categorical vs. advanced

[spaslam]

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I am only interested in applying to 4 year anesthesia programs for now. Does that mean I should apply for all categorical spots vs. advanced? If I apply for categorical spots does that mean PGY-1 vs. Advanced (CA-1). I just don't want to waste any money applying to 3 year programs. Is there any other way to determine if the programs are 3 or 4 years long? is there a such thing as a 3-year categorical spot? I see some categorical spots at programs I thought only had 3 year programs, ie, Caritas St. ELiz in Cambridge.

 

[bubalus]

Here's the deal. Anesthesia is a 4 year residency. Some programs are categorical which means they include all 4 years in the program. Some programs are advanced when means they include PG2-4 and you have to do an internship. If you were to match in an advanced program in the coming match, you would end up with a 2007 prelim position and a 2008 PGY2 anesthesiaa position.

The programs run the full mix from all categorical spots to some of both to all advanced.

Apply to what you want, but if you only apply to categorical spots, you're going to miss out on some great programs.

 

[VolatileAgent]

purportedly, by 2008 all programs will have to offer at least one 4-year track.

we offer two tracks at our program, advanced and categorical. our program is considered a "model" program for 4-year training by the ABA/ASA. you can check out our curriculum here:

http://www.hmc.psu.edu/anesthesia/resident/programs.htm

 

[renaissanceeyes]

If you apply for a 4-year categorical spot then can you still rank PGY-1 programs (ie prelim/transitional spots)? In other words, am I allowed to submit rank lists for PGY-1 spots, advanced anesthesiology spots, AND categorical anesthesiology spots, even though matching in a categorical spot would make my PGY-1 rank list somewhat invalid? Thanks.

 

[Varmit22]

My understanding is to rank the programs that you want to go to. You will rank preliminary years separately, and if you match for a advanced spot, the "magic" match computer will then match you to a prelim position. Others let me know if this is correct.

 

[Venus21pam]

This is somewhat correct.
Actually, for those applying to both categoricals and advanced positions your ROL will look a bit like this (considering you rank both type of programs)

1. Univ of xyz- Anes (4 yr)
2. Medical school of abc- Anes (3 yr)

---------------------- Supplemental List 1
---------------------- 1) Univ of there - Transitional
---------------------- 2) Univ of here - Prelim IM

3. PQR School of Med-Anes(4 yr)
4. Univ of 123-Anes (3 yr)
---------------------- Supplemental List 2
---------------------- 1) Univ of here- Prelim IM
---------------------- 2) Univ of there- Transitional

5. Univ of here-prelim IM
6. Univ of there - Transitional


This means that for every advanced program you rank you will create a supplemental list of preliminary programs. That leaves some flexibility for location of the internship year.
Plus when you create the ROL you can mix and match between anesthesia (or whatever specialty you're applying to) and preliminary programs. If for example you would rather match to preliminary only than certain anesthesia programs on the bottom of your list all you need to do is rank that preliminary program higher in your main ROL.

Hope this helps.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[renaissanceeyes]

This is somewhat correct.
Actually, for those applying to both categoricals and advanced positions your ROL will look a bit like this (considering you rank both type of programs)

1. Univ of xyz- Anes (4 yr)
2. Medical school of abc- Anes (3 yr)

---------------------- Supplemental List 1
---------------------- 1) Univ of there - Transitional
---------------------- 2) Univ of here - Prelim IM

3. PQR School of Med-Anes(4 yr)
4. Univ of 123-Anes (3 yr)
---------------------- Supplemental List 2
---------------------- 1) Univ of here- Prelim IM
---------------------- 2) Univ of there- Transitional

5. Univ of here-prelim IM
6. Univ of there - Transitional


This means that for every advanced program you rank you will create a supplemental list of preliminary programs. That leaves some flexibility for location of the internship year.
Plus when you create the ROL you can mix and match between anesthesia (or whatever specialty you're applying to) and preliminary programs. If for example you would rather match to preliminary only than certain anesthesia programs on the bottom of your list all you need to do is rank that preliminary program higher in your main ROL.

Hope this helps.

Good luck to everyone!

thanks, that answers a ton of questions i had about the match 👍

 

[sgdaog]

What if you match to an advanced position, but do not match in any prelim/transitional year? Will your advanced program only give you a contract after you prove to them that you secured a prelim/transitional year?