can I apply for both prelim and categorical positions in same program?

[sequences]

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I'm applying for PM&R and for a prelim internal year but I want to apply to an internal categorical program as a back up. Can I apply to internal prelim and categorical at the same hospital? how can I explain that to program directors - or is it OK to do that?

 

[topwise]

I think it's a bad idea. If you do that, the categorical program will realize they're just a back-up and any decent program would likely have reservations about taking you.

 

[dc2md]

sure you can. just tell the program you're applying to their categorical program b/c you'd love to do all 4 years with (insert program); but since that's not guaranteed, you're also applying for their advanced position.
good luck.

 

[kevpak]

We have two new advanced positions at Penn and we're encouraging our applicants to apply for both.

 

[topwise]

We have two new advanced positions at Penn and we're encouraging our applicants to apply for both.

Huh? You're encouraging med students to apply for a categorical medicine position at the same time as a prelim spot for pmr? Why?

 

[dc2md]

no topwise. PMR programs can be categorical (4 years with the medicine year built in) or advanced (3 years with u having to set up and do your own prelim year). and a particular program can offer both advanced and categorical positions in the match. LSU does that. OSU does that. and apparently Penn does that. the bottomline is that programs will not look down on you if you're applying to both advanced & categorical positions that they're offering.

 

[Shalom77]

I think the confusion comes because the original question (as I read it) was whether it is ok to apply for a categorical IM spot and a preliminary IM spot at the same institution. The question wasn't whether it's ok to apply to a categorical and advanced PMR spot at the same time.

The advice I've seen with regard to applying to both a categorical IM and preliminary IM spot in the same institution usually follows topwise's opinion that it probably isn't a good idea.

 

[topwise]

I think the confusion comes because the original question (as I read it) was whether it is ok to apply for a categorical IM spot and a preliminary IM spot at the same institution. The question wasn't whether it's ok to apply to a categorical and advanced PMR spot at the same time.

The advice I've seen with regard to applying to both a categorical IM and preliminary IM spot in the same institution usually follows topwise's opinion that it probably isn't a good idea.

Yes, that's the way I took it... because I know people who considered doing that and realized it was a mistake. If it's the way dc2md said, then I can't imagine anything wrong with applying to both.