how do prelim programs work for pm&r applicants?

[tiparalyzed]

hi all,

i wasn't sure if this would be more appropriate for the internal medicine forum, but i was a little confused about prelim programs. my step 1 score is pretty meh (216) and though i don't think it'll hurt me too much for my pm&r advanced/categorical applications (please correct me if i'm completely wrong!), i am concerned about my competitiveness for a prelim year program in internal med/peds etc. when applying for a prelim year, am i competing against other applicants for non-IM programs who also need a prelim year (urology, ophtho, derm, etc), IM/peds categorical applicants, or pm&r applicants? i may be geographically limited to a city without too many programs (partner's job situation) and i'm scared that i may not match for a prelim spot... any insight would be greatly appreciated!

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[DMBandFan86]

hi all,

i wasn't sure if this would be more appropriate for the internal medicine forum, but i was a little confused about prelim programs. my step 1 score is pretty meh (216) and though i don't think it'll hurt me too much for my pm&r advanced/categorical applications (please correct me if i'm completely wrong!), i am concerned about my competitiveness for a prelim year program in internal med/peds etc. when applying for a prelim year, am i competing against other applicants for non-IM programs who also need a prelim year (urology, ophtho, derm, etc), IM/peds categorical applicants, or pm&r applicants? i may be geographically limited to a city without too many programs (partner's job situation) and i'm scared that i may not match for a prelim spot... any insight would be greatly appreciated!

The prelim options are prelim-IM, prelim-surgery, or TY (transitional year). TY are usually the most competitive. Prelim-IM are less competitive generally speaking but still fill up every year.

If you get a categorical PM&R spot, it already has a built in preliminary year. You will only compete with other PM&R applicants for a categorical spot. There are a few preliminary programs that have 1-2 reserved spots for PM&R applicants, but that is rare. When applying for prelim year you will be competing with everyone else who wants a prelim year. Some other specialties that also need a prelim year are optho, derm, radiology, rad-onc. Don't be intimidated by these other specialties who you will be competing with. Just focus on getting a better score on your step 2 to show improvement. Also work on making your PM&R application as strong as possible. While board scores aren't the biggest factor when getting a residency, good scores do help get you more interviews and interviews at bigger named programs.

 

[Zline]

Apply as broadly as possible. Prelim programs aren't as competitive as transitional years, but they're finite and crowded with candidates for derm, rads, ophtho, etc. It's not a time to confine yourself to a specific part of the country, geographically speaking.

Anything to avoid the dreaded surgical prelim, but worst-case scenario, if you didn't match into prelim IM, you could probably SOAP into a surgical prelim without a problem. Not ideal, but most if not all advanced PM&R programs accept surgical prelims for internship. Of course, as you move along with applications and interviews, you'll want to check in with each PM&R program individually to see what they do/don't accept. I know this was an issue this year with the AOA/ACGME merger and osteopathic rotating internships.

I got super lucky and matched into an academic/university prelim IM program with no USMLE, and only about average- or slightly-above-average COMLEX scores. So it can be done. I did make the mistake of applying only to programs in a specific region of the U.S., so I received few enough interview invites (7) to make me panic a little about whether or not I'd match prelim at all.

I got lucky, but if I had to go back and re-apply, I would have been generous with where I chose to apply for prelims.

Good luck!

 

[Mr Kenobi]

I know this was an issue this year with the AOA/ACGME merger and osteopathic rotating internships.

Can you expand on this at all?

 

[Zline]

The official stance of the ACGME's PM&R representative was that AOA TRIs were acceptable this year, but it was up to the discretion of the individual programs to decide. She also mentioned that in future years, TRIs may not be accepted. Her name is Caroline Fischer and contact info is [email protected].


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[DrMom101]

Definitely apply broadly and early. I matched an advanced spot but not prelim. I applied to approx 20 preliminary programs both TY and internal medicine and got not a single interview. I did not apply until after October 1 and I felt I applied to programs that fit my application ie step scores and grades. I also never followed up after applying which maybe I should have. I am a US MD with 235+ step 1 and ~260 step 2. I ended up SOAPing into surgery but it was very stressful.