Should I apply preliminary/transitional?

[deleted628516]

I am applying for anesthesiology residency this year, mostly advanced positions (because I'm an IMG and advanced positions seem to be less competitive in my opinion)

should I also apply for preliminary/transitional? not for the backup.

to my understanding anesthesiology residency is either

Categorical: 4 years of training, where training hospital itself offers PGY1 after which you continue on with CA 1, 2 and 3
Advanced is 3 years, starting from CA1 in which case hospital doesn't offer PGY1 and you should finish preliminary year somewhere else first.

what if I match in advanced position and than start looking for preliminary spot, am I putting myself under a high risk of not getting one or it usually works out well?

and some institutions offer both categorical and advanced, does applying to both of them maximize my chances?

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[koan]

I'd apply. You don't want to have to scramble into some horrible prelim out of desperation. Give yourself options. Prelims and TY (esp) are very competitive b/c you're competing with all the derm/radonc/etc kids. Do some research and focus on programs that have a history of taking IMGs.