Derm Programs

[thestudent]

I know that this is a very premature question, and it is definitely not the most important factor in choosing a medical school, but I am pretty interested in dermatology (I have done basic lab research, path lab work and seen a bit of the clinical side already). I certainly need to gain more exposure as I go through medical school, and this is something that I plan to do in the next few years, but I was wondering which medical schools are known to have good dermatology departments. What schools would offer me the types of experiences I would need to get to know the field and perhaps put me in a good position applying for residency programs? I'm having a tough time choosing the program and school that is right for me, so maybe this can be added to the list of pros and cons. Thanks.

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[Long Dong]

I know that this is a very premature question, and it is definitely not the most important factor in choosing a medical school, but I am pretty interested in dermatology (I have done basic lab research, path lab work and seen a bit of the clinical side already). I certainly need to gain more exposure as I go through medical school, and this is something that I plan to do in the next few years, but I was wondering which medical schools are known to have good dermatology departments. What schools would offer me the types of experiences I would need to get to know the field and perhaps put me in a good position applying for residency programs? I'm having a tough time choosing the program and school that is right for me, so maybe this can be added to the list of pros and cons. Thanks.

Here is a ruff table of school's dermatolgy programs academic acheivement.

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/133/original/academy/table6.htm

Take it with a grain of salt but it can give you a ruff idea that if you went to one of these schools you'd be in better position for more oppurtunities to get involved in research as a med student and rub elbows with famous name faculty. But even if you don't get into one of these schools it wouldn't preclude you from getting into a good derm program. And yes it might be a little premature because many change speciatlies as they go threw med school, I know I did.

 

[thestudent]

Thanks for the advice. I am looking at a few of those schools which is a nice little added piece, but you are definitely right about the changing of specialties. After reading so much negative stuff on these forums, I am very happy that I am at least thinking about a lot of this stuff now--even if it doesn't end up meaning anything, some people go into medicine without really contemplating what it's about and how they hope to enjoy it.

I am also starting to get a sense that doing research during medical school is an important part in applying to residencies. The biggest difference that I have seen in the medical school curricula from school to school is the time off that some places give to students (Baylor, Duke 1 year, Emory, 1/2 year). In a competitive residency like dermatology would this type of opportunity be a big positive in choosing a medical school if you had to go back and do it all over again? I know there is time in between M1 and M2, but a few months is not really enough time to get any major research project done. I guess the other option is to take a year off. I do enjoy doing research even though it is probably not something I plan to mold my career around as a physician.

Here is a ruff table of school's dermatolgy programs academic acheivement.

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/133/original/academy/table6.htm

Take it with a grain of salt but it can give you a ruff idea that if you went to one of these schools you'd be in better position for more oppurtunities to get involved in research as a med student and rub elbows with famous name faculty. But even if you don't get into one of these schools it wouldn't preclude you from getting into a good derm program. And yes it might be a little premature because many change speciatlies as they go threw med school, I know I did.

 

[abefromann]

If you absolutely know that you want derm (it sounds like you're pretty sure but not totally) then choosing a program based on time off for research may be a good idea. That said, any good school will provide ample research opportunity for dermatology. Even my school, which only has ONE derm on staff, actually has a famous MD PhD who has published over 100 journals. He joined the research faculty recently and I was not able to work directly with him because of other projects I had going. I did my bench research b/w 1&2 at another institution and was published in a major derm journal in time for applications. I would really recommend looking into the derm departments at the school to which you are considering applying. A large and dedicated faculty can give you access to all kinds of research that you can complete while at a 4-year school.

That said, I am doing a research fellowship prior to residency out of necessity. As a matter of interest, why are you interested in dermatology? Many of my classmates who know that I am medically sound are surprised to hear that I want to do derm.