What to Consider When Applying to Dermatology Programs

As the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application cycle approaches, third-year medical students are in the process of applying for away rotations, internships, and most significantly, residency programs. The decision of where to dedicate the next 3–8 years of your medical training is a pivotal decision, particularly for those pursuing dermatology, a specialty where program differences can significantly shape one’s career path.

For aspiring dermatologists, several factors should be taken into consideration when refining a list of programs:

Location and Regional Pathologies

Where your residency training takes place plays a significant role in the decision-making process. For students who are parents or caregivers, or for those who prefer to live in a certain part of the country, the region can be a crucial factor. Geographic location also greatly influences the types of pathologies encountered during training. For example, skin cancer is more prevalent in regions with higher UV exposure, such as the Southern United States¹, while psoriasis may be more common in areas with less sunlight, like the Northeast and Midwest United States.²

Program Specialty Focus

Dermatology is unique in that it is primarily outpatient based while still maintaining a substantial amount of hospital medicine.³ Its broad scope allows for significant variation between programs, with some offering deeper exposure to specific areas of interest, such as skin of color, LGBTQIA+ dermatology, pediatric dermatology, and so forth.

Certain programs may place a strong emphasis on areas that align closely with an applicant’s long-term career goals, making those programs especially appealing for individuals seeking to cultivate expertise in their areas of interest.

Surgical Training Opportunities

Dermatology is also distinctive in that it combines medical expertise with surgical skill to provide comprehensive patient care. Similar to surgeons in the operating room, dermatologists perform procedures such as biopsies and suturing open wounds. At some dermatology programs, though, the emphasis on surgical versus clinical training can vary.

For medical students who have a particular interest in the surgical features of dermatology or who perhaps want to pursue a surgical subspeciality in dermatology such as Mohs surgery, attending a program that will provide early and sufficient surgical practice is essential to honing your skills.

Research Infrastructure and Expectations

Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties, and research plays a significant role in the application process. Dermatology applicants often have an average of 15–20 research items by the time they apply, highlighting the importance of research and scientific inquiry in the specialty.⁴

There are certain programs that will be more appealing to students seeking abundant opportunities to engage in research that might have features such as dedicated academic time, a required capstone project, or an environment where publishing manuscripts, attending conferences, and presenting posters is the expectation. For medical students aspiring to integrate research as a central component of their future dermatology careers, programs such as these provide the ideal platform for growth and professional development.

Final Thoughts on Program Fit

In summary, selecting a dermatology residency program involves more than just prestige—it’s about finding the right fit for your goals, interests, and lifestyle. By carefully evaluating factors like location, specialty focus, surgical training, and research infrastructure, applicants can make informed decisions that support both their professional development and personal well-being.

References

1. Aggarwal P, Knabel P, Fleischer AB Jr. United States burden of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer from 1990 to 2019. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Aug;85(2):388-395. PubMedId: 33852922. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.03.109
2. Armstrong AW, Mehta MD, Schupp CW, Gondo GC, Bell SJ, Griffiths CEM. Psoriasis prevalence in adults in the United States. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Aug 1;157(8):940-946. PubMedId: 34190957. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2007
3. Almohaimeed DH, Aldera RM, Albdaya NA, et al. Factors affecting the choice of dermatology as a specialty by medical students: data from 28 KSA medical schools. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2022 Nov-Dec;16(6):18-25. PubMedId: 36475031.
4. Okereke R, Szauter K, Ede N. Publication count of matched dermatology applicants reported in literature: a systematic review. Arch Dermatol Res. 2024 Dec 30;317(1):162. PubMedId: 39738608. doi:10.1007/s00403-024-03666-x