Timeline, the Match, and Starting fellowship

[dr.evil]

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I'm thinking hard about applying to plastic surgery fellowship next year. I will be an independent applicant. Could someone help me out with the timeline a bit.

If I apply this year (2008), interview early 2009, and match in May of 2009, do I start fellowship in July of 2010 or July of 2009?

Thanks a lot

One more thing, not that I will make my decision on this, but what are 5 or 6 of the more highly regarded plastic surgery programs in the coutry?

Thanks again. This board is invaluable.

 

[maxheadroom]

If you apply in 2008, you'll be matched for 2010. I can't comment on the Independent programs. Does anyone know for sure when the mandatory switch to three years for the Independent programs starts?

 

[GSresident]

Not to put in a shameless plug, but I blogged the entire process from start to finish. If you read from the beginning you'll probably have a good idea when to expect interviews etc.

http://plasticsmatch.blogspot.com

 

[AKADoc]

Not to put in a shameless plug, but I blogged the entire process from start to finish. If you read from the beginning you'll probably have a good idea when to expect interviews etc.

http://plasticsmatch.blogspot.com

Okay, so I looked on your blog, and I'm still confused about some parts of the process, especially the programs that require 3 years of general surgery. When do I apply to these programs? During my 4th year of medical school, or my 3rd year of GS residency? Or should I shoot for a GS residency with such a program and get in that way? Also, there are no Prelim Surgerical Residencies that last 3 years, so how to I handle my GS Program if I all of a sudden leave for Plastics in the middle of my training? I have honestly looked high and low for these answers, so if it is somewhere, please draw my attention to it.

 

[deleted144060]

Okay, so I looked on your blog, and I'm still confused about some parts of the process, especially the programs that require 3 years of general surgery. When do I apply to these programs? During my 4th year of medical school, or my 3rd year of GS residency? Or should I shoot for a GS residency with such a program and get in that way? Also, there are no Prelim Surgerical Residencies that last 3 years, so how to I handle my GS Program if I all of a sudden leave for Plastics in the middle of my training? I have honestly looked high and low for these answers, so if it is somewhere, please draw my attention to it.

I'll try to clear some of this up.

Option one is to match into a combined/integrated plastic surgery residency right out of medical school. Because of it's highly competitive nature, you should apply to back up programs as well (general surgery or ENT, etc).

Option two is that you complete five years of a surgical residency and apply for a fellowship (although technically still considered a residency by ACGME) during your PGY-4 year. Your fellowship (residency) then starts at then end of your surgical training (PGY-5).

Option three is that you are doing your general surgery residency somewhere that has a plastics residency. At some time during your tenure, someone drops out of the plastics program (or gets fired) and they take you. Since the ACGME has mandated that all training take place at the same institution for the combined/integrated spots, this is the only way you'll get in after three years of general surgery.

Option four is doing a transitional year with the hopes that you'll match the following year in a plastics spot. I assume this is possible, but I've not seen it happen.

--M