The 2027 ERAS season opened June 4, 2026, and residency applicants could begin submitting applications in September 2026. The season ends on May 31, 2027.
The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) was developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to allow medical students and graduates to apply electronically to residency programs in the United States. MyERAS is the applicant-facing portion of the ERAS system where you build, certify, and submit your residency application.
Most residency specialties and programs use ERAS, but not every program participates. Emergency medicine, for example, uses ResidencyCAS rather than ERAS. Before applying, check that each program accepts applications through ERAS and review its individual application requirements and deadlines.
In this guide, we'll walk through the 2027 ERAS timeline, including when to prepare and submit each part of your application, what to expect throughout the interview and Match process, and what’s new this application cycle.
Download our 10 ERAS Experiences Guidebook to hear top tips from our Physician Advisors. Learn how to choose the 10 best experiences for your specialty and craft descriptions that impress.
Key Dates
The 2027 ERAS residency application cycle runs from June 2026 through May 2027. Here are the key dates applicants need to know:
- June 4, 2026: The 2027 ERAS season began at 9 a.m. ET. Applicants could begin working on their MyERAS portal applications.
- September 2, 2026: Residency applicants could begin certifying and submitting MyERAS applications to programs at 9 a.m. ET.
- September 23, 2026: Residency programs view applications and Medical Student Performance Evaluations (MSPEs) in the Program Director's WorkStation (PDWS) through MyERAS beginning at 9 a.m. ET.
- Fall 2026-early 2027: Residency interview season. Interview timing varies by specialty and program.
- March 15-19, 2027: Match Week. Applicants participating in the Main Residency Match learn whether they matched to a residency program. Applicants who do not match can participate in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP).
- May 31, 2027: The 2027 ERAS season ends at 5 p.m. ET.
Are you a fellowship applicant? We’re covering residencies in this article, but you can learn more about ERAS fellowship program applications here.
Who Should Apply and When?
Most medical students apply to residency during their final year of medical school, with the goal of starting residency after graduation. For the 2027 ERAS cycle, applicants could begin working on their MyERAS applications when the season opened on June 4, 2026, and could begin certifying and submitting applications to residency programs on September 2, 2026.
You don't have to be a current medical student to apply through ERAS. Medical school graduates, including international medical graduates (IMGs), can also apply for residency positions. However, eligibility requirements and required documentation can vary depending on your circumstances and the programs you're applying to, particularly in more competitive specialties.
If you're an IMG, you'll have some additional steps to complete. For the 2027 ERAS cycle, ECFMG distributed ERAS tokens to IMG residency applicants beginning June 24, 2026. You may also need to meet additional ECFMG certification and documentation requirements. Check the AAMC's 2027 ERAS timeline for IMG applicants for the dates and requirements specific to IMGs.
Residency Application Timeline: The 2027 Match Cycle
Let’s explore each stage of the 2027 ERAS application timeline in more detail, with tips to help you prepare your application and stay on track throughout the Match cycle.
June–August 2026
On June 4, 2026, the 2027 ERAS season opened at 9 a.m. ET. Although you could not submit your residency application yet, MyERAS became available, so you could begin working on your application.
- Licensing exams: If you haven't taken the USMLE Step 2 CK, check the deadlines for the programs you're applying to and plan accordingly. (If you're a DO student/graduate, you'll take COMLEX Level 2-CE.) You have to authorize your USMLE transcript to be released to ERAS. If you take Step 2 CK after submitting your ERAS application, you can request that your updated transcript be resent to programs when your new score is available.
- Personal statement: Draft your personal statement early and get advice from trusted colleagues, mentors, or advisors. You can create different personal statement versions for different specialties or programs.
- Letters of recommendation: Ask potential letter writers well in advance of the application deadline. Give your letter writers enough time to prepare and submit their letters before programs begin reviewing applications. For the 2027 cycle, the AAMC Letter Writer Portal is available for submitting letters of recommendation.
- MyERAS application: Work through each section of your application, including your Experiences, Geographic Preferences, and the new Scholarly Work section. The Experiences section also includes Impactful Experiences for applicants who want to highlight a challenge or hardship that influenced their path to residency. As you build your application, keep the ACGME Core Competencies in mind.
- Application photo: You can upload a professional photo to your MyERAS application. Use a professional headshot to set the right tone whenever programs view your application or reference the photo on interview day.
- Thalamus: If programs you are applying to use Thalamus for interview scheduling, make sure your account is set up and that your information is accurate. Thalamus can be used to manage residency interview invitations and scheduling.
Check out this handy applicant checklist from AAMC.
IMGs have additional requirements to consider. ECFMG distributed ERAS tokens through MyIntealth to IMG residency applicants beginning June 24, 2026. IMGs should review the ECFMG certification and documentation requirements that apply to them, including the ECFMG Status Report required for residency applications.
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September 2026–January 2027
On September 2, 2026, residency applicants could begin certifying and submitting MyERAS applications to programs at 9 a.m. ET. Before you submit, make sure you understand whether you're applying to a categorical, preliminary, or advanced residency program and what each type means for your training. We suggest submitting as soon as you’re ready.
