What type of residencies should I apply to?

[HHMIFellow2013]

I am wondering exactly what level of OB/GYN residency I am competitive for. My step 1 score is xxx, I honored my OB/GYN and MFM rotations, and took a year off in between year II and III to pursue a research fellowship. I have not been published yet from the year off, but it is in the works. I do not go to a top medical school, by any means. Do I have what it takes to get into a top program (UPMC, Brown, UPenn, BWH, UMich ect.), or should I be more realistic about what I can achieve. I apologize for asking, but I just want to get an idea, because I know OB/GYN has been getting more competitive. Also, do I have a chance of getting interviews at programs in California (UCSF, UC-Irvine, Stanford, Cedar-Sinai, UCLA)? I am not from the west coast. Thank you so much!!

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[22031 Alum]

You should do fine with a fairly top-heavy list. When do you expect to hear about manuscripts being accepted? And did you get any posters/abstracts/orals out of the fellowship?

 

[HHMIFellow2013]

I am taking two months to complete the research/write/submit the manuscript Sept/Oct. Acceptance will earliest happen after/during interviews, but hopefully by latest December. I got a poster and abstract from the research as well which I presented at a conference. I did the fellowship at UPenn.

Thanks for the quick reply 22031 Alum!

 

[22031 Alum]

I am taking two months to complete the research/write/submit the manuscript Sept/Oct. Acceptance will earliest happen after/during interviews, but hopefully by latest December. I got a poster and abstract from the research as well which I presented at a conference. I did the fellowship at UPenn.

Thanks for the quick reply 22031 Alum!

The fact that you already have an abstract/poster presentation to show for your research puts you in a good spot. You just have to remember that at the programs you're aiming for, you will be one of dozens of applicants with great scores and research and honors. Your personal statements and LORs will be what help you get your foot in the door. Then you'll need to shine at your interviews, and make people want to spend the next four years working with you. Apply to whichever top places you fancy, but especially those where your letter writers trained or know people. Then apply more broadly in the geographic regions that appeal to you (California, Southeast, your home state, whatever).

Feel free to PM me with any questions or for specific list input.

 

[ScalpElectrode]

What's your Step 2? That'll help us answer. It always helps to have west coast connections, but your CV sounds like it'll carry you well.

 

[HHMIFellow2013]

I actually will not find out my step 2 ck score until September 16th! I am kind of just applying all over the place in terms of geography. One of my letter writers is a pretty well known MFM physician who trained at UC-Irvine/UCSF, so that is one of my connections to the west coast, but I do not know how much that matters.

 

[residencycoord]

I am wondering exactly what level of OB/GYN residency I am competitive for. My step 1 score is 250, I honored my OB/GYN and MFM rotations, and took a year off in between year II and III to pursue a research fellowship. I have not been published yet from the year off, but it is in the works. I do not go to a top medical school, by any means. Do I have what it takes to get into a top program (UPMC, Brown, UPenn, BWH, UMich ect.), or should I be more realistic about what I can achieve. I apologize for asking, but I just want to get an idea, because I know OB/GYN has been getting more competitive. Also, do I have a chance of getting interviews at programs in California (UCSF, UC-Irvine, Stanford, Cedar-Sinai, UCLA)? I am not from the west coast. Thank you so much!!

It would be wrong for anyone to tell you what your chances are based on your Step 1 score, especially since you only received honors on your OBGYN clerkship and MFM sub-I. The fact that you took a year out for a research fellowship will look good on your CV, but you will need more than that to get into the top programs that you mentioned above.

 

[HHMIFellow2013]

Thanks for the input! I actually comprehensively honored my third year, just did not mention it. I received honors in Neurology, OB/GYN, Peds, IM, and MFM. I was also recently invited to apply for AOA and am waiting on application review. I have also applied and received a summer research fellowship in between my first and second year of medical school and have numerous work and volunteer experiences.

I understand that step 1 isn't the only thing needed to get into the top programs, but it really helps get the interviews correct? Thanks!

 

[22031 Alum]

Thanks for the input! I actually comprehensively honored my third year, just did not mention it. I received honors in Neurology, OB/GYN, Peds, IM, and MFM. I was also recently invited to apply for AOA and am waiting on application review. I have also applied and received a summer research fellowship in between my first and second year of medical school and have numerous work and volunteer experiences.

I understand that step 1 isn't the only thing needed to get into the top programs, but it really helps get the interviews correct? Thanks!

I don't want you to get cocky, but it would be unfair to let you sell yourself short. So I say again, apply to whichever top programs you want. Since there will be other applicants with similar credentials, I can't guarantee a given rate of interview invites, but you are looking good for at least a 50% interview rate.

If you have a prominent letter writer who trained at 2 California institutions, I can guarantee that at least 3 other programs in the state will have someone who knows him/her personally. And that is me being conservative- academic medicine is a small world. So that will help you with West Coast programs.

 

[residencycoord]

Thanks for the input! I actually comprehensively honored my third year, just did not mention it. I received honors in Neurology, OB/GYN, Peds, IM, and MFM. I was also recently invited to apply for AOA and am waiting on application review. I have also applied and received a summer research fellowship in between my first and second year of medical school and have numerous work and volunteer experiences.

I understand that step 1 isn't the only thing needed to get into the top programs, but it really helps get the interviews correct? Thanks!

Can I assume by your avatar that you did a Howard Hughes research year? If so, I think that will boost your application and the fact that you did at UPENN will also look good. I would think that the faculty member that you worked with during your fellowship is someone known in the field. If you honored your third year, then I think you will be a competitive candidate. I just could not tell from your initial post.

 

[HHMIFellow2013]

Yup, I was a part of the HHMI Medical Fellows program and my PI is very well known in the research community. Thank you for the additional input! I really appreciate it.

 

[HHMIFellow2013]

Just an update, I got my Step 2 CK score back today and received a xxx. Should I resend my USMLE transcript so programs can see the score or should I hold off for now? Just as a reminder I got a 250 on step 1. I appreciate all the feedback I have received!

 

[22031 Alum]

Just an update, I got my Step 2 CK score back today and received a 260. Should I resend my USMLE transcript so programs can see the score or should I hold off for now? Just as a reminder I got a 250 on step 1. I appreciate all the feedback I have received!

No reason to not let programs see it ASAP. Good work!