Applying to ob prelim spots only

[goblue2007]

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Hi all,

I'm an MD/MBA with a passion for women's health and now at a crossroads with career choices:
- Consulting: have offer with a top 3 firm that is willing to wait if I choose residency first). I prefer to do at least one year of clinical training for added credibility and ability to get medical license.
- Preventive medicine: can do any prelim/intern year, then apply during that year. So, ok to leave for consulting at any point and not hurt other residents.
- Ob/Gyn: was always my passion, but not feeling sure about 4 years of training if I don't plan to practice long term.

I just found out about ob/gyn prelim spots and feel it would it was perfect for me: leaves door open for continued ob/gyn training, preventive medicine OR consulting. I do not feel ethically comfortable applying to a categorical spot if I don't intend to stay.

Given that, does anyone know:
1) Why anyone would apply to ob/gyn prelim year *not* as a back-up for categorical spot? I have my reasons, but what is the typical reason for apply up front instead of scrambling?
2) What to say in a personal statement. For most prelim med/surg spots, I know that you submit basically the same app as the advanced program (radiology, anesthesiology). For this, should I use an application geared towards ob/gyn (get ob/gyn dept chair letter, etc.) OR preventive med?

Thanks!

 

[Biology101]

Alot of programs hold prelims, for people who rotated and didnt match. Also problem is, there are only a handful of OB prelim years. I would tell you to apply to transitional years as well. It may cost you another year if you go down that road, but its better than starting from scratch.

 

[anonperson]

I can't think that an OB prelim spot would be very useful. You learn a very small amount of obstetrics/gynecology in this time span and really aren't equipped to handle that much. Most people apply pre lim because they couldn't get a categorical spot and eventually match into a categorical spot as a PGY2 due to the higher attrition rate.

A transitional year would expose you to more and leave you more well rounded.