Students & Residents

ERAS® News and Announcements

Estimated Read time: 18 minutes

The Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®) team regularly works with the ERAS community to update resources, data, research, and its suite of tools to meet the changing needs of the transition to residency process.   

Latest ERAS News 

All 2026 ERAS Programs Will have Complimentary Use of Thalamus Cortex  

The AAMC and Thalamus have announced that starting in the 2026 ERAS season, all ERAS programs will have complimentary access to the innovative Cortex platform, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to streamline the application screening and review process.  
 
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Patrick Fritz Community Message: Positive Trend Shows Decrease in Overall ERAS Residency Applications and Costs to Applicants 

Patrick Fritz, senior director for residency and fellowship services, shared an early residency season data update with the ERAS community showing an overall reduction of 7.3% in the average number of applications per applicant — particularly for MD (9.97% decrease) and DO applicants (11% decrease).

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New Job Aids For Medical School Advisors

Four new job aids are available for medical school advisors to use  accessing data in the Dean’s Office WorkStation (DWS) Analytics for Schools. 
These job aids focus on:

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ERAS Program Director’s WorkStation (PDWS) Getting Started Guide Now Available 

Residency and fellowship program team members who have not previously used the PDWS, or those who need a refresher can learn about the system by reviewing the 2025 PDWS Getting Started Guide.

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Forensic Pathology Specialty Joining 2025 ERAS July Fellowship Cycle 

The forensic pathology specialty is joining the ERAS July fellowship program cycle beginning with the 2025 season for fellowship positions that will start in July 2026. More information about this specialty is available on the 2025 ERAS Participating Specialties and Programs webpage.  

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2025 ERAS Webinar Recordings Now Available

Each year the ERAS team presents webinars designed to help applicants, medical school advisors and program contacts optimize their use of the ERAS system's tools. Find registration about webinars coming soon on the Upcoming ERAS and Transition to Residency Webinars page and review recorded 2025 ERAS season webinars here: 

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New ERAS and Transition to Residency Webinars Webpage

See a list of upcoming webinars and recorded presentations on a new webpage featuring Upcoming ERAS and Transition to Residency Webinars.

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2025 ERAS Season Begins

The ERAS program has opened for the 2025 recruitment season. Please refer to these resources to learn more:

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2025 ERAS Applicant Worksheet Now Available

The AAMC ERAS team has provided a useful worksheet that can help applicants prepare to complete the 2025 MyERAS application. 

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New Webpage Offers ERAS Resources for Specialty Societies

The AAMC has launched a new webpage especially for specialty societies. ERAS Resources for Specialty Societies features specialty-focused AAMC and ERAS data, ERAS benefits, seasonal information, training, and resources.  

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AAMC's Beyond the White Coat: ERAS and Thalamus Leaders Explore How Innovation is Transforming the Residency Application Process 

The new episode of the AAMC’s Beyond the White Coat podcast features a conversation with Patrick Fritz, senior director of AAMC admissions and selection application services, and Jason Reminick, MD, CEO and founder of Thalamus. The two discuss how a shared mission to meet the needs of the undergraduate and graduate medical education community drives their collaborative work, and how the AAMC and Thalamus are working to use innovation and engagement to improve the transition to residency.  

New Webpage Offers ERAS Resources for Specialty Societies

The AAMC has launched a new webpage especially for specialty societies. ERAS Resources for Specialty Societies features specialty-focused AAMC and ERAS data, ERAS benefits, seasonal information, training, and resources.  

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Resources and information for 2024 SOAP

The AAMC and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) have updated resources and information ahead of the 2024 Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), which will take place March 11-14, 2024. Resources include the SOAP schedule, guides for applicants and programs, a helpful checklist and FAQs. 

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Preliminary Experiences Data Added to ERAS Statistics Webpage

Visit the ERAS Statistics webpage to find a new set of data from the Experiences section of the 2024 ERAS application. 

Exploring the Relationship between Program Signaling and Interview Invitations Across Specialties

The AAMC has developed a new presentation with information from the 2024 ERAS residency season for programs, learners, and medical school advisors. Exploring the Relationship between Program Signaling and Interview Invitations Across Specialties examines preliminary data on program signal use and general trends and offers guidance in interpreting the data. 

