Applicant sentiment — from 140 anonymous posts, 2017–2027
6.5 / 10
What anonymous posters said
Anonymous posters frequently described Northwestern's program as highly competitive, citing large applicant pools relative to available spots. Many comments framed the program favorably in comparisons with other programs, and a few highlighted strengths in pediatric dermatology and Mohs training, while some posts referred to it as a 'rotation mill.'
Match termsmcgawnmhnmh dermnorthwestnorthwest mcgawnorthwesternnorthwestern dermnorthwestern mcgawnu dermnw dermnw med
Fame & Shame
2025–2026 Derm
2 entries
❌1. Formal between faculty and residents and tense. Not a relaxed feeling and some residents are standoff-ish and rude (some are wonderful, but it's very hit or miss). Generally not as social as they may seem. I was sad as this was my first choice in the beginning (esp given their social media) and I was a little shocked at how much I disliked it. I ended up ranking them very low after my interview. Also, only 1 resident has matched MOHs since 2019 and that match was back in 2020. One match in 2020? Are they not interviewing their own candidates? This was a red flag for me but if this is a consideration for you, maybe talk to the current residents to sus out program support. There do seem to be residents aiming for MOHs in the next classes, so hopefully their outcomes are better. Anyways, always try to get the most exposure to your top programs if possible, because they may surprise you in a bad OR good way. More info is better.
❌2. Have heard this is not a great program for Mohs since department is not as supportive in taking their own residents.
Does anyone know if UTSW has a combined med/derm program? They're on the Med Derm Society website and are on the Combined Med/Derm Webinar but I don't see any info about a combined med/derm program
Thanks for asking this, ive also been wondering about this too
Aug 28
0
Current med-derm resident, I can't remember exactly - on last year's webinar I believe they were still waiting to open but I believe they were opening. There is a med-derm webinar across all programs 9/14 and we can ask them to confirm there! Registration link: https://northwestern.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_njVS_Xk4SbKqORD28fzWsg#/registration
Aug 29
0
Thank you! It's rare we hear from med derm residents on this sheet. Makes it hard for people interested to know what those programs are looking for. Doesn't help that all med derm programs are at top institutions lmao
Even more important than rotation mills are programs that only take their own research fellows. While rotation mills will still interview and match a percentage of their rotators (with variability between programs), programs that only take their research fellows will rotate and interview many of their rotators, but ultimately offer little to no chance of matching for those outside their fellows.
Apr 2
0
what programs do this besides sinai
Apr 2
0
what programs do this besides sinai, Mayo AZ
Apr 2
0
Rotating, signaling, and interviewing at these programs is a waste of time and is performative; they already know who they plan to take for the upcoming cycle
Apr 2
0
WashU
Apr 3
0
very true. Do NOT waste your time at Mayo AZ or Sinai. UConn also (at least this year). CWRU as well is a major rotation mill people need to talk more about
Apr 3
0
UCONN
Apr 3
0
Penn
Apr 7
0
Wake
Apr 8
0
CWRU
Apr 8
0
northwestern
Apr 9
0
Every other year uconn has taken a lot of their away rotators, including all their current residents.
Aug 29
0
0
how do northwestern fellows typically fair in the match? theres always like 20 of them so im just curious
Seeing the biggest gunner that tried all cycle to ruin me and other research fellows/applicants match into a no name community program in an entirely different specialty while we all matched is bittersweet. On one end I would say they deserved it, but I also feel bad for them now because I know how dead set on derm they were < I know it's hard, but don't feel sorry for that person. You very much get the negativity that you put out in the world. There is no need for people going for Derm to be cutthroat to the point of sabotaging others and that person intentionally did so. In many ways it's karma coming back 10 fold.
never sacrifice your integrity for the game. bottom line. More people should adopt this mindset.
Mar 25
1
is this northwestern fellows?
Mar 25
0
this cycle gave me some peace of mind that justice still exists in the world, but i feel the same way. don't want to wish ill on other people, just want future applicants to value working together instead of against each other.
EIther. NW might be a smidge stronger but either is good
Mar 7
0
look at previous mohs match lists to compare both schools' histories with matching too! always helpful
Mar 7
0
0
Someone mentioned northwestern derm interview also counting as IM prelim interview. is this only true for med derm or would it apply to general/peds derm interviews too?> this is something to confirm with program coordinator! would not rely on info you get here
Only counts if you also separately applied to the advanced derm program. Then you rank both.
Feb 21
0
so if i interviewed for advanced derm at northwestern I can rank/be considered for northwestern IM prelim without a prelim interview? did not apply med derm
Feb 21
0
I believe it was only the med-derm people that automatically includes the prelim but agree would check with program coordinator!
Feb 21
0
so if i interviewed for advanced derm at northwestern I can rank/be considered for northwestern IM prelim without a prelim interview? did not apply med derm
Mar 7
0
0
Can we make a list in the cell to the right of places whose derm interview automatically counts as your interview for a prelim/TY year too?
Penn State, Northwestern, Yale (kind of), Georgetown, Ohio State, Brown, Cleveland Clinic, UPMC, UTHSC (tennessee), Zucker/Northwell, Emory, Mizzou, WVU, Dartmouth
Feb 21
0
wait I didn't know about Northwestern, are we sure?
Feb 21
2
northwestern med derm counts for prelim.
Feb 21
0
Penn state does??
Feb 21
0
yes Penn state does, presented to us on interview day
Feb 21
0
what about northwestern regular Derm/peds derm> NW med derm counts for advanced derm NW position + med derm position. NOT prelim. You can ask to be considered for categorical IM, but that was not guaranteed by just applying.
Feb 21
0
Exact wording: "We are very excited to welcome you to the Northwestern University combined Medicine-Dermatology interviews, which also serves as interviews for either the categorical Medicine and/or advanced Dermatology tracks, if you have applied to either of those Northwestern programs. "
Feb 21
0
northwestern med derm counts for prelim.
Mar 7
0
Penn state does??
Mar 7
0
yes Penn state does, presented to us on interview day
Mar 7
0
what about northwestern regular Derm/peds derm> NW med derm counts for advanced derm NW position + med derm position. NOT prelim. You can ask to be considered for categorical IM, but that was not guaranteed by just applying.
Mar 7
0
0
One of you on the Northwestern Fame and Shame said they had tea they were going to drop before rank lists were due. Well... We're all done with interviews. So can somebody please drop the tea about Northwestern??
i think that was from like 2 years ago (i, too, was waiting)
Feb 21
0
oh... damn... Do you know any tea? Anything???
Feb 21
0
no:( but there seems to be tea below from that paragraph ripping apart NW but i know nothing personally
Feb 21
0
oh... damn... Do you know any tea? Anything???
Mar 7
0
no:( but there seems to be tea below from that paragraph ripping apart NW but i know nothing personally
Mar 7
0
2
How are the research track/2 applicants thinking about ranking programs? I was most impressed by UCSF, then Penn/Harvard. New haven seemed bleak but good research. Going to be a tough cycle with how many apps there are this year and limited number of spots
it was honestly pretty chill with routine behavioral questions. Better culture than expected but agree that the resident/attending relationship seemed very formal
Feb 21
1
mine was mostly personal questions with a few standard ones, felt very relaxed
Feb 21
1
Why did you guys think the relationship was formal? I didn't pick up on those vibes.
Feb 21
1
0
Theres northwestern, southwestern, midwestern, there seems to be no love for programs with eastern lol
Thanks for asking this, ive also been wondering about this too