The things that will hold your application up are YOU and your letter writers.
You can take care of your business by writing your personal statement now rather than later. Don't sweat the statement. I was never, ever asked once about the statement directly. It's really just a data gathering tool, about where you are from, and perhaps, what kind of surgery you are interested in. The program coordinators and directors use the statement for finding you an appropriate interviewer. Don't make any fancy stories about death, dying, fuzzy warmness, etc. Boring, simple, and short for surgery.
Write a resume as well. The resume will help you fill in the ERAS application later, and it will help you when you meet your letter writers.
Don't forget to get a nice picture of yourself (so your med. school office can scan in the photo). Spend some money on the pic and smile; it'll will be the visual recognition marker for your application. Not many will remember what you looked like on interview day, either, but your picture will remind them. If your picture is homely, then maybe you are too...And don't be one of those that says, "I'm not going to submit a picture, because it's illegal for them to ask me to do so.." You will realize that EVERYONE submits a picture, and many places will hand out a picture sheet of the interviewees to the residents and faculty when you interview. If you have the black box over your name, people will ask you why. Also, I would get some extras, because some schools (don't ask me why), want a hard copy of a picture. So, it would be nice if your ERAS picture matches your hardcopy picture.
Your letter writers will be the rate limiting factor for application completeness. So, get your letters as soon as you can. Because it may take your recommenders a while to hand them in. Also, your medical school office may be a little slow in scanning the letters in. Give your letter writers your resume, of course. If you're meeting with a big cheese in your department, beware, because it may take a month to schedule an appointment to see him/her. Get the highest ranking people, nationally known people, that you can. Realize that their specialty in surgery will be YOUR specialty in surgery (unless you state otherwise in your application). So, if you get a bunch of letters from CT surgeons, then that's who you will interview with 90% of the time at most schools. Also, it'll be helpful to have a essay or pseduo-essay ready with resume when you get your Dean's letter.
I would also prepare a list of the places you are thinking about applying to. Don't exceed 30. I would first restrict on academic vs. non-academic. Then, perhaps, geography. Try not to restrict yourself too much, though. Present this list to each of your recommenders and perhaps some other people, too. They can give you tips about who they know, and their opinions about programs. But, in the end, remember that most of their info. is from rumors and heresay, so apply wherever you want. That's probably the most important fact so I'll repeat it- Apply wherever you want, but realize who can help you where.
There's the transcript issue, as well. Your school transcript shouldn't be a problem. USMLE transcipts are easy to send as well (it's a website deal).
If you can accomplish all of the above soon, then you can submit your application on Day 1, which I always think is very important.
I was granted all the interviews I could have ever wanted. I'm going to a kick ass school for academic surgery, and I'm really excited....
