Dermatology AOA

[Pajamasamm]

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Hello, I'm mainly interested in EM/Anest/Derm (lifestyle), but know I definitely can't match ACGME Dermatology. Comlex 1: 737, Step 1:239. Think its applicable to shoot for AOA derm with my high comlex score, and go for EM or Anest for ACGME? Since I honestly don't want an AOA residency, but would be fine with derm. Do I also need to send out my step score?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ortnakas]

AOA programs can’t see your USMLE score, but the number of AOA programs is rapidly dwindling. I don’t know that you’ll have that many to apply to next cycle.

Also, wanting “lifestyle” aka free time and money is fine, at least you’re honest about it, but figure out what you actually like. Your daily life would be very different in derm vs. anesthesia vs. EM. Don’t pick on lifestyle alone or you risk being miserable when you do work.

 

[DrJaySomeday]

I'm pretty sure you apply for AOA derm during your intern year of residency so I don't think you'd be able to dual apply the way you're thinking of. I suppose the newly ACGME programs probably follow their standards for when the applications go out so maybe you could try dual applying to those few that have initial accreditation and are in the ACGME match.

 

[libertyyne]

I'm pretty sure you apply for AOA derm during your intern year of residency so I don't think you'd be able to dual apply the way you're thinking of. I suppose the newly ACGME programs probably follow their standards for when the applications go out so maybe you could try dual applying to those few that have initial accreditation and are in the ACGME match.

Not going to get a lot of ACGME Derm love with a 239 step. Maybe the converted programs. But who knows.

 

[Pajamasamm]

I'm pretty sure you apply for AOA derm during your intern year of residency so I don't think you'd be able to dual apply the way you're thinking of. I suppose the newly ACGME programs probably follow their standards for when the applications go out so maybe you could try dual applying to those few that have initial accreditation and are in the ACGME match.

hmmm...never heard of having to apply during intern year for AOA. overheard a friend saying he was doing this exact thing with ACGME surgery and AOA Derm.

Not going to get a lot of ACGME Derm love with a 239 step. Maybe the converted programs. But who knows.

Yah. Definitely won't get anywhere with ACGME Derm.

AOA programs can’t see your USMLE score, but the number of AOA programs is rapidly dwindling. I don’t know that you’ll have that many to apply to next cycle.

Also, wanting “lifestyle” aka free time and money is fine, at least you’re honest about it, but figure out what you actually like. Your daily life would be very different in derm vs. anesthesia vs. EM. Don’t pick on lifestyle alone or you risk being miserable when you do work.

Figured it was the last cycle to score an AOA residency before the merge, making it easier than going acgme for people like me.

 

[DermDO]

Your USMLE rules out the traditional MD programs. You can target the ACGME accredited DO programs, and I think your score is average for applicants. Probably not a good idea to apply to the non-accredited DO programs at this point.


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[Moose A Moose]

EM, anesthesiology, derm... meh, yeah - they're all basically the same anyway

 

[Solodyn]

Hello, I'm mainly interested in EM/Anest/Derm (lifestyle), but know I definitely can't match ACGME Dermatology. Comlex 1: 737, Step 1:239. Think its applicable to shoot for AOA derm with my high comlex score, and go for EM or Anest for ACGME? Since I honestly don't want an AOA residency, but would be fine with derm. Do I also need to send out my step score?

I don't understand why somehow how you would think there will be any AOA derm positions to serve as your backup plan. Given the fact you only have Step 1 scores, you are likely a 2nd or 3rd year. Hate to tell you this, but I don't think AOA Derm Programs will be there for you.

I'm pretty sure you apply for AOA derm during your intern year of residency so I don't think you'd be able to dual apply the way you're thinking of. I suppose the newly ACGME programs probably follow their standards for when the applications go out so maybe you could try dual applying to those few that have initial accreditation and are in the ACGME match.

As of April 9, there are only 8 pure DO Derm programs left (down from 30 a year ago). The rest are either closed or ascended to the higher plane of ACGME Accreditation. For your purpose, the Ex-DO Programs are no longer AOA and they are as out of reach to you as any other MD Programs. If you think the newly Initial Accredited ACGME Derm Programs will take you just because you are a DO and forgo the 250+ MD applicants, then you must be related to someone famous.

As for the last 8 DO Derm Programs, they have to get special permission from the AOA and AOCD just so they may recruit for the upcoming application cycle of starting date July 2019. Some of them may choose not to do that and just wait for next review committee meeting prior to any recruiting effort. Therefore effectively, this is the very last year for DO Programs to recruit with special permission. I foresee that you can only apply as an intern and not as a 4th year. Your high COMLEX score won't help you whatsoever because there will be no DO Derm Program for you to apply.

 

[Solodyn]

EM, anesthesiology, derm... meh, yeah - they're all basically the same anyway

I assure you... it is as good as they say.

