UC San Diego Dermatology Residency Program Application Process

Please return to this page for any ongoing updates as the ERAS application season approaches.

How to Apply

Applications for residency positions are accepted only through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). We welcome your interest and look forward to receiving your application. We wish you success in your endeavors.

We have two tracks applicants can apply to.

Dermatology Track: our traditional 3-year clinical dermatology track. NRMP Program Code: 1049080A0

Dermatology Research Track: this track combines 2.5 years of clinical requirements with 6 months of basic science research. Learn more here: NRMP Program Code: 1049080A1

Required Documents

1. ERAS Application 
2. Medical School Transcript
3. Dean's Letter
4. Personal Statement (preferably one page)
5. Curriculum Vitae
6. At least three Letters of Recommendation                                                                   
   • We will accept up to four                                                                                          
   • Required that a minimum of two letters be from Dermatologists
   • Required that at least one letter should comment on clinical skills
7. USMLE Scores                                                                                                                                                 
   • USMLE Step I is required 
   • USMLE Step II CK is highly recommended
   • USMLE Step II CS must be completed well before the start of residency. A Step II score is not necessary to be interviewed.
   • USMLE Step III score is not required for residency application but MUST be taken during PGY-1 intern year. Your scores do not have to be in by start of residency but Step III exam MUST be completed before start of PGY 2 residency year.
8. For Research Track Applicants

1. • One of your letters of recommendation should be from your research mentor and comment on your potential as a physician-scientist.
   • A supplemental application similar to an abbreviated NIH Biosketch will be requested when the application is submitted and due 1 week after the ERAS deadline below.

1. • 1. The supplemental has a 500 word limit (excluding citations)
     2. The first paragraph should be a brief research career specific personal statement: include career goals and plan for achieving that goal.
     3. The next sections should be a Contribution to Science section similar to the NIH Biosketch: describe your involvement in your most significant projects (recommend 1-2 projects), including your role, the impact of the work, and any future directions for this research. List up to 4 of your key citations associated with each contribution (references do not count towards word limit). You may include manuscripts currently under review or available as pre-prints (eg. Biorxiv), but do not include manuscripts in preparation.
   • Please complete the Supplemental Application Google Form.This supplemental application is ONLY for applicants to the Research Track and should not be completed if you are only applying for the clinical track. 

Important Dates & Deadlines

Please return to this page for any ongoing updates as the ERAS -application season approaches.

Preference Signaling 

Preference signaling will be used in determining interview offers

Frequently Asked Questions

We receive over 600 applications each year and are typically only able to offer around 40 interviews. Due to this, we are unable to offer interviews to many exceptionally qualified and impressive candidates.