US residency after graduating from a US med school

[linkcable]

Hey guys,

I have been fortunate enough to receive an acceptance from a top 20 US medical school this cycle, and I wanted to know what the chances are of me matching into an equally competitive residency program. I also want to know whether Canadians who graduate from such LCME accredited universities have equal opportunities during CaRMS? Finally, is the VISA requirement (I don't know much about this) a major hurdle for acquiring a residency match in the states?

I ask these questions because I am debating between attending medicine in Canada or in the US. Your answers to these questions would greatly help me out.

About me:

I am a Canadian citizen with a MSc (basic sciences) and an undergrad from Toronto.

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[UBC2014]

If you got into medical school in Canada, then go to a Canadian school if your ultimate goal is to come back to Canada for residency.

 

[linkcable]

I guess prospects of matching in CaRMS is best when graduating from a Canadian medical school.

I would still like the flexibility of choosing where I practice, be it Canada or the US, if I were to graduate from a US medical School. I hope to get someone's perspective on this (maybe of a Canadian who studied in the US and then matched back into Canada).

Also, if I do choose to go to this US medical school, will I be at a significant disadvantage for matching into residency IN the US, with the intention of staying and practicing in the US, compared to PR and citizens of the US?

I hope this clarifies.

 

[UBC2014]

I guess prospects of matching in CaRMS is best when graduating from a Canadian medical school.

I would still like the flexibility of choosing where I practice, be it Canada or the US, if I were to graduate from a US medical School. I hope to get someone's perspective on this (maybe of a Canadian who studied in the US and then matched back into Canada).

Also, if I do choose to go to this US medical school, will I be at a significant disadvantage for matching into residency IN the US, with the intention of staying and practicing in the US, compared to PR and citizens of the US?

I hope this clarifies.

You can match back in Canada, but definitely better to just go to the Canadian school in the first place.

I don't follow your logic, why would you go to a US school over a Canadian school you got into, when the US school is significantly cheaper and will set you up better for a residency in Canada? Unless its Harvard, that would be illogical.

You won't be at a significant advantage, you will need visa, but most places offer it. You will be at a disadvantage in the sense that, you would be limited by Health Canada on what residencies in the US they will give you a Statement of Need for when taking a J1 visa for residency. The alternative is to secure an H1B visa, which is more difficult to get, but then you have no limitations.

 

[UBC2014]

For the J1 VISA to do a residency in the US, you need a statement of need, here are the current limitations:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/hhr-rhs/postgrad-postdoc/cat_b-list-liste-eng.php

That means, if you want to go for a residency that is under limited endorsement, you might be out of luck if a lot of other people also want it and beat you to it.

Alternatively, you try and get an H1B.


There's a lot of variables at play here, and really depends on what you want to do with your medical degree.


I'm operating under the assumption that you said you got into both a Canadian and US school. You should just go to a Canadian school to keep all your options open. BUT again, it all depends on your personal situation. Maybe you want to do research or MD/PHD or something like that?

 

[linkcable]

Thanks so much for your detailed response. This has certainly clarified some of my major concerns. I also like your username. Hopefully I'll like it more in mid May 😉