Some programs offer a guaranteed prelim spot, but in NRMP you have to rank it as an advanced program linked to a prelim spot. Some of these same programs also have categorical spots.
What is the difference between applying for only the categorical spots and also, at the same programs, applying for advanced linked to a prelim spot? What if I only applied for the categorical program, not the prelim-advanced spots as well? Does that lower my chances of spending all four years there?
They have them listed as different spots for you to match into, so if you don't rank both you are decreasing your chance at matching there.
For instance, if they have 5 spots, they may put 3 as categorical and 2 as advanced.
The thing is with the advanced is there are 2 typed of advanced that the only way you can know the difference is that the program must tell you themselves (it is not listed anywhere that I know of)
There is joint advanced which guarantees you a spot as a prelim if you want it and put it first on the supplemental list. (This is what I think you are thinking about because you said linked to a prelim spot). They do this to allow applicants the option of doing a prelim somewhere else.
The plain advanced spots, it is up to you to get your own prelim spot. (this is way more popular, so chances are if they did NOT tell you it was joint advanced or that you were guaranteed a prelim spot during your interview, then it is likely this).
If the program has joint advanced spots, you should just simply put it right behind the categorical spot on your rank list (almost due!) and put the prelim spot at the same hospital at the top of the supplemental list. This definitely increases your chances of matching there, because then you are competing for all spots and not just the ones they put as categorical. (because the computer algorithm sees these as basically two completely different programs, even though to you, they are the same thing).
If it is advanced, but not joint, then this is difficult. You are not guaranteed a prelim spot at the hospital and can wind up with a prelim spot somewhere else in the country or even worse, no prelim spot at all.
Hope that helps (and you check this in enough time for you to make your rank list appropriate. Remember it's final at 9 PM TONIGHT!!!)
