NRMP Residency Match Application Profiles:
Ob/Gyn Match Applicant Profile

• How did you decide on your specialty?
• How did you prepare yourself for application to your chosen specialty?
• Who wrote your letters of recommendation for your application?
• Which programs did you apply to and why?
• What kinds of questions did programs tend to ask you?
• What would you have done differently in applying?
• What was the most difficult part of the application process?
• What should I look for on my interview and tour day?
• What questions should I ask of residents, faculty, and program directors?
• How did you form your rank list?
• What advice can you give seniors applying in your specialty?

How did you decide on your specialty? I was always interested in women's health, even before med school. I knew that I would go into a field where I could concentrate on reproductive issues and work on social problems such as teenage pregnancy and domestic violence. Family medicine was a somewhat distant possibility, but after doing my core rotation on Labor & Delivery, I was hooked. Even after considering the erratic work schedule of Ob/Gyn, I could not convince myself to go into a field that I did not love.

How did you prepare yourself for application to your chosen specialty? After knowing that I was highly interested in Ob/Gyn, I took the opportunity to ask for a letter for rec at the end of my core rotation. (It never hurts to ask early.) Then I scheduled a sub-I near the end of my third year. I had to be certain that I felt comfortable with my choice. This plan also gave me leeway to do other sub-I's in case I changed my mind. Furthermore, just to make sure that I was interested in the specialty and not the hospital, I did my sub-I at a county institution. Admittedly, I did think about doing research to buff up my application, especially when some of the residents said how important it was. After talking to my advisors, however, I decided instead to concentrate my efforts on the extracurricular activities that I was already participating in. And it paid off!

Who wrote your letters of recommendation for your application? I had four letters of rec on hand: one from my core Ob/Gyn rotation; one from my Ob/Gyn sub-I; one from the Ob/Gyn chairman at my school; and one from an internist who was my third-year preceptor. I would suggest asking faculty who have seen you in action and can support their strong recommendations with real-life examples. The department chair at your school can also give you a helping hand. Of course, the ideal is a faculty member who is a well-known figure in his/her field. But that's not always attainable.

Which programs did you apply to and why? I applied to programs on the west coast because I realistically did not see myself moving too far from home. Family and social support were important to me. Therefore, I applied to both academic and community programs in order to cover my bases. There was a list of 20 when I began the application process.

What kinds of questions did programs tend to ask you? Generally, the interview questions were pretty benign. The most common one was, "Why are you interested in coming to our program?" Be prepared to highlight the strengths of the program, as well as inquire into the weaker aspects. Usually, for the lack of better interviewing questions, you will also get the common query, "Do you have any questions?" The only time I was caught off guard was when I was asked to tie surgical knots - both two-handed and one-handed. And I had to switch hands! I was surprised that this happened at a community program, but the interviewer seemed very friendly about it.

What would you have done differently in applying? I might have done an away rotation at a program with which I had no connections to. It might have opened up a few more opportunities (interviews). However, an away rotation can make or break you. Residents have even told me that they've had excellent sub-I's who did not rank highly, just because she unknowingly offended a resident or attending. The Match can be a highly subjective process.

What was the most difficult part of the application process? The most difficult part was knowing how many and which programs to apply to. Much of the information I had about the different residencies was collected from my advisors, faculty members, residents, and other students. It would have been nice to have heard more about other people's experiences, and the Internet is a great forum for that.

What should I look for on my interview and tour day? First, get a sense of the hospital's atmosphere and surroundings. Can you work and live there for 4 years? Are you only located at one site, or do you have to travel to other facilities as well? Then look at the small details that you cannot do without. Even "trivial" benefits such as good coffee and easy access to e-mail can be such perks during those times when you need a break. Definitely ask a lot of questions on your interview day. Most residents are incredibly honest with their answers. Look into the call schedule and the types of clinical experiences you will have. Not all places offer rotations in anesthesia, NICU, or reproductive endocrinology & infertility. Ask about how the faculty interacts with their residents. Some places are very formal, whereas others create a family-like atmosphere. Most importantly, watch how well the residents get along with each other. Ob/Gyn is already a stressful field; you don't need the added pressure of underlying tensions affecting your time there. If one day at the hospital is not enough time to sort it all out, go back for a second look. Attending the conferences and spending some time on L&D can help, too.

What questions should I ask of residents, faculty, and program directors? Obviously, each program presents itself in the best possible light, so all the programs could start looking the same after a while. However, the programs do want to be sure that their future residents are happy and will stay in their program. So, don't hesitate to ask a question because you are worried about jeopordizing your chances of getting in. After all, your goal is to find a "match." If you are interested in research or certain subspecialty experiences at a community program, ask about them. Ask about scut work, the ratio of single vs. married residents, and even exposure to elective abortions if that is important to you. Also also tactfully ask about recent changes in the program and any housestaff who have left the program. It is better to hear the truth now instead of waiting until you start your internship there.

How did you form your rank list? Most people talk about using their "gut feeling." I ranked the programs based on what I felt the most comfortable with. For my top choice, I knew What I was getting myself into -- both the good and the bad. I knew the residents, the faculty, the schedule, and the facilities. I could also see myself happily working there for the next few years. Geography was also another important consideration, which includes family and social support. Other than that, I made sure I ranked all the programs that I was willing to match at. (Do not ever rank a program that you don't really want to go to, because chances are you just might end up going there.)

What other advice can you give seniors applying in your specialty? First of all, make sure that Ob/Gyn is the specialty that you want. Everything else will fall into place once you're committed. Be yourself at your interviews. Strive for the program that you would love to go to, even if it seems out of reach. No matter where you end up matching, the residency training will more than adequately prepare you for a future in women's health. Good luck!