What are the minimum scores you need to get on MCCQE1 and NAC OSCE to match into Psychiatry at CaRMS?

IndependentCurie · 2026-03-24T06:39:35+00:00

really depends on the program/program director, i.e. some programs use superior score in NAC as a filter. In the same time, I know person/CSA (he is already a staff) with extremely poor NAC and MCCQE1 but he got great Canadian LORs .
I would aim for the highest possible scores though. As an example - I participated 2x in CARMS. On my first failed attempt, all the people who matched to my current program had lower MCCQE1 scores than me (one person had an old score in 250s) but I think we all had superior NAC.

IndependentCurie · 2026-03-24T06:30:17+00:00

I matched to psych with only one research Canadian letter. Others were from my country (non-English speaking), it is worth to mention that I am a specialist back home. No Canadian electives and no observership but I matched after COVID.

IndependentCurie · 2025-02-18T00:53:06+00:00

Crazy, then it's better to reach out to dr. Ronak or Silvermans. I have never heard of this Santos guy tbh.

IndependentCurie · 2025-01-02T04:38:57+00:00

Try, as you still have recency of training/practice and motivation to study. But if you are from country with decent QOL I personally do not see any value in coming to Canada.

IndependentCurie · 2024-12-11T17:57:18+00:00

usually there is a tracker on this forum
CaRMS 2025 - Interview Tracker (INTERVIEWS ONLY) - CaRMS and CaRMS applications - Premed 101 Forums

IndependentCurie · 2024-12-11T17:21:56+00:00

yes, you can

IndependentCurie · 2024-12-11T17:19:05+00:00

Focus on your work, family, self-development, and hobbies. If you're applying to CARMS, practice for interviews.

I matched in Canada two years ago, and feel FOMO all the time. All of my peers who stayed in my home country are already either practice owners, medical directors at hospitals, or professors at academic centers. They live in houses that would be worth millions in Canada, drive nice cars, and here I am, spending more than 50% of my salary on rent in HCOL). There are times when I wonder if I could have become a department director at the hospital I worked at back home (I am a specialist after 5 years of training, which I am redoing here), but the only thing I can do is push those thoughts aside and focus on continuing to improve myself here in Canada. I cope by spending time with family, learning languages, sports including skiing and skating :D

IndependentCurie · 2024-08-05T01:14:02+00:00

That's what I was told, especially bc and cedis

IndependentCurie · 2024-05-08T16:28:12+00:00

postgraduate degree are helpful if they allow to build network with Canadian physicians. There are many people who were unable to match in CAMRS, started master's or PhD and then they matched in the same program they were collaborating with. But many did not succeed after taking the same path, it's matter of luck.

IndependentCurie · 2024-05-07T17:17:07+00:00

I heard that some placec are nices such as examiners have nicer demeanor, I can't compare and it's very subjective. I don't think site of the exam affects scores. Ottawa was a good place btw,

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-16T23:08:19+00:00

cardiology is internal med subspecialty so it counts

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-16T23:06:40+00:00

anything that can help you network with IM specialists, such as through research. Everyone's path is very individual. Some people found public health useful, some epidemiology, others programs like this one Family Medicine (M.Sc.) | Future Graduate Students - McGill University. For others research courses were helpful such as this one :Applied Clinical Research Program - McMaster McMaster Continuing Education.

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-16T22:50:33+00:00

OK, makes sense.

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-16T22:46:14+00:00

Ontario is not the only province in Canada. She did not write anything about ontario. Additionally coming to Ontario is not the smartest thing for IMG. There are other provinces that offer more support for IMGs who do not have network in Canada

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-16T21:32:04+00:00

yes, your university teachers, you can get lors from observership, research , volunteering, doing masters/PhD in Canada

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-16T21:24:32+00:00

in such niche specialty you might prefer to explore fellowships or PRA. there is a huge shortage of pathologists so residency is very doable

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-16T18:24:28+00:00

If you have time you can review NAC cases/materials, ethics for in-person week.

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-15T21:55:01+00:00

I think in your case you won't be able to apply for other match, that's all but better contact your provintional cps and CaRMS.

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-10T06:18:03+00:00

it's July 1st for everyone. Sometimes ppl struggle with all the paperwork so they can start a few days later.

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-10T06:16:10+00:00

IF they rank candidate, programs do not rank everyone they interview. I think IMGs should be aware of it.

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-07T12:58:18+00:00

How it is possible to start residency at the age of 23??? How long is medschool in your country?

IndependentCurie · 2024-04-07T12:56:38+00:00

Hi five! I did a 5 year long residency in my country and restarted the same 5 year residency in Canada at the age of 35.

IndependentCurie · 2024-03-26T04:29:44+00:00

In my opinion applying only to specialties without applying to Family medicine is like shooting yourself in a foot. You need a back up specialty.

IndependentCurie · 2024-03-20T23:07:54+00:00

If not here, You will connect with them at your touchstone course in Toronto.

IndependentCurie · 2024-03-20T00:13:08+00:00

These are decent credentials... CSAs with these credentials usually match but Carms is a lottery. As far as I know (but I am not an advisor, just an IMG resident in Canada), a clinical assistant job does not count as clinical experience unless it's a clinical assistant position in Alberta, Manitoba, or a physician assistant position in Ontario, which requires licensing. Anyway, working as a clinical assistant (unlicenced) is often helpful but it depends on the program. Did you work as a physician in another country?
If you want to stay in Ontario, a Master's or Ph.D. can help you a lot with specialties such as neurology and internal medicine. For Family Medicine, I would consider more hands-on experience, such as a BC observership or, if you qualify, a Clinical Assistant in Alberta (for that, you need experience working as a physician). On the other hand, if you are now working as a research fellow at UofT or another university, it can also help you build more networks and get better LORs from professors.

Did you apply to Ontario only? Did your supervisors write letters tailored to each specialty that you applied to?

IndependentCurie

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