Do extracurricular activities even matter in derm?

[Blain77]

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It seems grades, AOA status, board scores, and research are what is used to define a derm applicant. Do extracurricular activities even matter in the derm residency application process? I mean do program directors really care how involved you were?

 

[bananamed]

Absolutely. An applicant with amazing extracurricular activities on top of outstanding grades, AOA, boards, research, etc... is preferred over one without those experiences.

The other thing is, what are you going to talk about during your interviews? No one mentions grades or AOA or boards. Those are already evident on your CV. Yeah, you can discuss research. But what really makes you interesting (both at the pre-interview dinner and during the interview) is what else you bring to the table in terms of your hobbies, your leadership skills, your volunteering spirit, etc... etc...

Now if you're asking if extracurriculars overshadow the other items you mentioned, then no.

 

[Blain77]

An applicant with amazing extracurricular activities on top of outstanding grades, AOA, boards, research, etc... is preferred

Should I be able to walk on water too? How about make the sea part?

I bet a lot of program directors wouldn't hold up in today's competitive admissions process. My childhood derm actually graduated med school in the Phillipines in the late '70's and did his derm residency at a VA hospital in the early '80's. That would never happen today I imagine.

 

[bananamed]

Should I be able to walk on water too? How about make the sea part?

I bet a lot of program directors wouldn't hold up in today's competitive admissions process. My childhood derm actually graduated med school in the Phillipines in the late '70's and did his derm residency at a VA hospital in the early '80's. That would never happen today I imagine.

If you can walk on water or part the sea, might I suggest doing something more productive with your time instead of dermatology?

Regarding your 2nd point, my PD routinely and loudly jokes that she wouldn't even be invited for an interview in today's competitive environment.

It's funny how cyclical these things are.

 

[Huit]

i know....i've heard that ob/gyn was the hottest field 20 years ago attracting the best of the best, looking at how they are doing now....🙄

 

[bananamed]

i know....i've heard that ob/gyn was the hottest field 20 years ago attracting the best of the best, looking at how they are doing now....🙄

OB/GYN (at least at my school) is enjoying a renaissance of sorts.

General surgery has been hit really hard this year (again, just at my school). I don't know if this is a national trend

 

[Doublecortin]

If you can walk on water or part the sea, might I suggest doing something more productive with your time instead of dermatology?

Regarding your 2nd point, my PD routinely and loudly jokes that she wouldn't even be invited for an interview in today's competitive environment.

It's funny how cyclical these things are.

I guess what the OP might be wondering, and I am wondering as well, it is pretty damn hard as it is to honor, get top board scores, and do publishable research, AND to graduate in 4 years. So how are you supposed to do crazy ECs on top of that?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

One other thing that the OP might want to consider is that some AOA chapters include ECs in the criteria for extending membership, so AOA and ECs are not exactly separate parts of your application.

 

[OntheRoof55]

thinking about these trends, do you all think is derm going to go down in competitiveness in 20 years? apparently in japan derm is considered in the same category as podiatry

 

[scumbagderm]

EC's matter. My application is largely centered around my extracurriculars as I have no research. I spent 90% of my interview time talking about ECs.

Thing is, most of those things (all of them actually) began in high school and extended into undergrad. Just because you did such and such in undergrad doesn't mean you can't include it in your application. By the time you apply, you've only been in med school for about 3 years so undergrad is not so far removed from the picture. Include all those volunteer trips you went on, that basketball team you played on that went to nationals, that poem you entered into a big competition, the instrument you played, the drama group you were in, the big fundraiser you organized ect. (as long as it is significant or over a long period of time, thus showing commitment, its fair game)

Even childhood stuff can work. I met a girl who formerly trained to do olympic-level gymnastics in high school. She never made it to the olympics but golly---its on her CV! I'd mention a high school achievement but I think it should be something pretty big to make it on there.

BEWARE what you put into "hobbies" section on ERAS. You WILL be asked about this 100 times over. Be prepared to talk about it at length!