Ch. 7 - Building Your ERAS Application

By at present, you take started to consider the different types of EM residency programs available (Chapter 4), you accept completed or scheduled your EM clerkships and USMLE exams (Chapters 3 and 5), and it's time to understand how yous really go well-nigh applying to residency programs. There are several components of the application, and each will touch on your competitiveness (Chapter 8).

The Electronic Residency Awarding Service

ERAS is a platform offered past the AAMC and used past most specialties for senior medical students applying for residency positions.1

The ERAS awarding helps you go a foot in the door with an interview invitation. In addition, it provides content, so residency program leaders can learn almost you and aid prompt interview give-and-take. Furthermore, the application helps guide the program director'south rank list.

How Do I Create an ERAS Account?

Registering for ERAS requires a "token" that will be provided to your medical schoolhouse's Dean's role.

IMG Students:Visit ECFMG.org to obtain an ERAS token via the Online Applicant Condition and Information Systems (Haven) portal. Graduates of Canadian medical schools should visit CaRMS.ca for data how to annals for ERAS.

Military Friction match: The military uses a separate awarding system through MODS (Medical Operational Data Organization); however, you must also apply through ERAS to be considered for noncombatant programs in instance of deferment.

Know The Timeline

Keep central dates in heed when approaching the application process. The first is the date ERAS opens and you can begin editing your application and uploading documents. Historically the opening date was July 1; yet, for the 2019 application cycle, ERAS opened earlier (June 7) so applicants could take more time to piece of work on their application. Too new to the 2019 awarding cycle, ERAS began assuasive students to start applying to ACGME-accredited programs in early on September (Sept. 5).

Residency programs are granted access to applications and supporting documents outset Sept. 15 at 9 a.k. ET. All applications submitted upward to this point will be stamped with that appointment and time. The early submission window was created merely to avoid technical difficulties related to the huge volume of applications being submitted simultaneously. Submitting your application before Sept. xv will help reduce the possibility of overwhelming the website, but it will not requite you any advantage in terms of when programs volition receive your application.

Figure 7.1.jpg

Stick to the Timeline!

Some plan leadership may start looking at applications on Sept. 15 while others wait until Oct. 1 when the MSPE is available. However, it is imperative that you submit your awarding as shut to Sept. fifteen at ix a.chiliad. ET as possible. In a prior survey of PDs, only 15% of respondents stated that it was "highly likely" that an application would be reviewed if it were completed after the ERAS opening appointment.6

Regardless of when you employ, in one case yous certify and submit your application, you will not exist able to make changes other than on the Personal Information section and uploading boosted messages. Consider assembling your application in June of your fourth year to avert delays.

War machine Match: The deadline for initial application to military programs through MODS is the 2nd week of September, and supporting documents are typically due October. 15. Rank list is usually submitted around this fourth dimension as well. Keep these military-specific deadlines in mind as you mustcomplete both MODS and ERAS simultaneously.

Latecomers: Don't wait for rotations or letters. Submit your application on time. A programme will look for a letter, but they won't await for yous.

The Components of ERAS

  • Personal and biographic information
  • Curriculum Vitae (didactics, feel, licensure, publications)
  • Personal Argument
  • Letter(southward) of Recommendation
  • USMLE transcript and/or COMLEX-Usa transcript
  • Medical Student Operation Evaluation (MSPE or "Dean's Letter")
  • Medical schoolhouse transcript
  • Photo (optional)

Personal and Biographic Data

This department is where you enter your basic demographic and biographic information as well every bit armed services service obligations and whether or non you are couples matching. In that location is besides a department for you lot to include your NRMP match ID, which you volition get when you register for the NRMP Lucifer. This is a dissever process from creating and submitting your ERAS application. You must go to the NRMP website (www.nrmp.org) to register. Note that NRMP friction match ID registration does not open until Sept. 15 at 12 p.thousand. EST. You do NOT need this ID number in order to submit and certify your ERAS application, and you tin can add it later on — so don't look for information technology.

