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School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Medical School

Residency Match

ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service):

  • The ERAS developed by the Association of American Medical College and started in 1995.
  • The service provides a means of transmitting residency applications, letters of recommendation, the Medical Student Performance Evaluation, transcripts, pictures and other supporting credentials from applicants and medical schools to residency program directors using the Internet.
  • The ERAS solution is made up of three components:
    • The applicant web site, My ERAS
    • The Dean’s Office Workstation (DWS)
    • The Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS)
  • Using a current Web browser, applicants complete an application, select programs and create and assign supporting documents using a secure site. They then submit these files to ERAS for processing.
  • Student Affairs staff use the DWS to scan and store the applicants’ transcripts, the Medical Student Performance Evaluation, pictures and letters of recommendation and transmit them to the ERAS Post Office.
  • Residency programs use the PDWS to connect to the ERAS Post Office to download applications and to review them using criteria they establish.
  • Most PGY 1 specialties, including the Army and Navy, will use ERAS to receive their application. The only exception is the Early Match Program of Ophthalmology. Information on this program can be obtained from the www.sfmatch.org Web site. The Ophthalmology program along with Urology (www.auanet.org) also have their own matching process. All other programs go through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
  • There are a few programs within each specialty that do not use ERAS. These programs, in most cases, will accept the ERAS application, but everything has to be mailed. This can be coordinated through the Student Affairs office.
  • A final list of participating programs will be posted on the Web site in late June at www.aamc.org/students/eras/ in the Applicant Support section. Applicants should contact programs directly to confirm their participation.
  • There are 13 steps in the ERAS Application Process. To review them formally click on the 13 steps Web site. The timeline used by the Office of Student Affairs is below.

The National Residency Matching Program, Other Matching Programs and Timelines

The Match and preparing for residency application can be a very stressful process. It is helpful for you to be as knowledgeable as possible. The Office of Student Affairs has prepared a booklet Taking Flight [Word] which provides details about the different matching programs, how to write a C.V. and personal statement and a lot of detailed information about interviewing. Plus, the staff of the Office of Student Affairs is more than willing to help in any manner possible.

Another valuable resources you may find is a publication from the American Association of Medical Colleges, Roadmap to Residency: From Application to the Match and Beyond.