Application Guide to Dermatology Residency

How to be a competitive Applicant

What are Military Residents Looking for in their Future Residents?

Congratulations on making it through most of your medical school journey and deciding to pursue Dermatology! As a military medical student—Health Professional Scholars Program (HPSP) or Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) —you will follow a path that differs in several key ways from your civilian peers. This guide outlines the service-specific options available to you and explains the various routes to matching into Dermatology. Whether you are applying directly from medical school or returning as a field applicant, this combined document, approved by the Association of Military Dermatologists (AMD) and Residency Program Directors, provides the essential information you need.

Military dermatology residencies assess many of the same factors as civilian programs; however, applicants must have an active contract to enter onto Active Duty at the time of application to be eligible for and considered for a military residency program. This typically includes HPSP or USUHS students, as individuals without an Active Duty service obligation are not eligible to apply. In addition, military programs place particular emphasis on teamwork, professionalism, military bearing, and commitment to service. It is crucial to work well with residents, attendings, and support staff, and to get involved early to demonstrate your passion for dermatology and military medicine. Strong applicants are well-rounded, clinically excellent, and aligned with the mission.

Timeline for Applicants

1st – 2nd Year of Medical School:

• Work Hard Get Good Grades
• Start Getting Involved in Dermatology and Leadership / Service Activities
• Pass Step / Level 1 Board Exams

3rd Year of Medical School:

• Excel on your Clinical Rotations
• Get three Letters of Recommendation
• Score High on your Step / Comlex 2 Boards.
• Identify that Dermatology is your desired speciality
• Dec 1st = Schedule Audition Rotations ( or 9 months in Advance from desired date)

4th Year of Medical School:

• July – October (2nd week): Excel on your Audition Rotations and make sure you complete your interview.
• July 1: MODS (Medical Operational Data System) website opens for pre-registration and initial data entry.
• August 31: Pre-registration deadline (PGY-1 info, initial preferences).
• By Mid-October: Final application deadline; all documents uploaded, location/specialty ranking finalized. Must also apply for Transition Year Spot.
• Late October: Application scoring begins.
• Mid-November: Joint Graduate Medical Education Selection Board (JGMESB/GMESB) meetings for all services.
• Mid-December: Match results released.
• January: Post-match options (Transitional year and “SOAP-like” Scramble process). GME (Graduate Medical Education) acceptance letters due. 
• January 15 (Air Force): GME acceptance letters due. 

Military match is earlier than the civilian match and as a result Preferred rotation months are July–September. June may be accommodated if necessary, though clinical and academic experiences are often limited due to graduate outprocessing, staff leave, and the absence of incoming interns. October rotations are less ideal, as applicants may not complete a full four weeks before programs must submit evaluations and preferences.

You must create and submit your initial MODS application by August 31. Even if your application is not complete, it must be submitted by this date. However, you can continue to update your application until the final deadline on October 15. Additionally if apply into dermatology you must reach out to the Transitional Year Internship Program Directors to schedule interviews or, at minimum, to submit a CV and personal statement.

By October 15, your MODS application must be fully complete. This includes submitting your personal statement, rank list, CV, photo, board scores, letters of recommendation (LORs), MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation), current Periodic Health Assessment (PHA), and deferment form if applicable.

Scheduling Rotations / Interviews

Military dermatology audition rotations typically range from a few weeks to four weeks in length, with most programs encouraging a full four-week rotation. From July through the second week of October, slots are reserved for applicants participating in that year’s GMESB cycle. Students should submit rotation requests well in advance—at least nine months ahead for San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) or by December 1st at midnight for other sites. 

Once on rotation, medical students are assigned daily to a senior resident or faculty member and are expected to demonstrate the ability to succinctly present to resident/staff what they found on history/exam demonstrating a solid foundation in dermatology, history taking, and physical examination skills. Students involved in surgical procedures must be able to scrub in properly, maintain a sterile field, and understand the relevant anatomy to participate safely and effectively.

During the rotation, students take part in daily academic sessions, skills labs, and hands-on clinical experiences alongside the residents. MS4s are also expected to work through the American Academy of Dermatology’s Basic Dermatology Curriculum learning modules, with an accompanying examination that can be completed gradually throughout the rotation. In addition to clinical responsibilities, each student will deliver a five- to ten-minute presentation during an internal academic session or Grand Rounds, typically on a dermatology-related topic chosen with guidance from faculty or residents. At certain sites, such as Walter Reed and SAUSHEC, students may also be required to complete an end-of-rotation quiz as part of their evaluation.

