I want Derm!

[mdphddermo]

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Hey guys,
I am a Ph.D graduate and a M.Sc....and i want DERMatology!

I am tired of applying to schools in Canada and getting waitlisted.

I have many top notch papers and a GPA which increases from a 2.9 to a 3.8 in my 4th, but averages a 3.1 CGPA due to unfortunate events that i can explain this.
MCAT 9V 9B 10P Q

This is the thing, I want to go with my wife to a school we both get in. She has lower marks, but can prob get into a caribbean school with me or possibly a lower tier US School. She has about a 3.2 CGPA no Mcat yet....

Should we try for SGU in the caribbean and go there, (go there and transfer?) OR wait and try to get into a US school...

I have read that some SGU graduates with research get into Derm (well one or two...), with the PHD and MSC i have and some new papers shouldnt i get in from a school like SGU?

thanks in advance I need some wisdom 😛

 

[MossPoh]

This is just repeating what I have heard several times (so if I am wrong no need to flame..just correct.) but Derm is incredibly difficult to get when you are NOT an img, so being an img decreases your chances even more and you'd really need to hammer the USMLE....Not saying it is impossible but rather improbable..the phd will probably help your chances but I wouldn't bank on it or anything. I have no real idea of how it would be for Canada....but from the U.S. perspective it'd be ideal to get into a school in the U.S. or even Canada over carrib for a chance at something like Derm...even lower tier. I have nothing against the carrib schools but that just seems to be how it is.

 

[Bevo]

if you want Derm, I think its better off saying this. Avoid going to a foreign school.

Ive got a friend who came from a mid-tier US med school with 260s on step 1/2. He only got 2 interviews for derm. Didn't match into it.

If you want an honest shot. You really have to go into a US school.

 

[stookie]

Hey guys,
I am a Ph.D graduate and a M.Sc....and i want DERMatology!

I am tired of applying to schools in Canada and getting waitlisted.

I have many top notch papers and a GPA which increases from a 2.9 to a 3.8 in my 4th, but averages a 3.1 CGPA due to unfortunate events that i can explain this.
MCAT 9V 9B 10P Q

This is the thing, I want to go with my wife to a school we both get in. She has lower marks, but can prob get into a caribbean school with me or possibly a lower tier US School. She has about a 3.2 CGPA no Mcat yet....

Should we try for SGU in the caribbean and go there, (go there and transfer?) OR wait and try to get into a US school...

I have read that some SGU graduates with research get into Derm (well one or two...), with the PHD and MSC i have and some new papers shouldnt i get in from a school like SGU?

thanks in advance I need some wisdom 😛

I'm assuming that you are canadian, therefore, being canadian, you will have a really hard time getting into an american school (and I mean REALLY HARD)
With your PhD you should be looked upon favorable (depending on your grad GPA if 3.1 is your undergrad GPA) I too have a series of unfourtunate events while in undergrad, so my GPA took a BIG hit. You can definately get into SGU, no questions asked, but as far as derm goes, I would have a back up speciality because it's impossible to get unless you know someone who can pull some strings for you, or you can try to get a derm spot in canada. Alright i'm finished rambiling.

 

[leviathan]

Hey guys,
I am a Ph.D graduate and a M.Sc....and i want DERMatology!

I am tired of applying to schools in Canada and getting waitlisted.

I have many top notch papers and a GPA which increases from a 2.9 to a 3.8 in my 4th, but averages a 3.1 CGPA due to unfortunate events that i can explain this.
MCAT 9V 9B 10P Q

This is the thing, I want to go with my wife to a school we both get in. She has lower marks, but can prob get into a caribbean school with me or possibly a lower tier US School. She has about a 3.2 CGPA no Mcat yet....

Should we try for SGU in the caribbean and go there, (go there and transfer?) OR wait and try to get into a US school...

I have read that some SGU graduates with research get into Derm (well one or two...), with the PHD and MSC i have and some new papers shouldnt i get in from a school like SGU?

thanks in advance I need some wisdom 😛

Sorry, no chance for dermatology for you. I'm sure you can find other ways to make lots of money besides getting an MD.

 

[porokeratosis]

Hey guys,
I am a Ph.D graduate and a M.Sc....and i want DERMatology!

I am tired of applying to schools in Canada and getting waitlisted.

I have many top notch papers and a GPA which increases from a 2.9 to a 3.8 in my 4th, but averages a 3.1 CGPA due to unfortunate events that i can explain this.
MCAT 9V 9B 10P Q

This is the thing, I want to go with my wife to a school we both get in. She has lower marks, but can prob get into a caribbean school with me or possibly a lower tier US School. She has about a 3.2 CGPA no Mcat yet....

Should we try for SGU in the caribbean and go there, (go there and transfer?) OR wait and try to get into a US school...

I have read that some SGU graduates with research get into Derm (well one or two...), with the PHD and MSC i have and some new papers shouldnt i get in from a school like SGU?

thanks in advance I need some wisdom 😛

I'm a M.D. and dermatology resident in the USA. I'll be blunt and truthful. If you want a decent shot at Dermatology, then go to a Liaison Committee of Medical Education (LCME) accreditted medical school (ie, USA or Canadian medical school).

If you go to a Caribbean med school, your shot at Dermatology will be VERY, VERY LOW. Not Zero, but very close to zero. Caribbean med schools are NOT accreditted by the LCME. Even for USA grads, Dermatology is very competitive. There are just over 300 available open allopathic (M.D.) USA dermatology resident positions per year (very few) and everyone wants derm for obvious reasons (ie, good lifestyle, good pay, etc). The typical accepted dermatology resident is in the top of their med school class and/or "walks on water". Dermatology residency programs can choose the "cream from the crop". 99% of the time, Dermatology residency programs choose the very best grads from LCME accreditted medical schools. FMG's, especially from the Caribbean, Grenada, or Mexico, are looked down upon.

That being said, what is more important to you? Should you go to med school with your wife in a NON-accreditted Caribbean med school and have a VERY LOW chance of getting into Derm? Or should you go to a LCME accreditted med school where you have a decent chance of getting into Derm from the start? You must choose between your career goals and your family's long-term goals. And even if you do get accepted and go to a LCME accreditted med school, there are no guarantees that you'll get into Derm because it is so darn, crazy competitive. You still need to prove yourself by getting outstanding grades, having great USMLE scores, and making good connections with Derm faculty.

This may sound harsh, but it's the truth. You should know what you're getting into. Good luck

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Keep in mind that the AOA has some derm residencies for DOs only, if you chose to go the DO route.

 

[NRAI2001]

I'm a M.D. and dermatology resident in the USA. I'll be blunt and truthful. If you want a decent shot at Dermatology, then go to a Liaison Committee of Medical Education (LCME) accreditted medical school (ie, USA or Canadian medical school).

If you go to a Caribbean med school, your shot at Dermatology will be VERY, VERY LOW. Not Zero, but very close to zero. Caribbean med schools are NOT accreditted by the LCME. Even for USA grads, Dermatology is very competitive. There are just over 300 available open allopathic (M.D.) USA dermatology resident positions per year (very few) and everyone wants derm for obvious reasons (ie, good lifestyle, good pay, etc). The typical accepted dermatology resident is in the top of their med school class and/or "walks on water". Dermatology residency programs can choose the "cream from the crop". 99% of the time, Dermatology residency programs choose the very best grads from LCME accreditted medical schools. FMG's, especially from the Caribbean, Grenada, or Mexico, are looked down upon.

That being said, what is more important to you? Should you go to med school with your wife in a NON-accreditted Caribbean med school and have a VERY LOW chance of getting into Derm? Or should you go to a LCME accreditted med school where you have a decent chance of getting into Derm from the start? You must choose between your career goals and your family's long-term goals. And even if you do get accepted and go to a LCME accreditted med school, there are no guarantees that you'll get into Derm because it is so darn, crazy competitive. You still need to prove yourself by getting outstanding grades, having great USMLE scores, and making good connections with Derm faculty.

This may sound harsh, but it's the truth. You should know what you're getting into. Good luck

How do DOs fair in the match? Honestly are they looked about better, slightly better, or equal to SGU and ROSS grads?

 

[Dr Trek 1]

How do DOs fair in the match? Honestly are they looked about better, slightly better, or equal to SGU and ROSS grads?

Honestly, if you are a DO and do very very well on the USMLE you have about equal chance as US MDs who do very very well on the USMLE. However, even when DO predjudism exists, IMGs and FMGs are always lower than DOs.

And remember the AOA also has their own derm residencies that MDs cannot apply to.

 

[NRAI2001]

Honestly, if you are a DO and do very very well on the USMLE you have about equal chance as US MDs who do very very well on the USMLE. However, even when DO predjudism exists, IMGs and FMGs are always lower than DOs.

And remember the AOA also has their own derm residencies that MDs cannot apply to.

True AOA does have their own residencies and the DO bias is dying everyday. But i was just wondering what sense of feeling a current derm resident gets from their PDs. From what I hear residencies perfer AMG> DO> Carribean grads> FMGs.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

True AOA does have their own residencies and the DO bias is dying everyday. But i was just wondering what sense of feeling a current derm resident gets from their PDs. From what I hear residencies perfer AMG> DO> Carribean grads> FMGs.

If a PD is predjudice, that would be the correct ranking.

 

[porokeratosis]

How do DOs fair in the match? Honestly are they looked about better, slightly better, or equal to SGU and ROSS grads?

These are the facts.

Yes, some DO's get into USA allopathic (M.D) Derm residencies, but they are very few. I believe there is still prejudice against DO's in allopathic Derm programs. Derm is very elitist. Look at the Derm match results the past few years and see for yourself how many DO's matched in M.D. Derm Programs (very few).
http://www.dermboard.com/docs/dermlinks.htm

In Derm, I think DO's are looked more favorably than Caribbean grads. Again, look at the Derm match results. Do you see any Caribbean grads on the list? (rhetorical question). You actually see more IMG's from European and Asian countries than Caribbean grads.

