This article will look at why orthopedic surgery is so competitive and guide you on how to increase your chances of matching into an orthopedic residency.

Why Is Orthopedic Surgery So Competitive?

Orthopedic surgery is one of the most competitive medical specialties in the United States. And for good reason: Orthopedists play a critical role in helping patients recover from injuries, diseases, and other conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. 

Since orthopedic surgery is a demanding field, it requires long hours, intense concentration, and excellent physical stamina. As a result, the specialty only accepts individuals with extremely high Step 1 and Step 2 scores who must finish a 5-year orthopedic surgery residency program after medical school.

Here are some of the specialty demands that make orthopedic surgery so competitive:

1. Academic Performance

Over the years, preclinical grades have been used as a major determining factor when accepting applicants to orthopedic surgery using the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society selection process. Therefore, you stand a better chance of acceptance in orthopedic residency as an AOA member.

However, medical schools are now adopting the pass/fail curriculum, eliminating the AOA selection process. If you are already studying under the new curriculum, you should participate in relevant extracurricular opportunities to make your CV stand out among other qualified applicants.

2. USMLE Step 1 and 2 Exam Scores

Medical schools are transitioning from preclinical grade curriculum to pass/fail curriculum. Under the new curriculum, USMLE Step 1 exams are graded as pass/fail. Therefore, the orthopedic surgery elimination process will depend on USMLE Step 2 CK scores.

To beat other qualified applicants, students should score outstanding grades in Step 2. Applicants stand a better chance of matching with a Step 1 score of >240 and a Step 2 score of >250.

However, the Step score is not the only thing program directors are interested in. The selection process is holistic, and they will also consider your work ethic, leadership qualities, and dedication to orthopedic surgery. 

A low score does not define you, but you must meet the cut-off score to earn an interview.

3. Research

Research is an important part of orthopedic surgery, and qualifying applicants must prove their understanding of the research process. In past applications, matching applicants usually have more than five research experiences.

Your research does not have to be on orthopedics, but orthopedic research projects prove your commitment to the field, giving you a better chance of acceptance than your competitors.

The project managers do not expect your research papers to appear in first-author publications, but you must have a strong research track record.

4. Clinical Rotations

Most orthopedic residency programs prefer interviewing applicants who have completed at least two rotations before applying. A great rotator demonstrates their ability as a team player and a hard worker.

Your good grades and first-author publications research papers play a major role in the selection process. Still, some programs will opt to accept an applicant with a weaker application who has pursued several rotations.

Therefore, if you want to specialize as an orthopedic surgeon after medical school, identify hospitals with orthopedic surgery residency programs and pursue rotations.

5. Physical Talent

In addition to good hands and visuals, orthopedic surgery demands strength and stamina. Some orthopedic surgeries like hip reduction are better done by someone of a certain height and stamina because it is a lot of work.

Physical talent is a major consideration during the interviews, but you will be trained to use your body size appropriately for the tasks ahead.

How Can You Increase Your Chances Of Matching Into Orthopedic Residency?

In addition to meeting the academic requirements, Step exam scores, and extracurricular activity requirements, here are other ways to increase your chances into orthopedic residency:

1. Apply Broadly

The number of orthopedic surgery applications is more than the placements. Therefore you should try your luck by sending applications to several institutions.

Orthopedic residency is a five years commitment; therefore, consider residencies in a location where you can comfortably spend the next five years.

Also, consider coordinating your applications with your peers. If a large chunk of your class wants to specialize in orthopedic surgery, share details on where you would love to be placed to reduce the number of people sending applications to your dream program residency.

Related: 6 Best General Surgery Residency Programs (Key Info & Data)

2. Letters Of Recommendations

Most medical schools are using the pass/fail metrics, so letters of recommendation from your faculty, rotation, or mentors are very important.

Strong letters of recommendation do not just come by. They are earned through excellent work on rotations, dedication to research with your school, and good relations with the directors of your school’s Orthopedic Surgery.

3. Community Service Experience

Community service experience puts you ahead of other qualifying applicants. Therefore, look for ample opportunities to serve your community with medical knowledge. You can participate in medical camp travels or volunteer at your local clinic.

Keep track of all the community involvement and boldly talk about them and the impact you have brought to society during the orthopedic surgery residency interviews.

What are the Advantages And Disadvantages Of Being An Orthopedic Surgeon?

Orthopedic surgery is a competitive but highly sought career. It comes with numerous benefits, but there are some aspects of it you will not love, as discussed below:

Advantages

• Satisfaction of fixing distinct problems- Unlike some medical specialists who manage conditions, orthopedic surgeons fix conditions through successful surgeries for most patients.
• Orthopedic surgeries are fun- because they involve many open cases, exposing the surgeons to the unique human anatomy. While non-invasive surgeries are becoming more popular, most surgeons do not enjoy them.
• High compensations and work stability- Orthopedic surgeons are on the list of the top compensated surgeons despite the hard work and tight working schedules.

Disadvantages

• Length of education- in addition to medical school years, you must complete your internship and five years residency to become an orthopedic surgeon.
• Demanding working hours- the lifestyle of an orthopedic surgeon revolves around work, especially after residency. Be ready to give up a lot of your social and family life.

Is Orthopedic Surgery The Right Field For You?

Orthopedic surgery is open to everyone with a passion for musculoskeletal anatomy who meets all residency requirements. However, it is a very competitive specialty, so you should be able to work for top scores in medical school, pursue numerous rotations, get involved in community service, and be involved in medical research to stand out among hundreds of qualifying applicants.

Related Articles

• Best Surgery Anki Decks
• How Do Med Students Practice Surgery? (Try-At-Home Examples!)
• Best Surgical Internships For Undergraduates

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

This article provides an overview of the unique factors that make urology one of the most competitive specialties in medicine.

Why Is Urology So Competitive?

Urology is an extremely competitive field because it is one of the few medical disciplines that is both highly technical and very demanding. Because of the nature of the work, urologists must be able to maintain a complex set of skills, ranging from being able to perform surgery to having extensive knowledge of how the urinary tract works. It is this combination of skills that makes urology so competitive.

You must be aware of the application requirements for your application to be accepted for residency. Here are some of the requirements that make urology so competitive.

Grades

Like medical school, you need good grades to get into a urology residency. It is important to get high grades throughout medical school, but the program directors concentrate more on Core Surgery and Core Medicine clerkships for urology residency.

You stand a better chance of matching if you are a member of AOA, but you can still get a match even if you are not a member, considering that some medical schools use pass/fail to grading.

Board Scores

Board scores play a significant role in comparing qualifying candidates and selecting top applicants for interviews. To get selected for the interview, applicants should have a board score of >230. A board score of >250 is outstanding and guarantees a residency if you meet all other requirements.

Research

The love for research displays a passion for academics, and program directors are looking for applicants with research interests. It helps to have multiple medical research papers under your belt, even better if they are urology projects.

You can carry out the research during the first two years or the last two years of medical school, and they will improve your application to a great extent.

However, although research plays a major role in the urology residency matching process, many students get residency without a record of research projects. Therefore, do not hesitate to make your applications because you do have a research project.

Away Rotations

Residency directors prefer applicants known to them, and the only way to get known is through participating in rotations. You are most likely to get a residency in the department you are well known.

What’s more, urology residencies are mostly small, making it easy for you to form connections with all the people in the departments you visit. With such ties, interviews will be a breeze because the faces will be familiar.

Students are advised to take away rotations to outside programs, which allows them to meet and impress prominent specialists in the field.

Letters Of Recommendation

It is important to get a letter of recommendation (LOR) from all away rotations. It is crucial to work hard on your board scores, but if the directors were to choose between two candidates, they would pick the one with a recommendation letter.

Whether you like a rotation or not, ask the department chair to write you a recommendation letter. A letter from a prominent urologist can earn you a residency even with average scores.

How Do I Successfully Match Into Urology?

1. Examine the Specialty

To determine that urology is your career, explore what it entails. Look at the field’s pros, cons, and trends to decide if it is the best for you.

2. Review Match Data

Residency match data helps you to determine the competitiveness of the specialty. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), only 74% of urology applications matched in 2021. Such statistics allow you to prepare your applications adequately.

3. Understand the Selection Criteria

You should be well informed about the residency requirements in order to prepare your application letters adequately. Therefore, take time to check the criteria of the residency program you prefer beforehand.

4. Develop the Right Strategy

Now that you know what is required of you to become a urologist, put in place the right strategy to get a selection.

5. Build Your Credentials in Your Preclinical Years

The grades you get in your preclinical years play a major role when applying for a urology residency. Therefore, use these years to get good grades and board scores, write research papers and pursue rotations.

6. Apply for Awards and Ask for Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters and awards are a huge boost to residency applications. Interviewers use such to select outstanding applicants.

7. Write a Good Residency Application

A good residency application sets you apart from other candidates. Strong written and oral skills are a major consideration. If you doubt your writing skills seek help from reputable ERAS Application review/editing services.

Related: Residency ERAS Photo Tips (9 Best Tips & Examples!)

8. Prepare for the Interview

It is good news that you have been selected for the interview, but are you going to perform? Prepare for your interview diligently for an impressive performance. 

The ability to communicate clearly and confidently increases your chances of success. To help you stand out, consider hiring reputable residency interview coaching services.

What If I Did Not Match?

