the CaRMS process

May 20, 2008

disclaimers…

• these are my opinions/experiences only • others may have differing/similar, etc, etc.

what fields are “Competitive?”

• (In my opinion only) • • • • • Plastics, ENT, Urology, Ophtho, Derm Radiology, Orthopedics, Anesthesia NeuroSx, Cardiac Sx, General Sx Pediatrics, Internal Medicine Family Medicine, Pathology

overview

• • • • • • • Electives* ?Research

References the CaRMS application Interviews Ranking/Matching Questions

electives

• block where you can do Anything!

(any field of medicine, anywhere in the world) • two 4 week blocks in year III • • • one 4 week block in year IV one 4 week surgical selective in year IV non-core selective/rural selective in year IV

how to arrange electives?

• how do I do this? who to contact?

• email program, university, use contact here, etc.

• when you’re told, “we’re full,” it’s usually a lie • when to arrange them?

• 6 months is usually enough for OOT, depending on elective choice • • less time needed for in-town electives no harm in arranging too early

electives…

• • • Where? How many schools?

• this depends… (3 – 6) How long to arrange?

• 2, 3, 4 weeks? (generate a reference) “what about the well-rounded doc?” • all electives in one field? good/bad idea? Neither?

“But I don’t know what I want to do”

when on Electives…

(common sense) • • • • • • • be nice, don’t complain don’t say, “I’m tired, I need a nap” don’t be a pain in the ass, don’t be an ass don’t be late stick around at the end of the day offer to do Call present at grand rounds

some “Do NOTs…” …again, my opinion only

• Don’t split your electives down the middle • (between 2 specialties/fields) • • eg. ½ Otolaryngology; ½ Plastics as crappy as it sounds, personally, I think it can definitely weaken your application • Do NOT leave your immunization records/updates too late!

• Get it done EARLY (Missy Power at student health)

Research

• • potentially the scariest word in medicine MUN students don’t have the same opportunities to get involved in “research” (this doesn’t matter, we (MUN) still do excellent)

…research

• • wide range of possibilities, but • Most program directors will (unfortunately) want at least minor involvement in some sort of ‘research’ – Case report, Case write-up, and/or publication – Poster presentation, help in a study/research project However, “submitted” is not the scariest word in medicine • So, don’t panic if you haven’t figured out what this ‘research thing’ even is • Bottom line: it can be left late, and it’s easy to put something together for CaRMS

References*

• Extremely important part of your application • • • most programs want 3 – 5 reference letters who should I ask?

how do/do I ask someone I barely know?

• “do you think you’d be able to write me a letter of reference?” is often used good

the CaRMS application

• submitted by end of November, year IV, includes: • • • • • • Personal Letter (say who you are…) CV the Application itself Dean’s Letter References Where should I apply?

• depends on what is important to you

Interviews

• Applicants Selected for interviews sometime in December thru January • A way’s away, more to come from June Harris (past questions, etc.)… • Interview period - 2 weeks in February

Ranking

• CaRMS is designed to allow: • as many students to get their highest ranked program as possible • Programs to get their highest ranked students • It is

always

in favour of the STUDENT

ranking…

• • • Students rank their programs in order of preference, highest to lowest Programs rank students in order of who they want, highest to lowest Entered into a computer system, and in a “NANO-second,” computer generates results • ***Rank where you WANT to go, not where you think you have the best chance of matching***

Ranking/Matching

• end of February, year IV • again, when you rank, it’s dependent on what’s important to you at that time • program, city, discipline, family, nightlife, etc.

• Match Day, first week of March baby!

a common question is, “should I back up?”

• • a highly debated area common across Canada to ‘back up’ your specialty choice with one less competitive • • again, My opinion only… Unfortunately, there is no right answer

to alleviate any (and all) fears

• • • • What if I don’t know what I want to do?

• there are ‘broad’ electives that are great on any application • a large number of people decide very late, and do very well “I don’t know what research is, but I want to do the most competitive field…” Overwhelming? • MUN does amazingly well year after year • very few people are disappointed Everyone goes through this process differently…

• “at the end of the elective period, CaRMS applications, and the interviews, when we sit down and rank who we like and do not like, it consistently comes down to who we can see ourselves working with for 5 years never who has the most research, the most awards, or best marks. Basically, we just want good people who work hard.” – Program director of highly competitive residency program

question/concerns/complaints?

when in doubt about ANYTHING, get in touch with one of your seniors, anytime!

www.carms.ca

for stats/info - www.med.mun.ca/medcareers/index