Thread by @ilanarosman

Great points by @jbcarmody on the new @ERASinfo secondary application tool. I'll add a few points & address some questions I've seen, particularly related to how the process will unfold in #dermatology for #Match2022. 1/

https://twitter.com/jbcarmody/status/1409524582432788485

@jbcarmody @ERASinfo 1. Participation by individual programs is voluntary in #dermatology. We will encourage programs to participate but not mandate as a specialty.

2. Programs will decide whether the tool is required or optional for their applicants. 2/

What does this mean for you?

Because #dermatology applicants typically apply to >60 programs, unless you plan to apply to very few programs that happen to not be participating, you will very likely need to complete the new supplemental application. 3/

3. @ProfsofDerm and @AAMCtoday will release the list of programs participating, and whether completion of the tool is required or optional for each program. Look for this list in early to mid-August.

4. @ProfsofDerm will also release more info & guidance...also in August. 4/

5. The application will include a revised experiences section. This allows applicants to provide better information about their experiences.

To prepare - look through your CV, think about what activities are meaningful to you and best showcase your unique experience. 5/

Note: again, more info about how to complete this section and what information is being asked of you will be released later this summer (likely August). But, it's not really asking for *new* info, just more structured guidance on how to talk about the activities you've done. 6/

6. The application will also ask about geography - still being developed, but think of this as a way to highlight where you've lived, worked, studied, and where you may want to be *if* you have a specific reason to be in an area of the country. 7/

This is not designed to exclude anyone from going anywhere, and if you have no geographic preference, totally ok!

But, allows more explicit discussion rather than inferences & assumptions that already occur during application screening. 8/

7. Preference signaling will be included.

Yes, this is for sure the area that generates the most questions, concerns, anxiety, etc. 9/

As you all know, I'm a proponent of application caps. @jbcarmody @JohnCarlsonMD and I wrote about them, and you can check out prior tweets from me on this topic.

But, that's not on the table right now. Preference signaling is. 10/

cureus.com/articles/47109…

@jbcarmody @JohnCarlsonMD As @jbcarmody points out, the process is a zero sum game. No matter what reforms we implement this year, the only thing that will change the match rate is either an increase in positions or a decrease in applicants.

Neither is happening in #dermatology anytime soon. 11/

Most likely, the match rate in #dermatology will continue to decrease slightly, as long as we continue to see more applicants. The number of positions has been relatively stable over the past few years.

If/when that happens this year, it doesn't mean these reforms failed. 12/

Again, match rate only depends on # of positions and # of applicants.

App caps, pref signaling, refined application etc will hopefully lead to better matching (ie better alignment of preferences between applicants and programs). 13/

So, back to preference signaling...

There's a lot being discussed right now, including # of signals, how programs will use, how to counsel applicants on choices. 14/

Most likely, there will be 3-5 signals for dermatology. Final number depends on how many programs participate, and how programs decide to use signals.

I agree with @MishaRosenbach's point here. 15/

https://twitter.com/MishaRosenbach/status/1409827465745346565?s=20

Important to remember though - many dermatology programs strive for holistic review on most/all applications. So, a token may mean more than just getting holistic review of your application.

Again, @MishaRosenbach's point here is important. 16/

https://twitter.com/MishaRosenbach/status/1409827662563008512?s=20

@MishaRosenbach It is increasingly difficult to predict your chances of getting an interview at a specific program. Personally, I think the best strategy will be to research programs, be honest about your interests and application, and signal the programs you are truly interested in. 17/

There will be more guidance about how to approach preference signaling.

For now, I recommend:
- Work on your personal statement
- Think about which activities & experiences are most meaningful to you & why
- Check out websites, social media, etc. for your top programs 18/

Before you research programs, identify what factors are most important to you: patient populations, diversity of residents or faculty, geographic setting, clinical curriculum, research program, etc.

Look at websites, social media accounts with those elements in mind. 19/

Don't make decisions on signals right now. Make an informed decision in September once you have all the necessary information - # of signals, how programs use signals, info on your programs of interest, etc. 20/

Last few thoughts. I wanted to highlight this point by @DrCWDavidChang (one of those most involved in ENT preference signaling). 21/

https://twitter.com/DrCWDavidChang/status/1409709672089542664?s=20

We are not doing this to make the process more stressful for you. We truly believe these reforms are necessary to improve the process for everyone.

That doesn't mean everyone will match (see earlier in the thread for more), but that the process is equitable and sustainable. 22/

And while I am hugely in favor of app caps, I think an equally important - if not more so - element is refining the application content & delivery.

Even with fewer applications, it will be hard to distinguish applicants from each other unless we have a better application. 23/

To truly transform selection process, I'd like to see:
✔️ Transparency from programs & applicants
✔️ Refined application (particularly experiences & activities)
✔️ Preference signaling (broadly includes tokens, app caps, and/or interview caps) x