What is my status at Canadian medical schools as a Canadian citizen living in a different country?

[guardian01]

To begin, I am a pre-medical student in the United State studying mathematics. I was raised in Canada, and lived there until I was about 14/15 when I moved southwards. I lived in Alberta for all that time but was born in Vancouver.

I know it would make far more sense to apply to American schools, and to be sure I will be applying to many American medical schools, I still plan to apply to some Canadian ones such as UofA Calgary UT UO and McMaster.

I'll be applying in the next year's cycle, so I had to ask: how would Canadian schools view me?

Would they see me as an intl applicant given that I went to school and live in America? I am guessing I cannot claim Alberta residency since I left years ago, so would there be any chance of admission at any schools in Canada?

TL;DR: canadian born citizen who is doing UG in the US asking how this affects any applications to Canadian med schools

[MDee2B]

Can’t speak for Alberta or BC but in Quebec the “residency” status is quite a bit broader than the name actually implies.

there are about a dozen criteria, of which only one criterium needs to be met, in order to be considered a Quebec “resident” and thus be considered an in-province applicant.

wxamples include:

- being born Quebec 

- your parents live in Quebec 

etc

 

this is irrespective of where you actually live, so you could be considered a Quebec “resident” and be actually living abroad, so long as one of the approved criteria is met. Again, not sure about the other provinces but I would imagine they’re not too dissimilar.

[indefatigable]

Quebec is actually somewhat unique in its residency criteria - e.g. being born in QC qualifies you automatically.  

Generally, the main criterion is where you grew up (high school)/lived without being a full-time university student for x number of years makes you a resident.

It's best to check the criteria directly, but I suspect AB and BC would be out.   

UofT/UofO and Queen's don't have any IP preference.  Mac does for interviews, but given competitiveness of ON pool not sure it makes a difference.  Western gives an effective boost to SWOMEN applicants and NOSM only really accepts people who grew up in Northern Ontario or very rural areas.    

 

[guardian01]

4 hours ago, MDee2B said:

Can’t speak for Alberta or BC but in Quebec the “residency” status is quite a bit broader than the name actually implies.

there are about a dozen criteria, of which only one criterium needs to be met, in order to be considered a Quebec “resident” and thus be considered an in-province applicant.

wxamples include:

- being born Quebec 

- your parents live in Quebec 

etc

 

this is irrespective of where you actually live, so you could be considered a Quebec “resident” and be actually living abroad, so long as one of the approved criteria is met. Again, not sure about the other provinces but I would imagine they’re not too dissimilar.

Ohh, I see what you mean. I did a quick visit to UofA's residency requirements and it actually does say so long as I lived a year in Alberta prior to post secondary I am considered an Albertan when applying!

 

I lived in Ottawa as a very young kid, and was born in BC, so regardless of residency I will be sure to apply to all these schools. Thank you so much.