any one applying for obgyn residency

hi. im ricci. im from the philippines and i am planning to apply for a slot in the ob-gyne residency training program. i havent taken the mle yet because i am not sure if the us is open for foreign grads applying for slots in surgical fields. i hear that it is more difficult to get into this field than the medical field because of the malpractice thing. but ob-gyne is the only field i really am interested with. i am currently moonlighting as an ob while thinking of what to do.. i need opinions regarding my situation. i would like to know if there are a lot of hospitals there open to foreign grads, and if they would sponsor h1 visa...
thanks for your time... i hope to hear a lot from everybody out there....

[quote="ss75"]I have fw queries -- 1)Is it true that its much moe difficult to get ObGyn thn IM/Paeds/FP??and does tht mean u need stronger credentilas?(I have low scores /need visa /no USCE:() so will i be a waste if apply at al to obgyn??(but i have done PG in obgyn from my home country). Should i try for other specialities as well for a backup? I have heard tht Obgyn is a difficult speciality to follow here becos of malpractice insurance !!is tht true?? What are other pitfals for my favourite branch ?(asking so tht i can prepare myself mentally n not repent later!) All replis will be appreciated . N best luck to u all.[/quote]

Depends on how much money you want to make, what kind of a group practice you join, if you are joining a hosp as a teaching faculty etc..
If you want a good family life, you can opt to work lesser hours & get paid less.. so it all depends on what you want. No one forces you to work extra hours! :D This is [b]AFTER[/b] you finish your residency. During residency be prepared to work hard.. :cry:

i would really like to know how hectic is the life of an obgyn attending . how many calls per week do they do . do they get to have a family life at all. please if anybody knows about it post it cause i have to make my decision very soon on a prematch. thanks

Am really not sure about the pay difference.. In the long run, I do not think there is much difference.. I am not in this field for the money- its just that I love doing ObGyn and really don't care much for Internal med or any other specialities except maybe Psychiatry!! No offense meant to anyone- just my personal choice! :D

Archrajrao, Thx, thx, and thx!. Ok one more question: with all these long hours, more work than IM, and lawsuits hanging on your head, do OBGYNs get significantly better pay than IMs? greatly appreciate your reply..

I do not understand your question.. You say IM is tougher to get & ObGyn is more competetive..Correct me if I am wrong, but Don't they both mean the same? When you say some program is competetive, you mean that many people are applying for the same & that it is tougher to get into a program. If people say IM is tougher , then IM is also competetive.. Anyways, in my opinion, you do not apply to a program just 'cos it is more competetive or 'cos its easier to get in. You should have a genuine interest in the speciality too.. otherwise you will not be happy! One more reason as to why most people might discourage you from applying to ObGyn is the long working hours... Tho' the 80 hr rule has been implemented, its not always possible to stick to it & most programs that I do know about do admit that there are many weeks when residents do work about 90- 100 hrs/ week!! & trust me, even the 10 hrs you work in a day shift.. you are really working! :) By the time you get home, you are ready to sleep! :D which is what I am going to do now..All the best!

Achrajrao Thanks very much for your reply! I agree with you, but my last question was also why most people still apply ro IM. If OBGYN is more competitive, you would expect them to at least try for it. But whoever, I talk to says IM is better. tougher to get. Do they know something I don't? Thanks again.

I do not think any speciality is better than XYZ speciality. Its just a matter of where your interests lie. Whats great for me might be a not so good speciality for you & vice versa..
Yes, almost all the surgical specialities are a bit more competetive, just 'cos there are fewer number of positions available ...But again, its all a matter of luck & your interests.. So, whatever the speciality you like.. just apply & do well at the interviews.... & Pray for the best!
Good Luck!

Sivanesank Is OBGYN more competitive/bette than IM. If it is, then why everyone struggling to get into IM.

Hi, I know its competitive.
But looking at match results atleast 50% matched. I want to do ObGyn and Obgyn only.so litigation- i donot care.
If you really like it , apply. There are very few prog. sponsor H1b visa.very few.
But i am sure if u have good scores and LORs ,they will consider.
Previous experience matters alot. good luck. siva

I have fw queries -- 1)Is it true that its much moe difficult to get ObGyn thn IM/Paeds/FP??and does tht mean u need stronger credentilas?(I have low scores /need visa /no USCE:() so will i be a waste if apply at al to obgyn??(but i have done PG in obgyn from my home country). Should i try for other specialities as well for a backup? I have heard tht Obgyn is a difficult speciality to follow here becos of malpractice insurance !!is tht true?? What are other pitfals for my favourite branch ?(asking so tht i can prepare myself mentally n not repent later!) All replis will be appreciated . N best luck to u all.

I am applying for ObGyn this year.. What kind of info do you want to share? All the best!