the CaRMS process May 20, 2008

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

what fields are “Competitive?” (In my opinion only) (In my opinion only) Plastics, ENT, Urology, Ophtho, Derm Plastics, ENT, Urology, Ophtho, Derm Radiology, Orthopedics, Anesthesia Radiology, Orthopedics, Anesthesia NeuroSx, Cardiac Sx, General Sx NeuroSx, Cardiac Sx, General Sx Pediatrics, Internal Medicine Pediatrics, Internal Medicine Family Medicine, Pathology Family Medicine, Pathology

overview Electives* Electives* ?Research ?Research References References the CaRMS application the CaRMS application Interviews Interviews Ranking/Matching Ranking/Matching Questions Questions

electives block where you can do Anything! block where you can do Anything! (any field of medicine, anywhere in the world) two 4 week blocks in year III two 4 week blocks in year III one 4 week block in year IV one 4 week block in year IV one 4 week surgical selective in year IV one 4 week surgical selective in year IV non-core selective/rural selective in year IV non-core selective/rural selective in year IV

how to arrange electives? how do I do this? who to contact? how do I do this? who to contact? program, university, use contact here, etc. program, university, use contact here, etc. when you’re told, “we’re full,” it’s usually a lie when you’re told, “we’re full,” it’s usually a lie when to arrange them? when to arrange them? 6 months is usually enough for OOT, depending on elective choice 6 months is usually enough for OOT, depending on elective choice less time needed for in-town electives less time needed for in-town electives no harm in arranging too early no harm in arranging too early

electives… Where? How many schools? Where? How many schools? this depends… (3 – 6) this depends… (3 – 6) How long to arrange? How long to arrange? 2, 3, 4 weeks? (generate a reference) 2, 3, 4 weeks? (generate a reference) “what about the well-rounded doc?” “what about the well-rounded doc?” all electives in one field? good/bad idea? Neither? 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 be nice, don’t complain don’t say, “I’m tired, I need a nap” 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 a pain in the ass, don’t be an ass don’t be late don’t be late stick around at the end of the day stick around at the end of the day offer to do Call offer to do Call present at grand rounds present at grand rounds

some “Do NOTs…” …again, my opinion only Don’t split your electives down the middle Don’t split your electives down the middle (between 2 specialties/fields) (between 2 specialties/fields) eg. ½ Otolaryngology; ½ Plastics eg. ½ Otolaryngology; ½ Plastics as crappy as it sounds, personally, I think it can definitely weaken your application as crappy as it sounds, personally, I think it can definitely weaken your application Do NOT leave your immunization records/updates too late! Do NOT leave your immunization records/updates too late! Get it done EARLY (Missy Power at student health) Get it done EARLY (Missy Power at student health)

Research potentially the scariest word in medicine potentially the scariest word in medicine MUN students don’t have the same opportunities to get involved in “research” 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 wide range of possibilities, but Most program directors will (unfortunately) want at least minor involvement in some sort of ‘research’ 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 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 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 Bottom line: it can be left late, and it’s easy to put something together for CaRMS

References* Extremely important part of your application Extremely important part of your application most programs want 3 – 5 reference letters most programs want 3 – 5 reference letters who should I ask? who should I ask? how do/do I ask someone I barely know? how do/do I ask someone I barely know? “do you think you’d be able to write me a good letter of reference?” is often used “do you think you’d be able to write me a good letter of reference?” is often used

the CaRMS application submitted by end of November, year IV, includes: submitted by end of November, year IV, includes: Personal Letter (say who you are…) Personal Letter (say who you are…) CV CV the Application itself the Application itself Dean’s Letter Dean’s Letter References References Where should I apply? Where should I apply? depends on what is important to you depends on what is important to you

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

Ranking CaRMS is designed to allow: CaRMS is designed to allow: as many students to get their highest ranked program as possible as many students to get their highest ranked program as possible Programs to get their highest ranked students Programs to get their highest ranked students It is always in favour of the STUDENT It is always in favour of the STUDENT

ranking… Students rank their programs in order of preference, highest to lowest Students rank their programs in order of preference, highest to lowest Programs rank students in order of who they want, 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 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*** ***Rank where you WANT to go, not where you think you have the best chance of matching***

Ranking/Matching end of February, year IV end of February, year IV again, when you rank, it’s dependent on what’s important to you at that time again, when you rank, it’s dependent on what’s important to you at that time program, city, discipline, family, nightlife, etc. program, city, discipline, family, nightlife, etc. Match Day, first week of March baby! Match Day, first week of March baby!

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

to alleviate any (and all) fears What if I don’t know what I want to do? What if I don’t know what I want to do? there are ‘broad’ electives that are great on any application there are ‘broad’ electives that are great on any application a large number of people decide very late, and do very well 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…” “I don’t know what research is, but I want to do the most competitive field…” Overwhelming? Overwhelming? MUN does amazingly well year after year MUN does amazingly well year after year very few people are disappointed very few people are disappointed Everyone goes through this process differently… 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.” “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! - for stats/info -