 

[Asherawh]

How is a 239 on Step 1 considered low? How do you know that you definitely cannot match into ACGME Dermatology? I think 239 is pretty good.

 

[libertyyne]

How is a 239 on Step 1 considered low? How do you know that you definitely cannot match into ACGME Dermatology? I think 239 is pretty good.

that is an IQR confidence band. Those are all MD students. If I was a betting man, I would say that a 239 +DO = no match in ACGME derm residency. Since 85~% of matched applicants had a score higher, and 50% of unmatched applicants also had a higher score.

 

[cgk]

I don't understand why somehow how you would think there will be any AOA derm positions to serve as your backup plan. Given the fact you only have Step 1 scores, you are likely a 2nd or 3rd year. Hate to tell you this, but I don't think AOA Derm Programs will be there for you.



As of April 9, there are only 8 pure DO Derm programs left (down from 30 a year ago). The rest are either closed or ascended to the higher plane of ACGME Accreditation. For your purpose, the Ex-DO Programs are no longer AOA and they are as out of reach to you as any other MD Programs. If you think the newly Initial Accredited ACGME Derm Programs will take you just because you are a DO and forgo the 250+ MD applicants, then you must be related to someone famous.

As for the last 8 DO Derm Programs, they have to get special permission from the AOA and AOCD just so they may recruit for the upcoming application cycle of starting date July 2019. Some of them may choose not to do that and just wait for next review committee meeting prior to any recruiting effort. Therefore effectively, this is the very last year for DO Programs to recruit with special permission. I foresee that you can only apply as an intern and not as a 4th year. Your high COMLEX score won't help you whatsoever because there will be no DO Derm Program for you to apply.

So I am unclear from what you described, what happens to those 8 DO programs by the 2020 match? Also, as of now, how many former DO programs will be in the upcoming NRMP match? Is there a list posted somewhere to see the program names? Thanks for clearing up my confusion.

 

[Solodyn]

The detail is in the newly revised Section X

https://www.osteopathic.org/inside-...g-standards/Documents/Basic-Doc-Section-X.pdf

Regardless of specialty, the 2019 is the last year for the Osteopathic Match anyways. There will be no DO match in year 2020. This is for all specialty. The 8 DO programs will either become ACGME or cease to recruit.

 

[ortnakas]

How is a 239 on Step 1 considered low? How do you know that you definitely cannot match into ACGME Dermatology? I think 239 is pretty good.

A 239 is a perfectly good and respectable score; it’s just not a score that’s likely to land you in dermatology.

 

[cgk]

A 239 is a perfectly good and respectable score; it’s just not a score that’s likely to land you in dermatology.

According to "Solodyn", and I'm sure he is in a position to relay accurate information, starting 2020, a DO might not be able to match into one of the "prior" osteopathic residency programs, even with a high Comlex score, if at the same time your USMLE step 1 score is a 239 (subpar for ACGME dermatology).
The message to me is that for competitive specalties like Derm, USMLE scores will be emphasized over Comlex scores more than ever before for DO students..

 

[Pajamasamm]

Thanks for all the replies! I understood how my subpar step 1 would shut me out of ACGME, but now that I know how the merger is affecting the only few AOA spots left and ill be applying in 2019 + having to apply from a TRI, I guess im just screwed out of doing that. Oh well. No derm for me!

 

[Surfindian]

Thanks for all the replies! I understood how my subpar step 1 would shut me out of ACGME, but now that I know how the merger is affecting the only few AOA spots left and ill be applying in 2019 + having to apply from a TRI, I guess im just screwed out of doing that. Oh well. No derm for me!

Just read through this thread and disagree with most of it. Most AOA or former AOA derm programs (there is between 15-20) are still valuing comlex score over usmle and most are accepting 4th years in the match this year rather than interns. Several of these programs told me while I was rotating with them that they continue to take DO's even post merger. I matched into derm and if I were to believe what I read on these forums, I would have given up a long time ago.

 

[Cuongoff]

I still think acgme accredited derm programs will still value comlex over usmle and DO's over MD's (unless PD is an MD). I know programs that are matching 4th years, some that are still doing interns and some that are matching 2 classes this year.

 

[Cuongoff]

Hello, I'm mainly interested in EM/Anest/Derm (lifestyle), but know I definitely can't match ACGME Dermatology. Comlex 1: 737, Step 1:239. Think its applicable to shoot for AOA derm with my high comlex score, and go for EM or Anest for ACGME? Since I honestly don't want an AOA residency, but would be fine with derm. Do I also need to send out my step score?

Thanks in advance!

Your Comlex is good. But you should really choose a specialty and start working towards it ie pubs, contacts, rotations etc.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Your Comlex is good. But you should really choose a specialty and start working towards it ie pubs, contacts, rotations etc.

This was a low key necro, I am pretty sure this person already has apps out now.