Applying to OB in Cali

[Maitreyi]

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Hi All,

I have a question regarding applying to OB . . .I'd like to match in California where I'm from, though I'm not currently in school there. However, I know it is competitive. I did okay on Step one - by no means superlatively but above a 210. Also, only got an HP on my rotation, because my shelf score was low ( it was my first shelf - had no idea I'd want to do this when I made my schedule last year). However, I've got excellent evals from both residents and attendings. I've got some work experience, a couple of publications and a master's degree. SO my questions are, 1) do I have a shot at matching at a program in California? 2) can anyone explain the difference between the Kaiser programs and the others? 3) if I wanted to eventually do gyn surgery, could I work for a while in the field and then go back for the fellowship??

I would really appreciate any input!

Thanks!!

 

[browncow]

To successfully apply for a program in Cali, you definitely require above a 230 on Step I and above a 250 on Step II. Good luck with your endeavors. 🙂

 

[luvOB]

To successfully apply for a program in Cali, you definitely require above a 230 on Step I and above a 250 on Step II. Good luck with your endeavors. 🙂

i dunno...seems kinda high. if you don't mind me asking, what's your source? maybe it is true but from what i've seen on acog's site, the average scores for resident's may surprise you. with the exception of UCI and UCSD (step I in the 230's) other programs were lower. for example stanford's was around 220 and others were around 215. and if you don't mind a community program, i'm sure it's even lower. you definitely don't need a 230 to be invited because I know many people interviewing that don't have a 230. maybe they won't actually match but at least they are given a chance with the interview. and not everyone has taken step II by interview season. most take it by match day but some don't release their scores.

maybe I'm wrong but i just didn't want anyone to be discouraged from applying based on numbers. many programs will tell you that "they don't care about board scores" (although they are probably lying.) anyway, if you look at the unfilled spots in 2005, there were at least 6 in cali (UCLA, Harbor-UCLA, Drew, Kaiser LA) and in 2006 at least 2. so if you are not picky it is definitely possible. but perhaps the big name academic centers are a reach.

any current cali residents out there with sub-optimal board scores care to reassure???😳

 

[pruritis_ani]

I had boards of 78 step one and 96 for step 2. I got plenty of CA invites, mostly community, but a couple of uni. Didn't get invited to UCI, though.

And, I am an IMG!

The thing about applying ANYWHERE is, despite what everyone seems to think, it is not all about board scores. Scores help, and bad scores can hurt. But, the application is big and thorough for a reason. If all people cared about was a board score, all the applications would have two lines. Do well in school, get strong boards and good LORs, do some interesting research, and if you seem like a good candidate for that program, you will get an invite. If not, and you really want to go, call or email and state you case. Very few places write people off with reasonable scores simply based on scores alone.

 

[ShambhalaRed]

To successfully apply for a program in Cali, you definitely require above a 230 on Step I and above a 250 on Step II. Good luck with your endeavors. 🙂

That's BS. I got less than 230 on both step 1 and step 2 and matched at a california program.

Your qualifications sound fine. You may not get an interview at UCSF, but I wouldn't count out any of the other CA programs based solely on your numbers.

The Kaisers are community programs with an academic twist. I interviewed at SF and Santa Clara and liked them both, but decided I wanted to be at an academic program. I would definitely recommend looking at them. Look critically though - they are all different and all have specific limitations and also some very good strengths.

 

[Maitreyi]

Thanks for all your input.

Shambalared - where do you go, if you don't mind my asking? Also, does going to a Kaiser program preclude you from eventually getting a good fellowship? I am toying with the idea of gyn surg, but think I'd like to work for a bit before hand. Is that a good idea? What are the advantages of an academic program? Not sure I want to go into academia so I think I would be fine with a community program.

Thanks again!

 

[ShambhalaRed]

I am at Stanford.

The Kaiser residents do get good fellowship spots. A couple of years ago there were matches in REI and MFM from Kaiser Santa Clara. This year one of the residents applied in Gyn Onc and did not match, but that's just a competitive specialty, period. If you want to do gyn surgery, I think the Kaisers would probably be great for you.

Carrie

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

To successfully apply for a program in Cali, you definitely require above a 230 on Step I and above a 250 on Step II. Good luck with your endeavors. 🙂

It seems most of the above posters missed the facetious nature of this post.

 

[luvOB]

It seems most of the above posters missed the facetious nature of this post.

i dunno...i think browncow might be serious. many people in other fields like to think that ob is not competitive, and 5 years ago when you graduated it was probably true but in the last year or so, applications have gone up and step I of 230 for cali is not far off given the national mean is around 215 for ob. many of the residents in my program (yes in cali) has above 240's/260's. we were just trying to reassure maitreyi that there's still a chance, esp in community programs. I have friends with 220+ step I that got rejected from quite a few california programs (both academic and community) this year.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

i dunno...i think browncat might be serious. many people in other fields like to think that ob is not competitive, and 5 years ago when you graduated it was probably true but in the last year or so, applications have gone up and step I of 230 for cali is not far off given the national mean is around 215 for ob. many of the residents in my program (yes in cali) has above 240's/260's. we were just trying to reassure maitreyi that there's still a chance, esp in community programs. I have friends with 220+ step I that got rejected from quite a few california programs (both academic and community) this year.

I may be wrong. I was just going by the tone of the post and the smiley at the end. Also, if you check out the posters other recent posts, they are not often very serious.

 

[Brickhouse]

I'm a third year thinking of applying Ob/gyn in socal where I grew up - I have average boards and haven't done the rotation yet. I have no publications, all my ECs to date are just in volunteering, I coordinated a study prior to med school but didn't get published - I guess I have to do research even though it doesn't interest me - does anyone have suggestions on what I can do between now and filling out my application that would make me a more attractive applicant?