The UCSF School of Medicine offers students a dynamic and inclusive medical education experience.
For students interested in women’s health, UCSF provides nationally recognized teaching and research opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. Each year, 10–15 UCSF medical students choose to pursue careers in obstetrics and gynecology.
From the moment students arrive on campus, our ob/gyn education program offers meaningful involvement in women’s health through clinical experiences, mentorship, research, and advocacy opportunities.
What Sets Us Apart
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks our graduate schools for Obstetrics and Gynecology as a top program.
Snapshot from a Meta/Oculus clinical skills session led by Dr. Roz Plotzker. From virtual reality simulations to hands-on practice, we’re stepping into the future of medical education.
Our program offers high value teaching before clerkship, as well as remote laparoscopic testing & surgical skills development.
Shivany Condor Montes, URI cohort 2017 is current a medical student at UCSF. She credits URI as her entry point to medicine and points to her Department of OBGYN mentors as continued guides through the medical school experience.
The goal is to prepare all UCSF medical students to assume their critical role in partnering with those seeking care and with communities to work against oppression and advance health equity.
The UCSF School of Medicine Bridges Curriculum educates MD graduates to excel in the competencies needed by physicians and leaders committed to advancing health for all.
Supporting Our Medical Students
The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences is committed to supporting students interested in pursuing careers in obstetrics and gynecology by offering a variety of career advising opportunities throughout the year. These include structured advising sessions, where students can connect directly with faculty physicians practicing across diverse clinical settings and subspecialties to ask questions and gain insights.
Students can further engage through the ObGyn Interest Group (OGIG), Near Peer Mentorship (NPM), and individualized mentoring opportunities with faculty members, and residents.
The Annual Career Event and the Spring Match Panel provide essential guidance on the residency application and matching process. These events also allow students to hear firsthand experiences from graduating students, offering valuable perspectives on their journey into residency.
Match (MS4) Preparation Timeline
April 2026
- Match 2027 In-Person Workgroup, Friday, April 3, 2026, 3:30p
To receive a calendar invitation, email [email protected]
May 2026
- Match Panel Discussion
MS4s in Match 2027 are invited to participate in a Q&A session with students who have matched into OBGYN for 2026.
June 2026
- Assignment of a Medical Education Director as your Match 2027 advisor.
June–July 2026
- Chair meetings to discuss materials, your career path, and preparation for the Chair’s Letter.
July–August 2026
- OBGYN STAR mentorship meetings for students participating in the Match.
October 2026
- School of Medicine Residency Career Fair
- Department of OBGYN Career Evening (open to MS1–MS4 students)
November 2026
- Near-Peer Mentorship Event
A student-run event for all years considering a career in ObGyn, with Medical Education Directors Drs. Jeannette Lager and Naomi Stotland in attendance.
December 2026
- MS1 OBGYN Career Interest Meeting
Administered by the School of Medicine, with ObGyn faculty directors and administrative leadership present. This session focuses on early career exploration, including research opportunities, shadowing, and OGIG leadership.
January 2027
- Inquiry Immersion Event
Serves as a precursor to the Deep Explore experience.
| Timeframe | Key Activities |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | 🟨 Finalize 4th-year schedule 🟥 APGO Annual Meeting |
| April–May 2026 | 🟦 Match 2027 Kickoff Presentation & Workgroup Dinner 🟩 Begin career file & personal statement 🟥 ACOG Annual Meeting / CODA 🟪 Teaching opportunities (clinical skills) |
| June 2026 | 🟦 Assigned Medical Education Director advisor 🟦 Chair’s Letter preparation meeting 🟩 Prepare residency application 🟨 Sub-Is, ObGyn electives, research 🟪 Step 2 (if needed); teaching opportunities |
| July 2026 | 🟦 Chair’s Letter meeting (continued) 🟩 Continue application preparation 🟨 Sub-Is, electives, research 🟪 Teaching (clinical skills / Life Stages) |
| August 2026 | 🟩 Complete residency application 🟦 Resident & Match mentorship/workgroup 🟨 Sub-Is, electives, research |
| September 2026 | 🟩 Follow up with letter writers 🟪 Teaching opportunities (clinical skills) |
| October 2026 | 🟩 Residency application deadline (date subject to cycle) 🟥 SOM Residency Career Fair 🟥 Department of ObGyn Career Evening (MS1–MS4) 🟥 Fourth-Year Planning Meeting |
| Nov 2026–Jan 2027 | 🟩 Residency interviews 🟦 Near-Peer Mentorship Event (student-run; Dr. Jeannette Lager attending) 🟪 Ongoing teaching opportunities 🟥 Career Event for MS1–MS4 |
| Feb–Mar 2027 | 🟦 Rank list review meeting 🟩 Submit rank list 🟨 Research and electives |
Dr. Jeannette Lager, Director of Medical Student Education
Dr. Naomi Stotland, Associate Director of Medical Student Education
Kristin Olson, Program Administrator: [email protected]
Visiting Student & Outside Learner Information
For currently enrolled medical students at other institutions, you can find more information about becoming a visiting student at UCSF here.
We will be accepting applications for Summer 2026 with a FIRM deadline of May 1, 2026. All applications will be reviewed after the May 1 deadline.
UCSF OBGYN offers Sub-Is during the following blocks only, courses below:
- 8/31/2026-9/27/2026
- 9/28/2026-10/25/2026
Please do not contact the Graduate Medical Education or Undergraduate Medical Education Faculty Directors.
Please direct questions about the Family Planning Electives to [email protected]
The following course descriptions are below and are available for visiting students:
140.06 Advanced Ob/Gyn Clerkship
Prerequisite(s): Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship, Pediatrics Clerkship, and either Medicine or Surgery Clerkship
140.09 High-Risk PregnancyMBMZ
Prerequisite(s): Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship, Pediatrics Clerkship, and either Medicine or Surgery Clerkship
140.11 Advanced Gynecological Clerkship
Prerequisite(s): Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship, Pediatrics Clerkship, and either Medicine or Surgery Clerkship
140.12 Family Planning
Prerequisite(s): Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship, Pediatrics Clerkship, and either Medicine or Surgery Clerkship
140.20 Gynecologic Oncology
Prerequisite(s): Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship, Pediatrics Clerkship, and either Medicine or Surgery Clerkship
140.22 High Risk Pregnancy ZSFG
Prerequisite(s): Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship, Pediatrics Clerkship, and either Medicine or Surgery Clerkship
Volunteer Opportunities
- Volunteer with UCSF - Volunteers have many opportunities to serve under the supervision of professional staff and enhance the quality of patient care, learn new skills, and explore a career in the health field. The types of volunteer assignments we have involve socializing and interacting with adult and pediatric patients, families, and staff in our hospitals and outpatient clinic settings.
- Volunteer with San Francisco General Hospital - Opportunities include direct patient care activities at ZSFG, supported by the mission to provide quality health care and trauma service with compassion and respect, as well as indirect patient care activities such as research supported by the vision to advance community wellness by aligning care, discovery, and education.
