quick eras question

[emanonsmith]

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hi, i'm a 4th year applying for rad onc this fall.

ive been looking around this forum and have picked up some great advice...thanks to all the contributers!

so from my searches, ive learned that i should submit eras during the 1st week of september even if i plan to add other things later. i should definetely not wait until my app is complete to do this. is this the correct idea?

the only reason i ask is because 1-2 of my research projects may be submitted soon and i wanted to wait for those so i could make sure programs see that since rad onc is so research oriented...if i submit my application in piecemeal fashion, i dont want to run the risk of them not seeing the research


also, are you guys planning on making specific paragraphs to each program to express interest or is this not a good idea?



thanks again to all the people who post

 

[radiaterMike]

I dont have an answer to your question ... but if others feel that is better to submit your ERAS application early, simply add the publications to your CV now, and list them as "In Preparation" or "Submitted for review" (which ever is accurate).

 

[Gfunk6]

I agree with radiaterMike. Upload your application as early as possible, you can always add things later.

In terms of downloading your information, residency programs fall essentially into two categories:

1. Download your data EARLY (e.g. in September) and perodically check each week or so for updates.

2. Download your data LATE (e.g. end Oct - early Nov) and don't check it again.

In either situation, it never hurts to get your stuff in early b/c by Oct end most people will have a complete application. So, as radiaterMike wrote, put (submitted/in preparation) and update them accordingly.

As to your other question one or two SENTENCES to make your personal statment specific to a given program is sufficient. You will likely be applying to dozens of programs and it is too much effort for too little gain to modify your PS more than this. Personally, I picked my top 5-10 programs and just made slight PS mods to them.

Good luck.

 

[deleted4401]

I think the one problem is that you can't make any changes once submitted. So, if your manuscript goes from prepared to submitted to accepted, you can't do anything about it. I encountered this problem and hand mailed updates to 60-70 programs.

I don't think you get any offers until mid-October (at least I didn't). That being the case, you can hold out til late September. I'm not sure that I believe submitting on September 1 gives you any advantage. If Steph has insight (I think she reviews applications), she can offer you advice on whether or not timing matters.

-S

 

[Cancerdancer]

That being the case, you can hold out til late September. I'm not sure that I believe submitting on September 1 gives you any advantage. -S

I'm also an applicant in a similar bind. My local program director (top 15 institute) said that he regrets telling previous applicants to submit ASAP, b/c as you note, once submitted we can't make changes, and he thinks any mailed updates are likely not taken into account often.

He advised me to hold out until mid-late Sept. to finalize the application, to give my submissions the best chance to earn the "accepted" seal of approval. He thinks most programs wait until Dean's letters come out anyway, which is often late September, before downloading at all.

 

[Cancerdancer]

Do programs really expect personal statements to be tailored to indicate interest in their specific program? Seems to me your PS should indicate why radonc, how you're unique, and what your plans are, and that this shouldn't be different with regard to where you're applying. I would think if would seem fishy if a program could tell that the PS they received was not the same PS other programs were seeing. ??

 

[Gfunk6]

I think the one problem is that you can't make any changes once submitted.

Excellent point. I guess I had forgotten that you couldn't change your CAS once submitted. You can, however, change other things like your LORs, PS, etc. Some programs start downloading apps from day #1. It is doubtful they are evaluated so early, but I like the idea of a program having my CAS/Step I scores @ their fingerips early.

So my personal opinion is still to submit early. Just put the publication down as "in preparation/submitted" and you should be good to go. ERAS is not very intelligent at sorting out different forms of publications.

For instance a first-author paper already published in a high-impact journal is given the same statistical weight as a presentation at your local medical school research day that is pending. Sometimes, faculty don't even read the specific entries under research project so much -- they simply tally up the total number of entries.

When you come for interviews later in the Fall/Winter, definitely bring reprints/copies of your pubs/abstracts that have been accepted however.

 

[Gfunk6]

Don't overthink things. It is not expected certainly. But just keep in mind that programs are getting hundreds of applications. ERAS is great in that you can submit everything electronically on one form. The drawback however is that people indiscirimately apply to every program there is.

With so many similar applicants programs are looking for any additional bit of info to separate one applicant from another. A few sentences in a PS obviously are not very high on this list but, like I said, I would throw them in for programs you are particularly keen on. Especially if you did a rotation @ said program . . .

Do programs really expect personal statements to be tailored to indicate interest in their specific program? Seems to me your PS should indicate why radonc, how you're unique, and what your plans are, and that this shouldn't be different with regard to where you're applying. I would think if would seem fishy if a program could tell that the PS they received was not the same PS other programs were seeing. ??

 

[radoncmonkey]

He thinks most programs wait until Dean's letters come out anyway, which is often late September, before downloading at all.

as an applicant who just survived the 2007 match, I don't believe that last statement is true. I agree w/GFunk that applying as early as possible is in your best interest. In my experience quite a few programs began downloading in early September. I received 2 interview offers before the Deans letter went out, and several more before my transcript (which our school sent out in October) was uploaded. You can always update your application throughout the interview season via email and it gives you a good reason to contact the PD and concurrently recapitulate your interest in their program.

 

[blueMD]

i agree with radoncmonkey, applying earlier is the safer way to go (granted you've quadruple checked that your application is accurate and filled to the best). if you have publications pending acceptance during the interview months or slightly prior than you can mail them to the programs then. I can't see how this method can hurt (other than your wallet of course). Certain programs take your apps the first week and you don't suggest you fall behind.

 

[Soze]

I too agree that early is better in terms of submitting your application. I know of at least 1 program I interviewed at that outrightly said to me they don't consider late commers via ERAS as highly as those who have applications out the first week. They remarked that it looks like you're "less prepared" by submitting late. I'm sure other programs hold similar ideas.

I also agree with the other sentiments. Just be thoughtful and honest about where your research is along in the process. All programs should be understanding that a manuscript is submitted but not reviewed.

Soze

 

[RockShox]

as an applicant who just survived the 2007 match, I don't believe that last statement is true. I agree w/GFunk that applying as early as possible is in your best interest. In my experience quite a few programs began downloading in early September. I received 2 interview offers before the Deans letter went out, and several more before my transcript (which our school sent out in October) was uploaded. You can always update your application throughout the interview season via email and it gives you a good reason to contact the PD and concurrently recapitulate your interest in their program.

I agree. All dean's letters in the country are available to programs on the same day and that is November 1.

 

[stephew]

i highly recc early application. what happens is interview spots fill so you have to be that much better (in a ridiculousy tough field) if you apply late.

 

[Nelk6]

Can you change your application profile (i.e. AOA status) after the application is submitted? Any thoughts...

 

[Dishevelled Doc]

Can you change your application profile (i.e. AOA status) after the application is submitted? Any thoughts...

Yes, you can. My school doesn't determine AOA until October, so we don't have a choice but to submit without that information up front.