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Program Signaling for the 2025 ERAS Residency Season

All specialties interested in participating in program signaling for the 2025 ERAS application season will be required to sign and submit a participation agreement by March 1, 2024. Complete the fillable 2025 ERAS Residency Cycle Program Signaling Participation Agreement and return it to the ERAS Program.

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Webinar Explores New 2024 ERAS Research Findings

The AAMC shared findings from the 2024 ERAS residency season and offered insight into how to use that information to plan for the 2025 ERAS season during a Jan. 24 webinar. The recording is available for viewing online.

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Navigating the 2024 ERAS Season: Decoding Geographic and Setting Preferences in Residency Selection

The 2024 ERAS residency season was the first time all residency applicants could share geographic and setting preferences with the programs to which they applied. Learn more about how applicants shared this information in a new update from the AAMC: Decoding Geographic and Setting Preferences in Residency Selection. This update includes a comparison of the three approaches to program signaling being used in residency selection, an overview of applicants’ use of signals, and possible implications about signal-to-interview invitation conversion. 

AAMC Establishes New Fee Structure for 2025 ERAS Residency Application Season

On Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, announced that the AAMC is establishing a new fee structure for the 2025 ERAS residency season.

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More than 6,500 Medical Residency and Fellowship Programs Benefit From AAMC-Thalamus Collaboration in 2023-2024

More than 6,500 residency and fellowship programs have opted to use the Thalamus platform as part of the collaboration with the AAMC Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®). These programs represent more than 75% of the nation’s medical residency and fellowship training programs participating in the ERAS program during the 2023-2024 application cycle. 

Preliminary Program Signaling Data and their Impact on Residency Selection

The AAMC has shared an update, Preliminary Program Signaling Data and their Impact on Residency Selection, following the opening of the 2024 ERAS residency season. This update includes a comparison of the three approaches to program signaling being used in residency selection, an overview of applicants’ use of signals, and possible implications about signal-to-interview invitation conversion. 

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AAMC Fee Assistance Program Expanding with 60% ERAS Application Discount

AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, announced to AAMC member medical schools, teaching hospitals, learners, and other members of the academic medicine and transition to residency community that the association is extending its Fee Assistance Program to residency applicants using the ERAS system.

Patrick Fritz Community Message: Data Highlight from 2024 ERAS Residency Season Opening

Patrick Fritz, senior director of admissions and selection application services, shared an early residency season data update with the ERAS community showing applications per applicant dropped 3.4%. It’s the first time in more than a decade that this number has dropped, and some specialties experienced a decrease of 20% or more in the number of applications per applicant.

ERAS Insights Now Available Online

The ERAS team’s monthly electronic update with information about ongoing research and innovations, upcoming events, and useful resources is now available on the web.

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Learn More About New Content for the 2024 ERAS Residency Season in Three Informational Videos

New Residency & Fellowship Interview Preparation Guide Now Available

The AAMC has launched a new interview preparation guide for residency and fellowship applicants, and medical school advisors. Key features of the guide include:

  • Interview Types and Formats. 
  • Effective Interview Preparation. 
  • Common Interview Topics, Applicant Rights and Responsibilities. 
  • Virtual Interview Etiquette. 
  • Professionalism and Best Practices.

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AAMC Response to New Residency Application Platform for Obstetrics and Gynecology

AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, and Alison J. Whelan, MD, AAMC chief academic officer, issued a statement in response to a new residency application platform announced for obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN).

“We were surprised and dismayed by today’s announcement that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is launching a new residency application platform for the 2024-25 residency application cycle. While it is too early to fully understand the consequences of this development – intended and unintended – the AAMC remains committed to creating a fair and equitable process for learners, medical schools, and programs. Over the past several years, the AAMC has made significant advancements to the Electronic Residency Application Service® – including support of holistic review and integration with Thalamus – to streamline the residency application process and support the entire transition to residency community. Read more.

Find Residency Programs Participating in Program Signaling on ERAS webpage

Residency applicants, medical school advisors, and anyone who is interested in finding residency programs that are participating in program signaling for the 2024 ERAS residency recruitment season can search for them on the ERAS website. The Residency Programs Participating in Program Signaling webpage allows visitors to search by program, specialty, state, or ACGME ID number. 

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MyERAS Application Program Signaling Guide for Programs Now Available

A new resource for residency programs is now available on the ERAS website. The MyERAS Application Updates and Program Signaling: Guide for Programs provides information that will help residency program teams understand and use the new sections of the 2024 ERAS residency application.

