Hey guys. Was wondering if anyone applying for ob gyn residency 2018 would like to discuss their interview experiences and what criteria they are looking at while creating their rank list.. it'll be helpful for all of us
Ob Gyn residency match 2018
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Hi!
I just matched in OB/GYN last week, and now feel better qualified to give advice on this topic.
Overall, my interviews went way better than I was expecting. By the time you're in the door enough to be offered an interview, it seems to really be all about personality and fit. I wasn't asked medical knowledge questions during any interviews (in fact, I got the impression that many programs were specifically avoiding those types of questions for the most part...) and was only asked to perform technical skills (knot tying, laparoscopic box while talking to a fellow, origami) at one institution.
I have always been in California thus far in my life, and found that the most "confrontational" (but mildly so) questions happened while I was interviewing at places farther away, mostly regarding whether I was serious about a program enough to move across the country or why I would ever leave California. I highlighted (or plastered?) my dedication/interest in Family Planning all over my application to screen out programs whose values did not align with mine, and found that in certain geographical areas where abortion care is more restricted, I was specifically asked why I would want to leave a liberal state like California to come there and perhaps have a harder time becoming trained in FP during residency.
As far as my rank list was concerned, it was all about feel and feedback from trusted people who had experience at the program I was considering (and a little bit about preferred location). I went into the whole process searching for a place who really took care of their residents and had a very supportive and nurturing culture, so that was my absolute #1 priority while ranking. To figure that out, I would ask questions like "What is your wellness curriculum?", "If one of your residents had a life event and needed to take time off, how does that work at your program and what support is available for that person?", "Has anyone ever left your program early? What were the circumstances surrounding that situation?", and (specifically to residents) "What advice would your significant other give my significant other if I were a resident here?". It was helpful when I knew faculty who completed residency at a certain program, prior graduates from my school who are current residents there, or classmates who rotated through a program who could tell me their stories about their experiences at certain places, because it gave me a better idea of how programs treated different types of learners.
Aside from culture, I considered whether the residents left feeling like good surgeons and well-rounded generalists right out of the gate, which is surprisingly not a given upon graduation from residency; I had a few residents at a top-tier program tell me that they do NOT get enough hands-on surgical experience due to there being so many fellows. Great surgical skills after residency is something that I want whether I decide to pursue a fellowship or not, and I wanted a program that supported what I wanted to do with my life. I didn't want a place that would try to push me into fellowship, but I also didn't want to go to a place that would preclude that possibility/make it difficult for me to be competitive for fellowship.
In the end, I loved a program near me and I loved a program that was far away. The far away program is very well-known, but logistically, the prospect of moving across the country and missing out on some important upcoming life events happening with people who are very close to me won out. I matched to my #1, which is a place that I believe can give me everything I want, and will also allow me to be in my friend's wedding in August and attend the birth of my (theoretical) future god children that my BFF from grade school is planning on trying to have in the next few years.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
I just matched in OB/GYN last week, and now feel better qualified to give advice on this topic.
Overall, my interviews went way better than I was expecting. By the time you're in the door enough to be offered an interview, it seems to really be all about personality and fit. I wasn't asked medical knowledge questions during any interviews (in fact, I got the impression that many programs were specifically avoiding those types of questions for the most part...) and was only asked to perform technical skills (knot tying, laparoscopic box while talking to a fellow, origami) at one institution.
I have always been in California thus far in my life, and found that the most "confrontational" (but mildly so) questions happened while I was interviewing at places farther away, mostly regarding whether I was serious about a program enough to move across the country or why I would ever leave California. I highlighted (or plastered?) my dedication/interest in Family Planning all over my application to screen out programs whose values did not align with mine, and found that in certain geographical areas where abortion care is more restricted, I was specifically asked why I would want to leave a liberal state like California to come there and perhaps have a harder time becoming trained in FP during residency.
