Med school suggestions for dermatology? School list help

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friedburrito

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Hello,

I have a strong interest in practicing dermatology with a fellowship in cosmetics and/or dermatologic surgery for personal and medical reasons. I have looked at some schools that have great connections for the specialties such as most of T20s, Jefferson, Wake Forest, and UMiami. I don't want to have a top-heavy school list, so are there other schools that have strong connections and resources to dermatology clerkship/research? If so, which ones and why?

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First get into medical school, and then worry about specialty and residency
Fair enough. I was just wondering simply because I’m heavily drawn to the specialty, and I understand that high grades and STEP scores, clerkship scores and exposure to the specialty is necessary for residency. I’m applying next cycle, but I don’t want any regrets with my school list. And in order to do that, I’m interested in schools that have a strong connection to the specialty (research, clerkship, volunteering maybe, among others).
 
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Fair enough. I was just wondering simply because I’m heavily drawn to the specialty, and I understand that high grades and STEP scores, clerkship scores and exposure to the specialty is necessary for residency. I’m applying next cycle, but I don’t want any regrets with my school list. And in order to do that, I’m interested in schools that have a strong connection to the specialty (research, clerkship, volunteering maybe, among others).
Build your school list based on your stats and extracurriculars, not your specialty of interest.
 
Fair enough. I was just wondering simply because I’m heavily drawn to the specialty, and I understand that high grades and STEP scores, clerkship scores and exposure to the specialty is necessary for residency. I’m applying next cycle, but I don’t want any regrets with my school list. And in order to do that, I’m interested in schools that have a strong connection to the specialty (research, clerkship, volunteering maybe, among others).
You have shared no information with us so we can’t help you at all. But @Goro is right. Focus on getting into any med school and worry about your speciality as you move along. It’s fine to think you want to go into a specific residency, lots of people do. But lots of those people change their minds once they start clinical rotations. So build the best med school application possible and see where you land.
 
Build your school list based on your stats and extracurriculars, not your specialty of interest.
Oh, I already did on my previous post. My bad for not making that clear on my post. If you’re curious about my stats/ECs, they’re on my last post. The purpose of this post is to not make the mistake I made when choosing colleges (I chose an engineering-heavy school without realizing it, and only picked school based on stats, finances, and location).
 
You have shared no information with us so we can’t help you at all. But @Goro is right. Focus on getting into any med school and worry about your speciality as you move along. It’s fine to think you want to go into a specific residency, lots of people do. But lots of those people change their minds once they start clinical rotations. So build the best med school application possible and see where you land.
Alrighty, thanks.
 
Oh, I already did on my previous post. My bad for not making that clear on my post. If you’re curious about my stats/ECs, they’re on my last post. The purpose of this post is to not make the mistake I made when choosing colleges (I chose an engineering-heavy school without realizing it, and only picked school based on stats, finances, and location).
But colleges are vastly different than medical:schools. When you graduate medical school you get a Doctor of Medicine degree. You can’t focus on derm and get a speciality degree upon graduation. It’s during residency that you specialize. There are specific rotations that all med students complete. You do have a few electives but you can get those electives attending any med school. You do not specialize in derm during med school.
 
But colleges are vastly different than medical:schools. When you graduate medical school you get a Doctor of Medicine degree. You can’t focus on derm and get a speciality degree upon graduation. It’s during residency that you specialize. There are specific rotations that all med students complete. You do have a few electives but you can get those electives attending any med school. You do not specialize in derm during med school.
And when you graduate college at a specific field, you get that degree. However, there might not be as many resources for you compared to another college where it’s a better fit. It’s the same way with medical schools. We all get MD/DO degrees, that’s true, but the last time I check some schools focus more on certain areas (research, underserved/community service, social justice, etc) despite a school having all of the above. I found schools that are the best fit for me stats, ECs, mission statement, and school-wise. Now I’m more curious about dermatology. If for some reason I change my mind, it is what it is, but what if I don’t? As far as specializing in med school, I’m aware that that is not possible to specialize in med school—that’s like saying I’m majoring in a specialty in med school when I’m well aware of that not being the case. But I’m more concerned about the connections, opportunities, resources, electives I can take during preclerkship and clerkship years, etc.
 
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And when you graduate college at a specific field, you get that degree. However, there might not be as many resources for you compared to another college where it’s a better fit. It’s the same way with medical schools. We all get MD/DO degrees, that’s true, but the last time I check some schools focus more on certain areas (research, underserved/community service, social justice, etc) despite a school having all of the above. I found schools that are the best fit for me stats, ECs, mission statement, and school-wise. Now I’m more curious about dermatology. If for some reason I change my mind, it is what it is, but what if I don’t? As far as specializing in med school, I’m aware that that is not possible to specialize in med school—that’s like saying I’m majoring in a specialty in med school when I’m well aware of that. But I’m more concerned about the connections, opportunities, resources, electives I can take during preclerkship and clerkship years, etc.
I don't think you're getting how med school works. I know ZERO med schools that "focus more" on dermatology. The ones that offer connections and best results for matching are typically top schools. If you have the stats, apply to those schools. There's no magical derm school list. Sorry.
 
