Philadelphia, PA
Applicant sentiment — from 150 anonymous posts, 2016–2027
7.0 / 10
What anonymous posters said
Anonymous posters frequently grouped this program among a small set of highly regarded dermatology programs, citing strong research output and academic focus. Several commenters described procedural/reconstructive training positively and characterized the culture as supportive with happy residents, while some posts suggested connections or away rotations may help with interview chances.
AI-generated summary of opinions expressed in anonymous, unverified posts. It describes what posters wrote, not verified facts about this program. Based on these 150 posts · Updated Aug 2026 · Contest or respond to this entry · Takedown & right of reply
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Does anyone have info on how UCLA views gold signals, since they dont have their stats on residneyc explorer? + same with Penn, Northwestern?
penn basically said in their open house they want a gold
them wanting gold seemed more for those wanting to do ped derms because of CHOP
for general they said they treat gold and silver the same
Yall love getting bamboozled by Guttman
what programs are super heavy on research?
Penn, Hopkins, Harvard, UCSF, Stanford, Duke, Mich, Northwestern, basically the top tier academic institutions
< what if you're a DO that's heavy on research? Consnsus is MD programs like more research. DO programs like higher scores/academics. < then im cooked < CWRC/UH hospitals is DO friendly and research heavy
anyone know penn state's thoughts on signaling after aways?
this penn open house.....
useless
wtf, people are so mean! It was actually really helpful.
Yeah wtf lol they answered all the questions honestly? What else you want from them?
do any schools have secondary essays?
mt sinai did last year
I think BU did as well (?)
do these have to be completed at time of eras submission or after?
None that I'm aware of!
tysm :)
Schools that have secondaries: BU, U connecticut, U Iowa, Umiam (research track only), U Oklahoma, wash U (research track), Upenn has an optional one < iowa doesn't and WashU isn't offering researhc track this year
sorry! im just sharing what my PD sent us. but maybe this is last year's data?
WHen the fuck do we do secondaries?
tysm :)
sorry! im just sharing what my PD sent us. but maybe this is last year's data?
Are ppl gold signaling the ivies like penn harvard yale etc?
lnfo is available in signal tally tab
gold signaling Penn
Anyone who has rotated at Penn know who we can reach out to to ask to work with specific attendings?
Kelly Fraser
Does anyone know if any interviews are in person this year?
there def will be some - probably similar to last year maybe a few more
can we start listing them in the cell beside pls
should we make an interveiw detials tab????????
Anyone know when Mississippi is releasing?
Confirmed virtual : UC Davis, UCLA-harbor, UCSD, Penn State
Has anyone doing the Penn State away heard anything? I accepted months ago through VSLO, but never got a real confirmation, or was told to pay a deposit, or received any sort of onboarding/approval instructions? Not sure if my away is actually happening (oct dates)
Same here for a similar rotation date! Literally no confirmation or anything whatseoever, I check VSLO at least once a week to make sure I am not imagining it lol
you can email them but you will probably not get any information until the week before lol
same experience and had the same panic/fear. certianly reach out if you need help with housing during the rotation, but otherwise, i imagine they'll send more information closer to your rotation dates (I will also be there Oct/Nov)
you can email them but you will probably not get any information until the week before lol
same experience and had the same panic/fear. certianly reach out if you need help with housing during the rotation, but otherwise, i imagine they'll send more information closer to your rotation dates (I will also be there Oct/Nov)
Anyone heard from the Penn State virtual away yet?
denied bc rolling admission
when did you apply and when did you hear back? i know they moved up the due date due to the surplus of apps...
I applied & have not heard back
applied Jun 17 heard back Jun 23 (im the one who said denied bc rolling admission)
did you get it?
they just sent an email saying decisions will be released on July 18! Best of luck to everyone who applied!
What does someone do during a virtual away?
Is away at UPenn worth it? Apparently a lot of away rotators even gold signaled and didn't get an II
ya i heard it is not
may not get an interview but lots of people get a good letter from the inpatient week
people get letters after working with someone for only 1 week?
you have to be seriously impressive to have a shot there, look up their residents/recent match
you have to be seriously impressive to have a shot there, look up their residents/recent match
Someone deleted my message (probably someone from DermLinkScholars). I said I worked with Derm Link Scholars and wanted advice on if I should remove my publication with them from my CV since doctors have said it's unethical and low-quality research published in shitty journals that accept everyone who pays.
