West Visayas State University College of Medicine: Guide for Applicants

West Visayas State University College of Medicine (WVSU-COM) is one of the most sought after medical schools in the Philippines because aside from being consistently part of the top 10 medical schools every year in terms of board exam ratings, it also has a very affordable tuition fee (20,000-30,000PhP all-in/sem), which is probably one of the cheapest in the country.

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How to Apply?

Application usually starts on January every year and ends on May. However, since the academic calendar for school year 2015-2016 is changed and classes start on July 6, 2015, application period for the succeeding school years may also change. There are two (2) batches for application: those who were not able to submit the requirements before the first deadline, may still apply for the 2nd batch. Does it matter WHEN I choose to apply? If you are confident with your college grades, NMAT score and communication skills for the interview, then you don't have to worry at all. Though some say it is more advantageous to apply early because most slots might be taken by the 1st batch of applicants, thnere are also a good number who say that applying for the 2nd batch is much better since most competitive applicants have already applied in the 1st batch, thus more chances of getting in. Nevertheless, WVSU-COM is very impartial in handpicking its future students and it gives fair chances to both batches. It only depends on how fast you are able to complete your requirements and on how soon you want to know your results (1st batch is usually released on early March; 2nd batch on early May).

REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION

The application form may be downloaded at wvsu.edu.ph or you may get a hard copy from the registrar's office of the college of medicine. Some students also upload a copy on their facebook pages so just keep updated since WVSU-COM releases a new application form every year. Just prepare the following ahead of time:

1.  Application Fee – PhP400.00 (non-refundable)

2.  2 pcs. 2 x 2 ID picture

3.  2 pcs. Self-addressed envelope (long) with postage stamps

4.  Transcript of records, if machine copied must be authenticated by the Registrar (at least 80% GWA)
-if you are a graduating student, submit a TOR of your grades in your first 7 semesters in college

5.  Machine copy of NMAT result (at least 60%)

6.  2 copies Certificate of Good Moral Character from the dean and guidance counselor/professor

7.  Income tax return (latest), if machine copied must be certified by the BIR

8.  NSO Live birth certificate

9.  COMELEC ID

10.  Lost application forms will not be replaced

All documents must be placed in a long file folder. You may send the amount through Postal Money Order payable to the West Visayas State University. Make sure that there are no erasures in the postal money order. You may also send the amount through LBC payable to the Registrar, College of Medicine or pay personally to the registrar's office inside the college of medicine building.

 

What are your chances of getting in?

Since WVSU-COM is a state university subsidized by the local government, it prioritizes applicants from the western visayas. 75% of the slots is reserved for the residents of Region 6 while 25% is offered to those outside the region. So if you're not from region 6, secure more competitive remarks in college and in your NMAT. For all applicants, make sure your NMAT score is not just at least 60% because a score of 95 or above is much safer. 60% would definitely get you to the interview but your chance of getting in is very low. For your grades, make sure they are good enough to compete with your co-applicants who graduated with flying colors. I know someone whose NMAT score is 91 and his GWA is 1.85 (1.0 as highest) but he didn't get in. I also know someone whose NMAT is 83 but graduated magna cum laude, she was waitlisted. Another one has an NMAT score of 99+ but had a failing grade in college, yet she got in. You weigh for yourself which matters most but one thing still matters: your performance in your interview.

 

What to expect in the interview?

On the day of your interview, be presentable with your smart casual attire. Before the interview, you will be asked to write an essay on a certain topic, so be sure to be there 30 minutes before or earlier and be prepared with your pen. After 1 hour, you will be arranged alphabetically and will be grouped into 5's or 6's. Inside the interview room, there will be a panel composed of 5-6 doctors who will be digging your thoughts and certain infos about you. Since you will be interviewed with your groupmates, the panel will ask a common question for all of you to answer, so be sure to give answers which will make you stand out from the rest but at the same time you should be humble because doctors don't want to hear arrogance from a student who has not yet even entered medschool. Common questions are "Tell us something about yourself; Why medicine?; Why WVSU?; What are your strengths and weaknesses that may affect your studies; Where will you practice medicine after medschool?;  What are your talents and skills?" Other questions are situational. Whatever the questions are, just be yourself and be honest, because if you lie, you'll never know which made you pass or fail the screening, yourself or your lies.

