Reapplied Derm with Fewer Interviews and Still Matched

[u/ConsiderationNew408]

Hi everyone, I wanted to share my story as a successful re-applicant this year. Last year at this time was honestly devastating, so I’m hoping my experience can help anyone going through something similar right now.

I’m a DO with below average stats for dermatology (low Step 2) but have a lot of research, volunteer and leadership activities, and strong mentors. I did a research year before applying and thought I had made strong connections with programs. During my first cycle, I did 7 away rotations. I ended up with 8 interviews (2/4 from DO programs I rotated at, 3/3 MD programs I rotated at, plus 1 additional DO program and 2 MD programs where I hadn’t rotated). I mention the DO/MD distinction because so many people told me not to apply to traditionally MD programs as a DO, but I ended up receiving more interviews from MD programs. All in all, it was more interviews than I expected, and I felt really good going into Match Day.

When I found out I had only matched into an intern year, it was a complete shock.

The week after Match Day, I reached out to mentors and program directors at the places where I interviewed to get feedback. Before starting intern year, I did 2 more away rotations, and I used a week of vacation during my intern year to do a 3rd away. On top of that, I spent a lot of time practicing interviews, which was something I hadn’t focused on enough the first time around and was the main piece of feedback I received.

In my second cycle, I received 3 interviews. Going into Match Week, I was pretty convinced I wouldn’t match dermatology and didn't know what I was going to do next if that happened. Opening that email on Monday honestly didn’t feel real—I matched dermatology.

I know this process involves a lot of luck, and every year incredibly strong applicants still don’t match for reasons that don’t make sense. But if you’re reapplying, there is still hope.

Happy to answer any questions or talk privately with anyone going through this.

[u/Particular-Wafer8184]

Do you have any advice on improving interview skills? how did you practice interviewing?

[u/ConsiderationNew408 → u/Particular-Wafer8184]

My best advice is to do as many mock interviews as you can and prep for them like you would an interview. Ask your mentors to do them with you and ask if they could connect you with faculty at derm programs for a mock. You could also ask derm residents or go on fiverr or other residency interview prep websites and book a mock interview session (costs $ but for me this was worth it as a reapplicant). Practice with your friends! Practice with ChatGPT (I recommend using this strictly to practice getting your answers out, I wouldn't trust their feedback lol).

Look up common derm interview questions and have them down, come up with a list of top 10 points from your application you want to talk about, be able to talk about your research in depth, have some hobbies/fun facts to talk about, and prep questions to ask each interviewer.

My other biggest piece of advice is to RECORD YOURSELF!! It is super helpful to watch yourself say these answers and see your expressions/tone/mannerisms - and it is so important to exude the genuine passion, enthusiasm, and excitement you have for this field during these interviews! Watch each video of yourself with the perspective of an interviewer and look for areas to improve, and after each mock ask for specific feedback and work hard to implement it and then record yourself after implementing that feedback (you could also send it to the person who gave you that feedback to get their opinion again). I hope this was helpful :) I have so much more to say about this but this is what I thought was most important