Part 4: Updates to ERAS for 2024
Each year, the AAMC takes data from surveys and other reports and analyzes it for ways it may improve the process for students. Though lengthy, these reports make for an interesting read and, to some degree, help explain why the AAMC implements some of the changes it does from year to year.
For the 2024 ERAS season—which began Jun 7, 2023—updates to the 2024 MyERAS® application enable applicants to share more information about past experiences and future career goals with residency and fellowship programs.
Changes include:
Revisions to the Experiences section: Applicants can now hone in on 10 experiences they feel represent who they are and what they are interested in. Of those, applicants can designate three as the “most meaningful” experiences they choose to elaborate on. In addition, applicants will find new experience types from which to choose.(Note: Each experience has a 1,020-character limit, and the most meaningful experiences allow for an additional 300 characters per experience.)
Impactful experiences: For applicants who have had to overcome serious hardships and adversities on the path to residency, the application process will now include an opportunity to elaborate on that.
Geographic preferences: Whether applicants have a desire to serve in a particular geographic region or not, the application will include an opportunity to illustrate that.
Program signals: Applicants interested in participating in program signals will be able to express their interest in the residency program when they complete their application
Supplemental ERAS application: There will be no supplemental ERAS application for the 2024 application cycle.
Part 5: Frequently asked questions
How do I find out which programs and specialties are participating in the ERAS program?
A list of participating programs and specialties is available on the ERAS website. The majority of the programs and specialties listed also participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), though some (marked by an asterisk) do not.
Is there a deadline for applying to ERAS programs?
While each individual program and specialty has its own deadline, the ERAS season ends on May 31 of each year. At that time, you will no longer be able to apply to any new programs, nor will programs be able to receive any new applications or even supporting documents.
When should I take the USMLE exams?
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) has three steps. Passing Steps 1 and 2 CK is a graduation requirement for most U.S. medical schools.
However, you’re responsible for scheduling your exam dates, and USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK can be taken in any order (you can only take Step 3 after passing the aforementioned steps). You are also limited in the number of times you can take each step. This makes it tricky to say when, exactly, you should take the different parts of the USMLE.
That said, most students take the USMLE Step 1 at the end of their second year of medical school. There’s no best time to take Step 2 CK, but in general, it’s best to take it before beginning residency interviews for flexibility in terms of scheduling and travel.
(Note: Step 2 used to include an additional exam, Step 2 CS, but USMLE announced in January 2021 that they were permanently discontinuing Step 2 CS.)
Step 3 can be taken after some or all of your first year of residency. More information about Step 3 can be found on the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website.
When is it too late to submit residency applications?
We strongly encourage you to submit your applications before September 28th for the highest chances of receiving interview invitations. Residency programs are able to begin viewing applications at 9 a.m. ET on September 28th, and many will send out invitations quickly thereafter. Thus, it’s highly advantageous to have all of your application materials in by this date (including your letters of recommendation) so you can be included in the first round of invitations.
That said, you can continue to submit applications past this date (typically into December or January), and you might find, for various reasons, that you want to add new programs as the application season goes on. Most programs will extend second or even third rounds of interview invitations, so it is possible to submit a late application and receive an invitation. If you’ve submitted a healthy number of applications by September 28th and are simply tacking on additional programs, you can do so through October and November, bearing in mind that sooner is better.
Nevertheless, the reality is that the overwhelming majority of applications come in by September 28th, so the further you are from this date, the lower your chances are of receiving an invitation. That’s why, to reiterate, we strongly urge you to plan ahead and get your initial applications in by September 28th.
Which match do I choose?
You should definitely enter the NRMP Match, regardless of your situation (all U.S. MD applicants must secure their PGY-1—Postgraduate Year 1—training through the NRMP’s Main Residency Match). However, you are allowed to enter more than one match and doing so may increase your chances, depending on the competitiveness of the specialties you choose and the number of applications you submit.
The vast majority of residency positions are offered through the NRMP (39,205 in 2022), but more than 1,000 are offered through the San Francisco Match, AUA, and Military Matches.
Both MD and DO fourth-year students and graduates can participate in the NRMP, San Francisco, AUA, and Military Matches. (In the past, DO students used to also participate in the AOA match; however, as of July 2020, the NRMP Match has become the primary match for all MD and DO students.)
Fourth-year medical school students with a U.S. government obligation (those who attended Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, for example) must enter the Military Match unless they are released from their government obligation.
Finally, if you want to enter the San Francisco, AUA, and Military Matches, these typically have earlier deadlines and match days than the NRMP Match so that those who matched with the “Early Matches” can withdraw from NRMP. As such, if you’re interested in these “Early Matches,” plan accordingly.
What are the deadlines for the different medical residency applications?
Here are links through which you can find relevant timelines for specific applications:
All residency applicants:
Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) (for graduates of U.S. medical schools, both MD and DO)
Foreign applicants applying to U.S. residencies:
Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) (for IMGS, i.e. graduates of international medical schools)
Applicants applying for residencies in ophthalmology and plastic surgery:
Applicants applying for urology residencies:
