California Ob Residencies

[Maitreyi]

Hi,

I'm an MS3 who's doing med school out of state but I badly want to go back to Cali. I'm most interested in community programs and probably don't want to go on to fellowship. My scores: step I 214, got an advanced in the ob rotation (it was my first) but have gotten several O's in my clinical rotations as well. Great evals. Lots of extracurricular stuff and research. Just wondering a)what my chances are b) which programs y'all recommend c)should I do lots of aways?

Thanx!!

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[ShambhalaRed]

I would look at the Kaiser programs, particularly Santa Clara and San Francisco. They're great! I interviewed there last year - the residents are super friendly, you get solid training and they pay really well.

 

[CaliOBGynee]

It sounds like you have a solid application, but I would recommend studying well for Step 2 and taking it early. It would help you a lot to get a higher score on Step 2 than Step 1. It might not be as important for all programs but several of them would like to see something higher (220's-230's).

You should definitely do a couple of away rotations in programs you're looking at in California. I agree that Kaiser programs are great as well. In addition to to the Santa Clara and San Francisco locations, also consider Kaiser Los Angeles if you like southern California.

 

[Maitreyi]

HI,

I already have an away set up at UCSF, and I'm very interested in the Kaiser programs, but wasn't able to get an away in OB there during the months I have free. I was considering doing my away in another speciality - good idea or not? Shambalared - did you do an away at the Kaisers? Any other advice?

Thanks for all your input!

 

[drbhooks]

I think Kaiser Permante has a great program like the previous post said. I think UC-Davis has a great program as well. It is very well rounded and provides exposure to all subspecialities (because regardless of wheter you want to do a fellowship or not, all generalists need to know who and when they should refer patients to a specialist and should have should general knowledge about each subspecialty-ob/gyn is broader than you think), and it provides an elective international medicine month as well as exposure to diagnosing and treating breast disease at their Breast Center.

 

[ShambhalaRed]

HI,

I already have an away set up at UCSF, and I'm very interested in the Kaiser programs, but wasn't able to get an away in OB there during the months I have free. I was considering doing my away in another speciality - good idea or not? Shambalared - did you do an away at the Kaisers? Any other advice?

Thanks for all your input!

Nope. I did an away in Seattle.

 

[AbuJadenDO]

Do the cali programs require step 2 to be completed when you apply?

 

[JulianCrane]

Anyone know anything about Stanford's program?

 

[CaliOBGynee]

Do the cali programs require step 2 to be completed when you apply?

No, it does not need to be completed when you apply.

 

[boyob]

There are a ton of great programs in cali. With your scores you have nothing to worry about. If the program interviews you then they are interested. Community programs are great but will somewhat close fellowship options. Are you sure you don't want to do one? I agree Kaiser is a great system with lots of learning. UCdavis is also a great program that is half kaiser half uc


good luck

 

[boyob]

Also avoid Stanford their program is in the you know what

 

[KonHndrkx]

I am in a similar situation as the original poster...my entire family is back in Cali, although I have never lived there myself, I want to do my residency there so I can be near them.

I have a step 1 of 219, average Med1-Med2 grades, i TA'd med 1 anatomy, and I have no real research/publications. Annoyingly, my OBGYN rotation won't be until March 08 (I'm currently a 3rd year student).

I really want to do my residency at an academic center for the possibility of fellowships; at this point, what else could someone like me to strengthen their application? Obviously, doing well in rotations, getting honors etc. is great, but is there anything else that can be done? I was considering taking a year off to do research of some sort but I'm not sure how much I'd enjoy that...

...any thoughts or suggestions would be great, thanks!


-KonHndrkx

 

[Maitreyi]

Hi,

Thanks for all the encouragement - boyob and others! I really appreciate it.

I was wondering if you could help reassure me on another pt - how long did it take for you to hear from programs re: interviews? I applied on the 6th night so everything was available on the 7th. Currently all I'm missing is a letter and my MSPE . . . but I've only got one request for interview from a program on the East coast. I'm freaking out - wondering if I should apply to more programs or not.

I'd really like to hear your input!

 

[SippiGirl08]

Hi,

Thanks for all the encouragement - boyob and others! I really appreciate it.

I was wondering if you could help reassure me on another pt - how long did it take for you to hear from programs re: interviews? I applied on the 6th night so everything was available on the 7th. Currently all I'm missing is a letter and my MSPE . . . but I've only got one request for interview from a program on the East coast. I'm freaking out - wondering if I should apply to more programs or not.

I'd really like to hear your input!

how many places did you apply to, and how competitive are those programs? i applied on the 5th, got my first interview invite on the 12th, and have a total of seven so far. i applied to 25 programs, both community and university, all with a wide range of competitiveness (is that a real word?). my app was complete when i submitted except for med school transcript (eventually uploaded on the 13th) and, of course, the MSPE. i would wait another week or so before really starting to freak out. if you haven't gotten more by the first of October, i'd definitely apply to more places. but first, do your research. i was concerned that i hadn't heard from some of my top choices, but i recently found out that they don't send ANY invites until they get the MSPE (Nov 1st).