Suggestion
You can go to SLEC in the afternoon. I took the advice of individuals who were ahead of me in the medical that going there in the afternoon is much better because morning time would be too crowded with patients. On my first day I arrived at SLEC at 1:10 and finished at 5:30. On my second day from 2PM to 5:30. Not bad. Others were there since morning and were still there until late afternoon.
Things I brought during my medical exam:
Don't be confused with the different pictures. The other one, I used it in my DS-16 form.
Filling up the patient data sheet forms
Reminders
- See to it that you have answered completely the needed info and thoroughly check the back page of each document because there are spaces there that need to be filled-up.
- You will notice the “alien (case) number” on the form which is where you will write your case number. On one of the pages, the “case” word is not included. It only appeared “Alien Number.” Don’t be confused with it, it’s the same as the “alien (case) number.”
US Counter
Reminders
- Get a photo copy of the confirmation email from the Embassy. The person asked me the said document and I had to go out to get it photo copied for she demanded a photo copy of the said email. You will keep the original one (although when it’s clear copy you could no longer distinguish which one is the original
) (Others who didn't have their confirmation email was able to make it. I don't know how the process go, but they can share their experience too)- Write your name at the back of your 2x2 pictures. US counter will ask one. On the releasing counter on the 2nd day of medical they will ask 2 pictures.
XRAY Department, 3rd Floor
Reminder
Bring a clip/tie for your hair. Securely tuck your hair where your nape is exposed (it took me a while to do this inside the x-ray room because my hair is only up to my shoulders and the clip didn’t work well because short hairs would fall down and had my nape covered). Do it while you change your clothes to robe.
Laboratory (for blood and urine tests) 4th Floor
Reminder
- Do not take urine sample inside the women’s CR without the presence and knowledge of the clerk assigned just outside the CR. There is a small table for her and sometimes she leaves the table unattended. If you get your urine sample without her knowledge, it will be invalid for testing and you need to get another one. My first sample was invalid because I was unaware of this policy. So, I went down from the 4th floor, went out from the building to buy drinking water. It was a waste of time having to wait of urinating again just to get another sample.
Physical Exam, 5th Floor
Tip
- As much as possible, don’t wear shoes that require you to use socks. You have to take it off during height determination and physical examination. Taking it off and putting it back consumes time.
In my physical examination, I was assigned in room 7. The doctor was very nice and she didn’t give me a hard time. Be attentive to the questions she will ask while you disrobe. There were a few questions that made me chuckle. Most of the questions she will ask are found on the forms that you have filled-up. For your advance reference of the questions, you can read it while waiting for your turn. If only I knew it, I would have read it in advance.
Immunization Interview, 2nd Floor
Tip
- Trace the scar/s of your chicken pox (if you already had it). The doctor will ask you to show her your scar. That way, it will keep you from additional shot. (I only had 2 shots: MMR & Tdap)
2nd Day
Tip
Just relax during the vaccination. The needles are very small and not really painful at all (for those who are afraid of needles
). The only symptom I got based on the leaflet that they gave was feeling weak and tired. I had it for 2 days. Reminder
- Do not forget to bring 2 pieces of your 2x2 picture with your name written at the back of each. During the first day I was wondering why they only asked 1 picture when most thread here mentioned 3. I found out that it was on the 2nd day that they ask for the remaining two. Good thing I brought the pictures with me when I went there for my medical result. Also, during my interview in USEM, I saw the pictures I gave to SLEC at the interviewer’s care.
A few more tips
- When going up and down using the elevator to undergo each of the step, if the floor mentioned on your guide is just located 1 floor away from where you are, better use the staircase. It’s much faster than waiting for the elevator’s door to open.
- For applicants who are not from Manila, SLEC’s map which is found on the USCIS website is very helpful (it was to me). You can print it and use it as your guide to locate the building.
SLEC's building: It doesn't have the name SLEC outside the building, only the street address.
- When vendors outside will see you bringing your X-ray result in a brown envelope, they will ask you to buy a transparent plastic bag where you can securely keep your result from the possibility of getting it wet from the rain (or anything liquid). I was not supposed to buy it, but when the lady said that I can protect it from rain (and yeah, that time it was cloudy), I bought one from her. She gave it to me for 35Php from her first offer of 50Php. 35Php doesn’t hurt our pockets at all, having the X-ray result protected and handy.
X-Ray result inside the transparent plastic bag for 35Php
The medical examination steps are not difficult at all. When you enter the building the guard will hand you a piece of paper where each step and the corresponding floor is written.
I hope these tips, reminders & suggestions will help future applicants in a little way. Have a great medical experience and I hope and pray that you will go out from the building on the 2ndday carrying with you your X-ray result and vaccination record because it would mean that you passed!
May God keep all of us healthy at all times!
Love,
Riza
Good luck dear, I wish you good health