We offer two separate options through our dermatology residency program:

  • A standard three-year advanced dermatology training program (NRMP: Dermatology, 1353080A0)
  • A combined research and clinical dermatology training program (Physician Scientist Training Program [PSTP]) (NRMP: Dermatology/Physician Scientist, 1353080A1)

Applicants who have completed a prior residency in another specialty are eligible to apply to both of our residency program tracks. Eligible applicants for the Physician Scientist Training Program include graduates with a combined MD/PhD degree or a MD degree and a strong record of basic science research experience. The most competitive candidates will have a strong commitment to a research career in academic medicine and an outstanding academic record. Applicants will only be considered for one track; if an applicant has applied to both tracks, it will be assumed they are interested in the Physician Scientist Track and they will not be considered for the standard three-year advanced dermatology track.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Application materials due: September 25, 2024

Interview invite release

  • PSTP: Monday, November 4, 2024
  • Standard: Monday, December 2, 2024

Interview scheduling

  • PSTP: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
  • Standard: Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Interviews

  • PSTP: Thursday, December 5, 2024 (all day, includes 10 minute research talk, optional informational and social session on the Wednesday afternoon/evening before)
  • Standard: Thursday mornings in January 2025 starting January 9 (either 8-9:30a or 10-11:30a, optional session with residents each week in January on Wednesday evenings)

All applicants will be notified of their status (waitlist, interview, decline) by December 31, 2024.

How to Apply

Applications for residency positions are accepted only through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS).

All applications submitted by the deadline are reviewed by our resident selection committee, comprised of several of the Washington University Division of Dermatology faculty. PSTP applications are reviewed by physician-scientist faculty in our Division. Please include three letters of recommendation with your application. We recommend at least one letter from a dermatology faculty member and one from a non-dermatology faculty member you worked closely with during a core clerkship. If you are applying as a physician-scientist, one of your three letters of recommendation must be from your laboratory mentor.

We require a passing score on USMLE Step 1, but otherwise do not exclude applications on the basis of a numerical Step 1 score. USMLE Step 2 CK is not required to apply. Step scores are not reviewed as part of our application review process. There is a required supplemental application for the physician-scientist track only; this will be sent to physician-scientist track applicants in early October. Applicants who have completed a prior residency in another specialty are eligible for both of our residency program tracks.

Transparency in the Application Process

We are committed to a holistic application review process with the goal of finding a mutually beneficial fit for our program and applicants. We work with our resident selection committee to create scoring rubrics for application screening and for interviews that prioritize shared values and goals in order to optimize the match process.

For the advanced track, our selection criteria for interviews include demonstration of long-standing engagement in activities meaningful to the applicant; commitment to cultural competency, service, diversity, and inclusion; personal and professional qualities (eg work ethic, growth mindset, insight into career and issues facing the profession), and academic achievement and potential (USMLE scores are not considered as part of this process). Research is not required, but scholarship and inquiry are encouraged in any field. Other aspects including identification as an underrepresented in medicine (URiM) applicant, lack of a home dermatology program, and special interest in our program or region are taken into consideration.

Given the number of applications received each year and the increase in program signals available to applicants this cycle, we can only guarantee in-depth holistic review of applications that include a signal to our program. We may or may not be able to review the remaining non-signaled applications; if you are not planning to signal our program, please consider whether it is worth applying since we cannot guarantee your application will be reviewed.

For our PSTP track, emphasis is placed on quality of research as well as potential to become an independent physician-scientist in dermatology.

All open interview positions will be released on each of our two release dates (TBD for PSTP) and December 4 (all advanced track interviews). We follow the recommended coordinated interview invite release guidelines; applicants will be asked to schedule 48 hours after interview invites are released.

During interviews, applicants will interview with dermatology faculty members as well as residents. PSTP applicants will also meet with other investigators in their area of interest at the institution. PSTP applicants will also be asked to give a 10 minute talk about their research to the selection team.

For the advanced track, applicants will be scored independently by faculty and resident interviewers based on the interview process and perceived goodness of fit with our program. Program and geographic signals are not taken into consideration during the ranking process.

Please feel free to direct questions or significant informational updates (particularly related to couples’ matching or partner/family situations) to our program coordinator, Megan Ritterbusch. We prohibit additional pre- and post-interview communication related to preferences; please do not send thank you notes or letters of intent at any point during the process.

Please see more information about the 2024-2025 application cycle here.

Commitment to Diversity

The Division of Dermatology is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive learning environment and encourages applications from students who are underrepresented in medicine, including individuals whose personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, health condition or disability place them at risk for conscious or unconscious bias or discrimination.

Additional Application Information for Physician Scientist Training Program

Eligible applicants include graduates with a combined MD/PhD degree or an MD degree and a strong record of basic science research experience.

Applicants will be required to apply through ERAS to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University Dermatology/Physician Scientist (NRMP: 1353080A1). Applicants selected for interview will be asked to give a brief presentation about their work for the selection committee on the interview day. Additionally, applicants are strongly encouraged to, but not required to, apply for the Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University Internal Medicine-Preliminary program (NRMP: 1353140P0). If you are interested in the Physician Scientist Training Program, please only apply to the Physician Scientist Track. Applicants may only be considered for one track.

If you are applying as a physician-scientist, one of your three letters of recommendation must be from your laboratory mentor.