CaRMS As An International Medical Graduate (IMG) – Part 1

Last Updated on June 17, 2020

Applying To Canada For Residency

As An International Medical Graduate (IMG)

Getting a response from them takes a couple of weeks. This is essential to take the Medical Council of Canada’s Evaluating Exam (MCCEE), which is required to apply to the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). You will also use this portal to apply for the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

CV: Your CV is an important part of the residency application for CaRMS. In general, your CV should be free of grammar and spelling errors and have consistent date formating and be in chronological order.

CaRMS

Canadian Resident Matching Service

Research: Although research is not essential, some exposure to the field that you are applying to can help your application and shows through on your CV. It is preferable to have the research in the field that you are applying for but is not necessary and is still good to put research experience and publications on your CV even if it is in a different field. You may choose to list your publications, abstracts, presentations, book chapters and newsletter articles in the research section of your CV.

Distinctions: In this section you should mostly include academically related distinctions and honours that you have received. Awards could include any scholarships from your undergrad, graduate or medical school, Dean’s List, teaching awards, research studentship awards, etc.

CaRMS Application

Medical School

Extra-Curricular: As with all sections of your CV, your extra curricular activity should be limited to experiences you had as an undergraduate, graduate and medical school student. Since your entire CV should be no longer in length than 2-3 pages single-spaced, only include what you deem to be your most important extra-curricular involvements.

Interests: This sections should be put last and should list briefly which you like doing in your own spare time. This section is an opportunity to let your application differentiate you from others.

Electives: On the CaRMS application, you are required to also list and describe your fourth year electives. Most people recommend that you do at least one elective in the field you are applying to and preferably in the location of your top choice. Be sure to plan your electives out early and application ahead of time for these. A little planning will go a long way- be sure to research the dates of available visiting electives at each Canadian University on their medical education website. You ideally want to obtain a letter of recommendation from your staff preceptors at these Canadian electives.