Derm - Matching Is Getting Harder

[exPCM]

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A quick look at the 2009 numbers show derm is getting even more competitive.

http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf
Good luck to those trying to match next year.
It is amazing to me that even one IMG can match into derm on an H1-B visa. H1-B visas are intended for fields in which there are not qualified Americans available. It certainly appears there are plenty of qualified Americans not matching into derm.
For those not familiar with the H1-B program this video is interesting, particularly the goal stated at 1:45 of the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCbFEgFajGU

 

[Dermguy]

Brutal, Brutal numbers there, even if you're at the top. Those of you who feel safe because you're above average, don't get overconfident. I was one of that >260 group, and I applied to 70 derm spots but only got 10 interviews. I was sweating bullets on match day, and 20% of people with scores above 260 did not match. YIKES!

On the other hand, if you're below average, there's still hope so hang in there and just be the best applicant you can be.

 

[sensitive skin]

Gosh, I feel so special. Seriously, I do -- and I'm sure all who matched this year feel the same. 🙂 It's better than winning the lottery, I think.

 

[asmallchild]

Brutal, Brutal numbers there, even if you're at the top. Those of you who feel safe because you're above average, don't get overconfident. I was one of that >260 group, and I applied to 70 derm spots but only got 10 interviews. I was sweating bullets on match day, and 20% of people with scores above 260 did not match. YIKES!

Definitely agree, I had fewer interviews and definitely felt sick to my stomach on Black Monday.

Gosh, I feel so special. Seriously, I do -- and I'm sure all who matched this year feel the same. 🙂 It's better than winning the lottery, I think.

Without question, just thinking about match week brings a huge smile to my face 😛

 

[IzzyMD09]

These are somewhat hopeful numbers if you compare the step 1 scores of people who applied and matched to the people who applied with similar scores and didnt match. It also sort of tells us that a majority of applicants had less than a 240 which means screening cut-offs cant be higher than 240 for most programs

maybe im disillusioned and seeing what i want to see though

😱

Of those people who applied US Seniors (not including IMG's, 5th Pathway which I guess means through fellowship or after research)


1/3 with a 181-190 or 33% matched

0/4 with a 191-200 or 0% matched

5/16 with a 201-210 or 31% matched

13/28 with a 211 -220 or 46% matched

31/61 with a 221-230 or 50.8% matched

59/97 with a 231-240 or 60.8% matched

75/97 with a 241-250 or 77.3% matched

64/83 with a 251-260 or 77.1% matched

16/20 with a 261+ or 80% matched


140 matched out of 209 applied with below a 240 or below = 67% of applicants with 240 or less matched

155 matched out of 200 applied with 241 + = 77.5% of applicants with a 241 and up matched

 

[opencomedo]

Several comments:
1. Matching derm isn better than winning the lottery (except maybe pick 5 or a scratch-off ticket), derm will not allow me the ability to go to Cabo whenever I want starting now 😎
2. I think its very interesting that the match rate is basically identical for everyone with scores b/w 240-260 (maybe there arent as many >250 cutoffs out there as people think)
3. As for the folks that dont match with over a 260, this happens in most competitive fields... dont know exactly why, perhaps these people rode on their laurels and thought with a superstar board score they didnt need to get as many extras on their app, or maybe they are walking talking computers that had trouble fitting in on a lot of their interviews.

I guess the moral of the story to all who apply is, it takes more than a number to get you in (i.e. # of pubs, Step score, or AOA/MS/PhD). For some this is a good thing, for others, this will induce insomnia. Just do all that you can to help your app and let the cards fall as they may once you start on the trail. Glad to be on the other side of this gaunlet... good luck to everyone this year, the fun has already started (and sorry the magic number is now basically 9!)....

 

[kralwok]

Several comments:

I guess the moral of the story to all who apply is, it takes more than a number to get you in (i.e. # of pubs, Step score, or AOA/MS/PhD).

that's right. it takes luck as well. not all of those people who didn't match with good scores are arrogant or walking/talking computers. there are those that are unlucky. maybe programs ranked them in the middle of their list and didn't go down too far. and then there are those with hardly any interviews who one program chose to rank highly. there are many factors that make this a game of chance...

 

[N-Surge]

Off the cuff advice for those looking at the numbers... Yeah, it's brutal. But it is also attainable...

I you really want it then apply. If you don't match do a prelim and then reapply. Be careful to not lock yourself into a 3 yr Med program if you are going to try again. If you don't get in again do a fellowship and reapply. 3 chances! In the end you will not have wasted any time, imo. You have to do PGY1 intern yr anyhow and a year of research derm style is NEVER a waste, imo. 🙂

 

[FixItUp Chappie]

Off the cuff advice for those looking at the numbers... Yeah, it's brutal. But it is also attainable...

I you really want it then apply. If you don't match do a prelim and then reapply. Be careful to not lock yourself into a 3 yr Med program if you are going to try again. If you don't get in again do a fellowship and reapply. 3 chances! In the end you will not have wasted any time, imo. You have to do PGY1 intern yr anyhow and a year of research derm style is NEVER a waste, imo. 🙂

I met a guy who had to do this exact same thing.

He didn't match after senior year or after his medicine internship, so he went off to do a research fellowship. He mentioned to me that he was able to get some hours at an Urgent Care clinic on the weekends to make ends meet, but that overall it was a very trying experience.

I certainly hope to not take this difficult route. However, if that is what it takes to accomplish the dream, then it is a road that I will accept without complaint.