Strategery re: prelim year

[starmoon]

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Hi neuro friends. Need some advice about the prelim year. Some people have told me to try to get the easiest/most relaxed prelim year I can. Others say, better to go for a high powered academic program where I will really learn medicine since it's my only real chance. Others say, doesn't really matter since you won't be doing more than basic medicine anyway once you hit neuro residency.

I am torn. I want to be well trained. But I don't want to get killed my first year. I have interviews at both types of prelim programs, as well as categorical neuro programs that have a killer IM year.

Anyone have thoughts? Particularly those of you further along in your training? I am planning on staying in academic neurology if I can, if that makes a difference.

 

[95439]

Hi neuro friends. Need some advice about the prelim year. Some people have told me to try to get the easiest/most relaxed prelim year I can. Others say, better to go for a high powered academic program where I will really learn medicine since it's my only real chance. Others say, doesn't really matter since you won't be doing more than basic medicine anyway once you hit neuro residency.

I am torn. I want to be well trained. But I don't want to get killed my first year. I have interviews at both types of prelim programs, as well as categorical neuro programs that have a killer IM year.

Anyone have thoughts? Particularly those of you further along in your training? I am planning on staying in academic neurology if I can, if that makes a difference.

You can get both or neither, depending on the program. What I mean is that some programs may have an easy schedule, but have an underlying malignant tradition. You can also get a program where you learn alot, work hard, but enjoy yourself because you're surrounded by good, intelligent residents and faculty. It usually starts from the top down. Try and get an idea of what the program director and faculty are like on your interviews. The residents are obviously an important source of information on your interviews as well. Talk with people who have been thru intern year and see if they'd recommend anywhere specifically for you. My intern year was terrible lol so if you want to know where NOT to go just PM me 😳/

 

[Head]

If at all possible, I would recommend doing your prelim year the same place you do neurology. The first year of neuro is pretty challenging at most residency programs. If you already know the hospitals, computer systems, and how to communicate with the ancillary staff your transition will be that much easier. You will likely have closer friends intern year than you will from your neurology program, which is another reason to do internship at the same place.