Prelim Surgery spot

[littlebdha]

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Hey guys I needed some advice,

I am being offered a prelim spot for surgery and I was wondering if I should take it. I am a FMG and my USMLE scores are not great. I was wondering how tough is it to get a categorical position at the end of prelim year and also was wondering how do u go about applying for it... do u apply during this 2006 match and if so how would you goto interviews since u would be doing your intern year. Also how often are their 2nd year spots open in programs to take you in?


Thank You

 

[Winged Scapula]

There are no hard and fast rules regarding this. Doing a Prelim year may get you noticed by your PD as a hard worker and you may be offered a spot in that program as a CAtegorical next year. However, you may also be offered the spot as an intern (ie, having the repeat the year). If you do well, your PD may be able to assist you in getting a position elsewhere.

But in general you will have to enroll in the NRMP, applying for the few PGY 2 positions as well as intern spots, because there is no guarantee that the program in which you would be doing a Prelim year would be able to find you a Categorical spot, or that you would find one before tha match.

My concern is that it seems you are considering taking a Prelim spot this year without participating in the NRMP 2006. Unless you really strongly believe that you won't match and that this Prelim spot is your only chance, you should consider taking your chances in the match and scrambloing if you don't get a spot.