If you are not matched in the first attempt and still desire to specialize in urology, all is not lost because you can reapply. Ask your advisor to help you review your strategies and develop a more powerful application. Remember to send your applications to various urology residencies to increase your chances of selection.

Related Articles

• Best Urology Anki Decks 

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

If you’re looking to apply for a medical residency program, you may be wondering, when does residency start?

We’ll answer this exact question and suggest how best to plan so you’re prepared for what’s to come. 

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

When Do Medical Residency Programs Start? 

For most residency programs in the U.S., the training begins on July 1st. However, this can vary depending on your specialty. 

Some residencies can start in mid-June with several days or weeks of orientation before. There isn’t a standard beginning date, but generally, residency starts no later than July. 

If you’re planning a post-graduate vacation, it’s important to plan for this. While most programs begin July 1st, you’re typically expected to be there beforehand for orientation. Sometimes these can start as early as June 15th. 

When Do You Apply for Residency? 

You’ll start the application process for medical residency during the third year of medical school (MS3).

At the beginning of your fourth year (MS4), you’ll register for one or more matches.

Most programs choose students for interviews on a “first come, first serve” basis, meaning the sooner you apply, the better.

At the latest, submit your application materials by early fall in your fourth year. 

How to Plan for Medical Residency Application  

Preparing to apply for residency can be stressful. It’s common for students to miss deadlines or fail to prepare for all the requirements of the process. 

Here are some valuable tips to help you plan for the medical residency application.

1. Choose Your Residency and Apply

There are a variety of medical residency programs. This includes everything from family and internal medicine to neurological surgery and ophthalmology – check out our medical residency guides to get a snapshot of different specialty programs and how they differ.

The key is to build your preferred list and consider the factors that are most important to you, such as:

1. Location
2. Compensation
3. Affiliated hospitals
4. Length of specialized training 
5. Available spaces
6. Patient volume 
7. Living expenses 

Exhaust all the resources possible in your research. You can attend residency fairs and conferences, perform online research, and speak to training students.

2. Prepare for Interviews

Attending interviews at hospitals is a critical component of being matched to a residency program. Interviewing also gives you a better idea of whether the program is a good fit for you.

Hospitals will review your personal statement before inviting you to an interview. This essay is your opportunity to impress the residency committee by showing them what makes you uniquely suited for the program.

In addition, it’s important to practice your interview skills. Knowing the questions and how to answer them shows that you’re prepared. Interview questions are sometimes publicized online and can often be searched by year for individual programs.

Mock interviews are an excellent way to reduce your anxiety and nervousness. When you’re clear on why and where you want to attend residency and what makes you a good fit, you can better articulate the message during the interview. Try and find residents in your specialty to help you practice interview questions. 

3. Have all the Components of a Residency Application

Residency applications require a compilation of materials demonstrating your qualifications. This helps program directors assess whether you’re a good candidate.

You’ll be expected to put together the following:

1. Personal statement – A formal letter to highlight your strengths as a potential resident of the desired specialty 
2. Application or curriculum vitae (CV) – An overview of your education, publications, volunteering, leadership, and the depth of your professional experience and accomplishes in medicine
3. Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) – A letter that provides program directors an objective summary of your salient experiences, academic performance, and attributes 
4. Licensing exam transcript – Your test scores 
5. Medical school transcripts – Your academic grades in medical school 
6. Letters of recommendations – Letters from medical professionals in your specialty that can vouch for your excellence

4. Know the Application Timeline 

A clear roadmap for the application process can help prevent you from missing deadlines.

Keep in mind that the application timeline is different, depending on the program. 

Below is a timeline that can help guide you in your preparation schedule by month…

Related: Residency ERAS Photo Tips (9 Best Tips & Examples!)

How Do You Prepare Once You’ve Matched With a Residency Program? 

Residency is a life-changing experience, and making the transition to this new lifestyle can be challenging. 

It’s best to prepare with a focus on the following…

1. Plan Your Finances

While residency programs have above-average starting salaries, it’s not nearly the amount that certified physicians make. First, you’ll need a financial strategy to help navigate your residency years, help cover the interest on loans, and make any urgent payments.

Start by determining where you’re going to live. Aim not to spend more than 20-35% of your income on housing. Ideally, you’ll already have a loan repayment and refinancing option in place to help you feel more financially secure during the program. 

2. Meet Your Co-Residents

Next, it’s important to get to know your co-interns and co-residents. Many residencies last four years, and some can last up to six. You’ll be spending years stressed out, sleep-deprived and overworked, so having a support group by your side will come in handy. 

Join or set up social media groups or a group chat with your intake. Strong friendships will help improve patient care, increasing your chances of residency success.

3. Complete Your Requirements

Once you’ve been matched, residency programs will send you a list of requirements. This includes submitting the licensing application. 

Thousands of new graduates are going through the process of finding housing and getting their badges. Obtaining your NPI and DEA numbers sooner will save you time in the long haul.

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

Doctors choosing pathology as a career can look forward to examining bodies and body tissues, helping perform lab tests, and guiding diagnosis.

With an average US annual salary of $290,000 for qualified pathologists, it’s by no means the highest paying medical specialty, but is undergoing excited changes in terms of tech and innovation.

The best pathology residency programs offer those interested in the field the greatest training possible.

This article takes a look at the top programs in the country, taking a deep dive into what’s offered by each and what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to match.

We’ve also included key info on facts/stats for each program (where publicized) too.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

Before you dive into our article on the best pathology residency programs, make sure you take a look at our Best Residency Programs page to get all the critical info on other medical specialties.

1. University of Nebraska Medical Center

Ranking No. 6 for Primary Care and No. 54 for Research in the 2022 US News and World Report, UNMC is the best training destination for aspiring pathologists.

Their curriculum spans all major categories of anatomic and clinical pathology, giving new doctors space for a variety of career goals in private practice or otherwise. 

Should you be successful in matching, you’ll get both Anatomic and Clinical Pathology experience in the AP/CP Program, including didactic lectures in the morning.

New residents get hands-on experience in apheresis, taking calls, and other service obligations. They’re also involved in lecturing physician assistant students, and helping present publications at national meetings.

UNMC’s Anatomic Pathology Program allows sub-specialty sign-outs within the surgical pathology rotation. This helps post-grads keep track of cases, aiding in important research.

Surgical pathologists spend two weeks in each sub-specialty. This creates the ability to examine, dictate, get special stains and molecular tests, then see the results of cases.

In the Clinical Pathology Program, the scope of studies includes:

• Molecular Pathology
• Microbiology,
• Molecular Immunohematology,
• Coagulation,
• Mycobacteriology
• Mycology
• Blood bank/transfusion medicine
• Hematopathology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Rotations cover subspecialties such as molecular diagnostics, pediatric pathology, neuropathology, and forensic pathology. Electives like transplant pathology and cytogenetics are also available.

The video below gives more info on UNMC’s unique pathology residency program…

DETAILS 

• Name: University of Nebraska Medical Center 
• Program Director: Scott Lauer, MD
• Contact: (402) 552-9865
• Website: unmc.edu/pathology/residencies-fellowships

2. University of Maryland Medical Center

Ranking No. 29 in Research and No. 15 in Primary Care, is UMMS.

UMMC pathology works closely with the Baltimore VA Medical Center and the Medical Examiner’s Office of the State. Similar to other path training, the University of Maryland offers a 4 year Anatomical and Clinical Pathology program, with the first years focused on key principles.

Rotations include hematopathology, molecular diagnostics, and neuropathology. PGY-2 & 3 undergo research for academic pathology and have the most flexibility when it comes to sub-specialties. See their Sample Rotation Schedule for more details.

ACGME-accredited fellowship positions are available in hematopathology and cytopathology.

After completing both AP and CP, or at least Anatomical Pathology, Forensic Pathology training is available via the program.

DETAILS 

• Name: University of Marlyland Pathology
• Program Director: Dr Dean
• Website: umc.edu/Pathology

3. University of Washington

Ranking No. 9 in Research and No.1 in Primary Care, is UW.

UW Lab Medicine and Pathology head-up the Anatomical & Clinical Pathology Residency Program. Here future pathologists train at varying sites, including community hospitals, biotechnology labs, and academic medical centers. 

UW Lab medicine also presents a range of subspecialties for exploration.

The main paths of focus of the program include: 

1. Anatomic Pathology – AP
2. Clinical Pathology – CP
3. Anatomic & Clinical Pathology – AP/CP
4. Anatomic and Neurological Pathology – AP/NP

Both the AP and CP paths are two years each in core research and practice.

First-year AP training includes autopsy pathology and cytology. Training encompasses all systems in rotation and allows residents to investigate the anatomical disease process in relation to clinical findings.

Second-year AP training encourages more autonomy with the signing out of surgical specimens. Here there is expanded training in the diagnosis of diseases and specimens.

Year three offers the chance to do in-depth study or subspecialty training. 

PGY-2’s spend six months as an acting director of one or more lab areas, and the other six in elective studies for their discipline of choice. 

Rotation sites include; Seattle Children’s Hospital, King County Medical Examiner’s Office, Bloodworks Northwest, and more. 

You can check out profiles of their current residents here.

DETAILS 

• Name: UW Medicine Dept. of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology
• Program Director: Mark Kilgore, MD
• Website: dlmp.uw.edu

4. Emory University

Ranking No.22 in Research and No. 42 in Primary Care, is Emory.

Emory University Hospital’s pathology rotations are divided into Anatomic and Clinical pathways.

In the Clinical pathway, core rotations are divided as follows:

• Transfusion Meidcine and Coagulation
• Clinical Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Hematopathology

Molecular Diagnostics is an additional rotation on this pathway also.

In the Anatomic pathway, the six subspecialties on their core surgical pathology rotation include: 

• Breast pathology
• Gynecology pathology
• Gastrointestinal pathology
• Lung pathology
• Head and Neck pathology

Residents spend a month training in each subspecialty. This involves daily functions, providing support, and teaching.

Core autopsy covers locations at Emory University Hospital, Emory Midtown, and Grady Memorial Hospital.

Rotation sites include Emory University Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital, and Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Pathology Resident profiles are visible here.

DETAILS 

• Name: Emory University Pathology
• Program Director: Charles Hill, MD
• Website: med.emory.edu/pathology

Pathology Residency Rankings

Ranking pathology residency programs based on prestige is a tricky task. The programs above, however, based on research, consistently show up among students and the Reddit community as some of the best. Outside of Doximity’s residency rankings, however, it’s a fairly subjective matter which is best.

To get more intrinsic data I recommend using Reddit’s Pathology Match spreadsheet. There are also useful links to the Discord communities for hopeful internal medicine residents there too.

How Do Pathology Residency Programs Work?

Training in path involves completing four years of graduate medical education first before moving on to dedicated residency programs.

Pathology residency programs are medium in training length, averaging 4 years.

After residency common subspecialties (fellowships) pursued include breast pathology, dermatopathology, clinical pathology, and cytopathology.

How Many Pathology Residency Programs Are There?

There are over 142 pathology residency training programs in the US, with over 605 categorical positions (Source).

The examples provided in the programs above are considered the finest offered and are ranked on criteria via peer assessment, residency director assessment, student selectivity, the mean MCAT score for the institution, the mean GPA of its matriculants, faculty resources, research activity, and more.

The exact methodology is detailed in the U.S. News Best Medical Schools Rankings pages

How To Get Accepted Into A Top Pathology Residency Program

Gaining admission into the top residency programs involves submitting a competitive application via ERAS, The Electronic Residency Application Service.

This is a centralized online application service that you’ll need to use in order to “match” into the programs above.

Most programs begin reading applications over the first couple of weeks of autumn/fall and invite applicants to interview in the weeks following.

Generally, pathology residency program applications include the following:

• A completed ERAS application
• Personal statement/s
• Supplemental statement/s (where requested)
• Letters of recommendation
• A full, official medical school transcript
• Your USMLE Step 1/COMLEX transcripts
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Selection criteria are specific for each program but commonly applicants are scored on a combination of grades, clinical and research experiences, special interests, and anything else departments/programs find relevant.

To be competitive, and stand a chance at matching into the best programs, you’re going to need great Step 1 and Step 2 scores, research experience, impressive extracurriculars, and good letters of recommendation.

Sources

• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/physician-pathology-salary

Related Articles

1. Best Pathology Anki Decks
2. Is Pathology Hard?

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

Doctors choosing radiology as a career can look forward to image diagnostics, using cutting-edge tech and playing a critical role in the care process.

But with an average US base salary of $430,000 for qualified radiologists, the lengthy (and expensive) training could be worth it.

The best radiology residency programs offer those interested in the field the greatest training possible.

This article takes a look at the top programs in the country, taking a deep dive into what’s offered by each and what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to match.

We’ve also included key info on facts/stats for each program (where publicized) too.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

Before you dive into our article on the best radiology residency programs, make sure you take a look at our Best Residency Programs page to get all the critical info on other medical specialties.

1.  Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore) 

The highest-ranked clinical facility in the US and the winner of the 2015 Minnie Award for Best Radiology Training Program; Johns Hopkins University is no stranger to outstanding titles. 

The Radiology Residency Program lasts 4 years and aims to ease residents into taking responsibility and decision making. 

Residents are actively involved in program organization, from making their own schedule to having deciding votes in the resident selection process. They meet regularly with the chair and have monthly meetings with program directors to discuss methods to improve the program. 

Every morning, 7:30-9:00 am is free and the faculty organizes regular lectures and case conferences. These are in line with exam requirements of the ABR CORE, done at the end of PGY-4. 

All residents have full access to a large variety of online educational resources like STATdx and RADPrimer. 

Check out the video below for an inside look into their program…

DETAILS 

• Name: Johns Hopkins University 
• Program Director: Lilja Solnes
• Contact: dgrupp1@jhmi.edu 
• Website: hopkinsmedicine.org/diagnostic-radiology

2. University of Pennsylvania 

Penn provides a variety of clinical settings including a quaternary care center, community hospital, and Level 1 Trauma Centre providing a well-rounded education for residents. 

The traditional clinical track is a 4-year program consisting of a 3-year core curriculum with a focused 4th-year 10-month concentration in all subspecialty areas. The core curriculum includes basic/advanced procedures and image interpretation. 

Residents are trained to master general radiology and the Core Exam. This includes rotations in CT, US, MSK, and many more. 

Every morning begins with 90 minutes of dedicated teaching time for residents to address any queries/questions they may have. 

Related: Interested in radiology? Check out this list of the best free radiology learning websites

There are “Personalized Teaching” sessions twice monthly, where subspecialties host residents for small group case-based teaching. There are also annual mini-courses that highlight the needs of each year of residency so you can feel well prepared in advance. 

PGY-1 residents interpret radiographs under the supervision of staff attending radiologists. Penn maintains an independent call for PGY2-4. Residents evaluate acutely ill patients, including patients presenting after trauma. 

Interestingly, all trainees are provided feedback on their interpretations by attendings within 24 hours through an electronic system.  

The video below provides really useful insight into what life is like as a Penn Radiology Resident…

DETAILS

• Name: University of Pennsylvania 
• Program Director: Mary H Scanlon 
• Contact: 215-662-4000 
• Website: pennmedicine.org/residency-programs

3. University of California (San Francisco) 

The Radiology Residency at UCSF spans 4 years. 

The Department offers high ranking clinical training programs with patient centred research training. It is one of the most diverse in the US and provides many opportunities for postgraduate education. 

The PGY-2 year is spent rotating through core imaging services like thoracic imaging, abdominal imaging and neuroradiology. It builds the foundation for resident on-call experience in the PGY-3 year. There is continuous expert backup at all hours. An additional backup call pool is available via pager for emergency interventional radiology. 

Up to 12 months of elective time can be taken where residents choose a focused experience in a clinical field or area of research interest. 

There are daily conferences in the morning/noon at UCSF Medical Centre. These range from lectures to case based conferences. They prepare residents for clinical practice and to pass the ABR (American Board of Radiology) CORE exam. 

Check out the video below to find out whats makes radiology at UCSF unique…

DETAILS 

• Name: University of California (San Francisco) 
• Program Director: Soonmee Cha 
• Contact: 415 353-8913
• Website: radiology.ucsf.edu/education

4. Washington University 

The Diagnostic Radiology Program at Washington is rigorously reviewed to provide teaching and experience to residents. 

Residents rotate through all subspecialties of Radiology and complete their core requirements in the first 3 years of Radiology training. In the PGY-5 year, there is the chance to do 4-6 months of electives for further in depth education. 

Through the PGY-2 to PGY-4, there is a standardised curriculum with a few electives available each year. Standard rotations include but are not limited to: 

1. Thoracic radiology 
2. Abdominal radiology 
3. Ultrasound rotation 
4. Pediatric radiology at Seattle Children’s Hospital 
5. Nuclear medicine 

See a sample schedule here.  

From PGY-3 onwards, residents are responsible for on-call coverage.

Every resident participates in a “Competencies Rotation” at Harborview Medical Centre. This is a quality improvement project over 2 months. Each resident is in a team with a co-resident and mentor to guide them. 

Residents have access to daily noon conferences at all sites. The conference curriculum includes a “Core Series” once a week which is taught by PGY-3 residents, geared towards PGY-2 residents. PGY-5 residents have a separate lecture series dedicated to real world radiology practice. 

A typical day at Washington is busy- interpreting cases, performing procedures, seeing patients, studying and more.

A typical day could be:

• 7:30-8:30: Morning conference or case conference 
• 8:30-12:00: Assigned clinical service 
• 12:00-13:00: Noon conference or case conference
• 13:00-15:00: Assigned clinical service 
• 15:00-15:30: Teaching on service sharing interesting cases 
• 15:30-17:00: Wrapping up clinical service 

DETAILS 

• Name: Washington University 
• Program Director: Marcus Maurer 
• Contact: mjmaurer@uw.edu 
• Website: rad.washington.edu/radiology-residency

5. Duke University 

Duke Radiology is a pioneer in residency education. It is a 5 year combined residency and fellowship program. A one year preliminary or rotating internship is a prerequisite. 

Exposure to a wide breadth of pathology is offered, ranging from complex transplant patients to common problems like pneumonia. 

The “Duke 3/2 Program” provides 3 years of rigorous training in general diagnostic radiology and the option of 2 years of subspecialty training in general diagnostic radiology with a flexible fourth year. 

Residents are offered up to 10 months in PGY-4 to 5 for research investigation. 

Residents rotate through 13 clinical rotations. The curriculum covers topics such as Cardiothoracic, Abdominal CT and GI (Fluoroscopy). See the full list here. 

Autonomous independent resident call is a core component of Duke’s curriculum to allow residents to mature into independent radiologists. 

For those committed to a career as physician scientists, there is a tailored Duke R38 Research Pathway. It provides 18 months of sponsored research time. Once finishing residency training, residents are guaranteed a 1 year subspecialty fellowship of their choice. They can also stay at Duke afterwards for a mentored instructorship in Radiology. 

Check out the video below for more on radiology residency experiences at Duke…

DETAILS 

• Name: Duke University 
• Program Director: Michael Taylor-Cho 
• Contact: 919-681-1632 
• Website: radiology.duke.edu/education

How Do Radiology Residency Programs Work?

Training in rads involves completing four years of graduate medical education first before moving on to dedicated residency programs.

Radiology programs are medium in training length, averaging 4 years.

After residency common subspecialties (fellowships) pursued include breast imaging, chest, nuclear and pediatric radiology, pain medicine, and emergency radiology.

How Many Radiology Residency Programs Are There?

There are over 197 radiology residency training programs according to the AMA.

The examples provided in the programs above are considered the finest offered and are ranked on criteria via peer assessment, residency director assessment, student selectivity, the mean MCAT score for the institution, the mean GPA of its matriculants, faculty resources, research activity and more.

The exact methodology is detailed in the U.S. News Best Medical Schools Rankings pages

How to Get Accepted Into a Top Radiology Residency Program

Gaining admission into the top residency programs involves submitting a competitive application via ERAS, The Electronic Residency Application Service.

This is a centralized online application service that you’ll need to use in order to “match” into the programs above.

Most programs begin reading applications over the first couple of weeks of autumn/fall and invite applicants to interview in the weeks following.

Generally, radiology residency program applications include the following:

• A completed ERAS application
• Personal statement/s
• Supplemental statement/s (where requested)
• Letters of recommendation
• A full, official medical school transcript
• Your USMLE Step 1/COMLEX transcripts
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Selection criteria are specific for each program but commonly applicants are scored on a combination of grades, clinical and research experiences, special interests, and anything else surgical departments/programs find relevant.

To be competitive, and stand a chance at matching into the best programs, you’re going to need great Step 1 and Step 2 scores, research experience, impressive extracurriculars, and a solid letter of recommendation.

Sources

• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/radiologist-salary
• https://www.prospectivedoctor.com/how-competitive-is-a-diagnostic-radiology-residency/

Sumran Imtiaz

Hey guys, I’m Sumran. I’m a British 5th-year international medical student at the Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria. I transitioned straight from completing my A-Levels into university. Currently, I have interests in Psychiatry and Gastroenterology. Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading crime novels and visiting art exhibitions.

Doctors choosing EM as a career can look forward to caring for acutely ill or injured patients in (what can be) a high-stakes and high-pressure environment. It’s also a specialty with a ton of residency positions (3000 plus).

Considered a medium-level competitive residency, you’ll need a Step 1 score of >240 to increase your match probability odds.

But with an average US base salary of $300,000 for qualified emergency medicine physicians, the effort may well be worth it.

The best emergency medicine (EM) residency programs offer those interested in the field the greatest training possible.

This article takes a look at the top programs in the country (as ranked by the US News Best Grad Schools Report 2022), taking a deep dive into what’s offered by each and what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to match.

We’ve also included key info on facts/stats for each program (where publicized) too.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

Before you dive into our article on the best EM residency programs, make sure you take a look at our Best Residency Programs page to get all the critical info on other specialties.

1. University of South California (Keck)

The Emergency Medicine residency training program at LAC+USC is one of the longest EM residency programs in the country (the University of Cincinnati’s – established in 1970 – is the first). It has the largest alumni body of such programs internationally, with over 600 physicians.

This residency is a four-year program where residents rotate through many services and gradually receive more autonomy. Through a rich clinical and educational experience, junior residents grow into autonomous senior residents who can confidently handle any clinical scenario.

The intern year focuses on the approach to emergency medicine and critical care. Interns build a solid foundation in managing both medical and surgical emergencies. They spend equal amounts of time in the Emergency Department and on off-service rotations. These off-service rotations include time spent in the ICU setting, orthopedics evaluation area, and anesthesiology.

The PGY-2 year develops the residents’ procedural competence. They begin working in the Resuscitation area and the Jail Emergency Department.

The residents gain increasing responsibilities in the ED and throughout the hospital during their PGY-3 year. They supervise the flow of patients from triage to final disposition, make decisions regarding resource utilization, and teach junior residents, physician assistants, and students.

The PGY-4 year is designed to develop leadership capabilities. Residents have opportunities to train in areas of highest interest. By the end of the program, they’re ready to integrate all aspects of the specialty into a balanced professional career, practicing at the highest level of clinical Emergency Medicine.

To find out more about USC’s emergency medicine residency, check out the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: USC University of South California
• Program Director: Ramin Tabatabai
• Contact: boneal@med.usc.edu
• Website: keck.usc.edu/emergency-medicine/residency-program

2. University of Colorado (Anschutz)

The Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine is a four-year training program with a mix of county, academic, and community learning environments. It offers training in the emergency departments at Denver Health Medical Center, the University of Colorado Hospital, the Children’s Hospital of Colorado, and Saint Joseph Hospital.

The PGY-1 year develops the foundational knowledge and technical skills necessary for the rest of the residency. Core rotations in Medical Critical Care, Trauma Surgery, Orthopedics, Internal Medicine, and Adult and Pediatric Emergency Medicine provide interns with broad clinical experience.

PGY-2 residents begin integrating the technical skills and knowledge specific to emergency medicine through rotations in the emergency department. They also learn how to care for the sickest of patients during rotations in Surgical and Pediatric Intensive Care Units.

In the PGY-3 year, residents run the Trauma side of the ED at Denver Health. They also gain more experience in pediatric EM and critical care in the ICU. Other rotations include Toxicology, Advanced Ultrasound, and Emergency Medical Services.

Senior residents are expected to master clinical emergency medicine and develop strong leadership skills. The principal rotation in the PGY-4 year is the Senior Resident Rotation in the Denver Health ED. Residents balance patient flow while supervising junior residents. They direct resuscitation of all critically ill patients, run the observation unit, and provide EMS medical control for the Paramedic Division.

For more info on what to expect from CU’s emergency medicine residency, check out the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: University of Colorado
• Address: Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine, 777 Bannock Street, MC #0108, Denver, Colorado 80204
• Program Director: Bonnie Kaplan
• Contact: bonnie.kaplan@denverem.org​
• Website: denverem.org

3. University of North Carolina – Charlotte Campus

The Emergency Medicine Residency program at Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center teaches the practice and art of emergency medicine in a busy urban medical center. This is a 3-year program, and 14 residents are accepted each year.

Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) is the satellite campus of UNC School of Medicine in Charlotte. It consistently ranks among the nation’s top hospitals. And with a good blend of private and underserved patients, CMC provides its residents with a complex variety and volume of cases.

PGY-1 residents acquire fundamental skills and knowledge for the practice of emergency medicine. They spend most of the first year with other specialties such as orthopedics, OB/GYN, or cardiology. They also have early critical care exposure spending a month in the medical intensive care unit (MICU.)

Residents receive increased responsibilities in the emergency department during the PGY-2 year. They have opportunities to perform major procedures. And they acquire skills in the care of critically ill cardiac, medical, trauma, and poisoned patients. They can also start an elective research project early in the second year of training.

PGY-3 residents manage critically ill and injured patients. They provide online medical control for emergency medical services. And they also have teaching responsibilities in the ED.

The block conference schedule includes four hours of didactics per week. And a high-fidelity simulation curriculum complements the residents’ clinical experience.

You can find out more about this EM residency in the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: University of North Carolina
• Program Director: Sean M. Fox
• Contact: mary.fiorillo@atriumhealth.org.
• Website: atriumhealth.org/emergency-medicine

4. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati Emergency Medicine Residency Program is a four-year program. The idea of progressive responsibility and autonomy is core to the program, and each year brings unique challenges and opportunities to the residents.

The Center for Emergency Care at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center is a high-volume urban Level I trauma center. This guarantees the residents get an outstanding clinical experience. They also learn community-based Emergency Medicine in two community suburban clinical sites. Finally, pediatric emergency shifts at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center are integrated throughout all four years.

The program offers a strong EMS curriculum with ground, aeromedical, and telemetry training. Residents can pursue training opportunities in tactical medicine, urban search and rescue, and mass gathering medicine.

For more information on UC’s EM residency, check out the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: University of Cincinnati
• Contact: Medical Sciences Building Room 1654, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0769
• Program Director: Erin E. McDonough
• Contact: roattw@ucmail.uc.edu
• Website: med.uc.edu/emergency-medicine/residency

5. University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Residency offers a three-year program preparing emergency physicians for leadership roles in clinical care, research, teaching, and administration.

Residents spend 7.5 months in the emergency department during the PGY-1 year, providing them with a solid foundation. First-year residents also receive training in critical care and trauma. And experiences in anesthesia, OB, and ultrasound are combined into a one-month rotation.

During the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years, residents spend more time in the emergency department. Their involvement in all aspects of prehospital care also increases. Residents develop their procedural skills, critical thinking, and clinical judgment in the supervised teaching environment of the residency hospitals.

The residency program offers great exposure to all aspects of contemporary prehospital care with the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The working knowledge of emergency medical services is acquired in the community and not only in the classroom. This level of hands-on resident involvement is a highlight of this program. Many trainees go on to assume leadership roles in EMS.

