Essential Guide for MD Graduates: Researching OB GYN Residency Programs

Understanding the Landscape: What Makes an OB GYN Residency “Good” For You

Choosing where to apply and how to research residency programs is as important as Step scores and letters of recommendation. For an MD graduate targeting OB GYN residency, a thoughtful program research strategy not only improves your chances of an allopathic medical school match, it shapes the next 4+ years of your life and the foundation of your career.

Before you dive into individual websites and spreadsheets, clarify what “good program” truly means for you. A top-name institution is not automatically the best fit.

Core dimensions to evaluate

As you start evaluating residency programs, think in terms of these domains:

1. Clinical Training Breadth and Depth

   • Volume and diversity of patients (urban vs rural, tertiary vs community)
   • High-risk obstetrics exposure (e.g., placenta accreta, severe preeclampsia)
   • Gynecologic surgery volume (laparoscopy, vaginal surgery, hysteroscopy)
   • Exposure to subspecialties:
     • Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM)
     • Gynecologic Oncology
     • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI)
     • Urogynecology / FPMRS
     • Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
   • Continuity clinics and longitudinal care

2. Educational Environment

   • Protected didactic time (Are residents routinely released from clinical duties?)
   • Structured curriculum (simulation, ultrasound training, surgical skills)
   • Board preparation (CREOG review, in-house question banks, mock oral boards)
   • Performance on CREOG in-training exams and board pass rates

3. Culture and Wellness

   • Resident camaraderie and support
   • Approachability of faculty and leadership
   • Attitudes about diversity, equity, and inclusion
   • Call schedule, night float systems, vacation policies
   • Support for parental leave and life events

4. Career and Fellowship Outcomes

   • Fellowship match rates into MFM, Gyn Onc, REI, FPMRS, MIGS, etc.
   • Variety of post-residency paths: academic vs private practice vs hybrid
   • Mentorship and scholarship opportunities
   • Opportunities for leadership, advocacy, and teaching

5. Location and Practical Considerations

   • City size, cost of living, commute, housing
   • Partner/family needs, childcare, employment opportunities for significant others
   • Proximity to support systems
   • Visa support if you’re an international graduate (less common for MD graduates but still relevant)

Having this framework upfront will prevent you from being overly swayed by reputation alone and will guide a more systematic program research strategy.

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Stepwise Program Research Strategy for OB GYN MD Graduates

Step 1: Build a Comprehensive Initial List

Your first task isn’t choosing; it’s collecting.

Use official databases

Start with these key sources:

• FREIDA (AMA Residency & Fellowship Database)

  • Filter by:
    • Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • State/region preferences
    • Program size, type (university, community, hybrid)
  • Export or copy details into a spreadsheet.

• ERAS Program Directory

  • Cross-check program names, ACGME codes, and application requirements.
  • Note:
    • US MD vs DO acceptance patterns
    • Any explicit score cutoffs or minimums
    • Required number of LORs, OB GYN chair letter, etc.

• ACGME Public Listings

  • Confirm accreditation status.
  • Check for programs on probation or with recent major changes.

From these sources, generate a long list of all OB GYN programs that could be reasonable options based on geography and your academic profile.

Step 2: Create a Comparison Spreadsheet

Treat this like a small research project. A structured document will help you compare and avoid emotional, last-minute decisions.

Suggested columns:

• Program name and ACGME ID
• City, state, region
• Program type (university, university-affiliated, community)
• Number of residents per year
• Required USMLE/COMLEX (and any listed cutoffs)
• Average Step 2 score range if available (many won’t publish this)
• Visa sponsorship (if relevant)
• Call structure (night float vs traditional call)
• Level 1 trauma center? Tertiary care? Safety net hospital?
• Subspecialty fellowships on site (MFM, Gyn Onc, REI, FPMRS, MIGS)
• Annual delivery volume, surgical volume (if published)
• Moonlighting allowed? If so, at what PGY level?
• Notable strengths (e.g., global health track, ultrasound curriculum)
• Potential concerns (e.g., recent leadership turnover, probation history)
• Your “fit” notes (urban vs rural, family nearby, etc.)
• Subjective interest score (1–5 or 1–10)
• Priority tier (Reach / Target / Safety)

This becomes your working tool throughout the season, from research to interview ranking.

