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Thoughts on some of the comments from the USC pd panel, interesting comment about research years and whether they are worth it. Seems like its still 50/50?
U Southern California
USCLos Angeles, CA
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Match termskeckkeck usclac+uscsouthern californiasouthern california dermu southern californiau southern california dermuniversity of southern californiauscusc derm
Fame & Shame
2025–2026 Derm
5 entries✅1. offered financial assistance to anyone who felt they needed it since the interview was in person!
✅2. This interview was in person and it was very well run and enjoyable felt like all the faculty really wanted to get to know me and the residents were very friendly! seemed like they were all friends with each other and were very supportive of and kind to me and the other applicants during "breaks"/downtime between interviews. I really liked the PDs and chair too. this dept comes off like they are very invested in each of their residents so if I end up matching here I get the sense they will really value me
❌1. Maybe not a shame but as a reminder doing an away here does NOT guarantee you an interview you truly need to shine and standout to get one and at least 5 other MS4s are rotating with you
“the comment regarding nepotism needs to be deleted as this is not true. please check facts before you make accusations and defame the currently matched students.”
❌1. in person interview and did not offer financial assistance to those in need
❌2. Insane nepotism Just matched the daughter of one of the Keck affiliated dermatologists. Such a joke of a program
Related programs
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Page 1 of 10
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Any programs that are known to be more open to resident rotators (MD Applicant)?
Harbor UCLA, USC, UCLA (if research fellow)
Jun 26
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USC is trash
Jun 27
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for rotating*
Jun 28
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I have a USC 9/21-10/15 looking to switch for a later rotation time (oct-november or nov-december) text me 985-807-7676
I also have a USC away rotation from 8/24/26 – 9/18/26 and also looking to move to the October block if anyone wants to rotate earlier 🙏
May 24
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Thoughts from the USC panel the other day: is it just me or did it feel like the PDs were giving very diplomatic answers? Like I genuinely believe that they are not a fan of the shift towards research years and churning publications, but how else would they distinguish between applicants? They say research isn't that important but if you look at the data, it really is. Tough spot to be in but would appreciate more transparency
Almost everyone USC matched this year took an RY
May 10
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<<<<Data shows that a RY corresponds with an addition 2 interviews...now this sounds small but if you think about someone who does not have a home program, gets interested in derm late, it's actually a no brainer to take one. The difference between 3 and 5 interviews, 4 and 6 etc. is non-neglibiel.
May 10
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source?>> it will be published soon
May 10
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maybe they start filtering out ppl who took research yrs just for a connection to advocate for them but had no real productive output. That or they just go harder off of step 2 who knows
May 10
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what's the verdict on rotating at USC? i am really torn about my away offer, but also declining when i don't have another one lined up seems bad strategically
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Which programs are known rotation mills?
Harvard
Apr 2
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USC
Apr 2
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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
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what programs do this besides sinai
Apr 2
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what programs do this besides sinai, Mayo AZ
Apr 2
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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
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WashU
Apr 3
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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
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UCONN
Apr 3
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Penn
Apr 7
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Wake
Apr 8
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CWRU
Apr 8
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northwestern
Apr 9
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Every other year uconn has taken a lot of their away rotators, including all their current residents.
Aug 29
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Can someone explain what a "rotation mill" is/means?
take a bunch of students for away roations and rarely offer those rotators interviews
Mar 22
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Why do programs do this? Seems like a waste of time for everyone involved
Mar 22
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Free Labor
Mar 22
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What schools are known as "rotation mills"
Mar 22
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you don't want to do any research yourself huh
Mar 22
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WashU, USC
Mar 22
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barely free labor if most of these schools don't let students do much anyways. i think they may not have the bandwidth or a good system in place to thoroughly vet students prior to offering aways but may later realize they are not competitive for their program
Mar 22
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Not OP, but the purpose of this sheet is to spread the word... let's not gatekeep (if possible!). No hate!
Mar 22
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WashU, USC()
Mar 22
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WashU, USC() F*ck USC. Look at last years spreadsheet
Mar 23
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its ok ur not missing out the training is skewed to obscure med derm u would need training outside of residency to feel comfortable as non academic/private practice gen derm
Mar 23
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Hello all, passing along an advertisement for a position as a research fellow/sub-investigator in a Southern California community research site and busy dermatology office. Research fellow gains exposure to clinical trials for various dermatologic diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Includes exposure to clinical dermatology, dermatologic surgery, and dermatopathology as well. Full-time, paid position (40 hrs/week). MD and intern year experience preferred but not required. 1-year position is available to start July 2026. If interested, please contact with CV to Dr. Howard Sofen at hsofen@ucla.edu.
