Possible To Match in Derm coming from a Canadian School?

[aRnonymous]

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What are my chances of matching in a dermatology residency coming from a school like the University of Toronto? This is assuming that I have amazing board scores, away rotations, research, and all that good stuff. Would I be at a severe disadvantage compared to those graduating from medical schools in the United States? How much of a difference would it make it I was an American resident compared to if I wasn't?

 

[dermtobe]

I can't see why you wouldn't be competitive considering the high standing of University of Toronto, but I am not sure about funding issues given you aren't an american citizen. Conversely, do US grads have any chance matching in Canada or do all the derm spots go to Canadians? My sister is moving to Toronto that is why I ask.

 

[asmallchild]

I was told it was very difficult for American students to obtain Canadian residencies. Of course, this is more hearsay than personal experience.

 

[aRnonymous]

I was told it was very difficult for American students to obtain Canadian residencies. Of course, this is more hearsay than personal experience.

It's true. The match occurs in two phases. In the first phase only Canadians citizens/residents are considered. Then in the next phase the match is opened up and any unfilled spots can then be applied by by others. As you can imagine, in derm this doesn't happen.

Why would you be interested in doing a Canadian derm residency though? It is five years long compared to four in the United States

 

[porokeratosis]

It's true. The match occurs in two phases. In the first phase only Canadians citizens/residents are considered. Then in the next phase the match is opened up and any unfilled spots can then be applied by by others. As you can imagine, in derm this doesn't happen.

Why would you be interested in doing a Canadian derm residency though? It is five years long compared to four in the United States

This is true. Canadian Derm residency is 5-years (typically 2 years internal medicine, 3 years Derm). In the US, Derm training is 4-years total (1-year clinical internship, 3-years Derm).

Residents who graduate from Canadian Derm residencies are eligible to take the American Board of Derm Exam (to get USA board certified). But Canadian Derm residencies strongly prefer Canadian Citizens (funding issues). So if you are a US citizen, your chances of getting into a Canadian Derm residency are "slim to none".

That being said...Your best chance at a Canadian Derm Residency is a private school...such as McGill University. They have taken US citizens in the past. I met 1 US Citizen who completed training inthe 1990's (I think). They have also taken residents with training from other countries outside of America. At the recent 2009 AAD meeting in San Francisco, I met a McGill Derm resident from the Middle East.
http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/dermatology/residencyprogram.htm