Gen. Surgery prelim/categorical application cost extra?

[Blitz2006]

I know this has probably been asked hundreds of times before, but I couldn't find the threads on search...

1) Does it cost extra/double $ to apply to prelim and categorical to program X, or is it $25 for both?

2) If I apply to both (categorical/prelim) to Program X, and get called for interview, will program X at interview let me know if it is for categorical or prelim I am interview for. Is it flexible?

3) In your opinion/advice, as an IMG, should I apply to both prelim/categ? I assume if I apply to both, I will automatically be dumped into the prelim pool...so maybe i should just apply to categorical?

Thanks!

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[NotAProgDirector]

1. Yes. Prelim Surgery is considered a different field from Categorical Surgery. So, you pay separately for the total number of each. If you get to the $25 level, then it's $25 each.

2. It will be abundantly clear which they are interviewing you for. If they interview you for Categorical, you can ask to be considered for Prelim also. The reverse is not true.

3. This is debatable. If they want you as a categorical, they will probably interview you for it. The question is whether applying for prelim also makes you look desperate. I have no idea. I personally think it makes you look smart -- if surgery is your love and a prelim spot is all you can get, then it's the best you can do. Since you pay for each application anyway, it might be easier to divide and conquer -- apply to categorical and prelim at different programs. However, remember that prelim surgery can be a road to nowhere -- there is no guarantee that you will ever get a categorical surgery spot.

I know this has probably been asked hundreds of times before, but I couldn't find the threads on search...

1) Does it cost extra/double $ to apply to prelim and categorical to program X, or is it $25 for both?

2) If I apply to both (categorical/prelim) to Program X, and get called for interview, will program X at interview let me know if it is for categorical or prelim I am interview for. Is it flexible?

3) In your opinion/advice, as an IMG, should I apply to both prelim/categ? I assume if I apply to both, I will automatically be dumped into the prelim pool...so maybe i should just apply to categorical?

Thanks!

 

[Shoushu]

However, remember that prelim surgery can be a road to nowhere -- there is no guarantee that you will ever get a categorical surgery spot.

1. If one doesn't get a cat. surg. spot, can one get easier categorical spots, like FM, IM, which routinely go unfilled?

2. If one only has a year or two of prelims under one's belt, can one be licensed in any jurisdiction in U.S.?

3. So cat. spots are far better than prelims, and prelims are usually results of a lucky scramble? conditional, but no guarantee of any career.

 

[gutonc]

1. If one doesn't get a cat. surg. spot, can one get easier categorical spots, like FM, IM, which routinely go unfilled?

You need to look at the outcome of the most recent match. There were a grand total of 56 unfilled IM PGY1 spots (Categorical) and 153 unfilled FM spots last year. Not counting prelims, there were <500 unfilled spots in all specialties last year...and >7000 unmatched applicants. You do the math to figure out how "easy" it will be to get a categorical spot in the scramble.

2. If one only has a year or two of prelims under one's belt, can one be licensed in any jurisdiction in U.S.?

No. Each state has it's own rules. Many require IMGs to have 3 years of post-grad training to get a license. And getting a license is no guarantee of getting a job without completion of a training program.

3. So cat. spots are far better than prelims, and prelims are usually results of a lucky scramble? conditional, but no guarantee of any career.

You really need to do a little more basic background reading on the topic.

 

[Blitz2006]

Thx for responses guys, particularly Aprogramdirector.

So, to clarify, what about the first 30 programs for $300. Can I apply to prelim + categorical, or just pick one as well?

Because I agree with you, in that I plan on applying for both to each program (prelim/categ)

sorry for all the stupid questions, but I want to make sure I don't end up with a 3K credit card bill from our friends at ERAS....

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The first 10 programs IN ANY ONE SPECIALTY are $85. They are then 8/15/25 each for the next 10/10/any programs you apply.

If you apply to 30 Cat Surgery programs, thats 85 (for 10) + 80 (for the next 10) + 150 (for the last 10) = $310

If you apply to 15 Cat Surgery programs and 15 Prelim surgery programs, the bill will be:

Cat Surgery: $85 (for 10) + $40 (for 5) = $125
Prelim surgery: Same calculation, $125.
Total bill is $250.

There are many ERAS fee calculators on line.

 

[Blitz2006]

Thx,

so after applying to 15 prelim, 15 categorical (30 total programs)....

Every prelim program or categorical program I apply to is $25?

So for example, applying to Mayo categorical and prelim = $50?

Hmmmm, thx.

How many programs you suggest I apply to? obv, i understand this is based on how strong of an applicant I am, etc. But on average, do you know how many GSurg programs AMGs/IMGs apply to? I mean, I obv cannot afford to do all 250....

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Every prelim program or categorical program I apply to is $25?

No, not at all.

Prelim is considered a specialty by ERAS. It costs $85 for the first 10 programs, then $8 each for the next 5 ($40), so it will cost $125 to apply to 15 prelim programs.

 

[MDROCKSTAR]

What if a program has multiple tracks, does it cost more to apply to both?