Trying to decide between derm and rads?

[shoneek]

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😳OK, here are my stats, first of all, to get it outta the way:

Step 1- 244
Year 3- All HP's and 1 Honors so far (one rotation to go)
One summer of derm research
I've set up to do rads research starting in may, if I want, that will likely end in a publication... not sure
Southern Cal Med School (literally)

Want to end up somewhere good for a rads residency (so/nor cal... not sure yet, would consider good east coast program w/ connections to land me back in so cal after residency), however, I'd probably go anywhere for derm (iowa, etc).

My problem is that I'm not sure how likely it is that I'd match in derm, even if it's somewhere in nebraska, etc. Also, having been exposed to each field only peripherally (rads- on the surg and med rotation, and derm- in research and in family medicine), I'm sure I'm likely to enjoy each one, though I've not done either rotation yet. The other problem is that I'm not so sure how ready I am to give up patient contact by going rads.

So, for you dermatology residents/hopefuls, or anyone who had the same dilemna as me, help me out. What are your subjective opinions about my chances in matching in derm (even if in wisconsin, etc)? What are some of the issues I should be looking at, that I may not be seeing? ANY advice or opinions are appreciated. 😳

 

[cdql]

hmm...if you are just rotating around the boards asking for advice, then i would advise you to go for derm

it seems like you want something that is lifestyle friendly and high paying and for the best combination of both, i think derm fits the bill

(again, probably not the best way to determine a speciality where you will spend the next 30-40 years of your life 🙂)

 

[shoneek]

hmm...if you are just rotating around the boards asking for advice, then i would advise you to go for derm

it seems like you want something that is lifestyle friendly and high paying and for the best combination of both, i think derm fits the bill

(again, probably not the best way to determine a speciality where you will spend the next 30-40 years of your life 🙂)

Not sure who you are, but remember how I said all opinions and advice are welcome, I meant for the specialties, not for your "summation of my motives". As I have explained, I'm in a unique situation and would like help... I have narrowed down to three possibilities, however, since the posts here are single subject (rads, anesthesiology, derm, not a combination of any) I must post to all three boards. I am fortunate to have a few good options, so yes, lifestyle (that's right, I said the L-word), but also other factors such as patient contact will weigh into my decision process. So again, help in pros and cons of SPECIALTIES is appreciated, I don't need any judgement on my character, and what YOU think I'm motivated by. I'll post this to the other threads... in case you miss this one.

 

[RonaldColeman]

😳OK, here are my stats, first of all, to get it outta the way:

Step 1- 244
Year 3- All HP's and 1 Honors so far (one rotation to go)
One summer of derm research
I've set up to do rads research starting in may, if I want, that will likely end in a publication... not sure
Southern Cal Med School (literally)

Want to end up somewhere good for a rads residency (so/nor cal... not sure yet, would consider good east coast program w/ connections to land me back in so cal after residency), however, I'd probably go anywhere for derm (iowa, etc).

My problem is that I'm not sure how likely it is that I'd match in derm, even if it's somewhere in nebraska, etc. Also, having been exposed to each field only peripherally (rads- on the surg and med rotation, and derm- in research and in family medicine), I'm sure I'm likely to enjoy each one, though I've not done either rotation yet. The other problem is that I'm not so sure how ready I am to give up patient contact by going rads.

So, for you dermatology residents/hopefuls, or anyone who had the same dilemna as me, help me out. What are your subjective opinions about my chances in matching in derm (even if in wisconsin, etc)? What are some of the issues I should be looking at, that I may not be seeing? ANY advice or opinions are appreciated. 😳

Your chances of matching somewhere in rads are very good. I would bet any amount of money that you would match somewhere, assuming you don't have a criminal record, horrible evals, etc. Matching in Cali or East coast rads, though, is a different story. You will be competitive, but even with your numbers, it is going to be tough. Even the best students cannot be certain that they will match in Cali or a top East Coast program. I'm not saying you won't match at one of these places, but it's not a sure thing. I got to know the PD at a lower tier Cali school (lower than Tailback U--that's where you're at, right?) quite well. At this school, 240 was on the lower end for people who matched this year. Also, you listed that you only have 1 honors grade so far. If you are going to a top tier school, that won't hurt you. If you are going to a lower tier school, however, it might hurt you when applying to top programs. Also, research seems to be almost a requirement for having any chance at matching in one of the top programs. So regarding rads, my feelings are: you would definitely match, but don't count on getting into a top program--not because you aren't competitive, but simply because top rads programs are insanely difficult to match into.

