Well, just from reading a few sites, it seems that faxing yourself would be the best option. Since you may (likely to happen considering the thousands of applicants out there) get a busy signal when you call/fax, you may only have the opportunity to get in touch with a handful of programs. Yes, you have the 30 ERAS applications (you are limited to only 30, you cannot pay for more), but for those programs that are not participating in ERAS, your only option is to call and fax your application materials. You also have to take into account the time it takes to fax all the documents, AND on top of that, possible busy signals will further delay your time. So, that is why paying a website a couple hundred dollars to do all of this for you may not be worth it. Yes, I have thought about it...but, how can you be guaranteed that your application materials were ever sent AND RECEIVED? The website may tell you they sent it, but in reality, they were only able to send a handful of applications out. So, in the end you'd be down a couple hundred dollars, got ripped off, and had no chance with the scramble in the first place. Also, the other reasons cited above by other posters (unforeseen circumstances, like the computers crashing, computers not being able to handle the load), are also possible scenarios which could occur. Who knows what could happen?
If there was a website that can guarantee your application materials were sent out to ALL programs (via fax/email) and a guarantee that the company would have a "backup" system in place, in case any malfunction occurs, I would seriously think about spending the money for it. But, sending a couple hundred dollars to a website, you don't even know is legit to begin with, is a big risk.
Disclaimer: Well, I have not participated in the scramble before, but from reading several sites where posters have described the process, I am getting an idea how the process could work. I, too, will be participating in this year's scramble. These are my opinions...Good luck to all.
