MSII interested in derm

[taramoo99]

Hello,
I am a second year US medical student and I am very interested in dermatology. I realize that this field is hard to get a residency in. I have gotten all A's and 1 B in my classes and honors in 3/6 classes. I already know about AOA and that it is important to do well on my step 1 exam. I have also just recently started to shadow in our derm clinic once a week. I am looking for other ways to make me a strong applicant and what is most important to build in an application.

How important is research and how can I go from not knowing how to do it to getting involved? This is an area that I feel weaker in but want to change that before it becomes too late. Do you think it is completely necessary to match?

thanks for your help

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[PathOne]

While no single factor is likely to make or break your application, it seems that you're headed in the right direction.
I'd advise to do away rotations at a major academic derm dept., as strong LoR's can be extremely helpful. Also, research experience is generally a strong plus. Try to go to your derm chair and express an interest to get involved in a project, but remember that your goal is not only to participate in a project, but to get publishing experience. Best of course if it's a peer-reviewed journal, but otherwise posters or oral presentations at scientific meetings.

If you do that, and continue your current academic track, I'd say you'll have a good shot at landing a residency.