Clinical Research Opportunity for dermatology applicants! For those who are heading into a gap year, I wanted to share about a clinical research opportunity as a research fellow/sub-investigator in a Southern California community research site and busy dermatology office. Research fellow gains exposure to clinical trials for various dermatologic diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Includes exposure to clinical dermatology, dermatologic surgery, and dermatopathology as well. Full-time, paid position (40 hrs/week). MD and intern year experience preferred but not required. 1-year position is available to start July 2026! If interested, please contact with CV to Dr. Howard Sofen at hsofen@ucla.edu.
May 10
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can we please make a shit list for ppl we hated during our application journey? toxic attendings, residents, and "co-authors" included
catty resident at Stanford who treated me like sh** during my away and then was fake af during my interview
Apr 3
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Two certain Harvard PIs who employ an army of research fellows and leave them hanging, also they play favorites...
Apr 3
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weird Case resident that made tiktoks talking shit about the rotating med students
Apr 3
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name and shame!!
Apr 3
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not OP but sounds like Vinod Naubidiri or Steven Chen
Apr 3
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Was this a PGY3??> lol i wish i could shame one place so much but it's too small >:( i think i've done enough shaming to the right people though
Apr 3
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Someone drop the tea on Case lol they matched only home students
Apr 3
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not OP but sounds like Vinod Naubidiri or Steven Chen >> Adena Rosenblatt at UChicago is a damn weirdo, and she has a passive aggressive MA that is rude to all the medical students.
Apr 3
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super rude PGY3 at USC Derm I hated working with her
Apr 3
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lol i wish i could shame one place so much but it's too small >:( i think i've done enough shaming to the right people though
Apr 3
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how do Nambudiri and Chen play favorites?
Apr 3
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yesss harvard is super bad institution nobody apply yall
Apr 3
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Harvard RYs have good match though, why not apply? I see RYs who did research with Chen matched Harvard... like?
Apr 3
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sounds like some salty people here this year
Apr 3
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every year there are, always happens after match :P
Apr 3
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i can't edit my comment but was being sarcastic w/ the nobody apply comment. the OP sounds a bit salty - not trying to invalidate the stress of RYs especially at a top institution that attracts great students
Apr 3
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super rude PGY3 I hated working with her
Apr 5
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Agree some oft the PGY3s at Case are so toxic
Apr 6
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was the stanford resident a pgy-2?
Apr 6
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case residents are so fake
Apr 21
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so to summarize, if the rumor mill is true, at least some ppl get calls from ucsf, harvard, yale, ucsd, usc, penn?
I don't think this is true. The PD at Penn is VERY clear they DO NOT do post II communication. he feels very strongly about it
Mar 14
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same with UCSF's PD..> the whole thing strikes me as BS especially with the earlier link to an article with a paid mentoring service
Mar 14
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I know people who got rtm calls from penn pd
Mar 14
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sure buddy
Mar 14
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I heard people who got Pen was for tracks and not by PD
Mar 14
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100% serious that I know schools that do post-ii communications/rtm calls when they tell everyone that they are hellbent on no post-ii communication. Just beacuse a PD says it does not mean they won't do it experiencing this gave me trust issues tbh lol
Mar 14
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PD's will do anything to get the best of the best, RTM calls happen because programs are selfish
Mar 14
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well at least i know i'm not the best of the best yeee
Mar 14
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I matched at one of the programs listed above, no RTM call. This rtm thing was absolute bs
Mar 21
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anyone else know attendings/residents who go around telling med students about other students' step scores? glad i ranked that place dead last.
elaborate lol
Mar 14
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USC did that when I was there
Mar 14
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whet lol.
Mar 14
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the place i was talking about is NOT USC
Mar 14
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so spil…
Mar 14
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Still stuck on UC Davis vs UCLA vs USC. Any thoughts?
UC Davis!
Mar 7
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why?> More protected time/chill than others, more personalized mentorship, less commuting between sites
Mar 7
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don't listen to this wild advice 😂😂😂 southern Cali >>>>>> Sacramento
Mar 7
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lol yeah this is an odd take unless you have fam/connections out in sacramento.
Mar 7
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this is 100% someone trying to get you to rank the LA programs lower lmao. UC davis def does not have more 'protected time' and does have quite a bit commuting between sites?
Mar 7
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yea Davis and Sac sucks ass
Mar 7
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Torn, Southern California vs NYC?
do you want culture or weather?
Feb 21
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dude SoCal alllll the way, do you love freezing and hate good food??
Feb 21
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walkability is important but i love warm weather. ahhhhh
Feb 21
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which of those two would impact your QoL more?
Feb 21
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yall crazy if u choose nyc over socal
Feb 21
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as a resident in nyc i so disagree but choose whatever makes you happy :) i couldn't be happier myself. quality of life is amazing and i am having so much fun > Agree. I'm a NYC stan through and through and I grew up in SoCal.
