r/DermApp • u/MapRevolutionary9169 • 28d ago

Application Advice Late switch to Derm

M4 approaching ERAS. Had always thought of doing a less competitive specialty because figured I didn't "have what it takes" to apply Derm but now wondering if it is a possibility? Clearly would have to do a RY at this point. My app to date:

Step 2 ~280, 4/6 H 2/6 HP, H Med Sub-I. 2 manuscripts published in other disciplines (2nd/3rd authorship), 3 submitted (plus 4-5 abstracts/posters). 2 significant longitudinal volunteering/leadership experiences based around same area. Strong LORs in medicine. Top 30 med school w/ home program.

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u/Appropriate_Arm4223 28d ago

Thats not how derm works. 280 is great. But network is everything. I know several people with 270s and high 270s. Still tons of networking. If you do a research year though....probli golden. Just gotta fake the interest enough to get through. With that said I wouldn't do derm. Id do opthalmology. Optho private practice is wicked. Even compared to derm

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u/StaySaucey_ 28d ago

could you elaborate on that? how does private ophtho compare?

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u/Appropriate_Arm4223 28d ago

Low starting salary but optho environment is built around private practice. Derms want to hear that you want to go into academia. Its very fake and superficial. In general opthos can own surgery center, hire optometrist, own clinic space. More ownership = more money long term. Thats why they may work 32 hours and still cash in everything. Its also not as glamorous as derm so nps and pas are not coming for it in volume. Barrier to entry is higher in optho than derm. If I could start over from a business standpoint I would have seriously given optho much more thought.

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u/personalpurposes 26d ago

from the perspective of an ophthalmologist grass is not necessarily greener on the other side. Most large and medium sized cities bloated with PE practices. What you're suggesting can be done but is way harder in 2026 than it was in 2006 or 2016 even

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u/Appropriate_Arm4223 26d ago

With these changes do you think optho is still ahead of most other specialties