Preliminary Medicine Prematch question

[gypc300]

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I understand that as an osteopathic applicant I can accept a prematch offer for a prelim year in medicine. Would someone please tell me what happens afterwards? My understanding is that I would only be ranking my advanced programs in the match and that accepting the offer would not violate NRMP regulations. Do I need to contact NRMP regarding my prelim prematch and if so, when? If anyone has gone through the process and can comment, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

 

[gutonc]

I understand that as an osteopathic applicant I can accept a prematch offer for a prelim year in medicine. Would someone please tell me what happens afterwards? My understanding is that I would only be ranking my advanced programs in the match and that accepting the offer would not violate NRMP regulations. Do I need to contact NRMP regarding my prelim prematch and if so, when? If anyone has gone through the process and can comment, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

When you go for prelim and advanced programs, you're basically going through 2 different matches. So you are free to accept a pre-match spot in one of them (prelim for instance) and go through the Match for your advanced spot (or vice versa). NRMP doesn't care about that and it's not a Match violation.

What you can not do is accept a pre-match and then remain in the Match for either that same spot (prelim in your case) or for categorical programs (advanced programs that come with a linked prelim year). You can only rank advanced programs.

 

[gypc300]

When you go for prelim and advanced programs, you're basically going through 2 different matches. So you are free to accept a pre-match spot in one of them (prelim for instance) and go through the Match for your advanced spot (or vice versa). NRMP doesn't care about that and it's not a Match violation.

What you can not do is accept a pre-match and then remain in the Match for either that same spot (prelim in your case) or for categorical programs (advanced programs that come with a linked prelim year). You can only rank advanced programs.

So then I rank the advanced programs without creating supplementary lists for them. Now do I need to report the prelim prematch to NRMP so that they are aware of it? I do not want them saying they were unaware of my PGY-1 year and then having to relinquish my advanced program. Thanks again!

 

[gutonc]

So then I rank the advanced programs without creating supplementary lists for them. Now do I need to report the prelim prematch to NRMP so that they are aware of it? I do not want them saying they were unaware of my PGY-1 year and then having to relinquish my advanced program. Thanks again!

1. Correct. You just don't link any prelim lists.

2. I have no idea, but it's probably worth an email to NRMP. I can't imagine it would matter though. For all they know, you're currently in a prelim or other categorical program and don't even need a prelim year. They shouldn't care at all.

 

[gypc300]

1. Correct. You just don't link any prelim lists.

2. I have no idea, but it's probably worth an email to NRMP. I can't imagine it would matter though. For all they know, you're currently in a prelim or other categorical program and don't even need a prelim year. They shouldn't care at all.

I see but that's a bit confusing. When we rank advanced programs this cycle, are we not applying for the PGY-2 year, starting in 2012, not 2011? In other words, say someone was in prelim now, not having matched into an advanced program last year (as unlikely as that may be) and applying for advanced programs now, when would they begin their PGY-2 year?

 

[Samoa]

No, you don't needto report it, as you are not ranking any concurrent year positions.

 

[gutonc]

I see but that's a bit confusing. When we rank advanced programs this cycle, are we not applying for the PGY-2 year, starting in 2012, not 2011? In other words, say someone was in prelim now, not having matched into an advanced program last year (as unlikely as that may be) and applying for advanced programs now, when would they begin their PGY-2 year?

In 2012. They'd have to find something else to do for a year. Happens all the time.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You do not need to contact the NRMP.

The thing you cannot do, as mentioned above, is sign a prelim contract and then try to match into a categorical position, with the plan to resign your prelim position if you match categorical. That's a match violation, and you'll lose everything if you do it.

If you sign a prelim out of match spot, you simply rank only advanced programs on your rank list.

 

[gypc300]

thanks for the replies