If you're ranking an advanced program (A) with supplemental prelim and a categorical one (B). My question is if you rank the advanced program (A) number one and the categorical (B) number two, and they both rank you very high and you don't get a preliminary spot in the match. Will you get matched to the advanced one which is higher in your list even though you didn't get a preliminary? Or Will the system fully match you to the categorical program (B)?

If you're ranking an advanced program (A) with supplemental prelim and a categorical one (B). My question is if you rank the advanced program (A) number one and the categorical (B) number two, and they both rank you very high and you don't get a preliminary spot in the match. Will you get matched to the advanced one which is higher in your list even though you didn't get a preliminary? Or Will the system fully match you to the categorical program (B)?

Your primary match list is not in any way influenced by your supplemental list. So if you rank Advanced higher than Cat and the algorithm matches you to the Advanced program, that's where you're going, regardless of the availability of a prelim spot for you.

Your primary match list is not in any way influenced by your supplemental list. So if you rank Advanced higher than Cat and the algorithm matches you to the Advanced program, that's where you're going, regardless of the availability of a prelim spot for you.
So basically I'd rather rank categorical first even if they're not my first choices because if I don't get a prelim I won't get a position at all?

So basically I'd rather rank categorical first even if they're not my first choices because if I don't get a prelim I won't get a position at all?

If you don't get a prelim spot you can scramble for one (there will always be prelim surg spots if it comes down to that.) You would still have your advanced spot.

If you don't get a prelim spot you can scramble for one (there will always be prelim surg spots if it comes down to that.) You would still have your advanced spot.
I'm going for Neurology so I need IM prelim or Transitional which are pretty competitive, do you think those would be easy to get through SOAP? Or would I rather just rank categorical first even if they are not my first choice?
Thanks.

I'm going for Neurology so I need IM prelim or Transitional which are pretty competitive, do you think those would be easy to get through SOAP? Or would I rather just rank categorical first even if they are not my first choice?
Thanks.

It kind of depends on what your prelim chances are like. If you've got 10 prelim/TYs to put on your list, I wouldn't sweat it. If you have 2, that's a different story. It also depends on how much more/less you like the two programs. If the advanced program is the greatest thing since sliced bread and the cat program is pretty f-bombin' awesome, just not the best thing since sliced bread, then you're making a bigger deal of it than it needs to be. OTOH, if the cat program will do in a pinch but is somewhere you'd really rather not be, then again...different story.

Finally, if you are really concerned about your prelim chances, now would be an excellent time to have a chat with your friendly neighborhood Dean/Dept. Chair to discuss the chances of getting a prelim IM spot at your home program if things don't work out for you.

If you're an IMG, then you're kind of hosed in that respect.