 

How to get to WVSU-COM?

The college of medicine is at Roxas Hall, West Visayas State University, Luna St., La Paz, Iloilo City. There are many ways to get there.

From the airport, the easiest way would be riding a cab but it will cost you more or less 300PhP. Be sure not to confuse West (for WVSU) with Western since there is a Western Visayas Hospital in Iloilo which is 30-45mins away from WVSU and the driver might bring you there. For a lesser cost, you may ride a shuttle van at the airport that will bring you directly to SM Iloilo for only 50PhP. You may then ride a cab from SM to West (WVSU) which will cost you 60-80PhP depending on the traffic. Another option from SM City would be riding a Leganes Jeep across SM (at the Injap Bldg, 7eleven side) for 7PhP, get off at E. Lopez St. across Jollibee Jalandoni (at Cristine's Salon, PS Bank side) and WVSU is just a 10-min walk from there. You may also ride another jeep to West for also 7PhP (any jeep going to this direction will pass by West).

Other jeepney routes passing by WVSU are Jaro-CPU, JaroLiko-Tagbak and JaroLiko-NFA.

 

Where to stay near WVSU-COM for a night or two?

Since you are required to be there by 7am for the interview, you might want to consider staying near the area the night before.

The most accessible is the WVSU Hometel which is just inside the campus and a few steps away from Roxas Hall. They offer a dorm type room with 6 beds and a common CR for <200PhP/person which is very ideal for a group of friends. They also have a more comfortable airconditioned room for two (2) with television and a personal CR for 400PhP/person/night. You just have to get a room there at office hours and you may advice the campus guard if you are going outside and going back late. If you don't want to stay inside the campus, DBhometel is just a 10-minute walk from the campus. It's located at DB Ledesma St. but it's main entrance is part of Jalandoni St. near Jollibee. Their single bed costs 950PhP/night, room for 2 costs 1000PhP/room/night, and room for 6 costs 3000PhP/room/night; all have a personal CR, TV and aircon. They also serve breakfast if you want one, just inform them ahead. Another 10-minute walk hotel is the Urban Inn located at La Paz, Iloilo City in front of St. Clement's Parish. Their single bed costs 950PhP/night, room for 2 costs 1150PhP/room/night, and room for 6 costs 1950PhP/room/night; all are airconditioned, with personal CR, TV and wifi. You can always ride a jeepney from Urban Inn or DB hometel if you want to but a leisure walk would be an experience. 

WVSU Hometel: (63)(033) 320-0870 local 142
DB Hometel: 0927-5740535 | reservation@dbshometel.com
Urban Inn: +0908 874 9976

If you want to experience Iloilo downtown culture, there are many available inns at the downtown, which is just one ride from West but I couldn't assure you of your safety and security there. Other one jeepney ride away from West are Grand Dame Hotel at La Paz Market near Gaisano Iloilo, Go Hotels Iloilo at Robinsons Iloilo, Circle Inn and Iloilo Grand Hotel at the downtown. If you want to enjoy the metro life of Iloilo, there are many hotels near SM and Smallville (where parties and social gatherings happen) ranging from 1000-3000PhP, like Injap Dormitel (across SM), Diversion 21 Hotel (across smallville), and Smallville 21 Hotel (inside smallville). Cabs will cost you 80-100PhP to West. 

 

Where to eat near WVSU-COM?

There are canteens inside the campus but they might not be available during the interview period because it's already summer break for students. Just a short distance from the gate, there is an organic cafe owned by the WVSU-COOP, the Organica. They serve meals, drinks and desserts. Across it are different eateries, like Francisco's Refreshments, which offer affordable meals. Ministop is just right beside it. Just a few steps farther, you can see Orange Panda, JD, Hungry Ninja, and 7eleven and across these are McDo, Green Mango, PechoPak, and Munsterrific.