ERAS is the centralized application service used by many participating U.S. residency programs. This guide explains how MyERAS works, when key deadlines occur, which documents you’ll need, and what to check before submitting. It also covers program signals, fees, application status, and what happens after programs begin reviewing applications. Some specialties and programs use another application service, so confirm the required platform before applying. For additional guidance on one of the key written components, see our residency personal statement guide.
Disclaimer: ERAS® and MyERAS® are registered trademarks of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). BeMo and the AAMC do not endorse or affiliate with one another.
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What Is ERAS and How Does MyERAS Work?
ERAS, or the Electronic Residency Application Service, is the system applicants use to submit residency applications and supporting documents to participating U.S. programs. The Association of American Medical Colleges, or AAMC, operates ERAS while MyERAS is the portal where applicants enter their information, manage documents and submit applications.
ERAS is separate from the National Resident Matching Program, or NRMP. ERAS handles applications, while the NRMP manages ranking and the Match after interviews. Registering for MyERAS does not register you for the NRMP.
Most U.S. medical school applicants obtain an ERAS token from their Designated Dean’s Office and use it to register for MyERAS. International medical graduates receive ERAS access through ECFMG and may need to follow additional document-processing requirements.
Our guide to international medical graduate residency explains this pathway in more detail. Applicants seeking residency training in Canada should instead review our guide to the CaRMS application process.
Important Note
ERAS is not the only residency application platform. Some specialties and programs use ResidencyCAS, which has its own application, document, and deadline rules. Always confirm the required application service with each program.
ERAS Application Timeline and Deadlines
The 2027 ERAS season opens June 4, 2026. According to the official 2027 ERAS residency timeline, applicants may begin submitting their MyERAS applications on September 2, and programs may begin reviewing applications and MSPEs September 23. Aim to finalize and proofread your application before programs begin accessing submissions.
2027 MyERAS Residency Timeline
These dates apply to MyERAS. Applicants using ResidencyCAS or another service must follow that platform’s deadlines.
When Should You Start Preparing for ERAS?
Use this timeline to work backward from the application season.
BeMo Expert Insight
Early specialty exploration can help you build relevant experiences and explain your career direction more convincingly during applications and interviews.
“I showed preparedness and interest in psychiatry by engaging in research and taking advantage of unique psychiatry rotations offered at my medical school. These both gave me plenty of stories to discuss how I validated the field and [to] showcase how I see my career progressing in psychiatry [during residency applications].”
— Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, Harvard South Shore, Psychiatry
How to Complete Your ERAS Application Step-by-Step
The MyERAS process moves from entering your information to selecting programs, assigning materials, and submitting the application. The sequence below helps you complete the application without losing track of documents or program requirements.
1. Review the Current MyERAS Instructions
Read the current MyERAS Applicant User Guide before you begin. Note which sections you complete yourself, which documents come from another party, and which fields lock after certification.
2. Complete Your Application Details
Gather your written components, letter-writer details, experience dates, institution names, and official records before entering the application. Check that key information remains consistent across sections.
3. Add Experiences and Scholarly Work
Enter the activities and accomplishments that best reflect your preparation for residency. See our guide on ERAS experiences section examples for more detailed guidance, and keep dates, roles, and achievements consistent with your residency CV.
4. Research and Select Programs
Identify which application service each program uses before building your list. Many programs participate in ERAS, while others may use ResidencyCAS or a program-specific process. Then review eligibility, work-authorization rules, deadlines, and document requirements. Remove programs for which you are ineligible and note any specialty-specific requirements before applying.
5. Match Materials to Programs
Review each program’s assignments before paying. Check the personal statement requirements, then confirm that the correct ERAS letters of recommendation and other required materials are assigned to each program.
6. Preview, Certify, and Apply
MyERAS does not include a built-in spelling or grammar check, so proofread your content outside the portal and inspect the full application preview before certification. Save a copy for your records. Once certified, the main application is locked. The next section explains which actions remain available afterward.
