Advising and Interview Patterns of Medical Students Pursuing Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency

To describe the advising practices at medical schools and interview patterns among medical students pursuing obstetrics and gynecology residency training.

A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed to all applicants interviewing for obstetrics and gynecology residency during the 2014-2015 cycle at the University of Colorado, University of Washington, University of California, San Francisco, and Loyola University. Demographic data were obtained. The survey explored student advising in the residency application process including number of applications and interviews recommended by advisors. Data are reported as percentage for each survey item and compared by select demographics using an exact χ.

Among 315 unique possible applicants, 73% (n=230) responded. Students were most commonly advised by the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship director (33%) with recommendations to apply to 21-30 programs (48%). Thirty-four percent of students applied to 21-30 programs, 32% to 31-40 programs, and 30% to greater than 40 programs. Students were advised (70%) and planned (55%) to interview at 10-14 programs. Concern over competitiveness of the applicant pool was the most important factor (31%) in determining the number of applications. The number of programs advised to or plan to interview at was greater for those in the couples match (P<.001).

Medical students pursuing obstetrics and gynecology are most likely to be advised by obstetrics and gynecology clerkship directors and concern over the competitiveness of the applicant pool results in students applying to large numbers of programs. This practice may adversely affect the obstetrics and gynecology match process for both programs and applicants through the requirements of managing additional applications and potentially needing to complete a greater number of interviews.