Career Planning > The Residency Application Process > Application to Residency Programs

Application to Residency Programs

You will apply to most residencies programs by one of three methods:

• ERAS
• the paper route
• the Central Application Service (CAS-used for most advanced match programs)

The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)
Using this method, you will submit your application electronically online through the AAMC (www.aamc.org/eras) sometime after July 15. The programs using the ERAS for the Class of 2006 are:

• Accessing the site: ERAS instructions and your ERAS token or key (your PIN) to the ERAS website should be available tentatively in early July. Please watch your email about where and when you will be able to pick it up.
• Instructions for completing the application are on found on the site (www.aamc.eras/org). Please be sure to read through them completely.
• Photos: are submitted to the Office of the Registrar to be scanned with your application. Passport size photos are available at the security office located in the bookstore.
• Please note, even if you are applying to one of the above listed residencies that is using the ERAS system, there may still be some programs (10% or less of the total number of programs) that will not accept the applications electronically. Participating residency programs will be listed in June at www.aamc.org/eras, as well as on the applicant webstation. For those programs not using ERAS, you will have to use the paper route (please see below).
• Deadline: Because none of your documents can be downloaded until your application is complete, please finalize your ERAS application by September 23, 2005 . You can always add more programs to your list after you have submitted your application.

The Paper Route

• Universal Application Form: For those programs participating in the Match that will not use ERAS, you will need to complete the "Universal Application Form," provided by the NRMP (www.nrmp.org). This form may be xeroxed for each program that uses this form. If a program provides you with their individualized personal application, you must complete that form.
• Program lists: When you have put together the list of non-ERAS hospitals to which you are applying, give the typed list to the OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR .
  • Be sure your list includes complete addresses:
    • name of person in charge of residency program
    • name of program
    • hospital
    • complete sreet address with zip code.
• You must also complete a form in the Office of the Registrar, G-22 Curtis Building, authorizing Jefferson to release the information to the hospitals that you designate.
• Deadline: Program lists for non-ERAS programs are due in the Office of the Registrar by September 23, 2005.

Central Application Service

• The Central Application Service (CAS) is used by five advanced match programs:
  • Neurological surgery
  • Neurology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Child Neurology
• This application service, available through www.sfmatch.org, will send your application to the programs you designate. Be sure to download the CAS Instruction manual for specific details regarding this service.
• Deadline: While there are no actual deadlines posted for applying to these programs, there are TARGET DATES listed on the sfmatch website (www.sfmatch.org). Check with individual programs for actual application deadlines.
  • August 26 - Neurological Surgery
  • September 2 – Neurology
  • September 2- Child Neurology
  • September 9 - Ophthalmology
  • Please note: the dates listed are for the 2005 Match. Please check the sfmatch website for 2006 Match target dates.