CaRMS 101
From first-year students to graduate trainees to residents – it’s clear that the mind of a medical learner is always thinking, ‘what’s next?’ And almost immediately, that thought quickly translates to ‘what can I do to secure a match?’
Each year of your medical training offers important opportunities to learn, grow and build your CV. Below is a guideline of what needs to be done and when to make the most of your education and to keep you competitive when the time comes to find a residency match.
First Year
You’ve made it – you’re immersed in medical training and on your way to a wonderful career. Focus on exploration and involvement. Be aware of the resources available to you, and find your passions. You have two years of pre-clinical learning to discover your interests. Immerse yourself in extra-curricular activities and non-credit summer electives to gain clarity into what specialties you may be most interested in, and gain research, leadership and volunteer experience.
Things to do:
- Adjust your studying techniques to adapt to the nature of medical training and spend your first several weeks building your own time-management system.
- Explore the city and take advantage of the social gatherings planned for you by SST and student leadership.
- Access the Careers in Medicine site and explore career options using the CiM ID provided to you in the first term.
- Access the LEW wellness and career resources via Elentra. Look at sample CVs of recent graduates for examples of what you are trying to build during your time here.
- Take advantage of the lunch-time talks and wellness sessions provided on Research, Summer Opportunities, Finances and many other valuable topics.
- Reach out to the Learner & Equity Wellness Office to chat about careers.
- Explore different disciplines through Optional Clinical Learning Opportunities (OCLO).
- Get involved – be it student leadership, academic clubs and teams or volunteer opportunities that are important to you.
- Ask for help when you need it. A great first place to start is with the LEW Office, a confidential and safe space to share concerns and ask questions.
Second Year
Now is the time to focus on what you’ve found are your strongest interests. Continue to build your CV through extra-curricular activities and various learning opportunities.
At this stage, many students become quite concerned about how to choose electives. Please know that all this information will be provided to you as you transition into your clerkship. But, if you’d like to get familiar with what lies ahead, almost all of the information can be found on the Undergraduate Medical Education website under Year 4 Curriculum.
Things to do:
- Enter your selection for the clerkship lottery in a timely manner.
- Take PCCM seriously to help gain confidence in a clinical setting.
- Continue exploring careers by taking advantage of OCLO .
- If you’ve decided on a career path, book a meeting with the LEW Office to review the competitiveness of your CV and to discuss opportunities to enhance it.
- Understand the competition. The carms.ca website has lots of valuable data regarding the match. Take the time to explore the competitiveness of the specialties you are interested in.
Third Year
It’s finally time for hands-on learning in a clinical setting. It’s completely normal to feel both intimidated and excited as you begin your clerkship. Early in third year, you’ll be tasked with selecting electives in both the Schulich Medicine lottery and through the AFMC Portal.
But what about CaRMS? You will be informed about requirements and provided insight on each major part of the CaRMS application process, including your CV, statement letter and interview prep. By second term, a clerk should start thinking about polishing their CV and drafting well-written, passionate statement letters, so you aren’t worried about editing them while travelling on your electives tour.
Things to do:
- Pay attention to all communication from the Year 4 administration team.
- Engage in academic half-days, as lots of information regarding electives and CaRMS is shared at these sessions.
- Early on in the academic year, visit the AFMC Student Portal to explore each school’s site and become familiar with timelines and administrative requirements.
- Engage in the workshops provided to you and attend CaRMS elective advising sessions.
- Still confused about a specialty? Reach out to LEW and meet with physicians in your fields of interest.
- Know what is required of you administratively. Have your immunization information and all other documentation prepared well in advance.
Fourth Year
Welcome to a unique year split between a four-month long electives tour, your CaRMS submission and interviews, Integration and Transition courses and finally, Convocation. Much of the preparation for fourth year actually starts in clerkship. Now is the time to absorb as much knowledge as you can from each elective and to show up for work every day putting your best foot forward.
Things to do:
- Research each of your elective locations. Know how you are getting there, where you are staying and what your route to work will be.
- Continuously review your CaRMS documents, polishing and enhancing with each iteration.
- Document your clinical experiences in a journal to help prepare you for questions in the CaRMS interview.
- Take advantage of all opportunities, including the CaRMS documentation review, mock interview opportunity and various workshops.
- Learn how to appropriately and properly ask for a reference letter.
- Pay attention to deadlines, especially CaRMS. Make sure all necessary documentation and paperwork is prepared, received and ready for submission early on.
We hope this gives you a little insight of what to expect. For any questions you have regarding your career, academics or wellness, please know you can always start your journey at the LEW Office.
As we wind down another exciting first term, we wish you a very happy holiday season.
Stephanie Coccimiglio
Learner Equity & Wellness Coordinator – Windsor Campus
