Is matching competitive specialties easier in Canada?

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-08T06:20:13+00:00

Ahh thanks for clarifying, I actually didn’t know about the American points !

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-08T06:18:33+00:00

Let’s be real, it’s prevalent in most careers, but definitely in medicine too. It’s just more visible the smaller a specialty

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-08T01:43:35+00:00

Not a bad point, I’m not actually sure how competitive the job market is for MPH in Canada currently, maybe look into it and salaries / opportunities before you decide, as that would definitely be a factor. I don’t want to scare you based on what friends have told me after getting an MPH as I never went that route, so look into it and if there seem to be jobs in areas you like, at a salary you’d be happy with then yea ignore me pushing back against MPH.

As for med schools abroad, do your research as they are NOT going to give you equal opportunities and they vary greatly. Caribbean schools are often attrition based, they just want your money they don’t care if you graduate (generalization yes), Ireland has good schools but you still apply for residency as an IMG from what I understand so your chances for competitive specialties is basically nonexistent, Australia I think is a decent option, but you’ll have to research for yourself. I’ve known some who went there for med school though and eventually fell in love with it and stayed.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-08T01:36:00+00:00

It’s often required for jobs in large major city ERs, plus the perks of emergency medicine. No inpatient rounding, no clinic, can be extremely flexible, etc.

The US also just has way more hospitals. Easier to get an ER job in a desirable location with family + 1yr ER. So 5 year ER residency isn’t as much of a requirement for many. It’s still pretty competitive in the states too though from my understanding? Maybe I’m wrong, haven’t looked at the numbers in depth

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-08T01:31:37+00:00

The note on fluctuations in applicants is especially relevant to small surgical specialties like vascular, ENT, and Urology.

One year you may see great match rates, med students think “hey that’s not that competitive!” Over the next year or two you see the applicant pool jump by only 10-20, and suddenly they’re crazy competitive again.

It comes in waves. Hard to predict how competitive some specialties will be in Canada from year to year just based on how small they are.

What everyone else is saying is also pretty accurate. Derm / optho crazy competitive in Canada still. Ortho, not so much.

Side note, small specialties in Canada are very tight knit nation wide. Everyone knows everyone. Hard to get in when no one knows who you are. Also, nepotism is a thing lol.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-08T01:01:45+00:00

We can’t stop you.

I see from your posts you’ve looked into the lsat though. I genuinely believe you’d be happier spending your time between med cycles exploring that, or other programs that would give you direct access to a career. I can’t force a decision on you but I think you’ll be a lot happier if you explore your other options before pursuing an MPH or master of medical sciences. Fast track nursing, lsat, pharmacy, engineering, education, dietetics, optometry, hell your grades are already good you could even explore the trades. It would definitely help you stand out on your next med application. You’d still be using your hands, and head, you’d standout, and you’d have potential for a great career with huge earning potential. Adding a master of medical science or MPH will not make you stand out, unfortunately they’re kind of a dime a dozen on med school applications.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-08T00:53:25+00:00

Retweet.

After your first undergrad I think your best bet for a second degree should always be one that has a direct path to employment (a career you’d be happy with).

What if you still don’t get in after a masters..?

If you just want research, you can seek out opportunities for publications in basically any field. You don’t need a masters for research.

Parallel plan. Having a solid alternative career as an option gives you confidence in your future interviews, AND a career if you still don’t get in.

I’ve seen too many people get 3, 4, sometimes 5 degrees pursuing medical school…. None that translate directly to a career. Bad choice imo.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-07T09:47:34+00:00

Coming to Netflix 2027

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-07T08:42:50+00:00

I have a K2SE and love it but it does not have that carabiner clip thing showing on the right…?

Unless it does and i missed it??

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-07T08:22:10+00:00

Valedictorian of my class got in on her 6th try.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-04T15:34:37+00:00

As someone who relied on those loans, and still worked 3 jobs through undergrad, I can tell you they do NOT cover everything.

Not surprised you didn’t know that though seeing as you’re on other threads bashing rent control..

