The ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has caused disruption in the residency match process and the ERAS applications (Electronic Residency Application Service). AAMC just announced changes in regards to ERAS and the residency match process and published a new timeline, including a new date for transmission of the ERAS application to residency programs.
Implications of the New ERAS Timeline
There is new timeline for ERAS which has several implications for medical students:
- USMLE Step 2 CK Timing – The timing delay will allow students more time to take USMLE Step 2 CK. We anticipate there being a rush to complete these exams by October 2020 so students may have their scores by ERAS opening.
- Visiting/Away Rotations – The “interview” rotations are being strongly discouraged and have already been completely canceled by many institutions. This is potentially disheartening news for students applying to competitive specialties and very bad news for IMGs, who rely heavily on these rotations to demonstrate their abilities. If you find yourself in this group, you will likely further benefit from our residency advising & match consulting services to maximize other parts of your application.
- Virtual Interviews – By now, you are probably getting used to Zoom and Google Hangouts. Virtual interviews are being strongly encouraged for programs to adapt to eliminate the need for medical students to travel across the country. It also assists with social distancing. Doing well on residency interviews in a virtual format is very important and MedSchoolCoach advisors are available for virtual residency interview preparation.
The New Timeline for ERAS 2021
June 8, 2020
– ERAS 2021 Season Begins
– Applicants can register in MyERAS and begin working on their application.
September 1, 2020
– Applicants may begin submitting applications to residency programs.
October 21, 2020
– Residency programs may begin reviewing applications.
– MSPEs released to residency programs.
December 2020
– Military match results are available.
January 2021
– Urology Residency Match results are available.
March 2021
– National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) main residency match results are available.
– Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) starts.
May 31, 2021
– ERAS 2021 Season Ends: MyERAS closes at 5PM EST.
The Final Report and Recommendations for Medical Education Institutions of LCME-Accredited, U.S. Osteopathic, and Non-U.S. Medical School Applicants
The following has been submitted by The Coalition for Physician Accountability’s Work Group on Medical Students in the Class of 2021 Moving Across Institutions for Post Graduate Training, and states the following:
“The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the medical education curriculum will ensure that practically every applicant for residency during the ERAS 2020-2021 cycle will face obstacles completing activities usually included in their application. Some will be delayed in completing their clerkship curriculum and early senior rotations, which will delay the collection of letters of evaluation and recommendation. Others will be unable to secure timely dates to complete their COMLEX-USA or USMLE exams. This year, programs face making selection decisions with differing amounts and types of data than they have ever had in the past. These changes necessitate evaluating the ERAS opening date for programs and the medical student performance evaluation (MSPE) release date. It is also critically important that programs have the tools they need to use the data they receive to evaluate the applications holistically. The traditional ERAS opening for programs on Sept. 15 and MSPE release date of Oct. 1 may not allow sufficient time for learners and medical schools to upload the most complete ERAS applications for programs to review and evaluate. Multiple conversations with medical schools, applicants, AAMC affinity groups, specialty organizations, and the ERAS Advisory Committee reached consensus that an ERAS opening for residency programs could occur in mid-to-late October.
Recommendation: The WG recommends a delayed opening of ERAS for residency programs and a delayed release of the MSPE and that the opening and release happen on the same day.”
For more information, please contact NRMP at 202-400-2233 or support@nrmp.org.
