ERAS Application Guide: Timelines and Expert Tips

What is the ERAS Application?

ERAS, or the Electronic Residency Application Service, is a digital platform that simplifies the residency application process. Developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), ERAS allows candidates to electronically submit applications to residency programs nationwide.

ERAS makes it easy for students to apply to multiple programs, which is a huge time-saver especially when applying to highly competitive residencies. In fact, to maximize your chances of matching, admissions expert Dr. Monica Taneja offers this advice:

“If you are a strong applicant applying to a less competitive specialty you can apply to fewer programs likely 30-40. As your specialty gets more competitive the number of programs you apply to should steadily increase. For hyper-competitive programs such as ophthalmology, I heard of applicants applying to all available programs.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, Harvard South Shore, Psychiatry 

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Looking for the ERAS fellowship application guide?

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How Does the Residency Match Work? 

Applicants use ERAS to apply to residency programs in the US. Programs then respond to applicants by inviting them for interviews during the fall and winter of their 4th or final year of medical school. Once interview season has ended, applicants create and submit a residency Rank Order List of programs that they would accept a contract with. Programs also submit a Rank Order List of applicants they would like to accept as residents. 

The National Resident Matching Program’s (NRMP) Main Match algorithm plays “matchmaker” in setting up applicants and programs based on the preferences in their Rank Order Lists.  

For applicants who do not initially match with any programs, unfilled residency positions are accessible through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), providing another opportunity to secure a position. 

What are the least and most competitive residencies? Watch this video!

ERAS Application Timeline and Important NRMP Deadlines

Preparing for Your ERAS Application  

To ensure a successful ERAS application process and to increase your chances of matching, you need to plan ahead. In fact, our experts agree that starting the process early is a key factor in submitting a winning application. Here's a timeline of tasks to complete:

Components of a Successful ERAS Application  

Each program has their own requirements for the ERAS application. Be sure to check these criteria for the programs you are applying to before you make document assignments in the MyERAS® portal.  

1. Personal Information 

Accurately filling out your personal and biographic information in ERAS is crucial. Double-check for typos and ensure that all information matches your official documents. This section sets the foundation for your application, so accuracy is key. 

2. Curriculum Vitae 

On your residency CV, provide a detailed account of your educational background, including medical school, publications, and additional training programs you have completed. Don't just list them—highlight your roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments to give a clearer picture of your capabilities. Emphasize clinical, research, and volunteer experiences to showcase your diverse skills and contributions.

Residency Application Tip: Be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided; programs want to see that you are meticulous and detail-oriented. Your CV section will stand out if you only include relevant information and relate your experiences back to the program’s mission statement.

3. Personal Statement 

The residency personal statement is an opportunity to tell your unique story and explain why you are pursuing a residency in your chosen specialty. You should follow the personal statement requirements of each school and program you are applying to in order to increase your chances of matching. Applicants can create as many personal statements as they like, but only one can be submitted to each program. 

The personal statement can be up to 28,000 characters, including letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation. When drafting personal statements outside the MyERAS application, use a plain text word processing application like Notepad (for Windows) or SimpleText (for Mac). 

“Writing the personal statements … are particularly hard because there is so much you can talk about, and what may appeal to you may not necessarily appeal to the admissions committee. It is advisable to start as early as possible (possibly months from due date) so that you can extensively revise the statements, have others review it and provide feedback.” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD 

Residency Application Tip: Instead of simply listing your experiences and motivations, create a captivating narrative. Start with a strong hook to draw the reader in, then take them through pivotal moments of your journey as a medical student. Make sure your story clearly conveys what motivates you and leaves them feeling inspired to support you in the next phase of your path to becoming a doctor.

4. ERAS Experiences

To improve your chances of matching, take advantage of the newly updated ERAS experiences section. Here's how: You can now include up to 10 experiences, categorizing them to your preference. Plus, you have the opportunity to highlight up to three experiences as your most meaningful, giving programs deeper insight into your journey as a medical professional. Additionally, a special "impactful experiences" section lets you share significant obstacles you've conquered along your medical school path.  

Residency Application Tip: To maximize the impact of your ERAS experiences section, focus on specific skills and qualities like leadership and collaboration. Use concrete examples and quantifiable achievements that highlight your contributions. Doing so will provide residency programs with a clear picture of your potential.  

5. Letter(s) of Recommendation 

Letters of recommendation are crucial for your ERAS application. These letters, typically one to two pages, are uploaded through the ERAS Letter of Recommendation portal by the writer or someone they designate. You will need to create a separate entry for each letter. Once this is done, an associated Letter ID will be generated. This ID is used when the letter is uploaded to the portal. Students can designate the assignment of up to four letters to each program, and we recommend having no less than three per program.     

Residency Application Tip: Aim for a diverse set of referees who can speak to different aspects of your candidacy, such as clinical abilities, research aptitude, and personal attributes. Consider providing them with a packet of information about your achievements, goals, and the specific programs you're applying to so they can tailor their letters to each program's requirements and preferences.  