New Informational Video Focuses on Supplemental ERAS Application Research

The AAMC has produced a new video exploring how data from the 2023 ERAS season may give learners insight into navigating the residency application process and help program staff glean information about the relationship between program signals, geographic preferences, and interview invitations across specialties. Organized into chapters by specialty, the 81-minute video can be viewed in its entirety or by chapter. 

2024 ERAS Webinar Recordings Now Available

Each year the ERAS team presents webinars designed to help applicants, medical school advisors and program contacts optimize their use of the ERAS system's tools. Review the recorded 2024 webinars here:

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2024 MyERAS Applicant User Guide Now Available

The 2024 MyERAS Applicant User Guide is now available on the ERAS website. This guide provides information about using the MyERAS system to apply to residency or fellowship programs.

Interventional Cardiology Specialty Joining 2025 ERAS July Fellowship Cycle

The interventional cardiology specialty is moving from the ERAS program December fellowship cycle to the July cycle beginning with the 2025 season. Programs will begin recruiting, and applicants may begin applying when the season opens in July 2024. Learn more from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.  

AAMC Issues Guidance on Virtual Interviews in Undergraduate and Graduate Medical Education

The AAMC has developed guidance that recommends medical schools, residency, and fellowship programs use a virtual interview format during their admissions processes. The guidance was developed based on several variables, including the importance of reducing the cost of interviewing as a critical step in improving access and equity, survey findings indicating that applicants prefer virtual interviews, and being consistent with academic medicine’s commitment to reducing environmental impact. Every medical school and program has their own unique mission, goals, and context, and may take a different approach to interviewing. Each institution is encouraged to evaluate all interview formats in their unique context to determine the best approach for them. 

Read More 

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AAMC, Thalamus Announce New Collaboration to Improve Transition to Residency

Today the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) and Thalamus announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate innovation and ease the transition to residency for medical students, medical schools, and residency programs.  

Related Resources 

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New Informational Videos, MyERAS Application Updates and Program Signaling Guide

The ERAS team has produced three informational videos that include details about the new ERAS application features that will be available for the 2024 season. A new guide is also available that provides additional information about the updated MyERAS application and program signaling. 

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Updated ERAS for Program Staff and ERAS for Medical Schools Webpages

The AAMC has updated content and improved the look and feel of the following webpages.  We hope you’re able to navigate to key resources and find information more easily.

  • The ERAS for Program Staff page includes useful links to the Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS) and ERAS Analytics for Institutions sites, as well as information for the ERAS community.
  • The ERAS for Medical Schools page features links to the Dean’s Office Workstation (DWS), what’s ahead for the MyERAS Application in 2024 and other news and resources.

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New Features in the ERAS Analytics for DIOs

Based on DIO and community feedback, we’re adding new features to the site that will enable you to benefit even more from the unique data that the ERAS system provides. When you log in to ERAS for Analytics now, you will find:

  • The ability to export data from Applicant Demographics, Application Overview, and PDWS Application Status as CSV files.
  • Updates to cumulative graphs in the Application Overview.
  • An option to calculate the running totals for each day in the chart versus days when applications were received. This will prevent gaps in data points.
  • The ability to display the associated date by hovering over a data point in the graph.
  • An improved data display through an adjusted report height.

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2023 SOAP® Information Updated

The ERAS program team has updated information and resources ahead of the 2023 Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®), which begins on Monday, March 13 at 10 a.m. ET and concludes on Thursday, March 16 at 9 p.m. ET. The ERAS SOAP® Information page includes the SOAP® schedule, applicant guide and more. 

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Updated 2024 MyERAS® Application Supports Holistic Review, Enables Applicants to Share More Information

The AAMC is improving the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for applicants, programs, and medical school users. As we move into the 2023-24 application cycle, research findings from the supplemental ERAS application are being used to update the ERAS platforms—including the MyERAS® application.

