Changes in Step 1 Scoring Could Impact Dermatology Residency Application Cycle

The recent decision to change graded Step 1 examination scores to Pass or Fail starting with incoming medical students (Class of 2024) may have a major impact on future dermatology applicants. Some current applicants do not finalize their decision to apply for dermatology residency positions until they receive Step 1 scores high enough to put them in a competitive position for the dermatology match. However, even with a high Step 1 score, deciding to apply for dermatology residency during the MS3 year typically had the disadvantage of relatively less dermatology research presentations/publications, volunteer work, and professional networking with home school dermatology faculty than applicants that were committed to a dermatology career as early as MS1. Now with no Step 1 score to encourage additional dermatology applicants during their third year of medical school, some may wait for Step 2 scores that will probably not be available until the beginning of their MS4. Those waiting to start dermatology research  and other dermatology interest activities during the summer before ERAS applications open may find that their applications are not as competitive as in the past when they had about a year to demonstrate strong interest in dermatology, and may benefit from delaying graduation from medical school and taking a dermatology research year to increase the competitiveness of their dermatology residency application.