Integrated from prelim/research year possible?

[QuaerensIntelle]

I am 2 months into my fourth year of medical school and realizing that I might want to be a plastic surgeon. I actually planned my fourth year to do another competitive specialty and didn't schedule *any* surgical rotations for the beginning of the year. In addition, I don't think that I could get a strong letter from my gen-surg rotation attendings. At this point I don't know how I would match in integrated or general surgery categorical for that matter.

I have good scores (250+ step 1, 260+ step 2), good grades (only one non-honors, in surgery...of all things), plastics research (though no publications yet), other research (no pubs yet), and could probably get 1-2 plastics letters from my research mentors. (my home institution has no residency affiliation...)

Basically, I think (know?) that I'm out of luck for matching integrated this year. I was just wondering if anyone has heard of people matching from surgical prelims,transitional years, or research years before or if gen surg + fellowship would be my only option at this point.

Really apprecaite any advice/information you can give me. My school is a bit weak on the advising front. I apologize if this is a repeat/inappropriate question for this forum.

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[Plastos88]

First of all you are not "out of luck" for matching into plastics. Integrated programs look very highly upon scores and research. Rotations are important too, but I'd say secondary. I would apply for away rotations, even though its late. Some of the smaller schools with less rotating students might still have spots available, which could lead to a strong letter.

That being said, it is very possible to match next year out of a prelim spot. I had a friend apply to integrated PRS and not match, and he took a prelim gen surg spot and applied again and matched integrated. Its all about those scores, scores, scores.

Try to match this year, its worth a shot

 

[kaleerkalut]

First of all you are not "out of luck" for matching into plastics. Integrated programs look very highly upon scores and research. Rotations are important too, but I'd say secondary. I would apply for away rotations, even though its late. Some of the smaller schools with less rotating students might still have spots available, which could lead to a strong letter.

That being said, it is very possible to match next year out of a prelim spot. I had a friend apply to integrated PRS and not match, and he took a prelim gen surg spot and applied again and matched integrated. Its all about those scores, scores, scores.

Try to match this year, its worth a shot

So are you saying that research > rotation Honors? I know Step scores are at the top but this is the first time I've heard research being more important than Honors. I'd appreciate any clarification. Thanks.