In addition to opportunities to work as Flight Physicians on MedEvac and inter-hospital transports, residents can provide medical coverage for mass-gathering events such as Pittsburgh Steelers football games or rock concerts.

For more insight into what it’s like to train in EM at Pitt, check out the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: University of Pittsburgh
• Contact: 3600 Forbes at Meyran Avenue, Forbes Tower, Suite 10028, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
• Program Director: Michele L. Dorfsman
• Contact: makicl@upmc.edu 
• Website: emergencymedicine.pitt.edu/emergency-medicine-residency

How Do Emergency Medicine (EM) Residency Programs Work?

Training in EM involves completing four years of graduate medical education first before moving on to dedicated residency programs.

EM programs are medium in training length, averaging 3-4 years.

After residency common subspecialties (fellowships) pursued include medical toxicology, palliative medicine, critical care medicine, wilderness medicine, sports medicine, and undersea and hyperbaric medicine.

How Many Emergency Medicine (EM) Residency Programs Are There?

There are over 3000 EM residency training places according to the AMA.

The examples provided in the programs above are considered the finest offered and are ranked on criteria via peer assessment, residency director assessment, student selectivity, the mean MCAT score for the institution, the mean GPA of its matriculants, and faculty resources, research activity, and more.

The exact methodology is detailed in the U.S. News Best Medical Schools Rankings pages

How to Get Accepted Into a Top Emergency Medicine (EM) Residency Program

Gaining admission into the top residency programs involves submitting a competitive application via ERAS, The Electronic Residency Application Service.

This is a centralized online application service that you’ll need to use in order to “match” into the programs above.

Most programs begin reading applications over the first couple of weeks of autumn/fall and invite applicants to interview in the weeks following.

Generally, EM residency program applications include the following:

• A completed ERAS application
• Personal statement/s
• Supplemental statement/s (where requested)
• Letters of recommendation
• A full, official medical school transcript
• Your USMLE Step 1/COMLEX transcripts
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Selection criteria are specific for each program but commonly applicants are scored on a combination of grades, clinical and research experiences, special interests, and anything else surgical departments/programs find relevant.

To be competitive, and stand a chance at matching into the best programs, you’re going to need great Step 1 and Step 2 scores, research experience, impressive extracurriculars, and a solid letter of recommendation.

Sources

• https://residency.wustl.edu/residencies/length-of-residencies/
• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/emergency-medicine-physician-salary

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

Also a popular surgical subspecialty, it’s highly competitive, ranking close to dermatology and the other surgical subspecialties in terms of demand.

To stand a chance of getting accepted as a resident in any of the following programs, you’ll need an average USMLE Step 1 score is 248, and 256 on USMLE Step2CK. Publications and research are also heavily encouraged.

With an average US base salary of $391,549, it’s not hard to see why there are a lot of aspiring ENTs out there!

The best ENT residency programs offer those interested in the field the greatest training possible.

This article takes a look at the top programs in the country (as ranked by the US News Best Grad Schools Report 2022), taking a deep dive into what’s offered by each and what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to match.

We’ve also included key info on facts/stats for each program (where publicized) too.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

Before you dive into our article on the best neurology residency programs, make sure you take a look at our Best Residency Programs page to get all the critical info on other specialties.

1. Harvard University

The Harvard Medical School Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program has two tracks. The clinical track accepts four residents each year and comprises five years of training. The research track only takes one resident per year. In addition to five clinical years, this track includes a two-year block devoted entirely to research training. These dedicated research years occur between the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years of training.

Residents rotate at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston’s Children’s Hospital, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Interns also work at Mass General during their PGY-1 year for six months of rotations in surgery, anesthesia, and ICU.

22 out of the 24 graduates (91 percent) from 2017 to 2021 pursued fellowship training after their residency. The most common fellowships pursued include Head and Neck Oncology, Neurotology, and Rhinology. Seventy-five percent of graduates remain in academics after completing their training.

For more on Harvard’s ENT residency program check out the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: Harvard University
• Program Director: Stacey T. Gray
• Contact: julie_arria@meei.harvard.edu
• Website: harvard.edu/residency-program

2. Johns Hopkins University

The Johns Hopkins Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Residency Training Program provides comprehensive clinical training and excellent research experience in all subspecialties.

The clinical track is a five-year program with up to six months of research time. This track accepts two to three residents each year. Meanwhile, the research track takes two residents each year and lasts for six-and-a-half years, including two years of NIH-funded research.

Resident didactics represent three hours per week and include weekly grand rounds, lectures, and journal club sessions. The annual hands-on educational courses include temporal bone, pediatric bronchoscopy, and head and neck dissection.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital is the principal academic center. Several rotations during each year of training expose residents to all areas of otolaryngology. Residents also pursue select subspecialties at Bayview Medical Center. And the Greater Baltimore Medical Center is home to a resident-run otolaryngology private practice starting in the PGY-2 year.

For more info on Johns Hopkins ENT history, see the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: Johns Hopkins University
• Program Director: Alexander Hillel
• Contact: donna.riley@jhmi.edu
• Website: hopkinsmedicine.org/otolaryngology/residency/

3. University of California San Francisco

The Head and Neck Surgery Residency of UCSF’s Department of Otolaryngology is a five-year program. It encompasses all subspecialty areas within Otolaryngology and offers its residents the opportunity to train in diverse environments.

Rotations during the PGY-1 year cover multiple medical disciplines such as trauma surgery, ICU, neurosurgery, and general surgery.

Rotations during the PGY-2 year include outpatient clinical care and trauma management at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Residents also perform anterior and lateral skull base surgery at UCSF Parnassus and complete a pediatric otolaryngology rotation at Benioff Children’s Hospital.

PGY-3 residents rotate at San Francisco General Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital through subspecialty-specific rotations, including rhinology, sleep surgery, laryngology, and facial plastic surgery.

Residents complete a three-month dedicated research rotation during the PGY-4 year. And then assume chief resident’s responsibilities in the final PGY-5 year.

For more on this residency program, see the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: University of California San Francisco
• Contact:  Pranathi.Sundaram@ucsf.edu
• Website: ohns.ucsf.edu/residency-program

4. University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)

The Otorhinolaryngology Residency Program of the University of Pennsylvania accepts five residents each year. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) is the principal clinical training site of the program.

During the PGY-1, PGY-2, and PGY-4 years, the residents rotate in a service of HUP primarily devoted to patients with head and neck oncologic and reconstructive problems. And at the PGY-2 and PGY-3 levels, residents also rotate in a different service dealing especially with otology, rhinology, sinus surgery, and general otolaryngology.

The program also includes rotations at Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. These rotations cover both common and rare clinical problems and require increasing responsibilities from the residents through the training program. Each resident completes their final rotation at each institution as chief resident of the service.

Residents have a 5-month research rotation during the PGY-4 year and an advanced subspecialty elective as a capstone project in the PGY-5 year.

For more on Penn Medicine’s ENT residency program see the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: University of Pennsylvania
• Address: 3400 Spruce Street, 5th Floor Ravdin, Philadelphia, PA 19104
• Contact: bonnie.rosen@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
• Website: med.upenn.edu/residency-program

5. Ohio State University

Ohio State’s five-year otolaryngology residency program accepts five residents per year. Throughout the program, residents rotate between three otolaryngology services at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

The PGY-1 year is a surgical internship with core rotations in anesthesia, neuroradiology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, emergency medicine, and MICU. And a six-month otolaryngology block completes the first year of the program.

Residents spend six months on dedicated research rotations over the PGY-3 and PGY-4 years. A variety of research pursuits are available on the Ohio State University main campus. Recent areas of focus include hearing and balance disorders, head and neck oncology, and nasal airflow dynamics.

The educational curriculum comprises an extensive conference and didactic schedule, weekly Grand Rounds, and various courses. Over the last five years, Ohio State graduates have averaged in the top 5 percent on the national ENT in-service examination. They’ve also received multiple national and regional awards.

For more on Ohio State’s ENT residency program, check out the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: Ohio State University
• Program Director: Brad deSilva
• Contact: Audrey.Agner@osumc.edu 
• Website: medicine.osu.edu/otolaryngology/residency

6. University of Michigan

Each year, five positions are available for the Michigan Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency program. Four positions are open in the five-year clinical training program and one in the six-year Advanced Research Training in Otolaryngology Program.

Both tracks offer a balance of inpatient, outpatient, operative, and research experience. Residents in the five-year clinical program have a six-month research experience during their PGY-4 year. Residents in the six-year program spend a total of 18 months doing research, with an additional 12 months of research beginning in the PGY-3 year.

During their first year, residents spend six months on rotations outside of the department, in general surgery and neurosurgery, and six months in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. These rotations provide an abundance of learning opportunities across the spectrum of otolaryngologic scenarios.

Residents gradually take on more responsibilities through the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years. They also take call with senior resident backup. Rotations on different services offer a good balance between the clinic and the operative experience. Residents then begin assuming chief resident responsibilities from the PGY-4 year. And the final PGY-5 year provides residents with an excellent opportunity to hone their teaching skills.

Michigan Medicine’s multidisciplinary Clinical Simulation Center allows residents to practice procedures in nearly real situations while assessing competency in a risk-free setting.

For more on this program, check out the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: University of Michigan
• Program Director: Robbi A. Kupfer
• Contact: education-oto@med.umich.edu
• Website: medicine.umich.edu/otolaryngology/residency

How Do Otolaryngology ENT Residency Programs Work?

