Canadian interested in EM

[Substance]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm a Canadian student at a Canadian school. I want to do EM. The problem is, the match rate for EM in Canada is 50% or less. Thus, there's a good chance I won't match at all. I do have the option of doing Family-emergency up here as a backup, but I don't want to do that.

I know that there are far more programs in the US, although I am unsure about the match percentage. Nonetheless, in the worst case scenario: what would I, as an unmatched Canadian medical grad (guessing academically top 15%(we are pass/fail so I can't be sure), no pubs, one national presentation), have to do to land a spot in the USA?

 

[royalvic]

I am Canadian, went to an International School and landed a spot in EM here in the US. Main thing is, don't settle for anything less than what you absolutely want as long as it is within academic reason (I won't mention cut-offs for GPA/Boards scores since I am sure there is a lot of discussion already available). Canada is tight for most positions and they push you towards family practice; which is fine if you like FP, but not fine if you are into EM. Biggest suggestions are just the same as any US grad, do your USMLE boards with good scores (I am quite certain you need at least USMLE 1 done, and USMLE step 2 scores cooking by the end of MSIV, (if you don't have Step 1 yet-I would query by email a couple of programs directors/secretaries regarding whether or not the program would entertain your application without a step 1 score on the books already...keep up your GPA, Get good letters; especially your EM rotations LORS - highly suggested in CORD format by your EM attendings (look it up online); get your documents in and apply to as many programs as you think necessary. I am not too sure of timelines for the Canadian match vs US match; so you should look that up to. A lot to do, but if you want it, you should go for it.

~R