Your MSPE and medical school transcript are submitted to ERAS by your Designated Dean's Office. An MSPE, or Dean’s Letter, is a comprehensive evaluation of your academic performance and professional development, not a letter of recommendation. International medical graduates may have additional document requirements, including an MSPE.
On September 23, 2026, residency programs can begin reviewing MyERAS applications and MSPEs at 9 a.m. ET. If you're ready to submit your application before programs begin reviewing applications, doing so allows them to consider your application as soon as the review process begins. However, September 2 is not an application due date.
Interview invitations may begin arriving in the fall, but interview timing varies by specialty and program. Residency interviews generally take place throughout the fall and winter. Be sure to review common interview questions and answers so you can ace your residency interview.
You may also consider sending a letter of interest to a program after submitting your application, depending on your circumstances and the program's policies.
The ERAS application and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) are separate processes. If you're participating in the Main Residency Match, you'll need to register with the NRMP separately. Registration for the 2027 Main Residency Match opened September 15, 2026, and the standard registration deadline is January 29, 2027.
February–March 2027
After completing your interviews, you'll create a rank order list (ROL). Your ROL tells the NRMP which programs you would like to attend, in order of preference. The NRMP matching algorithm then attempts to match applicants with programs based on the preferences submitted by both sides.
Ranking opens February 1, 2027, at 12 p.m. ET. The deadline to certify your ROL is March 3, 2027, at 9 p.m. ET.
You may also have the option of sending a letter of intent after interviews and before completing your ROL. Be aware that a letter of intent is not part of the NRMP ranking process and does not change how the matching algorithm works.
Main Residency Match Week runs March 15-19, 2027. Applicants who do not match, or who only partially match, may be eligible to participate in the SOAP. SOAP begins March 15, with applications and interviews taking place during Match Week. SOAP concludes March 18, before Match Day on March 19.
For those participating in the Couples Match, the NRMP uses a special algorithm to consider the preferences of both partners.
WATCH THIS WEBINAR: How to Match Into Your Dream Residency Program
May 2027
The 2027 ERAS season ends at 5 p.m. ET on May 31, 2027. After the season ends, you will no longer be able to access your MyERAS application for the 2027 application cycle.
What’s New in the 2027 ERAS Application
According to the AAMC, the following updates and changes apply to the 2027 ERAS application season.
Scholarly Work Section Is Replacing Publications
The MyERAS Publications section has been redesigned and renamed Scholarly Work. The new section provides a broader way to present scholarly contributions, including publications, presentations, posters, and submitted work.
Applicants can select up to three entries as Most Meaningful, group related work into Scholarly Collections, and preview how their scholarly work may appear to programs. There is no limit on the number of entries applicants can include.
AAMC Letter Writer Portal for LORs
The AAMC has introduced the AAMC Letter Writer Portal for letters of recommendation. The portal provides a single system for letter writers to submit and manage letters for ERAS applications.
Specialty-Specific Standard Letters
The AAMC is collaborating with several specialties (dermatology, plastic surgery-integrated, and urology) to introduce specialty-specific Standardized Letters of Evaluation (SLOEs).
If you're applying to one of these specialties, pay close attention to the letter requirements for each program you're considering. Knowing which letters you need, who can provide them, and when to request them can help you avoid scrambling for them later in the application process.
Read Next: Least Stressful Medical Specialties With Good Work-Life Balance
USMLE Transcript Processing Is Moving to FSMB
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is now processing USMLE transcript requests for ERAS. If you need to send your USMLE transcript to residency programs, you'll request and pay for it through the FSMB USMLE portal, not through the AAMC. Be sure to authorize the transcript and assign it to the programs you're applying to.
Continuation of MyERAS Pilot Projects
The AAMC continues to evaluate several MyERAS pilot projects, including Program Signal Explanations and Specialty-Specific Essay Questions. If either applies to your specialty, review the requirements carefully before submitting your application.
These additional components can give programs more context about your interests and goals, so don't treat them as optional details when completing your application.
Learn More: A Detailed Guide to Residency Program Signaling
FAQs
There isn't one universal date when residency programs begin sending interview invitations. Invitations may begin arriving in the fall and continue into the winter. Check the programs you're applying to for any specialty-specific information about their interview timeline.
You can also use the Residency Explorer tool's Interview Likelihood feature to compare your application with those who received invitations from programs during the previous cycle.
There is no reliable way for a residency program to identify AI-generated content. The more important part is that your application accurately reflects your own experiences, writing, and voice.
If you use ChatGPT or another AI tool while drafting or brainstorming, review and revise everything carefully to make sure it’s accurate, specific, and genuinely represents you. You should also follow any AI-use policies or instructions provided by programs you're applying to.
Increase Your Odds of Matching Into Your Top Residency Program
You can do this! Applying to residency programs doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. From building a competitive application to navigating interviews and the Match, a Physician Advisor can help you make strategic decisions throughout the process.
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