Is Canada LOR = U.S LOR ??

[stronghold]

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As an IMG seeking residency spot in U.S...Do you consider Toronto or Mcgill LOR equals U.S university LOR ?
Do program directors weight one more than the other ?
I am asking about Canada LOR since chances of getting electives are easier than those in U.S universities.

 

[stronghold]

Sorry if I did not explain it well.
I wanna know if program directors consider LOR from Canadian University = LOR from U.S University ??

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The answer is "sort of".

For the most part, yes. Canadian schools are all credentialed by the LCME, so basically are all the same deal. So, theoretically it should be the same.

Realistically:
1. Some PD's will simply not recognize the hospitals associated with major canadian schools. "Everyone" knows that BIDMC, BWH, and MGH are all affiliated with HMS. But not as many will know any of the hospitals associated with Univ of Toronto or McGill.

2. Letters from the canadian system are sometimes different. Every letter from a US physician tells me absolutely how wonderful a student is, even if it's clear from the rest of their application that they have problems. Canadian letters (to my review) seem to be more balanced, talking about the positives and the negatives. I personally find that refreshing. However to a PD who doesn't see many canadian letters, it might be interpreted as a problem (NOTE: this opinion is based upon a very small number of canadian letters and might be totally wrong)

 

[gschl1234]

2. Letters from the canadian system are sometimes different. Every letter from a US physician tells me absolutely how wonderful a student is, even if it's clear from the rest of their application that they have problems. Canadian letters (to my review) seem to be more balanced, talking about the positives and the negatives. I personally find that refreshing. However to a PD who doesn't see many canadian letters, it might be interpreted as a problem (NOTE: this opinion is based upon a very small number of canadian letters and might be totally wrong)

Funny. I studied in the UK and have been told that American (US) LORs cannot be trusted because the applicant is always inflated, and that even the most "glowing" British letter tends to deflate. Interesting that the Canadians straddle the middle.

 

[Acherona]

The answer is "sort of".
2. Letters from the canadian system are sometimes different. Every letter from a US physician tells me absolutely how wonderful a student is, even if it's clear from the rest of their application that they have problems. Canadian letters (to my review) seem to be more balanced, talking about the positives and the negatives. I personally find that refreshing. However to a PD who doesn't see many canadian letters, it might be interpreted as a problem (NOTE: this opinion is based upon a very small number of canadian letters and might be totally wrong)

This is pretty much on the money. It's just a cultural difference but I would favor american letters if you have a choice mostly for this reason.