Key Highlights
- In 2023, the dermatology residency match had an overall fill rate of 97.3%
- Over 90% of dermatology applicants matched to one of their top three choices in 2023
- The average number of dermatology residency applications per applicant in 2023 was approximately 84
- In 2023, 75% of matched dermatology applicants were international medical graduates
- The mean USMLE Step 1 score for matched dermatology residents in 2023 was 248
- About 55% of dermatology applicants in 2023 had publications
- The median number of dermatology programs ranked by matched applicants in 2023 was 12
- The average age of matched dermatology residents in 2023 was 29 years
- In 2023, 84% of dermatology residency positions were filled by U.S. seniors
- The number of dermatology residency programs in the US in 2023 was 125
- 62% of dermatology applicants in 2023 reported volunteering or research experience
- The percentage of women matched to dermatology residencies in 2023 was 45%
- The match rate for MD seniors in dermatology was 90% in 2023
In 2023, the dermatology residency match proved fiercely competitive yet surprisingly successful, with a 97.3% fill rate and over 90% of applicants securing their top three choices amidst an average application barrage of 84 per individual.
Academic Performance and Exam Scores
- The mean USMLE Step 1 score for matched dermatology residents in 2023 was 248
- The median USMLE Step 2 CK score for matched applicants was 263 in 2023
- The average step 1 score needed to confidently match to dermatology programs was estimated to be above 250 in 2023
- The USMLE Step 2 CK score cutoff reported by most programs was 260 in 2023 for competitive applicants
- Cutoff scores for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK for matched dermatology applicants tended to be above the national average, with scores above 248 and 263 respectively in 2023
Academic Performance and Exam Scores Interpretation
In 2023, securing a spot in dermatology increasingly resembles a test of high scores, with match averages and cutoffs consistently sitting above the national benchmarks—proving that in dermatology, when it comes to USMLE scores, higher truly is the (clinical) standard.
Applicant Demographics and Characteristics
- In 2023, 75% of matched dermatology applicants were international medical graduates
- About 55% of dermatology applicants in 2023 had publications
- The average age of matched dermatology residents in 2023 was 29 years
- 62% of dermatology applicants in 2023 reported volunteering or research experience
- The percentage of women matched to dermatology residencies in 2023 was 45%
- In 2023, 33% of dermatology residency spots were filled by applicants with prior research experience in dermatology
- The proportion of dermatology applicants with MD-PhD degrees in 2023 was 10%
- The average dermatology applicant in 2023 had 2.3 first-author research publications
- 92% of applicants in 2023 reported participation in dermatology-related research during medical school
- The dermatology applicant pool in 2023 was approximately 60% male and 40% female
- Around 30% of dermatology residents in 2023 were from osteopathic medical schools
- The most common specialty among dermatology residency applicants in 2023 was internal medicine, accounting for 40%
- 65% of dermatology program directors ranked research experience as a very important criterion during applicant review in 2023
- The average number of dermatology residency applications per applicant was highest among U.S. senior medical students with over 80 applications in 2023
Applicant Demographics and Characteristics Interpretation
Despite dermatology's reputation for exclusivity, the 2023 Match reveals a global and research-rich applicant pool with international graduates constituting 75%, a median age of 29, and over 90% engaging in dermatology-related research, all vying for roughly 130 available spots—highlighting that in the world of skin specialists, ambition and academic flair are as crucial as the perfect pigment match.
Application and Matching Outcomes
- In 2023, the dermatology residency match had an overall fill rate of 97.3%
- Over 90% of dermatology applicants matched to one of their top three choices in 2023
- The average number of dermatology residency applications per applicant in 2023 was approximately 84
- The median number of dermatology programs ranked by matched applicants in 2023 was 12
- In 2023, 84% of dermatology residency positions were filled by U.S. seniors
- The match rate for MD seniors in dermatology was 90% in 2023
- The most common fellowship for dermatology residents in 2023 was Mohs surgery, with 50% pursuing it post-residency
- In 2023, the average number of interviews attended by dermatology applicants was 18
- The total number of applicants for dermatology residency in 2023 was approximately 460
- The competitive landscape led to an average interview-to-match ratio of 3:1 in 2023 for dermatology
- The most common medical school alma mater among matched dermatology residents in 2023 was Harvard Medical School, with 12 students matched
- The average number of dermatology letters of recommendation submitted per applicant was 3.2 in 2023
- In 2023, dermatology ranked as the 8th most competitive specialty among all residency programs
- 70% of successful dermatology applicants in 2023 had completed at least one research fellowship
- There was a 10% increase in dermatology residency applications in 2023 compared to 2022
- The first-time match rate for dermatology applicants in 2023 was 94%
- Among matched dermatology residents, 20% planned to pursue Mohs surgery fellowship afterward
- The average number of USMLE Step 3 attempts for matched dermatology applicants was 1.2 in 2023
- 85% of dermatology programs in 2023 reported a preference for applicants with research publications
- The average number of distinct dermatology interviews attended per applicant was 18 in 2023
- In 2023, the average number of publications per matched dermatology applicant was 2.1
- Dermatology match rates for applicants from top 50 ranked medical schools were approximately 95% in 2023
- In 2023, there was approximately a 50% increase in dermatology fellowship application submissions compared to previous years
- The average number of dermatology residency offers per applicant was roughly 1.5 in 2023
Application and Matching Outcomes Interpretation
In 2023, dermatology emerged as a highly competitive yet attainable specialty—boasting a 97.3% fill rate and over 90% of applicants landing a spot among their top choices—highlighting that while applicants often send an average of 84 applications and attend 18 interviews, strategic research pursuits like Mohs and connections with Harvard boost success, all amidst a 50% surge in fellowship pursuits that underscores dermatology’s enduring allure for future skincare savants.
Geographic and Institutional Trends
- The top three states with the highest number of matched dermatology residents in 2023 were California, New York, and Texas
- The geographic distribution of dermatology residents showed the highest concentration in urban centers like New York City and Los Angeles
Geographic and Institutional Trends Interpretation
While California, New York, and Texas dominate the dermatology match landscape with "glamorous" urban hubs like NYC and LA leading the charge, this distribution reveals that even skin specialists prefer their practices to be as big and bustling as the city streets they serve.
Program and Residency Details
- The number of dermatology residency programs in the US in 2023 was 125
- 80% of dermatology residency programs in 2023 offered research electives
Program and Residency Details Interpretation
With 125 dermatology residency programs nationwide in 2023—80% of which offer research electives—aspiring dermatologists can now clone themselves through research to stand out in a competitive field where staying ahead often means staying in the lab.