Navient: 

TUITION			SEPT-2014		ENERO 2015
TUITION FEES	COSTOS UNIBE		$1,384.00		$5,500.00
ENROLLMENT FEE	Matricula		$250.00		$250.00
HOUSING	HABITACION		$1,800.00		$1,800.00
	Housing fee		$0.00		$0.00
FOOD	ALIMENTACION
Lunch  / Snacks	Almuerzo y Meriendas		$500.00		$500.00
Personal Expenses	Gastos Personales		$0.00		$0.00
Books and supplies	Libros y suministros		$0.00		$345.00
Dependent Care	Cuido de Niño		$2,000.00		$2,000.00
TRANSPORTATION	TRANSPORTE
In house transportation	transporte local		$500.00		$500.00
Immigration expenses	Migración		$0.00		$0.00
Transcripts	Convalidaciones		$0.00		$0.00
Insurance	Seguro		$170.00		$205.00
TOTAL			$6,604.00		$11,100.00

Paying with Cash:   Tuition will the approximately $6000 per quarter (every 4 months) and for expenses look for my post on cost of living in Costa Rica. So aproximately the whole tuition fees for 5 years is about $65.000 My impression of Unibe: Academically, has changed. In my opinion the quality has decreased. Is the most expensive University in the country, has the most challenging academic program (17-19 units per quarter versus the rest of Medical schools in Costa Rica do 12-15 units per quarter). They are currently building a 7 story simulation hospital which I'm sure is going to be stunning and a great way to learn but most schools have some simulation equipment. Unibe specializes in health sciences: Medicine, nursing, psychology and pharmacy. However is owned by lawyers. I have realized they don't understand the medical students and have no clue what is like to go through Med school. So if you have any special situation you want them to understand, they won't  and  will make it very clear how much they don't really care. Student life: Most students are very nice and friendly. So as long as you are friendly too you should have no issues making new and long lasting friendships. Professors: Most of them are highly recognized in the country, some of them teach at some of the best other universities but they way they test is very easy to flunk. A lot of their exams are 20 questions long so if you fail more than 3 you're pretty much screwed! Students here must always prepare with old exams to practice the types of questions each professor has. Costumer service: Non existent, dismal, I really have no words to describe how bad it can be. Specially the International Department. Infrastructure: -Very small. -The school is scattered in small buildings along a block. -Lacks restrooms, the library only has the books each professor lists as official. This can be annoying. -The is study room for group and a quiet room for independent studying which is pretty cool. -Most class rooms are clean, have AC, two big boards, TV and a projector. -Students get free consultation at Unibe Clinic located next the main building. For any other services such as lab work, shots have to be paid and you get 10% off in any procedure. -Cafeteria is very small, they have one worker to serve and one cashier...for over 2000 students! (expect delays) Would I recommend this school? No. There are definitely better options. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. UACA universidad autonoma de centro america

Degree offered: License in Medicine
Open since:1976
Language: Spanish
Duration of Medicine program: 5 years
Cost of the program: $31.500 (I know, I know!!!) No student loans available for Americans

My impressions of UACA:

My first appointment in UACA with Dr. Galeano, career director. He was very nice, he talked to me about the philosophy they go by "Noxam vero et maleficium propulsabo" (verse in Latin of the Hippocratic oath means "I will take care that they suffer no hurt or damage".
He answered all my questions and judging by the way the appointment went by, I can tell how engaged he is with the students and the faculty. He also teaches so I'm looking forward to take his class.

UACA offers other non health care related careers which is going to add so much more fun into the student life!

Infrastructure:
-There's a small private bus you can take from UACA to San Jose.
-Has a train stop. (Train connects San Jose with Cartago)
-This looks and feels like a real College!
-Gorgeous gardens
-2 swimming pools
- Volleyball court yard
-Stunning view to the mountains
-Good size cafeteria
-They give you the best student experience.

Medical Program specifications: Students only take up to 12 units per quarter,
they try to combine the hardest classes along with really easy classes to allow more time to learn the material better.

Costumer Service:
-Excellent
-They focus on getting you to graduate not so much in the method of payment I'm going to use.

Would I recommend this School? Absolutely yes!!!! I'm a little bit obsessed with this school. They hold the highest graduation rate and the very best part....This school is ONLY private med school accredited in EVERY SINGLE STATE IN UNITED STATES!!!

HANDS DOWN BEST OPTION TO STUDY MEDICINE ON THE PLANET!

3.Universidad Hispanoamericana:





Degree offered:General doctor and surgeon (Medico y cirujano)
Open since:1997
Language: Spanish
Duration of Medicine program: 5 years
Cost of the tuition: $40.000. No student loans available for Americans.

Accreditation in the US: Not on the California List. My first impressions of UH: I have heard of a lot of amazing doctors who graduated from this university. Including my cousin.

Infrastructure:
-The school looks like a clinic. Everything looks clean and new.
-They have the Best simulation hospital.
-There's a small food court in the second floor of the medicine faculty.
-The first appointment is with a recruiter not a doctor or a professor so that reminded me a little bit of the Unibe attitude.

Overall, UH is a really good university, It ranks higher than Unibe as far as Residency exams for Costa Rica and graduates more students. (UACA is still the leading private University).

Other Med schools in Costa Rica no Mcat required:

-Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) Is a state univeristy, little to no cost for the medical program. However there is a entrance exam and you really gotta be a bright mind to get in! If you get in, is good to know this school is accredited in every state.
-UCIMED only private university with semesters instead of quarters. I'm not aware of the costs but here is the website .http://www.ucimed.com/ Is not on the California list.

Source where you can verify which schools are accredited in the United States. 

https://imed.faimer.org/


Enjoy your Medical school search!