How many prelim programs should i apply to?

[hooch]

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for those of you who are applying or who have already applied, how many prelim applications are you submitting?

are you submitting apps at all the places where you're applying for neuro?

are you applying for additional prelim programs (not at places you're applying for neuro)?

are prelim spots really tough to get? i mean, should i apply to "easy" programs, just in case?

please help -- i'm so confused!

 

[Methyldopa]

for those of you who are applying or who have already applied, how many prelim applications are you submitting?

are you submitting apps at all the places where you're applying for neuro?

are you applying for additional prelim programs (not at places you're applying for neuro)?

are prelim spots really tough to get? i mean, should i apply to "easy" programs, just in case?

please help -- i'm so confused!

Here check this out:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=315070

Pretty much you should apply to as many prelims as neuro spots, and I'd say toss in one or two extra prelims spots (including your home instution) just to be safe, because just because you match for neuro at one place ain't no guarrantee you'll get the prelim spot.

 

[Faebinder]

hmm

I disagree because...

1) You dont need as many because there are some prelim programs specifically designated. Meaning you gotta match into an advanced position to apply for these programs.. meaning you gotta do it after the match (this sucks I know).

2) Some programs are catagorical... so you dont need to apply for prelims for those.

3) Generally the neuro program that inreviews you can guide you to where you should apply for the prelim. So you can ask them for info.

I would say apply to as many prelims as you need to match. Neurology and IM are very equal in competitiveness. If you are competitive US grad... then heh... what the heck are you worried about? Go for transitionals.. those are cush.

 

[hooch]

*can* we apply for transitional spots? do some neuro residency programs require that we do a prelim year, as opposed to transitional?

 

[Methyldopa]

hmm

I disagree because...

1) You dont need as many because there are some prelim programs specifically designated. Meaning you gotta match into an advanced position to apply for these programs.. meaning you gotta do it after the match (this sucks I know).

2) Some programs are catagorical... so you dont need to apply for prelims for those.

3) Generally the neuro program that inreviews you can guide you to where you should apply for the prelim. So you can ask them for info.

I would say apply to as many prelims as you need to match. Neurology and IM are very equal in competitiveness. If you are competitive US grad... then heh... what the heck are you worried about? Go for transitionals.. those are cush.

Sorry don't follow your reasoning! As for transitional, a good # of neuro programs actually require you to do a PRELIM not a transitional year. Also some transitionals aren't that cush.

The problem is that if you match at a program that doesn't guarantee a prelim spot, you might get into a bind. Basically (let me clarify my advice since it wasn't clear), I would personally apply to one or two extra prelim spots above your neuro # just to cover your behind.

But it's just my advice, take it as you may, because I saw one of my buddies get screwed with his prelim last year and having to scramble.

 

[oompa loompa]

hmm

I disagree because...

1) You dont need as many because there are some prelim programs specifically designated. Meaning you gotta match into an advanced position to apply for these programs.. meaning you gotta do it after the match (this sucks I know).

2) Some programs are catagorical... so you dont need to apply for prelims for those.

3) Generally the neuro program that inreviews you can guide you to where you should apply for the prelim. So you can ask them for info.

I would say apply to as many prelims as you need to match. Neurology and IM are very equal in competitiveness. If you are competitive US grad... then heh... what the heck are you worried about? Go for transitionals.. those are cush.

Wait a sec: so you can apply for prelim programs after interview season?
that's what I'm getting from your post. Can anyone else verify?

 

[JaSam]

Yea sorry but this appears to me like a very confusing post. I also have a question. Since your going into neurology isn't getting a position at a PGY2-PGY4 position in neurology the most important thing on your mind?

Why do you need to apply to so many prelim spots (like one person said # of neuro apps +2)??? Cuz even if you don't get a prelim spot I'm sure you can still scramble for a position somewhere. Why not just apply to 1/2 the number of spots? Are the prelim yrs really that different?

 

[PhakeDoc]

...I'm sure you can still scramble for a position somewhere. ...

I think quite a few people (either on this forum or ones I heard about through friends) had thought that this year and found themselves stuck without a prelim year, and some were forced to give up their advanced spot because they couldn't find an open prelim spot. The # of scramble positions was not as many as was probably seen in previous years.