Do I Need 250 or more on Step 1 and AOA to Match in Dermatology?

No, but obviously it helps to be a superstar student with high Step 1 scores and with grades/leadership skills that have been recognized by your medical school (AOA). Those stats will certainly be rewarded by lots of interview opportunities. However, since 50% of dermatology positions go to medical students who are not in AOA, there is still a good chance of matching if you are able to distinguish your application with excellent letters of support by faculty who know you well, and you can demonstrate that you have success in research, especially if it is dermatology related. Advanced research degrees may also be of help here, but they are not required. It is usually more important that you are able to demonstrate academic productivity through publications than having the degree itself. Of course it may take several years of work to produce a curriculum vitae that will excite the academic dermatology community. Another unique statistic of the NRMP for dermatology is that at least 10% of available dermatology positions go to those who are not MS4s. This represents the group of applicants who are in their PGY1 year when applying, in dermatology fellowships, or those who either are completing or have completed residencies/fellowships in other specialties. In many instances, this applicant pool has substantial dermatology research experience or a highly sought skill-set such as dermatopathology board certification. The good news is that dermatology programs are still very open minded about the residency selection process, and want the best applicants that they can find for the specialty.