1. Prepare early: The first year clinical dermatology preceptorship is a great way to get involved early (2 students can rotate during both May and June after MS1 year). Doing two electives between the MS1 and MS2 school year can give you more time to do away rotations and have time off for interviews as a MS4.
2. Getting involved with research, specifically related to dermatology, is important. The average number of posters/abstracts/publications for matched applicants in 2016 was a total of 9. The school of medicine Honors Research Program is a great option. There are two Texas Dermatologic Society meetings per year where students often do poster presentations, and the Annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting as well.
3. Dermatology applicants have a busy fourth year. Most applicants do 2-3 away rotations. Applications can be submitted September 15th of each year. It is recommended to have a letter from the dermatology program chair, program director, and someone you have done research with. Scheduling is important since dermatology applicants must apply and interview for preliminary programs, in addition to dermatology programs. Prelim program interviews are typically Nov-Dec; Dermatology interviews are typically late Dec-Jan. Since dermatology is becoming increasingly competitive it is important to consider a back up plan when applying to dermatology. Options include: dual applying to another specialty, completing a medicine or surgical preliminary year and reapplying, completing a research fellowship, or SOAPing to another specialty if you do not wish to reapply.
4. UTMB has the 2nd most number of dermatology rotations of any medical school in the US.
a. First year preceptorship offered to 2 students during May and 2 students during June of each year.
b. Clinical dermatology: students typically take this course during third year or during fourth year as an away rotation.
c. Clinical dermatology in Austin: rotation with the Dell Medical School program which is set up by UTMB.
d. Consult dermatology: inpatient medicine with exposure to clinic as well. A great rotation during third year if you want to save clinical dermatology to get credit for away rotations.
e. Acting internship: The acting internship in dermatology is unique in that it is designed for students to interact with all faculty and residents in the program; rotators spend a week on Moh’s surgery, dermatopathology, consults, and clinical dermatology.
f. Dermatopathology
g. Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology
h. Skin diseases depicted in film
i. History of dermatology
j. Narratives in Skin Diseases
k. Skin diseases in Modern World Literature
l. Dermatology Research
m. Skin diseases in Novels and Films
n. Dermatology Boot Camp
o. Basic Science and Humanities Selective (BSHS), a MS4 writing course requirement, can be completed in the dermatology department through the Honors Research program, the Skin diseases in Modern World Literature course, or the Skin diseases depicted in novels and films course.
p. Ambulatory Community Selective (ACS) can be completed with local dermatologists.