DO's in OBGYN

[PACtoDOC]

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Question: I am a 3rd year DO student, and I came to a DO school because I was interested in using manipulation to help my patients since I was convinced I wanted to go into FP. And I am still pretty convinced I want to do FP with obstetrics, but I am slowly realizing that I could do full-fledged OB and practice as the primary care provider for women. I am a PA and I have a great grasp on primary care medical issues that many OB's might not feel comfortable managing month to month, so combining these things could work I think. But now my problem. I realize choosing the DO route will make things more difficult for the match, but I am going to give my stats and I would like you to comment on whether you think it is likely I could land a good allopathic OBGYN residency, particularly UTHouston or Baylor in Houston.

USMLE 232/92
COMLEX 99%ile
Class Rank 3/124
6 years experience as a PA

Any takers?

 

[doc05]

don't let anyone try to convince you that OB is competitive, because it's not. You can land a solid allopathic residency. just don't rush your decision; it's early yet.

 

[ny skindoc]

don't let anyone try to convince you that OB is competitive, because it's not. You can land a solid allopathic residency. just don't rush your decision; it's early yet.

Agreed,OB is not very competitive these days,your qualifications will make you a strong candidate at many programs.If this is what you truly want to do,its yours.

 

[siednarb]

😡 please - if you are worried about getting into OB with those scores that something is wrong with you - you could get into an allopathic radiology program with those stats - and if you are doubting and questioning the fact that you are going to be a DO and if that is going to hurt you then you should not have gone to osteopathic school - being a DO is only going to help you - as you mentioned - with your additional skills, and if an allopathic program doesn't want you because of the initials after your name that you are better off not going there. In the end, though, ob/gyn is not competitive and with your scores and stats they will be begging you to come into their program.

i'm a do with stats well below yours, and while i am considering ob/gyn (though I have other issues i'm debating with right now) i'm not worried myself over my initials after my name or my far inferior scores. 🙂

 

[doprogressive]

I'm a fourth year DO student applying for the allopathic OBGYN residencies now. I have similar scores as you, a B average GPA, and my ERAS has been done 2 days and I already have one interview. There are places that are still DO unfriendly for OBGYN. As you start your rotations outside of DO and community hospitals you'll hear about them from DO-friendly MD residents. Ask them if they interviewed with any DOs and look at the program sites online for a list of their current residents. Just because they have a DO as an attending or program director doesnt mean that you're a sure thing. Do rotate early in your 4th year in OBGYN or do an OB elective 3rd year at a large academic or county hosiptal with a residency program. Get a feel for what their interns and R2s say about programs or places you are interested. Apply to a lot of places in the fall of your fourth year if you are worried. you'll be fine. But do get letters of rec from people other than DO's. Use your fourth year sub I in obgyn (preferably in June or July) for a letter of rec. Do take your Step 2 and study for it (i'm sure you will anyway). If you want to...i can keep you more up to date about my progress and give you insight to the places I've applied. MOST IMPORTANT😀ONT WORRY ABOUT ANY OF THIS UNTIL MAY OF 2005. There's nothing you can do right now anyway. This is my advice. You'll do fine. Just try your best to relax and enjoy life.

 

[doprogressive]

PAtoDO-
just found out...2 interviews in 2 days of ERAS available online. 😛

 

[vietcongs]

Hi - I'm a 4th year DO, just sent in my ERAS today - 19 allopathic programs...I'm just a little anxious too. I'm a high B GPA student, with average board scores - I have more reason to be nervous than the 99th percentile person ( 😱 ). I applied to 2 osteo progs. Sent good LORs from 2 DOs and 2 MDs (just to keep it balanced) to all programs.

Doprogressive..could you tell me where you applied? I'm interested in Southern programs and I've only rotated at a few.

Are there good DO OB programs that anyone is applying to?

I'm mostly interested with TX, OK, MO, KS, NE, IA, maybe DC area.

Congrats on getting interviews already, thats great!

 

[deeq]

hi all. i'm also a 4th yr. do applying to allopathic ob/gyn spots. sent my eras in last friday, but still waiting on one doc to send in her letter so haven't heard anything yet. i have applied to 29 programs covering most of the country. wondering if anyone had knowledge of which programs/areas are do unfriendly. not that it really matters now as i have already applied!

i would like to wish all my fellow do-ites out there the best of luck. and also to all the md students applying. may we all fare well!

 

[Diane L. Evans]

The most important piece of advice I can give is this.. Get a letter from a known person in the field if possible. (I had a letter from the president of the Oncology society ) Or if that is not possible definately a letter from your schools OB they should have contacts. Also you can always inquire from the OB doc's you worked with, let them know where you want to apply and who do they know that you could set up a rotation with it is not too late to do this and still use that letter.

Or better yet call they schools you are interested in and ask them for a list of alumni in your area look those people up and talk to them more than likely you'll be asked for interview because these alum will call the programs and give feedback.


Just my 2 cents
Good luck feel free to write with questions

 

[doprogressive]

as of tonight, i have 3 interviews. i just found out about another. I really dont feel too comfortable telling you where I applied and where I got interviews on such a public forum. If you send me a private email with information about where you go to school (i may know you) and where you applied, I can speak with both of you DOs further. I applied to 37 programs (probably overkill) all over the country. I have some info on certain programs that I have had electives at or places that I've heard about.