How to match into derm?

[Foot Fetish]

So, I've been thinking about specialty choices a lot lately since I need to decide on the type of research I want to do this summer (after M1). My only research experience to date has been a short stint as a volunteer clinical research assistant in an emergency medicine study a couple years ago, which did not result in any sort of publication or presentation...Im not a huge fan of research honestly, but I will do it if I have to. Also, I'm not currently involved in any clubs. I basically have only been doing school work and nothing extra since I matriculated.

What do I need to do now to make myself competitive for derm? Also, just how competitive is derm anyway? I feel like people tend to exaggerate how hard it is to go into. The most recent Charting the Outcomes indicates a 77% chance of matching as a US senior. I go to a mid-ranked school, and, though it's early, I'm fairly sure I will be able to score in the 250's on Step 1. Assuming I get involved in a couple research projects on top of this, would I stand a reasonable chance of matching somewhere? I dont care about rankings at all and would be happy to train anywhere in the country as long as I can get board-certified.

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[BurghStudent]

That match rate is among a group of highly motivated and hardworking students. The reality is the 23% who don't match could probably be capable dermatologists.

It is competitive, and it's good you know you're interested in it early. If you can, do a research project in derm. Reach out to your department, let them know you're happy to help with any ongoing projects etc. This also helps to get to know the people who will end up vouching for you.

Step 1. AOA. etc.

 

[SunsFun]

Aren't you like really socially awkward by your own admission? Not to say all dermatologists are social butterflies but it seems like a specialties that requires at least tolerating interaction with others.


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[sholamd]

I think if you have your heart set on derm in your M1 year, and are willing to go anywhere, you can match. Lots has been written about what you need to do - a quick search of SDN or Google will tell you all the boxes to check. At this point I think the two priorities are studying and doing well in classes/Step 1, and shadowing a dermatologist to make sure the specialty is a good fit for you. One guaranteed way to not match into any specialty is to pick something that's not a good fit for your personality/interests/skills.

 

[Foot Fetish]

Aren't you like really socially awkward by your own admission? Not to say all dermatologists are social butterflies but it seems like a specialties that requires at least tolerating interaction with others.


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Not exactly. Introversion != social awkwardness. I'm actually pretty socially adept when I need to be. I know what needs to be said and done in different situations and can perform convincingly, it's just that doing so saps me of my energy since I'm a strong introvert. Faking it is a lot more exhausting than simply behaving socially out of instinct / reflex like extroverts do. But I also feel like med school is gradually morphing me into a new person. The constant preceptor visits, pt interviews, and oral presentations are really forcing me to tolerate social interaction more and more. I still don't enjoy it (and probably never will), but at least now I don't dread it as much or feel like I'm dying on the inside.

 

[failedatlife]

I'm fairly sure I will be able to score in the 250's on Step 1.

#End of thread. You match. #baller #superstar #youdaman #iminferior #chickmagnet #illbeyournurse

 

[MrChance2]

#End of thread. You match. #baller #superstar #youdaman #iminferior #chickmagnet #illbeyournurse

This guy lol.

 

[Psai]

Lol everyone thinks they can get a 250 but very few people do for some reason.

 

[Psai]

Who was that guy who spent two years telling everyone that he was easily gonna get over 250 despite his mediocre grades, then came back with like a 215?

https://forums.studentdoctor.net/th...ent-still-beast-step-1.1123377/#post-16250665

 

[Anicetus]

That match rate is among a group of highly motivated and hardworking students. The reality is most medical students could probably be capable dermatologists.

It is competitive, and it's good you know you're interested in it early. If you can, do a research project in derm. Reach out to your department, let them know you're happy to help with any ongoing projects etc. This also helps to get to know the people who will end up vouching for you.

Step 1. AOA. etc.

FTFY

 

[Foot Fetish]

Does my research this summer have to be in derm or can it be in something else?
How important is publishing? Would I be able to match if I was involved in a couple projects but never produced anything?
Should I join the Derm interest group?
Should I tell my classmates I'm interested in derm when they ask or should I keep it a secret? I feel like expressing interest in derm marks you as a gunner.

