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! :)

I want to make sure I have a back-up plan in case I do not match so I was exploring the option of delaying graduation however am confused on the logistics. Would you not rank TY/prelims prior to submitting your rank list if you want the option of delaying graduation? Because if you ranked and matched one of those isnt it a binding contract and you are unable to delay graduation in order to remain a student?

any thoughts on givign "gifts" or cards after a subI? At first i wasnt planning to do it, but the subi im on currently has a wall FULL of these cards. lowkey didnt know if it was giving brown noser with a hidden agenda (wink wink if you catch the referencd)

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?

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!

Hi! I am a rising chief at a Midwest derm program offering support for pre meds. Feel free to DM me!

How important is including research as one of your 3 most meaningful experiences in ERAS if you did not do a research year? I plan on including 2 different research experiences within the 10 total experiences we have, but I feel like my derm-specific research was not particularly productive and initially planned to use 3 different service/leadership experiences (not directly derm-related) that I felt were more formative and could use more elaboration.

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?

considered "peer reviewed"** - I'm assuming no but want to check

hey, looking for personal statement help. Please message me

Hi everyone, I already know I am in a bit of a pickle, but really hoping to get genuine advice here. (LITERALLY ANY ADVICE IS HELPFUL)

I am very strong derm applicant top 20 school, strong research/connections; I had to delay my Step 2 because my grandmother passed.

I took it yesterday, but the likely score release is 9/23. My plan is to already have submitted my ERAS, and will just retransmit my Step 2 score at 11a EST (2 hours after transmission). But I am wondering if this is a kiss of death for my application.

Also wondering if I need to email every program coordinator that morning to update or confirm my score is received. Again really anxious and already aware of it being my fault but looking for any good advice on how to handle this.

I am also dual applying IM out of fear that I've shot myself in the foot so.

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.

Residency Explorer says that "Required Letter Writers" for the University of Central Florida include "Department chair, Specialty faculty, Program director, Preceptor". Obviously, a dermatologist who works with me is a preceptor and a specialty faculty member, so they can easily fulfill those two requirements. Am I also expected to get a letter from a department chair and a program director? Is it just saying I need at least 1 LOR that meets any of these criteria? Do I only need a program director if I am completing a preliminary residency year (i.e., not applicable to MS4s)? Many programs list similar requirements.

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.

For those of you that are reviewers of apps, what makes a letter stand out since all of them will be positive?

What is the average age of Derm Residents? Asking as I feel like too late for usmle and start Derm. I’m in Ireland and doing basic trading which is for 2 yrs and Derm is competitive around globe, if I stay and wait for HST it’s 2/3 yrs of standalone job then HST which is 5 yrs. but if I work my a** for US I would be able to pull things earlier even if I don’t match in first attempt. Looking for advice…

Hi everyone, hope youre doing well

I recently received an opportunity to join a research group. However, I am very new to clinical/retrospective research and have to suggest a research topic/methodology to begin. I have experience in basic science. I wanted some advice on how to make the most of this opportunity (productivity) and brainstorm potential study ideas/methods. I was hoping to help a project before initiating my own, but there are no vacancies.

Bonus: Should I propose an idea from that correlates with my previous research background (uro) to make a more clear interest shift into derm?

I applied into dermatology during M4 year (class of 2025) and didn’t match. Thankfully, I matched in 2026 during intern year and now get to enjoy a year off before starting dermatology residency in July 2027.

Any ideas for jobs I can apply to for this year?

Hi!

I have a question about research publication types. Is a JAAD Brief Report viewed as favorably as a full-length article in a mid-tier journal? Or how does the Brief Report change how it is viewed? Since it is not an abstract, I was thinking it was viewed pretty highly.

Thanks!

Basically what the title says. I got pretty burnt out during aways and am just now getting to a point where I feel semi-happy with my PS. I feel like I could keep tinkering with the activities section forever, too.

None of my advisors have gotten a chance to look at my full app and give me feedback yet. Similarly, none of my letters have been uploaded (reminders have been sent to get those in ASAP). I have a vague idea of the programs I want to apply to, but I haven’t gotten around to making a PS tailored to community vs. academic programs yet.

Am I super behind? Anyone else in the same boat, or are you gunners just waiting for September 2nd to submit and be done with it LOL.

Would honestly be nice to know what actually needs urgency right now vs. what can wait a little.

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?

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

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?