Scramble/Prelim Question for Anesthesia!

[Meds1]

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Hello Everyone,
I have a question for people who are experienced with scrambling into a first year prelim-med program. Here is my situation, Im applying to anesthesia and prelim med. I didnt get too many interviews given that my CS score came in very late in the season. Step 1 was a 223/93 step 2 was a 227/94.

So obviously, Ill apply to any open anesthesia positions if they are available, but I realize this is unlikely to happen. I will also apply to any Prelim- IM positions. Does anyone recommend paying attention to any specific programs that tend to not fill in the match?

Finally, the main question, what do people think about trying to match into a categorical IM position and leaving after one year? How is this done, what are the downsides etc...

I appreciate any advice as I feel Im in a real jam here and dont want to loose a complete year. By the way, Id really like to avoid prelim-surg!

Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone in the match!

 

[Ludicolo]

So, you don’t expect to match at all? Did you rank prelim programs at the bottom of your primary ROL?

Scrambling into a prelim med program is your most likely scenario given the situation. While the scramble is unpredictable, landing a prelim med spot should be relatively easy, especially if you have no geographic restrictions. You'll be able to avoid prelim surgery. You’ll get the list of available programs on scramble day. Search this forum for threads on how to prepare and act on that day.

Regarding matching into a categorical IM, with the intention of bailing for anesthesia (or derm, rads, or other such specialty) after a year… Certainly it’s been done in the past, but it's not looked upon too favorably by IM PDs (never mind your residency mates). Scrambling into a categorical IM spot may be a different issue – in that case beggars/choosers. I’ll await aPD’s input on that one. You will need your IM PD’s LOR to apply to open anesthesia spots. You will also run into Medicare GME funding issues moving from categorical IM to anesthesia.

But switching specialties has been done before. You have your CV, transcript, and letters at the ready; you keep your eyes/ears open for available positions; you interview; you get the position; you change specialties next July. You should also reapply through the match for July 2011 PGY-2 anesthesia positions – which grants you the freedom to interview at more programs, but with the downside of having to sit out a year after internship. However you'll have completed your internship, possibly be licensed, and thus with more options on what to do with that year off. And you’d be an independent applicant, which means you'd be able to sign for available 2010 or 2011 positions outside the match.

 

[error404]

Hello Everyone,
I have a question for people who are experienced with scrambling into a first year prelim-med program. Here is my situation, Im applying to anesthesia and prelim med. I didnt get too many interviews given that my CS score came in very late in the season. Step 1 was a 223/93 step 2 was a 227/94.

So obviously, Ill apply to any open anesthesia positions if they are available, but I realize this is unlikely to happen. I will also apply to any Prelim- IM positions. Does anyone recommend paying attention to any specific programs that tend to not fill in the match?

Finally, the main question, what do people think about trying to match into a categorical IM position and leaving after one year? How is this done, what are the downsides etc...

I appreciate any advice as I feel Im in a real jam here and dont want to loose a complete year. By the way, Id really like to avoid prelim-surg!

Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone in the match!

1. I don't think you'll have trouble scrambling into a medical prelim. Every year, there are spots that don't fill. (I'm assuming you're an IMG because your step 2 scores held off interviews until later in the season... but your scores are quite good, your English is excellent, and if there aren't visa issues... there are certainly spots.)

2. Scrambling to a categorical program with the intention of leaving. This strikes me as very poor form, and even unethical. Even though it's technically doable, it just seems wrong to (a) lie to a program about your intentions, (b) hurt the program by leaving them with a space to fill once you've gotten your prelim year completed, and (c) take a space from a fellow applicant who wants to complete his/her training there. If those doesn't seem like strong arguments, it could also hurt your anesthesia chances later-- by making a PD question your ethics and ability to stay in a program (if you admit to a long-term serious interest in anesthesia).