AAD Pathways Medical Student Mentorship Program
The Pathways Medical Student Mentorship offers hands-on exposure to students who are interested in learning more about the specialty of dermatology through a one-on-one mentorship experience with a dermatologist of the student's choice.
Who should apply: First- through fourth-year medical students may apply to participate in the program. However, we highly encourage medical students to apply in their third or early fourth year of medical school when they have already decided on dermatology as a career and can use the month-long mentorship experience to work on publications and clinic work to receive an advantageous letter of recommendation from their mentor.
Applications do not request or collect demographic information. Selection is based on eligibility, relevant experience, demonstrated need, mentor fit, interest in serving underserved communities, and program capacity. Equal opportunity statement applies.
Program and grant: The mentorship is a one-month program that consists of a full-time, 40-hour work week for four weeks for a total of about 160 hours of experience. Medical students commonly participate in this program in the summer months, but it must be completed by Dec. 1. The mentorship may be completed in a choice of environments, such as a medical center, hospital, or private practice. A $1,500 grant will be awarded during time of mentorship to assist with travel and living expenses.
Please note that funding is not awarded retroactively for any work completed prior to the official grant announcement.
Applications for the 2027 AAD Pathways Medical Student Mentorship Program are now closed
Must be a first- through fourth-year medical student who is enrolled in a U.S. medical school. We highly encourage third and fourth years to apply to use the experience to work on publications and clinic work.
Must be a U.S. citizen or have a permanent resident visa.
Upon completion of the mentorship program, participants are required to complete an online survey evaluating the program and include a brief description of future plans to pursue dermatology.
First/second-year medical students:
A copy of your CV/Curriculum Vitae.
Letter of good standing from medical school.
MCAT scores.
Medical school GPA (if n/a then a copy of college GPA, both overall and science; pass/fail grades, class rank or status, or grades to date).
Two professional letters of recommendation. Letters must come from professors or a dermatologist physician you have worked with who can attest to your moral character. Letters should not be submitted by family members or employers.
Third/fourth year medical students:
A copy of your CV/Curriculum Vitae.
Current medical school transcript.
USLME Scores (Step 1 Exam).
Medical school GPA (if n/a then a copy of college GPA, both overall and science; pass/fail grades, class rank or status, or grades to date).
Two professional letters of recommendation. Letters must come from professors or a dermatologist physician you have worked with who can attest to your moral character. Letters should not be submitted by family members or employers.
For additional questions about the Medical Student Mentorship Program, please contact:
Kandice Rose
Phone: (847) 240-1298
Email: krose@aad.org
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have a mentor before I apply?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify a mentor before submitting their application. Having an established mentor and research interest helps create the strongest application. If you haven't identified a mentor, the AAD offers guidance and resources to help you connect with potential mentors.
How do I select a mentor for consideration if they are not listed on the list?
If the mentor is not listed on the mentoring list, the physician member can be added by creating a mentor profile.
How long does mentorship last?
Formal mentorship lasts 2 weeks for Discover participants and 4 weeks for Develop and Launch participants. All mentees continue participating in year-round virtual programming.
Do participants receive funding?
Yes. Each Pathway stage includes a grant to support participation. Additional funding is available for approved leadership activities, and Launch participants receive an additional $500 conference registration award upon confirmation of their registration to a conference.
When does the application open?
Applications open on Sept. 1, 2026.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. CT on Nov. 1, 2026.
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