I am applying for EM residency, but IM is my backup. The problem here is that a few of the programs I am applying to require a prelim year. So do programs allow applying to both or does that just look horrible. Does anyone know?

Thanks

I am applying for EM residency, but IM is my backup. The problem here is that a few of the programs I am applying to require a prelim year. So do programs allow applying to both or does that just look horrible. Does anyone know?

Thanks

Your question is a bit unclear.

There is no problem applying for prelim IM programs while applying for PGY-2 EM programs. IM Prelims will not care that you are going into EM (just like we don't care if you are going into Derm/Opthal/Anesthesia/etc)

If you are asking if you can apply for both a categorical IM spot (in case you don't get an EM spot) and a prelim IM spot (in case you get a PGY-2 EM spot) at the same program, that's a bit of a problem. It clearly demonstrates that IM is not your first choice. Probably best to apply to categorical IM's and prelim IM's in different programs.

If that's not what you were asking, you'll need to be more specific.

That's exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks.