Essential Questions for US Citizen IMGs in OB GYN Residency Interviews

Why Your Questions Matter as a US Citizen IMG in OB/GYN

As a US citizen IMG or American studying abroad, the questions you ask during OB GYN residency interviews can strongly influence how programs perceive you—and how you evaluate them. Thoughtful, specific questions show that you:

• Understand the realities of obstetrics and gynecology training
• Have researched the program and the obstetrics match process
• Are seriously considering fit, not just “trying to match anywhere”
• Can advocate for your own learning and well-being

For US citizen IMGs, this is particularly important. Programs may be less familiar with your school, your clinical environment, or your preparation for US practice. Strategic questions help you:

• Highlight your insight and maturity
• Address potential concerns indirectly (e.g., clinical exposure, support, visa issues even if you don’t need one)
• Gather concrete information about how well they integrate IMGs into training

This guide is built specifically for US citizen IMGs targeting OB GYN residency. It provides curated, high-yield questions to ask residency programs—residents, faculty, and program directors—plus frameworks so you can adapt them to each interview day.

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Strategy First: How to Choose the Right Questions

Before diving into lists, it helps to understand how to use questions effectively.

Core Principles for US Citizen IMGs

1. Be specific and informed
   Generic questions (“Tell me about your program”) waste valuable time. Use targeted questions that show you’ve done your homework. For example:

   • Refer to something from their website, social media, or faculty profiles.
   • Connect your background as a US citizen IMG to what you’re asking.

2. Aim for information you can’t Google
   Save your questions for issues that only current residents or faculty can answer:

   • Culture, teaching style, and support
   • How they treat IMGs and American students who trained abroad
   • What it truly feels like to be on L&D nights, GYN oncology, etc.

3. Prioritize depth over quantity
   You do not need 25 questions for each session. Instead:

   • Have 3–5 strong questions for residents
   • 3–4 for the program director (PD) or APD
   • 2–3 for faculty and subspecialists
   • 2–3 for the program coordinator or administrative staff

4. Make questions serve double duty
   The best questions:

   • Get you information and
   • Let you subtly highlight your strengths, interests, or experiences as an IMG

   Example:
   “At my medical school abroad we had a very hands-on L&D experience early; how soon do interns here start managing labor and doing deliveries independently, and how is that supervision structured?”

5. Keep the tone positive, not defensive
   Even if you’ve faced obstacles as a US citizen IMG, frame questions as curiosity and growth—not frustration or fear.

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High-Value Questions to Ask Current Residents

Residents are your best source of honest information. They’ll tell you how the program really functions day to day—especially important if you’re an American studying abroad and have less exposure to US clinical residency environments.

Use these questions (and variants) during resident-only sessions, pre-interview dinners, or virtual meet-and-greets.

1. Training, Autonomy, and Clinical Experience

You want to know: Will I become a competent, confident OB GYN? As a US citizen IMG, you may be especially focused on ensuring your training is on par with US grads.

Questions to ask residents:

• “By the end of intern year, what can you do independently on L&D?”
  Follow-ups:

  • “How many deliveries did you log your first year?”
  • “How comfortable did you feel managing labor and triaging obstetric patients?”

• “What does graduated responsibility look like here?”

  • “When do you start being chief of the L&D floor or running triage?”
  • “When are you first surgeon on major GYN cases?”

• “Do you feel you’re getting enough surgical volume, especially in hysterectomies, cesareans, and minimally invasive procedures?”

  • “Are there any cases you feel you have to compete with fellows for?”

• “Are there particular rotations where you feel overworked but under-educated—or the opposite?”

  • This helps you sense balance and identify any problematic blocks.

2. Culture, Support, and How IMGs Fit In

As a US citizen IMG, one of the most important areas to explore is how the program integrates residents with diverse training backgrounds.

Questions to ask residents:

• “How supportive are faculty and upper-levels when you’re new and still adjusting to the system?”

  • “Can you give an example of when someone really looked out for you?”

