How competitive is Dermatology in Quebec?

[FailureToThrive]

What is the typical profile of a candidate (CV, evaluations, letters, clerkships/electives, etc.)?

And since Sherbrooke doesn't actually have a dermatology residency, yet admits dermatology residents, can someone shed light on how that works and how it may increase/decrease competitiveness?

[indefatigable]

Without being a PD it's hard to know everything.  Typically derm in Québec has looked for: i) interview (most important - MMI common entrevue); ii) clinical performance including electives; iii) pre-clinical; and iv) motivation + LOR.  The CaRMS descriptions may give more info (and here).  Given that there is a language barrier, it's speculated that it's less competitive than ROC and also considering the greater number of programs vs graduates.  Ontario has more medical schools but fewer spots proportionally in derm for example.  

Typically Sherbrooke students are at a disadvantage since there are no electives offered either, with schools like UdeM giving priority to their own students for electives.  There's a new PD at Sherbrooke so things may change.     Basically, selected residents spend one year at UdeS then go to either UdeM or Laval.  Selection criteria differs at each university.  

[FailureToThrive]

16 minutes ago, marrakech said:

Without being a PD it's hard to know everything.  Typically derm in Québec has looked for: i) interview (most important - MMI common entrevue); ii) clinical performance including electives; iii) pre-clinical; and iv) motivation + LOR.  The CaRMS descriptions may give more info (and here).  Given that there is a language barrier, it's speculated that it's less competitive than ROC and also considering the greater number of programs vs graduates.  Ontario has more medical schools but fewer spots proportionally in derm for example.  

Typically Sherbrooke students are at a disadvantage since there are no electives offered either, with schools like UdeM giving priority to their own students for electives.  There's a new PD at Sherbrooke so things may change.     Basically, selected residents spend one year at UdeS then go to either UdeM or Laval.  Selection criteria differs at each university.  

Thanks for the information. The residents admitted to Sherbrooke will still be considered "CHUS residents" or will they become CHUM/CHUL residents after the first year?

Would you recommend doing all your electives in dermatology related specialties? (internal med, plastics, etc.)

I'm also interested in anesthesiology and neurology, however I fear that if my electives are spread between different specialties, it will look bad for every specialty and I'll risk going unmatched or matching to my last choice back-up.

At the same time, since I am very uncompetitive for dermatology (from cegep, no research, nothing significant on my CV), it would be too big of a risk to aim solely for dermatology.

What do you think?

[indefatigable]

37 minutes ago, médecine said:

Thanks for the information. The residents admitted to Sherbrooke will still be considered "CHUS residents" or will they become CHUM/CHUL residents after the first year?

Would you recommend doing all your electives in dermatology related specialties? (internal med, plastics, etc.)

I'm also interested in anesthesiology and neurology, however I fear that if my electives are spread between different specialties, it will look bad for every specialty and I'll risk going unmatched or matching to my last choice back-up.

At the same time, since I am very uncompetitive for dermatology (from cegep, no research, nothing significant on my CV), it would be too big of a risk to aim solely for dermatology.

What do you think?

My understanding is that selection in Québec is less dependent on derm experience or research as compared to ROC.  I've heard that people with a single elective have been admitted.  A variety of electives I think is more common (and sometimes encouraged) in Québec than elsewhere (where it could signal "less serious").  I'm not sure about the status of being a resident, but I'd imagine that if one's at UdeM or Laval, one would be considered a resident there.