Reply to Letter to the Editor Regarding: “Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic”
Authors: Donovan G. Kearns, Vipawee S. Chat, Shelley Uppal, Jashin J. Wu
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2020)

To the Editor: We appreciate the continued discourse regarding our article "Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic"1Kearns D.G. Chat V.S. Uppal S. Wu J.J. Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; 83: 1214-1215Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (8) Google Scholar by Alia et al2Alia E. Skudalski L. Lu J. Response to: "Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic".J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021; 84: e29-e30Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar that highlighted the novel challenges dermatology residency applicants are facing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to the issues facing all applicants this cycle, their response to our article highlighted groups of students that are particularly disadvantaged this cycle.2Alia E. Skudalski L. Lu J. Response to: "Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic".J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021; 84: e29-e30Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar We agree that geographically constrained students without a home dermatology program will be at a significant disadvantage this cycle by their lack of an in-person rotation. At a national webinar hosted by the Dermatology Interest Group Association and Association of Professors of Dermatology to address applicants' concerns in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, one-fourth of attendees interested in dermatology reported not have a home program.3Brumfiel C.M. Jefferson I.S. Wu A.G. et al.A national webinar for dermatology applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.09.043Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (10) Google Scholar Because these rotations allow students that may look less competitive "on paper" to exhibit their strengths in person, there will be less of an opportunity for them to make positive impressions, showcase their clinical skills, and demonstrate their fit with programs. As one means to compensate for this, we suggest that programs take note of students that were unable to secure an in-person rotation and make a sincere effort to holistically review their application, paying attention to strengths in their application outside the historically overvalued metrics of United States Medical Licensing Examination scores. Additionally, these students should make every effort to secure a virtual rotation, because this will still offer the student an opportunity to build academic relations and display interest and dedication to the field. We also believe that students with "weaker" academic records will face additional difficulty during this application cycle. Because most of the interactions between programs and students will occur virtually this year, there will likely be more weight given to aspects of a student's Electronic Residency Application Service application, including academic standing, test scores, and research accomplishments. Students whose strengths lie outside normative metrics (ie, United States Medical Licensing Examination scores) may be overlooked if programs do not make an active effort to review applicants holistically. This includes taking into account the psychological-social-economic background of applicants and looking into other unique aspects of the student's applications, including extracurricular efforts such as volunteering and community outreach. COVID-19 may also disproportionately disadvantage dermatology applicants under-represented in medicine, which should be accounted for during the residency selection process.4Jones V.A. Clark K.A. Patel P.M. Cordova A. Tsoukas M.M. Considerations for dermatology residency applicants underrepresented in medicine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; 83: e247-e248Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar In addition to paying special attention to applicants' individuality and distinguishing characteristics this cycle,2Alia E. Skudalski L. Lu J. Response to: "Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic".J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021; 84: e29-e30Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar we recommend the consideration of hardships that applicants have overcome. To overcome the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this application cycle will require creativity and flexibility from both programs and applicants alike. Students must be persistent in trying to make connections wherever possible and should use their Electronic Residency Application Service application to highlight the personal strengths they wish to showcase. Programs should make accommodations for students particularly disenfranchised by the pandemic and must commit to a fair evaluation of student applications. In doing this, we can overcome many of the challenges faced during this application cycle, and ultimately, help to make positive and lasting changes in the way dermatology applicants are selected. Response to: "Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic"Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyVol. 84Issue 1PreviewTo the Editor: We read with interest the recent article by Kearns et al1 detailing the changes being faced by dermatology applicants during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Their article took a closer look at the recommendations made by the Dermatology Residency Program Directors regarding the upcoming application cycle, specifically the elimination of away rotations, the conduct of virtual interviews, and the application review process in response to this novel situation.1 We would like to take the opportunity to raise awareness on additional challenges for subgroups of applicants surrounding the updated consensus statement and recommendations. Full-Text PDF