Advice for a late switcher into Derm

[fromthetips]

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Hey Guys

I'm a late switcher into derm, planning to take an additional year to apply as well as strengthen my application as I'd been aiming for a different field the past 4 years.

Things on my radar:

1. Derm specific research: I've always done basic science (1 first author pub, non-derm). I am more inclined to try some clinical (non-bench) research, there should be many opps at my school with various faculty.
-Any tips on what types of project to ask faculty about (things with short production time)?
-Conferences to submit abstracts to?

2. Volunteering
-Are there international opportunities?

3. Away Rotations
-Do people do them?

4. LORs?
-Do people get all derm letters, or a mixture. Also, are there schools that require specific letters (chair letter, medicine letter, etc.)<-- there were many surgical programs that required this

5. Step 2 CK: I'll be taking it in February (I had tried avoiding it as I have a solid Step 1 score), but now that I am delaying, I'm going to take it (perhaps to strengthen my app). What # should I be aiming for? Or perhaps, should I just put it off again, or would this be a red flag?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[Dral]

I'm currently interviewing, so others who are more advanced in their careers may have better advice. However, I'll give it a shot.

1. Case reports and reviews have short turn around time. They are also great because they can teach you about something new from a clinical standpoint.

2. Not sure about this one.

3. Yes, people do them. I did one this year and it is probably the best thing I've done. If nothing else, it's a great way to learn about a program different than your home program if you have one. If you don't have one, it's pretty much a necessary endeavor.

4. Most programs will require 3 to 4 derm letters. If you do a significant amount of research with a non-derm person I would probably include that. Your medicine chair letter will be for intern year spots, but derm programs don't seem to really care about it.

5. Take advice from Nike and just do it (my opinion). As long as you're around your step 1 score or higher, you're good to go.

Good luck. The process is stressful, but if you are truly dedicated, it's worth it in the end.

 

[dermathalon]

For international opportunities, you could look at what may be provided through the AAD. Also there is an International Society of Dermatology that may be of some help too and you can google it to get to their website.

 

[comedone]

Try also funding international trips with:
-european society of dermatological research
-women's derm society
-society for pediatric dermatology
-and country/university specific awards
-also fulbright/rhodes/private awards

Volunteering
-yes, there are international opportunities. you just need to ask your mentor for direction or pick a location & uncover an investigator that is doing the type of dermatology that inspires you. just check on VISA requirement per your school's international med program

 

[fromthetips]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll check out these websites. Other than doing some research and looking into these potential international opportunities, what are your thoughts on away rotations. Given that my clerkship schedule is pretty cleared up now that I have completed almost all required clerkships, I could potentially do a number of aways. I was thinking of 2, do you think that is reasonable?

 

[jsong812]

Sorry for stealing this thread but I'm also late switching into derm (from ENT) and a result, I'm taking a year off. I've had a surprisingly hard time coming by any derm-related research. And advice on what to do? My numbers are: 250+ step 1 and 2, all "outstandings" during my third year, inducted into AOA, and have 2 first author publications in a middle-tier ENT journal. I still have about 2 other ENT papers i'm working on but like i've said before, I'm having an extremely difficult time finding any derm-related research. Do you think this is something I absolutely need given that I've already written close to 6 papers? any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[TMP-SMX]

Talk to the derm department if your school has one.

 

[jsong812]

Talk to the derm department if your school has one.

Yeah, I've already tried talking to them and no luck.

 

[Dral]

Yeah, I've already tried talking to them and no luck.

If your school is large enough to have its own Dermatology Department, I would guess there are numerous opportunities to get some Dermatology related experience. Here are some suggestions:


1. Try asking them if they have any interesting case reports that you could help write. Also, see if they have any suggestions for review articles you could write.

2. Look elsewhere at your institution. There should probably be someone who is doing some type of research that is at least derm related.

3. You could step back and do basic science work that is indirectly related such as general molecular biology, immunology, etc.

4. Try to find out about any dermatology (or related) clinical trials that are currently running and see if you can get involved.

5. Work on some public health issues. Survey projects, public awareness campaigns, etc.

 

[Dral]

Thanks for the response. I'll definitely try these out but I guess what I'm really wondering is how important is it that I have derm-specific research given that I have an extensive amount of ENT research? I'm planning on scheduling some derm electives but do I really have to do research to show them that I'm committed to the field? I would think doing 3 months of derm rotations should be convincing enough.

If I were in your situation, I'd try to get some Dermatology research under my belt. Most dermatology programs want to see research in the field. Put yourself in a program director's shoes: "Hmm, this person obviously wanted to do ENT initially. I wonder why they switched...did they think lifestyle or do they really love Dermatology?"

Of course, there are other ways to convey your true interest in derm such as your PS, but doing it through a continuation of research in the field of dermatology only makes your application stronger.

...and trust me, as a current applicant, you want your application to be as strong as possible. 👍

 

[jsong812]

If your school is large enough to have its own Dermatology Department, I would guess there are numerous opportunities to get some Dermatology related experience. Here are some suggestions:


1. Try asking them if they have any interesting case reports that you could help write. Also, see if they have any suggestions for review articles you could write.

2. Look elsewhere at your institution. There should probably be someone who is doing some type of research that is at least derm related.

3. You could step back and do basic science work that is indirectly related such as general molecular biology, immunology, etc.

4. Try to find out about any dermatology (or related) clinical trials that are currently running and see if you can get involved.

5. Work on some public health issues. Survey projects, public awareness campaigns, etc.

Thanks for the response. I'll definitely try these out but I guess what I'm really wondering is how important is it that I have derm-specific research given that I have an extensive amount of ENT research? I'm planning on scheduling some derm electives but do I really have to do research to show them that I'm committed to the field? I would think doing 3 months of derm rotations should be convincing enough.

 

[jsong812]

If I were in your situation, I'd try to get some Dermatology research under my belt. Most dermatology programs want to see research in the field. Put yourself in a program director's shoes: "Hmm, this person obviously wanted to do ENT initially. I wonder why they switched...did they think lifestyle or do they really love Dermatology?"

Of course, there are other ways to convey your true interest in derm such as your PS, but doing it through a continuation of research in the field of dermatology only makes your application stronger.

...and trust me, as a current applicant, you want your application to be as strong as possible. 👍

werd👍