Couples Match: Discuss with your advisors and partner if you lot volition disclose your couples match status on ERAS. There are benefits and potential risks of doing so. You are not mandated to disembalm. A handful of programs may want to avoid EM-EM couples. Additionally, if a partner is applying to a specialty that is not offered at the same institution, some PDs may not exist aware of the non-EM preparation programs offered at hospitals nearby, leading them to call back the interview may exist low-yield.

Curriculum Vitae

The CV is simply a combination of several individual sections within ERAS that is compiled into a unlike format for readers in case they prefer to view the items in i document rather than on separate tabs inside ERAS. These individual sections include Education (along with awards, membership in professional societies, languages spoken, hobbies/interests, and interruptions in medical preparation), Feel (research, work, and volunteer), Licensure (lath scores, life support certifications, prior licensure information), and Publications.

While board scores, SLOEs, and medical transcripts provide objective data for residency programme leadership, this department allows you to draw accomplishments outside of the classroom/wards, too as to highlight personal qualities and attributes non captured elsewhere in the awarding. This department is oftentimes thought of as the "Ten-cistron" of your awarding and helps reviewers gauge if y'all resonate with the programme'south values. There is a real opportunity to stand out from other applicants; just list your experiences does you a disservice. The application is much stronger if yous include brief details of each activity to highlight your role and specific characteristics y'all developed through each experience. Demonstrate what you learned from each feel or how it fabricated you a better person. Also, take reward of the personal interests department. This is i of the few chances you volition have to talk almost yourself outside of medicine, and it's frequently a swell springboard for conversations during program interviews. A common pitfall in this section of the awarding is exaggerating the amount of time committed to each action. Be truthful e'er.

At-Take a chance Candidates: Applicants with a history of felony or misdemeanor convictions will be required to disembalm this. There will be a text-box to provide details. An applicant with this history is best served accepting responsibility, taking ownership of whatever mistakes, and demonstrating conscious changes for the better.

Latecomers: Include activities and accomplishments in other fields on your CV if they are substantial. Leadership, piece of work, and inquiry in other specialty areas may still exist relevant. EM as a specialty requires a broad set of skills and interests.

Personal Argument

Personal statements can cause a high level of anxiety. How do you write a personal argument that captures your  excitement as you lot use to the field you want to practice? What is the role of the personal statement? How does it differ from other parts of your application? How much volition it matter? A survey of EM residency directors showed the most influential components of residency applications are SLOEs, residency interviews, EM evaluations/grades, and clinical clerkship grades. The personal statement ranked below all of these components in importance. 2 This is proficient news and bad news. It is unlikely a great personal statement will brand up for an application that is otherwise poor, just sometimes a great personal statement can tip the scales in your favor.

So how do you write such a statement? The personal statement allows the residency pick committee to "meet" yous earlier meeting face-to-confront. Innovate yourself. Show (rather than tell) programs that you take the qualities to be a not bad resident by using examples from your previous experiences and achievements. Writing virtually how much you savour emergency medicine does non distinguish you from any other applicant; focus instead on what makes you lot unique. Depict the challenges you've faced to demonstrate your ability to persevere. Highlight how your previous experiences bear witness your passions, values, and goals, and how you program to channel your intelligence, creativity, and compassion into your career. Don't go overboard past including examples from every previous feel; y'all volition take a chance to talk about these in the experiences section. Choose a few examples that actually highlight who you are and what you're looking for in a residency. Committees want to know you volition be a skilful fit with their program, and then discuss what yous are looking for in a residency programme and what you want to proceeds from the next 3–4 years of your life. Make the personal statement personal.

Other essential facts that apply to all writing you are submitting apply here too.3 Edit your statement, put it away for a few days, then edit over again with fresh optics. Have those you trust read it every bit well. Take the recommendations with a grain of salt, but make sure you lot correct all spelling and grammar.

