The Application and Selection Process

The University of Michigan Department of Dermatology participates in ERAS® (Electronic Residency Application System) for residency applications. For additional information and to arrange for your application, please visit ERAS® online at: http://www.aamc.org/eras/. Every application submitted is individually reviewed by at least one faculty member.

Please do not call, as we do not accept phone calls from resident applicants. Please contact us at Derm.Res.App@umich.edu with further questions.

Your ERAS application must include:

• USMLE Part 1 board scores (we accept only USMLE board scores)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Dean's letter of reference

Application Criteria:

• Applications are accepted from graduating medical students, and candidates who have completed a one-year internship. Due to funding issues and at our hospital's request, generally we do not accept applications from candidates who have completed any years of residency training beyond internship.
• Prior research experience is not a requirement for receiving an interview.
• USMLE Part 1 scores are considered, as well as Part 2 and Part 3 scores when available. Based on past years, candidates with USMLE Step 1 board scores below 220 are unlikely to receive an interview.
• We accept applications for applicants from medical schools outside the US. Based on past years, only truly exceptional candidates have received interviews. We recommend that a separate letter detailing your exceptional promise be mailed to Dr. Ellis from a faculty researcher of international stature with whom you have worked. This ONLY applies to applicants from NON-US Medical schools.
• Only J-1 type of visa is accepted. Candidates with other types of visa should not apply.
• We do not screen on a candidate's AOA status.

The Selection Process

After all applications are reviewed, a faculty-based committee selects preferred candidates for interview. Those who are invited to interview receive an information packet with specific details and instructions for the interview date. Typically, tours and useful information are provided on Friday afternoon and a dinner with current residents is held on Friday evening. Interview day begins early on Saturday and lasts all day, with each applicant meeting individually with many interviewers. When all interviews have been completed, interviewing faculty meet to discuss and prepare the rank list which is then provided to NRMP (National Resident Matching Program). UM Dermatology fully commits to and participates in the NRMP.

3-year or 4-year Program

When you interview here, you will be interviewing for our advanced three-year dermatology program without an internship (i.e, internship completed elsewhere) and our categorical four-year dermatology program with an internship beginning July 1. The categorical internship has been designed by the Departments of Medicine and Dermatology to provide an excellent first year experience for subsequent training in Dermatology. This internship also provides additional time devoted to autoimmune disease and other relevant experiences. Call is limited and only one month is spent on an intensive care rotation. A representative of our Medicine Department will be on hand during the interview day to discuss this further. You may rank our program with an internship, without an internship, or both on your rank list.

2+2 Research Program

You may be interested in research opportunities that are offered in Dermatology. You can extend the dermatology portion of your residency to include research years. We do not have a separate match choice for the research track (also known as "2+2 program" referring to 2 years of clinical time and 2 years of research time after internship). If you are interested in a research career, we organize the 2+2 program after you match with us.