Editors



Current Editors: Jane Onyemachi and Madelyn Schmidt

(Please email editors if there is blog-worthy news that you would like to see shared)

Past Editors: Fareen Momin, Andrea Francis, Renat Ahatov, Michael Phan, Elise Weisert, Michael Ryan, Keith Wagner, Tim Allen, Kristyna Gleghorn, Dung Mac, Alex Acosta, William Tausend, Sheila Jalalat, Rebecca Philips, Chelsea Altinger, Lindsey Hunter, Alison Wiesenthal, Leslie Scroggins, Mara Dacso, Ashley Group, Fadi Constantine, Emily Fridlington, Joslyn Witherspoon, Tasneem Poonawalla.

Saturday, March 01, 2014

Predicting Dermatology Residency Interviews


A survey of dermatology program directors from 2012 (http://b83c73bcf0e7ca356c80-e8560f466940e4ec38ed51af32994bc6.r6.cf1.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/programresultsbyspecialty2012.pdf ) indicated that the three most important factors for getting dermatology interviews were the Dean’s Letter/Medical Student Performance Evaluation (85%), letters of recommendation in the specialty (77%), and the personal statement (74%). Graduating from a US allopathic medical school was 4th (72%), with Step 1 and Class Rank/Quartile tied for 5th place (70%). Only 57% cited AOA membership as an important factor for interview selection. However, 78% of dermatology residency programs reported using “target scores” on Step 1 for offering interviews. Applicants scoring below 220 on Step 1 were unlikely to receive interviews. When a Step 1 score of 240 or higher was made, interviews were much more frequent.
 
The most important factor in ranking applicants was “interactions with faculty during interview and visit,” followed by “interpersonal skills.” The third most important factors were a tie between “interactions with residents during interview and visit” and “evidence of professionalism and ethics.” 90% of dermatology programs did not schedule any dermatology interviews prior to November 1, the date when the Medical Student Performance Evaluation/Dean’s Letter was released.
 
According to the pooled data from dermatology programs, approximately 10% of applicants are invited to interview, and 8% are ranked.