Too late to apply for prelims???

[rlp900]

Hi everyone, long time reader, first time poster here. I know it is a bit late in the process for new applications, but I was thinking of adding a few apps to preliminary gen surg programs (not getting as many interviews as I expected, want to make sure I match so I want to add prelims). Is it too late to send out applications to prelims since most programs already did their interviews??

Also, do you think there is any disadvantage to applying to a prelim year at a place you are trying to match catagorically? I'm probably just looking too much into it, but would a program see your application to a prelim spot as a lack of confidence, or maybe they'd figure they could go after some other students they want as residents instead and try and get me next year after my prelim year since I will be at their program anyway?

Thanks in advance for your help! Happy Thanksgiving!

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[pnle119]

Hi everyone, long time reader, first time poster here. I know it is a bit late in the process for new applications, but I was thinking of adding a few apps to preliminary gen surg programs (not getting as many interviews as I expected, want to make sure I match so I want to add prelims). Is it too late to send out applications to prelims since most programs already did their interviews??

Also, do you think there is any disadvantage to applying to a prelim year at a place you are trying to match catagorically? I'm probably just looking too much into it, but would a program see your application to a prelim spot as a lack of confidence, or maybe they'd figure they could go after some other students they want as residents instead and try and get me next year after my prelim year since I will be at their program anyway?

Thanks in advance for your help! Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's my two cents. Prelim Gen Surg positions are abound and you no doubt will be able to land a spot pretty easily, unless you're gunning for a prelim spot at a "tier one" institution, where even prelim spots are very sought after. For example, Mayo (MN) filled all 18 prelim spots last year.

If you're like me and would be content with a small community program, or even a less reputable university program, then there are lots of opportunities. I recommend looking at the NRMP stats from previous matches to give yourself an idea of what's available.

To answer your question regarding an "advantage" to doing a prelim year at a program you hope to match categorically in the future, I've heard rumors that certain programs make it a policy to select at least one or two of their prelims. The downside is you'll be competing with the rest of your fellow prelim interns for those coveted spots, and it would basically be a year-long competition. A resident once told me that in order to match as a prelim, you pretty much have to outperform all the categoricals to show your "worthiness". Of course, even if you bust your hump all your long, there is never any guarantee.

As for submitting a late application for a prelim spot this late in the game, it really depends on what you're shooting for. Again, if a community program is OK with you, then I would recommend scrambling into a program. If you think your chosen program is prestigious enough to fill all their prelim spots, then I suppose you're better off submitting a late application rather than waiting for the scramble.

Also, keep in mind that last year there were 5 categorical spots that went unfilled. So there's even a possibility that you could scramble into a categorical spot, although personally I think no program will go unfilled this year simply because competition seems to be particuarly intense.

 

[bitter9881]

I also considered applying for prelim spots (mostly because i got my eras sent out god-awfully late and was worried programs wouldn't even look at it). I've gotten 11 interviews. so i feel ok about my chances of matching. Fortunately, the program director where i did an away (which is also my top choice) told me i would have a prelim spot there if i failed to match. also, at said institution they take 6 PGY1 categorical, but they have 7 spots for PGY2-5 and they typically take one of their prelims. That being said, i'm hoping to match categorically and not have to worry about any of that.

just to cover my bases, i tend to ask the residents at the programs i interview at if the prelim spots there get matched into or scrambled into. It gives you a fair idea of what will be out there come march 16.

 

[rlp900]

thanks for the input! This was actually relly helpful 🙂

 

[Black Surgeon]

I also considered applying for prelim spots (mostly because i got my eras sent out god-awfully late and was worried programs wouldn't even look at it). I've gotten 11 interviews. so i feel ok about my chances of matching. Fortunately, the program director where i did an away (which is also my top choice) told me i would have a prelim spot there if i failed to match. also, at said institution they take 6 PGY1 categorical, but they have 7 spots for PGY2-5 and they typically take one of their prelims. That being said, i'm hoping to match categorically and not have to worry about any of that.

just to cover my bases, i tend to ask the residents at the programs i interview at if the prelim spots there get matched into or scrambled into. It gives you a fair idea of what will be out there come march 16.

Would you mind sending me a PM and telling me which program this is? I'm not applying for another three years so I am no competition.

 

[badasshairday]

I'm in the same boat. I want to add some prelim surgery programs to my ERAS but a lot of Nov. 1 deadlines. However, looking at NRMP data in the past, many of the programs I want to apply to had multiple unfilled prelim positions. Has anyone had success after contacting the program after the deadline on the website? I rather not scramble, and just have a controlled way of getting a prelim surgery spot through the match.