DOs in OBGYN

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thegreatjaspy

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I am a third year student at an osteopathic medical school. I am somewhat discouraged and nervous after seeing some good applicants from my school SOAP into other specialties after failing to match, and overall did not see a lot of success for DOs in OBGYN this year. My step 1 is in high 220s, level 1 mid 600s, will have strong letters of rec. I would love to stay in the Western US, anywhere from california to Missouri, the farther west the better, but will go to Antarctica if I have to. I have been researching programs that have >1 DO and am finding that many of them are in Texas. Does Texas have strong regional bias for residency like it does for medical school? Any advice for a DO like me? Thanks in advance!
 
I am a third year student at an osteopathic medical school. I am somewhat discouraged and nervous after seeing some good applicants from my school SOAP into other specialties after failing to match, and overall did not see a lot of success for DOs in OBGYN this year. My step 1 is in high 220s, level 1 mid 600s, will have strong letters of rec. I would love to stay in the Western US, anywhere from california to Missouri, the farther west the better, but will go to Antarctica if I have to. I have been researching programs that have >1 DO and am finding that many of them are in Texas. Does Texas have strong regional bias for residency like it does for medical school? Any advice for a DO like me? Thanks in advance!
It is hard to stay west in obgyn, I am a current fourth year who matched with similar stats to yours. I got 8 interviews in each match, ended up matching in the AOA match because I honestly thought my program was far and away the best I interviewed at, and had stronger didactics than many MD programs. I would highly recommend applying to previously DO residencies, as they will continue to take DO candidates preferentially (I have heard this from multiple PDs, including my own). You can pm me if you want.
 
I also go to a DO program. Matched this year in an academic ACGME program in California. I have a pretty good application (top 10%, 245/258) and struggled to get programs in California (I only applied to the coasts). Everyone in my class who applied OBGYN matched in the categorical match. All ACGME for the exception of 2 who both preferred AOA programs.

Overall I noticed that most/all programs have a strong regional preference. In your case I would apply very broadly and kill step 2. Ultimately it depends what your end goal is. I didn’t want to close out fellowships, I was geographically limited due to my partners job, and preferred most academic programs. Now that’s not to say I didn’t absolutely love some community programs. If you want AOA you absolutely have to do an away and yes majority of previous AOA now ACGME still prefer DOs.

Also don’t count out the east coast! The have some of the best programs and it’s pretty awesome!! (I’m biased 🙂 ) I would have hands down chosen the programs I interviewed at over there if my partner could easily transfer.


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