Although it is stressful, try to have some fun with the process. It is, by definition, the most personal role of the awarding. Allow yourself to reflect on what
makes you actually you, and let that smooth through.

Each statement is limited to 28,000 characters. There is no limit to the number of personal statements that tin can be created, and you can create program-specific personal statements (but be very careful not to send the wrong statement to the incorrect program).

At-Risk Candidates: Applicants who have a facet of their application that is probable to be considered a red flag, such as a USMLE or course failure, a felony or misdemeanor confidence, an unaccounted for gap in their CV, etc., should use the personal argument to address these issues. This is likely the outset place a reviewer will await for an explanation. If they exercise not observe ane, in that location is little incentive for them to go whatsoever further in considering yous for an interview. Accept buying of your past and do not make excuses. Clear how you accept emerged from your challenges improve equipped for a career in EM. And most of import, have your advisor read your statement and give you feedback.

Latecomers: The personal argument may be a practiced identify to explain how y'all came to EM equally a specialty, but continue it succinct. Perhaps you had an "Aha moment," and so feel free to tell your story. Be certain your statement likewise shares experiences that convey the bigger flick of who you lot are and what y'all take to offer.

Dual Accreditation: Students applying to both EM and EM-combined programs or programs in a different specialty have the power to upload multiple personal statements.

Letters of Recommendation

In Chapter 5: Applying for Abroad Rotations, it was discussed that the SLOE obtained at the cease of each EM clerkship is the unmarried almost crucial component of your application and that ii of them are recommended.ii,iv,5

ERAS allows yous to submit a maximum of iv LoRs to each program, but information technology is not necessary to upload four. It is variable how many total letters a program will want earlier they consider a student'due south application to be "complete enough" to offer an interview. It is important to know that after 4 LoRs are assigned to a programme, you tin no longer remove/add together LoRs. Therefore, if you performed a later away rotation (September or afterward) but are counting on this rotation for a SLOE, it is important to go out a LoR spot open for this SLOE at the time of your initial application  submission. Additional messages tin be added as they become available, simply do non delay submitting your applications while waiting for SLOEs to exist uploaded.

Within ERAS, you must enter the names and titles of your letter writers, the specialty the letters will be used to apply to (emergency medicine), and whether or non you waive the right to view each LoR. In general, applicants normally waive the right to review their LoRs, allowing letter writers to provide an honest assessment. Once a LoR entry has been confirmed, you will be provided with a unique Letter ID and Letter of the alphabet Request Course that can exist delivered to LoR authors past email directly from ERAS (with an optional custom bulletin), or downloaded as a PDF, with instructions on how to upload your LoR.

While having both SLOEs uploaded past Sept. 15 can be to your reward, it's not a deal-breaker; many programs will still consider y'all with but one SLOE at the time of file review and interview offer — both volition just need to be uploaded by fourth dimension of applicant ranking. A third SLOE is rarely suggested but may be beneficial if you lot take cherry flags or had a challenging rotation.vii,9 On  EMRA Match,10 programs list how many SLOE(s) they await to consider an bidder for an interview.

In addition to the 2 SLOEs recommended from your clerkship experiences, you tin can add together LoRs from another EM faculty member with whom you have worked closely (for example, from a subspecialty rotation such as ultrasound, toxicology, European monetary system, etc.) or from a non-academic EM dr. or a doc not in the specialty. However, it is important to note that SLOEs generated by EM experiences that are affiliated with a residency training program carry more than credibility than a LoR from a non-academic EM doctor or a physician non in the specialty.five

Latecomers: While studies show a LoR from a doc in a specialty other than EM carries less value than a SLOE, you lot may take a mentor or advisor from a different specialty who has worked closely with yous.iv Yous tin consider including a non-EM LoR if you had a strong relationship with the author. Be sure to exit room in ERAS to upload two SLOEs earlier submitting your rank list.

