Supplemental Subjects for Medical School

Do you want to be a doctor but afraid that you finished a non-Science degree? Here's a good news for you, medical school is not limited to those who have a degree related to Science, becoming a doctor is already open to non-Science degree holders. However, some med schools (e.g., PLM, ASMPH and SLCM) require several units to qualify for admissions. 

If you want to take several Science units to apply for the med schools mentioned above, don't fret because here's a helpful guide on where you can take these supplementary subjects before you enter the war zone of medical school.

1. University of Santo Tomas (UST) - College of Science / College of Rehabilitation Sciences

If you want to take basic science subjects like Biology, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry (Inorganic, Organic, Biochem), Microbiology and Comparative Anatomy, you can apply to UST - College of Science or if you need to take those subjects which are for 1st year medicine proper like Pharmacology, Physiology and Anatomy, UST - CRS is for you. All you need to do is to apply as a non-degree student - no need to take the USTET. See below requirements to be submitted to the dean's office of the said colleges.

• Letter of intent addressed the dean including the subjects and units you need
• Good moral certificate
• Photocopy of Transcript of Records (TOR)

Once you submitted these documents, you'll be asked to fill up an admission memo (yellow). The admission memo will be approved by the dean, the registrar and the secretary general. Processing this can take days or a week depending on the availability of the signatories, so better follow up from time to time for progress.

Studying at UST can be a bit pricey because of the tuition and you'll be required to wear the college uniform even you're a non degree student but guaranteed that the quality of lessons and facilities are good.

Note: UST College of Nursing and Faculty of Pharmacy do not accept non-degree students.

2. University of the Philippines - Manila (UPM)

One good thing about enrolling at UPM as a non degree student is getting a quality education for a cheaper price (yes, non degree students are not covered for the free tuition fee for state universities) compared to others, also you do not need to wear uniform so if you are on budget, you might want to consider this option. You do not need to take the UPCAT to enroll as a non degree student. Requirements are as follows:

• TOR
• Diploma
• Chest X-Ray results
• Letter of intent addressed to the secretary including the subjects and units you need

3. De La Salle University - Manila

You can apply at DLSU College of Science with regards to the supplemental units you need (Biology, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry, Microbiology), just drop by the College of Science to ask for the subjects offered for the coming sem and they'll be happy to assist you and even make you a class schedule. Despite not requiring to wear a uniform, the tuition fee is a little steep yet at DLSU website, you can find a tuition calculator for you to have an idea on how much you need to pay for the subjects you are planning to enroll. Also, a medical exam will be required before you can enroll here.

4. Philippine College of Health Sciences (PCHS) - Recto, Manila (beside FEU)

If you're a PLM med aspirant, you probably stumbled the name PCHS over some blogs or forums as a school where you can take your supplemental units. They have 2 types of learning option - classroom or module based. Module based learning is flexible and perfect for those who are working and planning to take units at the same time however, this is a little expensive compared to the classroom learning style. At PCHS, some classes are scheduled during Saturdays which is also in favor of the working medical student aspirants. They are also lenient with admissions as they allow to admit students even the if school already started yet, this is case to case basis and with the discretion of the profession teaching the subject. Just ask the professor nicely to allow you to join the class amidst the semester given that you'll catch up with the lessons.

If you plan to enroll here, you just have to visit the admissions office and you'll be endorsed to the dean's office for a quick and basic interview. The dean will help you reach out to the professors and will confirm if the subjects you are needing to take are offered for the semester. Afterwards, you can go to the accounting window to get your fees assessed and just pay before the deadline. Non degree students do not need to wear uniforms.

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The problems you may encounter in applying as a non degree student are the limited slots offered since you'll be mixed with the regular students of a particular course and the conflict of schedules of the subjects. So better know the schedules and the subjects offered prior the sem you plan to enroll.

I hope this helps and feel free to comment any questions you have and I'll try to answer it as soon as I can. Good luck!