Research Year

[dermal]

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I am entering my 4th year, preparing for for Step 2, and stressing about the Match. Going through all the what if scenarios...

What if I don't Match. I am committed to becoiming a dermatologist so I would try to to do a research year, and go through the match again. My questions are would I want to defer my graduation a year to do the research? Are there reasons to defer graduation? Is it better to graduate? How difficult is it to find a program where I could do a year of dermatology related research and publish? What do I need to consider? What about timing for my search? I want to Match, but would it be too late after the Match or would it look bad to be trying to search for a research position while also going through the Match?

Would I want Match my preliminary year, and then do the research afterwards? Or is better not to Match at all?

 

[Dral]

Imo, the best route would be to match into an intern year at a good academic center if you don't match Derm. Numerous research spots require completion of intern year as a prerequisite.

You can apply again during intern year. You won't have much to add to your app, but if the place where you do intern year has a derm department, you can do an early elective rotation and make some connections.

If you have any questions about rank lists and how to set them up, let me know. I'd go through it now, but I'm typing on an iPad, and about at my tolerable typing limit.

 

[asmallchild]

I am entering my 4th year, preparing for for Step 2, and stressing about the Match. Going through all the what if scenarios...

What if I don't Match. I am committed to becoiming a dermatologist so I would try to to do a research year, and go through the match again. My questions are would I want to defer my graduation a year to do the research? Are there reasons to defer graduation? Is it better to graduate? How difficult is it to find a program where I could do a year of dermatology related research and publish? What do I need to consider? What about timing for my search? I want to Match, but would it be too late after the Match or would it look bad to be trying to search for a research position while also going through the Match?

Would I want Match my preliminary year, and then do the research afterwards? Or is better not to Match at all?

If you are concerned about not matching, it always looks better to take time off for a research year BEFORE graduating

If you fail to match, I echo the advice above that it is best to complete your prelim year and then do a year of research after. Reapplying without adding anything to your CV is usually futile

 

[dermathalon]

If you are concerned about not matching, it always looks better to take time off for a research year BEFORE graduating

If you fail to match, I echo the advice above that it is best to complete your prelim year and then do a year of research after. Reapplying without adding anything to your CV is usually futile

Agreed. Completing you prelim year allows you to act as a clinical fellow and you will become much more valuable and liked (unless you don't make a good social impression).

 

[doc MD]

I am entering my 4th year, preparing for for Step 2, and stressing about the Match. Going through all the what if scenarios...

What if I don't Match. I am committed to becoiming a dermatologist so I would try to to do a research year, and go through the match again. My questions are would I want to defer my graduation a year to do the research? Are there reasons to defer graduation? Is it better to graduate? How difficult is it to find a program where I could do a year of dermatology related research and publish? What do I need to consider? What about timing for my search? I want to Match, but would it be too late after the Match or would it look bad to be trying to search for a research position while also going through the Match?

Would I want Match my preliminary year, and then do the research afterwards? Or is better not to Match at all?

you seem excessively worried. what are your stats? don't expect that somehow step2 will save a poor step1 or that your research year (whether as a ms or post-prelim) will guarantee a publication or even a derm spot.

 

[xyzyx]

I am entering my 4th year, preparing for for Step 2, and stressing about the Match. Going through all the what if scenarios...

What if I don't Match. I am committed to becoiming a dermatologist so I would try to to do a research year, and go through the match again. My questions are would I want to defer my graduation a year to do the research? Are there reasons to defer graduation? Is it better to graduate? How difficult is it to find a program where I could do a year of dermatology related research and publish? What do I need to consider? What about timing for my search? I want to Match, but would it be too late after the Match or would it look bad to be trying to search for a research position while also going through the Match?

Would I want Match my preliminary year, and then do the research afterwards? Or is better not to Match at all?

that sounds stressful... hang in there.

I agree with most of the other posts. best to complete your intern year. then you're eligible for more clinical fellowships. you'll be more helpful because you'll be able to see patients and help out in clinics (most of these fellowships have you working in clinic at least a half day a week).

Do you have a home derm program? it is still early in the year. get to know them. try to get a small publication (case report). I find that in derm, connections are everything. If they get to know you and like you, they are likely to rank you above an applicant they got to talk to for like 8-30 minutes during the interview day. I've seen weaker applicants ranked above much stronger applicants with stellar scores, tons of publications, strong letters, just because they were liked during the interview day or during their rotation through the home department.

 

[dermal]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Let answer some of the questions posed to me. I believe I have a greater than 50% chance of matching, but at my school they really paint a bleak picture and try to dissuade us from trying for the harder fields. They want to make their Match Stats look pristine. There was a student last year with a Step 1 of 269 that did not match so they are really talking doom and gloom.

I have a solid Step 1, but not sky high. Honored surgery and internal medicine clerkships. I have three research experiences, 5 publications including case studies, reviews, evidence based medicine articles all national peer reviewed publications. 4 poster presentations including state derm society, regional derm coactivenference and american academy dermatology national meeting plus I have several attractive away rotations offered in the last few days, but I know there is no sure thing.

My Dean wants me to have a backup plan so that is why I asked for the input about a research year. I have a few more questions if I match my preliminary year, and do my preliminary year before my research year would I try to go through the match again during my preliminary year before starting my researach year? I really would not want wait two years before trying the match again.

 

[xyzyx]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Let answer some of the questions posed to me. I believe I have a greater than 50% chance of matching, but at my school they really paint a bleak picture and try to dissuade us from trying for the harder fields. They want to make their Match Stats look pristine. There was a student last year with a Step 1 of 269 that did not match so they are really talking doom and gloom.

I have a solid Step 1, but not sky high. Honored surgery and internal medicine clerkships. I have three research experiences, 5 publications including case studies, reviews, evidence based medicine articles all national peer reviewed publications. 4 poster presentations including state derm society, regional derm coactivenference and american academy dermatology national meeting plus I have several attractive away rotations offered in the last few days, but I know there is no sure thing.

My Dean wants me to have a backup plan so that is why I asked for the input about a research year. I have a few more questions if I match my preliminary year, and do my preliminary year before my research year would I try to go through the match again during my preliminary year before starting my researach year? I really would not want wait two years before trying the match again.

Your stats sound pretty good. Your research is solid. Do you have a good relationship with the derms you did research with? If your home program has a derm residency, then that can be your safety net.

Sorry to hear your school is so discouraging of people applying to competitive fields. Don't let that keep you from pursuing your dreams. It's always good to be prepared for the worst though. As far as reapplying during intern year... list prelim programs at institutions that have a derm program. Almost all of them would at least have a few electives. Do a derm rotation early on during your intern year, get to know that derm dept. That way, you have a little extra to go through the match again. Otherwise, it would just be a waste of money if you go through it again without anything new on your resume. Also, it's just not feasible to go on 15+ interviews during intern year, but 1 at your own institution or just a few extra interviews on top of that would be manageable. It's also cheaper than pan-applying again.