I don't think you're getting how med school works. I know ZERO med schools that "focus more" on dermatology. The ones that offer connections and best results for matching are typically top schools. If you have the stats, apply to those schools. There's no magical derm school list. Sorry.
I don’t think you’re understanding what I’m saying or even asking. I specifically mentioned schools that focus more on research, community service, etc based on their mission statement and other values in the school, not specialty focus. I’m specifically curious about schools that have extensive resources/opportunities, if any, for the field. But either way, I’ll apply to the schools, thanks for the advice fam
 
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Hello,

I have a strong interest in practicing dermatology with a fellowship in cosmetics and/or dermatologic surgery for personal and medical reasons. I have looked at some schools that have great connections for the specialties such as most of T20s, Jefferson, Wake Forest, and UMiami. I don't want to have a top-heavy school list, so are there other schools that have strong connections and resources to dermatology clerkship/research? If so, which ones and why?

And in order to do that, I’m interested in schools that have a strong connection to the specialty (research, clerkship, volunteering maybe, among others).

I found schools that are the best fit for me stats, ECs, mission statement, and school-wise. Now I’m more curious about dermatology.

I don’t think you’re understanding what I’m saying or even asking. I specifically mentioned schools that focus more on research, community service, etc based on their mission statement and other values in the school, not specialty focus. I’m specifically curious about schools that have extensive resources/opportunities, if any, for the field. But either way, I’ll apply to the schools, thanks for the advice fam
You created this thread, not asking for schools that had connections that could get you into competitive specialties like derm, but schools that had heavy derm specific connections and resources. Like I said previously, there are none. Top schools typically have really great research and connections, but you can complete derm electives at almost any med school.

Also if you don't want to take our advice, stop bugging us and go look up schools to see if their mission statements focus heavily on derm.
 
Get into a solid MD school, the bigger the name the better the shot.
Derm applicants from my school are superstars, so be prepared to grind for the duration of medical school and residency.
 
You created this thread, not asking for schools that had connections that could get you into competitive specialties like derm, but schools that had heavy derm specific connections and resources. Like I said previously, there are none. Top schools typically have really great research and connections, but you can complete derm electives at almost any med school.

Also if you don't want to take our advice, stop bugging us and go look up schools to see if their mission statements focus heavily on derm.
Schools that can get me into derm because I’m pretty sure more connections to the field with a strong derm faculty gives better chances/exposure. I’m just trying to get advice. Those replies do not imply I’m looking at schools that focus more on a specific specialty compared to others. It’s simply to HAVE great connections and resources.
 
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Get into a solid MD school, the bigger the name the better the shot.
Derm applicants from my school are superstars, so be prepared to grind for the duration of medical school and residency.
Finally, a decent, straightforward and wholesome reply. Thanks man I appreciate that. I’ll do my best either way, just trying to find those random gems that have great derm faculty as well (I’ve heard Wake Forest, Cincinnati and Boston U also has those). But yeah I’ve heard it’s really competitive so why not grind for that
 
Finally, a decent, straightforward and wholesome reply. Thanks man I appreciate that. I’ll do my best either way, just trying to find those random gems that have great derm faculty as well (I’ve heard Wake Forest, Cincinnati and Boston U also has those). But yeah I’ve heard it’s really competitive so why not grind for that

You don't have to worry too much about individual school's focus like that unless you *happen* to be interested in a specific research project that you know is ongoing there.

I go to a totally average state school and we regularly match into derm/plastics/uro etc. It only gets easier the bigger name you get into!
 
You don't have to worry too much about individual school's focus like that unless you *happen* to be interested in a specific research project that you know is ongoing there.

I go to a totally average state school and we regularly match into derm/plastics/uro etc. It only gets easier the bigger name you get into!
Yeah I’m at a stage where I already compiled a 40-45 school list where I’m satisfactory of the research, social justice, and community service are what I care about with a satisfactory curriculum, location, and school fit. Most of those schools are targets/undershoots while 7-10 are my reaches. Another reason why I care about specialty connections, especially derm, is also in case if I don’t get into a big name school (Harvard, Yale, etc). But your last comment sounds reassuring either way!
 
Finally, a decent, straightforward and wholesome reply. Thanks man I appreciate that. I’ll do my best either way, just trying to find those random gems that have great derm faculty as well (I’ve heard Wake Forest, Cincinnati and Boston U also has those). But yeah I’ve heard it’s really competitive so why not grind for that
And you have not been accepted into medical school yet, your question is literally impossible to answer. Matching is more on you than the school

If you are running at the top of your pack in medical school then you can get into Dermatology no matter what medical school you go to, even a DO school.
 
And you have not been accepted into medical school yet, your question is literally impossible to answer. Matching is more on you than the school

If you are running at the top of your pack in medical school then you can get into Dermatology no matter what medical school you go to, even a DO school.
Some people on here and other places other than the SDN platform answered this thread with no issue, even if most is simplistic and general (which is fine). I do agree that the matching is more on me. I’m just trying to find out which schools other than T20s will make this process of matching to competitive specialties less annoying.
 
people are so ROOD in this chat

if you don't have any good advice, then keep the negativity to yourself

JESUS
OP's question was literally answered by @Goro at the very beginning of this thread, but that answer was not good enough for him/her/them.

Get into med school first. Any US MD will let you match into derm if you have the board scores and a competitive app. Many (most?) med students change their desired specialty in M3 year. There are no med schools that actively push for derm matches.
 
This thread has unfortunately run its course. The OP's question has been answered by multiple posters.

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