Medical Examination at SLMCEC

November 9-10, 2009

This will be a blow by blow account of my medical exam that took place last week. If you want to be first in line, you can be there as early as 3am, but I went there at 5am because I wanted to make sure that I am safe while taking the exam and I don't want to wait in line for 2-3 hours. It was a good move, since they were already accepting applicants at 5am and I got in around 5:20am and I was the 54th applicant of the day.

Make sure to have the following ready:

1. Passport

2. 4 2x2 visa pictures (they will only take 3 though, but I brought 4 since that's their requirement)

3. Original and photocopy of approval letter from the embassy

4. Print out of your interview schedule

5. Black ballpoint pen

6. Payment (213.35 - exchange rate is at 48)

Flow chart:

1. At 5:30 I already got in and filled out the Patient Data Sheet form. Memorize your fiance's address and phone number or at least have a copy of it.

2. The guard called us up for the digital picture taking. Make sure not to lose your number.

3. Stood in line to submit PDS form and have it verified at the counter. The person verifying my form was very grumpy, good thing that only lasted for a couple of minutes!

4. Payment at the cashier- 5th floor

5. I was asked to proceed to the 4th floor for my urine and blood test.

Make sure to go to the counter first and submit your PDS together with your passport. Always remember when the first and last day of your menstruation is. And make sure you don't have your period during the exam.

6. Was asked to proceed to the 3rd floor for my X-ray. I had my old X-ray film taken last October 9th, but they didn't honor that. So you I had to take the X-ray all over again.

7. Was asked to go to the 5th floor for vital signs, height and weight, and eye test. Proceed to the US counter right away, it's on the right side once you get to the 5th floor. Submit your PDS and passport at the counter and wait for your name to be called. This is the routine on each floor.

8. Still on the 5th floor- I had my Medical examination and I had to disrobe completely. My advise is to wear something that you can easily remove, so that you can save time disrobing. Don't worry, the physical exam isn't that scary. :)

9. I was asked to go back to the 2nd floor for my immunization interview (make sure to remember where your chicken pox scar is 'coz you will asked about this. If you can't show proof, there's a big possibility that you will have to take the varicella shot the next day.)

10. I was then told to go to the 3rd floor for check out. I was asked to come back the next day at 7:30 am and I have to bring my passport and medical exam receipt. I was done at 11:30am.

11: Day 2- I was there before 7:30am. There were tons of people when I got there, but I wasn't really that alarmed. I placed my receipt on the box that says immunization receipts, then I had to wait for my name to be called for immunization. I only had to wait for 15-30 minutes, then my name was called and the nurse gave me 3 shots in total. I had MMR(measles, mumps, rubella), diphtheria, and HPV.

12. I was asked to go the ground floor and wait for my name to be called. When my name was called, the guy at the counter asked for my passport and told me to wait for my name to be called again. I waited for a couple of minutes before my name was called and I was given my vaccination chart (which I had photocopied when I went out of the building), and the CD of my chest x-ray which I was asked to bring once I leave the country. Thank God they didn't give us the HUGE x-ray film!

I was done at 10am! It's now time to prepare for the interview!