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Digging Deeper: How to Research Residency Programs Effectively

After you have a master list, the real work begins: qualitative investigation. This is where you distinguish excellent training environments from red flags.

1. Mastering Program Websites

Program websites are often your first “impression.” Approach them with a critical eye.

Key sections to review

• Program Overview

  • Mission statement: Does it emphasize community care, research, surgical excellence, advocacy, or something else?
  • Program size: Smaller programs may offer closer mentorship; larger ones may offer more subspecialty depth.

• Curriculum and Rotations

  • Distribution of OB vs GYN rotations by year
  • Dedicated time for subspecialties and electives
  • Continuity clinic structure (How many sessions weekly? Same site vs multiple?)
  • Simulation lab usage and ultrasound training

• Case Volume

  • Annual deliveries (e.g., >3,000 vs <1,500)
  • Surgical metrics, especially hysterectomies and minimally invasive procedures
  • Level of autonomy described (early hands-on vs late)

• Faculty and Leadership

  • Program Director (PD) and Associate PD bios
  • Subspecialty faculty presence (do they have fellowship training in MFM, Gyn Onc, etc.?)
  • Diversity of faculty (gender, race, backgrounds)

• Resident Roster

  • Where residents went to medical school (MD vs DO, US vs international)
  • Geographic patterns (Are they mostly local or from all over the country?)
  • Alumni destinations (academic jobs, fellowships, community practice)

• Research and Scholarly Activity

  • Ongoing clinical trials or research themes
  • Requirements for scholarly projects or QI
  • Support: statisticians, protected time, travel funding for conferences

• Wellness and Culture

  • Mention of wellness initiatives, retreats, mentoring programs
  • Explicit statements about support for parents and diversity

Reading between the lines

• If curriculum pages are seriously outdated (e.g., “Last updated 2016”), email or call to confirm details.
• If a website has no resident photos or names, it may indicate poor website maintenance—or discomfort with transparency. Note it and look for more data elsewhere.
• Overly polished websites can still hide issues. Always triangulate with other sources.

2. Using the ACGME and Clinical Outcomes Data

The ACGME provides limited but critical information:

• Accreditation status: Confirm full accreditation and note any citations (if available).
• Case minimums: While specific case logs are not public, understanding national requirements helps you ask better questions about volume and exposure during interviews.

Supplement this by asking current residents (via email or on interview day) about:

• Whether they routinely meet or exceed case minimums
• Any rotation sites where volume is so high that residents feel overwhelmed

3. Leveraging Program Social Media

Many OB GYN programs maintain active Instagram, Twitter/X, or Facebook pages. These can reveal:

• Day-to-day culture (resident social events, wellness days, advocacy activities)
• How they celebrate diversity and achievements
• How they responded to major events (e.g., policy changes affecting reproductive healthcare in their state)
• Resident involvement in advocacy around reproductive rights, maternal mortality, health equity

Tip: Compare social media tone across several programs. Some will feel intensely academic; others, more “family-like.” Ask yourself where you would be happiest working 80+ hours a week at times.

4. Talking to People: Mentors, Residents, and Peers

A well-researched OB GYN residency list always includes direct human input.

Faculty mentors

As an MD graduate from an allopathic medical school, you likely have:

• OB GYN clerkship directors
• Sub-I or acting internship supervisors
• Research mentors

Ask them:

• Which programs they think align with your goals (e.g., “I’m leaning toward academic MFM vs generalist in underserved areas”).
• Which programs have reputations for strong surgical training, supportive culture, or research.
• Whether they can connect you to alumni at specific programs.

Recent graduates and residents

Reach out to:

• Alumni from your medical school now in OB GYN residency.
• Residents you met during away rotations or conferences.

Questions to ask (politely and concisely):

• “What makes your program strong?”
• “What would you change if you could?”
• “How supported do you feel by leadership?”
• “Do you feel safe speaking up about concerns?”
• “How is the surgical autonomy and attending-resident relationship?”

