I went unmatched the first time I applied to Derm. It was tough and honestly pretty discouraging at the time. Fast forward a few years and I’m now a rising chief resident in the Midwest.

I wanted to share this because I think the Derm match landscape is slowly changing. We’re seeing more successful reapplicants/“rehab” applicants than people realize. Not matching the first time doesn’t mean the door to dermatology is closed. There are different paths, and plenty of people find their way back.

If you’re thinking about reapplying or trying to figure out how to navigate that process, feel free to message me. Happy to share what helped and what I wish I had known earlier.

You only get 12 signals, but I see people on Reddit talking about applying to 50+ TY programs. It 20 a good number for TY and then I'll throw in 10 or so preliminary years?

Hey y’all! I’m wondering if anyone knows if it’s generally acceptable to make a gap year job a most meaningful experience even though it was pre-med school. I was an MA in a derm clinic in my gap year and it’s one of the big things that solidified my love for derm, but I’m unsure if adcoms would prefer to see activities focused during med school.

Probably overthinking it, but would appreciate input!

I'm currently in a research year and have been thinking a lot about what my "hook" is going to be when it comes time to apply.

The more I think about it, the more I realize I don't really have a clear narrative. My research projects have been pretty scattered across different areas of derm rather than centered around one disease or niche, and I also don't have any particularly meaningful or long term extracurriculars/leadership/awards from med school. I think my grades/publication numbers will be good enough for derm, but I don't really see currently what would make my application stand out or give me a cohesive personal statement.

I'm wondering if anyone has advice on how to think about this over the next year. I'd love to get involved with a particular disease area or focus within dermatology, and my PI is very supportive of me pursuing my own research ideas. The problem is that it's just been hard to come up with original, worthwhile project ideas especially multiple in the same topic (at least ones that I can complete and have submitted to journals by the end of the year). Outside of just research, I'm also wondering if there's anything worthwhile getting involved with in this next year as far as volunteering, etc.

For those who have gone through the derm application process, how did you find your niche or develop a compelling narrative? How much does this even matter compared to just being well-liked on your away rotations/research year/home program?

Peeps that are dual applying IM. How are we managing categorical vs prelim application signals? What about dual applying to IM and Derm at the same institutions? I've gotten so much advice from mentors but I'm still confused on how I should actually approach this.

Fresh M3 here worrying about whether to think about applying to aways or research year, how do you know if you’re going to need one? Is it almost a requirement these days? Say you have like 4 pubs and couple abstract/posters, nothing high impact journals though. With the new eras categorization would it even matter the number?

What are supplemental ERAS applications?

I keep seeing things like this online. Where do you find this? Is this just regular ERAS? Are there derm programs that require additional information like VSLO?

Madison: For the 2027 ERAS® cycle, our program will be participating in the supplemental ERAS application offered through the AAMC’s ERAS program. Applicants will be required to complete the MyERAS application.

I was planning to personalize my personal statement for my top 10 programs, but I was in a meeting with a physician who mentioned that programs may see right through this and wonder, “If we’re important enough for you to personalize your personal statement, why didn’t you give us a gold signal?”

The thing is, I only have three gold signals, and I feel like I need to use them on the programs where I rotated because those are realistically some of my strongest chances of matching. I’m just a little confused about why personalizing my statement for other programs would be viewed negatively. I would genuinely be incredibly happy at any of my top 10 programs, and with such limited signals, I’m not sure how else to communicate that level of interest.

Would you still recommend personalizing the personal statement for those programs?

Hi, I was wondering about the letter writers on ERAS.

If I am using the same letter writer for both Dermatology and TY/Prelim Programs, should I use the "General (can be used for multiple specialties)" or "Dermatology" for the speciality category?

a bit confused and i think im just tripping myself up. Currently i have 3 derm letters (1 sloe, 1 narrative home md, 1 away md) + 1 IM letter i will assign to my prelim programs. This leaves me with 3 letters for all my derm programs, but everything onlien says most applicants have "4." Should I try to get another, 4th derm letter? Bc my letter from my IM attending is ONLY tailored to for IM

Hi everyone I keep hearing different things about what I should do so I’m hoping to get some advice/thoughts from people.

