cat or scramble

[Raggaman]

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Now I know this topic has been done to death and rest assured I have read all those posts. My situation is that I have several categorical neuro programs and advanced but NO stand alone prelim interviews. My top 3 choices are advanced programs. I interviewed at some advanced with attached prelims that required a separate ERAS application. No where on the website does it say that the prelim is only for neuro applicants. My question is that can I use this prelim in my rank list with other advanced programs?

Also, has anyone heard of people matching advanced and then failing to find a prelim? I am not a highly competitive applicant, just a mediocre one. Should I just rank all categorical or risk scrambling?


Thanks

 

[Acherona]

I would say it's more important to get a neuro spot you like, as long as you are willing to go to the boonies/malignant program for 1 year.

I have a similar question regarding the prelims. Is it kosher to ask a prelim program that interviewed you along with the advanced neuro if they are going to rank you independently of the neuro? Technically the applications are separate, but basically the departments work together and they give all the neuro applicants an interview on the same day.

Now I know this topic has been done to death and rest assured I have read all those posts. My situation is that I have several categorical neuro programs and advanced but NO stand alone prelim interviews. My top 3 choices are advanced programs. I interviewed at some advanced with attached prelims that required a separate ERAS application. No where on the website does it say that the prelim is only for neuro applicants. My question is that can I use this prelim in my rank list with other advanced programs?

Also, has anyone heard of people matching advanced and then failing to find a prelim? I am not a highly competitive applicant, just a mediocre one. Should I just rank all categorical or risk scrambling?


Thanks

 

[DocP]

Also, has anyone heard of people matching advanced and then failing to find a prelim? I am not a highly competitive applicant, just a mediocre one. Should I just rank all categorical or risk scrambling?


Thanks

In the same situation as you! My tops are advanced too! I clearly don't have much advice, as I am struggling with the same decision as you. But just wanted to say, hang in there.

 

[Raggaman]

In the same situation as you! My tops are advanced too! I clearly don't have much advice, as I am struggling with the same decision as you. But just wanted to say, hang in there.

Haa thanks! And you too!

I would like to add that its so stupid that so many programs don't integrate a prelim year. It would make life so much easier.

 

[buckley]

Do people match in advanced programs and scramble for prelims? YES.

Can you match in a ifferent advanced spot ad keep the prelim spot for a different advanced program? YES. It just makes it awkward when you run into the neurology people but it's not that big a deal. Definitely rank all your prelim programs in your ROL

For example:

1. Hopkins
Prelims: Hopkins, U of Maryland, U of C, Rush, UNMC
2. U of C
Prelims: U of C, Rush, UNMC, Hopkins, U Maryland
3. UNMC
Prelims: UNMC, U of C, RUsh, U Maryland

Remember, you get matched first to your advanced program and then the prelim program.
Is it technically more important to match for a prelim spot? YES. Remember if you don't find a prelim spot, you lose your advanced spot. But usually the advanced spot will try their best to find you a prelim spot as well.

 

[missinglink]

But usually the advanced spot will try their best to find you a prelim spot as well.

I assume this would occur in a scramble fashion when you have not matched a prelim program. Would they say "it looks like programs a, b, and c will take you, so which one do you want"? Any thoughts?