Training in otolaryngology involves completing four years of graduate medical education first before moving on to dedicated residency programs.

ENT programs are long in training length, averaging 5 years.

After residency common subspecialties (fellowships) pursued include head and neck oncology and microvascular surgery, otology/neurotology, pediatric otolaryngology, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

How Many Otolaryngology ENT Residency Programs Are There?

There are over 125 otolaryngology residency training programs according to the AMA.

The examples above are considered the finest offered among those programs in the US and are ranked on criteria via peer assessment, residency director assessment, student selectivity, the mean MCAT score for the institution, the mean GPA of its matriculants, faculty resources, research activity and more.

The exact methodology is detailed in the U.S. News Best Medical Schools Rankings pages

How to Get Accepted Into a Top Otolaryngology ENT Residency Program

Gaining admission into the top residency programs involves submitting a competitive application via ERAS, The Electronic Residency Application Service.

This is a centralized online application service that you’ll need to use in order to “match” into the programs above.

Most programs begin reading applications over the first couple of weeks of autumn/fall and invite applicants to interview in the weeks following.

Generally, psychiatry residency program applications include the following:

• A completed ERAS application
• Personal statement/s
• Supplemental statement/s (where requested)
• Letters of recommendation
• A full, official medical school transcript
• Your USMLE Step 1/COMLEX transcripts
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Selection criteria are specific for each program but commonly applicants are scored on a combination of grades, clinical and research experiences, special interests, and anything else surgical departments/programs find relevant.

To be competitive, and stand a chance at matching into the best programs, you’re going to need great Step 1 and Step 2 scores, research experience, impressive extracurriculars, and a solid letter of recommendation.

Sources

• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/physician-otolaryngology-salary

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

But it’s also not too competitive – the average Step 1 score is 232, and Step2CK 245 with a match rate of 97%.

With an average US base salary of $268,000, wherever neurology takes you (across a wide range of subspecialties) it’s highly likely you’ll be financially comfortable pursuing it as a career.

The best neurology residency programs offer those interested in the field the greatest training possible and boast some of the finest neurologists on earth as alumni.

This article takes a look at the top programs in the country (as ranked by the US News Best Grad Schools Report 2022), taking a deep dive into what’s offered by each and what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to match.

We’ve also included key info on facts/stats for each program (where publicized) too.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

Before you dive into our article on the best neurology residency programs, make sure you take a look at our Best Residency Programs page to get all the critical info on other specialties.

1. University of California – San Francisco

The UCSF Neurology Residency Program currently has 11-12 training positions in Adult Neurology and 3 in Child Neurology each year. Residents train at the main academic hospitals for adult and pediatric care, at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and at the San Francisco VA Hospital.

The program primarily trains future academic neurology physicians. A study among alumni found that 20 years after their residency at UCSF, 75% of neurologists remained in full-time academic positions as investigators, clinical neurology subspecialists, or clinician-educators.

While rotating at each site, residents attend weekly adult and child neurology outpatient conferences. And every six weeks, residents have a clinic week block dedicated to continuity clinics, outpatient block didactics, selective clinics, and subspecialty clinics.

Residents of the Adult Neurology program can choose during the PGY-4 year between up to 6 months of electives or enter the Flexible Residency program. They learn to perform clinical or laboratory research and develop skills focused on public health or become clinician-educators.

Trainees in the Child Neurology program spend the first two years in Pediatrics, then a year in Adult Neurology, and finally two years fully within the Child Neurology department. Residents who participate in the Flexible Residency program spend more time in their PGY-5 year doing research or other academic work.

Check out the video below for more on UCSF’s Neuroscience offering…

DETAILS

• Name: University of California San Francisco
• Address: 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M798, San Francisco, CA 94143
• Program Director: Dr. John Engstrom
• Contact: John.Engstrom@ucsf.edu
• Website: neuroresidency.ucsf.edu

2. Columbia University

The Neurology Residency Program at Columbia has trained exceptional neurologists, clinical investigators, educators, and neuroscientists since 1948.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital is one of the nation’s largest hospitals and consistently ranks among America’s “Best Hospitals” in U.S. News & World Report. The Neurology Clinic receives a patient population mostly from Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx.

First-year residents spend eight weeks on the neurology service, with the consult team, in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, and in neuroradiology. They spend the rest of the year with the Columbia Internal Medicine Residency Program.

The experience gained during the PGY-2 year focuses on acquiring medical knowledge and clinical skills, including electroencephalography interpretation. Residents also begin to explore subspecialties and research interests. 

PGY-3 residents have increased responsibility for the care of patients and independence in the assessment of neurological emergencies. They explore the subspecialties of neurology, mentor PGY-2 residents and medical students, and develop leadership initiatives.

Residents then consolidate their knowledge in the PGY-4 year in preparation for the board certification examination and the independent practice of neurology. While participating in research and education initiatives, they develop a career plan for fellowship training or clinical practice.

For more on Columbia’s neurology program, check out the following…

DETAILS

• Name: CUIMC/Neurological Institute of New York
• Address: 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032
• Program Director: Dr. Michelle Bell
• Contact: mdb2160@cumc.columbia.edu
• Website: neurology.columbia.edu/adult-neurology-residency-program

3. Cornell University (Weill)

The neurology residency program at Weill Cornell Medicine is a four-year categorical program offering an abundant and diverse patient population.

Thanks to an exclusive training partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), the residents have access to complex neurological cases, dedicated mentorship, and abundant research opportunities.

The preliminary Medical Internship Year (PGY-1) is integrated with the neurology program and offers top-notch training in internal medicine. PGY-2 trainees are responsible for the overall functioning of the inpatient services in the neurology wards at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH). And from the PGY-2 year onwards, residents follow a group of outpatients in a weekly attending-supervised neurology clinic.

The PGY-3 year focuses on outpatient neurology. The consult services at NYPH and MSKCC expose the residents to a broad range of neurologic diagnoses, including neurologic emergencies. The fourth-year neurology residents function as ward chiefs and assume broad responsibility for patient care in each hospital’s clinical service. In addition, the PGY-4 year provides in-depth training in pediatric neurology.

Residents explore the subspecialties of neurology with electives in EEG, EMG, and subspecialty clinics. NewYork-Presbyterian’s subspecialty centers offer rotations in the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, the Neuromuscular Clinic, and the Stroke Clinic, among others.

Take a look at the video below to learn more about Weill’s program…

DETAILS

• Name: Weill Cornell Medicine Neurology
• Address: 525 E. 68th St., PO Box 117, New York, NY 10065
• Program Director: Janice Void
• Contact: jav2013@med.cornell.edu
• Website: neurology.weill.cornell.edu/residency

4. Johns Hopkins University

The Neurology Residency at Johns Hopkins is a three-year program preparing neurologists for a career in academic medicine. Residents are exposed to several distinct inpatient services, consultative services, and outpatient settings at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

The first year (PGY-2) gives residents a comprehensive exposure to clinical neurology, including inpatient and outpatient diagnosis and management. Residents then assume a leadership role in both the Neurology Consultation Service and the Adult Inpatient Neurology Services during the PGY-3 year. They also spend one month in the Outpatient Pediatric Neurology Clinics.

Third-year residents (PGY-4) take a leadership role in Bayview’s inpatient service, which is devoted to neurologic intensive care. Senior residents also complete subspecialty requirements and elective clinical or research rotations.

Participation in clinical or basic neuroscience research is an integral part of the program. As such, residents can use their elective time to pursue clinical and laboratory research. Senior residents are expected to present their research at a special Grand Rounds.

See the video below for more on John Hopkins Neurology Residency Program…

DETAILS

• Name: Johns Hopkins University
• Address: Adult and Pediatric Neurology Residency Programs, (t) 667-306-6328
• Program Director: Dr. Rafael Llinas
• Contact: svieyra@jhmi.edu
• Website: hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_residency

5. New York University (Grossman)

NYU Langone’s adult neurology residency program comprises two different tracks. The Manhattan track provides residents with a well-rounded education, and the Brooklyn track focuses on acute neurology and community health in the ambulatory care setting.

After completing a preliminary medicine internship, 11 new residents are accepted each year into the 3-year accredited neurology residency program in Manhattan. Residents then rotate through NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, and outpatient clinics in Manhattan.

Each first-year resident receives immediate feedback on performing a full neurological examination during the initial months of residency. The Basics of Neurology Boot Camp, occurring during the summer months, addresses common issues in inpatient neurological consultation. Residents also participate in simulation sessions and workshops.

The education track provides additional time for residents interested in teaching. Students participate, with faculty guidance, in refining the medical student and residency didactic curriculums.

DETAILS

• Name: NYU Langone
• Program Director: Arielle M. Kurzweil
• Contact: 212-263-7744
• Website: med.nyu.edu/neurology/residency-training

How Do Neurology Residency Programs Work?

Training in neurology involves completing four years of graduate medical education first before moving on to dedicated residency programs.

Neurology programs are medium in training length, averaging 3-5 years.

After residency common subspecialties (fellowships) pursued include brain injury medicine, child neurology, vascular neurology and pain medicine.

How Many Neurology Residency Programs Are There?

There are over 169 neurology residency training programs according to the AMA.

The examples above are considered the finest offered among those programs in the US and are ranked on criteria via peer assessment, residency director assessment, student selectivity, the mean MCAT score for the institution, the mean GPA of its matriculants, faculty resources, research activity and more.

