this is probably a stupid question, but if you apply for a prelim IM program, does that mean you will go back into the ERAS match a year later to match somewhere for the other 3 years?

Not necessarily. Most people applying for prelim medicine are also applying for an "advanced" match -- one starting in the PGY-2. So, if you're interested in Derm, Rads, Neuro, etc, you apply to both Prelim IM and Rads/Derm/Neuro programs. You then rank all of the possible combinations, and hopefully match into both.

Should you only match into a prelim, then yes you would apply via ERAS/NRMP the next year for another spot IF you wanted to try for Derm/Rads/Neuro again. If you're interested in continuing in IM, then you look for a PGY-2 spot which is outside the match. There is no centralized list of PGY-2 openings -- it's all hard work and connections to find one. Sometimes your Prelim program can keep you in a categorical spot, but not always.

Not necessarily. Most people applying for prelim medicine are also applying for an "advanced" match -- one starting in the PGY-2. So, if you're interested in Derm, Rads, Neuro, etc, you apply to both Prelim IM and Rads/Derm/Neuro programs. You then rank all of the possible combinations, and hopefully match into both.

Should you only match into a prelim, then yes you would apply via ERAS/NRMP the next year for another spot IF you wanted to try for Derm/Rads/Neuro again. If you're interested in continuing in IM, then you look for a PGY-2 spot which is outside the match. There is no centralized list of PGY-2 openings -- it's all hard work and connections to find one. Sometimes your Prelim program can keep you in a categorical spot, but not always.

This last year I could have sworn I saw more than a few programs offering 2nd years spots through ERAS when applying this last year?

This last year I could have sworn I saw more than a few programs offering 2nd years spots through ERAS when applying this last year?

Rads, Derm, Neuro, etc will all be PGY-2 spots.

I'm not sure what students see when they access ERAS, as I only see the PD end of things. ERAS never asks me if I have any PGY-2 openings.

Rads, Derm, Neuro, etc will all be PGY-2 spots.

I'm not sure what students see when they access ERAS, as I only see the PD end of things. ERAS never asks me if I have any PGY-2 openings.

no, no, no, I mean at a few places you could apply for PGY2 IM . . . I could be wrong, but I would almost swear I'm right on this one . . .

I assume these spots where for PGY1s using ERAS to find a categorical spot for the next academic year.