Still Interested in Derm

[medstu123]

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Hello,

I am an MS4 at top 25 med school. I did not match into Derm. Here are my stats:

1. Step 1 - 222
2. Step 2 - 261
3. Quartile at school - 3rd
4. Research - 2 book chapters, 3 abstracts, 3 poster presentations, no studies

I have read the article about success of derm reapplicants found on pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20956631

The problem with this article is that it seems like once you did not match, your chances for finally getting into derm are never above 40% no matter what you do (the strongest predictor of success seemed to be AOA status, which I am not and at this point no longer have control over).

I think the next stongest predictors are Step 3 score (I am preparing to take it before next application cycle) and research (I have some, but think that an original study, probably clinical is more practical since I have to do an internship soon, would be significantly better). I am doing a medicine prelim year, at a non-namebrand academic medical center. The study showed that prelim medicine is better than any other type of intern/transitional year, though it still does not get your chances over 40%. Apparently doing a different residency and then switching has no advantage, and thus would be a waste of time with regards to derm.

Please let me know if you think there are ways to get my chances of matching above 70% by next application cycle, and also if name-brand prelim vs non-namebrand prelim is a factor in determining match success the second time around (since name brand med school is apparently a factor predicting match success during 4th year). I would also like to know if my chances of matching at a "top" dermatology program (such as Columbia, Northwestern, Harvard, etc.) are gone forever, and that I may have to settle for middle tier and below if I get in at all (fine with me as long as I get to do what I want to do, but I just want to know because I still have preferences).

Thanks!

 

[pupster]

Hello,

I am an MS4 at top 25 med school. I did not match into Derm. Here are my stats:

1. Step 1 - 222
2. Step 2 - 261
3. Quartile at school - 3rd
4. Research - 2 book chapters, 3 abstracts, 3 poster presentations, no studies

I have read the article about success of derm reapplicants found on pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20956631

The problem with this article is that it seems like once you did not match, your chances for finally getting into derm are never above 40% no matter what you do (the strongest predictor of success seemed to be AOA status, which I am not and at this point no longer have control over).

I think the next stongest predictors are Step 3 score (I am preparing to take it before next application cycle) and research (I have some, but think that an original study, probably clinical is more practical since I have to do an internship soon, would be significantly better). I am doing a medicine prelim year, at a non-namebrand academic medical center. The study showed that prelim medicine is better than any other type of intern/transitional year, though it still does not get your chances over 40%. Apparently doing a different residency and then switching has no advantage, and thus would be a waste of time with regards to derm.

Please let me know if you think there are ways to get my chances of matching above 70% by next application cycle, and also if name-brand prelim vs non-namebrand prelim is a factor in determining match success the second time around (since name brand med school is apparently a factor predicting match success during 4th year). I would also like to know if my chances of matching at a "top" dermatology program (such as Columbia, Northwestern, Harvard, etc.) are gone forever, and that I may have to settle for middle tier and below if I get in at all (fine with me as long as I get to do what I want to do, but I just want to know because I still have preferences).

Thanks!

It's really a much different game now that there are no longer "out of the match" spots per se. I mean...there still can be some, but the recent changes have, I would suspect, drastically reduced these spots.

You do have the right attitude...just get in somewhere. I don't think your Step I is so low you can't get in.

 

[doc MD]

Hello,

I am an MS4 at top 25 med school. I did not match into Derm. Here are my stats:

1. Step 1 - 222
2. Step 2 - 261
3. Quartile at school - 3rd
4. Research - 2 book chapters, 3 abstracts, 3 poster presentations, no studies

I have read the article about success of derm reapplicants found on pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20956631

The problem with this article is that it seems like once you did not match, your chances for finally getting into derm are never above 40% no matter what you do (the strongest predictor of success seemed to be AOA status, which I am not and at this point no longer have control over).

That's true, they prefer M4s over anyone else.

I think the next stongest predictors are Step 3 score (I am preparing to take it before next application cycle) and research (I have some, but think that an original study, probably clinical is more practical since I have to do an internship soon, would be significantly better). I am doing a medicine prelim year, at a non-namebrand academic medical center. The study showed that prelim medicine is better than any other type of intern/transitional year, though it still does not get your chances over 40%. Apparently doing a different residency and then switching has no advantage, and thus would be a waste of time with regards to derm.

Your chances of getting an interview for more than a majority of the programs is still based off step1 and what you have done recently. Name-brand would look better, but you are correct about prelim med being preferred. finally, switching from one program to another is very difficult, especially since funding can be an issue if you switch.

Please let me know if you think there are ways to get my chances of matching above 70% by next application cycle, and also if name-brand prelim vs non-namebrand prelim is a factor in determining match success the second time around (since name brand med school is apparently a factor predicting match success during 4th year). I would also like to know if my chances of matching at a "top" dermatology program (such as Columbia, Northwestern, Harvard, etc.) are gone forever, and that I may have to settle for middle tier and below if I get in at all (fine with me as long as I get to do what I want to do, but I just want to know because I still have preferences).

Thanks!

your stats are good enough that if you did a derm research fellowship you would get in. If you just reapply in the next cycle, you will get the same or worse results, there is nothing else new on your application. You may not be able to take step3 by the time you apply (depends on state, but regardless it wouldn't have an effect unless you do poor). Your step1 will just get your whole application filtered out by the PD's secretary.

From the recent stats of derm research fellows I have seen, your numbers are same or better. I would recommend that if you really wanted to do derm to go on that route since at least you will hopefully get a PD or big wig rec to apply again or get accepted outside the match and their phone call to another PD helps bypass the secretary filter. It is a commitment of time.

 

[dermathalon]

Actually, outside of the match positions still exist. They are just couched as going through the NRMP. What do you call an NRMP position where there is only one person interviewed....that's my definition of an outside of the match position....exactly....

I think everyone reads these articles way too closely, by the way. Figure out your weakness. BTW, if it is a personality quirk then you'll need someone that is truly honest to clue you in on this...otherwise address your weakness as best as you can. You can't change your step 1 score or your AOA status but productive research fellowships can help you greatly. Please do your homework on the people that you are thinking about working with. Some research fellowship leaders can be nasty in close quarters and you'll need to do the best you can to sniff this out...otherwise you'll be stuck in a position where you are working hard, are miserable, and being ridden to the ground....this is a fast track to depression. Some fellowships are led by truly amazing people. Just do your homework....I think everyone has a great shot to match if they keep at it...but it comes down to how many years do you want to keep trying at it and what are your other priorities in life. Derm is an amazing gig though.