• “Do you have current or past residents who were US citizen IMGs or American students who trained abroad?”
  Follow-ups:

  • “How were they supported in transitioning to residency here?”
  • “Have there been any challenges they faced that the program addressed?”

• “If a resident is struggling academically, clinically, or personally, what does the program do?”
  You’re looking for:

  • Formal remediation structures
  • Wellness and mental health resources
  • Evidence they don’t just “weed people out”

• “How would you describe the culture here in one or two words? What made you choose this program over others?”
  Resident descriptors like “supportive,” “family,” “intense but fair,” or “sink or swim” are revealing.

3. Workload, Lifestyle, and Wellness

OB GYN is demanding everywhere—but there are big differences in how programs manage that workload.

Questions to ask residents:

• “On a typical L&D call or night shift, what are your hours really like? How often do you truly get out on time?”

• “How are nights and weekends scheduled across the four years?”

  • “Is there a night float system?”
  • “Do you feel the schedule is equitable among residents?”

• “Tell me about wellness here—beyond just what’s on the website. What do people actually do to protect their well-being?”

  • “Do people take vacations? Is it easy to schedule them?”
  • “If someone has a crisis or pregnancy complication, how does the program respond?”

• “What’s it realistically like to live in this city/area on a resident salary?”

  • “Where do most residents live?”
  • “Do you feel safe commuting after night shifts?”

4. Education, Feedback, and Board Preparation

You want solid preparation for CREOGs and the specialty boards—especially if your pre-residency training model abroad was different.

Questions to ask residents:

• “How structured is the educational curriculum? What does a typical week of teaching look like?”

  • “Are you allowed to leave the floor for didactics, or are you constantly interrupted?”

• “How does the program support CREOG and ABOG board preparation?”

  • “Do you get protected time for studying?”
  • “What were the CREOG scores like for your class, and did you feel prepared?”

• “How often do you get formal feedback on your performance? Is it actually helpful?”

  • “Can you share an example of valuable feedback you received and how it was delivered?”

5. Graduates’ Outcomes and Career Paths

Programs that truly train and support residents will have graduates who match into solid fellowships or satisfying generalist roles.

Questions to ask residents:

• “What have recent graduates gone on to do—fellowships, academic practice, community practice?”

  • “Are there certain fellowships or institutions you frequently match into?”

• “If someone wants a competitive fellowship (MFM, Gyn Onc, REI, MIGS), what support do they get?”

  • “Mentorship, research opportunities, letters, away rotations?”

• “Do you feel you’d be comfortable going straight into generalist practice after graduating from here?”

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What to Ask the Program Director and Leadership

The PD and leadership team are key decision-makers in the obstetrics match. Use this time to ask higher-level, strategic questions that show your insight. This is also where you’ll lean into the keywords: questions to ask residency, what to ask program director, and targeted interview questions for them.

1. Program Vision, Values, and Culture

Questions to ask the program director:

• “How would you describe the mission and identity of this OB GYN residency? What makes this program distinct from others in the region?”

• “How do you define success for your residents—not just in terms of board scores, but as future OB GYNs?”

• “What are one or two changes you’ve made to the program in the last few years based on resident feedback?”

  • This reveals responsiveness and whether resident voices truly matter.

• “What types of residents tend to thrive here, and what characteristics might suggest that someone is not a good fit?”

  • Pay attention: Does their description match your personality and situation as a US citizen IMG?

2. IMG and US Citizen IMG Integration

This is critical for you as a US citizen IMG or American studying abroad. You want to know their experience and attitude.

Targeted questions to ask program director:

• “Do you currently have or have you recently had residents who were US citizen IMGs or trained at international schools?”
  Follow-ups:

  • “How do you support them in transitioning to the US clinical environment?”
  • “Have you noticed any common challenges or strengths they bring?”

• “From your perspective, what distinguishes successful IMGs in your program from those who struggle?”

  • This gives you insight into expectations and may reassure them you’re thinking ahead.

