I was just thinking taking part of my vacation and also completing rotations that are not so demanding during the interview period.These were some ideas I read on various threads.
Do you think that would be impossible?
The answer is "maybe". Some programs may give you quite a bit of flexibility in your schedule. Some programs may not. My program is one that I would like to think is reasonably flexible, and we would ensure that you had a 4 week block of elective somewhere in interview season. But that's only 4 weeks, and interviews can be anywhere from October to January.
Actually, I was thinking doing a preliminary would be of great benefit next year in order to match to a high tier program, However I can see now how that may also cause some problems.
This is a terrible thought. People who match to high tier programs do so right out of the starting gate. If you do a prelim, you'll need to have your LOR's submitted by early September. With only 8 weeks of internship done, you're unlikely to be able to get anything other than an LOR that states that you're a beginning intern. Perhaps after you complete the prelim year, you'll be able to get better letters -- but then you're already a cycle later, will have no clinical experience for a year, and the funding issues.
So, in general, getting just a prelim year should be a backup plan -- clearly better than nothing. If you get just a prelim, several options:
Prelim GS, with plan to go to Cat GS:
1. There is a small chance of getting a PGY-2 GS spot. A few of these open every year, because someone else drops / fails out. Competition is fierce. Usually, programs keep their own prelims if possible. Sometimes a program's prelims are all matched to PGY-2's elsewhere, and they might consider prelims from other programs. Spots don't tend to be widely advertised.
2. I have seen a few people complete a prelim GS, then match to a Cat GS PGY-1 spot. Usually, you need to complete the entire prelim year first (with an outstanding performance, of course), then do a research year and reapply in the research year. Also a long shot, but an option for those who are "all in" for surgery.
Medicine Prelim:
1. It's possible to get an IM PGY-2 after completing an IM PGY-1. There tend to be a few more of these spots than surgical spots. Better name recognition of your PGY-1 opens more doors. IM programs may have more flexibility with slots than surgery programs (because we don't have case log requirements), so it's even possible for a "full" program to create an extra slot for a good prelim that wants to stay.
2. It's possible to apply as a PGY-1 IM Prelim for "R" spots in the match. These are Advanced positions but to start the same year as the match, so to apply for them you have to have already completed a PGY-1 -- hence being in a PGY-1 is a huge plus. There's a small number of these spots, but also a smaller number of applicants.
3. You can also apply for "A" spots in the match during the PGY-1. This creates a gap year, but since you're already matched, you can basically do anything in the gap year. If you fail to get an "A" spot, then you still have some time to try to find an IM PGY-2.
