To do or not to do? that is my Question

[surgiwho]

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Hi everyone, I am sure you all are desperately waiting to know where you have matched. To residents I bet you remember these days very well.

I am an IMG with 6 months US clinical experience (clerkship), very good LOR's from US Surgeons, Step1 224 and I will take Step2 soon. I rushed S1 (1 month) and I am trying to rush step 2, so that I don't sit out a year.
I have been offered a possible prelim spot in Surgery (by possible, meaning they would have to wait until I finish my step2 in April-May and be certified by early June).
So my questions are:
1. If I do the prelim year will I be at a disadvantage when I apply next year for a categorical. (Is it true that you only get funding for 5 years in Surgery?)
2. Will I be doing more harm than good since I have US clinical experience, and I will possibly suffer on S2 score by rushing?
3. Is getting IN to the prelim spot the only way to get a spot into surgery?
Thanks for your replies.

 

[Winged Scapula]

1. If I do the prelim year will I be at a disadvantage when I apply next year for a categorical. (Is it true that you only get funding for 5 years in Surgery?)

Debatable. I don't believe we have good evidence either way - some say you will be seen as "used goods" but others believe that if you do well in your Prelim year, its a good way to get a foot in the door and get a Categorical position. I tend to believe the latter because its what I saw at my residency program. As for funding, HCFA will fund you for 5 years (or 7 in an academic program) but I wouldn't worry about that - if a program wants you, they will make room for you regardless of funding issues.

2. Will I be doing more harm than good since I have US clinical experience, and I will possibly suffer on S2 score by rushing?

Again, hard to say. General Surgery is more competitive these days and you have no way of knowing whether or not you would get a position if you participated in the match. Only you can answer if you think your Step 2 score will suffer by "rushing it" - most people study less for it than Step 1.

3. Is getting IN to the prelim spot the only way to get a spot into surgery?
Thanks for your replies.

Obviously not. There are traditional ways such as participating in the match and getting a categorical position, or getting a Prelim position. Taking a position outside of the match is not uncommon however.

You have a tough decision - do you take the chance on the offer in front of you, or risk going through the match (and sitting out this year). You'll have to answer some questions for yourself:

1) does the program you're considering have a pattern of moving Prelims into categorical positions

2) would you be happy at that program if you matched there

3) would you be able to find something clinical to do if you sat out until next year's match

4) are you willing to repeat your intern year because many programs will ask that do you so unless a PGY2 position comes available

So there really is no good answer to your question without more details and really what feels right to you.

 

[surgiwho]

Thank you very much Dr.Cox, I guess I am still debating the issue, and wanted an answer I knew I couldn't get. I suppose I'll see how things go and I'll take step2 as soon as I know I can get a good score (scores on practice tests), and if the spot is still available I will take it, if not I'll find some research (my real weak spot on my application, I think, other than FMG). I guess research is so foreign to me (most people reading this forum are probably thinking "what a loser, I did tons of research, so easy to do, etc.") since I was never really exposed to it. After step2 I will have to start reading and really get my hands onto some research😱 . Assisting a private surgeon would be worthless compared to research, right?
Thanks again