Match Process
True or False: When applying for Residency, you will submit your entire CV with your ERAS application.
What is FALSE?
You will choose your 10 most meaningful experiences (and from there, your most meaningful 3) and copy/past these directly into the ERAS platform.
The first draft of this document should be completed before CC2, only editing for further experiences and insight from audition rotations and further personalization by program throughout the summer and early fall.
What is the personal statement?
It is recommended that you apply to a sufficient amount of "DO friendly" programs. One way to do this is within the GME FitList, sorting through the column that addresses pre-ACGME accreditation for programs. These programs have faculty on staff who have taken the COMLEX, so they often place far less emphasis on taking the USMLE. What type of traditionally accredited programs should you prioritize first on the GME FitList?
What are AOA programs? Also acceptable: Programs who don't care about or emphasize the USMLE because they acknowledge the worthiness of COMLEX and what a DO has to offer :)
True or False: It is incredibly advantageous to do NO audition rotations, so you have time to focus on studying for boards, preparing your application, traveling abroad, getting married, and taking endless naps (for wellness purposes).
What is FALSE?
It is IMPERATIVE that you have audition rotations in July, August, and September of your 4th year. It is also typically recommended that you do NOT take July off to study for boards.
These monthly assignments can be used to inform Letters of Recommendation from preceptors, specialty decision, and interview content.
What are PARRT Journal Entries?
ERAS has historically been the primary platform for residency applications. This specialty recently announced their plans to utilize their own platform beginning in the 2025-2026 application cycle.
What is EM?
To note - OBGYN transitioned to ResidencyCAS in the 2024-2025 cycle. Anesthesiology programs used Central App more last year (alongside Plastic Surgery), and we anticipate more changes to come over time. We'll keep you posted!
This is the only functionality you have in ERAS right now.
What is Letter of Recommendation (LOR) request portal?
Resources are abundant when it comes to applying for the Match! Name at least two resources recommended by MU-WCOM's GME team that are the most valuable to enhance your ability to successfully match.
What are Alumni Placement (Canvas), FREIDA, Residency Explorer, Program Websites?
Name two ways you can secure audition rotations.
What are: -Reaching out to program coordinators? - Program-specific applications, found on residency websites? -FARM database - URiM -Applying via VSLO? (If needed.)
This is the amount of Letters of Recommendation you need in order to have a complete application for residency.
What is 3?
You can have 3-4 PER specialty. You can assign UP TO 4 unique letters per program applied to. Your 2 STRONGEST LORs will come from July/Aug Audition Rotations! Ideally, these, along with a strong OMS-3 LOR, will round out your complete application. Another strong fourth letter could come from a Sep or Oct audition rotation... strategy!
At the end of the season, the NRMP facilitates an algorithm that places you into a residency program. In order for the algorithm to work, you must submit a list of programs you interviewed with in your order of preference for training. This is the name of the list you provide.
What is a Rank Order List?
2 part..
True or False: You must successfully pass COMLEX Level 2 CE PRIOR TO applications releasing at the end of September.
True or False: If you don't like your COMLEX Level 2 CE score, you can retake the exam.
What is FALSE and FALSE?
NOTE: A complete application includes PASSING scores.
You'll find that there are some locations in which we have more alumni - it can be beneficial to target these locations on the GME FitList when narrowing your search. Name the region (by ERAS' Geographical Preference list) that the majority of our alumni reside.
What is East North Central?
These three months are the most advantageous times to do an audition rotation.
What are July, August, and September?
Start reaching out near the end of the year, heading into the new year (if you know what you want to apply to) - the sooner you get these secured, the better you're going to feel!
Some specialties/programs require a specific type of letter for interview consideration. EM is the most well-known, with OBGYN and IM following behind. Name this type of letter.
What is a SLOE? (SEL/SLE.. you get the point)
This is the month/year that you'll gain full access to ERAS.
What is June 2025?
This is the month that applications release to programs.
What is September?
It will be the last Wednesday of September - for YOU, that is September 24, 2025.
Students choose their residency programs based on multiple variables. Name the number one thing that students' place value on when applying to and ranking residency programs.
What is location?
This is your point of contact for VSLO needs - including a Letter of Good Standing.
Who is Paula Meyer?
This document is not a letter of recommendation at all - its past name is the "Dean's Letter". Name this document.
What is the MSPE?
Medical Student Performance Evaluation
This process shares its name with something you'll find in (almost) any bathroom - it's for students who don't fully match on Monday of Match Week.
What is SOAP?
Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program.
This is YOUR MATCH DAY!
What is March 20, 2026?
Narrowing down programs to apply to can be incredibly overwhelming! This system, who Tim McGraw himself makes nod to, is 4 tiered. Name the different "buckets" we recommend putting programs into to identify the programs you will ultimately apply to.
What is... 1. Love it? 2. Like it? 3. Would do it if I had to? 4. Not gonna happen?
If/when applying to more than one specialty, we highly recommend doing audition rotations in both specialties. This is the format we typically recommend if you are a dual applicant.
What is a Staggered / ABABAB Format?
These are the strongest letters of recommendation possible. They come from early rotations in your fourth year. Name the type of rotation that these letters come from.
What is an audition rotation?