 

[DNC127]

Does my research this summer have to be in derm or can it be in something else?
How important is publishing? Would I be able to match if I was involved in a couple projects but never produced anything?
Should I join the Derm interest group?
Should I tell my classmates I'm interested in derm when they ask or should I keep it a secret? I feel like expressing interest in derm marks you as a gunner.

Read a thread or two.. seriously.

Publishing is very important look at charting outcomes.
Research in Derm is way better for matching Derm than research in anything else.
Duh you should join an interest group for something you are interested in.
You sitting at school doing nothing but studying all day marks you as a gunner, not being interested in Derm.

 

[BurghStudent]

Does my research this summer have to be in derm or can it be in something else?
How important is publishing? Would I be able to match if I was involved in a couple projects but never produced anything?
Should I join the Derm interest group?
Should I tell my classmates I'm interested in derm when they ask or should I keep it a secret? I feel like expressing interest in derm marks you as a gunner.

Just be honest if someone asks. Seriously, it really rubbed me the wrong way when I knew people who were ROAD or bust would tell clerkship directors they were interested in that clerkship specialty on every consecutive rotation. It's like no dude, we all know cataracts are your life.

 

[username456789]

You sitting at school doing nothing but studying all day marks you as a gunner,

No it doesn't. What he is doing is not harming anyone. A Gunner is someone who actively sabotages others to get ahead.

 

[piii]

Lmao months ago you were boasting how easy school is for you and how you're top of the class and but now you don't even have time for research or leadership or ECs during school? Half the population of medstudents are doing well in their classes and performing at a higher level then you with ECs, research, leadership right now and you're sitting in the dust dreaming of a 250.

 

[Brorthopedic]

https://forums.studentdoctor.net/th...ent-still-beast-step-1.1123377/#post-16250665

That was a great read

 

[PatsyStone]

Here are some thoughts:

1. You do not need to be a strong extrovert to match into derm, but most dermatologists tend to be outgoing

2. Step 1 is obviously important, and to echo others, scoring 250+ is not as easy--or even realistic--for all people

3. Although the match rate is about 75%, there is a lot of self-selection that goes into derm. It's just like med school: many people start college thinking they want to become a physician, but ultimately only a portion of people end up being qualified to apply

4. Research is important in derm, but fortunately for med students, the bar to publish in our field is lower than it most specialties. You may also want to consider a research year. Although it is regional/program dependent, may med schools encourage all students interested in derm to do research years. Seriously, even if you score 250+ and are AOA, a research year is still helpful

5. While I agree it is better to be a dermatologist than to not be one (at least if it is what you want to match into), there definitely are differences in the quality of training between programs. Some residencies will have 15+ faculty members with lots of sub-specialists (CTCL, GVHD, contact derm, nails, cosmetics, peds, hair, pigmented lesions, connective tissues diseases, etc), while other may only have 3-4 attendings with tons of rotating adjuncts. There are also tremendous differences in the quality of in-patient exposure programs have (granted 99.9% of dermatologists hate in-patient consults, but it is an important part of developing your skills and your eyes).

6. It is OK to tell people you are interested in derm. If you're smart and likable, people won't care. If you're a dipsh*t, well, then people will probably find it humorous that you want to to do derm. Again, to echo others, do not be the person who lies and tells surgery residents that they want to do surgery or tells psych residents they want to match into psychiatry. Honesty is always the best policy

7. I won't deny that most medical students could become competent dermatologists. However, given that the derm boards are focused on minutia and not material that is clinically relevant, I imagine a good percentage of med students would be unable to pass the boards (not because they aren't intelligent, but because they lack the patience/analness to study unimportant factoids). The derm boards are likely different from other specialties in that they closely mirror Step 1 more than Step 2 or 3

 

[Foot Fetish]

Lmao months ago you were boasting how easy school is for you and how you're top of the class and but now you don't even have time for research or leadership or ECs during school? Half the population of medstudents are doing well in their classes and performing at a higher level then you with ECs, research, leadership right now and you're sitting in the dust dreaming of a 250.

