Becoming an OB/GYN requires years of rigorous education, hands-on training, and a deep commitment to women’s health. From foundational medical coursework to clinical rotations and residency, each stage builds the knowledge and skills necessary to provide expert care in obstetrics and gynecology.
At OnlineMedEd, we provide comprehensive resources to help students overcome the challenges of OB/GYN schooling, from general coursework to Shelf Exams and more. Whether you’re just starting medical school or advancing through clinical training, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to becoming an OB/GYN, ensuring you’re well-prepared for every stage of the process.
Medical school is where your path to becoming an OB/GYN truly begins, and this crucial phase sets the foundation for your future. It’s essential to approach this stage with both strategy and compassion for yourself throughout the process. You’ll have to complete four years of undergraduate coursework before you can apply, so you have plenty of time to buff up your application. While it requires commitment, patience, and resilience to gain admission to your dream school, we know that you are more than capable of rising to the challenge.
To begin, focus on achieving academic excellence in your undergraduate studies, particularly in courses like biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Of course, it never hurts to have A’s all across the board. A strong GPA reflects your ability to handle the demands of medical school and showcases your dedication to the field. If you encounter academic challenges, remember that growth comes from perseverance. Seeking mentorship, refining your study strategies, and leveraging learning resources like OnlineMedEd can help you succeed.
While there is no required major for medical school, fields like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or neuroscience provide a strong foundation in the sciences and fulfill medical school prerequisites. However, if another major genuinely excites you — whether in psychology, public health, or even a non-science field — pursuing it without neglecting core pre-med coursework can make you a well-rounded candidate. In fact, having an out-of-the-ordinary major can sometimes be beneficial and help your application stand out!
No matter what you study, it pays off to cultivate your time and stress management skills early on. Balancing rigorous coursework while maintaining your overall health fosters long-term resilience, a quality that will serve you well throughout your entire medical career.
Alongside academic pursuits, seek out opportunities that offer direct exposure to the medical field. Shadowing doctors (especially OB/GYNs), volunteering at hospitals, and participating in research projects related to women’s health or reproductive medicine are all great ways to achieve this. If your undergraduate university offers pre-med or health advocacy organizations, try to make time to join one to demonstrate your leadership and teamwork skills.
These experiences not only enhance your application but also solidify your passion for the medical profession, proving that you are dedicated to fully completing your medical education journey.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a crucial component of your application. Success requires a methodical approach, which should include a study plan that covers all sections and an ample amount of full-length practice tests to gauge your progress. Resources like OnlineMedEd’s Preclinical Curriculum can help you build a strong foundation of basic science concepts, complementing your independent study efforts.
Your medical school application is your opportunity to tell your story. That’s why your personal statement should reflect your passion for OB/GYN and your commitment to patient care, rather than just a list of achievements. More than anything else, admissions officers appreciate authenticity. Share the moments that inspired you to pursue medicine and reflect on the qualities that make you a compassionate future physician.
Additionally, strong letters of recommendation from professors, physicians, or research mentors reinforce your academic abilities and character. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths, work ethic, and potential in the field of medicine.
With each challenge you overcome, you move one step closer to your goal of becoming a compassionate, competent OB/GYN. The road ahead is demanding, but your dedication, perseverance, and passion for patient care will carry you through. Believe in yourself, take the process step by step, and remember: You are capable of improving lives and making a lasting impact on women’s health.
Whether you’re feeling or eager or apprehensive about medical school, knowing what to expect can ease the transition. Here, you’ll gain the foundational knowledge and clinical experience needed to specialize in women’s health, building the bedrock that supports your future specializations. Here’s what happens during each of the four years:
The first two years focus on the core sciences, including anatomy, physiology, immunology, microbiology, and more. You’ll build a strong understanding of the female reproductive system, pregnancy, and hormonal regulation — critical areas for an OB/GYN. Success in this phase requires efficient study habits and active recall techniques to retain vast amounts of information.
For extra support on honing in your study habits, check out our Learning How To Learn series, featuring 8 classes that provide evidence-based strategies for building positive study habits.
Overall, OnlineMedEd’s Preclinical Curriculum will serve you best during this time. By integrating whiteboard video lessons, challenge questions, and structured notes, we reinforce high-yield content in a way that accelerates your learning and promotes long-term retention. This way, you’ll feel more confident as you prepare for USMLE Step 1, which typically comes at the end of your second year of medical school.
The transition from preclinical coursework to clinical studies is one of the most exciting phases of medical school. This is where you shift from studying concepts in textbooks to applying them in real patient care settings. OnlineMedEd’s Clinical Curriculum is designed to support this transition by offering content tailored to clinical practice. We cover core OB/GYN topics such as preconception care, labor and delivery, gynecology oncology, reproductive endocrinology, and more.
For students looking for additional free resources, ClubMedEd offers exclusive content to help refine your approach to studying. With access to our Learning How to Learn course, mindfulness meditation sessions, a Clinical Question Bank, and our supportive user community, you can develop stronger study habits while managing stress during your clinical years. Plus, our Anki flashcards, which are fully integrated with the Clinical Studies curriculum, make it easier to reinforce information through active recall. By pairing these flashcards with OnlineMedEd’s video lectures, structured notes, and practice questions, you can create a comprehensive review system that ensures strong performance on USMLE Step 2 and beyond.