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Supplemental ERAS Application Data Reports Now Available

The AAMC is pleased to share data reports for the 2023 ERAS cycle for the supplemental ERAS application. These new reports can be found on the Supplemental ERAS Application Data and Reports webpage:

  • 2022 Final Results of the Advisor Reaction Survey 

  • 2022 Evaluation of Geographic Preferences 

  • 2022 Evaluation of Program Signals 

  • 2022 Final Results of the Applicant Reaction Survey 

  • 2022 Evaluation of Past Experiences

  • Program Directors’ Feedback Report (coming soon) 

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Specialties Invited to Sign Up by Feb. 1, 2023 for Program Signaling (2024 MyERAS Application) 

The MyERAS application is being updated for the 2024 ERAS season with lessons learned from the supplemental ERAS application project. The changes include program signaling, which will be available for residency applicants to use to express interest in a program, and for programs to include as an additional data point available to them in reviewing applicants.   

Specialties that choose to participate in program signaling for the 2024 ERAS season need to opt in to program signaling by Feb. 1, 2023. Visit the 2024 ERAS Application Season Program Signaling webpage for additional information and guidance about how all specialties and programs can prepare to participate in other new parts of the ERAS 2024 application.   

You can also review two recent webinars to find out more about how the supplemental ERAS application research project is contributing to the MyERAS application updates. Supplemental ERAS Application Research Findings and Next Steps for the 2024 MyERAS Application presentations included a review of the research, plans for the ERAS 2024 season, and a Q&A session with participants.  

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ERAS Analytics for DIOs Offers a Rich Source of Data for Institutional Leaders 

Designated Institution Officials (DIOs), and those who hold Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS) roles as institutional super users (ISU) and alternate institutional super users (AISUs) can now access and filter institution-level data, thanks to the launch of the new ERAS Analytics site. 
   
This product includes features that allow users to: 

  • Review applicant demographic data.  
  • Examine year-to-year application trends.  
  • Filter data for use in reports.
  • Use multiple filters to create custom data sets.

This first release includes five reports with institutional-level aggregated data. There is also a new set of useful job aids and frequently asked questions available. DIOs may also ask questions and offer feedback through the AAMC Support Center (ASC).

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Program Director's WorkStation Updates Improve User Experience

New updates were recently launched for the ERAS Program Director's WorkStation (PDWS) Setup and Archives tabs. Highlights of these improvements include:

  •  A clean, consistent look across the PDWS.
  • All setup features combined into one module for easy access.
  • Content that is relevant to your role and workflow. 
  • An improved user management tool within the Setup tab and a new job aid to help users navigate it.

These improvements are part of the ERAS team’s ongoing effort to provide efficient and reliable tools that enable ERAS application users to make informed and timely decisions throughout the residency and fellowship selection processes.

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ERAS Strategy Easing the Residency Application Process for Applicants, Programs and Schools

The ERAS team and collaborators across the residency space have contributed to a new strategy for the ERAS program that will add value for all constituents in the graduate medical education community. This strategy focuses on three areas where the ERAS program provides unique value to users and supports the transition to residency process in a fair and equitable way:  

  • Selection Tools: Providing a suite of products and tools that support the residency and fellowship process and adapt to the changing needs of the program community.   
  • Data Analytics: Providing data and information that drives informed decision-making by all impacted parties. 
  • Thought Leadership and Research: Identifying the priority issues in the community and enabling coordination, information sharing, and innovation to address the biggest challenges. 

These focus areas are guiding work that is improving the ERAS user experience for program staff in the PDWS, for Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs), for medical schools, and residency and fellowship applicants. 

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ERAS 2022 Statistics Now Available

The ERAS 2022 Statistics have been updated and are ready for the ERAS community to use. A range of data sets are available, including historical data for ACGME- and AOA-accredited residency and fellowship programs, cross specialty application data, and much more. Applicants, schools and programs find this unique information resource useful throughout the ERAS application season. 

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Resources

ERAS 2023 Residency Timeline
ERAS 2023 Fellowship Timeline
Supplemental ERAS Application for the 2023 Season
ERAS 2023 Participating Specialties and Programs webpage
ERAS Specialties with additional Information Report
Careers in Medicine
Residency Explorer™

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Need Help?

Please contact the AAMC Support Center (ASC).

Send us a message.

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET 

Closed Wednesday, 3 - 5 p.m. ET

myeras@aamc.org
202-862-6264
Contact ECFMG (IMGs Only)
Eras-support@ecfmg.org
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ERAS® News and Announcements

Please visit this page to stay up to date on ERAS news and announcements.

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Want to Learn More About Programs?

Use the free Residency Explorer™ tool to search and compare programs. Browse the AAMC's Careers in Medicine website to research specialties.

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