Ask Iya Blog Posts

Should I Pursue My Classmate

I’m an M1 and I like one of my classmates in my lab group. Do you think it’s a bad idea to pursue him? We’ve been flirty, and I think the feelings are mutual.

How Did You Find Mentors in Dermatology when You Were Just Starting Out?

I networked like my life depended on it, because in a way, the life I imagined for myself did. I went to smaller dermatology conferences, introduced myself to everyone I could, and leaned into my natural personality.

Do I Need a Research Year to Match into Dermatology?

This might be the most common and stress-inducing question I get from med students. And I get it. It’s a high-stakes, competitive process. But let me start with a little honesty: I’ve always hated research.

How Can I Be The Best Resident That I Can Be?

You can be remembered as the person who was kind, who tried their best, and who made others feel seen. Or you can be remembered as someone distant, rushed, or who didn’t seem like they wanted to be there.

Do you have to be the leader of a club to match dermatology?

If you land a leadership spot in your school’s derm org, that is amazing! If you don’t, please believe me when I say it’s not the end of the world.

Any advice for personal statements/residency apps you wish you knew as M4s?

Your personal statement does not need to be a masterpiece. It just needs to sound like YOU. Tell your story. Explain your "why." As soon as I cut the fluff and made it more digestible, mine got so much better. Clarity over cleverness.

How do I get derm research experience when my home derm program doesn't do a lot (any) research?

For my class, the average number of publications was well into the twenties. That number can feel out of reach, especially without a strong home dermatology program. And if your program isn’t very active in research, it may feel like you're starting from behind before you even begin.

How to study and focus when I feel lonely or anxious in Med School?

I can’t even count the number of times that I felt my focus wane during medical school for the very same reasons. Let’s start by normalizing these feelings and then get into some actionable steps that you can take to feel your best while also doing a really hard thing.

Ask Iya

Have you ever wondered why people are so afraid to talk about the things that make them nervous in medicine? I’ve never understood the need to “gatekeep” our fears. Our fears are the very thing that propel us forward. A healthy fear has always kept me going. Fear helps me see the way forward, towards my goals in medicine.