How Does Dermatology Research Collaboration Strengthen Dermatology Residency Applications?

Medical students interested in dermatology careers may have an opportunity to work with dermatology residents and faculty on research projects, especially if they attend institutions with dermatology departments or divisions. How does involvement in such research improve an applicant’s chance for a dermatology match? If a presentation or a publication results from the work, it increases the student’s professional exposure in a positive way. More importantly, however are the professional ties developed to others in the specialty as a result of the collaboration. Your supervisors recognize the ability of medical student collaborators who are professional, are able to meet research deadlines, and are able produce high quality work. Your collaborators will enthusiastically share their experiences working with excellent medical students to others in the field through strong letters of recommendation that could result in additional residency interviews and the opportunity to match at other dermatology programs. Of course, if all student collaborative and clinical interactions are stellar, they might want to retain you as a future dermatology resident in their own program! Maybe that explains why in many cases, applicants have the best chance of matching at their home program.