The exact methodology is detailed in the U.S. News Best Medical Schools Rankings pages

How to Get Accepted Into a Top Neurology Residency Program

Gaining admission into the top residency programs involves submitting a competitive application via ERAS, The Electronic Residency Application Service.

This is a centralized online application service that you’ll need to use in order to “match” into the programs above.

Most programs begin reading applications over the first couple of weeks of autumn/fall and invite applicants to interview in the weeks following.

Generally, psychiatry residency program applications include the following:

• A completed ERAS application
• Personal statement/s
• Supplemental statement/s (where requested)
• Letters of recommendation
• A full, official medical school transcript
• Your USMLE Step 1/COMLEX transcripts
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Selection criteria are specific for each program but commonly applicants are scored on a combination of grades, clinical and research experiences, special interests, and anything else surgical departments/programs find relevant.

To be competitive, and stand a chance at matching into the best programs, you’re going to need great Step 1 and Step 2 scores, research experience, impressive extracurriculars, and a solid letter of recommendation.

Sources

• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/neurologist-salary

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

The best psychiatry residency programs offer those interested in the field the greatest training possible and boast some of the finest psychiatrists on earth as alumni. But they are competitive; you’ll have to be a top candidate (within the top 1500 medical grads who match annually into psych) to stand a chance.

This article takes a look at the top programs in the country (as ranked by the US News Best Grad Schools Report 2022), taking a deep dive into what’s offered by each and what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to match.

We’ve also included key info on facts/stats for each program (where publicized) too.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

Before you dive into our article on the best psychiatry residency programs, make sure you take a look at our Best Residency Programs page to get all the critical info on other specialties.

1. Yale University

Highlights of the Yale Psychiatry Residency include outstanding clinical training, the balance between psychotherapy and biology, and a flexible schedule providing time for academic activities. Current residents cite the individualized education plan, the faculty of leading clinicians, or the vibrant campus life as appealing reasons to train at Yale.

The PGY-1 year includes 4-week long blocks in medicine, neurology, and psychiatry to solidify the resident’s identity as a physician. A PREP rotation exposes trainees to care systems in day hospitals, community treatment teams, and forensic settings. It also sets time aside to develop projects on which the CASE rotation will focus in the following year.

Residents begin working with long-term psychotherapy patients in PGY-2 and continue throughout the residency. Second-year residents complete a psychiatry inpatient rotation, a geriatrics rotation, and a one-month emergency psychiatry rotation. A three-month CASE rotation allows them to work on an academic project or with specialized populations of patients.

Related: Is Yale Good For Pre-Med In 2022? (Everything You Need To Know)

The PGY-3 year is focused on outpatient psychiatry. It usually includes supervised clinical experience in addiction psychiatry and child psychiatry. And the PGY-4 year is entirely dedicated to pursuing a career interest or an academic project with an individualized program.

See the video below for more on Yale’s innovative program…

DETAILS

• Name: Yale University 
• Location: New Haven, CT 06520
• Program director: Richard Belitsky
• Contact: 203-785-2094/jennifer.dolan-auten@yale.edu
• Website: medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry

2. Harvard University

Harvard Medical School offers five psychiatric residency programs in different medical centers of the Boston area. These programs attract the nation’s top applicants, and graduates are fully equipped for the practice of modern psychiatry.

The Massachusetts General Hospital – McLean Hospital Adult Residency Training Program in Psychiatry prepares physicians for the present-day practice of psychiatry. Residents receive a rich experience where advances in clinical science and the growing contributions of neurosciences are emphasized.

The Cambridge Health Alliance Adult Psychiatry Residency is one of the most psychotherapy-focused residencies in the country. The program has an enduring commitment to teaching psychodynamic formulation and dynamic psychotherapy. During their training, residents are exposed to a diverse patient population with a broad spectrum of mental health problems and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Three other programs are affiliated with Harvard Medical School. These are the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and the Harvard South Shore (HSS) psychiatry residency training programs.

The video below provides a nice intro to Mass General’s Psychiatry Department…

DETAILS

• Name: Harvard University 
• Location: Cambridge, MA
• Program director: Scott Beach
• Contact: 617-726-9550/gvchavez@mgh.harvard.edu
• Website: psych.hms.harvard.edu/residency-training-general-psychiatry

3. Johns Hopkins University

The Residency in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The Johns Hopkins Hospital trains excellent clinicians and leaders in the field of psychiatry. Recent graduates have reported feeling well prepared for academic, private practice, or public sector psychiatry. Residents are offered a multitude of didactic learning opportunities, including lectures, tutorials, and recitations. And mentorship and elective experiences begin in the PGY-1 year.

The first year of residency provides a foundation in Internal Medicine and Neurology. By the end of the PGY-1 year, residents can assess patients and apply methods of formulation. They’re also expected to manage acute medical and neurological conditions in the inpatient setting.

Residents begin their own office-based outpatient practice — under supervision — during the PGY-2 year. The second-year introduces more advanced psychiatric knowledge and methods of assessment and treatment. Residents are then competent to treat the most seriously mentally ill patients.

With intensive outpatient and general hospital experiences, third-year residents continue their development and become more independent. They’re now expected to assess and manage the most common psychiatric issues seen in outpatient settings.

In the PGY-4 year, residents use the elective experience to develop an advanced understanding of a psychiatric subspecialty. By the end of this year, they’ve acquired confidence in office-based psychiatric practice, including long-term psychotherapy.

The video below provides a nice “inside perspective” on Johns Hopkins residency programs…

DETAILS

• Name: Johns Hopkins University
• Location: Baltimore, MD 21218
• Program director: Graham Redgrave
• Contact: 443-287-4506/sthom175@jhmi.edu
• Website: hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry

4. University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)

The Penn Psychiatry Residency program provides its residents with well-balanced training, mentored individual development, and various educational and training experiences. One of the highlights of this program is excellent psychotherapy training. With many electives to explore, residents can develop their interests and take advantage of new opportunities.

Interns gain experience in multiple clinical sites, alternating between psychiatry and off-service rotations. PGY-1s are paired with a senior resident and assigned to junior calls. This experience prepares them for unsupervised calls during the PGY-2 year.

The second-year strengthens the foundations from the intern year with additional inpatient psychiatry. PGY-2s typically begin their first outpatient psychotherapy case in January of this year. Residents can also individualize their clinical experience with electives.

Third-year residents practice ambulatory psychiatry in a variety of settings. An observed assessment clinic provides residents with an opportunity to practice their interview skills, discuss case formulation, and receive feedback from peers and faculty. The volume of call shifts decreases from PGY-2.

Each resident develops a unique educational program in the fourth year and two days per week available for elective experiences.

The video below provides more info on UPenn’s program…

DETAILS

• Name: University of Pennsylvania
• Location: Philadelphia, PA 19104
• Program director: E Campbell
• Contact: csacco@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
• Website: med.upenn.edu/psychres

5. University of California San Francisco

The UCSF Adult Psychiatry Residency is a four-year program across three main training sites in San Francisco. The program provides broad exposure to a diversity of patients, therapies, and environments.

During the PGY-1 year, residents spend six months completing rotations in medicine and neurology. Four months are dedicated to learning the principles of inpatient psychiatric assessment and treatment. Finally, first-year residents spend one-month providing emergency psychiatric services at Zuckerberg San Francisco General.

In the Longitudinal Clinical Experience (LCE), residents work in teams with faculty and resident peers (PGY-1 to PGY-4). They provide assessment and therapy to a cohort of patients that they will follow throughout their residency.

The didactic curriculum developed at UCSF helps residents develop expertise in several authentic health care roles. Assessment and Formulation, Developmental Foundations, Treatment Delivery, and Scientific Inquiry are four key areas that link the didactic curriculum to the clinical curriculum.

The residency program aims to create future leaders in the field who will be agents of change in health care systems. And from the PGY-3 year, residents develop their skills beyond the core training requirements with elective time.

You can get a glimpse into UCSF’s Psychiatry Department in the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: University of California, San Francisco
• Location: San Francisco, CA 94143
• Program director: Erick Hung
• Contact: 415-476-7527/rtpadm@lppi.ucsf.edu
• Website: psych.ucsf.edu

How Do Psychiatry Residency Programs Work?

Training in psychiatry involves completing four years of graduate medical education first before moving on to dedicated residency programs.

Psychiatry programs are medium in training length, averaging 4 years.

The specialty is one of the least competitive in the US. The probability of matching with a Step 1 score >240 is 92%

After residency common subspecialties (fellowships) pursued include addiction, forensic, geriatric psychiatry.

How Many Psychiatry Residency Programs Are There?

There are over 300 psychiatry residency training programs according to AMA.

The examples above are considered the finest offered among those programs in the US and are ranked on criteria via peer assessment, residency director assessment, student selectivity, the mean MCAT score for the institution, the mean GPA of its matriculants, faculty resources, research activity and more.

The exact methodology is detailed in the U.S. News Best Medical Schools Rankings pages

How to Get Accepted Into a Top Psychiatry Residency Program

Gaining admission into the top residency programs involves submitting a competitive application via ERAS, The Electronic Residency Application Service.

This is a centralized online application service that you’ll need to use in order to “match” into the programs above.

Most programs begin reading applications over the first couple of weeks of autumn/fall and invite applicants to interview in the weeks following.

