Opinion Wanted: What are my chances in matching into Dermatology?

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Hey gang, I'm not going to douche it up in here by telling you my board scores, research pubs, posters and the like. What I would like help on is selecting programs for derm. Honestly, I don't know where to begin, there isn't a derm department at my school and I'm trying to sift through programs where I can/should do a derm elective.

I've been looking over FREIDA and I don't even know where to begin. Any recommendations on researching derm programs!?

Much appreciated guys, thanks.

Me: MS3 half-way through 3rd year

I would look at big programs where you can get exposure to large departments and research. Places like Harvard, Penn, SF, and Miami deserve a look just because a strong letter from someone in the dept can take you far. Also research opportunities at these places can't hurt either.

Originally Posted by vicinihil

I would look at big programs where you can get exposure to large departments and research. Places like Harvard, Penn, SF, and Miami deserve a look just because a strong letter from someone in the dept can take you far. Also research opportunities at these places can't hurt either.

Thanks, that's good advice. Honestly I'm a bit (actually, a lot bit) intimidated applying for an away at some of these big places for fear of being scoffed at! But, making a good impression, working hard and securing a letter from someone in the dept. would be invaluable. I'll give it more consideration.

Another physician recommended to just have to look at the programs on an individual basis. The national ranking lists mean nothing in terms of being an applicant and it's the only way to really know the ins-and-outs of a program second to talking with residents and alumni.

Originally Posted by Anonymous99

Mid-tier school with derm program
Step 1: 255-259
Step 2: Scheduled to take at end of 2 week break between M3 and M4. Bad move? I'd just feel more comfortable devoting 100% attention rather than doing in during a light rotation. My last 3rd year rotation is light also.
AOA: Nominated for Junior (prob won't get). Maybe senior?
Class Rank: Unknown but I'm somewhere in the top 25%
1 clerkship honor so far; keep getting second highest mark for rotations but have been 90+-ing the NBMEs

research: Undergrad poster x2 at conference, undergrad oral presentation, Derm Clinical research between M1 and M2... No pub/anything. 1 Derm case report.

ECs: Typical things, nothing crazy.


Really nervous about my chances. Planning on 2 home rotations (Clinical Derm, Dermpath) and 2 away rotations (Clincal Derm, Dermpath).

Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks

Edit: No junior AOA.

Would appreciate any feedback - especially regarding having only 1 clinical honor (keep getting 2nd best mark on rotations, all good comments, 90+ nbme scores; a trend which will likely continue)

I am a 3rd year from a lower-to-mid tier school with a derm program who will probably not get AOA due to coasting through my first 2 years; probably in the middle of the pack right now in terms of class ranking.

My step 1 is 245. I have one derm publication, 3 derm poster presentations at research conferences (one of which I am trying to publish with the help of derm faculty at my school), and I am working on 2 more derm projects, one of which will definitely result in publication.

I have also published a book unrelated to derm, and I have a couple of other medical research poster presentations unrelated to derm.

I have received 2 Honors and 1 high pass in the 3 clerkships I've completed, and I'm working on finishing strong with honors for my last 3 clerkships.

ECs: I have significant extracurricular activity on a national level.

Would like to know what my chances are? I am mostly worried that no AOA and coming from a low-to-mid tier school will shut some doors. I would also like to know if there is anything else I can do to strengthen my application, and how realistic I should be when applying. Thanks!

Step1 255
low-mid tier school
Maybe Junior AOA but definitely will be Senior AOA
Research at NIH summer before med school and between year 1 and 2
2 posters, 3 presentations, and 1 third author pub in cancer research. Nothing related to derm
Tons of extracurriculars
LOR's should be decent. 1 from home, 1 from away
Which programs would be good for me to do my aways?
I can only do my aways in July or in October. Problem is if I do it in July I wouldn't have done my home derm elective as of yet. Is october too late for an away?

Found every rotation interesting in some respect, however, nothing felt to be the right fit. Recently, I realized that dermatology fits all of my interests in terms of medicine, clinic, procedures, research opportunities, and lifestyle. I am ending my 3rd year in 2 months and I am wondering, what are my chances to match into derm? What can I do to be a competitive applicant?