Hard to say, depends on if you did basic or clinical research. I'd just compare your productivity with your PI's other fellows or prior fellows to see where you stand
12+ if clinical, basic science isnt as much as clinical. have seen on average RY
applicantsget to 20+ on pubmed for their RYs.
20+ pubs or just research items in general? did basic science, and got 6 research items, with one manuscript in publication, would this be considered productive?
12+ pubs or items?
Recently matched after a basic science RY. I had 1 major pub that barely got published in time for ERAS. Basic science papers take forever and people reading your app know that. Supplemented with case reports and review papers. As a side note: for those applying after taking a basic science RY, please please please carefully evaluate what programs you apply to. Most schools that don't value research will not view you as a great fit and you're less likely to get an interview. < adding on to this that if you have a bunch of pubs and applying somewhere where they don't value research / residents don't have a bunch of pubs - same thing, you wont be seen as a great fit to interview or take as a resident
12 pubs in 1 year is ridiculous. unless ur PI is on the board of a journal it takes months for papers to get accepted
I mean "submitted" things count
does it? I recall the PD at Penn during the USC panel saying that anyone can say they "submitted" something so I'm worried they don't really value those
I have heard anecdotally that people have been asked in interviews to provide updates, so that may be one way that they verify "submitted" things ?
yeah submitted things count but im referring to them saying 12 things published
I was reffering to actual publications (not research items). Not saying it to scare anyone as I think research is just one part of your application in addition leadership, volunteering etc, so you can get in with less. Also basic science is dif very different from clinical. Just in my experience I have interacted with mentors that say 12-15+ . Just looking at Mayo, Mt Sinai, Albert Einstien, UM. California, Northwestern those are what some would consider productive
12+ if clinical, basic science isnt as much as clinical. have seen on average RY
applicantsget to 20+ on pubmed for their RYs.
20+ pubs or just research items in general? did basic science, and got 6 research items, with one manuscript in publication, would this be considered productive?
12+ pubs or items?
Recently matched after a basic science RY. I had 1 major pub that barely got published in time for ERAS. Basic science papers take forever and people reading your app know that. Supplemented with case reports and review papers. As a side note: for those applying after taking a basic science RY, please please please carefully evaluate what programs you apply to. Most schools that don't value research will not view you as a great fit and you're less likely to get an interview. < adding on to this that if you have a bunch of pubs and applying somewhere where they don't value research / residents don't have a bunch of pubs - same thing, you wont be seen as a great fit to interview or take as a resident
I mean "submitted" things count
does it? I recall the PD at Penn during the USC panel saying that anyone can say they "submitted" something so I'm worried they don't really value those
I have heard anecdotally that people have been asked in interviews to provide updates, so that may be one way that they verify "submitted" things ?
yeah submitted things count but im referring to them saying 12 things published
I was reffering to actual publications (not research items). Not saying it to scare anyone as I think research is just one part of your application in addition leadership, volunteering etc, so you can get in with less. Also basic science is dif very different from clinical. Just in my experience I have interacted with mentors that say 12-15+ . Just looking at Mayo, Mt Sinai, Albert Einstien, UM. California, Northwestern those are what some would consider productive
hows the residency director panel, any good tea?
not one singular useful piece of information. loves it! < it was helpful, they talked about step 2 scores, grades, narratives, not expecting folks to take an RY but if they did they need substantial RY work to be done, etc etc - Was it recorded?
they offer cookie cutter advice every year except for the Penn guy who gives the slightly more useful advice
what did they say about objectives like step 2/grades?
How did people find out about this panel?
it was on reddit
where do you find these things
DIGA
is there a recording available anywhere
it was on reddit
where do you find these things
DIGA
is there a recording available anywhere
got offered penn state october and am looking for june/july if anyone wants to switch
did they release June rotation dates yet?
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Penn views gold and silver the same