ERAS Application Components and Supporting Documents
An ERAS application includes information you enter in MyERAS, along with a personal statement, letters of recommendation, exam transcripts, the MSPE, a medical school transcript, a photo, and any specialty- or program-specific materials. Some items are completed by the applicant, while others are uploaded or released by letter writers, testing organizations, or the medical school.
The responsibilities below apply to MyERAS applications. ResidencyCAS and other application services use different document and assignment procedures.
Personal and Biographic Information
Enter your legal name, contact details, citizenship or work-authorization information, and other biographic data exactly as they appear in your official records. Resolve any inconsistencies before certification.
Education, Experiences, and Scholarly Work
For the 2027 season, MyERAS replaces the former Publications section with a redesigned Scholarly Work section. Applicants can group related work into collections, identify up to three entries as Most Meaningful, and preview how entries may appear to programs.
ERAS Application Tip
Use specific examples and measurable outcomes rather than broad descriptions of responsibility.
Personal Statement
Applicants can create multiple personal statements and assign a specific version to each program. Confirm the correct version before applying, especially when targeting more than one specialty.
“Writing the personal statements … [is] 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 … so that you can extensively revise the statements, have others review [them], and provide feedback.”
— Dr. Neel Mistry, MD
Letters of Recommendation
Create a separate MyERAS entry for each letter and send the request information to the writer.
The writer or an authorized designee uploads it through the AAMC Letter Writer Portal, while you monitor its status and assign it to selected programs.
ERAS Application Tip
Choose writers who can provide specific evidence of your clinical performance, professionalism, research, leadership, or teamwork.
The infographic below shows how letters of recommendation are entered in ERAS.
USMLE Transcript
For the 2027 ERAS season, pay for your USMLE transcript and authorize its release to ERAS through FSMB’s USMLE portal. Then initiate score retrieval in MyERAS and assign the transcript to the appropriate programs.
COMLEX-USA Transcript
Authorize the release of your COMLEX-USA transcript in MyERAS and assign it to the programs that require it. After you apply to a program with the transcript assigned, MyERAS sends the request to the NBOME.
The NBOME charges a one-time fee of $80, plus applicable tax, per application season.
Medical Student Performance Evaluation
The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), also called the Dean’s Letter, summarizes your academic and professional performance during medical school. Your Designated Dean’s Office prepares and uploads it, so ask your school when the MSPE will be prepared, reviewed, and uploaded.
Medical School Transcript
Your Designated Dean’s Office generally uploads the medical school transcript. Monitor its status and contact your school if the document is missing or inaccurate.
Photo
Use a recent, professional headshot and confirm the current file type, size, and upload requirements for your applicant type.
Specialty- and Program-Specific Requirements
Some programs request additional documents or responses. Note any additional eligibility rules, documents, assignments, or deadlines before applying.
For 2027, some specialties, including urology, dermatology, and integrated plastic surgery, use specialty-specific standard letters of evaluation or recommendation. Follow the instructions for the specialty and program rather than relying only on the general letter requirements.
How to Review, Certify and Submit Your ERAS Application
Before certifying your ERAS application, read the official MyERAS certification and submission rules. Then inspect the application preview, correct errors, and verify the materials assigned to each program.
Use this final checklist:
- Confirm that names, dates, institutions, and contact details match your official records.
- Review experiences and scholarly work for missing information or inconsistent dates.
- Check that the correct personal statement, letters, transcripts, photo, and program signals are assigned to each program.
- Confirm specialty- and program-specific requirements.
- Proofread the full application preview and save a copy for your records.
- Certify and submit the application, then apply and pay for your selected programs.
Certification locks the main MyERAS application except for the Personal Information section. During the season, you may still manage certain items outside the locked application, including personal statements, permitted document assignments, additional program applications, and updated score transmissions. Each action has separate restrictions, so consult the relevant MyERAS guidance before making a change.
Get Feedback Before You Submit
A second reviewer may notice unclear or inconsistent entries before the application is locked. They may also identify missing information or assignment errors. Applicants who want more structured feedback may use an ERAS application review service while revisions are still possible.
