Don't Let ERAS Kick Y'ERAS

Just a reminder to residency applicants: MyERAS is open and available for you. Even if you aren't ready to start working on your application (and if you know what field you are applying in, there's no reason that you can't be ready right now), I'd recommend registering and taking a look at what will be required of you on the ERAS. Many applicants have never seen an ERAS and don't know much about what extras are required (like "other awards" and additional unexpected sections).

Don't be surprised by what's required of you later in the season... You really cannot start too soon.

Can a Medical School See the Names of the Other Medical Schools You Apply to?

Medical school applicants sometimes worry about adversely affecting their chances of admission because they might "offend" one school by applying to others. Good news: Schools will not know which other institutions or how many other institutions you applied to through AMCAS.

However, later in the season, medical schools at which you are accepted will be able to see at which other schools you are holding acceptances. But, of course, at that point, it's too late for that information to harm you.

So, rest assured, applying broadly will not adversely affect your chances at an individual school.

AMCAS is in the House

The AMCAS submission date came and went, and the question I'm getting now is: Should I be panicking if I haven't submitted my AMCAS yet?

The answer is no... and, depending on where you are in the process, yes. Submitting on Day 1 precisely is not worth losing your mind over, so if you didn't do so, please do not kick yourself. On the other hand, submitting very soon is to your advantage because of rolling admissions.

So, if you are wrapping up your work and have your written materials in a superior state, just keep moving and get your application submitted promptly. If you are behind the eight ball and don't feel that you can craft outstanding written materials speedily, consider waiting a year to apply. Every season I encounter re-applicants who submitted their AMCASes in August or September.

So... on your mark. Get set. Go!

Personal Statement Russian Roulette #2

Last week I showcased a personal statement mistake to avoid. Here's another common one simplified in a stop-motion Guru on the Go© video. This advice applies to residency applicants as well.