Best Dermatology Schools in the US: Only 423 dermatology residency slots were offered by 121 dermatology programs in the United States in 2017, and there were more than 650 applicants. This makes dermatology residencies some of the hardest residency positions to land.
According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, applicants for dermatology residencies submitted an average of 53 applications overall, while those with U.S. medical degrees submitted an average of 69 applications. The same statistics showed that over 500 applications were submitted for each residency program in the end.
Here are some renowned medical schools that will prepare you for a dermatology residency match if this is a path you might be interested in and you’re eager to specialize in the evaluation and treatment of benign and malignant disorders of the skin, the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, and the surgical techniques used in dermatology.
Best Dermatology Schools in the US
1. Case Western Reserve University
The School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve offers 10 electives in dermatology, including six at the renowned Cleveland Clinic. Students in years 3 and 4 can participate in two to four-week-long clerkships in dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology, and other fields.
In 2018, seven Case Western seniors were placed in dermatology residencies. With an entering class size of little over 200 students, this Cleveland, Ohio school offers an average GPA of 3.75 and an average MCAT score of 516.4 (94th percentile).
2. Emory University
The median GPA and MCAT score of accepted students at Emory University School of Medicine were 3.7 and 514, respectively. The Department of Dermatology at the university in Atlanta, Georgia, has a large number of faculty members who are primary investigators in ongoing clinical, translational, and basic research projects. The National Institutes of Health, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, private foundations like the Dermatology Foundation and the American Skin Association, corporate industries, and these organizations have financed their work in the past.
The goal of the Emory Itch Translational Clinical Home is to bring together a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, translational researchers, basic scientists, and patients who experience itching in order to better understand the mechanisms underlying pruritus and create new treatments for those who experience it. 2018 saw the placement of 5 Emory seniors in dermatology residencies.
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3. Harvard Medical School
Students at Harvard Medical School have a number of options for electives in dermatology to help them decide whether they want to pursue a career in the field. These options include a dermatology clinical clerkship, advanced medical dermatology, and an oncodermatology multidisciplinary rotation. Three Harvard seniors were accepted into dermatology residencies in 2019. The school, which is near the center of medical research in Boston, has a surprisingly tiny entering class of only 165 students. With a median matriculant GPA of 3.9 and a median MCAT score of 519, the MD program is extremely competitive.
4. The Mayo Clinic Medical School
One of the best research-oriented medical schools in the nation is the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota, where the median GPA and MCAT score are 3.92 and 520, respectively. Rotating in a dermatological elective is an option for students in their fourth year. These can be finished at Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota, Arizona, or Florida, in addition to other localities across the country and abroad. In the spring of their fourth year, many students complete an elective on a foreign country or underprivileged group. In 2018, roughly 7% of all Alix School of Medicine seniors were accepted into dermatology residencies.
5. Northwestern University
Medical students at Northwestern have numerous options to rotate through dermatology. They might join a Dermatology Interest Group as well. Students can take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the speciality and network with attendings and residents in the field by attending specialized sessions offered by the Department of Dermatology during the winter of the M3 year.
Ten Feinberg seniors were accepted into dermatological residencies in 2019. A class of about 160 students is accepted into the medical school in Chicago; most recent classes had median GPAs of 3.91 and MCAT scores of 520.
6. San Francisco University
The average GPA and MCAT score of Stanford’s accepted students are 3.83 and 519, respectively. You can choose from a variety of electives in dermatology at Stanford. Basic and advanced dermatological clinical electives make up clinical instruction. Rotations through Stanford’s adult and pediatric clinics as well as the Palo Alto VA Hospital are part of the basic clinical elective. Stanford, the Palo Alto VA clinics, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center will each host a portion of the advanced clinical elective.
Both clerkships include dermatology grand rounds as well as teaching sessions. The following skills are required of students: describing and identifying morphology; conducting a complete skin examination; and carrying out fundamental diagnostic and treatment procedures. Students participate in dermatopathology sessions, inpatient consultations, and a range of outpatient clinics as part of the advanced clinical elective, where they collaborate more closely with instructors. In 2019, nine Stanford seniors were accepted into dermatology residencies.
7. University of California Los Angeles
There are a few electives available for medical students interested in rotating in the UCLA Division of Dermatology, and five seniors have matched into dermatology residencies for 2019. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, which has an entering class size of 175 students, got 14,500 applications in 2019, making it one of the most competitive medical schools in the nation.
