The Match Book

THE MATCH BOOK – 2015
“The bulk of the personal statement is the same across the programs. The last paragraph is
where I talked about the reasons why I wanted to come to their program and how I felt I could
add strength to that program and how I felt the program could help me to reach my goals.”
Ophthalmology Resident, R1
“Any personal connections are nice. For the sites where I didn’t do an elective, I could say that
upon discussion with my friend, Dr. X, a previously graduated student from my school, he told
this and this and that. This reinforced the fact that you know someone there, you belong in that
program.”
Orthopaedics Resident, R1
Additional Electives after CaRMS Deadline
“I suggest doing the relevant electives before the deadline. But if you feel like you could do more
electives in your field of interests, or if you change your mind at the last minute, then of course it
is better to have more electives than none.”
Neurology Resident, R1
“Doing an elective in a location just before interviews could be very beneficial, as long as I was
not seeking any letter of references.”
Ophthalmology Resident, R1
“You can do additional electives for sure, but make sure that they are relevant to the
program/specialty you want and can justify why you did them.”
Internal Medicine Resident, R1
Interviews
Booking your Interviews
“Don't wait until the last minute to book your interviews­ almost all are first come first served.
Check the CaRMS website and program descriptions for their list of potential interview dates as
your invites come in to avoid conflicts when RSVP for interviews.”
McGill MSS SPCI CaRMS Guide, 2015
“I did not decline any interview offers. I accepted a lot of interviews in programs before the
interview that really mattered to me, as a way to practice. I dropped the interviews that were
after the important one, because they were low-yield.”
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, R-1
“Accept as many interview invitations as is financially possible for you as all the interview
practice you can get is useful, and some programs that you hadn’t seriously considered could
pleasantly surprise you.”
McGill MSS SPCI CaRMS Guide, 2015
Canadian Federation of Medical Students 33