Are you wondering how to match into dermatology? Or how many dermatology residency programs are there? Do you want to know everything there is about dermatology residency interviews? Need to know how many interviews to match in dermatology?
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to match into dermatology.
Summary:
- Dermatology is highly competitive, in part due to having high % of unmatched US seniors
- Dermatology residency programs use standardized screens modestly to “weed out” applicants
- The most successful applicants have letters of recommendation in their specialty, an outstanding personal statement, and demonstrate diverse characteristics
- Historically, most dermatology interview invites occur before November 31, and the vast majority before December 31
Table of Contents
How Competitive is it to Match into Dermatology?
How competitive is it to match into dermatology in the US? Here we have the unmatched % for US seniors by specialty. The “Unmatched %” means the % of US seniors who applied into dermatology who did not match during the given year.
This is one measure of specialty competitiveness – perhaps the most relevant if you want to match into dermatology.
For more on the competitiveness of dermatology relative to other medical specialties, see this article.
How Many Dermatology Residency Programs Are There?
Before we discuss how many dermatology residency programs there are in the US, let’s review some terminology. For many specialized residency programs (e.g., anesthesiology, dermatology, radiology, radiation oncology, etc.), the specialty training begins during their second year of residency. This second year is also known as the PGY-2 (post-graduate year 2, for the second year after graduating from medical school).
Categorical vs. Advanced vs. Physician Dermatology Programs
Dermatology has three different kinds of residency programs applicants can potentially enter: categorical, advanced, and physician (R).
Categorical refers to programs that include all years of residency training. Dermatology residency lasts four years. The first year of training, however, is a “preliminary” year that can be either internal medicine, surgery, or transitional (a sort of grab-bag that will depend on the hospital). Some programs include the PGY-1 “intern” year – these programs are known as “categorical” programs.
Others, however, require applicants to match separately into an intern year. These programs, which begin in the PGY-2 years, are referred to as “advanced” positions.
Finally, for others who have already completed at least a year of residency training, they may be eligible for a “physician” dermatology position. These positions allow applicants to move directly into the PGY-2 specialty training and skip the PGY-1 year. This arrangement may be ideal for those who want to complete residency sooner and not have to repeat their intern year.
How Many Dermatology Residency Programs and Positions Are There?
In the 2022 NRMP Match, there were:
- 14 Dermatology programs offering 30 PGY-1 (categorical) positions,
- 138 Dermatology programs offering 492 PGY-2 (advanced) positions, and
- 17 Dermatology programs offering 22 Physician (R) positions
Thus, the total number of dermatology residency positions in 2022 was 14 + 138 + 17 = 169. There were at least 14 dermatology programs in 2022. However, it is unclear how many more than that there were since many of the residency programs that offer advanced and/or physician positions also offer categorical ones.
See the 2022 Main Residency Match Results and Data for more information on dermatology match statistics.
How to Match into Dermatology: Impressing Program Directors
To match into dermatology, you must first be invited to interview. According to the most recent program director (PD) survey from 2021, PDs shared what they look for in candidates they hope to interview.
For dermatology, the top five most important characteristics for receiving an interview, according to program directors, were:
- Awards/honors, clerkship in preferred specialty
- Fluency in language of pt population
- USMLE step 2 CK score
- Medical school accreditation status
- NRMP flag for match violation
The same data are presented more fully in a table. Here you will see the % of program director respondents who cited a factor as important for granting an interview, as well as the mean importance score (out of 5).
To balance the breadth of program directors citing each factor with the importance given to each factor, a “composite score” was created. This composite score takes the average of the % respondents citing a factor with the importance score scaled to 100%. For example, if 80% of PDs cited a given factor, with a mean importance score of 5.0 (out of 5), the composite score would be 90%. (The average of 80% of PDs citing with 5/5 – or 100% – for the mean importance, for a composite score of 90%).