If I was content to just pass my classes, I would have a lot more time for EC's. Instead, I strive to truly master the material, and my results reflect that (always beat the class average, often by a large margin). Maybe I will study a bit less and aim to merely pass from now on so I can get on the derm train. I've already confirmed with my dean that preclinical grades don't factor into internal ranking or AOA in any way. It was never about that for me, though. I see all of this as part of my Step 1 prep. As @failedatlife will gladly tell you, research and EC's mean absolutely NOTHING if you don't have a baller STEP 1 score as well. Consider the extreme cases. The kid who did nothing but obsessively prepare for Step 1 for 2 years and got a 260 at the expense of doing no EC's/research will be in a MUCH better position than the kid who was more "well-rounded" but then got a 240 on Step 1. There's always time to squeeze in some case reports in M3, but you can't retake Step 1. Research is the low-hanging fruit.

 

[jw3600]

If I was content to just pass my classes, I would have a lot more time for EC's. Instead, I strive to truly master the material, and my results reflect that (always beat the class average, often by a large margin). Maybe I will study a bit less and aim to merely pass from now on so I can get on the derm train. I've already confirmed with my dean that preclinical grades don't factor into internal ranking or AOA in any way. It was never about that for me, though. I see all of this as part of my Step 1 prep. As @failedatlife will gladly tell you, research and EC's mean absolutely NOTHING if you don't have a baller STEP 1 score as well. Consider the extreme cases. The kid who did nothing but obsessively prepare for Step 1 for 2 years and got a 260 at the expense of doing no EC's/research will be in a MUCH better position than the kid who was more "well-rounded" but then got a 240 on Step 1. There's always time to squeeze in some case reports in M3, but you can't retake Step 1. Research is the low-hanging fruit.

The fact that you tagged failedatlife in this thread is great evidence to your social adeptness...

 

[piii]

If I was content to just pass my classes, I would have a lot more time for EC's. Instead, I strive to truly master the material, and my results reflect that (always beat the class average, often by a large margin). Maybe I will study a bit less and aim to merely pass from now on so I can get on the derm train. I've already confirmed with my dean that preclinical grades don't factor into internal ranking or AOA in any way. It was never about that for me, though. I see all of this as part of my Step 1 prep. As @failedatlife will gladly tell you, research and EC's mean absolutely NOTHING if you don't have a baller STEP 1 score as well. Consider the extreme cases. The kid who did nothing but obsessively prepare for Step 1 for 2 years and got a 260 at the expense of doing no EC's/research will be in a MUCH better position than the kid who was more "well-rounded" but then got a 240 on Step 1. There's always time to squeeze in some case reports in M3, but you can't retake Step 1. Research is the low-hanging fruit.

I don't think you understand what I'm telling you.. I'm saying that there are many people who are acing their classes, in the 90% of all their exam grades, who are still involved in many ECs, research, leadership, volunteering, sports, music. You seem to think that getting top class grades, killing step and ECs are exclusive. And that is how you are falling behind.

 

[Anicetus]

No it doesn't. What he is doing is not harming anyone. A Gunner is someone who actively sabotages others to get ahead.

+1

The mindset of "studying all day makes you a gunner" is incredibly toxic.

 

[Anicetus]

I don't think you understand what I'm telling you.. I'm saying that there are many people who are acing their classes, in the 90% of all their exam grades, who are still involved in many ECs, research, leadership, volunteering, sports, music. You seem to think that getting top class grades, killing step and ECs are exclusive. And that is how you are falling behind.

To be fair, those things are exclusive to a lot of students. Pulling off AOA, 250+, and research is insanely difficult even if you shed blood and tears to attempt it. However some people didn't bat an eye and pulled all three off.

