How to match an academic program (as a DO)

[emmy447]

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I'm a third year DO and have my heart set on matching an academic ob/gyn program with the hopes of doing gyn onc (I know it's competitive, etc). I've always been told that ob/gyn is relatively DO friendly but I've browsed a number of DO match lists and haven't seen many DO's matching into academic ob/gyn programs.

Do I even have a shot as a DO wanting to go to an academic program in a metropolitan area? Have high 230's USMLE, honors in all clerkships, multiple publications, cervical cancer project in Africa, and 2yrs full-time gyn onc clinical research at top 5 university with strong letter from chair who has known me for 6 years

How DO friendly are academic programs? What can I do to increase my chances as a DO to match a decent program??

 

[22031 Alum]

OB as a whole tends to be DO-friendly, but the higher you go in academic "tiers," the fewer DOs you see. Unfortunately those are also the programs that tend to send the most people to the competitive, pedigree-loving fellowships (Onc, REI, Urogyn to a degree). It's not a lost cause for you, though. We're still seeing the results of how this year's match shook out, but your experience sounds impressive enough to pique the interest of some academic programs. If you can manage 250+ on Step 2 it'll help your case- the higher the better (duh). I don't recommend that any applicant pin all their hopes on a desirable major metropolitan area- for you, the programs that tend to get overlooked due to location may be the best bet. And you should definitely make an effort to use your connections as much as possible. Obviously apply to the program where the chair knows you well, but you'll also want to look at the program where they trained, programs where they have worked before, and programs where their buddies from residency/fellowship work now.

Now, once you match, I can't comment on your chances as a DO applicant in gyn onc. But that's a bridge to cross later.

 

[PhyTher]

I'm a third year DO and have my heart set on matching an academic ob/gyn program with the hopes of doing gyn onc (I know it's competitive, etc). I've always been told that ob/gyn is relatively DO friendly but I've browsed a number of DO match lists and haven't seen many DO's matching into academic ob/gyn programs.

Do I even have a shot as a DO wanting to go to an academic program in a metropolitan area? Have high 230's USMLE, honors in all clerkships, multiple publications, cervical cancer project in Africa, and 2yrs full-time gyn onc clinical research at top 5 university with strong letter from chair who has known me for 6 years

How DO friendly are academic programs? What can I do to increase my chances as a DO to match a decent program??

You might want to look into Rush University Medical Center in Chicago where the OB-GYN Program Director is a DO.

Also at Loyola University Health System in Chicago, an Assistant Professor in Gyn Onc is a DMU DO alum.

Good luck!

 

[medhawk1]

Having multiple publications will also help you, academic programs like applicants with research experience. Definitely be prepared to discuss your research during interviews and it wouldn't be a bad idea to include it in your personal statement. Also when choosing programs look at their current residents to see how many DOs they are taking across the years to get a better sense of what programs you might be more competitive at then looking at the DO match lists will provide you with. Also if you have any desire to stay at the program where the chair has known you for 6 years that will certainly be your best bet, being open and honest about wanting to pursue training at that program will go a long way. And I don't mean to imply this is your only shot, overall you sound very competitive on paper, just that you will always have an advantage applying somewhere that people know you, assuming they like you, so it would be foolish not to take full advantage.