International Medical Graduates
Applicants who apply to any of the six Ontario Family Medicine programs (McMaster University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, and Western University) will be evaluated by a joint panel. The panel will assess each candidate’s application and grant a single interview to the successful candidate regardless of the number of Ontario Family Medicine programs that he/she applies to. The panel will provide the final evaluation results of a candidate to the individual Family Medicine program who will then generate a final rank list.
Important Notes
Please note that applications received after November 21 at 11:59pm will not be considered.
Supporting documents excluding letters of reference that arrive after November 21 at 11:59pm will not be considered.
Letters of reference that arrive after November 28 at 11:59pm will not be considered.
You will be able to add sites/streams to your application up until Sunday, January 21 at 11:59pm.
Please refer to the CaRMS website for provincial eligibility information under “CaRMS Ontario Provincial Criteria”. It is important to review the requirements carefully. Details include eligibility, pre-residency orientation program (PRP) and assessment verification period (AVP). The PRP1 is completed at Touchstone Institute on site in Toronto. This phase comprises the PRP core program as well as approximately two additional weeks of education. The curriculum consists of classroom session Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as well as on-line modules. The PRP2 and AVP are completed at the site to which you are matched.
All IMG’s must have their documents verified through physiciansapply.ca. This process can take several months to complete. Individuals are advised to visit physiciansapply.ca at the point of application.
The six Family Medicine residency programs prefer applicants who have full-time clinical experience (clinical clerkship during medical school or residency or independent practice) within the past three years. Observership is NOT considered clinical experience. Participation in a residency training program in Family Medicine or in clinical practice in Family Medicine or its equivalent within the past three years will be favoured in our ranking.
All international medical graduates will be required to sign an IMG Training Agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care that requires the IMG to return service for a period of five years upon completion of their training in their area of specialty (including Family Medicine). The ROS can be fulfilled anywhere in Ontario with the exception of the City of Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area including the City of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham and Pickering.
IMG’s with pre-exiting ROS obligations must disclose these obligations at the time of application. IMG’s that have active ROS obligations may not be eligible for Ontario-funded training positions. Such individuals may wish to contact the Ministry for further information.
The ROS commitment to Ontario must commence within the timeframe set out in the individual’s IMG Training Agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The location where the IMG returns service must be approved by the Ministry as per the terms of their IMG Training agreement.
Reference letters Three (only) reference letters dated 2016 or 2017. Undated reference letters will not be accepted. At least one should be from a Family Physician. Please ask referees to provide us with an assessment of your medical knowledge and clinical skills, interpersonal skills, ability to engage and communicate effectively with patients, attitudes toward learning and commitment to Family Medicine. Citizenship Document must be notarized or certified and can include ONE of the following: - Canadian birth certificate or act of birth
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
- Confirmation of permanent resident in Canada
- Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
- Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
- Record of Landing, clearly showing the date of landing in Canada
- Proof of citizenship or permanent resident status must be provided by the rank order list deadline. No other forms of verification are acceptable.
Language Proficiency Submit one of the following documents to verify your language proficiency: - Examen de l’OQLF
- IELTS
- Letter of language proficiency
- TOEFL – IBT
Candidates for whom their primary and secondary or medical school education was conducted in English or French, the Ontario medical schools will accept the Language Proficiency Attestations as follows:
- Primary and secondary education: Mailed directly from the Senior Academic Administrators of both schools to the program confirming that all of the candidate’s primary and secondary education was conducted completely in English or French
- Medical School: Mailed directly from the Dean of the candidate’s medical school confirming that the language of instruction and patient care was conducted completely in English or French
OR
International Medical Education Director (IMED) Language Option – if the institution and the language of patient care at the undergraduate medical school was conducted completely in English or French, then a candidate can submit to the program a copy or printout of the IMED-FAIMER International Medical Education Directory website listing the medical school which clearly states that the language of instructions is English or French.
Be advised that as of October 1, 2016, the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada and the Medical Council of Canada will transition to using the World Directory of Medical Schools (World Directory).
Custom Resume or CV Level of responsibility (observer, student, resident, other trainee status, independent practice, etc.) should be specified for each clinical experience listed. Photo These are unmasked after the file review period and are used as a memory aid only. Medical Student Performance Record Order from your Dean’s office Medical School Transcript Medical school transcripts that are sent directly from the applicant’s University (Registrar) to CaRMS do not need to be notarized/certified. However, medical transcripts sent by the applicant will need to be notarized/certified. Personal Letter A letter, with a maximum of 500 words, should describe how your background and experiences have a led to an interest and commitment to a career in Family Medicine and your understanding of the role of the family physician in the Canadian health care system. Letters exceeding the 500 word limit will not be reviewed. MCCEE – Statement of results IMG’s must have written and passed the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE). MCCEE results must be provided by the File Review Date. MCCEE – Supplement Feedback Report. Required. NAC examination – statement of results The National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Objective Structured Examination (OSCE) is mandatory for all IMG’s. The results are required by the file review opening date. For more information, go to the National Assessment Collaboration | Medical Council of Canada website. NAC examination – supplemental feedback report A passing score of NAC is required to apply. In the first iteration
Some applicants will be invited for a joint Ontario Family Medicine residency program interview to be held on Friday, January 12.
The six Ontario schools usually receive over 1300 applications and can only offer interviews to a maximum of 300 applicants. Applicants with either MCCEE scores of 324 or lower or NAC scores of 74 or lower or both will not be granted an interview. Approximately 300 of the top candidates who score above these thresholds will be invited for an interview. The selection group is based on a combination of the applicant’s NAC and MCCEE scores. Applicants who are not interviewed will not be ranked by the programs.
In the second iteration
This site will be updated after Match Day on March 1, 2018
In the First Iteration
To avoid unnecessary travel and time off from work, you only need to attend a single Ontario joint interview. The six Ontario Family Medicine programs will conduct a standardized interview at six locations (Hamilton – David Braley Health Sciences Centre, 100 Main Street West, Kingston, London, Ottawa, Thunder Bay and Toronto). Only the Ottawa location will provide interviews in both English and French.
You will be asked to provide us with three preferred interview locations. Applications will only be assigned to Sudbury if it is their first choice. The choice of interview location will not affect eh applicant’s ranking.
Applicants will be asked to provide photographic identification at the time of the interview.
Each Program Director will use your joint interview score to decide on your ranking independently.
In the Second Iteration
This site will be updated after Match Day, March 1, 2018
