Specialty-specific review for Transitional Year (TY) applicants. Matched applicants averaged Step 2 CK —. We help you meet that bar.
The patterns reviewers flag most often when screening Transitional Year candidates.
Applying for TY without a confirmed advanced-year specialty spot
Not signaling TY programs you genuinely prefer for clinical exposure
Underestimating how TY year reputation affects fellowship applications
Failing to look for TY programs co-located with your advanced specialty programs
Geographic mismatch between TY location and PGY-2 advanced program
Clinical readiness for independent rotations in medicine and surgery
Commitment to specialty following TY (especially for surgical subspecialties)
Geographic fit and co-location with advanced program
Step 2 CK as a basic competency indicator
Letter from an attending who attests to clinical readiness
Three concrete moves we'll work through with you, drawn from current NRMP / Charting Outcomes data.
Apply TY programs in geographic proximity to your advanced specialty PGY-2 program — co-location reduces logistical and career disruption.
Apply to at least 30 TY programs; with 1,860 positions and a 86.9% fill rate, some positions always go to SOAP, but top programs are still competitive.
Use all 12 signals for TY programs affiliated with your target advanced specialty institutions.
Specialty-specific PS strategy, signal counts, and Step 2 CK context.
Read more →GuideStructure, openings, and AAMC rules for the ERAS PS.
Read more →GuideSignals, geography, and reach/target/safety tiers.
Read more →All specialtiesCompare competitiveness and match data across fields.
View all →We'll pair you with a reviewer who's served on Transitional Year selection committees. Your personal statement, CV, and signal strategy — line-edited against the bar above.
Data sourced from NRMP / AAMC, NRMP / AAMC. Match year 2025.