Does anyone know if the Canadian or US match happen first in 2010?

thanks!

Over the last 2-3 years, CaRMs has always come first, I believe. This is true for 2009 also -- CaRMs match day is March 9, 2009. So, I would expect that the Canadian match will be first.

If the Canadian Match happens first, has anyone ever heard of programs accepting Canadian students prematch like they sometimes do with IMGs?

Aye

Since Canadian medical schools are LCME accredited like US schools, Canadian seniors cannot be prematched and must go through the match. Anyone who has already graduated from medical school, US or canadian, is of course free to prematch.

Since Canadian medical schools are LCME accredited like US schools, Canadian seniors cannot be prematched and must go through the match. Anyone who has already graduated from medical school, US or canadian, is of course free to prematch.

Thanks for clearing that up. So as a Canadian student interested in matching to the States as my first option, having the CARMS match before the US match would cause major problems right? In order to be considered in the US match, I would have to not participate in the CARMS match?

Are there any other options?

Thanks for clearing that up. So as a Canadian student interested in matching to the States as my first option, having the CARMS match before the US match would cause major problems right? In order to be considered in the US match, I would have to not participate in the CARMS match?

Are there any other options?

Incorrect, luckily for you. CaRMS and NRMP are integrated. You can apply to both. If you match in CaRMS (assuming it comes first), then you are automatically withdrawn from NRMP, even if the CaRMS match date is after the ROL finalization date.

So, you can participate in both. If you match in CaRMS, then you are withdrawn from NRMP. If you fail to match in CaRMS, then your match proceeds in NRMP.

The only negative is that you can't rank MGH #1 and U of Toronto #2 -- you have to try on the Canadian side first, and only get to match in the US if you fail to match in the Canadian match, or if you withdraw from CaRMS. You can of course submit a very short rank list to CaRMS, knowning that if you fail to match, you simply rely on NRMP.

Good luck!

EDIT: Ahh, I read your post again. If you're first choice is matching in the US, then you simply decide not to participate in CaRMS. So, you are correct.

All this is NOT firm information.

It seems for 2010 that the CaRMS match will happen BEFORE the US match =(. CaRMS Match day will be March 8th while the US match will tentatively be on the third Thursday of March.

All this is NOT firm information.

It seems for 2010 that the CaRMS match will happen BEFORE the US match =(. CaRMS Match day will be March 8th while the US match will tentatively be on the third Thursday of March.

Which is exactly what aPD said above. CaRMS before NRMP. If you participate in and match through CaRMS, no US residency for you. If you want to match US @ all costs, you skip CaRMS and go NRMP. The important thing is that for all intents and purposes, you'll be treated as a US grad for NRMP (assuming no visa issues).

Yup, I was just confirming what he said after I heard back from emails to CaRMS/NRMP.

As a Canadian citizen, I'd have to get a J1/H1B visa so unfortuantely I think that will be a hinderance. I know the H1B is a "big deal" to ask for but if I was trying to maximize my chances of matching, I'll probably accept the J1 as well... hopefully more programs will be open to helping sponsor a J1 than an H1B.

Yup, I was just confirming what he said after I heard back from emails to CaRMS/NRMP.

As a Canadian citizen, I'd have to get a J1/H1B visa so unfortuantely I think that will be a hinderance. I know the H1B is a "big deal" to ask for but if I was trying to maximize my chances of matching, I'll probably accept the J1 as well... hopefully more programs will be open to helping sponsor a J1 than an H1B.

I expect you will find almost no resistance to a J1 from canada from any major university based program. I doubt this will be a hinderance at all.

As mentioned above, the problem with an H1 (which some programs might be willing to sponsor) is timing. There is essentially no chance of getting the H1 in time.

If you get really lucky, perhaps Stanford will be willing to get you an H1 and start you off cycle. because you are "connected", you never know without asking. Might as well wait until you get an interview to ask, and I would be clear that your plan is a J1, but you were "just wondering" about an H1 option.

When do you actually graduate from U of T? If it's late april or early may, you might be able to get Step 3 in and get an H without too much delay.