When should you apply to both prelim and categorical positions?

[tngdoc]

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If you are concerned about the strength of your application for categorical programs would it be a good idea to also apply for a preliminary spot at the same program? On ERAS all you have to do is check an additional box. This would show that you would be willing to do a preliminary year to prove yourself. Or would it be best to only apply to categorical positions if that is what you want?

 

[buckley]

i was under the impression that prelims were harder to get into than categ's. some schools acually post higher cut-offs for the prelims than the categ by a factor of 2-5 points...

 

[Biscuit799]

I think a lot of programs reserve their prelim spots for students going into other specialties that require a prelim year (i.e. Rads, Ophtho), thus artificially inflating their numbers