Preliminary/Transitional Programs

Types of Programs:

• Categorical Program: Begins with a PGY-1 year and offers full residency training required for specialty board certification.
• Advanced Program:  PGY-2 position, in specialty program and require completion of 1 year of preliminary training (the PGY1 year)
• Preliminary Program: PGY-1 position and offers 1 year of training prior to entry into advanced program. After a preliminary year, a resident may be able to be licensed but is not able to be board certified. Preliminary programs are offered by Internal Medicine and General Surgery. Of note, there are a select few Ob/Gyn preliminary programs which are standalone.
• Transitional Program:  PGY-1 position that is 1 year of training similar to a “rotating” internship.

What type of preliminary program do I need for my specialty?

You should review each specialty program’s preliminary requirements on their website. For example, not all specialties will accept a transitional year. Some may indicate a preference for Internal Medicine or General Surgery, for example.

Do I need a letter of recommendation for a preliminary or transitional program?

Under most circumstances, the answer is yes. This can be coordinated with the Department of Medicine and Department of Surgery, respectively. We recommend meeting with the respective faculty departmental mentors to discuss your circumstances.  In Internal Medicine, a departmental LOR and an IM LOR from someone who worked with you clinically is recommended. We generally recommend at least 1 LOR from a surgical faculty member if applying for a general surgery preliminary position.

Do I need a Personal Statement for a preliminary or transitional program?

Under most circumstances, you do not need a separate personal statement for the preliminary programs.  A student may use the personal statement that they prepared for their primary application. You can consider writing a preliminary program personal statement. See special considerations below.

How many programs do I apply to?

This number depends on whether you are applying just locally or also in locations where you are looking for a PGY-2, as well as your personal competitiveness and the competitiveness of your specialty. Many students will apply locally (5-7) or in locations where you are looking for a PGY-2 (10 – 15). Some students will use a preliminary year as a back-up plan (10-15).

We recommend that all UMSOM students apply to the respective preliminary programs offered at University of Maryland Medical Center. If you have applied to only highly desirable community programs, you may need more applications to gather more interview opportunities.

How do I know I need a preliminary or transitional program?

• ACGME Specialties Requiring a Preliminary Year

Here is a list of post-graduate position requirements by specialty:

Special Considerations:

For Ophthalmology:

• Integrated programs: “Applicants who successfully match into an ophthalmology program with an integrated PGY-1 year are automatically matched into the program’s integrated intern year. Applicants do not need to enroll in NRMP as they are already matched into the affiliated integrated program.”
• Joint programs: “Applicants who successfully match into an ophthalmology program with a joint PGY-1 year are NOT automatically matched into the joint intern year. Applicants should contact their ophthalmology residency program for guidance on how they should proceed to be matched into the joint PGY-1 year. This may include the need to participate in the NRMP match.”

Alternate descriptions:

• Designated preliminary positions: Designated positions are linked to a specialty, and do not require separate applications (for example, urology).
• Non-designated preliminary positions: one-year positions and favored by some advanced programs (for example, interventional radiology and anesthesia). These positions may also be pathways for students as a back-up for a competitive specialty. A student may choose to use the same personal statement and LORs used in their primary specialty application or may choose to provide a preliminary program specific personal statement and LOR(s) as recommended. This can be coordinated with the Department of Medicine and Department of Surgery, respectively. We recommend meeting with the respective faculty departmental mentors to discuss your circumstances. (see above)