San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC), San Antonio, TX

 HPSP Students for setting up rotations: 

1. SAUSHEC uses an online platform for scheduling HPSP medical student audition rotations. Please use this link to create an account on Clinician Nexus.
2. Once your account is created, you can find rotation opportunities (“clinical experiences”) by searching on the Clinician Nexus website. Please see this article for guidance.

NON-HPSP Students for setting up rotations:

1. All rotations must be requested through the Student Coordinator via email. Do not contact the departments directly, as this may result in over-scheduling causing unexpected cancellations.
2. Interview season for fourth year Medical Students is from May to October each year. Rotation requests from fourth year military medical students intending to interview will be given the highest priority for consideration.
3. During the non-interview season (October to May), students requesting Active-Duty Training rotations are given a higher priority for rotation requests than non-ADT rotations.
4. Medical Students will receive a confirmation letter via email once rotation is scheduled. Read the confirmation letter carefully and immediately begin submitting requested information. If requested information is not received within two months of start date your rotation will be automatically cancelled.
5. HPSP Medical Students requesting a non-ADT rotation must have a Memorandum of Affiliation in place between SAUSHEC and the student’s medical school (takes from two to six months). The Student Coordinator will provide contact information when a request is received.
6. Civilians, with no military affiliation, must initiate a National Agency Check with Inquiries through the BAMC Security Office as soon as possible, but no later than one month prior to rotation start date. Contact Student Coordinator for detailed instructions.
7. Rotations at SAUSHEC are very competitive! Rotation requests should be submitted on the earliest allowable date. When the Medical Student limit is reached per specialty, Student Coordinator will work with Medical Students to secure an alternate date, sub-specialty rotation, or rotation in alternate specialty to ensure Medical Student is on-site for face-to-face interview.

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), Bethesda MD

To Schedule a Rotation:

HPSP, HSCP and USUHS Medical Students should contact our medical student coordinator, dha.bethesda.Walter-Reed-Med-Ctr.mbx.gmerequests@health.mil, about prospective rotations. Please do not contact the departments directly. 

Rotation requests will be accepted starting at 12 a.m. (midnight) EST on first Monday of December and processed in the order they are received. Students are required to have electronic copies of their HIPAA and DoD Cyber Security training certificates for WR in-processing.

Interview Guidance

Interviews will generally be conducted every year from July 1st  – October 15th. If you are interested in applying that year for Dermatology Residency at WRNMMC, please contact the Program Administrator for in-person or virtual interview scheduling. Those interviewing in person are encouraged to also attend Grand Rounds and/or clinical activities the morning of the interview. Please be prepared to provide the following:

• Current CV 
• Personal Statement
• Best contact phone number and email
• Uniform: Navy – Service Dress Blue or Summer Whites, Army – ASU or AGSU

If a medical student is applying, they should also reach out to the Transitional Year Internship Program Directors at SAUSHEC, WRNMMC, and, if applicable, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Texas (WBAMC) and Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii (TAMC) to schedule interviews or, at minimum, to submit a CV and personal statement.

Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), CA

To Schedule a Rotation

Health Professions Scholarship Program and Health Services Collegiate Program

• Email: dha.san-diego.San-Diego-NMC.list.nmcsd-medstuciv-owners@health.mil
• Phone: 619-531-1418

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Medical Student Rotation Coordinator

• Email: dha.san-diego.San-Diego-NMC.list.nmcsd-medstuusuhs-owners@health.mil
• Phone: 619-532-7069

Interview Guidance

Interviews are offered from July – mid October. Each applicant will be provided a program overview by the Program Director. Applicants are then given a 30-minute interview with an interview panel consisting of the Program Director, a faculty member, and a Chief Resident. Interviews are normally held in-person.  Virtual interviews may be conducted for those individuals who are deployed or are stationed in remote and/or overseas duty stations.  To request in interview, please contact the Dermatology Program at: dha.san-diego.San-Diego-NMC.list.nmcsd-derm@health.mil

Army Dermatology Residency Route

Available Spots:

Each year, there are typically 2–3 medical student positions at Walter Reed and 2–3 positions at BAMC for applicants going straight through to dermatology residency. The number of positions available for reapplicants (GMOs) varies annually and can shift based on service needs and funding.

