Pressure to publish for residency applicants in dermatology

As it grows increasingly difficult to match into a dermatology residency program each year, there is a widening gap in research accomplishments between those who have and have not matched successfully. Applicants should be aware of the current trends in order to maximize their chances of matching. Such research inequality may subsequently lead to increases in the pressure to publish and the incidence of academic misrepresentation. Academic dermatology programs should be aware of these issues in order to help their students successfully match and exercise caution when reviewing the curricula vitae of applicants. We believe that student mentors in dermatology are in the best position to help applicants navigate these challenges until effective checkpoints can be built-in to the application system.