 

[NotYou20]

#End of thread. You match. #baller #superstar #youdaman #iminferior #chickmagnet #illbeyournurse

Except if he's a 5'8 manlet right?

 

[Goro]

There are gunners, and then there are Gunners.

+1

The mindset of "studying all day makes you a gunner" is incredibly toxic.

 

[Foot Fetish]

I'm saying that there are many people who are acing their classes, in the 90% of all their exam grades, who are still involved in many ECs, research, leadership, volunteering, sports, music.

Sure, but that doesn't change the fact that all those things (with the exception of research) are low-yield. I'm sorry, but your longitudinal volunteering at the local soup kitchen and playing intramural basketball isn't going to wow anyone, and it's honestly not even necessary. Moreover, not everyone who matches derm is a superstar who checked all the EC boxes.. A lot are, and those people will match into top-ranked programs, but in general I think the difficulty of matching is blown out of proportion. I refuse to believe that I can't match into some mediocre community derm program in Podunk, America if I manage to get a 250+ Step 1 and get involved in a couple research projects. A lot of folks probably never apply because they have bought into the meme of derm being impossible to match into when in reality they may have gotten into some low-to-mid ranked program if they had just had the balls to try.

 

[sammiesings]

Sure, but that doesn't change the fact that all those things (with the exception of research) are low-yield. I'm sorry, but your longitudinal volunteering at the local soup kitchen and playing intramural basketball isn't going to wow anyone, and it's honestly not even necessary. Moreover, not everyone who matches derm is a superstar who checked all the EC boxes.. A lot are, and those people will match into top-ranked programs, but in general I think the difficulty of matching is blown out of proportion. I refuse to believe that I can't match into some mediocre community derm program in Podunk, America if I manage to get a 250+ Step 1 and get involved in a couple research projects. A lot of folks probably never apply because they have bought into the meme of derm being impossible to match into when in reality they may have gotten into some low-to-mid ranked program if they had just had the balls to try.

So seems like you've got it all figured out. Why are you here asking for advice again?

 

[piii]

I'm sorry, but your longitudinal volunteering at the local soup kitchen and playing intramural basketball isn't going to wow anyone, and it's honestly not even necessary

Aw kid LMAO you are so naive if those trivial ECs are what you think I'm talking about. No one will want to work with you if you are a square and from what I understand many residency interviews are spent discussing interests and seeing if you are a normal person, you know, who doesn't spend all his time studying...

 

[SunsFun]

Not exactly. Introversion != social awkwardness. I'm actually pretty socially adept when I need to be. I know what needs to be said and done in different situations and can perform convincingly, it's just that doing so saps me of my energy since I'm a strong introvert. Faking it is a lot more exhausting than simply behaving socially out of instinct / reflex like extroverts do. But I also feel like med school is gradually morphing me into a new person. The constant preceptor visits, pt interviews, and oral presentations are really forcing me to tolerate social interaction more and more. I still don't enjoy it (and probably never will), but at least now I don't dread it as much or feel like I'm dying on the inside.

Derm is clinic. For introverts clinic can be a tough grind. If you feel drained with the minimal patient contact you get as MS1, you may want to actually shadow more outpatient specialties before committing.

8 hrs a day might feel like 16 by the end of the day..


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[managedcarefin]

I hope your internet attitude is nothing like your real life attitude

 

[ortnakas]

Lol everyone thinks they can get a 250 but very few people do for some reason.

This. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

 

[68PGunner]

Foot Fetish --> Future failedalife here
ROFL

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

I refuse to believe that I can't match into some mediocre community derm program in Podunk, America if I manage to get a 250+ Step 1 and get involved in a couple research projects.

Hate to break it to you, sport, but derm really is that competitive. Even worse for you? It's not getting less popular.

 

[ncide]

As an outsider, I'm wondering, why is it that derm is so competitive? Why is it such a sought after specialty?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

As an outsider, I'm wondering, why is it that derm is so competitive? Why is it such a sought after specialty?

