Only applied to Categorical programs...mistake?

[Neigh2008]

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When I submitted my ERAS I only applied to categorical programs. No advanced and no transitional year. I thought I would be ok, but now I am finding out maybe this wasn't the best route to go. I have plenty of interviews lined up for categorical spots, but I guess I wasn't thinking strategies for increasing my chances of getting into my top choice. Maybe this was a mistake. Anyone else in my position? Just curious what others thoughts and opinions are.

Thanks!🙂

 

[bubalus]

If a program offers categorical and advanced positions, you're cutting yourself out of a significant number by only going categorical. Not the wisest move in my opinion, but if it's what you want. One question worth asking yourself during this process is, "Would I rather not match than match in____?" Fill in the blank with categorical/advanced, location, etc.

 

[GasPrincess]

Here's my strategy, and please let me know if I'm wrong. I applied to both the categorical and advanced spots for all my programs. I thought I could just tell the program that I would rather have the categorical spot, and that would be the end of the discussion. Is it program dependent whether the categorical or advanced spots are "competetive?" I know of some programs that will fill all their positions as categorical spots (despite listing both categorical and advanced positions on ERAS), if the people who match there say they want to stay there all 4 years.

Can someone please clarify. I'm going to be adding more TY programs if my approach proves wrong. 😕😕😕😕

When I submitted my ERAS I only applied to categorical programs. No advanced and no transitional year. I thought I would be ok, but now I am finding out maybe this wasn't the best route to go. I have plenty of interviews lined up for categorical spots, but I guess I wasn't thinking strategies for increasing my chances of getting into my top choice. Maybe this was a mistake. Anyone else in my position? Just curious what others thoughts and opinions are.

Thanks!🙂

 

[pgy13]

When you eventually do your rank list, the advanced and categorical positions have different program numbers. You are better off ranking them both, in whatever order is preferable. By the same token, you could rank all categorical programs above all advanced programs if you really want a categorical spot.

 

[DrN2O]

For example, a program has 10 C(atogorical) and 10 A(davanced) spots each. The program ranks you on both its A and C lists, and both lists are identical, but you only rank its C track on your list. It is possible that you will get bumped off their C list if there are 10 people in front of you on their C list that matched there. Had you ranked the A program also, you may then land in the other 10 spots, but you didn't. The number of C spots are limited (not based on demand). So you are essentially trying to match into a program that is half as big as the actual one. Anyone should correct me if I was wrong.

 

[climbingdocs]

For example, a program has 10 C(atogorical) and 10 A(davanced) spots each. The program ranks you on both its A and C lists, and both lists are identical, but you only rank its C track on your list. It is possible that you will get bumped off their C list if there are 10 people in front of you on their C list that matched there. Had you ranked the A program also, you may then land in the other 10 spots, but you didn't. The number of C spots are limited (not based on demand). So you are essentially trying to match into a program that is half as big as the actual one. Anyone should correct me if I was wrong.

Huh? I am confused 😕

 

[chocomorsel]

Huh? I am confused 😕

If you look at a program's webpage, you will see that if they have both categorical and advanced, the number of PGY2/CA1 spots is more than the number of PGY1. So in the above example you will see 10PGY1's and 20PGY2's. The program may not have enough intern spots to offer all the applicants since usually the intern year is run by IM or Surgery or some other outside department. CA1 year is actually run by the anesthesia department and they have room for all the applicants. At my school for example there are 14PGY1's and 18PGY2's. So 4 more spots for advanced which can be filled in or outside of the match depending on the program. Hope that helps.

 

[climbingdocs]

If you look at a program's webpage, you will see that if they have both categorical and advanced, the number of PGY2/CA1 spots is more than the number of PGY1. So in the above example you will see 10PGY1's and 20PGY2's. The program may not have enough intern spots to offer all the applicants since usually the intern year is run by IM or Surgery or some other outside department. CA1 year is actually run by the anesthesia department and they have room for all the applicants. At my school for example there are 14PGY1's and 18PGY2's. So 4 more spots for advanced which can be filled in or outside of the match depending on the program. Hope that helps.

So can you rank same place twice? Like # one fore categorical and #2 for advanced?

 

[VentdependenT]

So can you rank same place twice? Like # one fore categorical and #2 for advanced?

Yup

 

[climbingdocs]

Yup

cool

 

[Socialite MD]

I'm new here so bare with me. If you apply and only match an advanced spot, what happens? Where can you find out which programs are categorical or advanced? Where do you find the prelim spots? This is all very confusing to me. . .

 

[173291]

I'm new here so bare with me. If you apply and only match an advanced spot, what happens? Where can you find out which programs are categorical or advanced? Where do you find the prelim spots? This is all very confusing to me. . .

If you match into an advanced spot, then you do either a preliminary year or a transition year elsewhere. The following year you start the advanced program. ERAS tells you whether a progam is offering categorical and/or advanced spots. This information can also be found on Frieda. Pre-lim spots can be searched for by state on ERAS. There is a search function on Frieda for transitional programs for which you may apply.

Something tells me you aren't actually applying this year. No worries. It will all make sense when you actually apply. ERAS is very self-explanatory.

 

[Socialite MD]

😳 No, I'm not applying this year. Just starting to think about next year! I've been looking on Frieda. Lemme try ERAS which may have a better breakdown of the programs. Thanks!