Independent Plastics Match, after Canadian Residency

[DarkMage]

Hi there,

Looking for advice. Much appreciated.

Currently a surgical resident in Toronto thinking about applying to the Independent Plastics stream in USA.

Things of note: Canadian citizen, will be board certified surgeon in Canada and plan to write the American Board of Surgery exam as well (I am on track to meet requirements for ABS). In the process of writing USMLEs, not all completed yet.

Anyone been through this process? Any general advice?
Looks like based on sfmatch website, they don't need USMLEs for application purposes and Canadians need to submit MCCQE1.
Difficult to match as a Canadian to these programs?

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[Medstart108]

Not in plastics, but my assumption is, its just like anywhere, if you are a competitive applicant you'll get in. Do you have strong references and publications, particularly in plastics?

 

[coffeebythelake]

Hi there,

Looking for advice. Much appreciated.

Currently a surgical resident in Toronto thinking about applying to the Independent Plastics stream in USA.

Things of note: Canadian citizen, will be board certified surgeon in Canada and plan to write the American Board of Surgery exam as well (I am on track to meet requirements for ABS). In the process of writing USMLEs, not all completed yet.

Anyone been through this process? Any general advice?
Looks like based on sfmatch website, they don't need USMLEs for application purposes and Canadians need to submit MCCQE1.
Difficult to match as a Canadian to these programs?

not specific to plastics.. but..

program need to be willing to sponsor visa which is added expense and time
are you planning to go back to Canada after? or you want to stay in the USA?
J1 is not complicated, but Canadian government has to give you a letter saying that your position as a plastic surgeon is needed back in Canada
H1B can be very complicated and expensive for the sponsoring hospital especially if they've never done one before
bottom line, more hoops to jump through, and you would need to be more competitive than an American surgeon vying for the same position

 

[Medstart108]

not specific to plastics.. but..

program need to be willing to sponsor visa which is added expense and time
are you planning to go back to Canada after? or you want to stay in the USA?
J1 is not complicated, but Canadian government has to give you a letter saying that your position as a plastic surgeon is needed back in Canada
H1B can be very complicated and expensive for the sponsoring hospital especially if they've never done one before
bottom line, more hoops to jump through, and you would need to be more competitive than an American surgeon vying for the same position

I have never heard of anyone having problems getting a J1, the government would love to have you back as a plastic surgeon.
Some hospitals will sponsor H1Bs, others won't, it limits your desirability, but if you are a solid candidate (and many UofT surgical residents are) and not a borderline one, you'll probably get in.