Essential CV Building Guide for Caribbean IMGs in OB-GYN Residency

Understanding the Role of the CV for a Caribbean IMG in OB‑GYN

For a Caribbean international medical graduate aiming for an obstetrics and gynecology residency, your CV is more than a list of experiences—it is your marketing document and credibility check. Programs will skim your CV in seconds to decide whether to read your personal statement closely or invite you for an interview.

As a Caribbean medical school graduate, you may face additional scrutiny compared to U.S. MD applicants, so a polished, strategic CV becomes even more critical. Whether you’re coming from SGU, AUC, Ross, Saba, or another Caribbean school, you can absolutely build a competitive profile—many do each year, including strong SGU residency match outcomes in OB‑GYN and other specialties. The key is to present your experiences clearly, highlight your strengths, and address potential perceived gaps proactively.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to build a standout CV tailored to:

• Caribbean IMGs applying to U.S. and Canadian OB‑GYN residencies
• Applicants interested in Caribbean medical school residency pathways and match outcomes
• Anyone who needs practical residency CV tips and wants to know how to build a CV for residency, with an emphasis on obstetrics and gynecology.

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Core Principles of a Strong OB‑GYN Residency CV

Before diving into sections and formatting, anchor your CV in these core principles:

1. Clarity and structure over creativity

Residency program directors review hundreds of CVs. They prefer:

• Clean formatting
• Standard, predictable section order
• Bullet points over dense paragraphs
• Consistent font and spacing

Your CV is not a design project; it’s a professional document. Aim for a 1–3 page length depending on experience; 2 pages is typical for a Caribbean IMG with some research and leadership.

2. OB‑GYN–focused narrative

Every component should advance a clear message: You are committed to women’s health and obstetrics & gynecology and have shown it through your choices and performance.

This doesn’t mean every single activity must be in OB‑GYN, but:

• At least a few core experiences (research, electives, volunteer work) should be in women’s health or perinatal care.
• Other experiences should be framed in a way that shows relevant skills (teamwork, procedural comfort, communication in emotionally intense situations).

3. Accuracy and honesty

Residency applications are audited. Do not inflate:

• Roles (e.g., “PI” when you were a student assistant)
• Dates (overlapping or extended experiences you didn’t actually do)
• Responsibilities (e.g., “independently performed deliveries” when you assisted under supervision)

Be honest; programs value integrity.

4. Consistency with ERAS

Your standalone CV should match your ERAS entries:

• Dates, supervisors, and locations should be identical
• Titles and responsibilities can be shortened for ERAS but must not contradict the CV

Think of your CV as the “expanded, nicely formatted” version of your ERAS application.

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Essential Sections: How to Structure Your OB‑GYN Residency CV

Below is a suggested structure appropriate for Caribbean IMGs in obstetrics and gynecology. Adjust the order based on your strengths (for example, if you have exceptional research, place it higher).

1. Contact Information
2. Education
3. Exams and Certifications
4. Clinical Experience
5. Research and Publications
6. Teaching and Leadership
7. Volunteer and Community Service
8. Honors and Awards
9. Professional Memberships
10. Skills and Languages

Contact Information

Include at the top:

• Full name (as in ERAS/medical diploma)
• Current address (U.S. or Canada address if possible)
• Professional email (FirstLastMD style, not casual usernames)
• Phone number with country code
• LinkedIn (optional but helpful if well-maintained)

Example:

Jane A. Doe, MD (Expected 2026)
jdoe@sgu.edu | +1 (784) 555‑1234 | Current address: Brooklyn, NY
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoe-md

Avoid photos or personal demographics (marital status, age, nationality) on the CV—programs don’t need these.

Education

List in reverse chronological order:

• Medical school (Caribbean institution)
• Undergraduate degree
• Relevant graduate degrees if any (MPH, MSc, etc.)

Include:

• Institution name, city, country
• Degree and expected/actual graduation date
• Brief notes if applicable: class rank, distinctions, thesis title, etc.

Example:

Doctor of Medicine (MD) – St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine
Grenada & U.S. Clinical Centers | Expected Graduation: June 2026

• Basic Sciences Honors List (4 semesters)

Bachelor of Science in Biology – University of the West Indies
Mona, Jamaica | Graduated: May 2021

• First Class Honors

If you transferred schools or repeated semesters, you do not need to detail that here; ERAS will contain your full transcript history.

