Getting into transitional years with a 215

[Healthyheal]

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Hi all,

One of the PM&R programs that I'm interested in requires a PGY-1 transitional year.
My step score is 215 (80) and my grades are average. I've published one case report and will be presenting in an upcoming conference for another case series. Not saying I'm a super competitive applicant, but I am passionate about what I do. Does anyone have any tips on transitional year programs that I could consider applying to?.....

 

[HolySmokes]

Why not just do a prelim year?

 

[Healthyheal]

The program requires a transitional year which includes some surgery exposure as well

 

[Law2Doc]

The program requires a transitional year which includes some surgery exposure as well

I'm sure prelim surgery counts for PM&R (I know people who have done that) so if a transitional year doesn't happen, and prelim IM doesn't count (I bet it does), that should be your fallback. The problem with transitional years is that the cushy ones are popular with derm, rad onc, radiology, anesthesia, etc, so PM&R folks often get blocked out.

 

[RangerBob]

I'm sure prelim surgery counts for PM&R (I know people who have done that) so if a transitional year doesn't happen, and prelim IM doesn't count (I bet it does), that should be your fallback. The problem with transitional years is that the cushy ones are popular with derm, rad onc, radiology, anesthesia, etc, so PM&R folks often get blocked out.

I matched into PM&R, and you can do a prelim year in surgery, medicine, TY, and for many programs, FM, and even psych or OB at some programs. Obviously the last three A) aren't very helpful, and B) are really for people that are changing specialties, since there are no formal prelim years for any of those.

Avoid prelim surgery unless you really, really want to do one. Almost all PM&R residents do prelim-IM or a TY.

To my knowledge, no PM&R programs specifically requires a TY--they can't. Most of us just don't match into TY programs. The program is probably just stating TY when they really mean a prelim year. I'd recommend calling the program just to be sure, but I'm pretty sure you can do any prelim year.

However, there are some TY programs which you don't have to be an academic superstar to match into. In general they're more likely to be a ways from big metropolitan areas. Just look at the program's websites and take a look at their current residents--are they all Rad Onc/Derm/Rads/etc If so, it's probably not likely to interview you (you can always try if you really like a particular program).

I applied to a couple TYs because I was interested in having more elective time, and was in similar shoes as you with regards to board scores, etc. I applied in Chicago (where I went to medical school) and programs within a few hours drive. I got invites from Broadlawns in Iowa (technically a TY, but is actually a little more like a prelim FM year), GRMEP in Grand Rapids, MI and WMU in Kalamazoo, MI. All three had at least one PM&R resident, if not more.

 

[Healthyheal]

I matched into PM&R, and you can do a prelim year in surgery, medicine, TY, and for many programs, FM, and even psych or OB at some programs. Obviously the last three A) aren't very helpful, and B) are really for people that are changing specialties, since there are no formal prelim years for any of those.

Avoid prelim surgery unless you really, really want to do one. Almost all PM&R residents do prelim-IM or a TY.

To my knowledge, no PM&R programs specifically requires a TY--they can't. Most of us just don't match into TY programs. The program is probably just stating TY when they really mean a prelim year. I'd recommend calling the program just to be sure, but I'm pretty sure you can do any prelim year.

However, there are some TY programs which you don't have to be an academic superstar to match into. In general they're more likely to be a ways from big metropolitan areas. Just look at the program's websites and take a look at their current residents--are they all Rad Onc/Derm/Rads/etc If so, it's probably not likely to interview you (you can always try if you really like a particular program).

I applied to a couple TYs because I was interested in having more elective time, and was in similar shoes as you with regards to board scores, etc. I applied in Chicago (where I went to medical school) and programs within a few hours drive. I got invites from Broadlawns in Iowa (technically a TY, but is actually a little more like a prelim FM year), GRMEP in Grand Rapids, MI and WMU in Kalamazoo, MI. All three had at least one PM&R resident, if not more.

Thank you so much for your response!

and you're right. i went back to the website and realized i misunderstood it the first time. their description of "transitional year" definitely sounds more generic now that i read it over!

Transitional Year Requirements
We require that you complete an ACGME accredited transitional year or a rotation that meets the ACGME criteria: One year of the four years of training is to develop fundamental clinical skills. This year of training in fundamental clinical skills must consist of an accredited transitional year or include six months or more responsibility in accredited training with inpatient responsibility in family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics, or surgery, or any combination of these patient care experiences. The remaining months of this year may include any combination of accredited specialties or subspecialties.