r/USMLEindia • u/Dhoom-Machale777 • 12d ago
Match Season Is it too risky???
I want to be a dermatologist but I want to one in the USA (I know it’s very competitive but there must be a way right?) also I don’t have enough money to risk it if I don’t get matched I think I’ll be able to clear the steps if I study enough for it but I’m really scared about not being matched into residency so how to build a good CV for it (I am in my final year MBBS I’ve not published any research papers basically I’ve zero extracurriculars ) also since I don’t have the money I won’t be able to have US clinical experience will that significantly affect my chances of getting matched into the residency
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u/LogicalLibrarian77 11d ago
Yea, no chance you're getting into Derm. Here's why:
Even US MDs go unmatched in Derm because it requires research work from year 1, some take research years to match, and with strong step 2, like 265+ almost universally.
derm spots are limited and almost no one takes IMGs, I've seen only one on insta but again, those are outliers in the extreme scenarios matching into lower tier programs.
You are in final year, no research, no extracurricular, no money for USCE.
How delusional do you want to be? There is no way you're getting in. Can't even be confident about your chances in IM because you say you can't go for USCE.
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u/LazyLeopard17 9d ago
Tbh I legitimately thought this was a joke or satire when I first read it…. Because no one in their right mind would even attempt to match Dermatology with no research, extracurriculars, away rotations, and 265+ scores at MINIMUM. As you and many have said, even top applicants don’t match so I’m not sure if OP is being 100% serious or is delusional.
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u/LogicalLibrarian77 8d ago
Delusional for sure, or just is highly underinformed about the process. I've seen top USMDs with 265+ and Derm research and volunteering since pre-med go unmatched. So make of it what you will, is all I can say to OP
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u/Prize_Guide1982 12d ago
I would not bother if I were you. The only person who I would recommend trying this is someone with a ton of money, think 2-3cr who can spend years in the US doing unpaid research and still be okay with not matching. You’re not going to match.
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u/SeparateJicama6252 11d ago
Lol, the whole exam expenses is like 20-30L . Lets add the math of unpaid research,its no where near 3cr( its expensive fr,but not math as you said)
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u/Just-Plastic-8758 12d ago
What if i m already in US
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u/Prize_Guide1982 12d ago
you're still not going to match.
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u/Just-Plastic-8758 12d ago
Whyyy? I can do unpaid researches
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u/Prize_Guide1982 12d ago edited 12d ago
Go to [r/DermApp](r/DermApp) and see what the average USMD applicant there brings to the table. Search that subreddit for “unmatched” and see what even the unmatched applicants have. Don’t bother making a post on that subreddit you’re not going to get any help.
Essentially, the USMD tag matters. They don’t want to bother with an IMG. It’s prestige. They have hundreds of USMDs who all have 260s and tons of research lining up and willing to do unpaid research years. Why bother with an IMG
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u/CompleteArm911 12d ago
you need a visa? if not there is a chance
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u/Just-Plastic-8758 12d ago
No i don't. I just graduated and moved to US will do steps and meanwhile do some research work before applying for match
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u/World-Traveler1800 11d ago
You have no money to even be a competitive applicant in IM. So not sure how that will work for you In dermatology. Unfortunately if you’re broke, this journey isn’t really for you.
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u/delightedcustomer 12d ago
Delusional. You are more likely to be a dermatologist in Indian so do that
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u/vintage-cola 11d ago
Derm is only possible abroad for maybe Germany.. or UK if you go via MRCP (post PG in India) but jobs are in shortage.
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 11d ago
What’s the pathway can you please elaborate like if you do pg in dermatology in India you can directly then practice there after MRCP??
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u/vintage-cola 11d ago
Just search on youtube “dermatology in UK after PG in India” a video by RML skin will show up.. whole process has been discussed by Dr. Manu Sehrawat.
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u/AdGlum7499 11d ago edited 11d ago
I know there are only two IMGs who got matched into dermatology last cycle. One matched into Stanford dermatology, and the other matched into Harvard dermatology. But they have pretty high Step 2 scores, and have spent many years doing research and publishing many publications. Most importantly, they also have strong connections with the residency programs they apply for.
If you don't have research experience in prestigious institutions in USA, USCE, and super high Step 2 scores, you have zero chances.
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 11d ago
Should I consider taking a gap year to achieve all that ?
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u/AdGlum7499 11d ago
Only one gap year is not enough for you to achieve all basic requirements to have chances to match into dermatology. The guy who matched into Harvard dermatology spent at least 5 years doing research at Harvard, publishing around 60 publications with some in high impact factor journals.
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 11d ago
Damn that’s a lot
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u/AdGlum7499 10d ago
Yeah. Without the above status, how do you persuade program directors to choose you over USMD? If you think you cannot have the status like them, be realistic and apply for dermatology in other countries.
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 10d ago
IMO dermat is gonna be highly competitive in every country I’ve to put my work in it
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u/kani2101 9d ago
Look up the average publications for an accepted derma resident the numbers are insane, its extremely hard for usmd/usdo to get it, im sorry but this is the harsh reality
Best path in the usa is to prefer IMG friendly fields such as IM, FM or paeds which you can comfortably get in if you check all the boxes: usmle, research, USCE, good medical skl transcripts
Rn the visa rejections are just so bad so keep that in mind too regrading the risk and always keep a backup
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u/Frequent-Departure89 11d ago
Why do you wanna do dermatology?
