Checklist for the Last Day Before Submitting Your ERAS Application
After weeks (or maybe months!) of perfecting your ERAS application, the final day has arrived. Submitting your application to residency programs is a huge step, and making sure everything is in order is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help ensure that your ERAS application is polished, complete, and ready to submit:
1. Final Review of Personal Statement
Your personal statement is your chance to tell your story beyond the CV. Make sure:
- It reflects your unique journey, motivations, and aspirations.
- It’s free of grammatical errors and awkward phrasing.
- It’s within the character limit and formatted properly.
- Each program has the correct version (if you’ve tailored it to different specialties or programs).
Tip: Read your personal statement out loud one last time to catch any lingering errors or awkward sentences. It helps you assess the flow and tone.
2. Ensure Your CV Is Up to Date
The CV section of your ERAS application highlights your academic history, work experience, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Double-check:
- All dates are accurate.
- Any recent publications, research, or certifications are listed.
- Descriptions are concise but informative.
3. Letters of Recommendation (LoRs) – Are They In?
Confirm that all your letter writers have uploaded their LoRs to the system. Remember:
- ERAS allows you to assign specific LoRs to different programs. Ensure each program has the appropriate letter.
4. Transcripts and MSPE
- Medical School Transcript: Confirm that your transcript has been uploaded by your school.
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE): Ensure your MSPE (Dean’s letter) is uploaded and visible in the system.
5. USMLE/COMLEX Scores
Make sure your USMLE or COMLEX scores have been correctly reported. You’ll want to:
- Verify that all scores are listed (Step 1, Step 2 CK, and any other relevant scores).
- If you’re awaiting Step 2 CK results, decide whether you want programs to receive an update when those scores become available.
6. Check Program Preferences
Double-check that you've selected the correct programs:
- Ensure you’re applying to the right number of programs for your specialty.
- Confirm that any program-specific requirements are met (e.g., supplemental applications).
- Review the program’s deadlines and specific requirements one last time.
7. Review Application for Consistency
Your entire application should tell a cohesive story. Review:
- Consistency between your CV, personal statement, and LoRs.
- No discrepancies in dates or information.
- A clear narrative thread about your skills, passion for the specialty, and career goals.
8. Finalize Program-Specific Personal Statements and LoR Assignments
If you’ve customized personal statements or assigned specific LoRs to certain programs, now’s the time to:
- Double-check that the correct versions are assigned to the corresponding programs.
- Ensure that any program-specific information (like why you’re interested in a particular program) is accurate.
9. Proofread – One Last Time!
You’ve probably proofread your application multiple times by now, but it’s worth doing one final check to ensure:
- There are no spelling or grammatical mistakes.
- The formatting is consistent throughout the application.
- All information is clear and easy to understand.
10. Submit and Celebrate!
Once you’re 100% confident that everything is in order, it’s time to hit that submit button. This is a significant milestone in your journey to becoming a resident physician, so take a moment to celebrate all the hard work you’ve put into this application.
Final Tip: After submitting, don’t obsess over things you can’t change. Trust the effort you’ve put into the process and shift your focus to preparing for interviews!
Good luck, and here’s to a successful Match season!
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