Canadian and American
Electives
Trinity College Dublin
October 2010
Introduction
Who can apply?
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Open to all students (you don’t have to be from Canada or the
US to apply!)
Where can I apply?
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Most Canadian universities take IMGs for electives
Many opportunities open to IMGs in the US
Why should I do an elective in Canada or the US?
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Great clinical hands-on experience
Important if you plan to complete a residency in Canada or the
US
Opportunity to make contacts and obtain North American
references (you may also want to try and meet Program
Directors)
Applying for a North American Elective
When should I apply?
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Apply early!!!! (up to a year in advance for some)
Extremely competitive as the number of students studying
abroad and requesting electives has substantially increased
Research university websites well in advance to familiarize
yourself with application dates, required documentation and
program availability
What universities and programs should I apply to?
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Apply to do electives in programs and at schools at which
you wish to obtain a residency position
Apply to multiple universities for electives because there is
NO guarantee you will be granted an elective
If you will be applying to both Canada and the US for
residency then it is best to complete electives in both Canada
and the US
Applying for a Canadian Elective
Which universities take IMGs for electives?
 Ontario (McMaster, Western, Ottawa,
Northern Ontario, University of Toronto)
 Universities of British Columbia,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba
 Memorial University (Newfoundland) and
Dalhousie (Nova Scotia)
Applying for a Canadian Elective
Special considerations at Canadian universities:
 Must be going into final med (summer after 4th
year) to apply to elective programs EXCEPT at
Western, Northern Ontario and Memorial which
take students after 3rd med
 University of Toronto only takes students in final
med from January to June (this excludes us from
doing electives here)
 McMaster only takes two students per school per
year
Applying for a Canadian Elective
What will it cost me to do an elective?
 IMGs have to pay for electives (avg. $200-$600)
 Additional medical insurance required at McMaster
($1000-$1500)
 Keep in mind transportation and living expenses
What kind of documentation is required?
 Elective request form
 Medical school confirmation
 Immunization record
 CV/personal statement may be requested
Applying for an American Elective
Trinity offers an “exchange elective” with a few
American schools (Georgetown, Columbia,
Johns Hopkins, Pennsylvania) - Apply early
through the med office
 Huge amount of programs in the States so
research them early
 Highly variable in what each school requires to
carry out an elective (USMLE scores, IMG
status, etc)
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Applying for an American Elective
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Most American electives are free of charge
(excluding cost of travel, transportation, and
accommodation)
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Most programs in the US that you rotate with
will guarantee you an interview, so rotate where
you would want to go!
The North American Elective Experience
What will I gain clinically from this experience?
 Very hands-on!!!
 History-taking and physical examinations – you will see
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patients on your own and report back to preceptor (both
inpatients and outpatients)
Propose, discuss and execute management plans
Chart patient progress notes and dictate consults
Present at team rounds
Minor procedures (ex. immunizations/injections, suturing,
incision and drainage, cryotherapy)
Attend resident teaching sessions
The North American Elective Experience
What will I gain overall from this experience?
 Excellent teaching and you’re very much a part of the
team
 Insight into specific specialties and whether or not
they’re a good fit for you
 Insight into residency programs and location
 Opportunity to make good contacts and ask for
references!!!
Ask questions!
 Your
best resource is other students who have
completed electives at places and programs
you’re interested in
 Final meds have compiled a list of electives, their
experience and their contact information (Claire
Doran will distribute and please don’t hesitate to
ask us any questions at all)
 Contact us anytime:
Kelsey Fawcett at fawcettk@tcd.ie
Erin Hanley at hanleye@hotmail.com