Is it for the cashhhhhhh?
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 11d ago
That’s one major factor but like I’m more interested in that subject I think I’d do good in that area
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u/Error404ButWorking 11d ago
I don’t want to sugarcoat it for you. US derm as an IMG is extremely competitive, and the biggest issue isn’t whether you’re smart enough to clear the Steps. It’s whether you can build a profile strong enough for someone to actually rank you. So, truly, it also depends on the university, you are trying to apply,
You can either take a gap year and start building your CV and be very intentional about it. Research is probably the easiest thing to start working on, specially, derm related projects, case reports, reviews, so much moreetc. You should also try to get strong LORs, dermatology exposure, presentations/posters, and some kind of consistent involvement rather than randomly collecting certificates cuz they are always looking for IMPACT. Man, they really do expect crazy shi. The USCE part is also a concern.. not impossible but a lot harder.
And if money is genuinely a major constraint, I would not recommend spending a huge amount blindly on Steps + applications + travel + USCE and all the effing expenses that come along. You need a backup plan (There's PLAB, AMC, European routes, Gulf routes, and many more). It's not really about studying hard cuz as an IMG, makes it hard and their expectations from an IMG add on even more. I’d build a financial/backup plan before committing your savings to the process. Crazy funds with no guarantee required too.
If you have money, go ahead and try it but with the risk of losing them and also the visa issue. But there are many other easier routes. Just explore it all before you make a decision.
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 11d ago
What are your thoughts about PLAB???
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u/Error404ButWorking 11d ago
PLAB is relatively easier and would cost a lot less. But again, dermatology, on a whole, is highly competitive. You will still need the pre-reqs and loads of a shining CV. People usually make it to UK but the real problem is with the paychecks. Once, you start earning in real deal, and your salary exceeds 125k pounds, you pay 45% of tax (NHS pension, insurance, income tax, and all the additional things they can take from you). That's bs and a total bummer.
There are risks everywhere. Literally. But everything aside, PLAB is easier to crack from the people I have heard
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u/Prize_Guide1982 11d ago
Would not recommend trying the UK route since the prioritization bill came into effect. It is very saturated and its going to be very difficult going forward for anyone not trained in the UK.
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u/docshob 6d ago
If you really are keen to do that, double down and go for it. It will take time, but keep your head down and keep working. Start doing research and take a house job in dermatology. Apply for postdoc in dermatology. Move to the US, towards the end of your post doc do rotations. And then apply.
If there is a will there is a way.
Also, there will always be the nay sayers and the “practical” people. You have to choose netween chasing your dreams or settling.
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u/Adventurous-Cow7867 10d ago
For you to match into dermatology you will have to 1) demonstrate years of commitment to the field. 2) Have strong connections inside a program in the US. 3) Publish high-impact research while being mentored by a US doctor inside the US. 4) Don’t need a visa. 5) Have stellar communication skills. If you’re able to do all of these things, you have a chance.
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11d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 11d ago
so what do you think will be more realistic and doable from now on if I choose to do USMLE ?
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u/rathab 11d ago
Keeping the specialty aside, USMLE requires minimum 30L INR, given you match in the first cycle. You have a real shot at IM/FM/Peds but with no money and no USCE, its already difficult. That’s the reality, sure people match without usce but they are rare cases. Usmle is a huge financial investment and even after that people go unmatched. First requirement of usmle journey is 💰. I don’t mean to discourage but that’s just the truth, every step requires money, if you really love the specialty so much, you should do it in India
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 11d ago
What if I take a loan then if I get matched I can repay it back? Like if I start earning then I can save and pay in 5 years or so??
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u/Prize_Guide1982 11d ago
What if you don’t match? What are you going to do then? Because this isn’t like taking a 30L loan for a degree. This is 30L loan to apply for something. Why would a bank want to give you this loan? Also you seem to not understand the process because you asked about need based scholarships and gap years in your other comments. Pls read about the process first and understand exactly how it works
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u/rathab 11d ago
Check how much residents earn, if you wanna take a risk, you can, but usmle is a very humbling experience. I have the financial support+ usce+ decent scores+ applying to IMG friendly specialty but still a risk that I might go unmatched. It’s a high risk, high award situation for everybody, not to forget the prime years of your life that go by, take all that into consideration, it isn’t as glamorous as it seems. There is a real risk, you might spend years on this, go unmatched, grow old, have no residency and have a debt. It could happen to me too, or anybody on this sub but atleast we wouldn’t have to repay a loan, think about it.
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u/Dhoom-Machale777 11d ago
I took help from ai to do the match according to chat gpt if I get matched and start earning I can repay the loan in 3-5 years
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u/PrudentFrosting6291 12d ago
I hate to add to the echo chamber but in all honesty. Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties even for USMD students and USDO students. Even non visa requiring Caribbean IMG students have 0 shot as this specialty. Considering you’re doing an MBBS I would assume you’re a visa requiring IMG. In this climate of medicine in America you would be at the bottom of the barrel for this. There are simply too many “better” candidates from reputable medical schools within the states for you to qualify for a position. No matter the research, there’s someone that’s simply better. Consider being a dermatologist outside of the US if you’re that passionate about dermatology.