Roadmap to Residency: - AAMC

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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
Roadmap to Residency: FromApplication to the Match and Beyondcation to be complete, last-minute applicationsshould be avoided. In general, theCAS application should be submitted toprograms by mid-August.C. Paper-based applicationsSome residency training programs usethe paper-based “Universal Applicationfor Residency” form, a copy of which canbe obtained directly from the programor from the program’s Web site. Copiesalso are posted on the NRMP Web site(www.nrmp.org, Application Processes).Some programs have developed theirown Web sites or processes for onlineapplications. Check with the individualprograms for additional details.D. Tracking applicationsFor applications made through ERAS, itis possible to track the delivery of theapplication using the ApplicantDocument Tracking System, which isaccessible from the MyERAS Web site.When mailing paper applications, applicantsshould request a return receipt orshould track delivery in some otherreliable manner.ERAS includes a Message Center, whichcontains copies of e-mails sent byprograms to residency applicants, ifthose e-mails were transmitted via theERAS system. Applicants should log intoMyERAS to monitor their MessageCenter on a regular basis.E. Ensuring completion ofapplicationsIt is the applicant’s responsibility toensure that his or her application iscomplete at residency training programsof interest. If a faculty member or otherletter writer has not yet submitted aletter of recommendation, the applicantshould follow up with the letter writer ina timely manner or request a replacementletter from another reference.F. November 1 release date forthe Medical Student PerformanceEvaluation (MSPE)U.S. allopathic medical schools haveagreed upon a common release date ofNovember 1 for the Medical StudentPerformance Evaluation (MSPE). AllMSPEs transmitted via ERAS areautomatically held until November 1.Paper copies sent by schools are notmailed before November 1.Osteopathic medical school applicantsapplying to ACGME-accreditedprograms are also subject to theNovember 1 MSPE release date.Prior year graduates applying to PGY-1or PGY-2 positions that are open tocurrent U.S. medical school seniors arealso subject to the November 1 MSPErelease date.Osteopathic medical school applicantswho are applying to osteopathicmedicine internships are not subject tothe November 1 release date. TheirMSPEs are transmitted as they areavailable.Prior year graduates applying toimmediately vacant PGY-2 positions orto other positions that are not open toU.S. medical school seniors are also notsubject to the November 1 MSPE releasedate. MSPEs for these applicants may besent outside of ERAS as soon as they areavailable.18Association of American Medical Colleges, 2005
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