Generally, psychiatry residency program applications include the following:

• A completed ERAS application
• Personal statement/s
• Supplemental statement/s (where requested)
• Letters of recommendation from dermatologists (usually following the SLOR format)
• A full, official medical school transcript
• Your USMLE Step 1/COMLEX transcripts
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Selection criteria are specific for each program but commonly applicants are scored on a combination of grades, clinical and research experiences, special interests, and anything else surgical departments/programs find relevant.

To be competitive, and stand a chance at matching into the best programs, you’re going to need great Step 1 and Step 2 scores, research experience, impressive extracurriculars, and a solid letter of recommendation.

Sources

• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/psychiatrist-salary
• https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2021.5.2

If you found this article interesting, you may find the following a useful read:

• 4 Best Psychiatry Anki Decks
• Shadowing A Psychiatrist (Ultimate How-To Guide)

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

Focused on skin, nails, hair, and other cosmetic issues, it’s also an important one.

The best dermatology residency programs offer those interested in the specialty the greatest training possible in the field and boast some of the finest dermatologists on earth as alumni. But they are competitive; as evidenced by a limited number of residency spots (approx 400).

This article takes a look at the top 6 programs in the country (as ranked by the US News Best Grad Schools Report 2022), taking a deep dive into what’s offered by each and what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to match.

We’ve also included key info on facts/stats for each program (where publicized) too.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

Before you dive into our article on the best dermatology residency programs, make sure you take a look at our Best Residency Programs page to get all the critical info on other specialty programs.

1. Stanford University

Stanford Dermatology ranks first in the nation for NIH funding and has the largest full-time faculty of any department in the field. The Stanford Dermatology Residency Program teaches a strong foundation in medical, pediatric, surgical, procedural, and cosmetic dermatology. 

On Tuesday mornings, residents attend clinical and pharmacology lectures structured around pathology-based themes. Pharmacology core lectures are taught in a case-based approach. In addition, the curriculum includes specialized lectures covering pediatric dermatology, basic science and translational medicine, and dermatology surgery didactics.

The 2+1 Track in Basic Science Investigation is designed for trainees interested in laboratory investigation. During the last year (PGY-4), postdoctoral laboratory work replaces most of the clinical training.

Residents seeking more exposure to education or clinical research can enter the Clinical Scholars Track. Academic leadership skills are developed through formal training courses, attending national dermatology retreats, and completing a mentored project. Participating in this track involves time spent in addition to the requirements of the clinical residency.

The residency program allows residents one month to complete a clinical elective during their training. Unique opportunities may be available outside of Stanford. Some residents have even completed electives abroad, in Taiwan and Botswana. And instead of a clinical elective, residents may choose to dedicate a month of their training to a research experience.

To find out more about Stanford’s residency experiences, check out the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: Stanford University
• Location: Stanford, CA 94305
• Program director: Kristin Nord
• Contact: 650-721-7193/kathrina@stanford.edu
• Website: med.stanford.edu/dermatology

2. Yale University

The Dermatology Residency Program of the Yale School of Medicine is designed to prepare physicians for careers in academic dermatology. As such, the program emphasizes elements of dermatology relevant to a career as a clinician educator, clinical scholar, or physician-scientist.

The 3-year program at Yale-New Haven Hospital is accredited by the ACGME and provides a comprehensive training experience in the clinical practice of dermatology. It offers a special training track in investigative dermatology funded by the NIH. A combined 2+2 Clinical Training and Research Track is also available.

Each year, the program receives over 500 applications. And around 40 candidates are invited to interview for the 4 to 5 positions to be filled annually.

Related: Dermatology: Why Is It So Competitive?

The residents have rotations in general dermatology clinics, specialty clinics, surgery and laser clinics, as well as dermatopathology and phototherapy. Second and third-year residents can design their own on-site or off-site one-month electives. The department has made a special arrangement for residents to spend a funded elective in London.

Take a closer look at Yale’s dermatology program in the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: Yale University
• Location: New Haven, CT 06520
• Program director: Michael Girardi
• Contact: (203) 785-4092/lisa.rao@yale.edu
• Website: medicine.yale.edu/dermatology

3. University of Pittsburgh

Pitt’s Dermatology Residency Program offers access to abundant clinical resources in all areas of dermatology throughout the University Health Centers and other institutions affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh.

The didactic portion of the resident’s learning is composed of lectures and conferences scheduled every Wednesday morning. Core competencies such as patient care, professionalism, and communication skills are integrated into the educational material taught and each of the clinical rotations.

Residents perform one research project each year under the supervision of a faculty mentor. And each resident must complete a manuscript report for peer-review publication to satisfy the graduation requirements for each year of residency.

The Resident Continuity Clinic allows residents to develop their expertise with relative autonomy. Residents formulate differential diagnoses and evaluate treatment options for their patients. They are then able to follow their patient’s progress.

The residents in the program practice in different general dermatology clinics to build an exhaustive knowledge of medical dermatology. From the traditional university-based clinic to private practice offices, they’re exposed to a variety of treatment strategies in the practice of dermatology.

You can find out more about this program in the video below…

DETAILS

• Name: The University of Pittsburgh
• Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15260
• Program director: Ellen Koch
• Contact: (412) 647-4279/ackermand@upmc.edu
• Website: dermatology.pitt.edu/residency-program

4. University of California Irvine

The Department of Dermatology at UCI School of Medicine offers a three-year ACGME accredited residency program designed to help residents become experts in medical and surgical dermatology. The program has 15 residents. Five positions are offered in each year’s match cycle, starting at the PGY-2 year.

The residents rotate through the dermatopathology service at UCI Medical Center during all three years of training. This includes a 10-week dedicated block of inpatient consults in the PGY-3 year. Residents also complete pediatric dermatology rotation blocks at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County during the PGY-3 and PGY-4 years.

A structured didactic program encompasses all areas of basic science and clinical education for which residents are examined by the American Board of Dermatology. Every Friday morning, residents attend lectures, conferences, and journal clubs.

Check out the video below for more on UCI’s derm program…

DETAILS

• Name: The University of California, Irvine
• Location: Irvine, CA 92697
• Website: dermatology.uci.edu/residency

5. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan Dermatology Residency is a traditional three-year training program giving its residents exposure to diverse clinical settings, philosophies, and patient populations. Established in 1913, it’s one of the oldest programs in the nation.

Residents have eight hours of protected didactic time each week. That’s the most of any U.S. program. The didactic curriculum is comprehensive and rigorous to prepare residents for the practice of dermatology and board exams. Practice management discussions and conferences cover the administrative, ethical, and legal aspects of modern medicine.

Rotating through various services and clinics, residents at Michigan spend most of their time in general and complex dermatology. The two main clinical sites are the Taubman Clinic, on the main medical campus, and the Domino’s Farms Clinic, on the north side of Ann Harbor.

Residents are encouraged to participate in clinical research projects, collaborating with faculty. Third-year residents can choose to dedicate half a day per week to serve as sub-investigators on sponsored clinical research trials where they learn how to use various clinical research tools.

PGY-4 residents have one month of elective time that they can use for additional training in procedural dermatopathology. They can also pursue research projects, write papers, or spend time in other services at the hospital.

DETAILS

• Name: The University of Michigan
• Location: Ann Arbor, MI 48109
• Website: medicine.umich.edu/residency-program

How Do Dermatology Residency Programs Work?

Training in dermatology involves completing four years of graduate medical education first before moving on to dedicated residency programs.

Dermatology programs are short in training length, averaging 3 years.

The specialty is one of the more competitive in the US. The average USMLE Step 1 score of individuals matching into the specialty is 248, while the average USMLE Step 2CK score is 256.

After residency common subspecialties (fellowships) pursued include dermatological immunology, dermatopathology and pediatric dermatology.

How Many Dermatology Residency Programs Are There?

There are over 150 dermatology residency training programs accredited by the American Board of Dermatology.

The examples above are considered the finest offered among those programs in the US and are ranked on criteria via peer assessment, residency director assessment, student selectivity, the mean MCAT score for the institution, the mean GPA of its matriculants, faculty resources, research activity and more.

The exact methodology is detailed in the U.S. News Best Medical Schools Rankings pages

How to Get Accepted Into a Top Dermatology Residency Program

Gaining admission into the top residency programs involves submitting a competitive application via ERAS, The Electronic Residency Application Service.

This is a centralized online application service that you’ll need to use in order to “match” into the programs above.

Most programs begin reading applications over the first couple of weeks of autumn/fall and invite applicants to interview in the weeks following.

Generally, dermatology residency program applications include the following:

• A completed ERAS application
• Personal statement/s
• Supplemental statement/s (where requested)
• Letters of recommendation from dermatologists (usually following the SLOR format)
• A full, official medical school transcript
• Your USMLE Step 1/COMLEX transcripts
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Selection criteria are specific for each program but commonly applicants are scored on a combination of grades, clinical and research experiences, special interests, and anything else surgical departments/programs find relevant.

To be competitive, and stand a chance at matching into the best programs, you’re going to need great Step 1 and Step 2 scores, research experience, impressive extracurriculars, and a solid letter of recommendation.

Sources

• https://www.prospectivedoctor.com/how-competitive-is-a-dermatology-residency/
• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/dermatologist-salary

If you found this article interesting, you may find the following a useful read:

• 6 Best Dermatology YouTube Channels (Learn About Your Skin!)
• Shadowing A Dermatologist (Ultimate How-To Guide)

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com