“Dr. Arrash Allahyar was super kind and knowledgeable. He took the time to answer every question I had and provided helpful, actionable advice to improve my ERAS application. The residency application process can be stressful, but he gave me confidence and a clear plan for moving forward.”
— Qianyu Guo, Former BeMo Student
What Happens After You Submit ERAS?
After certifying your application and applying to programs, monitor your email and the MyERAS Message Center for interview invitations, requests, and status updates. Programs may use different scheduling systems, so follow the instructions in each message carefully.
Residency Interviews
Interview timing varies by specialty and program. For preparation advice, see our residency interview guide and our guide to answering interesting case residency interview questions.
Check the 2027 Main Residency Match calendar for registration, ranking, certification, and Match Week deadlines.
Submit Your Rank Order List Through the NRMP
After interviews, applicants submit their rank order list separately through the NRMP. List programs in your genuine order of preference based on where you would most want to train.
Compare programs based on the training, support, culture, location, and career opportunities that matter most to you, along with what you learned during interviews. For a fuller discussion of ranking strategy, see our guide to creating a residency rank order list.
What Is SOAP?
The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program, or SOAP, allows eligible unmatched or partially matched applicants to pursue residency positions that remain unfilled during Match Week.
SOAP moves quickly, and interview invitations may arrive with little notice. Review the process before Match Week and remain available for interview requests that may arrive on short notice.
ERAS Application Tip
Review common SOAP residency interview questions and answers before Match Week so you are prepared for a short-notice invitation.
ERAS Application Fees
ERAS fees depend on the number of programs you apply to within each specialty. Check the current ERAS application fees before finalizing your program list, since rates may change by application cycle.
Transcript Fees
USMLE and COMLEX-USA transcript fees are charged separately from ERAS application fees.
NRMP Fees
NRMP registration is paid separately from ERAS application fees. NRMP charges additional fees for late registration, couples matching, and rank order lists that exceed the included limit.
ERAS Application Tip
Include ERAS, transcript, and NRMP fees in your estimate. Add any interview expenses you expect to incur.
FAQS
1. Which specialties and programs participate in ERAS?
The AAMC publishes the current list of specialties and programs participating in ERAS. Check the program’s ERAS participation status, then note its eligibility rules, required documents, and deadline.
2. How do I apply to a residency program that does not use ERAS?
Contact the program directly for its application method, required documents, and deadline. A program that does not use ERAS may use another service, such as ResidencyCAS, or its own submission process. Check the program’s official application instructions for the correct platform, required documents, and deadline.
3. Who issues my ERAS token?
U.S. medical students and graduates generally receive an ERAS token through their medical school’s Designated Dean’s Office. International medical graduates obtain ERAS access through ECFMG.
4. How many letters of recommendation can I assign to each program?
You may assign up to four letters of recommendation to each program. Some programs request fewer letters or specify certain types of writers, so check the program’s instructions before making assignments.
5. Does the MSPE count toward the four-letter limit?
No. The Medical Student Performance Evaluation is a separate supporting document and does not count as one of your letters of recommendation.
6. Can I apply to additional programs after submitting ERAS?
Yes, you can generally apply to more programs after certifying and submitting the main application, provided those programs are still accepting applications. Review the deadline and eligibility requirements before paying because ERAS application fees are nonrefundable.
7. Can I change my ERAS application after certification?
The main MyERAS application cannot be edited after certification, except for information in the Personal Information section. You can still manage certain personal statements, document assignments, additional program applications, and updated score transmissions, subject to the rules for each item.
8. Is the ERAS fellowship application the same as the residency application?
Fellowship applicants also use ERAS, but the timeline, participating specialties, access process, and document requirements differ from the residency application process. See our ERAS fellowship application guide for fellowship-specific guidance.
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Your friends at BeMo
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1 Comments
Aaron • 01/25/2022 14:35
What process should one go through in order to apply and get into SOAP for those getting ERAS tokens after 1st January, now that most programs have completed accepting application letters. Kindly advice.
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