Regard derm: You might find that you won't have to make a decision between derm and rads. Your stats are good, but for derm, they might be slightly below average (you asked for an honest response). Your USMLE is fine, but matching in derm requires more than good USMLEs. I am absolutely amazed at the calibur of students who match in derm. It just seems like everyone has high USMLEs+excellent 3rd year grades+research+luck. It may be that you apply to many programs and only get a few interviews. Either way, you are going to want a back up, which is where rads fits in.

I guess my advice would be to apply to both specialties and see what happens. You are unlikely to get so many interviews in derm that you can't interview at a good number of rads programs as well. (Go to the derm ez board and look at how many interviews people with USMLES in the 260s got--it's not as many as you would think).

 

[shoneek]

Your chances of matching somewhere in rads are very good. I would bet any amount of money that you would match somewhere, assuming you don't have a criminal record, horrible evals, etc. Matching in Cali or East coast rads, though, is a different story. You will be competitive, but even with your numbers, it is going to be tough. Even the best students cannot be certain that they will match in Cali or a top East Coast program. I'm not saying you won't match at one of these places, but it's not a sure thing. I got to know the PD at a lower tier Cali school (lower than Tailback U--that's where you're at, right?) quite well. At this school, 240 was on the lower end for people who matched this year. Also, you listed that you only have 1 honors grade so far. If you are going to a top tier school, that won't hurt you. If you are going to a lower tier school, however, it might hurt you when applying to top programs. Also, research seems to be almost a requirement for having any chance at matching in one of the top programs. So regarding rads, my feelings are: you would definitely match, but don't count on getting into a top program--not because you aren't competitive, but simply because top rads programs are insanely difficult to match into.

Regard derm: You might find that you won't have to make a decision between derm and rads. Your stats are good, but for derm, they might be slightly below average (you asked for an honest response). Your USMLE is fine, but matching in derm requires more than good USMLEs. I am absolutely amazed at the calibur of students who match in derm. It just seems like everyone has high USMLEs+excellent 3rd year grades+research+luck. It may be that you apply to many programs and only get a few interviews. Either way, you are going to want a back up, which is where rads fits in.

I guess my advice would be to apply to both specialties and see what happens. You are unlikely to get so many interviews in derm that you can't interview at a good number of rads programs as well. (Go to the derm ez board and look at how many interviews people with USMLES in the 260s got--it's not as many as you would think).

Dude, instead of that from the trolls and vultures that immediately begin judging my supposed 'motivations' when I ask for help regarding this topic, yours is exactly the kind of feedback i was looking for. Straight, honest, and to the point. Thank you so much. 🙂

 

[Long Dong]

😳OK, here are my stats, first of all, to get it outta the way:

Step 1- 244
Year 3- All HP's and 1 Honors so far (one rotation to go)
One summer of derm research
I've set up to do rads research starting in may, if I want, that will likely end in a publication... not sure
Southern Cal Med School (literally)

Want to end up somewhere good for a rads residency (so/nor cal... not sure yet, would consider good east coast program w/ connections to land me back in so cal after residency), however, I'd probably go anywhere for derm (iowa, etc).

My problem is that I'm not sure how likely it is that I'd match in derm, even if it's somewhere in nebraska, etc. Also, having been exposed to each field only peripherally (rads- on the surg and med rotation, and derm- in research and in family medicine), I'm sure I'm likely to enjoy each one, though I've not done either rotation yet. The other problem is that I'm not so sure how ready I am to give up patient contact by going rads.

