ERAS is about to open to programs-are you ready?

ERAS opens to programs in just 4 days and applicants around the world are making their finishing touches. Here are answers to the questions we get asked the most:

How many programs should I apply to?
This depends on your competitiveness and where you ideally want to apply. Consider using EMATCH to look for risks within your own application and develop a targeted strategy.

What if I only have one SLOE posted on 9/15?
So this is multipart depending on if and when you will have a second SLOE:
If you have a second SLOE that will be posted within the next few weeks, you will be fine. It takes time for programs to review applications and many will wait a few weeks expecting another SLOE.

If you have a second SLOE coming later and you are not getting many interviews, consider sending an email to your top programs once the letter is posted. This is not necessary but might get you moved back into the review pile. Don't send 40 emails, only contact programs you are most interested in and email once, not over and over.

If you will only have one SLOE use EMRA Match to identify programs that will offer an interview with only one SLOE and apply to these to improve your odds.

When will I hear about interviews?
This will vary widely by program. Most programs will use a booking service and many try to send invitations in the evening to minimize interruptions to your clinical duties. There are also a group of programs that have agreed to a common release date of October 15th. As a generality you should expect most of your interview invitations to come in the month of October.

How many interviews is enough?
10-12 interviews is plenty. Ten will get you to a 95% probability of matching and twelve will get you to 99% per NRMP match data for EM.

Aren't more interviews better?
Not always, firstly it is hard to fit more than 2 interviews per week, travel is very expensive, and many applicants become exhausted during this process. You need to be on the whole time and it can get hard to appear interested and enthusiastic week after week. Those extra interviews are unlikely to improve your outcomes in the match, so put your time and money in the programs you are most interested in.

How can I ace my interviews?
Firstly make sure you know what to expect and how to determine what you need and want. This is different for every person but focus on what makes helps you learn and keeps you well. Make sure you leave enough time to make it to the pre-inteview social with residents and get the rest you need to be your best self. A classic blunder is getting your luggage lost, don't let it happen to you, so carry ons only.

Is it rude to cancel interviews?
No, if you have other opportunities that better match your needs simply let programs know with enough notice to offer the interview to another applicant. Please Please Please be generous with one another and cancel with at least 2 weeks notice so your spot can go to someone else.

While stressful the reward at the end of this application is well worth it - hang in and find ways to enjoy the ride

Lucienne Lutfy-Clayton is an APD at UMMS Baystate and the immediate past chair of CORD's API committee.