Step1: 248
Rank: top 25%, honors 1st year
School: mid-tier US MD program
M3: OB honors, family honors, psych honors, rads honors, peds high pass, IM high pass
AOA: no
Research: minimal. summer research between M1-M2 (clinical surgery research, presentation to the department) minor undergrad project
Extracurriculars: extensive involvement in volunteering, 2 leadership positions, GHHS member, school committee position.

thanks for your time.

Check out the "What are my chances?" stickie!

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Originally Posted by N-Surge

Check out the "What are my chances?" stickie!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using SDN Mobile

... Which hasn't had a reply in months

Originally Posted by Anonymous99

Would appreciate any feedback - especially regarding having only 1 clinical honor (keep getting 2nd best mark on rotations, all good comments, 90+ nbme scores; a trend which will likely continue)

Had similar stats and was able to match, keep plugging away

Originally Posted by yourstruly

I am a 3rd year from a lower-to-mid tier school with a derm program who will probably not get AOA due to coasting through my first 2 years; probably in the middle of the pack right now in terms of class ranking.

My step 1 is 245. I have one derm publication, 3 derm poster presentations at research conferences (one of which I am trying to publish with the help of derm faculty at my school), and I am working on 2 more derm projects, one of which will definitely result in publication.

I have also published a book unrelated to derm, and I have a couple of other medical research poster presentations unrelated to derm.

I have received 2 Honors and 1 high pass in the 3 clerkships I've completed, and I'm working on finishing strong with honors for my last 3 clerkships.

ECs: I have significant extracurricular activity on a national level.

Would like to know what my chances are? I am mostly worried that no AOA and coming from a low-to-mid tier school will shut some doors. I would also like to know if there is anything else I can do to strengthen my application, and how realistic I should be when applying. Thanks!

Fair, no AOA and your school are going to be weak points

I always recommend taking a year off while in medical school to pursue research if you are looking for something that will strengthen your application

As for being realistic, it's not unreasonable to consider applying even without the year off, be sure to apply broadly

Originally Posted by NaOut

Step1 255
low-mid tier school
Maybe Junior AOA but definitely will be Senior AOA
Research at NIH summer before med school and between year 1 and 2
2 posters, 3 presentations, and 1 third author pub in cancer research. Nothing related to derm
Tons of extracurriculars
LOR's should be decent. 1 from home, 1 from away
Which programs would be good for me to do my aways?
I can only do my aways in July or in October. Problem is if I do it in July I wouldn't have done my home derm elective as of yet. Is october too late for an away?

Hard for me to recommend a program to do an away but my recommendation is to treat it like a 2-4 week job interview (however long the away is). If you find you cannot remain as enthusiastic, fascinated, engaged, helpful, etc as your 1st rotation, it's time to stop with the aways

I don't have a strong feeling on when to do aways, you may want to check with your home or away institutions as many places do not allow you to rotate without a home rotation first. October is still reasonable for an away rotation

Originally Posted by caz12

Found every rotation interesting in some respect, however, nothing felt to be the right fit. Recently, I realized that dermatology fits all of my interests in terms of medicine, clinic, procedures, research opportunities, and lifestyle. I am ending my 3rd year in 2 months and I am wondering, what are my chances to match into derm? What can I do to be a competitive applicant?

Step1: 248
Rank: top 25%, honors 1st year
School: mid-tier US MD program
M3: OB honors, family honors, psych honors, rads honors, peds high pass, IM high pass
AOA: no
Research: minimal. summer research between M1-M2 (clinical surgery research, presentation to the department) minor undergrad project
Extracurriculars: extensive involvement in volunteering, 2 leadership positions, GHHS member, school committee position.

thanks for your time.

Looks like you are on the right track. I would recommend trying to add some research as a MS4 and of course, to do well on any and all derm rotations.

Hey guys,

Everyone ask this question because it is the most important yet hardest to answer, but please need input: what are my chances of getting derm residency?