Great lifestyle + $$$$$ = ultra competitive

 

[Nikj]

As an outsider, I'm wondering, why is it that derm is so competitive? Why is it such a sought after specialty?

To compare it to the Dental world, Derm=Orthodont. Like @AnatomyGrey12 said, It has quite a good lifestyle, meaning hours worked per week. Pay varies and depends on procedures provided and fellowships, but they have a huge amount of flexibility in how long they work, and what kind of work/procedures they choose to practice.

https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336836/dermatology.html

 

[BurghStudent]

Sure, but that doesn't change the fact that all those things (with the exception of research) are low-yield. I'm sorry, but your longitudinal volunteering at the local soup kitchen and playing intramural basketball isn't going to wow anyone, and it's honestly not even necessary. Moreover, not everyone who matches derm is a superstar who checked all the EC boxes.. A lot are, and those people will match into top-ranked programs, but in general I think the difficulty of matching is blown out of proportion. I refuse to believe that I can't match into some mediocre community derm program in Podunk, America if I manage to get a 250+ Step 1 and get involved in a couple research projects. A lot of folks probably never apply because they have bought into the meme of derm being impossible to match into when in reality they may have gotten into some low-to-mid ranked program if they had just had the balls to try.

OP, I suggest you develop a healthy sense of respect for the process. Expecting anything is never a good strategy. Do your best.

Assuming you can come off as personable to other people, it comes down to your school and who you know. If you indeed are chill to be around, great Step 1/AOA, and some derm research that is. Going to a top med school and/or a school with a good derm department/faculty is better for your odds than going to the opposite.

And again, that 77% matching is just a number. Doesn't tell the whole story. I know brilliant people in my class who have been told they may or may not match, just because of how competitive it really is. That 77% includes people who did everything, knew the right people, and even some who took time off for research.

Expect nothing. Do your best.

 

[ncide]

Great lifestyle + $$$$$ = ultra competitive

Are the procedures interesting?

 

[wizzed101]

Are the procedures interesting?

 

[68PGunner]

Are the procedures interesting?

Who cares when you're banking coin with minimal hrs, leaving more time for you to pursue other interests? That's the real reason why Derm is super competitive.

 

[SunsFun]

As an outsider, I'm wondering, why is it that derm is so competitive? Why is it such a sought after specialty?

I think derm is more competitive because it provides some opportunity (more than many other specialties) to fundamentally design how your spend your time.

When you are a hospitalist or a trauma surgeon, your most valuable resource, time, at work and often outside of work, is not managed by you. Lack of opportunity to allocate time as you see fit over years wears people down.


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[PatsyStone]

As an outsider, I'm wondering, why is it that derm is so competitive? Why is it such a sought after specialty?

Are the procedures interesting?

In private practice, full-time for most dermatologists is a four day work week (about 32-36 hours of direct patients care, not including notes/administrative work/etc). However, these days are busy: most PP dermatologists are seeing about 40+ patients a day (some even see 70-80 patients a day). Given the high volume of procedures, the pay for dermatology is one of the highest in medicine (at least for now--who knows what the future brings). Most PP dermatologists do not take call or see inpatient consults, which is great if you hate inpatient medicine. Additionally, there continues to be a strong demand for dermatologists, so the labor market is pretty good (granted, like many specialties, there are certain markets which are saturated).

There is tremendous variety in derm, and depending on your location, you can customize your practice. In derm, you can see everyone from newborns to the elderly, you can just do medical dermatology, or you can throw in a mix of cosmetics and surgery. If you like kids, you can do a peds fellowship; if you like path, you can do dermpath; if you like procedures, you can do a Mohs fellowship. We also use numerous treatment modalities. We can destroy or cut out lesions, we can treat things with topical medications, oral immunosuppressive meds, biologics, IV infusions, lasers, and phototherapy. Point is, there is tremendous variation in what we do from day-to-day.

