Originally posted by supahfresh I see. What if you are applying to only advanced programs and would rather take this prelim year than any categoricals?
each of your advanced programs should still be assigned a supplemental list (eg Supplemental A) that has one program listed (the prelim that you want/are sure about getting). if you don't assign a supplemental list to your advanced programs, then you will be unmatched for your PGY-1 year after matching for PGY-2+. and then you'd have to scramble for a PGY-1 year.
this is my understanding of how advanced+prelim programs work.