Applying for 2018 but want to get token for 2017 for LoR's - allowed?

[KayBrus]

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I will be applying for the 2018 Match but wanted to get some LoR uploaded in advance. I wanted to get a token for 2017 and start the application now. I know that I would need to get a new token for 2018 cycle later.
Is that something that would hurt my application in the future? Will programs see when I had started my application?

 

[mvenus929]

I don't think your letters would carry over if you tried to upload them in advance.

 

[the argus]

I believe it depends where you went to medical school. IMGs, through the ECFMG, were able to re-use letters this year for the first time. I don't know about US grads.
http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/repeat-applicants.html

I don't think programs would be able to see that you were a "reapplicant," but they would definitely see the date on the LOR. Whether this would hurt you is probably up to the individual program. Doesn't seem like the kind of thing worth risking on your residency app, which is probably the most important job application you'll ever submit.

 

[sazerac]

I am a US MD student. I had an ERAS 2016 token and application and LORs but never submitted the application.

I got a new token and application for 2017, and I couldn't find any way to keep my prior LORs. It wasn't a big deal- the ones I still wanted, I just had the writer submit a new letter with of course a new access code. I'm sure they kept the old letter around so it was probably one of the easiest LORs to submit.

As for the OPs other questions, ERAS asks if you applied before. Technically I never applied in 2016, so I answered no and that was that.