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.
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The 2027 ERAS residency application cycle runs from June 2026 through May 2027. Here are the key dates applicants need to know:
Are you a fellowship applicant? We’re covering residencies in this article, but you can learn more about ERAS fellowship program applications here.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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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.
According to the AAMC, the following updates and changes apply to the 2027 ERAS application season.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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
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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