So, for you dermatology residents/hopefuls, or anyone who had the same dilemna as me, help me out. What are your subjective opinions about my chances in matching in derm (even if in wisconsin, etc)? What are some of the issues I should be looking at, that I may not be seeing? ANY advice or opinions are appreciated. 😳

Hey I was thinking between the same two things once, cause I'm a visual kind of guy and good at pattern recognition. Pathology was also in the picture at one time as well. But I enjoy working with patients alot so gave up the idea of rads or path. I'm kind of in the same boat, not to hot of a third year for me. I'm gonna try anyway if I don't match I'll do a year of medicine, then a research fellowship and then apply again. Even if it is in the middle of no where, just as long as it's derm. Only after then well I give up on my dream of derm and apply to something else. If it is what you really want don't give up until you have given it a good fight. Good luck in the year to come, keep us updated.

 

[pharmer]

😳OK, here are my stats, first of all, to get it outta the way:

Step 1- 244
Year 3- All HP's and 1 Honors so far (one rotation to go)
One summer of derm research
I've set up to do rads research starting in may, if I want, that will likely end in a publication... not sure
Southern Cal Med School (literally)

Want to end up somewhere good for a rads residency (so/nor cal... not sure yet, would consider good east coast program w/ connections to land me back in so cal after residency), however, I'd probably go anywhere for derm (iowa, etc).

My problem is that I'm not sure how likely it is that I'd match in derm, even if it's somewhere in nebraska, etc. Also, having been exposed to each field only peripherally (rads- on the surg and med rotation, and derm- in research and in family medicine), I'm sure I'm likely to enjoy each one, though I've not done either rotation yet. The other problem is that I'm not so sure how ready I am to give up patient contact by going rads.

So, for you dermatology residents/hopefuls, or anyone who had the same dilemna as me, help me out. What are your subjective opinions about my chances in matching in derm (even if in wisconsin, etc)? What are some of the issues I should be looking at, that I may not be seeing? ANY advice or opinions are appreciated. 😳

I think you should go ahead an apply for derm (if that is what you really want.) and also a backup like rads or gas. I am in similiar situation, comparable step 1, #1 in my class, no reasearch, have a doctorate in pharmacy, and I'm afraid of applying to derm without a backup b/c of my lack of research. I would really like to do derm but would also be happy passing gas all day so I will probably end up applying to both (although I really hate writing personal statements and so may chicken out in the end and only apply for gas). Your stats would get interviews at most of the top gas programs.

 

[RonaldColeman]

I think you should go ahead an apply for derm (if that is what you really want.) and also a backup like rads or gas. I am in similiar situation, comparable step 1, #1 in my class, no reasearch, have a doctorate in pharmacy, and I'm afraid of applying to derm without a backup b/c of my lack of research. I would really like to do derm but would also be happy passing gas all day so I will probably end up applying to both (although I really hate writing personal statements and so may chicken out in the end and only apply for gas). Your stats would get interviews at most of the top gas programs.

Yes, I agree with this post. Some people frown upon applying to derm with rads as a backup, but you are competitive enough to do this. Also, I agree with this poster that you would get interviews at top gas programs with your numbers. I had a friend this year who had remarkably similar stats as you and he applied to rads and gas. He interviewed at all the top programs in gas, but was pretty much shut out from top rads programs (he still did get many interviews, though, and matched at his first choice). All of the specialties you are considering are awesome (I considered all of them at one point or another), so you can't go wrong. I don't think you can apply to all 3, however, so you're going to have to decide between anesthesia and rads as your backup to derm.

 

[bulldog]

Hey I was thinking between the same two things once, cause I'm a visual kind of guy and good at pattern recognition. Pathology was also in the picture at one time as well. But I enjoy working with patients alot so gave up the idea of rads or path. I'm kind of in the same boat, not to hot of a third year for me. I'm gonna try anyway if I don't match I'll do a year of medicine, then a research fellowship and then apply again. Even if it is in the middle of no where, just as long as it's derm. Only after then well I give up on my dream of derm and apply to something else. If it is what you really want don't give up until you have given it a good fight. Good luck in the year to come, keep us updated.

man, u should be set for derm long dong. 250+ board scores. i think u're from ucla/drew so u should have that spot from drew if all else fails. have u thought bout plastics? there's like 80 or so combined plastics programs out there....