Hi guys

I'm an MS2 who is interested in a couple of different fields. I'm planning on doing research in radiology and did summer research in yet another field. However, I may very well choose Derm in the end, which I'm still really interested in. Is it necessary to do Derm research and to publish in a Derm journal, or is it enough that I do well in school and have done research elsewhere in order to be considered for a derm spot???

Thanks!

It's a gamble. If you score -220 on Step 1, without derm research you have little to no chance. With research, you may be able to pull it off. If you score 260+, the lack of derm research won't hurt you.

If you score 260+, the lack of derm research won't hurt you.

I'm not quite sure if this is true. Scoring well on the Step 1 in no way proves your dedication for derm, besides that you cared enough to do well. Yet, derm research and rocking your derm electives (as well as everything else)goes a long way. There are plenty of super-stars applying for derm, how will you stand out besides grades? This goes for any competitive residency.

As has been stated many times, there's no single item on your resume that will qualify or disqualify you for a derm residency. Just remember, that the applicant pool is extremely competitive, and that you'd thus need something to make you stand out. That could be a stellar USMLE score or published research, but neither is likely to secure a spot, if not combined with other attractive qulifications. Nor would the absence of either necessarily prevent you from getting a residency, although average or below USMLE scores certainly will lessen your chances, simply because of the competitiveness of the applicant pool.

Just remember, that just like getting into med school, securing a residency spot isn't just a numbers game, but involves a large number of factors.