Applying next year as U.S. M.D.
Saint Louis University Med School
Step 1 237
IM: NH Fam: P Oby/Gyn: P Ped: P Neuro: H (Honor, Near Honor, Pass)
5 research projects (2ENT, Neuro, and Derm)
1 ENT publication (2nd author), other ENT paper rejected
within month derm publication (1st author) in JAAD
bunch of presentation poster and oral on set projects at local and national conferences

Side question: What are the "easier" to get into derm residencies in U.S./Midwest?

Let me know. Thanks

Originally Posted by SIR

Hey guys,

Everyone ask this question because it is the most important yet hardest to answer, but please need input: what are my chances of getting derm residency?

Applying next year as U.S. M.D.
Saint Louis University Med School
Step 1 237
IM: NH Fam: P Oby/Gyn: P Ped: P Neuro: H (Honor, Near Honor, Pass)
5 research projects (2ENT, Neuro, and Derm)
1 ENT publication (2nd author), other ENT paper rejected
within month derm publication (1st author) in JAAD
bunch of presentation poster and oral on set projects at local and national conferences

Side question: What are the "easier" to get into derm residencies in U.S./Midwest?

Let me know. Thanks

I have a few questions:

1. What is your AOA status?
2. How strong do you think your LoRs will be?
3. For this last question, I swear I'm not trying to be judgmental...I honestly would like to know to offer you the advice you want...But as a MD/PhD student, you only have one pub and another pending? That seems low to me and could be a red flag.

Hey, I'm going to lay it all out, so hopefully one or more of you will be able/willing to chance me

Mid-tier allo school (not top 40)
249 Step 1
All clinical H's except for OB/GYN
Several first author pubs, however, only one is in derm
I want to match in the Midwest or South

I'm nervous that I won't match because I don't think I'm going to get AOA. I am, however, going to do a derm research year. Do you think a research year can make up for not being AOA? I'm also taking Step 2 this summer. Will a certain score hurt me, or should I be find as long as I can score 250+? Thanks!

Originally Posted by Dral

I have a few questions:

1. What is your AOA status?
2. How strong do you think your LoRs will be?
3. For this last question, I swear I'm not trying to be judgmental...I honestly would like to know to offer you the advice you want...But as a MD/PhD student, you only have one pub and another pending? That seems low to me and could be a red flag.

???

Originally Posted by Pam fyck us

???

His status says he's an MD/PhD student

Tru dat. I took this as superseding:

Originally Posted by SIR

Applying next year as U.S. M.D.

... and assumed his PhDizzle was in French Economics, the History of Cheese Production, or something else very important.

Hindsight shows this may have been my very first oversight... ever.


Only time (or SIR) will tell.

Originally Posted by FancyPantzz

Hey, I'm going to lay it all out, so hopefully one or more of you will be able/willing to chance me

Mid-tier allo school (not top 40)
249 Step 1
All clinical H's except for OB/GYN
Several first author pubs, however, only one is in derm
I want to match in the Midwest or South

I'm nervous that I won't match because I don't think I'm going to get AOA. I am, however, going to do a derm research year. Do you think a research year can make up for not being AOA? I'm also taking Step 2 this summer. Will a certain score hurt me, or should I be find as long as I can score 250+? Thanks!

Bump! I guess I'm just trying to get feedback from anyone who did a research year, and whether they think it made up for not being AOA. I'm neurotic--like all other derm apps--so I'm just trying gage how much of a disadvantage I'll be at if I don't get AOA

Thank you all for your time and thoughts!

Originally Posted by FancyPantzz

Bump! I guess I'm just trying to get feedback from anyone who did a research year, and whether they think it made up for not being AOA. I'm neurotic--like all other derm apps--so I'm just trying gage how much of a disadvantage I'll be at if I don't get AOA

Thank you all for your time and thoughts!

Not sure when the next Charting Outcomes will come out, but in the last one 50% of Derm applicants were AOA ... meaning 50% were not ... SDN tends to be skewed in general so ... yeah