prelim yr..

[Jani]

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Could sombody clarify this and give some advice please-

I was going to get into a categorical IM program, but now I am not eligible to participate in the NRMP match, because I haven't got the CSA results- as I am an IMG.

Anyway, the currant issue is, if I get into a prelim IM through post match scramble, am I eligible to apply for PGY2 IM next yr ???

I am a bit reluctant to look at 3yr programs in the scramble, and I am wondering how I could make use of the one year in between- until 2004 July.

Thanks heaps.

 

[jon_jon]

In general, there will be less number of prelim spots left after the match as opposed to categorical positions. Most people doing prelim medicine go into other fields such as anesthesiology, radiology, neurology, etc.

However having said that, if you want to do a prelim year, it may be easier to transfer into a PGY-2 position. First, you don't have to explain to your PD why you are transferring out of their 3 year program.

Also you will be going outside-the-match for the PGY2 positions, which is going to be less competitive.

 

[Jani]

Hey Jon_Jon,

Thanks for your reply, eventhough I got only half of what you were saying..

See, the option I have is not get anything from the scramble and apply properly next year or get something or anything in the scramble. With the second option I am really scared to commit myself for 3 yrs, so thinking of just 1 yr somewhere. But the main question is -
How easy is it to get a PGY2 position next yr in IM ( I really need IM ) ?

Othrwise if I am not going to get much out of this ( towards my categorical IM in 2004)I am thinking of taking this year off just doing a bit of research which will make my CV look a bit better for next year.

Any comments are appreciated...Thanks.

 

[jon_jon]

I would wait a full year and apply to the 3 year categorical programs. If you can do some research at a US medical school or hospital, that would be preferable.

Regarding the scramble, after the match, the remaining spots are usually undesirable for many different reasons (e.g. poor teaching, bad location, work hours are terrible, etc.)

I think it's preferable to do your 3 years of residency at one hospital, rather than transferring after your first year. The main reason for this is that most IMGs seem to apply to fellowship after completing their IM residencies. Most fellowship applications are due early in your PGY-2 year. So if you transfer programs, this will affect your fellowship application timing.

 

[Jani]

Thanks for your reply..It makes a lot of sense. I know I have lost the battle this year, I planned and re-organised my whole life for this years match- found the right program and they liked me and are ranking me high , but I finally slipped. I guess this llife, I am learning a big lesson, nothing is certain in real life.

Anyway, now I am emailing litterally every universiy hospital in NY (IM PDs) for research positions.. hoping some place will employ me as a research assistant and pay me a few hundred $$/mth to make me feel worth somthing😳 😳

 

[Annette]

DON'T TAKE A YEAR OFF! Trust me, it is the wrong thing to do. You'll fall behind and lose clinical skills, not to mention figuring out how to convince a PD that the year hasn't been wasted. Retake the CSA ASAP, and apply to all the open spots you can when you get your results. If I had known then what I know now, I would have taken almost anything.

 

[Jani]

Hope you are there still.. Thanks for coming up with your view.

How do I find the open slot pathway ? Do you mean the ' Find a resident ' site. I am going to get registered there very soon.

I have one question to anybody- In US Hospitals what happens when somebody leaves from a residency program, I mean does the hospital get additional funding to recruit new people ??
Because it is quite different to Australia/ UK system where we sign a contract for just 6 months/ 1 yr.

 

[Annette]

Find a Resident has been a waste of money for the past few years. I don't know if it will improve this year.

There are several ways to find an open position. If you have you CSA done by March 17th, you could try the programs listed by the nrmp as not being filled. You will be up against everyone else who did not get matched.

After the scramble, the AMA keeps a list, as do other sites. The family practice people have an 800 phone number that they update frequently with open spots. AMA open residency positions

As for funding, each program is eligible for so many spots. I don't think they get extra to recruit, but I think they lose money if they don't have a spot filled. The AAMC site has more information about funding positions.

 

[Jani]

Annette ..Thanks again. I am doing the CSA by mid April only, will still give it a try.

I guess there could be some spots coming vacant as the year goes by, because there are bound to be few people leaving the programs for various reasons and then if the programs are in a position to fill these spots thats certaiinly a good sign..