I may get a LOR from research that starts Sep 3. However, I want to wait a week (Sep 10) to see if I'm gelling with my professor. I can turn in my ERAS application without having my letter writers set in stone, right? Also, I'm assuming I can't actually apply to programs with incomplete LORs assigned to programs? Any input is appreciated.

I do not know the answer to your question.

But, I do have a question about assigning letters. I am applying to 2 residencies so I have the same letter writer with 2 letters. How do I assign the proper letter to the proper residency?

??

you can turn in eras without your letters. when you figure out who is going to write letters for you, you enter their name on ERAS.

the steps are:
1) ask profs for a letter, which they will mail to ERAS for you (or your deans office, or ECFMG or wherever they heck they send it to)
2) designate who will be the letter writer on ERAS
3) when you decide what programs you will apply to, designate what will be sent to them (ie PS, USMLE scores and LOR's)

if not everything is in on time (most of us will be waiting for at least one or two things on sept 1) ERAS will update the programs when the additional stuff gets scanned in. so, basically, apply with as much as you have. list everything you WILL have, so that you can designate it to be sent. that way it will be sent when it comes in.

ok, but I have one attending Dr. P, who wrote two letters, one for psych and one for medicine. How do I assign his letter to the right field with the right letter?

ok, but I have one attending Dr. P, who wrote two letters, one for psych and one for medicine. How do I assign his letter to the right field with the right letter?

well, you will have to list them seperately when you designate them. i would simply put his name down, and in () put PSY on one and MED on another. or, if the programs can see how you designate them, use his middle initial on one, and not the other, or something like that.

the trick is getting the actual letter to match how you designate it. do you have a deans office that does this for you, or are you using ECFMG? either way, i would contact the folks in charge, or search on ERAS help, and find out what they recommend.