If you want a career as an obstetrician or gynecologist, here is how competitive the medical specialty is to match into an obstetrics and gynecology residency. Obstetrics and gynecology is the branch of medicine that involves the delivery of medical and surgical care to women.
Statistics on the Obstetrics and Gynecology Match
As of the most recent NRMP data, obstetrics and gynecology had a total of 2,044 applicants and 1,503 spots. This equates to 1.36 applicants per position. Of the 1,315 U.S. MD seniors who applied, 212 did not match.
| Total Positions | Total Number of Applicants | Number of Applicants per Position |
| 1,503 | 2,044 | 1.36 |
Osteopathic (DO) Students Matching into Obstetrics and Gynecology
The total number of DO Senior Applicants was 371. Of those, 241 matched, for a 64.96% match percentage. This makes obstetrics and gynecology a not super friendly field for osteopathic students.
| Total DO Applicants | Matched DO Applicants | DO Match Percentage | |
| 371 | 241 | 64.96% |
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) Matching into Obstetrics and Gynecology
Because there are 0.87 U.S. MD applicants per 1 program spot, obstetrics and gynecology is considered to be Not Friendly for IMGs students.
Honors, Research and Awards for Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Candidates
The average matched U.S. applicant had 10.2 volunteer experiences and 3.8 work experiences. They had 4.4 research experiences and 6.8 abstracts, presentations and publications. That makes this specialty on where the number of publications needed is Medium.
| Research Experiences | Abstracts, Presentations and Publications | Work Experiences | Volunteer Experiences |
| 4.4 | 6.8 | 3.8 | 10.2 |
Average Step 2 Scores for Obstetrics and Gynecology
The mean USMLE Step 2 CK score was 248. The overall competitiveness level of obstetrics and gynecology is High for a U.S. senior.
How long is a residency in obstetrics and gynecology? What is the lifestyle like for an obstetrics and gynecology resident?
Compared to other residencies, obstetrics and gynecology has a Medium training length. As far as lifestyle, obstetricians or gynecologists generally have a High stress lifestyle. Of course, lifestyle is very subjective and if you love what you do, it does not matter! And if you hate what you do, it can still be rough no matter what. In medicine, you should find the specialty that makes you enjoy your everyday interactions with patients, staff and colleagues.
What is the average salary for an obstetrician or gynecologist?
The average salary post-graduation from an obstetrics and gynecology residency is $242,000, provided one does not go on to sub-specialty training which can change the salary substantially. Academic versus private practice as well as location also play a large role in physician compensation.
What are fellowships one can do from an obstetrics and gynecology residency?
Following the successful completion of general obstetrics and gynecology residency, some physicians may choose to continue their graduate medical education with subspecialty training. Board-certified subspecialists complete additional training and qualifying examinations beyond those required for board certification in obstetrics and gynecology. Currently, the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology certifies the following fellowships:
What are the best obstetrics and gynecology residencies in the country?
The best residency for obstetrics and gynecology, or any specialty, is very driven by personal preference and situation. How close you are to family, loved ones, the type of training environment, the opportunities available are all things to take into consideration above and beyond name recognition of a program. However, there are some highly regarded names in the world of obstetrics and gynecology including:
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- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Northwestern University (Feinberg)
Much of the data above is available from the AAMC Charting the Outcomes report.
Explore Other Specialties:
| Specialty | Average Step 2 Score (Matched) |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | 246 |
| Child Neurology | 246 |
| Dermatology | 256 |
| Diagnostic Radiology | 249 |
| Emergency Medicine | 247 |
| Family Medicine | 238 |
| General Surgery | 249 |
| Internal Medicine | 248 |
| Internal Medicine/Pediatrics | 250 |
| Interventional Radiology | 255 |
| Neurological Surgery | 252 |
| Neurology | 245 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology | 248 |
| Orthopaedic Surgery | 255 |
| Otolaryngology | 256 |
| Pathology | 242 |
| Pediatrics | 245 |
| Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | 241 |
| Plastic Surgery | 256 |
| Psychiatry | 241 |
| Radiation Oncology | 250 |
| Vascular Surgery | 247 |
