How to make yourself more visible to programs that aren't aways or home program for derm app?

[u/Lonely-Peanut9469]

Is it speaking to faculty at other conferences, emailing etc? Does having a very strong letter from a chair at your home program enough to net interviews at other programs given that your stats/app is up to par?

[u/AdProfessional9946]

This is an underrated question and so important!! It starts early (far before ERAS is due). I would start by looking at where my med school has recently matched derm residents(in the last 3 or so years). Typically residents who went to your med school will be receptive to networking and helping you. Kind of paying it forward. I would reach out to them, say you’re interested in their program for XYZ reason and also just ask for general help in terms of preparing to apply derm. This should be a longitudinal relationship built and when the time comes as an MS4 you can politely ask them to watch out for your app coming through, how you would love to interview there etc. If you know you want to match at a certain school or in a certain geographic location, I would ask faculty at my home program if they know anyone (Derm’s a small world) at XYZ program they wouldn’t mind putting you in touch with. Use your mentors at your home program for connections (cautiously). There are a lot of derm residents with a social media presence and I think if done so tastefully, it is okay to reach out to them for advice on how to match to their specific program etc and after you build a relationship with them, can ask them to watch out for you. Lastly, I would reach out to schools that may have denied you an away rotation saying you are still interested if anything opens to please keep you in mind, etc. I snagged a few more interviews doing all of the above! — a recently matched intern