Becoming a Canadian resident...

[Dr. Breyean]

Does anyone ever apply to be a Canadian permanent resident to help get into a Canadian Med school? I've always wanted to go to McGill, but I've heard it isn't the easiest to get in as a international student (I'm from the US). Would it help my chances to become a permanent resident first? Does anyone actually ever do this? Plus I've noticed that tuition is significantly lower for a resident as compared to an international student. BTW, I actually plan to live in Canada in the future anyway.

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[jefguth]

Does anyone ever apply to be a Canadian permanent resident to help get into a Canadian Med school? I've always wanted to go to McGill, but I've heard it isn't the easiest to get in as a international student (I'm from the US). Would it help my chances to become a permanent resident first? Does anyone actually ever do this? Plus I've noticed that tuition is significantly lower for a resident as compared to an international student. BTW, I actually plan to live in Canada in the future anyway.

Becoming a permanent resident is a process in itself...

 

[aRnonymous]

If you want to do this, you would have to become a resident of Quebec. I am a resident of Ontario and it is actually harder for me to get into McGill than it is for an international student! However, as mentioned above, it's not like the process is a cakewalk.

 

[MeowMix]

I don't know what the mystique is about McGill, but somehow Americans are convinced it is amazing. So be it.

Getting permanent residency in Canada is a whole long process. McGill requires you to declare ALL citizenship and will figure out which slot to put you into, international or Can applicant. All Canadian med schools are very difficult to get into. I don't know why you would start out on such a long and difficult path, with the possibility of being accepted into only US schools anyway.

 

[Dr. Breyean]

I don't know what the mystique is about McGill, but somehow Americans are convinced it is amazing. So be it.

It might be Montreal in general that has the mystique. I've visited on several occasions and loved every minute of it. I can't think of any place I'd rather spend the four years of medical school.

 

[aRnonymous]

Apply as an international student and hope for the best in that case

 

[ontariostudent]

Historically, McGill has accepted a greater percentage of international applicants than out of province Canadians. You can see the stats here http://www.afmc.ca/pdf/2009AdBk.pdf on page 24. However, the number of spots for international (9) and out of province students (8) is about the same (at least it is this year), with approximately 8 of each (see website http://www.mcgill.ca/medicine/admissions/criteria/selection/). I think the discrepancy is because more OOP Canadians apply than do international students, but this is just speculation.

Obviously the most spots at McGill are reserved for residents of Quebec, so if you're dead set on McGill you might try to gain status there. I'm not sure how it's done, but I think it involves living (and working?) in the province for some period of time without being a student there.

If you have your heart set on McGill, I encourage you to apply. After seeing what people said about how hard it is to apply as an OOP I almost didn't bother, but then I ended up getting in! If you are a competitive applicant (I'd say 3.8+, 30+) you should have a good chance at getting an interview, and whether or not you are offered a spot is then highly dependent on your interview performance. Also, I would definitely check out the Canadian version of this site (http://www.premed101.com/forums/index.php) because there's a whole section for questions about McGill and there will be many more people who are knowledgeable about applying there and getting in.

One more thing- If you don't speak any French, I suggest you start learning. Not only will it potentially help with your application (it probably helped mine), but it will help you once you're living in Quebec.

PM me if you have any specific questions and good luck!