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Highlighting Clinical Experience as a Caribbean IMG in OB‑GYN

For Caribbean medical school residency applicants, clinical experience is often the most heavily weighted section after exam performance. Program directors want to see:

• Strong performance on OB‑GYN core clerkship
• U.S. clinical experience (USCE), especially audition/sub‑internship rotations in OB‑GYN
• Continuity and recent clinical exposure (no long, unexplained gaps)

Clinical Experience Section Structure

Divide into subheadings when helpful:

• Core Clerkships
• Sub‑Internships/Audition Rotations in OB‑GYN
• Electives
• Externships or Observerships (if post‑graduate)

List each entry with:

• Role: “Clinical Clerk,” “Obstetrics and Gynecology Sub‑Intern,” “Research Extern,” etc.
• Institution, city, state/country
• Dates (month/year)
• Short bullet list of responsibilities and volume (where appropriate)

Example OB‑GYN Core Rotation Entry:

Obstetrics and Gynecology Core Clerkship, Clinical Clerk
Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY | July 2024 – September 2024
St. George’s University School of Medicine

• Completed 8‑week core rotation; evaluated ~80 inpatient and outpatient OB‑GYN patients under supervision
• Participated in prenatal care, triage of laboring patients, and postpartum rounds
• Assisted in 10 vaginal deliveries and 4 cesarean sections as part of team
• Performed pelvic exams, Pap smears, and contraceptive counseling under direct supervision

Audition Rotations and Sub‑Internships in OB‑GYN

Audition rotations are particularly valuable for the obstetrics match. They serve as:

• Extended interviews
• Opportunities to get strong OB‑GYN‑specific letters
• Demonstration of your ability to function at an intern level

When describing them, emphasize:

• Increased responsibility compared with a core rotation
• Night call or labor and delivery involvement
• Procedural exposure and team integration

Example:

Sub‑Intern, Obstetrics and Gynecology
University Hospital OB‑GYN Department, Newark, NJ | September 2025 – October 2025

• Assumed intern-level responsibilities in antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum units
• Managed 5–8 patients daily, presenting on rounds and participating in care plans
• Took 4 in-house calls; assisted with emergency cesarean deliveries and triage evaluations
• Delivered 5 spontaneous vaginal deliveries under resident and attending supervision

U.S. Clinical Experience vs. Home Country Experience

For a Caribbean IMG, U.S. clinical experience (USCE) is often essential for a successful match, especially in OB‑GYN. However, home country experience still matters, particularly if:

• You worked in a busy maternity ward with significant obstetric volume
• You gained hands-on procedural skill
• You worked with underserved populations, which aligns with many OB‑GYN programs’ missions

Frame international clinical experience to highlight:

• High patient volume
• Obstetric emergencies handled as part of a team
• Resource-limited settings and adaptability

Addressing Gaps and Non‑Traditional Paths

If you took a research year, maternity leave, or had a personal break, you don’t need to explain it in the CV, but you should show continued engagement in medicine. For example:

• “Clinical Research Fellow in Maternal-Fetal Medicine” during a gap year
• Short observerships or volunteering in women’s health clinics during exam preparation periods

You can provide more narrative context in your personal statement or interviews.

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Making Research, Scholarly Work, and Leadership Stand Out in OB‑GYN

Program directors in obstetrics and gynecology increasingly value evidence-based practice and scholarly engagement. As a Caribbean IMG, research and leadership can help distinguish you, especially at academic programs.

Research and Publications

Include all scholarly activity relevant to women’s health and OB‑GYN first; then list general research.

Subsections can include:

• Publications (peer‑reviewed)
• Abstracts and Posters
• Oral Presentations
• Ongoing Projects

Example OB‑GYN–Relevant Research Entry:

Student Research Assistant, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY | January 2024 – Present
Mentor: Dr. A. Smith, MD

• Conducted chart review of 300 high-risk pregnancies to evaluate predictors of preeclampsia-related ICU admissions
• Collected and managed data using REDCap; performed basic statistical analysis (SPSS)
• Co‑authored abstract accepted for poster presentation at SMFM 2025

Then list the citation under Publications or Posters:

Posters:

Doe J, Singh P, Smith A. “Predictors of ICU Admission in High‑Risk Preeclampsia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.” Society for Maternal‑Fetal Medicine Annual Meeting, Feb 2025, Orlando, FL.

