too late to scramble thru ERAS?

[Doctor Dr]

---

Members do not see this ad.

hi. someone please tell me if it's currently too late to register with ERAS in order to scramble this year???

I've already started my application--basically everything is online except for my Letters of Recommendation---and I will get those in the next 2 days.

I know that I'm required to "SEND APPLICATION" to at least 1 program in order to do the match. Can I send this to ANY program?? even if it's past their deadline??
thanks guys

 

[Abram Hoffer]

hi. someone please tell me if it's currently too late to register with ERAS in order to scramble this year???

I've already started my application--basically everything is online except for my Letters of Recommendation---and I will get those in the next 2 days.

I know that I'm required to "SEND APPLICATION" to at least 1 program in order to do the match. Can I send this to ANY program?? even if it's past their deadline??
thanks guys

I'd bet they'd be willing to take your money.


"ERAS does not set program application deadlines as the individual programs set the deadlines. You should contact programs directly for their deadlines. The ERAS PostOffice, however, closes on May 31 every year to prepare for the next ERAS application season."

I am not sure that I would even want to try it this way. But, I am sure you can send your app to just about anyone. They may not open it, but... If you're going to do this, I would think about calling any potential programs and letting them know you are going to apply late. See if they have any ideas for you. Maybe, if it is Family Medicine, they would get you in to interview as a possibility for a late pre-match. Not sure. Otherwise, I know you are left to sit and wonder for a whole year. Luck to you.

 

[escape78]

hi. someone please tell me if it's currently too late to register with ERAS in order to scramble this year???

It's NOT too late.
It's too late to go through the match but this is the time to apply to get your application ready for the scramble.

I know that I'm required to "SEND APPLICATION" to at least 1 program in order to do the match. Can I send this to ANY program?? even if it's past their deadline??
thanks guys

The following is straight from the horses mouth ie ECFMG/ERAS website
http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/index.html

"The Scramble is an intense 48-hour period during which ERAS Support Services at ECFMG will transmit thousands of documents. There will be no time to scan and upload documents once the Scramble has started. Therefore, in order to use ERAS to apply for unfilled positions, you must have your ERAS supporting documents processed before the start of the Scramble. This means:

Two weeks before the Scramble, you must apply to at least one program at MyERAS.
If you are sending new or replacement LoRs, they must arrive at ECFMG at least two weeks prior to the Scramble. If you have a new or additional LoR, assign it immediately to one of your original programs. This gives us time to attach it before the Scramble.

You must also make sure that all of your documents have been received and assigned, so that we can attach and transmit them before the Scramble.

If you are planning to apply during the post-Match Scramble only, you must still apply to at least one program about two weeks before the Scramble."



...
So..
Apply to ANY program, even if it's past their deadline.
This is just so that ECFMG can attach all your documents/reference letters prior to the rush that occurs during scramble.

Good Luck!

 

[Samoa]

It's NRMP you need to register with, and their registration deadline is Feb 25.

 

[Law2Doc]

... but this is the time to apply to get your application ready for the scramble....

What would be the reason not to have applied earlier? Even if you didn't get any interviews your odds of getting to your dream residency would still have theoretically been improved applying in September. 😕

 

[escape78]

What would be the reason not to have applied earlier? Even if you didn't get any interviews your odds of getting to your dream residency would still have theoretically been improved applying in September. 😕

Maybe the OP is an FMG?

In this case there is no point registering until STEP1 and 2 are completed and in cases where a visa is required then Step 3 needs to be completed as well.

 

[Samoa]

The scramble is significantly cheaper. FMGs with an ECFMG certificate but no US clinical experience would be wasting their money applying in the actual match, but may be successful in the scramble. And would then be in a better position to get real interviews next year.

 

[Law2Doc]

Maybe the OP is an FMG?
...

OP lists him/herself as a "resident", and in his/her other thread is apparently a surgical resident allegedly being let go from another program for physical ability/dexterity reasons. I still think the match, or something pre-match would be a better solution for such person than jumping into the scramble, even if it necessitated a research year. Particularly so given that some paths the OP might be looking at would be advanced and categorical programs; the unwanted surgery prelim available in the scramble won't work for this poster.

 

[escape78]

OP lists him/herself as a "resident", and in his/her other thread is apparently a surgical resident allegedly being let go from another program for physical ability/dexterity reasons. I still think the match, or something pre-match would be a better solution for such person than jumping into the scramble, even if it necessitated a research year. Particularly so given that some paths the OP might be looking at would be advanced and categorical programs; the unwanted surgery prelim available in the scramble won't work for this poster.

Yes you are spot on Law2Doc! Didn't realize that. I even replied the other post but didn't really bother too much about the OP's name!

Well.. now that I have been enlightened..

Maybe since the pre match option hasn't worked thus far for the OP, and the fact that he/she probably didn't apply in the match (and most programs have passed their deadlines by now), it is probably a good idea to register to scramble at least?
Since the OP is considering applying into a different specialty, maybe scramble is a viable option? Scramble into IM/FM?

I do think that a pre match would be ideal should the opportunity should arise.

 

[Law2Doc]

...
Since the OP is considering applying into a different specialty, maybe scramble is a viable option? Scramble into IM/FM?
...

Maybe, but most of the scramble IM options are going to be the less desirable prelim years, not categorical things, forcing the OP to be almost back to the same place again next year. Better to spend a year doing research and try to match into a categorical IM program rather than scramble for whatever leftover prelim IM program in the boonies happens to still be available. I'm assuming that the rare choice stuff that falls through to the scramble is going to get snagged by the rare choice applicant who miscalculates and falls through to the scramble, and that folks in the OP's shoes (who have "black marks"/baggage) are going to have to hope more for the less coveted things that none of the current US applicants wanted. Just my two cents. Maybe the scramble has better leftovers than I'm thinking it does.

 

[escape78]

Better to spend a year doing research and try to match into a categorical IM program rather than scramble for whatever leftover prelim IM program in the boonies happens to still be available.

Extremely valid point.

I would probably still go ahead and take the risk with the scramble as my philosophy is 'bird in the hand...'.

A year spent involved in clinical medicine may work out to be an advantage rather than a year in research especially after this year that the OP has already spent away from residency. A top notch Academic program may prefer the research though..

The scramble is a gamble though, and the OP doesn't necessarily have to take a program that she/he doesn't feel comfortable about in the scramble.
Probably nothing lost by just trying the scramble.