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

It started at the ripe age of seven. No, seriously. I vividly remember being seven years old and already certain I was destined to become a physician. Let’s call a spade a spade: I was not the most carefree kid. My goals set me on a formulaic path of collecting every gold star I could to prove I would someday be worthy of one of medicine’s coveted spots. For as long as I can remember, I haven’t felt like I could take a full, refreshing breath, as I’ve been chasing this dream.

‍Can we please stop telling students that the hardest part is getting into medical school? Because once you're in, the pressure doesn’t let up. It only shifts; it evolves. Especially if you're aiming for a competitive specialty like dermatology. From day one, you're told you need top scores, impressive extracurriculars, and enough research publications to change the face of dermatologic literature.

The NRMP publishes stats on how many publications the matched seniors have each year. 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. 

So here’s how I built my research numbers without even having a home derm program: cold emailing. It’s not glamorous. You'll spend hours scouring the internet for contacts, agonize over wording, and still get ghosted most of the time. I’d say 90% of my emails went unanswered…but if you send enough, someone will say yes.

Network, even when you’re not presenting. Go to conferences. Talk to people. Dermatology is a small world, and connections really do matter. The relationships I built at conferences led to collaborations I wouldn’t have found otherwise. Don’t underestimate the power of showing up and showing face. 

During your clinical rotations, be vocal about your goals. Let your preceptors know early, and ask to be considered for research opportunities. Most of my research came directly from these clinical experiences, and the added involvement led to strong mentorship and personalized letters of recommendation in addition to some pretty stellar clerkship grades.

Sometimes you have to create your own opportunities. I collaborated with fellow derm-interested classmates. Yes, derm is competitive– but collaboration over competition helped all of us increase our research output. Work together, move beyond the age-old scarcity mindset of medicine, and you’ll go further.

I hope these tips help you make the most of your research journey in med school. But remember: research is only one small part of your application. If it’s not your strength, don’t force it! Instead, lean into what is. Whether that’s patient care, leadership, education, advocacy  or something else entirely, your authenticity will stand out.

‍Stay true to your interests. That’s what will make you shine.

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