Even non‑OB‑GYN research can be helpful if it shows:

• Methodological skills
• Persistence and productivity
• Comfort with critical appraisal

Quality Improvement (QI) Projects

OB‑GYN residency programs appreciate QI experience because safety and systems improvement are central to perinatal care.

Examples:

• “Reducing postpartum hemorrhage documentation errors”
• “Improving antenatal steroid administration rates in preterm labor”

On your CV, describe:

• The problem
• Your role
• The outcome (even if partial)

Example:

Quality Improvement Project Lead, Labor & Delivery Handoff Checklist
Brooklyn Hospital Center, NY | April 2025 – September 2025

• Led student-resident team to implement structured handoff checklist for L&D sign‑out
• Developed checklist with attending oversight; created training materials for interns
• Observed 20% reduction in omitted critical information over 3‑month period

Teaching and Leadership

OB‑GYN is a team-based specialty with a strong teaching culture. Caribbean IMGs can display readiness by showing:

• Peer teaching roles (e.g., anatomy tutor, OSCE prep leader)
• Leadership in student OB‑GYN interest groups
• Coordination roles in health fairs or women’s health outreach

Example:

President, OB‑GYN Student Interest Group
St. George’s University School of Medicine | January 2024 – December 2024

• Organized 6 faculty-led workshops on women’s health topics and L&D simulations
• Coordinated 2 panel events with Caribbean IMG alumnae who successfully matched into OB‑GYN (including SGU residency match at academic centers)
• Increased membership by 40% and connected members to shadowing opportunities

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Non‑Clinical Experiences That Strengthen an OB‑GYN Residency CV

Residency programs care about who you are as a person, not just a test score. Non‑clinical experiences can highlight your suitability for a field that demands empathy, resilience, and communication.

Volunteer and Community Service

For OB‑GYN, the most powerful service experiences are often:

• Women’s health education (family planning, prenatal care workshops)
• Work with underserved or immigrant populations
• Domestic violence or sexual health counseling support

Example:

Volunteer, Women’s Health Education Program
Community Health Clinic, St. George’s, Grenada | September 2023 – April 2024

• Facilitated monthly group sessions on prenatal nutrition and breastfeeding for expectant mothers
• Collaborated with midwives and nurses to distribute educational materials in English and Spanish
• Helped screen participants for postpartum depression risk using standardized questionnaires

If your volunteer work is not OB‑GYN related (e.g., tutoring, general community service), still include it, but emphasize transferable skills:

• Communication
• Advocacy
• Cultural humility

Employment and Non‑Traditional Backgrounds

Any previous work—especially in healthcare, education, or customer service—can be relevant if framed correctly.

For example:

• Nurse, midwife, or doula experience (outside the U.S. or pre‑med)
• Teaching experience
• Leadership in sports or arts

Highlight:

• Responsibility level
• Teamwork and communication
• Stress management and professionalism

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

List honors that reflect:

• Academic excellence
• Leadership
• Service contributions

Examples to highlight for OB‑GYN:

• “Best Clinical Student in Obstetrics and Gynecology”
• Teaching awards from peers or faculty
• Leadership awards in women’s health initiatives

Provide:

• Name of award
• Institution
• Date
• One line of context if not self‑explanatory

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Practical Formatting and Content Tips: How to Build a CV for Residency

This section focuses on concrete residency CV tips you can apply immediately.

1. Use a clean, professional layout

• Font: 10–12 pt (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman)
• Margins: 0.5–1 inch
• Align dates on the right, roles on the left
• Use bold for headings and positions; italics sparingly

Avoid:

• Tables and columns (they can break in ERAS uploads)
• Excessive underlining or color
• Clip art or decorative graphics

2. Make every bullet purposeful

For each entry, use 2–4 concise bullets focusing on:

• Your specific role
• Measurable outcomes when possible
• Skills relevant to OB‑GYN (procedures, communication, teaching, leadership)

Weak bullet:

“Helped with patients on labor and delivery.”

Stronger bullet:

“Assisted in the management of laboring patients by performing sterile vaginal exams, monitoring fetal tracing with guidance, and presenting cases on rounds.”

3. Tailor your CV for OB‑GYN specifically

When possible, connect general experiences to obstetrics and gynecology:

• Internal medicine rotation:
  “Managed high‑risk pregnancy patients with pre‑existing diabetes and hypertension on internal medicine service.”

• Emergency medicine experience:
  “Evaluated early pregnancy complications (e.g., ectopic pregnancy, threatened miscarriage) and collaborated with OB‑GYN consult service.”