Be respectful of their time; short, focused emails or 15-minute calls are appropriate.

Peers in your application cycle

Share notes with classmates applying to OB GYN:

• You may discover programs you hadn’t considered.
• You can exchange impressions after virtual info sessions or open houses.

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Evaluating Residency Programs: Translating Data Into Decisions

Once you’ve gathered information, the next challenge is evaluating residency programs against your personal priorities. This is where objectivity and self-awareness matter.

1. Clarify Your Personal and Professional Priorities

Before rating programs, answer these questions honestly:

• Do I want an academic career (research, teaching, fellowship) or community generalist practice?
• How important is it to stay in a specific geographic region (for partner/family/personal reasons)?
• Where do I see myself on the spectrum of interest:
  • More OB vs more GYN vs balanced?
  • Strong interest in a specific subspecialty?
  • Passion for advocacy, policy, global health, or medical education?

Rank your top 5–8 priorities (e.g., “Strong surgical exposure,” “Fellowship match history,” “City size,” “Proximity to family”). Use these as criteria in your comparison tool.

2. Weigh Program Type: University vs Community vs Hybrid

Each type of OB GYN residency has pros and cons:

University-based programs

• Strengths:

  • High acuity, complex cases, strong subspecialty presence
  • More research and fellowship exposure
  • Robust academic environment

• Considerations:

  • May be more competitive
  • Potentially less primary OB/GYN continuity if many fellows are present (ask how they protect resident cases)

Community programs

• Strengths:

  • Often more autonomy earlier
  • Strong generalist training—excellent for those planning community practice
  • Closer relationships with a smaller faculty group

• Considerations:

  • Fewer in-house fellowships—might mean less subspecialty exposure but more hands-on cases
  • Research infrastructure may be limited (though some are quite strong)

Hybrid / University-affiliated

• Blend of both: university rotations plus community sites. Clarify how much time is spent in each setting and how residents perceive this split.

When evaluating residency programs, align program type with your career goals rather than prestige alone.

3. Analyze Clinical Volume and Autonomy

For OB GYN, adequate volume and autonomy are non-negotiable.

Key questions (from websites, interviews, or resident conversations):

• Deliveries:
  • “How many deliveries do residents typically log by graduation?”
  • “Do juniors get hands-on experience or mostly triage/clinic?”
• GYN surgery:
  • “What is the average number of hysterectomies, laparoscopic procedures, and vaginal surgeries per resident?”
  • “Do fellows take major cases away, or is there a clear structure for resident autonomy?”
• Continuity:
  • “Do residents follow their own prenatal patients into labor and delivery and postpartum?”

Look for a balance: ultra-high volume without adequate supervision can be as problematic as low volume with limited autonomy.

4. Evaluate Educational Rigor and Board Preparation

CREOG in-training exam performance and board pass rates are useful indicators.

Ask or look for:

• How residents perform on CREOGs as a group (above, at, or below national average).
• Whether programs have:
  • Regular didactics with protected time
  • Simulation for shoulder dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage, operative vaginal delivery, laparoscopic skills
  • Institutional support for attending conferences (ACOG, subspecialty meetings)

Programs that invest heavily in education typically highlight this clearly.

5. Assess Culture, Wellness, and Diversity

Culture is harder to quantify but crucial for your day-to-day life.

Clues worth noting:

• Are residents smiling and interacting comfortably in photos and on interview day?
• How do they talk about leadership when asked open-ended questions?
• Is there visible diversity among residents and faculty?
• Are there formal mentorship programs and resident support structures?

On interview days or virtual Q&A:

• Ask residents how often they feel overwhelmed vs supported.
• Ask for examples of how the program handled a resident facing personal or health challenges.
• Look for honest nuance rather than scripted perfection.

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Strategic Application Planning: Matching Your Profile to Programs

Having researched the landscape, your next step is to strategically target programs to optimize your OB GYN residency and obstetrics match outcome.

