Preliminary Matches

[guacalot]

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I thought I somewhat understood the match process, but then I stumbled upon a match list where someone matched a preliminary year in surgery and a radiology residency. Could someone explain how or why this would occur? Thanks!
Match list in question: Match Day | The School of Medicine & Health Sciences

 

[Med Ed]

I thought I somewhat understood the match process, but then I stumbled upon a match list where someone matched a preliminary year in surgery and a radiology residency. Could someone explain how or why this would occur? Thanks!
Match list in question: Match Day | The School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Some specialties require that you do a year of "something else" (i.e. something more general) before starting. A preliminary year fulfills that requirement. Hence, many people who go through the match will simultaneously seek two different positions: a preliminary year and the "real" residency that begins 12 months later.

 

[ginsengreset]

I thought I somewhat understood the match process, but then I stumbled upon a match list where someone matched a preliminary year in surgery and a radiology residency. Could someone explain how or why this would occur? Thanks!
Match list in question: Match Day | The School of Medicine & Health Sciences

This page on WashU's website gives you some idea of which specialties require a preliminary year. Excluding categorical programs that combine both the prelim and advanced training, someone trying to match into radiology would apply separately for preliminary year programs and the actual radiology residency. It is also entirely possible to match into an advanced spot but not a prelim spot, in which case you're at risk of losing your advanced spot unless you SOAP into a prelim/transitional program.