Check out our guide on how to enter letters of recommendation into ERAS.  

6. USMLE Transcript and/or COMLEX-USA Transcript

Include your USMLE and/or COMLEX-USA transcripts in your ERAS application, when required. These transcripts provide residency programs with your examination scores, which are critical for assessing your readiness for residency training.  

In the MyERAS® portal, you will need to authorize the release of these transcripts and assign them to the programs you designate. 

7. Medical Student Performance Evaluation    

The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), sometimes referred to as a Dean’s Letter, is a comprehensive objective evaluation of your performance during medical school.  

The Designated Dean’s Office is responsible for uploading the MSPE into the ERAS system. Residency applicants do not need to assign the MSPE themselves; it is automatically sent to all the programs they apply to. In the Additional Documents section of ERAS, applicants will see "No Available Action" for the MSPE. 

Residency Application Tip: Research your medical school's MSPE policies early on to find out if and how you can participate in your MSPE process. Ask to meet with the Dean(s) responsible for writing the MSPEs to address preliminary questions, clarify any ambiguities in your performance, and improve the representation of your strengths. 

8. Medical School Transcript

Your medical school transcript is a record of your academic performance. Your Designated Dean’s Office is responsible for uploading this information to your ERAS application. Ensure that your transcript is accurate and complete, reflecting all your coursework and grades. Medical school transcripts are automatically sent to all the programs you apply to.  

9. Photo 

A clear, professional headshot can help residency programs remember you during the review process. Ensure that your photo is high-quality and presents you in a professional manner. Students must upload their own photo that is 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches with a resolution of 150dpi and 150kb file size.  

Need practice with residency interview questions? Watch this!

Submitting an ERAS application that impresses and increases your chances of matching is no small feat. With a lot already on your plate, getting expert support can make it easier. Consider using an ERAS application review service to ensure your application is complete, error-free, and optimized for success. Former BeMo Student Qianyu Guo had no regrets about the decision to get help with the ERAS application process. 

“Dr. Arrash Allahyar was super kind and knowledgeable. Definitely an A+ experience! He took the time to answer every single question I have. He has also provided extremely helpful and actionable advice to improve my ERAS application. We all know how stressful residency application can be. I definitely feel that Dr. Arrash Allahyar is somebody you want to talk to in this process, not only for boosting application itself but also for calming your nerves! He definitely gave me a lot confidence and provided a solid plan to move forward. I highly recommend him and wish to work with him again in the application process.” – Qianyu Guo, Former BeMo Student 

Residency Interviews and Your Rank Order List 

In late September into October, residency programs will begin reviewing applications and sending out interview invitations. ERAS programs have the flexibility to use various methods, like the ERAS Interview Scheduler, telephone, or email, to schedule interviews. It's important to regularly check your email and MyERAS® Message Center for interview updates. Interviews scheduled outside the ERAS system won't appear in the MyERAS® portal unless manually added to your calendar. 

Check out our free resources designed to help you nail your residency interviews!  

After completing their interviews and evaluating residency programs, applicants must finalize their preferences in their residency rank order list and submit this to NRMP. Simultaneously, program directors provide the NRMP with a list of applicants they've interviewed and wish to accept for training, also ranked in order of preference. 

You can use the personal experiences and advice of admissions experts Dr. Monica Taneja and Dr. Neel Mistry to help you create your personal rank order list. Dr. Taneja used geographic location and her interview experiences to guide her choices.  

“I picked based on the city I wanted to live in and then based on where I connected most with the residents and leadership who I interviewed with. I really struggled with ranking my top 2 programs. I made a number of pro/con lists and ultimately one program I felt I jived with slightly more than the other.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, Harvard South Shore, Psychiatry 

Dr. Mistry also considered location, and a few other criteria when creating his rank list.  

“I ranked all programs based on proximity to home (location) first and foremost. The next was quality of resident training (i.e., weekly rounds, resident teaching, exposure to a breadth of cases, fellowship potential) and wellness culture (time off for residents, planned activities, measures to prevent burnout, etc.).” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD 

Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program  

The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) is a way for unmatched applicants to secure a residency position before the official results are released on Match Day. Applicants can access a list of programs with available positions and apply through MyERAS® to try to secure a spot that went unfilled. 

During this time, unmatched applicants are permitted to update their personal statements and submit additional letters of recommendation via the MyERAS® portal. Make sure to update your personal statement to include new experiences or customize it if you are applying to different specialties. Also, consider adding letters of recommendation obtained after your initial application. 

Residency Application Tip: If you’re participating in SOAP, be ready for SOAP residency interview questions and answers, as these will be different from typical residency interview questions and you’ll have less time to prepare! 

Watch this video to learn residency application red flags to avoid!

ERAS and NRMP Application Fees  

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