| Dermatology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to INTERVIEW (% of Respondents Endorsing) | Dermatology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to INTERVIEW (Mean Importance / 5) | Dermatology: Characteristics Considered for Interview Composite Score (Average of % Respondents Endorsing and Mean Importance / 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letters of Recommendation in Specialty | 100.0% | 4.6 | 96.0% |
| Personal Statement (Overall) | 100.0% | 4.5 | 95.0% |
| Having Overcome Significant Obstacles | 88.2% | 4.6 | 90.1% |
| Diversity Characteristics | 88.2% | 4.5 | 89.1% |
| Professionalism and Ethics | 82.4% | 4.7 | 88.2% |
| Grades in Required Clerkships | 88.2% | 4.4 | 88.1% |
| MSPE | 94.1% | 4.1 | 88.1% |
| Volunteer/Extracurricular Experience | 94.1% | 4 | 87.1% |
| Leadership Qualities | 82.4% | 4.4 | 85.2% |
| Perceived Commitment to Specialty | 76.5% | 4.5 | 83.3% |
| Other Life Experience | 82.4% | 4.1 | 82.2% |
| Personal Prior Knowledge of Applicant | 82.4% | 3.9 | 80.2% |
| USMLE Step 1 Score | 94.1% | 3.3 | 80.1% |
| Perceived Interest in Program | 70.6% | 4.4 | 79.3% |
| Consistency of Grades | 76.5% | 4.1 | 79.3% |
| Awards/Honors in Clinical Clerkships | 76.5% | 4 | 78.3% |
| Class Ranking/Quartile | 76.5% | 3.8 | 76.3% |
| Grades in Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 64.7% | 4.3 | 75.4% |
| Any Failed USMLE Attempt | 58.8% | 4.5 | 74.4% |
| GHHS Membership | 64.7% | 3.9 | 71.4% |
| Interest in Academic Career | 64.7% | 3.9 | 71.4% |
| Involvement and Interest in Research | 70.6% | 3.5 | 70.3% |
| AOA Membership | 64.7% | 3.7 | 69.4% |
| Any Failed COMLEX-USA Attempt | 29.4% | 5 | 64.7% |
| Audition Elective/Rotation in PD's Dept | 47.1% | 4.1 | 64.6% |
| Awards/Honors, Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 35.3% | 4.2 | 59.7% |
| Fluency in Language of Pt Population | 47.1% | 3.6 | 59.6% |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Score | 47.1% | 3.4 | 57.6% |
| Medical School Accreditation Status | 17.6% | 4.7 | 55.8% |
| NRMP Flag for Match Violation | 5.9% | 5 | 53.0% |
| Medical School Reputation | 35.3% | 3.5 | 52.7% |
| Awards/Honors in Basic Sciences | 35.3% | 3.5 | 52.7% |
| Away Rotation in Specialty Elsewhere | 23.5% | 3.8 | 49.8% |
| Sigma Sigma Phi Membership | 11.8% | 4 | 45.9% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 1 score | 17.6% | 3.7 | 45.8% |
| Visa Status | 17.6% | 3.7 | 45.8% |
| Passing USMLE Step 2 CS | 29.4% | 2.8 | 42.7% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE Score | 11.8% | 3.5 | 40.9% |
| Continuous Medical Education w/o Gaps | 11.8% | 3 | 35.9% |
| Ability to Work Legally w/o Visa | 11.8% | 3 | 35.9% |
| Passing COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE | 5.9% | 3 | 33.0% |
| USMLE Step 3 Score | 5.9% | 3 | 33.0% |
| How Medical School Handled Virtual Rotations | 5.9% | 1 | 13.0% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 3 Score | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Here are the composite scores for the criteria dermatology program directors use for grading interviews.
What Do Dermatology Program Directors Look for When Ranking Applicants?
Getting an interview is only part of the process of matching into dermatology. Program directors also rank the most important factors for creating their rank order list.
In the 2021 Program Director Survey, dermatology PDs rated these criteria as most important for deciding whom to rank:
- Interactions with faculty during interview/visit
- Interpersonal skills
- Interactions with house staff during interview/visit
- Feedback from current residents
- Diversity characteristics
We can see the full list here:
| Dermatology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to RANK (% of Respondents Endorsing) | Dermatology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to RANK (Mean Importance / 5) | Dermatology: Characteristics Considered for Rank Composite Score (Average of % Respondents Endorsing and Mean Importance / 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interactions with Faculty During Interview/Visit | 88.2% | 5 | 94.1% |
| Interpersonal Skills | 88.2% | 4.9 | 93.1% |
| Interactions with House Staff During Interview/Visit | 82.4% | 4.9 | 90.2% |
| Feedback from Current Residents | 82.4% | 4.7 | 88.2% |
| Diversity Characteristics | 76.5% | 4.4 | 82.3% |
| Having Overcome Significant Obstacles | 70.6% | 4.6 | 81.3% |
| Professionalism and Ethics | 70.6% | 4.5 | 80.3% |
| Leadership Qualities | 64.7% | 4.6 | 78.4% |
| Perceived Commitment to Specialty | 64.7% | 4.4 | 76.4% |
| Personal Statement | 64.7% | 4.1 | 73.4% |
| Personal Prior Knowledge of Applicant | 58.8% | 3.9 | 68.4% |