As far as my rank list was concerned, it was all about feel and feedback from trusted people who had experience at the program I was considering (and a little bit about preferred location). I went into the whole process searching for a place who really took care of their residents and had a very supportive and nurturing culture, so that was my absolute #1 priority while ranking. To figure that out, I would ask questions like "What is your wellness curriculum?", "If one of your residents had a life event and needed to take time off, how does that work at your program and what support is available for that person?", "Has anyone ever left your program early? What were the circumstances surrounding that situation?", and (specifically to residents) "What advice would your significant other give my significant other if I were a resident here?". It was helpful when I knew faculty who completed residency at a certain program, prior graduates from my school who are current residents there, or classmates who rotated through a program who could tell me their stories about their experiences at certain places, because it gave me a better idea of how programs treated different types of learners.
Aside from culture, I considered whether the residents left feeling like good surgeons and well-rounded generalists right out of the gate, which is surprisingly not a given upon graduation from residency; I had a few residents at a top-tier program tell me that they do NOT get enough hands-on surgical experience due to there being so many fellows. Great surgical skills after residency is something that I want whether I decide to pursue a fellowship or not, and I wanted a program that supported what I wanted to do with my life. I didn't want a place that would try to push me into fellowship, but I also didn't want to go to a place that would preclude that possibility/make it difficult for me to be competitive for fellowship.
In the end, I loved a program near me and I loved a program that was far away. The far away program is very well-known, but logistically, the prospect of moving across the country and missing out on some important upcoming life events happening with people who are very close to me won out. I matched to my #1, which is a place that I believe can give me everything I want, and will also allow me to be in my friend's wedding in August and attend the birth of my (theoretical) future god children that my BFF from grade school is planning on trying to have in the next few years.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
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I agree with above poster. I created my rank list based on feel and fit, taking quality very seriously as well. I simply wanted to go where I was wanted and where I would become an excellent surgeon and well rounded doctor. Location was important, in the sense that low cost of living and affordability were key.
I had 2 interviews in the NE that were heavy on pimping. I did not rank one and ranked the other low - the atmosphere created by those questions I personally feel is unnecessary and doesn't contribute to a welcoming environment. My best interviews were laid back conversations allowing to truly get to know the people of the program. highly recommend 2nd looks if you really like a place but want to be sure of your gut.
I had 2 interviews in the NE that were heavy on pimping. I did not rank one and ranked the other low - the atmosphere created by those questions I personally feel is unnecessary and doesn't contribute to a welcoming environment. My best interviews were laid back conversations allowing to truly get to know the people of the program. highly recommend 2nd looks if you really like a place but want to be sure of your gut.
I would say that after the first 2-3 interviews you are very relaxed. I finally realized that I was already qualified for the residency program I was interviewing at and it was just about fit from that point forward. All my interviews went very well and I really liked the places I ranked.
I agree that for me it was important to find a place strong in surgery. Majority, if not all, programs have high volume... or at least enough... OB but a good portion struggle with surgery. It could be because of volume, training, or fellows. I like the above comment wanted a program that wouldn’t close a door to fellowship but also wouldn’t force me into one.
My interviews all in all were pretty similar. Generic questions about why there, why OBGYN, aspects of my application. I had a large portion of places with “behavioral questions”. 1-2 places asked me questions in regards to what I would do in specific situations which ended up requiring some knowledge. Ex. What would you do if a nurse paged you about a patient you just delivered/repaired a 2nd degree lac who was continuing to bleed. (All senior residents unavailable). I had no skill portions to my interviews. One place had a team building where we had to use building blocks in a group of 3 applicants.
I ranked on fit and geographical location. My partner has a career that requires him to live in specific areas.
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I agree that for me it was important to find a place strong in surgery. Majority, if not all, programs have high volume... or at least enough... OB but a good portion struggle with surgery. It could be because of volume, training, or fellows. I like the above comment wanted a program that wouldn’t close a door to fellowship but also wouldn’t force me into one.
My interviews all in all were pretty similar. Generic questions about why there, why OBGYN, aspects of my application. I had a large portion of places with “behavioral questions”. 1-2 places asked me questions in regards to what I would do in specific situations which ended up requiring some knowledge. Ex. What would you do if a nurse paged you about a patient you just delivered/repaired a 2nd degree lac who was continuing to bleed. (All senior residents unavailable). I had no skill portions to my interviews. One place had a team building where we had to use building blocks in a group of 3 applicants.
I ranked on fit and geographical location. My partner has a career that requires him to live in specific areas.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
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