1 answer
Akira
Student
Hampton, Virginia
1
Question
Updated
941 views
What was the hardest part about becoming a Dermatologist and is it hard being in school for the long time?
My dream job is becoming a dermatologist and im very passionate about becoming one.
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1 answer
Christina Henley
Career Services Manager
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hi Akira! I love how clearly you care about dermatology — that passion really matters.
Becoming a dermatologist is hard, but not because it’s one nonstop grind. The hardest part is staying resilient over many years, especially when things feel competitive or discouraging.
The path looks like this:
- College with challenging science courses
- The MCAT and medical school applications (very competitive)
- Medical school (especially the third year, which has long clinical hours)
- 1-year general medical internship
- 3 years of dermatology residency
From high school to practicing dermatologist, it’s usually 12–14 years total.
Academically, the work is demanding, but many students say the bigger challenge is mental endurance — handling pressure, rejection, and self-doubt without giving up. Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties, so flexibility and persistence are extremely important.
The good news? Once in dermatology residency, the schedule is generally more balanced than many other specialties, and most dermatologists find the career deeply rewarding.
You don’t have to be perfect to succeed — you just have to keep showing up, even when it’s hard.
As a student, a great next step is to focus on doing well in your science courses and, when possible, seek out opportunities to shadow or talk with a dermatologist so you can see the day-to-day work up close.
Keep building strong foundations in biology and chemistry, and look for school programs, clubs, or summer opportunities that let you explore healthcare.
Remember, you don’t need to have every step figured out yet — what matters most right now is curiosity, effort, and consistency.
Becoming a dermatologist is hard, but not because it’s one nonstop grind. The hardest part is staying resilient over many years, especially when things feel competitive or discouraging.
The path looks like this:
- College with challenging science courses
- The MCAT and medical school applications (very competitive)
- Medical school (especially the third year, which has long clinical hours)
- 1-year general medical internship
- 3 years of dermatology residency
From high school to practicing dermatologist, it’s usually 12–14 years total.
Academically, the work is demanding, but many students say the bigger challenge is mental endurance — handling pressure, rejection, and self-doubt without giving up. Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties, so flexibility and persistence are extremely important.
The good news? Once in dermatology residency, the schedule is generally more balanced than many other specialties, and most dermatologists find the career deeply rewarding.
You don’t have to be perfect to succeed — you just have to keep showing up, even when it’s hard.
Christina recommends the following next steps: