Interview Invite Criteria

[unmatched2022]

I received a fair number of interviews this year, but didn't get many in certain regions where I had minimal connection. However, I'm wondering if there are typical/usual criteria for CaRMS applicants. I understand that these are the common ones:

• references
• research
• MSPR (screening out red flags)
• Extracurriculars?

For the extracurriculars, do programs use rubrics based around the CanMEDS roles? For the schools where I didn't receive interviews, would the best thing to do be to connect with individuals at those faculties, or to instead ensure that I score highly on CanMEDS criteria? I feel that my extracurriculars were the weakest part of my application, and research the strongest.

[indefatigable]

1 hour ago, unmatched2022 said:

I received a fair number of interviews this year, but didn't get many in certain regions where I had minimal connection. However, I'm wondering if there are typical/usual criteria for CaRMS applicants. I understand that these are the common ones:

• references
• research
• MSPR (screening out red flags)
• Extracurriculars?

For the extracurriculars, do programs use rubrics based around the CanMEDS roles? For the schools where I didn't receive interviews, would the best thing to do be to connect with individuals at those faculties, or to instead ensure that I score highly on CanMEDS criteria? I feel that my extracurriculars were the weakest part of my application, and research the strongest.

In hyper-competitive specialties getting a lot of interviews is rare - most people match with only a handful (audition away electives used to be the way to get more).  

That said, I think both reaching out and improving your CV could be helpful.  

I suspect different programs have different criteria with subjective weighing based on familiarity with letter writers, school, etc..