During the latter half of medical school, you’ll start clinical rotations, where you’ll have ample opportunities to apply your knowledge in real patient care settings. The OB/GYN rotation introduces you to prenatal care, labor and delivery, and gynecologic procedures. Here, time management becomes critical as you balance clinical duties with exam preparation.
If you’re wondering how to make the most of your rotations, check out our Rotation Roadmaps! Each Roadmap includes ready-made question blocks designed for self-assessment, both before and after your rotation. They’re integrated with OnlineMedEd’s proven PACE methodology, granting you access to comprehensive notes, engaging video lessons, targeted flashcards, audio downloads, and much more.
At the end of your rotation, you’ll have to take a Shelf Exam. This is a key assessment that evaluates your ability to apply a broad scope of medical knowledge to hypothetical clinical scenarios. If you’ve been participating actively in your rotations by asking questions and taking detailed notes, you should be in better shape than most. However, you’ll still need to dedicate a good chunk of time to studying.
OnlineMedEd’s Rotation Roadmaps are designed to streamline this process, offering targeted guidance for each specialty. This unparalleled content ecosystem prepares you to think like a clinician, not just a test-taker, so you can confidently tackle the clinical reasoning and application questions that make End-of-Rotation Exams so difficult.
These Roadmaps are available now for all clerkships with any OnlineMedEd subscription. By simplifying complex concepts, reinforcing them through active learning, and sharpening the practical skills needed to turn your medical knowledge into clinical excellence, we can help you take your OB/GYN Shelf Exam performance from pass to honors.
Medical school is a rigorous but transformative experience, but with OnlineMedEd’s help, you can approach this phase with a clear plan. Our goal is to help you not only succeed in exams but also build the expertise needed for your future as a caring, knowledgeable OB/GYN.
Residency is where your training as an OB/GYN truly comes to life. Over four years, you’ll refine your clinical and surgical skills while managing real patient cases under the supervision of experienced mentors. From prenatal care and labor management to complex gynecologic procedures, residency motivates you to apply everything you've learned in medical school while adapting to the fast-paced demands of patient care.
To help you navigate this intense period, OnlineMedEd’s Road to Residency Bundle provides structured resources tailored to your needs. This package includes:
Residency is demanding, but our Residency Prep Bundle can help you hit the ground running. Stay committed to learning as much as you can, as preparation will help ensure that you maximize your potential. With OnlineMedEd, you’ll be prepared to handle the challenges ahead while continuing to grow into the OB/GYN you’ve worked so hard to become.
After completing residency, the final step in your journey to becoming an OB/GYN is board certification. This credential validates your expertise and commitment to providing high-quality patient care. Here’s a streamlined look at the process:
With each step, you're solidifying your role as a knowledgeable, compassionate OB/GYN. OnlineMedEd supports your entire journey from medical school to board certification and beyond, ensuring you’re equipped to excel at every stage of your career.
As you move through your medical education to become an OB/GYN, keep your end goals in sight. With resilience, persistence, and the right tools, you can build a fulfilling career that makes a lasting impact on patient care.
OnlineMedEd’s resources are here to support you every step of the way, providing a flexible yet impactful learning platform. We understand where you are, what you need to know, and how to get you where you want to be. Above all else, stay optimistic and resilient in your pursuit. Trust that with dedication and our supportive framework, you’ll be well-prepared for a career that significantly influences the lives of countless individuals.
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An OB/GYN focuses on the reproductive health of women, providing a wide range of services from routine check-ups to complex surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include prenatal care, delivering babies, diagnosing and treating disorders of the female reproductive system, and providing guidance on family planning and overall women's health. They play a vital role in supporting women's health across all stages of life.
Yes, taking the Medical College Admission Test is a prerequisite for admission into medical school, which is the first step toward becoming an OB/GYN. The MCAT assesses your knowledge of biological and physical sciences, as well as your verbal reasoning and writing skills, ensuring you are prepared for the rigors of medical education.
While there is no specific major required for your undergraduate degree, most students choose to major in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. These programs typically cover the prerequisite courses needed for medical school admission and can provide a strong foundation for the medical school curriculum.
The journey to becoming an OB/GYN typically involves approximately 12 years of education and training. This includes four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, and four years of residency training in obstetrics and gynecology. Some may also choose to pursue additional fellowship training in a subspecialty, which requires more time.
The job market for OB/GYNs is generally favorable, with a steady demand for practitioners due to factors such as population growth and a continuous need for women's health services. Opportunities exist in various settings, including hospitals, private practices, and clinics, offering a range of career options for qualified OB/GYNs.
Success as an OB/GYN requires a combination of medical knowledge and interpersonal skills. Essential skills include strong communication abilities, empathy, attention to detail, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the capacity to remain calm in high-pressure situations. It is also important to have a genuine passion for women's health and a commitment to continuous learning.