The residency application season generally begins from the 1st of July each year when MyERAS opens. MyERAS is a centralized post-office which receives all the applications from applicants and then distributes it to the various residency programs participating in the match.
IMG’s need an ERAS token to open an account with MyERAS. This token may be obtained from ECFMG. (Applicant need to login to the ECFMG website and request an ERAS token from there). Once the MyERAS account is created, applicants may begin to work on their application.
Please note that virtually all programs accept applications exclusively by ERAS.
Common Application Form
The “Common Application form” or CAF is a 12 page form to be filled by the applicants. As per the ERAS website these 12 pages require the following information:-
| Page 1 | General Information |
| Page 2 | Education |
| Page 3 | Medical Education |
| Page 4 | Previous Residency/Fellowship |
| Page 5 | Experience |
| Page 6 | Publications |
| Page 7 | Exams |
| Page 8 | Licensure Information |
| Page 9 | State Medical Licenses |
| Page 10 | Race |
| Page 11 | Ethnicity |
| Page 12 | Miscellaneous Information |
Required Documents:
- USMLE Transcripts – This is automatically sent once the option is selected on the ERAS website
- Personal Statements (PS)
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Color Photograph – wallet size (Optional)
PS and LOR need to be sent to MyERAS by regular post (As of 2006-2007 application season ERAS will accept only original MSPE and LOR’s). Also ERAS takes about 3 weeks to scan and upload the documents to their website for distribution. Therefore it is advisable to send the documents by August 1st week so that the applications are sent out to programs when ERAS starts distributing the applications.
ERAS is implementing a new “Return of Documents Service” (RODS) by Feb 2007 so that the original documents may be returned to applicants who request them.
ERAS Document Submission Guide
A quick google search of “Personal Statement” Residency (with quotes) turns up a lot of examples and help in writing the PS.
Once the application is complete, the candidates need to decide which programs they wish to apply. FRIEDA is an online directory which provides detailed information about the programs participating in the match.
The East coast and mid west region of US are considered to be IMG friendly. Also candidates should look up the list of current residents on the programs website to confirm if that particular hospital/University has taken IMG’s in the past. Finally candidates may write to the programs directly. Please do not write asking “Is your program IMG friendly?” Most programs will reply in the affirmative. A better way is “Does your program require a US clinical experience?”
It is always a good idea to apply to as many programs as one can afford. People generally apply to 50-70 programs.
On September 2nd each year, ERAS starts distributing the applications to the programs. The earlier the programs get a candidates application, the more likely he/she is to get an interview call.
Interviews
The interviews start in November and continue till January end. Candidates should be dressed professionally for the interview. Many programs also have an informal resident dinner the day before the interview.
The whole idea of the interview process is to see if the candidate will fit in the program and with the current residents. If a candidate is called for the interview that means he/she has all the necessary credentials to enter that program. What matters is – “who will fit in best in the program” and how interested is the candidate in that program. The opinion of the residents formed during the resident dinner also counts.
After the interview, it is a good idea to send a “Thank you” card to the program director and/or to the interviewer. Candidates should also keep in touch with the program preferably via email if they are really interested in the program.
The Match
The last date to register for the match (NRMP) is Dec 1st every year. Registration with late fees is possible till 3rd week of February (See Match Schedule). Please note that registering for ERAS does not register the candidate for the match. NRMP is a separate organization and candidates need to register separately for it otherwise they will not be able to participate in the match.
After the candidates finish their interviews they are required to submit a “rank list” to the NRMP. This is essentially a list of hospitals in order of the candidates preference. The deadline is generally the 3rd week of February. Also the candidate should have the ECFMG certificate by this deadline otherwise they will not be eligible to participate in the match.
The programs also submit their preference (rank) list of candidates to NRMP. The NRMP then analyzes the lists and matches the candidates and programs as per their preferences.
The results of the match are generally released during the 2nd week of March.
Some IMG’s may be offered “Prematch.” This essentially means that the candidate (if he/she) choses may not go through the regular match and sign the contract with the program to join there.
“Post match scramble” is a 2 day process after the match, for candidates who have not matched. NRMP releases a list of hospitals that have unfilled programs and candidates apply to them by ERAS, phone, fax, or email during these 2 days. I have been through the post match 2 times (once for myself and the 2nd time for a friend) and can assure that it is a “living hell” for IMG’s.
