Recommendations regarding away electives
December 14, 2022
Given recent changes to the residency application process to create a more sustainable and
equitable process, the APD has considered options for limiting away dermatology electives for
upcoming residency application cycles.
In alignment with recommendations from the Organization of Program Director Associations
(OPDA), the APD considers away electives important for many medical students. These
rotations afford medical students the opportunity to gain additional exposure to dermatology
educational experiences and programs and to assess different learning environments. Away
electives allow students to interact with faculty outside of their home institution, which can
foster mentorship and other networking opportunities. In particular, for students without a
dermatology residency program at their home institution, away electives provide a unique
opportunity for dermatology clinical experience and connection with academic dermatology
faculty.
For programs, away electives provide an opportunity for faculty to assess students’
performance in clinical environments and among teams as well as to highlight the culture and
learning environment of their program. These experiences can contribute to the holistic
evaluation of candidates applying for residency. As such, it is generally advised that these
electives are completed early in the fourth year of medical school, prior to interview
invitations. The utility of later rotations varies among programs.
However, it is important to state that away electives are not required to receive an interview
invite, nor do they guarantee an interview for a given program. It remains program-specific
whether a formal interview offer is extended to all rotating students or whether interviews are
conducted during an away elective. The APD recommends all programs are transparent with
their policies regarding away electives and interviews.
Recommendations for students
Given the high costs associated with dermatology away electives and the continued potential
for inequity that may impact outcomes of the dermatology residency match, the APD
recommends the following guidelines to optimize dermatology exposure, education and
evaluation for dermatology residency candidates in their fourth year of medical school:
- Most students should limit their experiences to up to 2 external “away” electives
- Students without a home dermatology program may consider completing up to 3
electives at external programs
Recommendations for programs
- Programs should consider funding opportunities for students that are underrepresented
in medicine or from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
o These may come in the form of program-specific funded electives,
organizational/institutional funding, or mentorship awards/grants (eg AAD
Diversity Mentorship Program or SOCS Observership Grant). Faculty can enroll as
potential mentors through these organizations.
- Faculty mentors are advised to counsel students to adhere to the recommendations
above and to recognize that away electives are not required to match in dermatology
and may not confer an advantage.
