Pre-Patient Care Phase Questions
Question: When do you recommend I take my OB/GYN clerkship?
If you are interested in matching in an OB/GYN residency program we recommend the following:
- Try to take OB/GYN clerkship after you have had a rotation so you feel more comfortable in the clinical setting.
- If you have choice, do not take this at the end, just in case you decide it is not the specialty for you as you would need to change your E&F courses and that may be challenging
Question: Where do you recommend I take my OB/GYN clerkship?
All of the 40+ sites offer unique opportunities, so all are great.
- Students will get more "bread and butter" and hands-on at a non-academic site that has no OB/GYN residents.
- Students will get more complex patients and situations in the academic and residency locations (UWMC/HMC, Swedish, Madigan)
Pre-Explore and Focus Questions
Question: I think I'm interested in OB/GYN, but there are other specialties I'm also considering. Should I contact an OB/GYN advisor to schedule a mentorship session, or wait until I know for sure?
We strongly recommend that anyone with an interest in an OB/GYN residency schedule a mentoring session as soon as they know that this is on their "short list".
If you know you are interested at the beginning of medical school, meeting early, during Foundations, helps you to lay out a plan (extracurriculars, research, goals for clerkships, etc.) in order to be competitive for OB/GYN.
Question: It's Spring A of Patient Care Phase and I just decided this is what I want to do after an awesome experience on my required clerkship. Is it too late for me to get a Sub-I?
No, it's not too late to fit a Sub-I into your schedule. However, please be aware that you may not receive your number one choice of rotation, as most students have already been scheduled and spots are limited. We try to hold a few elective spots for students who decide on OB/GYN later in their MS3 year.
- Sometimes students who were planning on a different specialty have little to no OB/GYN-related "other" activities, so this may need to be explained on your Personal Statement.
Question: Do I have to take a Sub-I at UW in order to match?
Yes, taking a Sub-Internship in OB/GYN is crucial.
- it offers a unique and different look into OB/GYN.
- It provides a graded rotation on your transcript or MSPE
- Typically, your Standard Letter of Evaluation (SLOE) will be written by your sub-I director. This is a required component of your application to residency
Question: What are the differences between the UW sub-Is and the regional offerings? What would be the advantages of either.
For students who know they will not be applying to the UW OB/GYN residency program, the regional sub-Is offer an amazing experience without residents. You have more "hands-on". These are great for students applying to both community and academic residency programs.
The sub-Is at UW gives students who are interested in our program the opportunity to evaluate this residency, get to know the faculty and residents, and showcase yourself. There is a bit less "hands-on" with many trainees in the mix.
Question: Are there any electives outside this specialty that you recommend to students interested in matching into OB/GYN?
Yes
- Infectious Disease
- Radiology
- Anesthesia
- Female Urology
- ICU - medical or surgical
- Pulmonary
- Cardiology
4th Year Questions - Specific to Matching/Interviewing Process
Question: Is a USMLE Step 1 & Step 2 Pass on the 1st attempt crucial in order to apply for OB/GYN residency?
OB/GYN is a competitive residency, and a Pass on the 1st attempt is essential.
Question: When should I submit my application to residency programs in Residency CAS.
Each year, Residency CAS may open on different days but typically it is the 3rd week of September. We will find out the specific day in the Spring.
Question: What are the most common mistakes students make when they apply to OB/GYN?
Not realizing their competitiveness and not having a broad, deep enough list of programs to apply to.
Applying Signals to only top-tier, very competitive programs.
Focusing only on West or Mountain West programs (very competitive and comparatively fewer than other regions).
Failing to stay in contact with your specialty career advisor throughout the entire process.
Question: How many Letters of Recommendation (LOR) should I include in my application?
3-4 letters (not including the Dean's letter). Specifics determined by each individual residency program - see their website under the "how to application" section.
- Some programs require a "Chair or Departmental Letter" - we offer this to students who desire/need this.
- Standard Letter of Evaluation (SLOE) - required and serves as one of your LORs.
Question: During which months should I expect to interview?
Interviews occur between late-October through end of January, however, most occur in November-December. You will need ample free time specifically in November-December.
Question: How many programs do students apply to:
Median (2025): 54
Question: How many programs should I rank?
Target # of ranked programs 10-12, but review with your Advisor as some of you will have unique circumstances, such as couples matching, or limited to a geographical area.
Question: Where should I go to find OB/GYN residency program information?
- AMA/Freida: official list of all programs participating in the National Match
https://login.ama-assn.org/account/login - APGO/CREOG Residency Directory (not all programs submit information to this site, cross check with Freida)
https://www.apgo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=49 - Specific Residency homepage
- List of Programs on Probation with ACGME: https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Reports/Report/9
- AMA Residency Explorer: https://www.ama-assn.org/amaone/freida-membership?utm_effort=DAPSRH&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9619555806&gbraid=0AAAAADDj8TK7ktlw0KMyXUKBxY9LLdQ2J&gclid=CjwKCAjw5s_QBhAdEiwADD_gBqg5BlB01rVjEmNwZ9QC5yqHsDosnB9niwTI79ux8jA886Z1-rThORoCoN0QAvD_BwE
- Texas Star Database - link provided by UWSOM in Spring prior to application.