Dermatology Career Advising

Dermatology is a high-impact, fast-moving, and rewarding field that lets you combine science, artistry, and patient care—all while keeping a great work-life balance. If you’re looking for a specialty where you can make a difference, see real results, and have control over your career, derm might just be your perfect match!

The Department of Dermatology is committed to career advising and mentorship for our medical students pursuing careers in dermatology. Dr. Alicia Dagrosa is the Specialty Advisor for dermatology and Brittany Stark is the Academic Program Manager for Dermatology. Advising is interwoven with our enrichment opportunities, electives, and a multitude of department events and activities. We work closely with the Geisel Career Advising Office as well as the Office of Student Life to ensure students have the resources they need to plan and prepare for residency. The department also works very closely with our students through the Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) at Geisel. Please see below for a menu of ongoing events throughout the academic year as well as recommendations and resources. You are always welcome to contact Dr. Dagrosa or Brittany with any individual questions or needs. 

For more information about student events and activities, go to our Events page.

For more information about our Dermatology Interest Group, go to our Student Interest Group page.

Enhancement opportunities in dermatology

We have two enhancement opportunities for Geisel M1 and M2 students and we encourage students interested in dermatology to join each of these as they are able:

Recommended courses and electives

We recommend that students applying to dermatology residency complete the following courses, including and/or in addition to their core clerkships and curriculum requirements:

  • Dermatology-Rheumatology-Orthopedics: required preclinical course during phase II of the preclinical curriculum
  • Dermatology 501: Dermatology Clinical Elective (2-4 weeks)
  • Sub-internship: Internal Medicine, General Surgery, or Pediatrics
  • Dermatology 502: Inpatient Dermatology and Dermatopathology Elective (2-4 weeks)
  • Visiting rotations: we recommend two away dermatology rotations based on the most recent recommendation of the Association of Professors of Dermatology
  • Other electives to consider: Dermatopathology, Rheumatology, Allergy/Immunology, Hematology/Oncology

Research opportunities

We have both laboratory and clinical research opportunities for students. We maintain a database of ongoing projects that are open to new team members and we support new ideas for projects from medical students. Our Assistant Chief of Research (PGY3 dermatology resident) or our Clinical Research Coordinator can help connect students with research project teams. Students often work closely with our dermatology research fellows to complete projects in addition to our faculty and residents. Students have an option to pursue dedicated research time through our Dermatology 601 elective. 

Mentorship

We encourage students to establish mentorship within the DIG, with our residents, and with our faculty, as well as with Geisel alumni or dermatologists at other institutions. Many mentorships are established through research project teams and volunteering opportunities. Through our DIG we have also established Coffee Chats to connect students with each other as well as with the faculty and residents to help foster mentoring relationships. Finally, our Assistant Chief of Medical Student Education, a PGY3 dermatology resident, can provide guidance to students and help them connect with mentors. Mentorship opportunities are also available through the following organizations: 

Resources for students

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Dagrosa or Brittany with any individual needs. In addition, the following resources from the AAD and DIGA are useful for students considering a career in dermatology:

Career Advising Contacts

  • Alicia Dagrosa, MD - Specialty Advisor for Dermatology
  • Brittany Stark - Academic Program Manager for Dermatology