(194) Assessing applicant attributes valued by Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship program directors

Objective:
Despite an increase in OB/GYN residents applying to Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowship programs in recent years, the proportion of applicants matching at their top-ranked program has declined significantly, from 34% in 2022 to 15% in 2023. This trend may reflect decreased transparency in the MFM fellowship application process, leaving applicants uncertain about how to optimize their chances of a successful match. The objective of this study was to identify which applicant characteristics are most valued by MFM fellowship program directors, in order to provide evidence-based guidance for future applicants.

Study Design:
A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed via institutional Qualtrics to all accredited MFM fellowship program directors. Responses were tabulated and ranked by median importance scores. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Friedman test in SPSS. This study received IRB Exempt Review under Category 2a.

Results:
The Friedman test demonstrated a statistically significant difference among ranked factors (p < 0.001). Among the 52 responses received, the most highly ranked factor was an applicant’s apparent commitment to the MFM specialty, followed by exposure to high-risk obstetrics, letters of recommendation from MFM faculty, apparent fit with the program, and overall impression during interview. Factors rated as least important included elective rotations outside the home institution, international work, family planning training, and applying from within the same institution.

Conclusion:
Apparent commitment to MFM, supported by relevant field exposure and strong specialty-specific recommendations, appears to be the most influential factor in fellowship selection. These findings underscore the importance of intentional career development during residency and may help applicants better align their experiences and materials with fellowship program expectations.