Fellowship Propectives, In General

[Torsades42]

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What is the outlook for securing a fellowship after finishing an Ob-Gyn residency at a community based-university affiliated hospital? I'm talking about in general, not a specific fellowship (including even the non ACGME ones such as MIGS). Is it next to impossible since those that did their residencies at university programs secure the positions or is everyone on the same level/almost same level of competitiveness? I'm only asking since I've seen quite few IM residents at smaller programs place into a variety of fellowships without a problem.

 

[FutureDoc734]

What is the outlook for securing a fellowship after finishing an Ob-Gyn residency at a community based-university affiliated hospital? I'm talking about in general, not a specific fellowship (including even the non ACGME ones such as MIGS). Is it next to impossible since those that did their residencies at university programs secure the positions or is everyone on the same level/almost same level of competitiveness? I'm only asking since I've seen quite few IM residents at smaller programs place into a variety of fellowships without a problem.

From what I heard on the interview trail, and the advice given to me by mentors, it really depends. There are some community-based programs that are very academic, so if you get in to one of those, you'll have a much better chance. Overall, though, fellowship matching is a lot more competitive than residency matching (about 50% match rate, from what was told to me), so it's in your best interest to try to land into an academic program.

Hope this helps!

 

[GuzzyRon]

What is the outlook for securing a fellowship after finishing an Ob-Gyn residency at a community based-university affiliated hospital? I'm talking about in general, not a specific fellowship (including even the non ACGME ones such as MIGS). Is it next to impossible since those that did their residencies at university programs secure the positions or is everyone on the same level/almost same level of competitiveness? I'm only asking since I've seen quite few IM residents at smaller programs place into a variety of fellowships without a problem.

The answer is that it depends. However, the best indicator of your chances will be the proportion of past grads in that hospital who has gone on to fellowship positions within the last few years. And no, it is not next to impossible. I interviewed at one such hospital who, in the past 5 years has consistently sent on average 20% of their grads into fellowship. And there was also one where they've had only 2 grads in the last 10 years go on to fellowship.

From what I understand, while where you go can be somewhat helpful, but it's not so much where you go but who you know (mentors, networks etc), how well you perform, and how hard you're willing to work to distinguish yourself etc.

 

[drjenbug]

In general, candidates from university based programs are going to be more successful. Like another poster stated, if you happen to be in one of the more academic community programs you may do alright. It also really depends on the fellowship you are after as some of them are way more competitive than others. In addition, if fellowship is on your radar, knowing if the programs you are interested in have matched into fellowships in the past as that can be a predictor of how successful you will be.

 

[OBGirlie]

I'm from a community program and matched into MFM. I think you should go where you feel that you can flourish and enjoy your training. If that's University based, then great, but if its not, it isn't the end of the world. I would just make sure that if you do a community program make sure they allow away electives so you can rotate outside and get letters of rec.