Research Year vs. Prelim

[drrouz]

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So ROL's are in and we begin the wait...
In the meantime, I think it is important to think about plan B: what to do if you don't match? As far as I know the only two options are : scramble for a prelim spot (i doubt there will be any open categorical spots) or spend some time doing research.

Question 1: What is your opinion on the strengths and weaknesses of either option?

Question 2: How do you go about planning a research year? How do you find a spot? Will it pay?

 

[avgjoe]

Dude Drrouz, it's extremely scary to think that after all this it won't work out .. but you're right, we do need to think abt the potential Plan B.

It seems to be that the prelim option would be better because due to the attrition rate at many of the residency programs, you may end up in a categorical spot if/when someone drops out if they have liked your work. Even if that doesn't happen, the attendings there will be able to make phone calls, etc on yr behalf to other programs where somene has dropped out.

I don't know if the research option will really make up for whatever it was that didn't get us into a spot in the first place.

 

[irrka]

you might want to check out the unfilled programs (there's a list on the left side of scutwork.com)

 

[geekgirl]

It seems to be that the prelim option would be better because due to the attrition rate at many of the residency programs, you may end up in a categorical spot if/when someone drops out if they have liked your work. Even if that doesn't happen, the attendings there will be able to make phone calls, etc on yr behalf to other programs where somene has dropped out.

agreed - the prelim option will do more for you than a year of research for gen surg.

 

[Drlove9701]

Have you thought about a career in housekeeping? I hear it can pay as much as $5 a job! PM me if you're interested.

 

[Pilot Doc]

agreed - the prelim option will do more for you than a year of research for gen surg.

I heartily (but congenially) disagree. How I see it

Prelim Best Case: You fall into a categorical spot and essentially go through residency as if nothing happened.

Prelim Worst Case: You spend 5 months each on cardiac floor and trauma with the remainder in night float and are generally used as a workhorse. You have no time to interview. Your program strings you along for a second prelim year and then dumps you. You finally go into specialty B.

Prelim Likely Case: You have a decent year, so does everyone else. No one quits and you're scrambling for a job somewhere else.

Research Option: Find a well connected surgeon with a productive research lab at a well-known program. You're essentially guaranteed a job. Work hard (but still sleep in your own bed every single night) and attend conference/meet people at your program. Have plenty of time off to interview again for a more realistic group of categorical programs. Have one or more mentors who know you well and will make calls for you. Match at a good program.

I've seen 100% success with the above plan with people who didn't match and had some sort of problems with their application. (n=2, p=NS)

The biggest advantage I see to research is that it allows a much more reasoned, calm, carefully considered plan B. The scramble is CRAZY - having seen others go through it - even for prelim surgery. If you take research, you can 1) get over the shock of not matching, 2) ask around and decide where you want to move / what type of research you would like to pursue and 3) as above, have the time to carefully reconsider your reapplication for GS.

 

[toxic-megacolon]

Doing research will also give you an opportunity to re-interview for general surgery residency, its tough to get time off as an intern. And if you only consider PGY2 spots after doing a surgical prelim year, you're only going to places where spots open up, which is usually in the more malignant programs, and you have much less choice in location. I think you'd be better of doing some research, ENJOYING the year, and just start in a PGY1 spot.

 

[lapape]

I fully agree with Pilot Doc...couldn't have said it better. 👍