Dermatology WAMC--Gap year needed?

[sar_vb12]

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I'm an M3 (lower-tier US-MD) hoping to apply to dermatology. 237 Step 1, haven't taken Step 2 CK. Ranked in the second quartile of my class, so probably not going to make AOA. Caucasian female from the midwest.
I'm worried about applying given my mediocre step 1 and clinical grades (2 each of Pass, HP, and Honors). I have a few first author publications in pulm but nothing in dermatology; however, I recently started working on two projects. My school has a pretty weak dermatology department (small, poorly ranked residency) with notoriously bad advising based on what I have heard from previous applicants, so I wanted to reach out to this community for advice.

I'm wondering if I really still have a shot at matching. If so, should I be planning on a gap year? or can I proceed with applications next fall? I'm fine with either pathway, but just want to be realistic.

 

[Redpancreas]

I'm an M3 (lower-tier US-MD) hoping to apply to dermatology. 237 Step 1, haven't taken Step 2 CK. Ranked in the second quartile of my class, so probably not going to make AOA. Caucasian female from the midwest.
I'm worried about applying given my mediocre step 1 and clinical grades (2 each of Pass, HP, and Honors). I have a few first author publications in pulm but nothing in dermatology; however, I recently started working on two projects. My school has a pretty weak dermatology department (small, poorly ranked residency) with notoriously bad advising based on what I have heard from previous applicants, so I wanted to reach out to this community for advice.

I'm wondering if I really still have a shot at matching. If so, should I be planning on a gap year? or can I proceed with applications next fall? I'm fine with either pathway, but just want to be realistic.

Post on the Dermatology forum to get a more nuanced/expert opinion (you may want to ask the mods to avoid a cross-posting ToS): Dermatology

I'm sorry to say this though but I don't think you're competitive for Dermatology unless you get a lot of research recognized by this September 2021. Your profile is definitely above average though! A 237 is a viable Step 1 score, 2 honors is a positive. School name per you is not great, but maybe there's room in the home program? I don't want to discourage you because I have seen less competitive profiles get in which makes me wonder sometimes... and SDN/Reddit-Derm worthy is not the standard I like to advise to. I think if your heart is set on Derm you should go for it. I think you're going to need a gap year to pump out some significant publications. If your class rank/Step 1 were better (there's nothing wrong with them now) I would say maybe try this cycle but I don't think it's realistic and efforts are better served just accepting the delayed gratification instead of hoping for a direct jump. I hope you do it and succeed!

Also I totally understand the cynicism with advisors but they're the ones with the cold hard numbers of who got in, what their steps were, etc. Most applicants won't tell you the whole story.

 

[slowthai]

Research year is a must imo.

 

[Lawpy]

Derm needs research. You must take a research year. Also post in the derm forums for advice.

 

[longhaul3]

research year, then put 95% of your eggs in your home program basket.