Match Support

CFMS Resources:

• Matchbook (2025: EN, FR): CFMS’s annual student-focused guide to the CaRMS R-1 match, including key milestones and timelines, practicalstrategy and electives planning considerations, interview/ranking considerations, costs, wellness supports, and a dedicated section on the unmatched scenario and next steps.
• MatchStats (2019): Student-made companion to CaRMS public data that summarizes discipline-level match and electives patterns (e.g., competitiveness and elective alignment) in a more interpretable format. Updated version with data from 2020 onwards to come!
• Match Mentorship Program: A CFMS mentorship initiative that connects medical students preparing for CaRMS with resident mentors in specialties of interest for practical guidance on career exploration and early match planning. Applications typically open each fall (around September). Watch CFMS social media for the call for mentees/mentors, or email education@cfms.org if you’re unsure how to get connected.

CaRMS Resources:

• Data & Reports: Official CaRMS hub for annual match reports, long-term national match statistics, and interactive datasets across match streams.
• CMG Interview Experiences (2010-2022): Multi-year CaRMS post-match survey data on interview attendance, costs (including financial barriers), and scheduling conflicts.
• CMG Career Planning (2010-2022): Multi-year CaRMS post-match survey data on career decision making, including influences on discipline, elective, program location, and career planning choices.
• Influences on Discipline and Program Location Choice (2010-2022): Heatmaps summarizing factors that applicants report influencing discipline choice and program/location choice over time.
• Interview Offer Data (2020 onwards): Aggregate data on interview offers extended by programs in the R-1 match.

AFMC Resources:

• CANPREPP: An AFMC-maintained site allowing applicants to Canadian residency programs to discover, experience, and connect with residency programs across Canada.
• Certified English and/or French Translators for Medical Students: An AFMC-sourced directory of certified English and French translation providers intended for medical students who need official translations to meet residency application requirements.

CMA Resources:

• CaRMS Prep: A CMA resource hub that includes a multi-part “Preparing for the CaRMS R-1 match” playbook that provides practical guidance across the full CaRMS process.
• Canadian Physician Specialty Profiles: A national set of specialty-by-specialty profiles summarizing Canadian physicians’ practice patterns, including workload, income, and career satisfaction, alongside information on training requirements, physician supply, and demographics.

External Resources:

• uSask MD Student Personal Letter Guide: A concrete, example-oriented guide to writing residency personal letters, structured around what selection committees typically look for.

CFMS Resources:

• Interview Mentorship Program: CFMS mentorship initiative that connects medical students preparing for interviews with resident mentors in specialties of interest for practical guidance on interview preparation. Applications typically open each winter (around January). Watch CFMS social media for the call for mentees/mentors, or email education@cfms.org if you’re unsure how to get connected.
• Couples Match Rank Order List Tool (UNDER UPDATE): Helps couples generate and compare rank-order list combinations across specialties and locations to support a structured couples-ranking discussion.

AFMC Resources:

• Virtual Interview Handbook for the Applicant (2020): A comprehensive, practical handbook for applicants on succeeding in virtual residency interviews—covering setup/technology, minimizing disruptions, professionalism on camera, and ways to gather program information effectively in a virtual format.

CaRMS Resources:

• Interview Guidelines: Official CaRMS guidance on interview conduct, applicant rights/expectations, and how the interview process should be run.
• Algorithm FAQs: Strategy & Best Practices: FAQs on how the match algorithm works and recommended ranking strategies.

AAMC Resources:

• Residency & Fellowship Applicant Interview Preparation Guide: A comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the residency/fellowship interview process, walking through what to do before, during, and after interviews.
• Questions Frequently Asked of Applicants During Inteviews: A practical list of common residency interview questions to assist in preparation.
• Insights From Residents on What to Ask During Residency Interviews: A resident-informed list of questions applicants can ask programs to uncover the things that aren’t always obvious from program websites.

External Resources:

• uOttawa – CaRMS Mock Interview Guide (2017)
• UofT – OHPSA CaRMS Interview Guide (2021)
• uAlberta – Sample Interview Questions
• uAlberta – Residency Program Evaluation Guide

CFMS Resources:

• Unmatched Graduate Mentorship Program: One-to-one mentorship pairing for unmatched students with mentors who have previously gone unmatched. This program is run confidentially by the Director of Education (education@cfms.org) and the Associate Education (associateeducation@cfms.org) each year. If you are a previously unmatched graduate who would like to support students as a mentor, please fill out this form. If you are a student who would like to be paired with a mentor, please fill out this form.
• Unmatched Support Session (hosted by CFMS Student Affairs): CFMS is hosting a confidential Unmatched Support Session for learners who went unmatched and are looking for space to debrief, ask questions, and learn about concrete supports available to them. This session will offer a supportive, non-judgmental space to process the unmatched experience, share CFMS financial supports available to unmatched learners and how to apply, highlight CFMS mentorship opportunities and how to get connected, and provide time for questions, including from those who prefer to just listen. Confidentiality is central to this space. The session will not be recorded, cameras and microphones are optional, and participants are asked not to share others’ names or stories outside the sessionS Resources:.
• 2026 Session Details:
• Date & time: Friday, March 6, 7:00–8:00 pm EST
• Format: Drop-in Zoom session (join for all or part of the hour)
• Facilitator: Dr. Victoria Turnbull, PGY4 Urology
• Where: Zoom (https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/6226291522 )
• Register here: https://forms.gle/WCPTfo6yoptRwDyZ8
• CaRMS Second Iteration Match Grant: CFMS offers eligible unmatched members a $150 reimbursement to help offset costs of applying to the second iteration of the R-1 match. The latest form can be found here. For questions, contact administrative@cfms.org.
• Transition to Residency Guide (2021: EN, FR): Practical resources for graduating students on finances, moving/relocation planning, and early residency logistics.

Financial Resources:

• MD Finanacial’s onboardMD: Articles, checklists, and calculators to support students in managing and planning their finances through each step of their medical school journey, including the transition to residency.

Wellness Resources:

• CMA Physician Wellness Hub: A centralized CMA landing page that curates practical mental health and wellbeing resources for medical learners, residents, and physicians.