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8. University of California, San Francisco
Since first- and second-year medical students rarely have exposure to dermatology, UCSF recommends its students to get involved as soon as possible. Opportunities at UCSF include taking part in the Dermatology Homeless Clinic and joining the Dermatology Interest Group. The dermatology clinic, which is a part of the UCSF Homeless clinic, meets every other week and focuses on the cutaneous issues of shelter residents while teaching practical dermatology.
Four UCSF seniors received dermatological residency positions during the 2019 match. It’s extremely competitive, with less than 2% of the more than 7,700 applicants matriculating into the MD program. The average MCAT score percentile ranking was 94, and the average GPA for admitted students in 2019 was 3.8.
9. University of Miami
The Miami University Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) is a student-run organization that offers a community and support system for students thinking about a career in dermatology. The organization establishes a network among medical students, residents, and faculty members on a variety of subjects, including the residency application procedures, available research opportunities, and volunteer and service activities at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the local community.
The association also arranges for members to observe and get mentoring from dermatologists and residents at the University of Michigan. Six University of Miami seniors were placed in dermatology residencies in 2019. With little over 200 prospective doctors, the Class of 2023 has a median GPA of 3.72 and an average MCAT score in the 87th percentile.
10. The University of Pennsylvania
The highly selective Ivy claims a class size of roughly 150 students and median MCAT and GPA scores for its Class of 2023 of 521 and 3.89 respectively. A four-week clinical rotation in dermatology is made available to third- and fourth-year medical students at Penn. Throughout the year, there are four seats available every four weeks. It is expected of students to understand how to recognize and treat common skin conditions.
They take part in their dermatological outpatient clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Veterans Affairs hospital, and the inpatient consult service in addition to faculty outpatient private offices. Additionally, they go to all departmental lectures and the dermatology grand rounds. On the 2019 Match Day, six seniors were accepted into dermatology residencies.
How to Pick a Dermatology Major: Advice on Choosing the Best Dermatology Degree
Tip 1: Research Your Topic
Research what a dermatology program in medical school requires and what you want to concentrate in as a dermatologist should be your first step. Investigate different cosmetic procedures if you’re interested in cosmetic dermatology. Instead, concentrate your research on internal medicine, dermatology in emergency medicine, or clinical trials.
To become a dermatologist, you don’t need to choose a specific undergraduate major, but once you’re in medical school, you’ll need to focus on dermatology. It is therefore advised that you pursue a degree in the physical sciences or basic sciences, take biology classes, or take advanced science-related courses during your undergraduate career.
Tip 2: Talk to an Expert Professional
Asking other seasoned specialists who operate in the dermatology medical sector is one of the best ways to educate yourself. You can enquire about their clinical experience, discover about what a normal dermatology or clinical residency entails, and ask them about their job satisfaction and duties. They can give you insightful information that will help you understand dermatology better.
Tip 3: Consider Your Interests
Even if you are well-educated and have strong patient-centered skills, your happiness at work will depend on how much you like your duties. Consider your interests before selecting a degree, dermatological residency, or even a career. Before choosing a profession in dermatology, make sure it’s what you want to do because it needs thousands of hours of training.
Tip 4: Examine the Dermatology Outlook and Future Employability
Despite your passion for a given profession, it is a good idea to research how employable that profession will be in the future. You are more likely to find work if there is a scarcity in a certain profession. Find out about the dermatology field outlook so you can determine the most in-demand locations for your future career. This information may vary from state to state.
Tip 5: Consider the Requirements for success.
Because it is fairly lucrative and provides a good balance between their professional career and personal life, many people enter this area. But they are unaware of how difficult it is to match in dermatology residency programs. Although there are several areas of dermatology you can pursue, none of them have particularly high match rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is dermatology the most difficult field to enter?
Simply said, there aren't enough dermatologists in the field, which is one important factor. A lack of dermatologists is also brought on by a cap on medical residency training, a rise in the need for innovative therapies, and increased public awareness of skin conditions. Both in New York and around the country, this is accurate.
Which kind of dermatologist earns the most money?
The dermatologists who work in private practice receive the greatest salaries. People who want to make the most money may consider working in a doctor's office. This covers both individual and group practice. The highest paid multispecialty group practice dermatologists made an average of $382,000 a year.
Are dermatologists primarily men or women?
In all, dermatologists make up 85.5% women and 14.5% men. An employed dermatologist is 48 years old on average. White dermatologists make up 65.1% of the field, followed by Asian dermatologists (17.8%), Hispanic or Latino dermatologists (9.4%), and Black or African American dermatologists (4.9%).
What academic major is ideal for dermatologists?
A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or a pre-medical program is required for aspiring dermatologists. As admittance to medical school might be competitive, students should take as many science and calculus classes as they can, as well as courses in psychology, anatomy, and physiology, and maintain high GPAs.
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