Everything to know about Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara and its School of Medicine (UAG SOM)

Naturally, many students looking into an international medical school have caught whispers of Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine as a possible alternative to a Caribbean school. Unfortunately, you do a google search and the information is so scattered that many people either jump in blindly or choose a different school altogether.

So, what really is UAG and is it an option for those looking to go abroad for medical school?

Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara was founded in 1935 and claims the title as the oldest private university in all of Mexico. Currently (2022), they host 38 undergraduate programs, 60+ masters programs and 3 doctoral degrees. Of those 3 doctoral degrees one is the Medical Degree or, as they often say in Mexico, título de Médico Cirujano.

UAG’s medical school also opened in 1935 and currently hosts a 6 year program for Mexican high school graduates. Like its mother school, UAG SOM boasts as the oldest private medical school in the nation.

However unlike Mexican students, US and Puerto Rican students are typically required to attend undergraduate school and then apply to medical school. The rigors of this process in the US and Puerto Rico has made UAG SOM a viable option for those who wish to prove themselves and their work ethic. Accordingly, UAG SOM has had a long-standing history as an international option for US and Puerto Rican students seeking to attend international medical school and later practice in the US or Puerto Rico.

The exact start date is difficult to find, however, UAG has been known to accept students into their international medical program since the early 70’s. Since then, there has been an evolution in the way they teach, the language they teach in, and the duration of the program.

In its early days, the school used the American Medical Association (AMA) established 5th pathway program. The program consisted of 4 years completed at an international school (UAG SOM) and a 5th year of supervised clinical work performed in the US. This has since been phased out and, beginning in 2014, instruction parallels that of a US medical school. Students now take 2 years of organ system-based didactic learning in Guadalajara and they perform 2 years of clinical rotations in either Puerto Rico, the US, or Mexico.

To top it off, the language of instruction is now entirely in English, an important factor for many US, English speaking students who hope to be successful in learning medicine, transition to a US residency, and become a competent doctor.

The language of instruction is also an important tool to help the many students, who enroll with stronger Spanish language skills, learn and practice English to successfully pass the credentialing US medical exams and match into a US residency in one of the 50 states. This serves as a great ease into the English language as the primarily Spanish speaking students have the comfort of fortifying their English in their native language for the first two years of medical school and slowly transitioning their way into fully speaking English for US mainland hospital rotations the last two years.

^{(Note: UAG offers rotations in Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican residencies are considered part of the US Match (both of which are Spanish programs), but to get fully credentialed by the ECFMG and qualify for the Match, an English exam (Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine) is required. UAG provides the opportunity to increase bilingual skills through the diverse program locations)}

Is UAG properly accredited for students to successfully apply through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for a US residency?

The short answer is yes.

UAG SOM is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools which means it is recognized as having a complete medical program that is capable of providing the qualifications for licensure.

Within the nation, UAG SOM is accredited by the Mexican Council for the Accreditation of Medical Education(COMAEM). COMAEM is also endorsed by the Mexican organization Council for the Accreditation of Higher Education(COPAES) and the Latin American organization Ibero-American Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education(RIACES).

The National Committee in Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) has recognized that the COMAEM accreditation is comparable to the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) used in the US and Canada. This recognition claims UAG SOM as a Title IV school in the US and allows US and Puerto Rican students to use FAFSA loans to pay for their schooling.

Overall, the World Federation for Medical Accreditation (WFMA) recognizes COMAEM as accrediting quality schools with appropriately rigorous coursework in Mexico. As of 2022, this accreditation is good until 2025 when it goes up for renewal.

All of these accreditations are appropriate for US and Puerto Rican students looking to apply for ECFMG certification on graduation. The ECFMG certificate is what will allow UAG graduates to officially apply for Step 3 and a US or Puerto Rican residency.

What are the statistics for UAG SOM?

Statistics taken from the school’s website list humble numbers for important academic criteria (below). Unfortunately, it is unknown whether USMLE, Graduation, and Residency Match rates are overall or first attempt.

USMLE Pass Rate		80%
Graduation Rate		86%
Residency Match		70%
Avg. Age on Enrollment		26 yrs
Average GPA		3.2 (4.0 scale)
Average MCAT		485

Amongst graduates, according to the 2018 census taken by the Federation of State Medical Boards, there are currently 5,742 licensed UAG physicians working in the US. UAG SOM ranked third, right behind Caribbean schools: St. George’s University and Ross University, in the number of licensed IMG physicians working in the US .

States also differ in their friendliness towards IMG graduates. Below is a list of the top 10 states/territories where UAG graduates practice. (List courtesy of the UAG Website)

New York

California

Florida

Puerto Rico (US Territory)

Texas

New Jersey

Arizona

Pennsylvania

Illinois

Georgia

What are the Admission Criteria for UAG SOM?

First and foremost it is important to note that a baccalaureate degree is NOT required, but it is highly recommended . Take it as you will, this is a fact of the admissions process.

What is required is completion of 90 hours at an accredited US/Canadian College (includes Puerto Rican colleges; No PASS/FAIL classes are accepted) and an MCAT score.

Required classes within those 90 hours include:

Biology w/ Lab	2 semesters
Physics w/ Lab	2 semesters
Organic Chemistry w/ Lab	2 semesters
Inorganic Chemistry w/ Lab	2 semesters
Mathematics (calculus, statistics, etc.)	2 semesters
English	2 semesters

Does UAG SOM offer any scholarships?

There are currently three scholarships offered directly through the school. Only one is a merit-based scholarship. The other two are familial. Nevertheless, they are options.

Be on your toes when applying. Only incoming first-semester students are eligible for these scholarships. However, once awarded, students are able to apply for renewal.

1. Institutional Scholarship Award: This award is available to incoming first-semester students who meet specific MCAT and GPA criteria.
2. Alumni Legacy Scholarship Award: This award is available to incoming students who have parents or grandparents who are UAG alumni. Other criteria (GPA, MCAT etc.) taken into account as well.
3. Sibling Scholarship Award: This award is available to incoming first-year students who have siblings that are enrolled or are UAG alumni. Other criteria (GPA, MCAT etc.) taken into account as well.

For more information, visit the Scholarship Programs page on the official website.

Interested in attending UAG SOM, but you want to know more?

Here is their contact information and Social Media accounts.

Instagram	@uagschoolofmedicine
Facebook	Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine
LinkedIn	UAG School of Medicine
Twitter	@SOMUAG
Youtube	UAGMedSchool

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the UAG SOM international program is a real option for US and Puerto Rican students looking to attend an international medical school. Of course, going to any international medical school is a risk when it comes to applying for residency, but for some the risk is well worth it. The school is properly accredited and they have a number of licensed physicians working in the United States and Puerto Rico. With these things in mind, it is important to recognize that no matter the school you attend your competency and success as a physician is a product of your own motivation and work ethic.