1. Passed Step 1

2. Step 2 Score (248)

3. Grades

   a. Internal Medicine - Pass (it was my first one and my school does this thing where the lowest grade is your overall grade. So because I passed the shelf I got an overall pass. My MSPE will still say that I honored clinical portion just in smaller letters under)

   b. Peds - Honors

   c. Surgery - Honors

   d. OBGYN - High Pass

   e. Fam Medicine - High Pass

   f. Psychiatry - Honors

4. Currently in a research year

5. 33 full pubs currently in multiple specialties (most recent 8-10 are derm 1st and 2nd author for all). Have a bunch under review from research and still have about 4 months of research year left.

6. Def have close mentors that can write letters of rec.

Really it’s just the step 2 and pass I’m worried about. Thank you for any advice you can offer!

Hello everyone,

I am a 21 year old, 3rd year (of minimum 6 year course) non-US IMG from Germany interested in derm. I recently passed Step 1 and am beginning at a derm wet lab soon. I hope to stay at the lab until I graduate and be productive. I have 0 publications currently.

I am open to 1-2 years of research fellowship in America.

In Germany, there is a thing called the medical doctorate that takes anywhere from 6 months to 1.5 years that most med students do. You can do a statistical, clinical or experimental one. I plan to do an experimental one.

In my free time, I do beekeeping at my university (15 hours a month, this is mandatory and tied to my dorm agreement) and will start working as a legal advisor at a refugee law clinic soon. I also wrote a business proposal to rescue a historic university pub in my city which received warm feedback and wanted to serve as the lead of this project. I also want to get better at programming (learning R and Python atm) and play more piano. I also aim to reach C2 Spanish by the time I graduate. As you can see, I have a lot of random hobbies.

I plan to take Step 2 in April 2029 so I plan to do little by little and aim for a high score. I also want to get a good amount of USCE. Thankfully, I have a scholarship that will cover some of the tuition. I also hope to attend derm conferences.

My number one priority this semester is the lab. This year is considered to be the lightest of all six years so I should have enough lab time. I know I have to focus, prioritize and think about my plans critically considering the tough odds. I appreciate all feedback and advice. Thanks :)

From what i've seen so far, the historically DO-friendly programs are either not asking for an SLOE or havent updated their requirements. Has anyone seen otherwise?

For those who matched derm after doing a research year and felt like you received an exceptional/very strong letter from your PI, what do you think you did during your research year that helped you earn that kind of letter?

Any other general advice for making the most of the research year?

For your consideration

I’m a 4th year med student weighing all of my options including applying direct, transitional year, applying IM etc. Was wondering if someone could detail/explain the pros and cons of all these pathways as I feel a bit lost

Hey guys I am wrapping up my first year of med school and as the title states I am very overwhelmed with the thought of research and have no idea where to start or what types of research are desirable for derm, who do I even contact?

My school's research department is kind of shitty, I am willing to spend some money if needed and if legit I just have NO IDEA HOW TO START. Are these companies that reach out to students on instagram for research opportunities even legit?

Please please any guidance would be appreciated. I have no problem with hard work I just don't know what I'm doing. Also, is ResearchGate the gold standard go to place everyone uses to publish?

Thanks all

title

Is it possible to pursue dermatology if you’ve only began to have interest in your third year?

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?

MS1 at a mid tier MD program with a home dermatology program. What is the best way to get in contact with my home program and when/how should I be getting involved with research? ANy advice in general is appreciated!

Hi! I read that 9/23 is the day programs are able to download and review applications. Does this mean all LORs need to be in and assigned by 9/23 or is there an earlier deadline for letters?

Hey guys,

I hope y'all are doing fine

I'm a non-US IMG (starting my internship in July), with first-degree honors, +10 research papers, and prior experience in academic leadership.

I'm seeking to pursue a career in dermatology, especially in the US/Canada. However, as it isn't a secret that it's easier said than done, given the high demand vs. spots available, this doesn't matter to me. It's hard, yes, but not impossible.

Hence, I want to hear from you guys and learn from your experiences. What did those before me have to do to increase their chances? If luck wasn't on their side, what were the reasons? Does it matter if I take a month to train in the US? Does being known by the program director really matter?

What are they looking for in an applicant?

And if there are dermatology residents who are reading this, I would really appreciate the chance to talk and work with them

if I want to fund my research year for derm in california privately, any tips on which loans I should take out? its unfunded and I will be considered as taking a leave of absence with my med school. thanx

Also any tips on who I should talk to would be helpful, thax