The skin is the largest organ of our body and like any other organ; it needs careful maintenance to lead a healthy long life. Dermatologists are medical professionals who specialize in this particular field. To become a dermatologist, you have to be dedicated from quite an early period. Often, these medical professionals have a clear sight in mind so they prepare in steps to reach their goals. The following tips can help you take stock of these steps in view of becoming a dermatologist.
Start your schooling strategy right
To become an expert dermatologist you have to start with med school. However, before that you have to finish your undergraduate work with a proper college or university. During this time, you can choose any subject for your major. However, you have to pass your core tests for science orientation. This will include maths, chemistry, biology, physics, and organic chemistry. In some schools, the subjects might be a little more diverse and include calculus, genetics, or even molecular biology.
Planning for your residency journey
You should start planning for your dermatology residency from the early parts of your med school. Your first priority should be to get in any of the elite schools accredited by the ACGME or the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. In case you do not get in to any of these primary choices, your next line of priority should be to get in any of the AOA approved programs for dermatology. You should also strategize to take in the USMLE examination for your licensing. Further on. You can also consider fellowships with ACGME subspecialty.
The third year toll
Clerkship grades are inevitably important during this year. This is the year where you start finding a stratum for yourself amongst the many diverse field of medical science. Your clinical competence is evolved with this year. If you have the best performance during this year, you will be significantly ahead in your chance to be elected into AOA. The most important areas that overlap the dermatology field are the medicine surgery and pediatric clerkships. However, other clerkships are just as important and every rotation should be important to you while you build your profile for better education in your future. This year also build a close rapport with your faculty members because you will need them to provide strong recommendation letters for your educational progress in the later years.
Extra courses to refine your edge
Dermatology or even medical science as a whole is a very competitive field. Everyone is trying to establish his or her identity in the field. It is important to have an edge over your competition if you are looking to establish your identity from the early on as the best in your field. You can consider extra courses during your summers as a med student. You can volunteer or even enroll with grassroots medical programs in different parts of the country. This time can also be utilized to travel abroad and volunteer with third world or evolving nations’ medical programs to better understand the field. You can also look for a mentor or organize a committee to help volunteer in other countries. In essence do things that set you apart from the rest of the pack.
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