• “Are there any additional orientation, simulation, or support resources offered to help residents from varied educational backgrounds adjust?”

Even though you don’t need a visa as a US citizen IMG, these questions signal that you understand the diversity of training paths and are proactive about integration.

3. Clinical Training and Case Volume

Questions to ask program leadership:

• “How do you ensure residents meet or exceed ACGME case minimums in both obstetrics and gynecology?”

  • “Have there been any recent concerns about case volume in certain areas (e.g., benign gyn, MIGS, OB surgery)? How were they addressed?”

• “With increasing involvement of midwives, hospitalists, and advanced practice providers, how do you protect resident learning opportunities on L&D?”

• “Are there any upcoming changes—new hospital affiliations, fellowship programs—that might affect resident case volume or autonomy?”

4. Education, Research, and Career Development

Questions to ask the program director:

• “What is your philosophy on balancing service with education in this program?”

• “Can you describe the research expectations for residents? How are IMGs or residents with less prior research experience supported to get involved?”

• “How does the program help residents explore and prepare for different career paths—generalist practice, academic medicine, rural/underserved care, or fellowships?”

• “Do you have formal mentorship programs, and how are residents matched with mentors?”

5. Program Stability, Outcomes, and Honest Metrics

You’re entitled to know whether the program is stable and successful.

Questions to ask program leadership:

• “How have your board pass rates been over the last 5–10 years?”

  • “If there were any dips, what changes did you make in response?”

• “What percentage of residents typically graduate on time?”

• “Have there been any major leadership changes recently, and how has that impacted the program?”

These are higher-level, data-driven questions that demonstrate maturity and long-term thinking—an excellent signal from a US citizen IMG.

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Specialty-Specific Questions for OB GYN Programs

While many residency interview questions are generic, OB GYN has unique features—24/7 L&D, surgical training, family planning, and sensitive patient populations. As you refine your list of interview questions for them, adapt some of these OB GYN–specific ideas.

1. Labor & Delivery and Obstetric Training

• “How is the L&D unit structured, and what are the specific resident roles at each PGY level?”

• “Do residents gain experience with high-risk obstetrics (e.g., placenta accreta spectrum, severe preeclampsia, multiple gestations)? Is there a referral center or MFM service?”

• “How often do residents manage obstetric emergencies independently, and what simulation training is offered for shoulder dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage, and eclampsia?”

• “How is continuity of prenatal care handled? Do residents follow their own patients from clinic to delivery?”

2. Gynecologic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Training

• “What is the balance between open, laparoscopic, and robotic hysterectomies in your resident experience?”

• “Is there a dedicated minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) rotation? How early do residents get hands-on MIGS experience?”

• “If there are MIGS or oncologic fellows, how do you ensure residents still get adequate primary surgeon experience?”

• “Do residents get exposure to urogynecology and pelvic floor procedures?”

3. Family Planning and Reproductive Health

• “What kind of exposure do residents have to contraception, family planning, and abortion care, where legally applicable?”

  • “If some procedures are restricted locally, how do you meet ACGME requirements—are there away rotations?”

• “How are residents supported if they have moral or religious objections to certain aspects of family planning while still maintaining required competencies?”

4. Subspecialty Exposure and Fellowships

• “Which OB GYN subspecialties are represented on faculty here (MFM, Gyn Onc, REI, MIGS, FPMRS, complex family planning)?”

• “For residents interested in fellowship, when do they typically start preparing, and what structured support is available?”

• “How do you balance subspecialty exposure with ensuring strong generalist training for those not pursuing fellowship?”

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Practical Tips for US Citizen IMGs: How to Use These Questions Effectively

Having good questions is only half the battle. You also need to deploy them well during the fast-paced interview season.

