Application Process

Stanford Dermatology Residency Program seeks trainees who promise to contribute positively to our program and specialty as demonstrated by:

  • Excellence in clinical skills, communication, teamwork and professionalism
  • Compassion, commitment to patient care, intellectual curiosity and a growth-oriented mindset
  • Leadership potential through activities such as rigorous scientific pursuits and/or sustained commitment to service, advocacy (including but not limited to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts), teaching or mentorship
  • Diversity of perspectives and life experiences

Residency Program Goals:

  • Ensure each resident graduates ready for independent practice in the domains included in credentialing as board-certified dermatologist with the skills needed to provide excellent and ethical patient care
  • Ensure every resident graduates with the tools needed to promote well-being as a physician and prevent/mitigate burnout
  • Create an environment that allows residents to build individual professional interests

 


Available Positions

The number of positions we are offering for this year, will be announced soon. The NRMP code for our Advanced Dermatology Program is: 1820080A0.  Matched applicants will begin July 1, 2026. 

Stanford participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). As an interested party, you must register for the Match by contacting the NMRP and provide your Match Number on the ERAS Application.


Due Date

Applications and all supporting documents for this interview cycle must be received prior to September 25, 2024 at 11:59PM PST.  Due to the number of applications we receive and the stepwise process we use to review applications, this date cannot be altered.


Criteria

Each complete application received prior to prior to the program’s deadline will be randomly assigned to 2 faculty members for an initial review process, using a mission-based scoring rubric looking at applicants’ attributes, experiences and academic metrics in the following content areas:

1.     clinical skills

2.     professionalism (which includes communication skills, teamwork, growth mindset, and responsiveness to feedback)

The program directors will conduct the second stage of the interview process and look for qualities that align with our educational values of curiosity, presence, bravery and belonging.

The final review will be with our Residency Selection Committee who will score an application in the following content areas and then determine the final interview list:

1.     scholarship

2.     leadership

3.     diversity and community engagement efforts (DEI)

4.     distance traveled.

Our program does not require research experience or prior publications, and while we require a passing score on USMLE Step 1, we have blinded our faculty to the numerical USMLE Step scores, as well as applicant photographs, race/ethnicity, hometown and citizenship on the application review process.  Our program welcomes applications from students in underrepresented groups, and we acknowledge and firmly believe that diversity is essential for excellence.  Finally, we welcome and can accept applicants who have completed another residency program.

Please note that while completing a clinical rotation at Stanford Dermatology provides a wonderful educational experience and the opportunity to meet the faculty and residents, it does not guarantee an interview for our residency training program. 


Interview Dates

We will be conducting virtual interviews again this year and interviews are by invitation only. Over 500 applications are received each year, and 44 candidates are selected for an interview. Regretfully, due to the large number of applications received we are not able to interview everyone, and exceptionally qualified applicants may not receive an interview invitation. Our program will be participating in the coordinated interview release date. Interview invites will be sent out on date TBD.

Interviews will be conducted on Thursday, January 16 and Friday, January 17, 2025. Interviewees will have the option to state their interview date preference but due to the limited spots on each day we cannot guarantee that applicants will be assigned to their preferred date.  Moreover, we do not condone unofficial interview day swaps. 


How to Apply

Applications are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Please complete all the information requested on the ERAS application. We will be reviewing all applications regardless of preference signaling choices.  Preference signals will be included in our review process.

As the Selection Committee reviews all of the information electronically, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL ANY DOCUMENTS; hard copies of any documents will be disregarded. The following information must be provided on the ERAS APPLICATION prior to September 25, 2024 at 11:59PM PST in order for your application to be complete and subsequently reviewed by our faculty committee:

  • Personal statement
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Transcript of medical school record
  • Letter from the Dean of your medical school
  • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members with whom you have had significant clinical, research or leadership experience. It is helpful if at least one letter comments on clinical skills. 
  • USMLE Step 1 score 

To secure your ERAS token:

US medical graduates must contact their medical school Student Affairs or Dean's Office.

Foreign medical graduates must contact the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate (ECFMG) at 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 or visit their website.

Canadian medical graduates must contact the Canadian Resident Matching Service at email cansmail@cams.ca or at 151 Slater St., Suite 802, Ottawa, Ontario KIP-5H3, Canada.


Interview Process

We do not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship or veteran status. We recognize that professionalism standards of hair and dress have been biased against a variety of minority groups.  We are an inclusive program and welcome applicants to attend as their authentic self, to whatever capacity they feel comfortable. 

After Interview Communication Etiquette: While communication lines are open for additional questions post-interview, to respect all of our applicants' personal time and well-being, we do not expect communication from applicants after interview day.

 


Visas

An International Medical School Graduate (IMG) is defined as a graduate of a medical school located outside of the United States. Stanford Health Care/Stanford Children’s Health supports the use of the clinical (ECFMG sponsored) J-1 Visa for all clinical trainees. Exceptions for individuals with pending green cards or individuals unable to obtain the ECFMG J-1 Visa may be granted. Approval from the Designated Institutional Official (DIO) and SHC Chief Medical Officer is required prior to use of an alternate visa.

Stanford uses J-1 visas sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. For more information visit http://www.ecfmg.org. Please allow 120 days for the processing of a J-1 visa. Stanford does not sponsor graduates of international medical schools on H-1B visas.

Under certain circumstances Graduates of United States medical schools may be eligible for the H-1B visa. This is at the discretion of the program. Approval must be granted by both the program and the DIO. The cost of obtaining the H1-B visa is the responsibility of the residency program training the Resident.


California Licensure

Residents begin the program as PGY-2, hence, incoming residents must have completed an approved internship program and be eligible for a California Physician & Surgeon's License prior to starting at Stanford on July 1st.

Specifically, 12 months of clinical training accredited by the ACGME or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada must be completed. The year must include four months from one of the following disciplines: emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics & gynecology or pediatrics. In addition, incoming residents must have taken and passed Step 1 and Step 2 CK of the USMLE. More information can be found at https://www.mbc.ca.gov/Licensing/Postgraduate-Training-Licensees/

For information about the Graduate Medical Education requirements at Stanford University, please refer to gme.stanford.edu.

For more information about the Stanford Dermatology Residency Program, please email inquiries to our education administrative team at derm_educationteam@lists.stanford.edu.

Last Updated 03/07/2024