Applying to residency/practicing in US- Is It Disadvantageous To Go To A Cdn Med School?

[canucks99]

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Hi, I am still in undergrad but I hope to become a cardiac surgeon or neurosurgon. I am interested in practicing in the US for a few reasons (mainly because I love US culture and I've heard the salaries can be substantially higher). However, I have not ruled out practicing in a major Canadian city either. So what I am wondering, is going to a Canadian med school going to put me at a disadvantage for applying to top tier residency positions in the US, and also applying for jobs in the US?

In my mind I believe that Canadian schools are top notch, so it really wouldn't affect me, but I just wanted to get some info from others.

Thanks!

 

[Goro]

If you want to practice in the US, go to a US medical school.

 

[canucks99]

It's not that simple. It could take me a decade to gain admission to the US schools I want. I would only go to a top tier US school as I've heard CDN schools are better than mid-tier US schools. Also the cost factor for a US school is a big factor for me as well.

In an ideal world, yes I would go to a US school. But realistically I'm not sure if I can gain admission to a top US program. So I want to know from people in the field, how do canadian schools rank in your mind? UBC, UofT and McGill are all top 35 undergraduate institutions in the world, but I'm not quite sure about their medical school rankings and presitge.

 

[screenjunkie]

US mid-tiers are in no way inferior to any Canadian medical schools. Unless you're limiting Canadian schools to the three you mentioned, in which case they themselves are hyper-competitive to get into.

To answer your question though, I have friends applying to residency in the US from Canadian schools and its definitely more work. I can't speak to whether top specialties would be closed off but I'd imagine there's some correlation to that as well.

 

[gyngyn]

Lacking a green card, you will be limited to those programs that choose to support your preferred visa.
It is not your medical school, but rather your immigration status that will limit US residency options.

 

[jayceee]

To practice in the US you must complete a US residency.
Lacking a green card, you will be limited to those programs that choose to support your preferred visa.
It is not your medical school, but rather your immigration status that will limit US options.

You don't have to have completed a U.S. residency to practice in the U.S.

My best friend is Canadian, but did her MD at BU because her husband was completing a post-doc at Harvard.

She ended up matching back in Canada, finished her residency in Canada, and just got her first job at a hospital in Boston.

Neither she not her husband are U.S. Citizens.

 

[screenjunkie]

To practice in the US you must complete a US residency.
Lacking a green card, you will be limited to those programs that choose to support your preferred visa.
It is not your medical school, but rather your immigration status that will limit US options.

From AMA website: "Residency Program Requirement
After ECFMG certification, physicians who wish to practice medicine in the U.S. must complete an accredited residency training program in the U.S. or Canada - this process will take at least three years. The physician will have to complete a residency program regardless of the training they have received overseas. Many medical graduates are placed in residency programs through the National Resident Matching Program."

From any country other than Canada, a US residency would be required. But for the OP, Canadians can jump right over, pending licensing and certification of course.

That being said, I still believe the OP would save a lot of time and trouble by just applying to mid-tier US MD schools.

 

[gyngyn]

From AMA website: "Residency Program Requirement
After ECFMG certification, physicians who wish to practice medicine in the U.S. must complete an accredited residency training program in the U.S. or Canada - this process will take at least three years. The physician will have to complete a residency program regardless of the training they have received overseas. Many medical graduates are placed in residency programs through the National Resident Matching Program."

From any country other than Canada, a US residency would be required. But for the OP, Canadians can jump right over, pending licensing and certification of course.

I always forget the Canadian exception, thanks!
I think it's because we never see any applicants from Canada...
You will still need a work permit to match in the US, for residency, though.

 

[698344]

It's not that simple. It could take me a decade to gain admission to the US schools I want. I would only go to a top tier US school as I've heard CDN schools are better than mid-tier US schools. Also the cost factor for a US school is a big factor for me as well.

In an ideal world, yes I would go to a US school. But realistically I'm not sure if I can gain admission to a top US program. So I want to know from people in the field, how do canadian schools rank in your mind? UBC, UofT and McGill are all top 35 undergraduate institutions in the world, but I'm not quite sure about their medical school rankings and presitge.

If you're only considering top tier schools in the U.S. on your list, then your chances are slim to none, even if you do have exceptional stats.

 

[canucks99]

Thank you so much for your replies. Maybe I am shortchanging the mid-tier US schools.

Also is there a database that tells you which tier a school is in? Generally how do people know what school belongs in which tier? Top tier can be easier to distinguish but I don't have the slightest clue on how to distinguish between low tier and mid tier.