For those who unfortunately did not match this cycle, I thought it would be helpful for future applicants to hear what your process was. Did you SOAP? Are you taking 1-2 research years? Are you changing specialties?
And while maintaining anonymity, is there was a specific reason you feel that you did not match? This may help future applicants avoid these mistakes and improve their chances.
Thank you and I hope everything works out in the end!
I SOAPed into a prelim gen surg year. Just had a series of interviews for some vacant nsgy PGY2 places. Will see what happens. Can't think of any reasons particular in my case.
SOAPing into prelim gen surg because my CV is solid otherwise. Research year more beneficial if you have no home program or have no pubs.
Suicide is definitely not the answer.
As an attending who has read applications for a few years, I see a mix of both. I genuinely don't understand why anyone who wants to seriously try again for NSG would do a prelim year
- NSG attendings, except maybe at the same institution, generally don't care what general surgeons think
- Less time for research, aways, interviews
- Time wasted learning gen surg stuff you're less likely to use (some of it is helpful, though)
- Less time to get to know neurosurgeons, which goes the furthest when helping reapplicants match. You need someone in your corner because not matching is a red flag, no matter how you cut it.
Do prelims match? Sure, but they have to be lucky.