Except for biopsies (shaves, punches, and saucerization), some dermatologists prefer to not do any procedures. Then next step up are dermatologists who do biopsies and will do excisions of skin cancers. The next step up are ones who do biospies, excisions, and have a mix of cosmetics and lasers. There are also Mohs people who, depending on their practice, likely do a mix of Mohs, excisions, and lasers/cosmetics. Ultimately, the amount of procedures one does varies by location and one's desire/comfort level.

Derm, like any specialty, also has its share of diseases that can be unpleasant to manage. Specifically, women with hair loss, old people without a rash who constantly itch, and people covered with dozens of dysplastic nevi. However, in general, most derm patients are pleasant, happy to be in your clinic, and because they can see the results of your treatment, they tend to be very appreciative of your care.

 

[ncide]

In private practice, full-time for most dermatologists is a four day work week (about 32-36 hours of direct patients care, not including notes/administrative work/etc). However, these days are busy: most PP dermatologists are seeing about 40+ patients a day (some even see 70-80 patients a day). Given the high volume of procedures, the pay for dermatology is one of the highest in medicine (at least for now--who knows what the future brings). Most PP dermatologists do not take call or see inpatient consults, which is great if you hate inpatient medicine. Additionally, there continues to be a strong demand for dermatologists, so the labor market is pretty good (granted, like many specialties, there are certain markets which are saturated).

There is tremendous variety in derm, and depending on your location, you can customize your practice. In derm, you can see everyone from newborns to the elderly, you can just do medical dermatology, or you can throw in a mix of cosmetics and surgery. If you like kids, you can do a peds fellowship; if you like path, you can do dermpath; if you like procedures, you can do a Mohs fellowship. We also use numerous treatment modalities. We can destroy or cut out lesions, we can treat things with topical medications, oral immunosuppressive meds, biologics, IV infusions, lasers, and phototherapy. Point is, there is tremendous variation in what we do from day-to-day.

Except for biopsies (shaves, punches, and saucerization), some dermatologists prefer to not do any procedures. Then next step up are dermatologists who do biopsies and will do excisions of skin cancers. The next step up are ones who do biospies, excisions, and have a mix of cosmetics and lasers. There are also Mohs people who, depending on their practice, likely do a mix of Mohs, excisions, and lasers/cosmetics. Ultimately, the amount of procedures one does varies by location and one's desire/comfort level.

Derm, like any specialty, also has its share of diseases that can be unpleasant to manage. Specifically, women with hair loss, old people without a rash who constantly itch, and people covered with dozens of dysplastic nevi. However, in general, most derm patients are pleasant, happy to be in your clinic, and because they can see the results of your treatment, they tend to be very appreciative of your care.

What is the typical take-home income of a self-employed dermatologist?

 

[Lexdiamondz]

Sure, but that doesn't change the fact that all those things (with the exception of research) are low-yield. I'm sorry, but your longitudinal volunteering at the local soup kitchen and playing intramural basketball isn't going to wow anyone, and it's honestly not even necessary. Moreover, not everyone who matches derm is a superstar who checked all the EC boxes.. A lot are, and those people will match into top-ranked programs, but in general I think the difficulty of matching is blown out of proportion. I refuse to believe that I can't match into some mediocre community derm program in Podunk, America if I manage to get a 250+ Step 1 and get involved in a couple research projects. A lot of folks probably never apply because they have bought into the meme of derm being impossible to match into when in reality they may have gotten into some low-to-mid ranked program if they had just had the balls to try.

LMAO. This guy hasn't got a clue.

Roughly half of the people who match dermatology are AOA - meaning they were in the top 10% of people in their class for the most part. Derm is a field where being the best in your class only makes you average, and about 1 in 12 have PhD's. Ignoring research to max out your Step 1 score is idiotic when your competition is full of people who took research years and are first authors on multiple papers in addition to having multiple leadership roles during medical school and an overall stellar CV.

 

[Ioannes Paulus]

I'm fairly sure I will be able to score in the 250's on Step 1

SIT DOWN BOY
You're literally 6 months into medical school.
You really have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[PatsyStone]

What is the typical take-home income of a self-employed dermatologist?

