application requirements to apply for transitional year/prelim?

[radiologylife]

Hey guys.... I am applying for radiology and had a few questions about transitional/prelim application requirements. I have already checked out several programs websites but my questions remain answered.

1) Do I need a separate personal statement for TY/Prelim positions or can i just use my radiology one? if I need a new one then what am I suppose to write about ?

2) what kind of letters of rec do I need to apply to TY/Prelim? I don't have any letter of recs from primary care doctors on my ERAS, do I need one? my LORs are from 2 radiologists and one neurologist for a total of 3....

thanks in advance !

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[gutonc]

Just want to point out that this post is ~3 months too late. If you haven't even started your prelim apps, you should probably save your money and plan for SOAPing into a GS prelim.

 

[radiologylife]

Is it really that late to apply for prelim by this weekend?

 

[MilkIsGood]

yes, most places have already started giving out interviews a month ago

 

[gutonc]

Is it really that late to apply for prelim by this weekend?

Yes. I mean, you've got nothing to lose but money (and ego) at this point but, seriously...what have you been doing?

 

[Xander Cruz]

My home institution's Medicine department has already received ~900 applications (Categorical and Prelim). The 200+ interview spots we have filled within 90 minutes. We're definitely still open for applications...but you'll be applicant #901.

 

[breakdancerj]

I don't think it's impossible to still match somewhere for prelim or even TY - it will definitely be more difficult but not impossible. And it doesn't cost that much to apply. 200 bucks and you can apply to 10 prelim and 10 TY programs. If I were in your situation I would look at places that don't seem to have extended invites yet (there is another thread that is updated often in this forum) and places that have a lot of spots and/or are less desirable places to live. Also, your home program should give you a fair chance even if you apply late. I'd apply to a lot of places and spend a little more money than you may have if you had applied earlier. You may also consider contacting programs where you have a strong tie or compelling reason to want to train there. I'd hope that you applied to some categorical Radiology programs anyhow.
And to answer your original questions - for the personal statement, I just changed a few lines to appeal to more general practice than my specific specialty and added a couple lines about why a PY or TY sincerely fit my training/career goals and expectations. You may be surprised at how easily you can turn your personal statement into one that works well for PY/TY. I definitely wouldn't write a new one. Programs should be interested to know why you want to be a radiologist and recognize that your one year of training is a means to that end goal. As far as the letters - I did get a letter from the Department Chair of Internal Medicine as well as an attending I worked with in Internal Medicine. I also got letters from two specialists. I feel like this was a good strategy. With that said, I have heard of people using only specialist letters that did well. You probably know what kinds of letters your letter writers have written and if you feel they will speak well of how you will function in the kinds of responsibilities you will have as an intern, I think they could work. You definitely don't have much time to wait - applying as soon as possible would be my focus.
I think there is still hope. Just research programs well and be selective about where you apply.

 

[radiologylife]

thanks everyone for the help. I applied to a total of 20 prelim positions in the west coast last night. got one reject and one interview invite today. is prelim easier to get into than TY? yes I did apply to categorical programs too...

as to why i am late in the process, its a long story.

 

[gutonc]

thanks everyone for the help. I applied to a total of 20 prelim positions in the west coast last night. got one reject and one interview invite today. is prelim easier to get into than TY? yes I did apply to categorical programs too...

as to why i am late in the process, its a long story.

Not to beat a dead horse, but I assume that you got your advanced app in on time. Your prelim app required clicking a dozen or so more boxes at the same time. Should have taken about 30 seconds.

It better be a good story.