Applying to prelims on ERAS

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threecoins

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hey everybody,

I aill be applying to General surgery this year. I have a couple of questions...I am an IMG so I want to apply to as many programs as I can, I am considering prelims as back-ups , my first questions is: if I apply to BOTH cat. and prelim in one program ...does this send the wrong message to the program that I am an ' easy' applicant if you see what I mean, that I will take whatever they give me ( considering that it is very usual for IMGs to match in prelims before having a shot at Cat.) ..in other words does applying to a prelim in the same program hurt my chances in getting the cat. Spot ...
the other question is , I will apply only to non-designated prelims ( naturally) , is there anything on ERAS that shows if the prelim position is a designated or a non-designatd one? Thanks everybody
 
threecoins said:
hey everybody,

I aill be applying to General surgery this year. I have a couple of questions...I am an IMG so I want to apply to as many programs as I can, I am considering prelims as back-ups , my first questions is: if I apply to BOTH cat. and prelim in one program ...does this send the wrong message to the program that I am an ' easy' applicant if you see what I mean, that I will take whatever they give me ( considering that it is very usual for IMGs to match in prelims before having a shot at Cat.) ..in other words does applying to a prelim in the same program hurt my chances in getting the cat. Spot ...
the other question is , I will apply only to non-designated prelims ( naturally) , is there anything on ERAS that shows if the prelim position is a designated or a non-designatd one? Thanks everybody

YA i have the same problem
 
threecoins said:
hey everybody,

I aill be applying to General surgery this year. I have a couple of questions...I am an IMG so I want to apply to as many programs as I can, I am considering prelims as back-ups , my first questions is: if I apply to BOTH cat. and prelim in one program ...does this send the wrong message to the program that I am an ' easy' applicant if you see what I mean, that I will take whatever they give me ( considering that it is very usual for IMGs to match in prelims before having a shot at Cat.) ..in other words does applying to a prelim in the same program hurt my chances in getting the cat. Spot ...
the other question is , I will apply only to non-designated prelims ( naturally) , is there anything on ERAS that shows if the prelim position is a designated or a non-designatd one? Thanks everybody

Hi there,
Some programs like mine, already have the "designated" prelim positons earmarked for folks in things like ENT, Neurosurgery, Urology for those people who will be moving into surgical specialties after doing their PGY-1 year in General Surgery. These people will not factor in the program selecting you for a preliminary slot. For the folks who doing a PGY-1 year in Anesthesia and Radiology, they will also become Designated PGY-1s because they have a PGY-2 residency slot. These people will be interviewing with you along with those folks who are interviewing for categorical slots.

When you apply for the Pre-lim positions, you will be asked about your PGY-2 plans during the interview. No, it does not hurt your chances to apply to both categorical and prelim positons at the same program. Do beware that some programs will not accept Non Designated PGY-1s so don't waste your money applying to Prelim slots in those programs but apply to the categorical slots only.

As an IMG, you really need to look at the history of a program. Some programs are very reluctant to take IMGs in categorical slots. You need to look for these programs (check the list of residents and medical schools attended) and not waste your money applying prelim or categorical.

Finally, apply to a large number of programs. You need to have at least 15 interviews so be sure that you apply to enough programs to accomplish this. Go back to the programs after interview day to spend some time with the residents. The person who is the "best fit" will often go to the top of the program rank list so make sure that you are that person if you are really interested in a program. Get to know the current residents especially those who are PGY-4 and heading to chief positons next year. Ask for e-mail addresses and keep in touch with those residents.

If a program will not allow you to come back for a visit outside the interview, cross that program off your list (read malignant). Also, be sure to ask when programs are coming up for review by RRC and if recently reviewed, how many years were they approved for. You do not want to find yourself applying to programs that have a possiblity of being on probation. You can check the ACGME website for the status of various programs. If on probation, do not waste your money.

Good luck!
njbmd 🙂
 
thanks for your reply, don't you apply for prelim and cat at the same program for no extra fee! ....still I could not understand if there is anything on ERAS....that says if the prelim spot is designated or not? thanks
 
threecoins said:
thanks for your reply, don't you apply for prelim and cat at the same program for no extra fee! ....still I could not understand if there is anything on ERAS....that says if the prelim spot is designated or not? thanks

Hi there,
Prelim slots and categorical slots have different numbers so I believe you pay by the number. There is nothing on ERAS that indicates if the preliminary slot is designated or non-designated. You have to check with the individual programs (phone call or e-mail) to see if they accept non-designated preliminary applicants. If you are applying for a preliminary slot and you do not have a PGY-2 position, you are by default, a non-designated preliminary resident.
Good luck!
njbmd 🙂
 
njbmd said:
Hi there,
Prelim slots and categorical slots have different numbers so I believe you pay by the number. There is nothing on ERAS that indicates if the preliminary slot is designated or non-designated. You have to check with the individual programs (phone call or e-mail) to see if they accept non-designated preliminary applicants. If you are applying for a preliminary slot and you do not have a PGY-2 position, you are by default, a non-designated preliminary resident.
Good luck!
njbmd 🙂

hey thanks a lot 😀
 
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