What are some important statistics around the specialty? 

The demand for providers in OB/GYN is projected to grow and exceed by 4% by 2030 (https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/data-r…) OB/GYN had a 99.6% fill rate in the 2024 NRMP Match (https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Advance-Data-Tables-202…) As of 2022, 87.2% of OB/GYN residents were female (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2809448).

What general advice do you have for someone choosing this specialty?

OB/GYN is a rewarding and increasingly competitive specialty. Those choosing this field will make unmatched impact across many stages of a patient's life. OB/GYN offers a unique hybrid of surgical and clinical experiences (office visits, gynecologic surgery, labor and delivery, advocacy, quality improvement) and offers a range of subspecialty career paths (minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, gynecologic oncology, maternal fetal medicine, urogynecology, pediatric and adolescent gynecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, etc.) Start early and identify which aspects of the field you find most interesting. Shadow different providers to explore the various aspects of the field- a day in the life of an OB/GYN can look different depending on the location and specialty practiced. Focus on strong performance during pre-clinical years. During rotations, engage fully with the care team and be proactive in seeking appropriate opportunities to be clinically involved. Seek mentorship from faculty regarding your interests in the field and future goals. 

What are the top three areas that students can focus on to help prepare themselves for a successful residency application and a successful transition to residency? (i.e. grades/academics, professionalism, any of the categories listed above, etc.)?

1. Academic rigor- Strong class and clerkship performance as well as in STEP exams are vital. 2. Professionalism and work ethic- Residency is a team sport and programs want to select candidates who will be a good fit. Strong letters of recommendation from faculty that know you well and can testify to your strengths are crucial. 3. Commitment to OB/GYN- An application that portrays a deep interest in the field through research and extra-curricular activities signals sincere dedication to the specialty. 

What resources would you share with a student who is just starting to research their interest in this specialty and/or wants to learn more specifics of this specialty (anything from what a typical day may look like to specifics on rotations, specialty specific residency info, fellowships)?

American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Careers in Medicine American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Medical Student Section Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO): Residency Directory American Medical Association (AMA) Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA) AMA "Shadow Me" Specialty Series Residencyexplorer.org The OBG Project Medical Student Edition CREOGs Over Coffee Podcast 

What subspecialties exist with this specialty?

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Gynecologic Oncology Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Maternal-Fetal Medicine Complex Family Planning Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology 

What does a typical workday or work week look like (hours/schedule/shifts, work setting, team based environment, acuity, etc.)?

A typical workday and workweek can vary drastically depending on the specialty and practice pattern for a provider. An OB hospitalist, for example, can work 12 hour shifts on the labor and delivery floor several times a week, while a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon could have a combination of surgical days and office clinic days. 

What are the important traits, qualities, and/or considerations recommended for physicians in this specialty?

OB/GYN can be a demanding surgical specialty. A strong candidate is a team player, coachable, compassionate, flexible and passionate advocate for patients. 

How does the specialty work differ in various settings (e.g. a private vs community vs an academic environment)?

The specialty work can be similar across different practice patterns. Private providers, for example, may still be able to work with learners to varying capacities depending on their partnerships with academic institutions. 

What does training for this specialty look like (how many years, is a separate prelim year needed, etc.)?

OB/GYN residency training is 4 years in length. Categorical positions offer the full training required for board certification and includes a preliminary year. There are also separate preliminary 1-year internship positions. Some programs offer both categorical and preliminary positions. 

What types of experiences might strengthen my future residency application, especially in areas of service, leadership, and research? 

Focus extracurricular activities on interests that you are passionate about. Seek pursuits that can provide substantial and meaningful experiences- be it a research project leading to presenting at national meetings/publication, a service initiative that made significant impact on your community, advocacy experience- quality prevails over quantity. 

Is there a specialty interest group?  If not, what other networking options would you recommend?  Are there any specific national organizations or committees I should join?

Yes https://www.acog.org/career-support/medical-students/ob-gyn-student-int…

What advice would you offer MS1s and MS2s who are interested in this specialty?

Start early in exploring your interest in OB/GYN. Get involved in student interests 

How and where can I find other mentors for this specialty?

Student interest groups are an excellent way to network with peers who share an interest in OB/GYN. Be proactive in seeking mentorship opportunities with clerkship directors and attendings you engage with. 

Is there anything else in addition to the suggestions above that could aid my future application, now that Step 1 is P/F?

Strong preclinical performance Superb letters of recommendation Meaningful, quality extracurricular activities that signal dedication and commitment

Which group and association memberships might strengthen my future residency application (e.g., AOA, GHHS, MSG, Specialty specific groups, etc.)? 

AOA GHHS

How important are Step 2 scores to this specialty?

Vital

Are publications important to this specialty? Is there a general number of publications or presentations I should be aiming for?  How important is it for these to be within the specialty I am pursuing?

OB/GYN is increasingly competitive and productive scholarly pursuits are favorably regarded. The level of involvement with a project (first authorship) supersedes the number of publications. Performance in preclinical years should not be compromised, however. 

Are there any special considerations when applying for residency?

The field of OB/GYN is becoming more competitive with each cycle. It is important to identify what a candidate values in a program and curate an individualized list of prospective programs to optimize a successful match. 

What is a general recommendation for how many programs to apply to (recognizing that this may vary based on student situation)?

18 signals are allotted per applicant to indicate interest in a program 2024-2025 cycle: the mean number of applications per U.S. applicant was 59 

What letters of recommendation are recommended for this specialty (e.g. from research, physicians within this specialty, academic, etc.)

Ideally an applicant will have at least 4 letters of recommendation. One of these letters should be a Standard Letter of Evaluation (SLOE). A SLOE is intended to provide a more comprehensive and uniform evaluation of an applicant’s candidacy for residency. Additional authors should include OB/GYN faculty that candidates have worked with and can testify to their clinical performance. One letter from an author not within OB/GYN, such as a research mentor, can add dimension to a candidate’s application. As with extracurricular activities, however, quality and depth of the letter should be prioritized. 

If other disciplines are appropriate for letter of recommendation writers, are there specific specialties you would strongly recommend?

A strong letter from an author, regardless of specialty, who knows a candidate well is ideal. Some disciplines to also take into consideration include surgical specialties and critical care, as these are components of OB/GYN as well. 

How competitive are the residency programs in this specialty?

Competitive index of OB/GYN programs have a wide range. Applicant characteristics such as STEP scores and academic productivity have steadily increased. 

When do programs typically offer interviews?

Interview offers are typically released the end of October with interviews starting in November

What is UA COM-P's history with matching in this specialty?

UA COM-P has a strong history of successful matches into OB/GYN 

Are away rotations required for this specialty and if so, when should I plan to do them?

Away rotations are not necessary, however, they can be useful if an applicant is very interested in a specific program. Away rotations should be considered an acting interview- it is important to make a strong, memorable impression. Be prepared, proactive, collaborative- show the program why they should have you as a member of their team.