Preliminary Year

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anycoloryoulike

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I don't know if there's already a thread somewhere else, but I was wondering if there are any discussions of deciding on preliminary programs: transitional yr vs. medicine vs. surgery.

Q: Is it true that some programs don't like transitional years?

Q: Any information/rumors about good vs. bad preliminary programs?

Thanks!
 
Can anyone tell me how an preliminary interview (for IM) would be like ? Do they ask a lot of technical questions and will failure to answer these questions affect your ranking ? I have heard that the PDs ask you to present cases. Any input on this issue ? Thanks for the replies.
 
What you need to understand about prelim IM programs is that they know they will only have you for one year. Basically, they are looking for someone who is not going to flake out on them. The more competitive ones will use board scores and LORs to screen applications to determine who gets an interview. Once you get the interview, they want to make sure you can speak English, carry on a conversation and be able to explain why you chose to interviw at this particular program. They know that you don't have a great love for medicine or else you would be applying categorical. I've never heard of having to present cases during an interview. Talk to the residents, esp the prelim interns about call schedule, # of months of unit, food allowances, and patient cap. Find a place that you will enjoy being at for a year. Good luck!
 
I have a question regarding prelim year. Iserson's indicates that one can do an FP or Peds year in addition to the ones I was aware of, med, surg, transitional. Anyone know any more about this?
 
rubensan said:
What you need to understand about prelim IM programs is that they know they will only have you for one year. Basically, they are looking for someone who is not going to flake out on them. The more competitive ones will use board scores and LORs to screen applications to determine who gets an interview. Once you get the interview, they want to make sure you can speak English, carry on a conversation and be able to explain why you chose to interviw at this particular program. They know that you don't have a great love for medicine or else you would be applying categorical. I've never heard of having to present cases during an interview. Talk to the residents, esp the prelim interns about call schedule, # of months of unit, food allowances, and patient cap. Find a place that you will enjoy being at for a year. Good luck!
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THANKS RUBEN.. I am attending my first Prelim interview day after tomorrow and I appreciate your advice.
 
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