Matching Into PGY-2 Categorical Position

[ojosverdes1721]

I recently did not match into a surgical subspecialty. I SOAPed into a surgery prelim year. Is it possible to match into a Gen Surg PGY-2 categorical position next year or am I going to have to do 2 intern years?

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[Winged Scapula]

I recently did not match into a surgical subspecialty. I SOAPed into a surgery prelim year. Is it possible to match into a Gen Surg PGY-2 categorical position next year or am I going to have to do 2 intern years?

Both are possible.

Many programs have a history of keeping 1-2 of their NDP for a categorical position. In academic programs, with residents going in and out of the lab, sometimes this can be accomodated as a PGY-2. In others, or in programs without lab years, you may have to repeat the intern year if they don't have a PGY-2 opening.

Your priority should be a PGY-2 year but not at the expense of giving up a Categorical PGY-1 if that is offered. Thus, you should expect to have to take whatever is available to you, make sure you are the best damn intern your program has ever seen, and tell anyone and everyone you are looking for a position for next year.

It can be hard to find time to interview as an intern; thus you will need to be selective about when and where. Once you start residency, your PD and PC should be able to help you with you and hopefully have you on some "lighter" rotations during the Nov-Jan season.