| Perceived Interest in Program | 64.7% | 3.6 | 68.4% |
| Letters of Recommendation in Specialty | 41.2% | 4.7 | 67.6% |
| Other Life Experience | 52.9% | 4 | 66.5% |
| Volunteer/Extracurricular Experience | 52.9% | 4 | 66.5% |
| Grades in Required Clerkships | 35.3% | 4.3 | 60.7% |
| Interest in Academic Career | 52.9% | 3.4 | 60.5% |
| Audition Elective/Rotation in PD's Dept | 35.3% | 4 | 57.7% |
| GHHS Membership | 29.4% | 4.2 | 56.7% |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Score | 11.8% | 5 | 55.9% |
| Any Failed USMLE Attempt | 11.8% | 5 | 55.9% |
| Sigma Sigma Phi Membership | 11.8% | 5 | 55.9% |
| Class Ranking/Quartile | 35.3% | 3.8 | 55.7% |
| AOA Membership | 29.4% | 4 | 54.7% |
| MSPE | 35.3% | 3.7 | 54.7% |
| Involvement and Interest in Research | 41.2% | 3.4 | 54.6% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE Score | 5.9% | 5 | 53.0% |
| Any Failed COMLEX-USA Attempt | 5.9% | 5 | 53.0% |
| USMLE Step 1 Score | 35.3% | 3.5 | 52.7% |
| Consistency of Grades | 17.6% | 4.3 | 51.8% |
| Awards/Honors in Clinical Clerkships | 17.6% | 4.3 | 51.8% |
| Grades in Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 23.5% | 4 | 51.8% |
| Fluency in Language of Patient Population | 17.6% | 4 | 48.8% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 1 score | 11.8% | 4 | 45.9% |
| Applicant Facility with Meeting Platform Tech | 17.6% | 3.5 | 43.8% |
| Away Rotation in Specialty Elsewhere | 11.8% | 3.7 | 42.9% |
| Awards/Honors, Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 11.8% | 3.5 | 40.9% |
| Awards/Honors in Basic Sciences | 11.8% | 3.5 | 40.9% |
| Medical School Reputation | 17.6% | 3 | 38.8% |
| Continuous Medical Education w/o Gaps | 5.9% | 3 | 33.0% |
| Medical School Accreditation Status | 5.9% | 3 | 33.0% |
| Other Post-Interview Contact | 5.9% | 3 | 33.0% |
| Second Interview/Visit | 5.9% | 3 | 33.0% |
| Passing USMLE Step 2 CS | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| Passing COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| USMLE Step 3 Score | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| COMLEX-USA Level 3 Score | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| How Medical School Handled Virtual Rotations | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| Ability to Work Legally w/o Visa | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| NRMP Flag for Match Violation | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| Visa Status | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Finally, we can see the composite scores for criteria used to rank dermatology applicants.
What Characteristics Do Successful Dermatology Applicants Share?
Here are the characteristics of matched vs. unmatched US seniors applying to dermatology.
| Matched | Unmatched | |
|---|---|---|
| Mean number of contiguous ranks, US Senior | 9.1 | 5.2 |
| Mean number of distinct specialties ranked, US Senior | 2.2 | 2.3 |
| Step 1, US Senior | 248 | 244 |
| Step 2, US Senior | 257 | 251 |
| Mean number of research experiences, US Senior | 7.2 | 6.1 |
| Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications, US Senior | 20.9 | 15.7 |
| Mean number of work experiences, US Senior | 4 | 3.9 |
| Mean number of volunteer experiences, US Senior | 11 | 9.3 |
| Percentage who are AOA members, US Senior | 39.7 | 30.5 |
| Percentage who graduated from one of the 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding, US Senior | 41.4 | 33.6 |
| Percentage who have Ph.D. degree, US Senior | 6 | 5 |
| Percentage who have another graduate degree, US Senior | 15.9 | 20.3 |
Match Into Dermatology: Pass the Screens with High USMLEs
Dermatology modestly relies on standardized screens to weed out applicants. In the 2021 Program Director Survey, dermatology PDs respondents reported that 19% of applications were rejected via standardized screen. This ranked near the bottom of residencies.
What Are the Step 1 and Step 2 CK Cut-Offs for Interviews in Dermatology?
As mentioned above, dermatology ranked near the bottom of programs using standardized screens to eliminate applications. Many dermatology programs screen out applicants with failed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK (see below). In addition, PDs use Step 1 and Step 2 CK score cut-offs to weed out applicants.
For Step 1, dermatology program directors reported Step 1 score cut-offs between 219 and 230 as 25% and 75%ile marks to screen out applicants.
Similarly, dermatology program directors reported Step 2 CK scores between 220 and 230 as 25% and 75%ile cut-offs.
For more on the USMLE cut-off scores for granting interviews – or weeding out applicants – see this article.
