Need help please !

[jenjas]

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Hey guys,
I have a few questions about PGY-1 year. When you apply to programs, and they offer both a categorical and advanced year. I'm guessing if you really want a spot there, you apply to both, right?

Also, if you apply to a program and they offer a 3 year spot (CA-1), than if you don't want to be moving around, you apply for a transitional or IM spot there as well. I know this sounds dumb but any advice you guys have would be appreciative.


How did you guys choose transitional or IM spots?

Also,
I asked this before and no one responded. The ERAS application has like 1020 characters to fill in under work, volunteer, research ...etc...How did you guys do it, did you actually try to take up all that space or did you give 2-3 sentences (like what is one your C.V.).

Any help?

Also, how important is the personal statement. First aid says its about the least important thing. Won't make you or break you. Is that true?

Please...any advice.

Jas

 

[Worldtraveler]

If you want to stay in a particular city then you rank both categorical and advanced in your order of preference. With your advanced choice, you will link the transitional (usually more sought after than IM programs) and IM programs to the advanced program.

Keep your personal statement less than a page and interesting and 2-3 sentences is fine for most of the eras application.

The most important thing for your interview(s) is that you are yourself (I know it is a clich?) and that you are relatively normal without any major mistakes in med school.
Otherwise try relax and enjoy the interview process as once it is over you feel what was all the worry for.

 

[Idon'tknow??]

If I'm currently unsure about applying to 3 vs 4 year programs, can I complete ERAS and apply to both the 3 and the 4 year programs at location X? Will I be able to rank both the 3 and the 4 year at program X when I fill out the rank order list. At interviews, will programs want to know whether I plan to apply to their 3 or 4 year program?

 

[2ndyear]

You can rank 3 and 4 year programs however you want, even at the same place. I only went to one (Penn State) that wanted you to pick at the interview and only rank one or the other. This is because the 4 year there is 'off track' and you do 6 months of anesthesia as an intern.

 

[Jefe]

So, Just wanted to get this straight before I send off my ERAS and pay huge bucks for program picks: if a program has both Categorical (4yrs) and Advance (3yrs) spots then go ahead and apply to both? Or choose one over the other? Also if you had your choice in a hospital that offers Categ and Adv would you choose to do Adv with 1st year being Prelim/Trans.? I'm confused and need to know before I send out my application & picks. As I have seen some students in last years class who have an Adv position & a prelim at places where they offer both Categ & Adv, did they just not match with a Categorical & so had to go with an Adv position? Can someone clear this up? UTSouthwestern usually had great answers. Thanks.

 

[ccmagic32]

So, Just wanted to get this straight before I send off my ERAS and pay huge bucks for program picks: if a program has both Categorical (4yrs) and Advance (3yrs) spots then go ahead and apply to both? Or choose one over the other? Also if you had your choice in a hospital that offers Categ and Adv would you choose to do Adv with 1st year being Prelim/Trans.? I'm confused and need to know before I send out my application & picks. As I have seen some students in last years class who have an Adv position & a prelim at places where they offer both Categ & Adv, did they just not match with a Categorical & so had to go with an Adv position? Can someone clear this up? UTSouthwestern usually had great answers. Thanks.

This is what i remember from going through ERAS and NRMP. For ERAS you can apply to both advanced and categorical from ONE program for the one price, so don't worry about that. Just go ahead and APPLY FOR BOTH if a program has both, it doesn't hurt you. Some programs that had both that I interviewed at asked me on my interview whether I wanted either adv or categ or both. Where it DOES matter is when you rank them on NRMP, as each advanced or categorical have different "ID" numbers, and you will rank them separately, so then you can decide which you would prefer. I know it's confusing, but hope that helps answer your question.