babyruth said:
Well, I would either need to do a internship, and then apply to places that have open PGY-2 spots or repeat my internship year over when restarting a new program at PGY-1. I guess all I am asking is that if I apply to an ACGME program (not AOA) that has a IM internship that goes with it, will it look bad if I do my internship somewhere else or repeat a year? (does that make sense?)
I see what you're saying.
So what do we have figured out? You can:
A) Apply to AOA internships this ERAS cycle for 2007. Apply for ACGME categorical IM residencies the next ERAS cycle for start in 2008, and end up doing 4 years and 2 application cycles.
B) Apply to both AOA internships and ACGME this ERAS cycle, let the ACGME programs know that you intend on doing an AOA transitional year, and then starting with them PGY-2.
C) Same as A, but applying only for advanced (PGY-2) positions for 2008, if there are any, possibly having to do 2 application cycles as well.
Hmm...I would probably do B. Many programs have a lot of prelim medicine spots for people going into other specialties, so maybe they can fill up your internship spot with somebody who needs it anyway.
As for looking bad, the only way to find out is probably to contact the programs you're interested in. I'm not sure you'd be at a disadvantage if you went with A, because as a DO, you're already an independent applicant (as are MDs who have already graduated and are participating in the match). And the letter of rec you could get as an intern can hold more weight than ones received as a med student.
Choice C is probably the least favorable, in my opinion, because you are then limited to programs that actually have openings for PGY-2.
Tough question, babyruth!!