This is for any Canadians who are considering Ireland as an option for their medical training:
4-5 years ago I was in your position, ecstatic at receiving an acceptance to UCC so I could complete my dream of becoming a doctor. If only I knew what I know now, I would have made a greater effort to get into a Canadian school and avoid the trouble I find myself in currently.
I didn't know what field I wanted to enter initially, but after a couple of years here I had decided that FM was my calling. As a Saskatchewan resident who wanted to return to the province, I knew that I had an advantage over my classmates in that only Saskatchewan residents could do electives in the province. I had offers in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Manitoba, but ended up turning them down as I felt that Saskatchewan was my best shot. I figured a Sask boy born and raised there, with solid electives and letters from the province would be exactly what they were looking for. I also assumed my FM electives and letters would serve me well for my CaRMS application in other provinces. I had figured my chances for a match in FM would be strong as a result. It turns out my thinking was flawed.
Initially I was thrilled to get 5 interviews in Saskatchewan. I figured it meant I did something right. However, I was rejected continuously from every other location in the country. I realized this was the first mistake I made. But considering I wanted to return to Sask, I figured it didn't matter anyway. It wasn't until my interviews began that the enormity of my error became apparent. The sheer number of IMG candidates being considered was shocking, especially for a single place in each location. (Of course some places would take more IMGs on top of the designated spot in previous years) I still figured I had a leg up on most of them due my being from the province. I didn't feel as if all my interviews went well, but by the end I felt I had done a good job representing myself in the majority.
Round one match day rolls along. I open up CaRMS in excitement to see where I would be going to that summer. Instead, I received the dreaded "We regret to inform you that you did not match." I was floored. Honestly, I was shocked. I thought I had done everything right. I spoke to an R1 friend of mine who informed me that the province simply took fewer IMGs this year due to the increasing interest in FM from the CMGs. I later realize that I also didn't interview as well as I could have, thus hurting my chances.
I then go through round 2, applying to any FM and IM position available. Again, and with no surprise, I only receive Saskatchewan interviews, though I was caught off guard with an interview offer for Saskatoon IM, considering my lack of IM electives and letters. This time I was determined not to let a poor interview be the reason of not matching. I prepared extensively this time around, asking advice from all my friends who matched and getting any interview tips I could. I felt that my interviews were much stronger this time around and I was informed that I had done well in one of my interviews. I thought this time around I must have a good shot.
Today was the second match day. I did not match. Again. Now I am in limbo, unsure of my future. I did not apply to the US initially, because I had no interest and thus did not complete Step 2 CS. My odds are greatly diminished by being a year further away from graduation when I apply again next year. I also have to complete the NAC OSCE as well as write QE1 in order to be eligible again for many programs who require them. In addition, I also have to find a way to strengthen my CV and application. Whether this is by a Masters, or a teaching fellowship, or simply by trying to defer graduation to allow additional electives to be done, I don't know yet.
The point of my story is that I wish I had been patient and exhausted all possibilities before coming to Ireland. I am currently 300K in debt, with no job and no income to pay it back leaving my parents responsible financially. My odds of matching will grow smaller and smaller each year, to the point where I may have to consider a career outside of medicine. Don't come here unless you are deadset on medicine as a career, and believe it's your last choice. My friend (who went to Caribbean school) is in the same position as me, except this is his second year failing to match. We can both tell you that it is absolutely soul crushing to get the rejections.
I don't want to tell you that you can't match in Canada if you go to an Irish school, because that would be a lie. Many of my friends matched in great programs, and I met other wonderful Canadians at the other Irish schools throughout my interview travels that also matched. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to match and even getting first or second round interviews is tougher than it used to be.
My final piece of advice: if you decide to ignore what I've said about coming here, at least listen to this part. If you want to be the strongest candidate you can be, study for the USMLEs and EEs as early as possible. This means start studying for Step1 from day 1. Start studying for step 2 and EE from the moment 2nd year starts. These scores are crucial for getting some interviews, especially FM in Ontario. Ontario will not consider you for FM first round unless you're near 99th percentile. This is also the material your schools will examine you so you're killing two birds with one stone. GET INVOLVED IN RESEARCH. I can't emphasize that part enough. Some places only care about your research, so start as early as possible, even first year if you can. Ottawa EM loves research and will forgo a lower EE score if you've got publications, presentations and posters. U of T EM requires a 400 on the EE, minimum. If FM is your thing, do LOTS of electives, especially rural ones. If you have no desire for rural, then good luck to you because you better be stellar otherwise to get urban in most places. However, if you have good rural FM electives and letters you stand that much better of a chance when it comes time for the match. Try to have electives in various specialties you'd be happy doing, don't lock yourself into a single field like I did even though it was FM. FM is incredibly competitive now and isn't the easy match it used to be.
Best of luck to all of you, and I hope what I've said has given you something to think about.
