Signaling in Cardiology Fellowship Match 2025-2026

[IdkLol2049]

Hello, everyone.

I am applying to fellowship this year and Cardiology is using signaling this year. From my understanding you will get 20 signals total. This is likely to push down the number of applications each program gets. I am a USDO with ~230 ~250 USMLE Step I and II, and I am at a mid-tier university IM program. Currently wondering how signaling is going to impact me in the match this year. Any advice would be appreciated.

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[throwaway404]

Care to explain what signaling means?

 

[IdkLol2049]

Care to explain what signaling means?

In ERAS this year you get 20 "signals" where you send them to a program to let you know you like them. If you can imagine you are a PD, and I DON'T signal your program, you know that you are at least not in my top 20 places. But you have to be strategic. The top places are getting a ton of signals, and the less-prestigious places are getting far fewer so it means more there. Also, you sort of have to know which places are at your "level." I was planning on applying to 60-80 places to guarantee myself I can match somewhere, but this is limiting me significantly.

 

[doogiehouser08]

Also applying this year and curious about this. We were told to apply broadly despite the signals because no one is sure how they will be used, though I anticipate most interviews coming from the signals themselves. There's literally no transparency about programs that are 'at your level'' so its hard to judge. Im signaling based on geography and places that prior students have matched at from my residency program, having some reach, lotta target and some "safety" to kind of balance it out.

 

[doguy13]

Also applying this year! Just curious how do you know that Cardiology is adopting signaling to their application process this year? That's a rumor I've been trying to confirm or deny for a few months now! But echoing the above, will probably signal based on geography etc with a mix of reach, target, and "safety" (whatever that means when applying for Cardiology).

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Program Signaling for the 2026 MyERAS® Application Season

For the 2026 ERAS® recruitment season residency applicants and December cycle fellowship applicants can use program signals to show their interest.

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