This is probably not what you want to hear, but it can vary tremendously (like all fields in medicine)

 

[Lexicon0]

Just LOL at this thread:

1. MS1 OP asks for advice on being a competitive derm applicant
2. OP receives sound advice on how to put together a well-rounded, competitive application
3. OP proceeds to disregard said advice and discounts ECs/research in lieu of focusing purely on Step 1

As someone who is going through the interview process for a specialty just about as competitive as derm - ALL your fellow coapplicants are going to be manuscript-slinging, USMLE-crushing, clerkship honoring beasts. On top of this they will all be well-rounded with meaningful extra-curricular/leadership experience. As one of the posters said earlier, I would certainly respect the process. Also, you may find that even a 250 may not go as far as you would think in fields like derm. Like others have mentioned I would try getting plugged into your derm department early (shadowing, attending grand rounds, getting plugged into research projects) and continue studying hard during you pre-clinical years leading up to step 1.

 

[Foot Fetish]

Any advice / tips for establishing contact with my home derm department? I need to do research this summer, so should I kill 2 birds with one stone and contact them about research opportunities? What is the best way of doing this without coming off as unctuous/ a gunner? Should I instead seek out a research project in an unrelated area of medicine that has a higher probability of resulting in a pub?

One last question. Would it look odd if I have an EC / volunteer activity that relates to a different specialty? One has come up that I am interested, but I don't want it to make me look like I'm interested in this other speciality...

 

[BurghStudent]

Any advice / tips for establishing contact with my home derm department? I need to do research this summer, so should I kill 2 birds with one stone and contact them about research opportunities? What is the best way of doing this without coming off as unctuous/ a gunner? Should I instead seek out a research project in an unrelated area of medicine that has a higher probability of resulting in a pub?

One last question. Would it look odd if I have an EC / volunteer activity that relates to a different specialty? One has come up that I am interested, but I don't want it to make me look like I'm interested in this other speciality...

1) Contact your department, perhaps a specific person in the dermatology department. You can read their research on PubMed, see who is an active researcher, and who works in an area of derm you are interested in. Research in your field >>> research in other field >>>>>>>>>>>> no research. Also, you never know with publications. You can tell sometimes when a paper is likely to be published. Clinical projects and case reports almost always publish faster than basic science research.

2) Do E/C's you care about. It's not blasphemous to want to be a dermatologist and care about prison inmates at the same time. Prison inmates get skin disease. But more importantly, you do what you are interested in. The mentality of trying to please everyone worked in premed, and may work for some in med school. But I've found that being you is the best approach.

 

[Foot Fetish]

1) Contact your department, perhaps a specific person in the dermatology department. You can read their research on PubMed, see who is an active researcher, and who works in an area of derm you are interested in. Research in your field >>> research in other field >>>>>>>>>>>> no research. Also, you never know with publications. You can tell sometimes when a paper is likely to be published. Clinical projects and case reports almost always publish faster than basic science research.

2) Do E/C's you care about. It's not blasphemous to want to be a dermatologist and care about prison inmates at the same time. Prison inmates get skin disease. But more importantly, you do what you are interested in. The mentality of trying to please everyone worked in premed, and may work for some in med school. But I've found that being you is the best approach.

Thank you for the reply. Is there any benefit to contacting the program director versus another attending in the department? Obviously the director would have the most influence down the line, but in my case , it appears that this other attending in the derm department is the one pumping out the most research / seems to be more involved with the med school (teaches an M2 derm course)...

 

[BurghStudent]

Thank you for the reply. Is there any benefit to contacting the program director versus another attending in the department? Obviously the director would have the most influence down the line, but in my case , it appears that this other attending in the derm department is the one pumping out the most research / seems to be more involved with the med school (teaches an M2 derm course)...

You could contact that attending directly. He's your end game anyways. There's plenty of time to know the PD. Do good work for the attending, etc, it'll pay off in many ways.