Hello all,
First off, I appreciate any input from residents who have gone through similar thought processes or any others. I'll also say that I am speaking with advising at my school about my plan, but I just wanted to get additional input if possible.
I am planning to apply to a competitive speciality (ophthalmology), and while my stats are right at the published average for accepted applicants (as far as I can tell), I am still concerned for the possibility of falling through the cracks and failing to match. If that happens, I want to have a good idea of what the next step should be.
Options I have been considering in cases of not matching are either to defer graduation and switch specialities that I will apply to, apply to a post graduate research fellowship, or take an preliminary year position (if I match one), then apply to an advanced program from there. I think I understand the pros and cons of research fellowships or deferring graduation to reapply, but I am curious to hear more about taking a preliminary program and trying to apply for an advanced spot. Are applicants from prelim programs significantly disadvantaged when compared to senior medical students? Does anyone have some sense of how often this happens, and if it does, what specialities are open to this type of applicant (I would primarily be interested in IM or radiology)?