Applying advanced vs categorical next year

[brownwolf100]

Hi everyone, planning to apply anesthesia next year, and I’m looking for some advice about the process.

've come to see that there are advanced and categorial positions for many programs. After some searching, I haven't found a specific answer for what I should be planning to do next year. I just want to secure a position in anesthesia come match day. I’m a DO student. I believe I’ll havd a good application. Will I need to apply to advanced and categorial programs, or can/should I only apply to categorial positions?

Also, what exactly do these advanced positions mean? Am I guaranteed a spot in an anesthesia program after PGY-1 if I match an advanced position? Does this mean I send out 3x the apps?: Ex. I could have to apply to TWICE at a single program for advanced AND categorical PLUS another application at a potentially different institution for PGY-1? OR if I'm choosing an advanced position, will the institution find me a PGY-1 position prior to coming to them during PGY-2? That sounds stressful trying to match anesthesia AND a prelim year - I would love to just get into a categorial position.

What do most people do and is it reasonable to apply to only categorial positions?

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[AdmiralChz]

Categorical means it INCLUDES PGY-1 year, and you match to one program which will cover you for all 4 PGY years.

Advanced means it DOES NOT include PGY-1 only covers clinical anesthesia years 2-4. You’ll need to go through the match to find an internship (PGY-1) somewhere. Some advanced programs have agreements with their institutions to supply a prelim or transitional PGY-1 year but many/most do not. The advanced program has no obligation to help you secure the PGY-1 position. If you don’t secure an internship year you will forfeit your advanced spot - fortunately, they aren’t very hard to get. A AOA “traditional rotating internship” is not counted for an ACGME residency, so don’t apply for those.

The vast majority of applicants go for only categorical spots - people simply want to move once and be done. To that end many anesthesia programs are transitioning their advanced to categorical positions. But many advanced spots still exist, and they tend to be a little less competitive. At my program more marginal candidates (and those switching specialties, which tend to be great candidates) made up the advanced pool.

 

[brownwolf100]

Categorical means it INCLUDES PGY-1 year, and you match to one program which will cover you for all 4 PGY years.

Advanced means it DOES NOT include PGY-1 only covers clinical anesthesia years 2-4. You’ll need to go through the match to find an internship (PGY-1) somewhere. Some advanced programs have agreements with their institutions to supply a prelim or transitional PGY-1 year but many/most do not. The advanced program has no obligation to help you secure the PGY-1 position. If you don’t secure an internship year you will forfeit your advanced spot - fortunately, they aren’t very hard to get. A AOA “traditional rotating internship” is not counted for an ACGME residency, so don’t apply for those.

The vast majority of applicants go for only categorical spots - people simply want to move once and be done. To that end many anesthesia programs are transitioning their advanced to categorical positions. But many advanced spots still exist, and they tend to be a little less competitive. At my program more marginal candidates (and those switching specialties, which tend to be great candidates) made up the advanced pool.

Thanks for the info. This is very helpful. With solid board scores, no research, good letters, good grades, good ECs, and DO student status, would you say an applicant could apply all categorical?

 

[gutonc]

Moving to the Anesthesia forum.

 

[getdown]

Thanks for the info. This is very helpful. With solid board scores, no research, good letters, good grades, good ECs, and DO student status, would you say an applicant could apply all categorical?

You probably won't have trouble matching into a categorical position. More and more programs are actually moving towards categorical only spots. The good things about this is you'll be familiar with the EMR, you don't have to move twice, you already know everyone. I wouldn't worry if I were you, just apply to a wide range of programs and go on about 10-12 interviews and you'll be fine.

 

[deleted547631]

Follow on question: for advanced programs do PDs prefer the PGY1 prelim year (excluding transitional years) to be completed in medicine or surgery?

 

[AdmiralChz]

Follow on question: for advanced programs do PDs prefer the PGY1 prelim year (excluding transitional years) to be completed in medicine or surgery?

No one cares, as long as you’ve done something that gives you the ACGME checkbox.

But no one in their right mind would do a surgical prelim.

 

[gasmasked]

I've been trying to look up prelim med and surg on FREIDA but can only find TYs in Freida's search tool. Am I missing something or do people look these programs up just on the NRMP program results? https://mk0nrmpcikgb8jxyd19h.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Program-Results-2014-2018.pdf

 

[DoctorPlzzz]

I've been trying to look up prelim med and surg on FREIDA but can only find TYs in Freida's search tool. Am I missing something or do people look these programs up just on the NRMP program results? https://mk0nrmpcikgb8jxyd19h.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Program-Results-2014-2018.pdf

This is because TY is a separate program in itself, but prelim is a part of the internal medicine program at that institution. Therefore, on Freida you'll have to search IM and then there is a checkbox under application info to check "offer preliminary position."

 

[gasmasked]

This is because TY is a separate program in itself, but prelim is a part of the internal medicine program at that institution. Therefore, on Freida you'll have to search IM and then there is a checkbox under application info to check "offer preliminary]

Thank you!

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