transitional year vs. prelim medicine?

[coconut lime]

for those of you who have done it, what are the pros and cons to each? and besides prelim surg, are there any other options? what would you recommend?

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[Blade28]

I only know of prelim surg and medicine. Don't you get many more elective options in a transitional year?

 

[banner]

Really, it's not necesary to over-intelectualize about this. Whatever program offers you the most elective time, the best ancillary services, and the best call schedule you should pick.

There is no advantage to doing a "hardcore" intern year if you don't have to. People mostly make this counterintuitive move when they can't let go of the fantasy that there is something special about being a "real doctor". While Gen Surg and Medicine are the right fields for some, if you didn't enjoy your third year clerkships enough to choose either general surgery or internal medicine, then doing a tough intern year certainly isn't going to change your mind.

If you speak to most people who did a hard intern year when they didn't have to, they severely regret it.

Let the dream die and start enjoying your life.

 

[Finally M3]

Generally, a prelim-medicine year will have more floor months and less elective time than transitionals.

At my program, we have 3 elective months plus a month of night-float. Transitionals get 6 elective months, no night float. However, they have to do a surgery month and an inpatient peds month!

Generally, if you are gonna do something like Gas or Rehab (yes, you do need good floor experience), you may consider a prelim month...

If you are gonna go into Rads, Optho, Derm...go TY