Canadian applying to St.Georges and hoping to become an ER p

[Michael W.W.]

Hi,

I am a canadian student going to Queens University (2nd year) in Canada and applying to St.Georges third year premed program. I have done a lot of research on my different foreign medical school options and have tentively decided on this one as I am sure I would like to practice medicine in the states (and would like to do my clinicals there - although also seriously considering Australia). Anyway, I know this question comes up all the time but I was wondering how hard it is to get an ER residency in the states as a CANADIAN out of St.Georges. I see that a lot of St.Georges students have done it (I have consulted the residency placement list for 2002 and 2003) but the list doesn't tell me much about my chances. I don't know what % of students applying for ER got it (ie. maybe every single student out of St.G applied for ER and only these students got it). Does anyone know how I could get some good stats on this issue or know anyone from St.G's that I could consult who got ER? Does anyone know what "its a tough residency to get" means exactly, and whether I will have to go to extroadonary lenghts to get ER like some IMG's who have gone to get radiology? All of these questions are assuming that I will do well on the UCLME's and the boards.

I have one other quick question. One of my friends who is a doctor in the states (he's 45) told me that there is an internship year (maybe it is called something else now) before residency. Why have I not heard anyone talk about this year before? What is it? Is it optional? Does it improve your chances of getting ER significantly? Does everyone do it? If I weren't to get ER and did pretty good on my board/UCLME's would I be guaranteed Peds or IM at a US hospital as a back up?

Thank you

[nyphys1]

EM is of moderate difficulty in terms of competition.If a caribbean grad has a strong application and applys to a wide variety of programs, chances are good.EM requires 4 years,in some programs the internship year is integrated into the residency and in others an internship is completed before a 3 year program-it depends on the particular institution.Getting IM or Peds is pretty much a sure thing if you pass the boards but would suggest you investigate any problems relating to visa issues if you are not a UScitizen.

[leofalcone]

An EM residency is obtainable as an american IMG from the caribbean. I know of quite a few St. George's grads, with good board scores etc that have landed EM. However, the real question for you is not whether an american IMG can get EM, rather, whether a canadian IMG can get EM. I would have to say that after seeing some of my canadian friends struggle to get interviews in other fields ie IM, Psychiatry and Anesthesia, I would have to say it is going to be a battle to land EM for you. I am somewhat ignorant regarding visa issues....but I am assuming you will have to find a residency program that will sponsor a visa. Typically, in fields like IM or FP, many programs need IMGs to fill their spots....but in more competitive fields such as EM, I am not so sure that very many sponsor visas. Don't let what I say stop you from trying though. Certainly go to medical school and do well regardless.....things will become more apparent to you as you get closer to your 4th year.....who knows, you may very well change your mind about your future goals.....keep and open mind and do the best that you can.

And just to clarify....not all EM programs are 4 years, most are 3. A preliminary medicine or surgery 1 year internship may indeed help somebody get an EM residency.