Rank order list prelim question

[Staradmiral]

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I am confused about one aspect of the rank order list when it comes to ranking advanced radiology programs and catergorical programs.

For example I rank:

1. Advanced program 1 + prelim year 1,2,3,4...
2. Categorical program

My question is: If I match to the advanced program but fail to match to a prelim year, does it drop to my second choice? OR do I match to the advanced with no prelim position and have to scramble?

I would much rather drop to my second choice then enter the scramble/soap.

 

[gutonc]

I am confused about one aspect of the rank order list when it comes to ranking advanced radiology programs and catergorical programs.

For example I rank:

1. Advanced program 1 + prelim year 1,2,3,4...
2. Categorical program

My question is: If I match to the advanced program but fail to match to a prelim year, does it drop to my second choice? OR do I match to the advanced with no prelim position and have to scramble?

I would much rather drop to my second choice then enter the scramble/soap.

This. You would match advanced but not prelim. It's one of the reasons I think Prelim/Advanced programs are a stupid idea.

 

[IMPD]

I am confused about one aspect of the rank order list when it comes to ranking advanced radiology programs and catergorical programs.

For example I rank:

1. Advanced program 1 + prelim year 1,2,3,4...
2. Categorical program

My question is: If I match to the advanced program but fail to match to a prelim year, does it drop to my second choice? OR do I match to the advanced with no prelim position and have to scramble?

I would much rather drop to my second choice then enter the scramble/soap.

The Advanced/Prelim separation of programs is at least semi-broken. There seem to be fewer prelim spots this year (or perhaps just more advanced applicants). There was some discussion about trying to make Advanced programs convert to Categorical, but there doesn't seem to be a great clamoring to actually get this done.

My opinion is that prelim medicine should not exist and that the current workforce issues / program communication-coordination politics prevents a rationalization of this part of training. Hopefully Categorical programs will become more and more popular, pushing the Advanced programs to change. The likelihood of that is low, however, since most Advanced programs are already so desirable that they have an unlimited number of applicants anyway.

C'est la vie.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Totally agree. However, perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I've seen Neuro and Anesthesia moving towards categorical matches. Everytime they do, prelim spots are converted into categoricals. Perhaps somewhere along the line, all will change. Also, I've noticed a marked uptick in anesthesia R positions. There's some chance that Advanced programs will transition to R programs and decide to only interview people in their prelim years -- that would be an interesting, unintended shift.