Background: Obtaining a fellowship position for Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) is becoming very competitive. Applicant qualities desired by MSDO fellowship directors have not been previously explored in a systematic way.
Objective: To characterize the prevailing practices of selecting MSDO fellows.
Methods and materials: Cross-sectional study based on an anonymous online survey of MSDO fellowship directors.
Results: There were 34 completed surveys. Selection criteria with the highest importance to fellowship directors were the ability to work well and get along with others, interview, work ethic, and letter of recommendation from the Mohs micrographic surgery director at the applicant's residency. The criteria with the lowest importance were advanced degrees, medical licensing examination scores, and membership in Alpha Omega Alpha. Specific applicant factors that were looked upon most positively by fellowship directors include applicant from own institution and applicant's personal reasons and circumstances, whereas factors that were most unfavorable include applicant's desire to practice in the same city/area as the fellowship location and graduate of foreign medical school.
Conclusion: Although variations existed, MSDO fellowship directors collectively placed greater importance on criteria that reflect interpersonal skills than on objective measures of academic performance, which highlights the importance of "fit."