Tips for Matching in a Canadian Residency Program
Here are some quick tips for matching in a Canadian residency program from 2 students who matched in Canada in 2018!
First Students Message
Hey Dr. Barone! I just Matched into Internal medicine here in Canada! Thanks for your help!
Dr. Barone: Wow! Congratulations. Matching in Canada is even harder then matching in the US. Any advice for other students who want to match in Canada?
Getting great scores on exams goes without saying for anything but I believe having Canadian clinical experience, whether it’s electives, observerships, research or all of them is essential to have an edge. And of course the references that come along with that!
But I think first step for everyone is to familiarize with the system, each province has different but similar requirements, some more than others. A great place to start is the CaRMs and Medical Council of Canada websites.
Good luck hunting!
H.A. Feb 2018
Second Students Message
Dr. Barone.... A fantasy or dream rather than reality! I cannot believe it, I matched in Radiology in Canada!
Dr. Barone: Totally amazing!!!! Any advice you would give to students who want to match in Canada as it is hypercompetitive?
Here are the 2 most critical points which I found important based on my own experience and others:
1. Gap in practice:
The less the number of years being out of practice / school for newly graduated, the highest chance to get an interview. The trick is passing exams with the least delay to be eligible for Carms application.
2. Canadian clinical experience
For clinical experience, some provinces have programs, like physician assistant which gives candidates chance of practice in the system in between the exams.
The most important, in research (my case) and clinical practice, must be lucky to work with someone who appreciates your hard work.
M. B. March 2018
Dr. Barone: I would love to hear from my Canadian friends. Any more advice you can offer?
Comments