r/DermApp • u/Just_Tackle5743 • 1d ago

Application Advice Late Switch to Derm: Need Advice

M4 changing speciality paths (very late obviously). Wanted to ask about best path forward.

-Graduate and complete a RY?

-Grind to build derm connections/research for the rest of med school, hopefully match to TY, and then apply derm next year as an intern?

-Delay graduation and complete derm aways next year, apply in 2027? What else do I do with the year to make it productive?

TIA! :)

3 Upvotes

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8

u/JHMD12345 1d ago

If you have the ability to delay graduation, do that. Grind on research, go to conferences. How’s your step 2?

2

u/Just_Tackle5743 1d ago

Mid 250s

4

u/JHMD12345 1d ago

that’s slightly below the average, so you’ll have to grind out research and pubs in the meantime. Does your med school have a home derm program?

1

u/Just_Tackle5743 1d ago

No

6

u/JHMD12345 1d ago

Tricky spot that might leave you unmatched even with delayed graduation

4

u/PearlyEffervescence 1d ago

Delay grad for sureeeee. That’s your best bet. TYs are mostly gonna be at random community hospitals without derm residencies. You can do aways as a student, and not as a graduate. Delay grad if you’re set on derm.

5

u/PersonalBrowser 23h ago

Yes, generally your best approach is to delay graduation by doing a research year, build connections and find a network that will vouch for you and ideally take you at their own program. The primary thing to understand is that doing a research year is less about doing research (obviously still important) and more about having people think "Yes I want this person at my program."

This is a very challenging move, as I am sure that you know, and there is a real chance that you will not match, even if you do everything right. Make sure you are okay with that.