Feb 21
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I'd rather be in the middle of nowhere, Kentucky than brace the cold in NYC
Feb 21
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it's fine fr! and so worth it!
Feb 21
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went to NYC for med school then socal for residency: i think NYC more fun to live in, socal better to do residency/work in
Feb 21
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socal x 1000>> It's all preference, I prefer NYC to Cali for the social aspect >look at ur astrocartography chart
Feb 21
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lived in both, socal is more relaxed and the people are nice/less in a rush
Feb 21
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dude SoCal alllll the way, do you love freezing and hate good food??
Mar 7
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walkability is important but i love warm weather. ahhhhh
Mar 7
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which of those two would impact your QoL more?
Mar 7
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as a resident in nyc i so disagree but choose whatever makes you happy :) i couldn't be happier myself. quality of life is amazing and i am having so much fun > Agree. I'm a NYC stan through and through and I grew up in SoCal.
Mar 7
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I'd rather be in the middle of nowhere, Kentucky than brace the cold in NYC
Mar 7
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it's fine fr! and so worth it!
Mar 7
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went to NYC for med school then socal for residency: i think NYC more fun to live in, socal better to do residency/work in
Mar 7
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socal x 1000>> It's all preference, I prefer NYC to Cali for the social aspect >look at ur astrocartography chart
Mar 7
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anyone who interviewed at Keck (USC) transitonal year program remember how many weeks of electives we get?
18 weeks
Feb 21
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how'd you liek the interview? Kinda nervous bc it's a band new program
Feb 21
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nervous about prelim is wild. were only nervous about derm here
Feb 21
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not true lmao. It's valid to be nervous for new program. It's not like you can talk to any residents. Since it's USC I'm sure that they aren't starting from scratch so see if it's worth it in terms of elective vs wards vs night/icu vs perks liek you usually would from other prelim ty
Feb 21
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hellooo same person that said that they had insider info re: need for us to drive far away to diff sites - same insider info, seems it will be high workload. no i'm not trying to sabotage anyone's rank list u gunners lol. the admin seem nice though and seem like they would be receptive to feedback as new program
Feb 21
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high workload? I feel like it's just normal ward work. 1 week of nights on icu. It's 9 weeks of wards, 6 weeks of micu, 3 weeks of ER , 18 weeks elective, 12 weeks of ambulatory and 4 weeks vacation. Seems as cush as it gets
Feb 21
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the person was talking about amount of patients not the weeks.
Feb 21
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holy smokes, is it really 18 weeks? like 6 blocks of 3 weeks?> yea I listed more info to the left
Feb 21
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Quick question — as an M3 applying for aways, does anyone know how programs usually select students? Is it merit-based, random, or a mix?
I'd say majority of programs are actually first come first serve! So it's really important to make sure to apply soon after VSLO opens for the program, connections matter more for the programs that more intensively review away apps (ex., the ones that interview you during or guarantee interviews after)
Feb 21
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Thank you!!
Feb 21
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some require a personal statement, so I would get one done, doesn't have to be a great one! also get your vaccinations updated and some require urine drug screens so check program requiremennts
Feb 21
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Any insight into what the personal statement for this would entail? Any suggestions on the overall format/content/focus we should include?
Feb 21
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basic format is why derm, why specific program, what qualifications you have, there are some examples online for away personal statements that may not be about derm specific, but you can use it to tailor to derm
Feb 21
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Connections
Feb 21
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How would I go about getting these said connections or is it too late?
Feb 21
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do not apply to USC
Feb 21
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Connections usually mean people you've worked with from M1-M3 that you've become close with, sometimes these mentors are willing to reach out to programs you are doing aways at to help you get a spot
Feb 21
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agreed that connections should be from earlier in med school, would not recommend trying to meet a new mentor in the next few months and immediately asking them for help w away spots - I think that would be offputting for most people
Feb 21
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what about people without a home program?
Feb 21
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How would I go about getting these said connections or is it too late?
Mar 7
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do not apply to USC
Mar 7
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Connections usually mean people you've worked with from M1-M3 that you've become close with, sometimes these mentors are willing to reach out to programs you are doing aways at to help you get a spot
Mar 7
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agreed that connections should be from earlier in med school, would not recommend trying to meet a new mentor in the next few months and immediately asking them for help w away spots - I think that would be offputting for most people
Mar 7
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what about people without a home program?
Mar 7
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Some posts are shown because their comments mention this program.
Resarch years are about connections, or in rarer circumstances about producing very high quality translational work that will make you more attractive to top programs. If you can form the connections without a RY then more power to you. If you are pursuing something like peds derm or even med-derm, a RY may not be as necessary since there is less competitition for these spots and more focus on the clinical interest (that being said, if you feign interest in these it is very easily spotted)