Summarization of CARMs presentation today (2009 match)

The numbers look ok for us "Canadians studying abroad". Remember, by law, CARMs cannot discriminate between CSA and IMG. It is really important to understand that CSAs and IMG are treated excatly the same by CARMS and all medical bodies in Canada on the surface/legally.

However, you can gauge how well CSAs do specifically based on the year they graduate. In the 2009 match, most CSAs will have graduated in 2009 or 2008. Meanwhile IMGs tend to graduate a lot earlier since they have to do their training in their home country and then they migrate to Canada. Also note, these IMGs tend to be from India, Pakistan or China etc. IMGs from Australia or US tend to walk into Canada and work (they might have to do a few things here or there).

The numbers aren't pretty but here they are:

1) Overall, 1812 IMGs applied and 492 IMGs got residencies. Thats about 25%. This is a record high, and apparently funding for IMG residencies will not be increasing. Now its a matter of maintainence at this level. Infact, this % might even drop next year. So, as an IMG you have a 25% chance of getting a spot.

2) Now, 44% of CSA managed to get residencies. And out of that 44%.....84% had done an elective in Canada.
Two important points here:
This doesnt mean that if you are a CSA and you do an elective in Canada, there is an 84% chance you`ll get a residency.
This doesnt mean that those CSA who matched, got their 1st, 2nd or even 3rd preference.


3) Since its so important to get electives and they are in high demand, it matters who gets these electives. Ireland and Australian graduates tend to get most of the electives. But candidates will probably not get elective in the area they plan on doing their residency in (especially if its not FM or IM). These electives are the leftovers after Canadian medical students have their picks. But, you can arrange electives through contacts, so make those contacts!

3) MCCEE scores matter a lot. Resident directors rank their applicants based on their MCCEE scores and could make distinctions between someone who got 10 points more than another individual. So its not a matter of just passing it.

4) On average, IMGs do better on MCCEE than CSAs.

5) Doing residency in US, getting fully licensed there and then moving back is apparently a high probable strategy. Perhaps, you might have even better chances than getting a Canadian residency

6) Australian graduates tend to be slightly behind their Canadian counterparts in managing patient care as residents. But, this distinction disappears after 6 months. However, resident directors are aware of these issue and apparently its more labor intensive to train us than a fellow Canadian/American graduate.

7) As someone from Ontario and BC you have a slightly better chance of getting a residency. You're screwed if your from Alberta.