USMLE or COMLEX Transcripts

Within ERAS, applicants must qualify the release of their Step scores from the NBME past entering their USMLE ID and paying a transcript fee. You can track the status of your transcript request by logging back into ERAS. If your Step 2 scores are not available at the time of your initial application, you must log back into this department of ERAS and select "Resend My Scores."

Guidance nigh when to take USMLE Step two CK tin can be found in Chapter 3: 3rd Year and Planning for Quaternary. Information about how your USMLE/COMLEX scores should influence your awarding strategy can be found in Chapter eight: Apply Smarter, Not Harder: Understand Your Competitiveness.

Osteopathic Students: Yous tin can upload COMLEX-Us transcripts, USMLE transcripts, or both. If uploading COMLEX-U.s. transcripts, you lot must authorize their release by entering your NBOME ID and paying a transcript fee, similar to the process for uploading USMLE scores. As mentioned in Affiliate 2: The Preclinical Years, osteopathic students who take USMLE are more probable to match at ACGME programs. There is no direct conversion from COMLEX to USMLE scores for programs to compare yous apples to apples. Refer to EMRA Match for programs that will accept COMLEX scores alone when helping make your application decisions (hint — it volition not be a majority of programs!).16-18

IMG Students: USMLE transcripts for IMGs are released by ECFMG rather than NBME.

Medical Student Operation Evaluation (Dean's Letter)

The MSPE is not a letter of recommendation, but rather a summary of your performance throughout medical schoolhouse. The MSPE is a valuable role of your application because information technology gives a broader perspective of your four years of medical school. This evaluation emphasizes strong attributes demonstrated throughout your medical educational activity, highlights your accomplishments during this fourth dimension, and addresses any ruby flags or difficulties. It also provides a narrative to your clinical clerkship performances. The MSPE traditionally includes your rank compared to classmates, and this tin assist you gauge your competitiveness as an applicant; notwithstanding, not all medical schools take a class ranking organisation. In this case, your school will signal this in the MSPE. Check with your dean ahead of time to sympathize your institution's process then you understand your own competitiveness. Training programs do not rely heavily on this component of the application when selecting applicants for interview, likely considering it is released afterward than the rest of your residency application (Oct. one compared to Sept. 15). However, the MSPE is rated highly in importance when it comes to deciding how to rank applicants.2

At-Risk Candidates: Be familiar with your MSPE so you can accost any red flags such equally course failures or professionalism issues in your personal statement and during your interviews. Take ownership of the issues, reverberate upon what you have learned, and exist ready to explain the changes you have made to ensure that the by will not repeat itself during residency.

Latecomers: If y'all changed specialty choices, exist sure to update your dean as presently as possible. They may choose to emphasize different aspects of your strengths or accomplishments as they relate to EM.

Medical Schoolhouse Transcript

This is simply a listing of your preclinical and clerkship grades, which is released prior to the MSPE. Your MSPE will provide more detailed information near your clerkship performances. By the time y'all are putting together your ERAS awarding, there is not much you can do almost any of this information. While basic sciences grades take been ranked lower in terms of importance to residency programs, performance in required third-yr clerkships is cited as being heavily valued.two,four

Photo

This is optional, but the vast bulk of applicants exercise upload a photograph to ERAS. While your photograph does not need to be from a professional photographer, you need to announced professional. No selfies!

The Bottom Line

  • Be honest on your application; do not inflate your accomplishments or involvement in anything. Plan directors likewise look for congruence. They desire to brand certain the person they collaborate with on the interview day is consistent with the person they see on paper.
  • Anything on your application is fair game to be discussed further in an interview. If information technology is on your awarding, exist prepared to talk about it!
  • Spelling and grammar errors can be a osculation of expiry. Spend time making your awarding articulate, well-baked, and error-free. From the ERAS site, you can impress your application to review for errors. Have friends, family, and mentors read over your application earlier you lot submit.
  • Stick to the timeline. It is OK to non accept ii SLOEs uploaded by Sept. 15, simply y'all must have your application submitted by this date. Do non submit late!