MyERAS Application
March 13, 2026
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Match 2026-27 Application Prep Starts Now – Book Your Consulting Seat Today
Match 2026-27 Application Prep Starts Now – Book Your Consulting Seat Today
Spring is a season of new beginnings, and that includes getting a head start on your residency application. While ERAS doesn’t open until June, spring is the perfect time to start laying the groundwork so your application can come together smoothly in the months ahead.
ERAS opens in June, but don’t make the mistake of waiting until then to get started. Early spring (March/April) is the perfect time to begin crafting your documents in a low-pressure way, giving you time to make your application as polished and impressive as possible. Here are 4 things you can focus on now.
One of the most compelling reasons to start your residency application before ERAS opens is to lay the groundwork for your letters of recommendation. You’re at the mercy of writers, and chances are at least one of your letters will take longer to get uploaded than expected.
So, be proactive. If you know who any of your letter writers are, reach out to them now. Your message should be polite and to-the-point:
I hope you are doing well! I’m writing to follow up on my request for a letter of recommendation, and to let you know I’ll be sending the formal request once ERAS opens in June. If there’s anything I can provide you with to aid in writing the letter, please let me know.
Some letter writers might ask to see your CV or personal statement, and others might want you to contribute to the letter or write it entirely. All the more reason to get started in Spring so you’re not scrambling with those tasks later on. Note for IMGs: Since ERAS doesn’t open until June, your writer will need to save the letter on their computer until you send the formal request via the Letter of Recommendation Portal.
If you plan to get letters from preceptors during upcoming rotations/USCE, set yourself up for success. Approach your preceptor(s) on the first or second day and let them know you are hoping to earn a strong letter and would appreciate any feedback along the way to help with that goal. As the rotation nears its end, request the letter(s) in person and obtain contact information to make the formal ERAS request (this should be the writer’s email address, not the program coordinator’s).
Send formal requests for letters as soon as possible once ERAS opens in June. For letters about upcoming experiences, aim for September 7 as the latest upload date, and if you have rotation starting in September, try to get the letter uploaded no later than 5 business days prior to ERAS opening to programs. Some letters upload instantly but some take time, so you definitely don’t want to risk submitting too close to the deadline!
Tip to keep in mind: Strong letters of recommendation are specialty-specific and recent. Ideally, they should be written within the last 1–12 months, and generally no older than 18–24 months.
Internal Medicine – IM SEL: The Internal Medicine Structured Evaluative Letter (IM SEL) is a standardized letter with established categories that seeks to provide an objective evaluation of an internal medicine candidate. See the official guidelines for the IM SEL here.
Emergency Medicine – SLOE: If you’re planning to go into emergency medicine, you’ll want 2 Standardized Letters of Evaluation (SLOE). This evaluation provides an overall view of your performance during the clinical experience, including non-clinical skills such as maturity, compassion, and initiative. You can view the official SLOE guidelines here.
Orthopedic Surgery – eSLOR: As of 2024, the Electronic Standardized Letter of Recommendation (eSLOR) is strongly recommended for orthopedic candidates. Like the SLOE, this letter asks writers to evaluate your professionalism and communication skills in addition to standard medical knowledge. Here are the official eSLOR guidelines.
An easy way to start your residency application right now, before ERAS opens, is to open a spreadsheet and begin documenting experiences for your CV.
For the “Experiences” section of ERAS, you’ll have 10 dedicated spaces to share your activities. Each of the 10 spaces can contain 1 experience in detail or highlight a small group of experiences with a similar theme. Read about bundling multiple experiences here.
ERAS Experience categories are broader than you might think, and PDs are most interested in well-rounded applicants. So now is a good time to identify and make plans to address gaps in areas like teaching and volunteer work. Here are all the categories listed in ERAS:
An added benefit of getting started now is that you have lots of time to A) think through what to include/what to highlight and B) gather up all the details you’ll need for ERAS:
You can also start compiling a list of awards, honors, and certifications. Review the official ERAS Worksheet to see the different components of ERAS.
While not every specialty demands a high volume of research from potential applicants, every residency program appreciates a well-rounded applicant, and this includes research. If you don’t have much research to include in ERAS, there are a few things you can do now to improve that aspect of your application. It’s okay if you can’t manifest a formal academic publication between now and September, but you do want to include something that shows effort and at least familiarity with research basics.
One option is to take a few research courses to gain initial exposure. Coursera’s Clinical Research for Beginners, offered at no cost by University of Cape Town, covers basic research principles, study types, and ethical considerations. The NIH Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR) is a free, self-paced course from the National Institutes of Health, focusing on study design and data analysis.
Virtual projects with peers are another possibility. Network at school and online to find others who are working virtually to publish ahead of the match.
Case reports are also a good way to publish without engaging in large-scale research. They usually describe an unusual, rare, or unexpected presentation, or some other finding that sheds new light on a disease, so keep an eye out for cases that could potentially become a case report. For a short overview of case reports, read NIH’s Guidelines to Writing A Clinical Case Report here. For detailed guidance, read here, and you can review published case reports here.
Writing a personal statement can be difficult if you’re not the writer-type, but starting early eases the pressure and results in a better PS.
Most good writing is the result of a thoughtful, multi-step process, which begins with brainstorming ideas. Think about what you want your personal statement to convey and jot those thoughts down somewhere you can easily access so you can add to it as ideas come. Approach it from a creative perspective; there is no pressure right now, so anything goes!
If you have no idea where to start (or even if you do) this article outlines a question-based approach for the personal statement and is a great resource to help you get going.
An important note: the personal statement is how you show PDs who you are. It’s not the place to rehash your CV, or even necessarily to demonstrate your clinical skills. It’s where you can highlight what makes you stand out as a candidate and a person. So, having a personal statement that sounds like everyone else’s is the exact opposite of what you want. There is a lot of advice about writing residency personal statements on the internet, but following it will result in a bland, cliché statement that doesn’t make you stand out from the many others who followed that same advice. Be selective and, most importantly, tell your own story in your own voice.
The point of starting your residency application early isn’t necessarily to “get it done” early. It’s to optimize your time in a way that leads to a thoughtful, well-crafted application that impresses programs.
Taking action now will reduce stress over the application and give you an edge over those who wait until summertime to get started.
