Should I list a preliminary program or two at the end of my primary ROL in case I don't match anywhere else ?

This has come up in a few previous threads. Essentially, yes you should. That way you can scramble for anesthesia spots that are unfilled. One argument against is that categorical programs would then be out but given that there are fewer of those and they tend to be more desirable, it's unlikely those will be available anyway.

Best of luck and hopefully this is a non-issue for you :) .

This has come up in a few previous threads. Essentially, yes you should. That way you can scramble for anesthesia spots that are unfilled. One argument against is that categorical programs would then be out but given that there are fewer of those and they tend to be more desirable, it's unlikely those will be available anyway.

Best of luck and hopefully this is a non-issue for you :) .

Is it not possible to scramble for a prelim AND an advanced anesthesia position? Or can you only scramble into one program?

If you match advanced, you can only scramble for prelim. If you match prelim, you can only scramble advanced (not categorical). If you match neither, you can scramble for any (advanced, advanced + prelim, prelim, categorical).

so what's the point of ranking these prelims at the end of the primary ROL? Not ranking em seems to leave the most options open as far as scrambling for anesthesia programs. And there are tons of prelim programs (including lots of good ones) unfilled each year, or at least there were for the past 2 years.

so what's the point of ranking these prelims at the end of the primary ROL? Not ranking em seems to leave the most options open as far as scrambling for anesthesia programs. And there are tons of prelim programs (including lots of good ones) unfilled each year, or at least there were for the past 2 years.

some would say you would have better luck getting into a pgy-2 spot if you start an intern year than you would going through the scramble for a pgy-1 spot.

some would say you would have better luck getting into a pgy-2 spot if you start an intern year than you would going through the scramble for a pgy-1 spot.

You mean like reapplying next year? Or is it easier to scramble into advanced anesthesia with a prelim you've already matched to?

(not that i'm thinking i'm gonna have to scramble. . .just trying to decide whether i should rank these prelims at the end)

The point is that some people are scared about not matching in either anesthesia or prelim positions. I agree, :confused: in some way matching prelim reduces your odds for scramble positions. But this is more a personal decision that anything else.

another angle. someone brought this up at lunch today. we usually have a "no ROL talk" rule (as well as a "no f*cking third years) rule. but someone slipped.

if you rank a medicine prelim year as #15 as your "safety" if you don't match into gas, and want that prelim year as a back up to keep you prepared until next year (or a switch into IM), then what message do you receive on Monday prior to the Match if you get #15, your prelim year, as your only match.

it is my understanding that you will receive the "congrats you matched!" email as opposed to the "congrats, you matched into an advanced position, but still need to scramble your ass for a prelim spot" type of email. meaning you smile like a dummy and when thursday hits you open your envelope, see you got only a prelim year, and are too late to scramble into an open gas program.

or do they somehow tip you off to the situation? it's not like you matched a supplemental spot if it is on your main rank list.





you can see why we ban this sh-t when we get together for lunch.

How does the scramble process work anyway? Would I be wasting precious time if I have to scramble for a prelim before attempting the anesthesia scramble (hypothetically)? Do I need to run from, like the medicine department's office to the anesthesia dept's office at school to accomplish both?

duplicate

another angle. someone brought this up at lunch today. we usually have a "no ROL talk" rule (as well as a "no f*cking third years) rule. but someone slipped.

if you rank a medicine prelim year as #15 as your "safety" if you don't match into gas, and want that prelim year as a back up to keep you prepared until next year (or a switch into IM), then what message do you receive on Monday prior to the Match if you get #15, your prelim year, as your only match.

it is my understanding that you will receive the "congrats you matched!" email as opposed to the "congrats, you matched into an advanced position, but still need to scramble your ass for a prelim spot" type of email. meaning you smile like a dummy and when thursday hits you open your envelope, see you got only a prelim year, and are too late to scramble into an open gas program.

or do they somehow tip you off to the situation? it's not like you matched a supplemental spot if it is on your main rank list.


True. Very good point. I'm taking those prelims off right now!

another angle. someone brought this up at lunch today. we usually have a "no ROL talk" rule (as well as a "no f*cking third years) rule. but someone slipped.

if you rank a medicine prelim year as #15 as your "safety" if you don't match into gas, and want that prelim year as a back up to keep you prepared until next year (or a switch into IM), then what message do you receive on Monday prior to the Match if you get #15, your prelim year, as your only match.

it is my understanding that you will receive the "congrats you matched!" email as opposed to the "congrats, you matched into an advanced position, but still need to scramble your ass for a prelim spot" type of email. meaning you smile like a dummy and when thursday hits you open your envelope, see you got only a prelim year, and are too late to scramble into an open gas program.

or do they somehow tip you off to the situation? it's not like you matched a supplemental spot if it is on your main rank list.

.

As I've heard it - the email lets you know if you need to scramble for either pgy1 or pgy2-4 - never heard of anyone going into match day unaware they didnt match