If I Fail Step 1, Can I Still Match Into Dermatology?
If you failed Step 1, you might wonder if you can still match into dermatology. In the most recent program director survey addressing this question, we can see that dermatology programs are relatively unforgiving if you’ve failed Step 1.
In 2020, dermatology 50% of PDs reported they “never” consider applicants who fail Step 1, while 50% would “seldom” consider it. That said 0% of dermatology programs “often” consider someone with a Step 1 fail.
Did you fail Step 1 and are wondering what you can do to recover? Read this article and consider scheduling a consultation.
If I Fail Step 2 CK, Can I Still Match Into Dermatology?
Similarly, you may wonder what your chances of matching into dermatology are if you fail Step 2 CK. Just like with Step 1, dermatology PDs are unforgiving for not passing Step 2 CK.
In 2020, dermatology 67% of PDs reported they “never” consider applicants who fail Step 2 CK, while 33% would “seldom” consider it. That said 0% of dermatology programs “often” consider someone with a Step 2 CK fail.
Did you fail Step 2 CK and wonder what you can do to recover? Read this article and consider scheduling a consultation.
How Many Publications for Dermatology Residency in 2022
Research is an important characteristic for matching into many specialties, particularly the most competitive. So, how many publications do you need to match into a dermatology residency?
In 2022, the mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications for US seniors who matched into dermatology was 20.9. The mean number of research experiences was 7.2.
Do I Need an MD-PhD to Become a Dermatologist?
You may wonder how much an MD-PhD helps with matching into dermatology. It appears that having a PhD correlates with a modest advantage of 4% when applying into dermatology. Specifically, the match rate for those with a PhD is 4% higher than for those without one when applying into dermatology.
Note that those with PhDs are rare among dermatology residents. In fact, only 6% of matched applicants into dermatology had a PhD in 2022.
Dermatology Residency Interviews
When you apply to dermatology, you may be wondering what the chances of getting an interview are. Here we present the outcomes of applicants per the 2021 NRMP Program Director Survey.
Note that dermatology uses standardized screens to reduce the number of applicants. Roughly only 19% of applicants that year were eliminated via a screen (e.g., Step 2 CK scores, visa status, failed a USMLE in the past, etc.).
When Are Dermatology Residency Interview Invites Sent vs. Conducted?
When you apply to residency, you’ll be doing a lot of waiting. Specifically, you’ll be waiting to hear whether – and when – you will be able to interview.
Want to know when you might expect to hear from dermatology programs re: your residency application? Here are when programs typically extend and conduct interviews. Note that the most recent data are from 2020.
Here are the same data presented differently. Note that due to rounding, sometimes the percentages can add up to more than 100%.
How Many Interviews to Match in Dermatology?
How many interviews to match in dermatology with confidence? For US Seniors, the magic number of interviews needed to match into dermatology is 6-13. In 2022, having 6 interviews (and ranking them all on their match list) led to a 75-80% chance of matching. For even greater safety, though, having 13+ interviews led to a ≥90% chance of matching into dermatology for US seniors.
How Many Interviews to Match in Dermatology as a DO?
For DO seniors, considerably more interviews were necessary to match into dermatology comfortably. To get to the 75% threshold, ≥ 8 interviews were needed. To reach the ≥ 90% threshold, 10+ interviews were needed in 2022.
How Many Interviews to Match in Dermatology as an IMG?
Similar to DOs, more interviews were necessary for IMGs to comfortably match into dermatology. To reach the 75% threshold, ≥4-5 interviews were necessary. Note that because of so few candidates with ≥ 5 interviews, the numbers become considerably “noisier,” and can’t be interpreted with much confidence in a graph, so see the table below.
Note: Data for U.S. IMGs are not shown due to small sample size
| # Contiguous Ranks of IMGs | Matched % Non-US IMGs | Matched Non-US IMGs | Unmatched Non-US IMGs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25% | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 0% | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | 40% | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 0% | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | 100% | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16+ | 0% | 0 | 1 |
Concluding Thoughts
Matching into dermatology is a challenging proposition. The challenge may feel more daunting if we have perceived weaknesses in our application, or if we want to match in a top program, a desirable location, and/or couples match.
The good news? How to match into dermatology depends largely on things you can control – your USMLEs, your clinical performance/MSPEs, whether you fail Step 1 or Step 2 CK, and how much interest you show to programs.
Looking for a Dermatology Residency Advisor?
Looking for a dermatology residency advisor? Want help writing your personal statement? Need effective strategies for interviewing? Do you have things on your application – e.g., low USMLE scores, failed USMLEs, no research, IMG status, or others – you need help overcoming?
Be sure to check out our Residency Advisor service.
