The Residency Application - Overview and Timeline

The steps of applying to residency generally begin in the Clerkship Phase of the curriculum, starting with confirming specialty choice or alternative career plans, followed by developing an individualized Advanced Clinical Phase schedule that meets personal career goals as well as the SOM Renaissance Curriculum Graduation Requirements. The residency application process officially kicks off in April of the Clerkship Phase when applicants will receive an ERAS token (issued by OSA) indicating their eligibility to apply to graduate medical education residency programs. In April, applicants may enter limited demographic data and coordinate letter of reference requests within ERAS, while concurrently preparing for various aspects of the application including building and refining a CV and personal statement. The ERAS application opens in June, at which time applicants can begin entering additional application data and uploading supporting documents. During this time frame, applicants should also be developing a list of possible residency programs. In September, applicants may submit their application to specific residency programs and the majority of interviews will occur between October and February. Applicants (and programs) may indicate their preferences via rank order lists in February. Residency matches are made through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) during Match Week, the third week in March.  Applicants will receive their program Match at the Match Day Ceremony at Noon on the Friday of Match Week.

NOTE: Alternative timelines for early match applicants are discussed in detail below