I matched

[Canadian SGU Grad]

I matched in Ontario. I guess going to SGU really did pay off.

[argazul]

congratulations. which specialty? if u don;t mind

[AngryBaby]

CANeh just pulled up an old thread of his. FM or IM I believe, though his scores were excellent.

Congratulations, OP. Job well done!

[TXMD2B]

Congratulations.

[summerwind]

Congratulations! Which hospital?

[cavalletti]

I matched in Ontario. I guess going to SGU really did pay off.

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!

Congratulations! Can you share with a fellow Canadian how you pulled it of?

Did you do any electives in Ontario? Was it an audition elective? Did you have connections?

Well Done

[Scylin]

Congratulations, that's awesome news! I hope you're thrilled. :)

[CANeh]

I matched in Ontario. I guess going to SGU really did pay off.


Hey CanSGUgrad,

Congrats again. You should be very pleased with your success. Considering that there are only 22 IM position for FMG, you really did great.

I hope you will share those secrets (other than just working really hard) with other Canadian SGU students.

[Canadian SGU Grad]

It's been a long process I have to admit. Coming from a Caribbean school didn't make it any easier. Canadian programs know practically nothing about SGU. And more information has to be disseminated to make life easier for future candidates. There are kids from Ireland with whack scores matching over us because the assumption is that they are well trained. Nothing can be further from the truth after seeing and hearing stories from these guys on the interview trail.

My own circumstances? I spent time in the States and walked away from some very nice University programs in sought after specialties. Why? I was born and raised in Canada and in the end, I couldn't see myself turning my back on my country even though it wouldn't have second thoughts of doing the same to me.

So I listened to a friend and fellow SGU classmate that also matched in Canada, and just forgot about the US option and focused in on Canada. I was able land some electives on a few weeks notice and performed well. Well enough to be offered a position by my preceptor that he didn't recognize I was not qualified for.

Since all Canadian programs are University ones, I didn't really care where I matched as long as I did. I was lucky enough to build a nice rapport with my Canadian preceptors and they wrote nice LOR's for me, or I hope they did. That, with my decent American and Canadian Board scores was enough to get over the stigma associated with for-profit off-shore medical schools and get some interviews.

I had no inside connection and to a greater extent they are irrelevant. There was a very nice female SGU student I knew who's Dad was some big-shot Attending in Toronto. She too wasn't taking the process lightly- but she was, of course, a nerd and genius and I expected her to do well on her own.

So what does it take? Busting your ***, doing exceptionally well on your boards, and even more importantly doing well on your electives in Canada. No Canadian electives- no interview really.

I rolled the dice b/c I thought I had a stellar portifolio and I wasn't so hung up on doing only radiology, derm, optho in the States because I had a chance for it. I had a chance to drive a truck('rig') after undergrad, but thank god I went to SGU instead.

For all those Canadians in SGU, asking is it possible? The answer is yes. But for those who think that making IEA entitles you to consider something like radiology or plastics in Canada. It ain't happening- why? unlike the states, all positions are well-funded university ones that have roughly 1 to 1 applicant to position ratio for Canadian students and few more spots sprinkled for IMG's. Many of these IMG's are specialists waiting and applying for 5 years for the very same spots you want. Plus they all already know the programs in their research capacities.

The IMG match rate in Canada is between 5 to 6 percent. Scary I know. But once you get your foot in the door then its a whole new ball game- you have to love the politics of that whole thing.

[djs]

Congrats to everyone who matched in Canada. I matched into ortho in Toronto. If there are any other SGUers that matched in TO, PM me. We should all meet sometime before July 1st.

dj

[vtrain]

It's been a long process I have to admit. Coming from a Caribbean school didn't make it any easier. Canadian programs know practically nothing about SGU. And more information has to be disseminated to make life easier for future candidates. There are kids from Ireland with whack scores matching over us because the assumption is that they are well trained. Nothing can be further from the truth after seeing and hearing stories from these guys on the interview trail.

My own circumstances? I spent time in the States and walked away from some very nice University programs in sought after specialties. Why? I was born and raised in Canada and in the end, I couldn't see myself turning my back on my country even though it wouldn't have second thoughts of doing the same to me.

So I listened to a friend and fellow SGU classmate that also matched in Canada, and just forgot about the US option and focused in on Canada. I was able land some electives on a few weeks notice and performed well. Well enough to be offered a position by my preceptor that he didn't recognize I was not qualified for.

Since all Canadian programs are University ones, I didn't really care where I matched as long as I did. I was lucky enough to build a nice rapport with my Canadian preceptors and they wrote nice LOR's for me, or I hope they did. That, with my decent American and Canadian Board scores was enough to get over the stigma associated with for-profit off-shore medical schools and get some interviews.

I had no inside connection and to a greater extent they are irrelevant. There was a very nice female SGU student I knew who's Dad was some big-shot Attending in Toronto. She too wasn't taking the process lightly- but she was, of course, a nerd and genius and I expected her to do well on her own.

So what does it take? Busting your ***, doing exceptionally well on your boards, and even more importantly doing well on your electives in Canada. No Canadian electives- no interview really.

I rolled the dice b/c I thought I had a stellar portifolio and I wasn't so hung up on doing only radiology, derm, optho in the States because I had a chance for it. I had a chance to drive a truck('rig') after undergrad, but thank god I went to SGU instead.

For all those Canadians in SGU, asking is it possible? The answer is yes. But for those who think that making IEA entitles you to consider something like radiology or plastics in Canada. It ain't happening- why? unlike the states, all positions are well-funded university ones that have roughly 1 to 1 applicant to position ratio for Canadian students and few more spots sprinkled for IMG's. Many of these IMG's are specialists waiting and applying for 5 years for the very same spots you want. Plus they all already know the programs in their research capacities.

The IMG match rate in Canada is between 5 to 6 percent. Scary I know. But once you get your foot in the door then its a whole new ball game- you have to love the politics of that whole thing.
Strong work Cdn grad!

I completely agree with what you said. The key is to do electives, work your a$$ off, and get to know the key players who decides their residents. I'm not saying suck up to them, but come early, stay late, show you are a team player and willing to work hard. And overall, are nice and pleasant person to work with. That's all it is (of course you need good board scores but I don't think they need to be quite as high as cdn grads)

Don't be discouraged with the odds - have a game plan and stick with it. I'm an SGU canadian who needed a VISA and I matched into ophthalmology this year. It can be done.

[CANeh]

Congrats DJS and Vtrain on your successful match (in Canada and US).

You guys are setting a great example for the rest of us.