NRMP ROL - go unmatched or do 1 year of prelim

[Franklin D Romanowski]

In the event of not matching into Rad Onc:
Is it better to throw some prelims below my primary rank order list (and do 1 year of prelim and reeapply to radonc next year).... or is it better to only rank advanced Rad Onc positions, and reapply for both prelim & radonc next year?
Thanks!

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[Gfunk6]

Better to get your prelim done. PGY-2 Rad Onc slots open up all the time. You can transfer into these very quickly if you have your internship in the bag.

 

[NotBeyonce]

You have to do PGY-1 no matter what, so you might as well get it out of the way.
Agree with above, PGY-2 spots open up all the time. Worse case, you can go through the match again.

 

[Damn_Daniel]

AGREE!!

 

[thecarbonionangle]

Look at all the spots that opened up this year. Some people got lucky who went unmatched (some pretty solid programs had spots). So absolutely get your prelim out of the way. Rank a few solid medicine prelims at the bottom of your rank list. Good luck!

 

[kristofer]

For such a small and competitive field, rad-onc has a lot of pgy-2 positions that become available each year. Competition for these spots are largely FMGs and people trying to switch from other specialties. An unmatched US MD with previous rad onc rotations, letters, and research currently completing a prelim who can start without any delay will have a decent shot. So, bottom line... always put a few solid academic IM prelims at the bottom of your primary rank list.