Match list question

[Gleevec]

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I was perusing a match list, and noticed that some specialties listed under the aggregate statistics (like Ophthamology, ENT) aren't represented in the individual breakdowns of where people went to residency. I know some specialties (like Ophth, ENT) require a year of preliminary training prior entering those programs, so is it possible that Ophth is being classified as IM and ENT as General Surgery or something? Also what is the difference between categorical, preliminary, and transitional? I notice these terms on the match list as well.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Seaglass]

It is likely that, because overall numbers are going to be relateively small for almost any program, those specialties were grouped to make them more meaningful.

Residency positions that start PGY-2 (ENT, Neuro surg, Rads, some EM, optho, etc.) require an "intern" year prior to starting the program. Some of them set you up for this year at the same hospital as the PGY-2 program, others have you set it up. For these programs you still apply as a fourth year, so you match into the PGY-2 position in March just like all your classmates. the difference is that you also match into a PGY-1 "intern" position on match day.

The PGY-1 position is a whole nother batch of applications to send out and interviews to do. It can take one of 2 forms, a "transitional" year which is most similar to 3rd year of school with rotations on surg, med, peds, ob, er, etc. or it can be a "preliminary" year in medicine or surgery with a rotation schedule similar to "categorical" interns in those programs. Categorical PGY-1 positions are those which automatically lead to a PGY-2 position at that surgery or medicine program.

Hope this helps.

Casey

 

[Gleevec]

Originally posted by cg1155
It is likely that, because overall numbers are going to be relateively small for almost any program, those specialties were grouped to make them more meaningful.

Residency positions that start PGY-2 (ENT, Neuro surg, Rads, some EM, optho, etc.) require an "intern" year prior to starting the program. Some of them set you up for this year at the same hospital as the PGY-2 program, others have you set it up. For these programs you still apply as a fourth year, so you match into the PGY-2 position in March just like all your classmates. the difference is that you also match into a PGY-1 "intern" position on match day.

The PGY-1 position is a whole nother batch of applications to send out and interviews to do. It can take one of 2 forms, a "transitional" year which is most similar to 3rd year of school with rotations on surg, med, peds, ob, er, etc. or it can be a "preliminary" year in medicine or surgery with a rotation schedule similar to "categorical" interns in those programs. Categorical PGY-1 positions are those which automatically lead to a PGY-2 position at that surgery or medicine program.

Hope this helps.

Casey

Wow, thanks a lot Casey! That really clears a lot of things up. Thanks again!

 

[carrigallen]

Yes. More often, however, the school will list both the institution for PGY-1 if doing a prelim/transitional, and in the line below, the PGY-2+ residency which follows it. Not all schools do this though, some only list the PGY-2 residency and some will only list the prelim/transitional (this is frustrating i think).

Usually if you mail the Admissions office or Dean's office, they will provide you with a comphrensive list of students names, residencies, and the location they matched. If you are really interested, the alumni office will likely provide you with lists from previous years.

 

[nibrocli]

so, do any of these 3 terms (categorical, preliminary, transitional) ever indicate that someone was unable to match into one of the programs or specialties that they wanted?

for some reason, in the pre-allo forum, people think these terms have negative connotations. but the explanation posted here doesn't seem to corroborate that. could someone clear this up?

 

[Seaglass]

A categorical PGY-1 position is one that automatically leads to a PGY-2 position in that residency program. These are the alternative to Preliminary (Prelim) PGY-1 positions that do not automatically lead to a PGY-2 position. Most residents in Prelim positions have matched into a PGY-2 position in another specialty that requires a prelim year. However, prelim years are open to residents without a PGY-2 year already matched. These people may go through the match during their PGY-1 year for a PGY-2 position.

A trans year is similar to a prelim year.

Overall it can be a good thing or a bad thing. If the institution typically publishes their match list with PGY-2 positions listed where appropriate then finding a significant number of persons with only a prelim/trans year listed could lead you to believe that that institution is unsuccessful in matching to competitive PGY-2 specialties (rads, neuro-surg, etc.). IF, however, the institution does not routinely list PGY-2 positions in the match list, then it doesn't really tell you anything.

prelim/trans positions probably got a bad name on the pre-allo board because none of them know what they're talking about, at least from what I've seen. I don't go there anymore.

C