Logistics of application

[abefromann]

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Quick one,

If I apply to an advanced program during internship, do I have to wait another year to begin the (PGY-2) residency? Are the PGY-2 (for me) spots filled from the previous year's match? I would ideally like to go from internship into an advanced position from that PGY-1 year's match. Thanks - I know this may be a silly question.

 

[yaah]

I would say that most of them fill up the year in advance - i.e., derm spots starting in july of 2009 would fill in this match. I suspect there are always some programs that have new spots open up (either from someone dropping out, a new residency position being created/funded, or whatever), but I wouldn't count on that. The vast majority of people who match into a field that starts as PGY-2 match into it at the same time as they match into their PGY-1 prelim year.

Why would you not apply for the PGY-2 position during the current match cycle? That is the standard procedure for derm, radiology, and others. Some, of course, have the prelim year(s) integrated like ortho and urology.

I am sure there are plenty of people who match only into the prelim year, then apply for derm/rads/whatever the following year. I am not sure what they do for the year in between - maybe research? Maybe just hope a spot opens up? Someone who has experience in this should correct me, of course.

 

[Winged Scapula]

There is a reason they are called "Advanced" positions...because you apply for the advanced training positions in advance (not really, but it made for a good story).

I cannot think of a good reason NOT to apply for the advanced position at the same time as you apply for the internship, otherwise as yaah points out, you will most likely sit out a year. Many residencies with advanced matches are pretty competitive, so its unlikely you would find a spot in the scramble or just randomly during your intern year.

 

[abefromann]

Dr Cox: obviously if someone had the forethought to apply to an advanced position the usual way he would do it without question. My question is pointed toward a situation where an applicant does not have the opportunity to take Neurology until March of his match year and discovers that he wants to pursue that specialty as a career. I suppose I should have phrased it thus.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Dr Cox: obviously if someone had the forethought to apply to an advanced position the usual way he would do it without question. My question is pointed toward a situation where an applicant does not have the opportunity to take Neurology until March of his match year and discovers that he wants to pursue that specialty as a career. I suppose I should have phrased it thus.

Yes, you should have...because both yaah and I were unclear as to what and why you were asking about this.

If at the time of the match you are unsure of what you wish to pursue, then yes, you would obviously try to get a Prelim spot in something and then apply for the advanced position the following year if you couldn't find something in the previous year's scramble or an otherwise open position (which are unusual). But be prepared to take a year off because most people are unable to find a position in the scramble.

 

[nancee12]

Instead of sitting out that year...would it be possible to apply for another pre-lim or transitional year whilst applying for that advanced position, essentially sort of redoing the whole match process I guess. I mean it would suck to be an intern all over again but at least you'd be making some money. I know there are limitations to how many years you can funded for post-graduate training but one extra year should be fine right? Does anyone know where I can find this out?

 

[abefromann]

You can reapply for another year of scutwork, if you like. Why don't you just apply for a year of research? Do you hate it?

 

[abefromann]

Yes, you should have...because both yaah and I were unclear as to what and why you were asking about this.

Wow