Yes, DO's have their own osteopathic Derm residencies and MD's cannot apply to them.

 

[njemt369]

Hello I am a 3rd year Ross Student and I am very interested in Derm. I know the odds are stacked up against me as an IMG but I have a 4.0 GPA and a 258/99 on USMLE Step 1. Do you think that I should be able to attain a derm program match with this high of a score or are my chances still close to zero?

I appreciate your feedback.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Hello I am a 3rd year Ross Student and I am very interested in Derm. I know the odds are stacked up against me as an IMG but I have a 4.0 GPA and a 258/99 on USMLE Step 1. Do you think that I should be able to attain a derm program match with this high of a score or are my chances still close to zero?

I appreciate your feedback.

Maybe.

 

[Bevo]

close to 0

a friend of mine applied from a US med school, AOA, top 3 in his class. Step 1 higher than yours. He received 2 interviews and matched no where.

You wanna increase your chances? get some research/pubs going now. Try and create some connections. You applying as is will leave you going no where.

<--MS Ross as well

 

[porokeratosis]

close to 0

a friend of mine applied from a US med school, AOA, top 3 in his class. Step 1 higher than yours. He received 2 interviews and matched no where.

You wanna increase your chances? get some research/pubs going now. Try and create some connections. You applying as is will leave you going no where.

<--MS Ross as well

njemt369,

Unfortunately, what "Bevo" states is correct. Your chances of matching "as is" are still very, very low. You have to understand that there are many US med school superstars applying to Derm with similar numbers like you.

There are just over 300 open USA allopathic (M.D.) derm residency slots per year and usually 800 - 900 candidates apply for them. That's an acceptance rate less than 40%. Many of the accepted candidates "walk on water". 99% of the time the derm programs will chose the USA grads.

Like "Bevo" said, you can increase your chances by doing research with a USA Derm residency program, publishing, and networking with well-known Derm faculty who must write you outstanding letters of recommendation. Apply to Derm and see what happens. But go in knowing that there is a strong preference toward USA grads and you coming from a Caribbean med school will be a major "black-eye" on your Derm application. You may have to apply multiple times to get into a USA Derm program...but even then, there are no guarantees that you'll ever get accepted...so be prepared to have a backup specialty.

I know the truth hurts...but it's the truth. Good luck

 

[njemt369]

Thanks for your honest opinion. I am also considering EM/IM as a residency option. I know it is extremely competitive with only 25 seats in the country over 12 programs, but the past two years in a row a Ross grad has gotten a seat. Is this program less competitive than derm?

 

[porokeratosis]

Thanks for your honest opinion. I am also considering EM/IM as a residency option. I know it is extremely competitive with only 25 seats in the country over 12 programs, but the past two years in a row a Ross grad has gotten a seat. Is this program less competitive than derm?

Sorry, I can only comment on Derm. Derm has been my obsession and my field of choice. Therefore, I cannot comment on EM/IM residency. But it sounds like Ross has a history of getting its students into EM/IM programs. If you're happy with EM/IM, then apply for it!

I believe you should always reach for the stars whether it be Derm or EM/IM. Just be realistic in your expectations. Although the competition may be fierce and the odds might be against you, there is always a chance (even though it may be small) that you might get accepted. If you get rejected, you can always tell yourself that you gave it a try.

To increase your chances of acceptance in any specialty, you should have great grades, outstanding USMLE scores, do research in the specialty, publish, work hard and impress attendings on elective rotations in the field, and get excellent letters of recommendations from well-known attendings. The more "feathers in your cap", the better your chances. Good Luck!

 

[NRAI2001]

Thanks for your honest opinion. I am also considering EM/IM as a residency option. I know it is extremely competitive with only 25 seats in the country over 12 programs, but the past two years in a row a Ross grad has gotten a seat. Is this program less competitive than derm?

Only 25 seats in the whole country?

Also why would someone do an IM/EM residency together? Doesnt seem like it would fit very well like peds/meds or IM/neuro combos.

 

[scpod]

Only 25 seats in the whole country?

Also why would someone do an IM/EM residency together? Doesnt seem like it would fit very well like peds/meds or IM/neuro combos.

It allows for dual board elligibility and certification. Better chance of employment, for one thing. My PCP, for instance, works one day a week in the ER and 4 days in an office setting. He likes the mix. There's the excitement of trauma without the associated burnout. While it's still possible to do that now, since you can still currently get a job in the ER without board certification, those days are probably numbered.

 

[njemt369]

This is exactly right. The EM/IM residency allows for a wide range of subspeciality afterwards, a superior education (in 5 years), and the option to work in the ER and have a private practice. It is a fantastic program. There are only 25 seats in the country split over 12 programs.