1. Understand Your Competitiveness

As an MD graduate, you typically have favorable odds in the allopathic medical school match for OB GYN compared with other pathways, but competitiveness still varies.

Consider:

• Step 2 CK score and clinical performance
• Honors in OB GYN clerkship and sub-I
• Quality and number of letters of recommendation
• Research or meaningful scholarly work (especially if targeting academic or fellowship-heavy programs)
• Unique experiences (leadership, advocacy, global health, QI)

Discuss your competitiveness openly with your home OB GYN advisors. They can help you estimate the number and level of programs to target.

2. Categorize Programs: Reach, Target, and Safety

For each program in your spreadsheet, label:

• Reach: Programs where your metrics/research experience are at or slightly below typical levels; often highly ranked academic centers.
• Target: Programs where your profile closely matches their typical residents.
• Safety: Programs you exceed typical metrics and where you are more likely to secure interviews.

Avoid a list composed mainly of “dream” programs. OB GYN remains competitive; a balanced list improves your chances of a successful match.

3. Geographical Strategy

For many MD graduates, geography is a priority:

• Decide whether you are willing to train anywhere or prefer specific regions (Northeast, West Coast, South, Midwest).
• Consider reproductive healthcare legislation in each state and how that might affect:
  • Abortion training and complex family planning exposure
  • Advocacy work
  • Long-term professional and personal comfort

Some applicants intentionally include states with robust reproductive care access to ensure comprehensive training.

4. Tailoring Your Application and Outreach

Once your program research is done:

• Tailor your personal statement to emphasize interests that align with the types of programs you’re targeting (e.g., community-focused, advocacy-driven, highly academic).
• Ask mentors if a targeted email or phone call to PDs at selected programs would be appropriate, especially where you have a strong fit or connection.
• Attend virtual open houses or info sessions for programs high on your list. Take notes and ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your research.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How many OB GYN residency programs should an MD graduate apply to?

The number varies by applicant competitiveness, but many MD graduates apply to 25–40 programs in OB GYN. Highly competitive applicants may apply to fewer; those with weaker metrics or gaps may apply to more (40–60). Your advisors and clerkship director can provide a more tailored range based on your profile, but a broad and careful list is safer than an overly narrow one.

2. How do I know if a program is strong in both OB and GYN, not just one?

Look at:

• Annual delivery numbers and types of OB cases (high risk vs low risk).
• Surgical volume for key procedures (particularly minimally invasive and vaginal surgery).
• Presence of subspecialists in both maternal-fetal medicine and gynecologic oncology.
• Resident case logs if shared; if not, ask on interview day:
  • “Do graduates feel equally competent on L&D and in the OR?”
  • “How many hysterectomies do you typically complete by graduation?”

Programs that emphasize balanced training usually highlight this explicitly in their curriculum and resident testimonials.

3. How important is fellowship match data when researching OB GYN programs?

Fellowship match data is very important if you already know you want subspecialty training. Programs with a consistent track record of placing residents into MFM, Gyn Onc, REI, FPMRS, or MIGS indicate:

• Strong mentorship and letters
• Adequate research exposure
• National visibility of faculty

If you’re undecided about fellowship, these programs can still be beneficial, but don’t dismiss community programs that excel in training generalists and may still support the occasional fellowship applicant successfully.

4. Should I avoid programs in states with restricted reproductive health laws?

Not automatically, but you should research carefully:

• Some programs in restricted states have developed workarounds for abortion training (e.g., out-of-state rotations).
• Others may have significantly limited exposure, which can affect your comfort managing certain aspects of reproductive healthcare.

Ask programs directly and respectfully how current laws affect:

• Abortion training and comprehensive family planning
• Advocacy opportunities
• Day-to-day OB GYN practice

Then weigh this against your values, learning goals, and long-term career plans.

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By approaching OB GYN residency research with structure and intentionality—using a clear program research strategy, detailed data collection, and honest self-reflection—you’ll be far better positioned to construct a list that supports both a successful obstetrics match and a fulfilling training experience. Your goal isn’t simply to match; it’s to match into a program where you will grow into the kind of OB GYN physician you want to become.