• Research outside OB‑GYN:
  Highlight statistical and data skills relevant to maternal-fetal research.

4. Show progressive responsibility

Highlight how you’ve taken on increasing responsibility over time, especially in clinical and leadership roles:

• “Member → Coordinator → President” of a student group
• “Volunteer → Team Lead” at a clinic
• “Student assistant → Co‑author” in a research project

This aligns with what programs want to see in future residents: growth and initiative.

5. Balance detail with brevity

As a Caribbean IMG, you may be tempted to over‑explain to compensate for perceived disadvantages. Avoid:

• Long paragraphs in bullet form
• Detailed descriptions of basic medical student tasks (“took vital signs” repeatedly)

Instead, choose the 2–3 most distinctive or higher-level contributions for each activity.

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Special Considerations for Caribbean IMGs and OB‑GYN Programs

Addressing Caribbean School Stigma Proactively

Programs are familiar with Caribbean graduates—many have them in their own ranks. What matters most:

• USMLE/COMLEX scores and first‑time pass
• Robust USCE, ideally at hospitals that take Caribbean graduates
• Professionalism and reliability (evident in letters and during interviews)
• A coherent, honest trajectory on your CV and ERAS

If you’re from a well‑known Caribbean institution with solid outcomes (e.g., strong SGU residency match data in OB‑GYN and other specialties), you can subtly reference this indirectly through your activities:

• Alumni mentoring programs
• OB‑GYN interest groups with matched graduates as speakers
• Collaborative research with affiliated U.S. teaching hospitals

Linking Your CV to a Strong OB‑GYN Personal Statement

Your personal statement should not repeat your CV; it should interpret it. To support this:

• Use the CV to display breadth and depth.
• Use the personal statement to show why these experiences drew you to OB‑GYN and what kind of obstetrician-gynecologist you hope to be.

Ensure consistency between:

• Timelines of big experiences
• Themes (e.g., commitment to underserved women, maternal mortality, global health)

Common Mistakes for Caribbean IMGs to Avoid

• Overcrowded CV: Listing every short‑term shadowing experience separately; group similar, minor activities.
• Unclear roles: Failing to distinguish between observer, clerk, sub‑intern, and extern.
• Poor grammar or typos: Particularly damaging when programs already scrutinize IMGs closely.
• Not aligning with ERAS: Inconsistent dates or titles raise red flags.

Have at least:

• One faculty member in OB‑GYN
• One advisor familiar with Caribbean medical school residency pathways

review your CV before submitting.

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FAQs: CV Building for Caribbean IMG in Obstetrics & Gynecology

1. How long should my residency CV be as a Caribbean IMG applying to OB‑GYN?

Most OB‑GYN applicants have a 2‑page CV. One page may be too short if you have meaningful research, leadership, and volunteer work. More than 3 pages can be excessive unless you have substantial prior careers or multiple publications. Focus on quality and relevance, not just length.

2. I don’t have OB‑GYN research. Will that hurt my obstetrics match chances?

OB‑GYN‑specific research is helpful, especially at academic programs, but it is not mandatory for all residencies. You can still be competitive if you show:

• Strong OB‑GYN clinical performance and USCE
• Clear commitment to women’s health through volunteer and clinical experiences
• Solid exam scores and strong letters of recommendation

If you have time before applying, even a small QI project or case report in OB‑GYN can strengthen your CV.

3. How do I list SGU or other Caribbean schools on my CV to support residency chances?

List your Caribbean school just like any other medical school, with the official name and locations of basic sciences and clinical rotations. You do not need to defend your school on your CV. Instead, show:

• Honors or distinctions
• Leadership and involvement in school organizations
• Strong clinical rotations at reputable U.S. teaching hospitals

Programs are already familiar with SGU residency match outcomes and those of similar schools; your job is to demonstrate that you personally stand out.

4. What are the most important things OB‑GYN programs look for on a Caribbean IMG CV?

While priorities vary by program, common factors include:

• Solid USMLE/COMLEX scores and timely completion
• Strong OB‑GYN core and sub‑intern evaluations
• U.S. clinical experience with substantive responsibilities
• Clear commitment to women’s health (clinical, volunteer, or research)
• Evidence of professionalism, teamwork, and communication skills

Your CV should make these elements easy to see at a glance. Organize and phrase entries so that your readiness for an OB‑GYN residency is unmistakable.