Roadmap to Residency: - AAMC

Roadmap to Residency: FromApplication to the Match and BeyondVII. ApplyingThis section explains the multiple proceduresrequired to apply to residencyprograms in various specialties.A. The Electronic ResidencyApplication Service (ERAS)ERAS is used by 57 residency and fellowshipspecialities. A full list of participatingspecialities and programs is available athttps://services.aamc.org/eras/erasstats/par.Program participation in ERAS isvoluntary. Of those specialities that useERAS, 95 percent of programs typicallyare ERAS participants. The other fivepercent of programs are listed in ERAS,but they cannot be selected for ERASapplication. Contact those programsdirectly for application information.Programs list different types of trainingoffered in ERAS, such as Preliminary,Categorical, Advanced, and Reserved. SeeSection V, Matching Processes, for definitionsof the different types of positions.It is important to investigate programsbefore applying by contacting theprograms, reviewing their Web sites andbrochures, and considering program andspecialty information available at theACGME (www.acgme.org) and AMAWeb sites (www.ama-assn.org).The ERAS application can be completedon the MyERAS Web site(www.aamc.org/eras). An ERASelectronic “token” (a 16-character onetime-useaccess code) is required foraccess to the MyERAS Web site, and thetoken must match the school of graduation.A token can be obtained from themedical school for applicants who arestudents in, or graduates of, U.S.allopathic and osteopathic medicalschools; from the ECFMG for internationalmedical graduate applicants; orfrom CaRMS for applicants fromCanadian medical schools.Please note again that registering forERAS is not the same as registering forthe NRMP, and vice versa. There areseparate registration processes andrequirements for each service.Registration for ERAS opens on July 1for all applicants.Once ERAS registration has beencompleted, applicants have the ability towork on their applications before the ERASPostOffice opens. The opening of the ERASPostOffice permits applicants to send applicationsto programs, schools to transmitsupporting documents, examining boardsto transmit scores, and programs to receiveapplications. Once the ERAS PostOfficeopens, the application can be submitted toERAS and, through ERAS, to residencyprograms of interest. The ERAS PostOfficeopens annually for the majority ofresidency positions on the first working dayin September, and for osteopathic medicineinternships on July 15.Registration for the NRMP(www.nrmp.org) opens on August 15 ofeach year and continues until the rankorder list deadline, although anadditional late registration fee appliesafter December 1.Residency program applications shouldbe provided to residency programs wellin advance of the programs’ deadlines.Since delays in the arrival of supportingdocuments for an application can affectwhether a residency training programconsiders the application to be complete,last-minute applications should beavoided. In general, an ERAS applicationshould be submitted to programs inSeptember or early October.For ERAS, the Common ApplicationForm (CAF) and the applicant’s personalstatement can be completed on theMyERAS Web site. Applicants candesignate the supporting documents thatwill be supplied for their applications(e.g., USMLE or COMLEX scoretranscripts, letters of recommendation).Applicants should investigate and selectprograms of interest and, mostimportant, assign appropriatesupporting documents to each program.Applications to programs are finalized bysubmission of the application fee toERAS. Following fee payment, the ERASapplication and personal statement willbe available to programs within twohours. Supporting documents will betransmitted to programs as they areprocessed by the medical schools andexamining boards.B. Central Application System (SanFrancisco Match)Applications for programs in specialtiesusing the San Francisco Match must besubmitted using the Central ApplicationSystem (www.sfmatch.org). Registrationfor the San Francisco Match opens inMay of each year. Central ApplicationSystem materials are distributed in Mayor June.Residency applications should beprovided to residency programs well inadvance of program deadlines. Sincedelays in the arrival of supportingdocuments for an application can affectwhether a program considers the appli-17Association of American Medical Colleges, 2005