4-5 years ago I was in your position, ecstatic at receiving an acceptance to UCC so I could complete my dream of becoming a doctor. If only I knew what I know now, I would have made a greater effort to get into a Canadian school and avoid the trouble I find myself in currently.
I didn't know what field I wanted to enter initially, but after a couple of years here I had decided that FM was my calling. As a Saskatchewan resident who wanted to return to the province, I knew that I had an advantage over my classmates in that only Saskatchewan residents could do electives in the province. I had offers in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Manitoba, but ended up turning them down as I felt that Saskatchewan was my best shot. I figured a Sask boy born and raised there, with solid electives and letters from the province would be exactly what they were looking for. I also assumed my FM electives and letters would serve me well for my CaRMS application in other provinces. I had figured my chances for a match in FM would be strong as a result. It turns out my thinking was flawed.
Initially I was thrilled to get 5 interviews in Saskatchewan. I figured it meant I did something right. However, I was rejected continuously from every other location in the country. I realized this was the first mistake I made. But considering I wanted to return to Sask, I figured it didn't matter anyway. It wasn't until my interviews began that the enormity of my error became apparent. The sheer number of IMG candidates being considered was shocking, especially for a single place in each location. (Of course some places would take more IMGs on top of the designated spot in previous years) I still figured I had a leg up on most of them due my being from the province. I didn't feel as if all my interviews went well, but by the end I felt I had done a good job representing myself in the majority.
Round one match day rolls along. I open up CaRMS in excitement to see where I would be going to that summer. Instead, I received the dreaded "We regret to inform you that you did not match." I was floored. Honestly, I was shocked. I thought I had done everything right. I spoke to an R1 friend of mine who informed me that the province simply took fewer IMGs this year due to the increasing interest in FM from the CMGs. I later realize that I also didn't interview as well as I could have, thus hurting my chances.
I then go through round 2, applying to any FM and IM position available. Again, and with no surprise, I only receive Saskatchewan interviews, though I was caught off guard with an interview offer for Saskatoon IM, considering my lack of IM electives and letters. This time I was determined not to let a poor interview be the reason of not matching. I prepared extensively this time around, asking advice from all my friends who matched and getting any interview tips I could. I felt that my interviews were much stronger this time around and I was informed that I had done well in one of my interviews. I thought this time around I must have a good shot.
Today was the second match day. I did not match. Again. Now I am in limbo, unsure of my future. I did not apply to the US initially, because I had no interest and thus did not complete Step 2 CS. My odds are greatly diminished by being a year further away from graduation when I apply again next year. I also have to complete the NAC OSCE as well as write QE1 in order to be eligible again for many programs who require them. In addition, I also have to find a way to strengthen my CV and application. Whether this is by a Masters, or a teaching fellowship, or simply by trying to defer graduation to allow additional electives to be done, I don't know yet.
The point of my story is that I wish I had been patient and exhausted all possibilities before coming to Ireland. I am currently 300K in debt, with no job and no income to pay it back leaving my parents responsible financially. My odds of matching will grow smaller and smaller each year, to the point where I may have to consider a career outside of medicine. Don't come here unless you are deadset on medicine as a career, and believe it's your last choice. My friend (who went to Caribbean school) is in the same position as me, except this is his second year failing to match. We can both tell you that it is absolutely soul crushing to get the rejections.
I don't want to tell you that you can't match in Canada if you go to an Irish school, because that would be a lie. Many of my friends matched in great programs, and I met other wonderful Canadians at the other Irish schools throughout my interview travels that also matched. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to match and even getting first or second round interviews is tougher than it used to be.
My final piece of advice: if you decide to ignore what I've said about coming here, at least listen to this part. If you want to be the strongest candidate you can be, study for the USMLEs and EEs as early as possible. This means start studying for Step1 from day 1. Start studying for step 2 and EE from the moment 2nd year starts. These scores are crucial for getting some interviews, especially FM in Ontario. Ontario will not consider you for FM first round unless you're near 99th percentile. This is also the material your schools will examine you so you're killing two birds with one stone. GET INVOLVED IN RESEARCH. I can't emphasize that part enough. Some places only care about your research, so start as early as possible, even first year if you can. Ottawa EM loves research and will forgo a lower EE score if you've got publications, presentations and posters. U of T EM requires a 400 on the EE, minimum. If FM is your thing, do LOTS of electives, especially rural ones. If you have no desire for rural, then good luck to you because you better be stellar otherwise to get urban in most places. However, if you have good rural FM electives and letters you stand that much better of a chance when it comes time for the match. Try to have electives in various specialties you'd be happy doing, don't lock yourself into a single field like I did even though it was FM. FM is incredibly competitive now and isn't the easy match it used to be.
Best of luck to all of you, and I hope what I've said has given you something to think about.
