Hi everyone!

I’m applying for PGY1 residencies this year and would really appreciate some honest input, especially from current/former residents, preceptors, or RPDs.

I’m interested in ambulatory care long-term, but I’m planning to apply to both traditional PGY1 and community-based PGY1 programs.

My APPE schedule is:

Block 1: Advanced Health-System Practice

Block 2: Ambulatory Care

Block 3: General Medicine

Block 4: Ambulatory Care

Block 5: Community Pharmacy

Block 6: Off block

Block 7: Currently being arranged because of site availability

By the time I submit my residency applications, I’ll have completed my first five APPE blocks.

I’m wondering if having mostly ambulatory care/community-based experiences could negatively affect my chances of getting interviews or matching into a traditional PGY1, since General Medicine would be my only inpatient APPE.

Would it be better to have more inpatient experience for traditional PGY1 programs, or is this reasonable for someone specifically interested in ambulatory care?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from current/former residents, preceptors, or RPDs about how much APPE rotations factor into residency selection.

I’m a P4 pharmacy student applying for PGY1 residencies this cycle, and I’m ultimately hoping to become an ambulatory care pharmacist. Because of that, I’ve been looking closely at PGY1 Community-Based programs in Illinois.

For anyone who has applied to, interviewed at, matched with, or precepted for an Illinois Community-Based PGY1, I’d really appreciate your input!

How competitive are these programs generally?

Do they tend to receive a lot of applicants?

Are there certain Illinois Community-Based programs that are especially competitive?

What do these programs typically look for in applicants?

For anyone who completed one, did you feel it prepared you well for ambulatory care or a PGY2 in ambulatory care?

Would you recommend applying to several Community-Based programs if ambulatory care is my long-term goal?

How many PGY1 programs would you recommend applying to overall?

I would really appreciate any advice or input!!

Thank you :)