I’m a USMD ( >240 step 2) and had a problem with my application where I was missing my scores and headshot and didn’t know it until a week after applications opened. I have 4 interviews, 3 of them are where I did aways. Thankfully I did really well on them based off my feedback and have kept in contact with residents and staff. I’d say I have a pretty good application barring my scores.

I was told to delay graduation by my mentor at my school (no home program) and reapply next year vs doing a gen surg prelim year if I don’t match which becomes more and more realistic as the days drag on.

But most, if not all, pre-residency fellowships require a graduated MD and I don’t know of any research fellowships that pay enough to live off and can produce significant enough output to offset the extra year.

What would you advise an applicant in this scenario?
Open to all recommendations