What's in an ERAS Application?

ERAS season is almost here already! It feels like yesterday that I was filling out my application. I remember the angst and anxiety I felt leading up to application time and a lot of it centered around making sure my application would look good and that I'd be able to add valuable information to all of the different elements of the application. As applicants we are basically on our own as far as the application goes. There is no one to hold your hand and make sure you know exactly what you're doing and that can be stressful! This post is dedicated to just helping you familiarize yourself with the application and the things that will be asked in it.

First, I want to clear one thing up. I have a lot of people ask me about the "CV" portion of the application. You don't upload a CV per se...ERAS generates one using the information that you enter into the application. So don't worry about how the CV should look or what format to use. That being said, this is a great time to update and polish your CV because you will want to send it to all of the physicians writing a letter or recommendation on your behalf. It can really help them add depth to your LOR especially if they haven't known you for a long time.

Below I will list the components of the ERAS application. It's a great idea to start compiling any information you have now so that it will be streamlined when applications open. That being said, you've got about 3 months to work on your application once it opens so there is no need to panic! For this year (2018) the applications open on June 6th. At that time you can start entering all of your information and deciding which programs to apply to. You can start actually applying on September 6th, and programs receive applications September 15th. It is a really good idea to have everything done before programs receive the applications on the 15th. You want to show that you were prepared and enthusiastic about applying so applying after that could hurt you somewhat. If at all possible, you want ALL of your USMLE scores in before the application goes in so try to consider that when planning out when to take your exams. USMLE Step 2 CS can take 3 months for results, so you want to do it by June 1st to be safe. USMLE Step 2 CK takes about 3 weeks, so try to get it done by the first or second week of August at the latest!

General Information

Name

Email

Gender

Birthdate/Place

Citizenship status

Mailing address and phone number

History of any criminal records

This section is self explanatory so I won't elaborate :)

Medical Licensure

ACLS

PALS

BLS

Any medical licenses or board certifications 

Past history of malpractice suits

I'd advise having current ACLS and BLS certification at the time of application if you can. This shows that you stay up to date and current with your certs. I would recommend PALS if you are applying for Peds, Med/Peds, Family Medicine, or any other specialty where you will see children.

It is not expected that you have any medical license or board certifications at the time of application. This is more for people who may be changing fields or who have medical licenses in other countries and are now trying to come to the USA to practice.

Medical Education

Your medical school(s), dates attended and date of degree

Date of degree can be empty if you haven't graduated, you can also put the expected date of degree and make it a future date.

Medical School Honors/Awards

Any special recognitions or awards you receive during medical school can go here. Things like making the Dean's list or awards given out at graduation are some examples. Every school has different incentives and awards so I won't go into too much detail.

Membership in Honorary Professional Societies

Alpha Omega Alpha ?

Gold Humanism Honor Society ?

Others

Many schools don't have AOA or Gold Humanism Honor society so don't worry if you haven't heard of these!! 

It is important to obtain membership in the professional societies to which you are applying. For example, for Pediatrics you would want to join the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Other things that can go here are memberships in red cross, AMSA, or others. Programs like to see that you are interested in being involved and staying up to date with the issues going on in your field and this is a great way to show your commitment! 

Education

Type of Education (Undergrad/Postgrad)

Institution and Location

Dates attended

Degree

Degree Date

Field of Study

All of your undergraduate and postgraduate education (except medical school) goes here! Even if it isn't related to the medical field, I would still include it. The more education the better!

Current/Prior Training

Institution, Location and Training Type

Program Director

Program Supervisor

Dates Attended

Month(s)
Discipline

This is for applications who have other post-graduate training. An example would be that you matched into a Preliminary Spot for PGY1 and are now applying for a different PGY1 spot or a PGY2 spot. If you haven't been a resident before you don't need to worry about this section - it certainly won't fault you!

Experience

Work, Volunteer, and Research Experience.

Organization and Location

Position

Dates

Supervisor

Average Hours/Week

There is a separate section for work, volunteer, and research experience. 

Work experience should be limited to experience in the healthcare field or experience that will help you as a resident. Programs won't care that you worked at Subway in high school - keep it relevant or it might look like you're trying too hard to just fill in space.

Volunteer experience is a bit different - it doesn't necessarily have to be related to healthcare. Volunteering is a great way to show that you like to be active in your community and give back. Volunteering in areas outside of the medical field can also show that you are a well rounded person. For example, I volunteer with an organization that helps supply underprivileged children with clothing and school supplies. It isn't medical per se, but reiterates my desire to help children.

Research experience - structured research experience goes here. Publications are different. If research results in a publication you can have it in both sections.

Publications

Simply a list of your publications. This isn't research, that goes in section above. This is a list of your published work(s) if you have any.

Language Fluency

You input the languages you speak and how well you speak them in this section

Hobbies

This is a free text box that you can list your hobbies in. Programs like to see that you are well rounded and have interests outside of medicine. This section certainly won't make or break your application but it can show that you are into other things. A lot of my interviewers used my hobbies as ice breakers to get conversation going in the interviews so be prepared to take about them if you list them!

Other Awards/Accomplishments

This is a free text box where you can list anything else that you want the programs to see. Awards for community service would be an example of something you could put here. You don't HAVE to put anything - I didn't because I simply didn't have anything and didn't want to list something that would be a stretch just to have something there.

Personal Statement

Personal statements don't go under the main application, you upload them separately. You can upload as many versions of your personal statement as you want to! I uploaded a very personalized personal statement for programs I was especially interested in and then had a generic one that I sent to the rest. This is also important if you are applying to more than one specialty. You will want a personal statement for each specialty explaining why you are applying for that specialty and why you'd be a good asset.

Hope this helps to ease a LITTLE of the application anxiety I am sure you are all feeling! Best of luck in the match!