OBGYN Shelf Score

[PACtoDOC]

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How important is the OBGYN SHELF score for those going into OBGYN? Do these scores even get reported, or can you use them for your application if you did do well on it? Do they usually ask about it or is there a place on the application for it?

 

[ljd]

I can tell you that in my experience the only thing the OB/Gyn shelf is used for is your grade on your OB/Gyn clerkship. These scores do not get reported on residency applications. I have had one residency interview and was not asked about it. Pretty much as long as you do well on your clerkship and your shelf score doesn't bring you down, don't worry about it!

 

[deeq]

Shelf exam definately not important unless applying to George Washington University in D.C. They specifically state on the website that they want you to report your shelf exam score at the time of the interview, or bring it with you...something like that. Other than GWU, I don't know of any other place it would be important.

 

[PACtoDOC]

The problem is that my school had Pass/Fail grades for 3rd year, so unless they see my SHELF score, I am notg sure they will know that I did well or not. Maybe I will just report it in some fashion.

 

[Trillgirl]

The problem is that my school had Pass/Fail grades for 3rd year, so unless they see my SHELF score, I am notg sure they will know that I did well or not. Maybe I will just report it in some fashion.

The important part is not what your shelf score was, but what your letters of rec say (assuming they say what a brilliant OB/Gyn you will be) and what your Dean's letter says (hopefully the same thing).

I was not asked what my shelf score was, and my grades were obviously on my transcript. Only two people in my class aced OB. I wasn't one of them, though I did have the highest shelf score in my block. I still got a residency spot. Other classmates who got "B"s did too.

So relax... and think about why you should pick them, not just why they should pick you.

 

[Global Disrobal]

If you get an interview, then they obviously like you on paper and its your spot to basically lose. And trust me,l shelf exams don't generally factor into it. At our program we look at interest in OB-GYN (ie MS 4 rotations, LORs, etc)... anyone with or without interest in the field can bust their nuts, study day and night and ace the shelf, but to do a couple of months extra is to have interest.

Good luck!

 

[PACtoDOC]

If you get an interview, then they obviously like you on paper and its your spot to basically lose. And trust me,l shelf exams don't generally factor into it. At our program we look at interest in OB-GYN (ie MS 4 rotations, LORs, etc)... anyone with or without interest in the field can bust their nuts, study day and night and ace the shelf, but to do a couple of months extra is to have interest.

Good luck!

I completely disagree. Anyone can easily sign up for a couple of extra electives in OBGYN to check it out, but not everyone can study hard and do well on the Shelf. Thats why there is a bell curve right? If everyone could do well, then it wouldn't be the bell curve, but instead the bell "line" right? A high Shelf score shows that you have worked hard on your rotation and studied extra, above and beyond the call. I think that says more than signing up for a few electives.

 

[Global Disrobal]

If you say so 😀

The way I look at it is that you CAN very easily cram Blue Prints, Beckmann, or whatever text you have at your disposal in your head and ace the shelf, but to sign up for OB electives in your 4th year when you can easily be opting for PM&R, Ethics, etc. means more. You may be right in your post but this is what I think is more logical.

Regardless, this MSV/R-Zero is happy not to have to worry about electives anymore.

 

[Tisaob71]

Well what if you have done extremely well on your shelf exam. Do you think you should bring it up during your interviews? 😕

 

[OB-GYN-KENOBI]

I can't stand medical students that do nothing but read. They are worthless to me. A computer can know everything. You don't want to be treated by a computer. The students that work hard and shadow me, though annoying at times, get the best real ob/gyn experience.

I did crappy on my shelf exam but I worked hard on my rotation. My score never got brought up.

Just my opinion

 

[kdoc2005]

I agree that the Ob Gyn shelf probably is not that important, so long as your letters of rec say you worked really hard. HOWEVER... At my school, our dean's letter cites exactly how we did on every shelf exam, along with the class mean. That may not be the way all deans do it, but ours does. I got above the mean on the shelf (but not by much), and have never been asked about it at an interview.