Available Residency Options:

Army applicants cannot apply for civilian-sponsored dermatology residencies. The primary Army-affiliated training programs include:

• San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) Dermatology – San Antonio, TX
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Dermatology – Bethesda, MD

While not routine, Naval Medical Center San Diego has accepted Army applicants in select years.

Paths:

The Army may select medical students to proceed straight through from medical school to internship and directly into dermatology residency. Additionally, there is a separate field applicant pool (which includes interns, GMOs, staff providers in other fields), which is evaluated independently each cycle.

Navy Dermatology Residency Route

Available Spots:

• 1 straight-through 4th year medical student spot (apply through MODS)
  • Involves an internship (IM or TY) at NMCSD and then directly to dermatology residency.
• 1-2 Intern Applicants are selected for “pilot program” 
  • Intern Applies for Dermatology and will start residency after completion of an operational tour. These tours are 2-3 years serving as a flight surgeon, dive medical officer, or general medical officer (i.e. with Marines or on a ship). 
• 3-4 applicants are selected from those currently serving in the operational billet ( serving as a flight surgeon).

Residency Options:

• Naval Medical Center – San Diego, CA
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Dermatology – Bethesda, MD
• It is typically very rare for applicants to be selected for a civilian deferment or civilian training.

Paths:

Fourth year medical students may apply for direct acceptance into a Dermatology residency which is at NMCSD, but should also plan a rotation at WRNMMC. Applicants who are not initially selected may apply for the Dermatology “Pilot Program” during their internship year. If accepted, residency training will begin after completion of a 2-3 year operational tour. Applicants currently serving in the Navy may apply after completing an operational tour or, if assigned to an operational billet, may apply during each application cycle.

Air Force Dermatology Residency Route

Available Spots:

As a fourth-year medical student, you can apply either to military dermatology positions and/or through the civilian dermatology route (civilian sponsored or civilian deferred). The number of spots available each year varies based on Air Force needs and funding, but typically ranges from 1–3 positions, with fluctuations year to year.

In the Military Match, applicants apply directly to military programs. You may reapply multiple times without penalty, though it’s important to continually demonstrate commitment to dermatology and strengthen your application.

In the Civilian Sponsored route, you apply to civilian dermatology programs through ERAS. The selected civilian program does not fund your residency—you remain on active duty and receive active duty pay, healthcare, and housing allowance. In exchange, the Air Force requires an additional active duty service obligation (e.g. a three year residency would incur three years of payback on top of your HPSP or USU obligation)

Residency Options:

• San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) Dermatology – San Antonio, TX
• Civilian Dermatology Residency (via Civilian Sponsored pathway)

Paths:

The Air Force often asks medical students to complete a transitional or intern year followed by a 2–3 year GMO or Flight Surgeon tour before applying to dermatology. However, applicants can apply directly during their fourth year of medical school, and some are selected to proceed straight through.

Field Applicants or Reapplying into Derm

Reapplying to dermatology or after another residency is completely acceptable—there is no penalty for doing so. Not every applicant has a direct pathway, and each individual’s route is unique. The key is to use the reapplication as an opportunity to strengthen your candidacy. If possible, reach out to the Program Director for advice on areas of your application that may need improvement. Focus on targeted enhancements, such as completing research projects or publications, which can help earn additional points and make your application more competitive.

It’s important to continue engaging with consultants and programs throughout the process. Keeping them informed about your progress allows consultants to provide guidance on your probability of matching each year. At the same time, be mindful of your obligations, such as GMO assignments or other service commitments, as these can affect your ability to attend training if you are already in a billet.

Field applicants are encouraged to re-interview with programs each year; however, in-person interviews or rotations are not expected or required. In some cases, field applicants may be able to coordinate with their commands to obtain one week of TDY or leave to rotate at a program to which they are applying. When feasible, this can be a valuable opportunity to explore a top-choice program and allow the program to become more familiar with the applicant. While permitted and often accommodated by programs, these short rotations are optional and not necessary for a successful application.