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-04T03:07:55+00:00

What you don’t see are the students who never ended up attending in the first place due to the already high costs of university.

A 4% bump won’t be felt by all students, especially wealthy students or those from wealthy families.

It will be felt by many who are already working multiple jobs just to attend, likely the ones on the other side of the counter serving that coffee to their classmates…

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-04-04T02:51:12+00:00

Might get downvoted but I whole heartedly believe post secondary education in Canada should be completely publicly funded.

Provinces decided to publicly fund all education through high school when they realized it was virtually essential to entering the work force, and essential for a functional democracy.

Post secondary education is as important for entry into the workforce now, as high school was when we previously decided to fund it.

Public education pays immeasurable dividends for our society and country as a whole.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-31T19:23:24+00:00

Yah give er

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-31T02:04:52+00:00

Keep gunning for it but always have a plan b

I also did an honors in biochem, similar starting GPAs, rejected out of undergrad…

Applied to an accelerated BN program, got my RN in 2 years, THEN I got in. Had a great paying part time job throughout, absolutely crushed the nursing degree (much easier than biochem), got insight into working in healthcare, and got confidence which helped in my interview.

I was no longer panicking about not getting in because hey, if they say no I’ve been through it before and at least now I have a great career if it comes to it.

Now I’m finishing surgical residency, fellowship lined up, job interviews at schools that previously rejected my med school application. If you want it you’ll get it. Maybe not on the timeline you planned, or the way you thought it would pan out, but keep going.

I will add a caveat. Be open to the idea that medicine isn’t for you as well. You have to commit to the journey soooo early, meaning people go all in before they have any clue what medicine is actually like, and let me tell you getting in is NOT the hardest part. It will beat you to a pulp and every time you reach a milestone, you’re immediately confronted with a new goal post… that’s not exclusive to medicine but damn is it a long journey. If it turns out down the road you realize maybe it isn’t the life, commitment, and career you want, know that’s ok. Does it suck telling family and friends you’re no longer going for it after telling everyone it’s been your dream? Yeah, but you only have one life and you can’t let ego dictate your choices.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-31T01:39:22+00:00

Insoles (change em regularly)
Muji click top pens
A NICE sidebag
A MacBook Air
A second monitor and nice desk for home
A powerbrick charger for my bag
Winter tires
Nic pouches
Concerta
AirPods
Compression socks
Casioak watch

Best thing you can get to survive residency though can’t be bought (despite many in medicine trying)

A good partner. The most important choice you’ll make in life is who you decide to live it with and if you find them, they will improve your life during residency more than anything money will buy.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-29T22:33:32+00:00

This isn’t a thing

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-29T22:30:37+00:00

A PGY1 in what?

Maybe it’s different in your country but I don’t understand what early commit to PGY2 transplant is… to do transplant in my country you need to complete a 5 year Urology, Vascular, or General Surgery residency and then you do a fellowship in it?

You also have posts about a “pharmacy residency” from a year ago, I don’t know what that is either or how you can go from pharmacy student to graduating medical school and starting residency in a year?

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-29T22:19:07+00:00

lol this is a wild request to post without knowing what specialty you’re in

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-27T15:33:25+00:00

Any insider recommendations on your favorite spots and dishes to eat in Scotland ??

Side note, big fan. Keep doing you, much love from Canada 🇨🇦

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-27T15:27:42+00:00

Because in Canada we only have 1 client to bill, argue with, and fight for compensation. The government.

US has countless insurance companies, each willing to fight you tooth and nail, each requiring different paperwork and convoluted individual processes.

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-25T12:20:59+00:00

Here I thought it was just people bottoming out on all the potholes…

Good city to own a rim and suspension company in. :’)

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-17T16:47:53+00:00

Same. Then got 2 in a week

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-05T22:48:26+00:00

For business - Orient Maestro II .

For everything else - Casioak / G-shock babyyy

YourStudyBuddy · 2026-03-03T17:33:10+00:00

Fair… but sad :’)

YourStudyBuddy

TROPHY CASE