1. Build a Question Bank and Theme It

Create a personal document with categories:

• Program culture and support
• IMG/US citizen IMG integration
• Clinical training (OB, GYN, surgery)
• Education and boards
• Career outcomes and fellowships
• Location, lifestyle, and logistics

Under each, list 3–6 questions you like. Before each interview:

• Review the program’s website and social media
• Cross off anything already answered clearly online
• Add 1–2 program-specific questions based on what you learned

2. Tailor Questions to Each Interviewer

• Residents: Ask about day-to-day reality, the “feel” of the program, call, wellness, and how they’re treated.
• Program Director/APD: Focus on big-picture issues—program vision, curriculum changes, outcomes, and how they view US citizen IMGs.
• Faculty/Subspecialists: Ask about mentorship, research, subspecialty training, and what they value in residents.
• Program Coordinator/Staff: Clarify logistics, scheduling, relocation support, and communication styles.

3. Use Questions to Highlight Your Strengths

Frame questions with a brief context that showcases you:

• “Coming from an international school where I had a lot of hands-on time in L&D, I’ve learned I value early autonomy. How does your program structure intern responsibilities on L&D, and how is supervision balanced with independence?”

• “I did my electives in the US in a busy urban hospital serving underserved communities; that’s the environment I feel drawn to. How does this program engage with local underserved or marginalized populations?”

This turns every question into a mini “answer” about who you are and what you bring.

4. Avoid These Common Pitfalls

• Don’t ask about salary or vacation first. Those details are usually on the website or GME site. Ask them if something is unclear, but not as your opening topic.
• Avoid questions that sound like complaints. Instead of “Will I be overworked?” ask “How does the program balance service needs with resident education and well-being?”
• Don’t interrogate. Keep the tone conversational; listen actively and build on what the interviewer says.
• Don’t say, “I have no questions.” Have at least one thoughtful question for each person you speak with, even if it’s clarifying something you already know.

5. Take Notes Immediately After

Right after the interview day:

• Jot down quick bullet points:
  • What surprised you (good or bad)?
  • How did residents talk about each other and faculty?
  • Did you see any evidence of IMGs being fully integrated and respected?
  • Did the answers match the website or differ significantly?

You will thank yourself when building your rank list and comparing programs.

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FAQs: Questions to Ask Programs as a US Citizen IMG in OB GYN

1. As a US citizen IMG, should I directly ask programs if they are “IMG friendly”?
It’s better to phrase this more thoughtfully. Instead of “Are you IMG friendly?” ask:

• “Have you had US citizen IMGs or internationally trained grads in your program recently?”
• “How have they done here, and what support systems were most helpful for them?”
  This gets you the same information while sounding professional and self-aware.

2. How many questions should I ask in each interview?
Aim for quality over quantity:

• With each resident: 1–3 questions, depending on time
• With PD/APD: 3–5 questions, prioritizing culture, outcomes, and support
• With faculty: 2–3 questions focusing on teaching and mentorship
  Have extras prepared in case time allows, but don’t rush or “fire off” a long list.

3. Are there any questions I should avoid as a US citizen IMG?
Avoid:

• Questions that challenge policies aggressively (“Why don’t you sponsor visas?”—not needed as a US citizen anyway)
• Questions implying desperation (“Will you rank me if I signal strong interest?”)
• Anything that could sound like you’re comparing them negatively to “US schools” or using your IMG status as an excuse
  Focus on curiosity, fit, and growth.

4. Can I ask about my chances of matching during the interview?
Directly asking, “What are my chances of matching here?” or “Where will you rank me?” is considered unprofessional and places the interviewer in an uncomfortable position. Instead, you can ask:

• “What characteristics do you look for in applicants you rank highly?”
• “Based on what you know about my background so far, are there any areas you think I should particularly focus on improving as I enter residency?”
  This gives you feedback without crossing NRMP guidelines or social norms.

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Thoughtful, well-structured questions can transform your OB GYN interview days from stressful interrogations into genuine two-way conversations. As a US citizen IMG, this is one of your strongest tools to demonstrate insight, professionalism, and readiness—and to make sure the program you join will truly help you become the OB GYN you want to be.