Being a medical student, you need to go through various stages. It starts with the undergraduate program, getting into medical school, and ends up in the Residency program. The residency program is a crucial step in your medical career as you will get the exposure to work with real patients. It helps you to gain all the knowledge and practice which is important for starting your career. Therefore it becomes important to get into the best residency program according to the specialization you have chosen. For this, it is important that you must take up the application process along with the Supplemental ERAS application very seriously.
Quick Takeaways
- It is the expansion of your standard supplemental application which includes questions regarding your most significant experiences, desired geographic areas, and preferred residency programs.
- You need to submit this application between August 1 and September 16.
- Taking up a supplemental ERAS application is not a compulsory part of the application.
However, you must read till the end so that you can get a better understanding of the Supplemental application.
What is a Supplemental application?
The supplemental application popularly known as the Supplemental ERAS application is an expansion of your standard supplemental application which is a three-section application that is comparatively shorter. It includes questions regarding your most significant experiences, desired geographic areas, and preferred residency programs. The AAMC believes that most applicants can finish it in less than 60 minutes. Although you must spend at least a few hours considering your answers. But you must fill out this form.
When should you complete the supplemental ERAS application?
Between August 1 and September 16, you can submit your ERAS application at any time. Depending on the date that the application was received, supplemental applications were sent to residency programs in two groups in starting years. However, it now seems that regardless of when they were submitted, all supplemental applications are forwarded to programs on September 28th. Keep in mind that to get an invitation to submit the additional application, you must register for an ERAS token by September 14th.
Is Supplemental ERAS application mandatory?
Taking up supplemental ERAS application is optional. It is a chance to further discuss how your objectives and experiences fit with the programs you have chosen. You must fill out this application as it will help you in increasing your chances to get selected by showing the admission administrator your extra achievements.
What are the different sections in the Supplemental Application?
There are many Special Master’s Programs that you can take up to add to your supplemental application. However, we have discussed the three main sections in the Supplemental application-
1. Past Experience
In this section, you will need to add the experiences related to your residency program. You will need to add up the description of what you have done in the particular organization you are mentioning. Experience will help the administrative officer to know what type of work you have already done and how well you can cope with different situations.
2. Geographic Preferences
This section will help you to show your preference for the location where you want to complete your program. In this section, you will need to select up to 3 locations of your preferred choice. This will come under Geographic division preference. Another part in this section that you need to mark is selecting the setting preference. In it, you will need to select what is the degree of selecting a rural or urban setting. You can also select not to have such a preference.
3. Program Signals
This section helps you to express your views on the residency program. It means that you get a chance to show your interest in the residency program. This section has a great impact on the invitations for the interviews. You will be given signals for every specialty you want to apply. The number of signals is dependent upon the number of applications the specialty is receiving.
When is the Supplemental ERAS application sent?
Supplemental applications are sent when you want to apply to the residency program. But before going for the residency program you need to go to medical school and for that, you need to take up the MCAT exam.
Supplemental applications application helps to increase your chances of getting selected for the residency program. Though as discussed above it is not mandatory, you must fill out this form. Another important point that you must know is that not every specialization needs this application. In fact, there are only 15 specializations that give you an extra option for sending the Supplemental application.
Why must you take a Supplemental Application?
As this is an extension of the standard ERAS application, you will also get the time to prepare for it. You can combine the time for preparing both applications as the Supplemental Application will need less time. Another thing to consider is that you do not need to pay an extra fee for it. Thus there is no problem with taking it. Also not filling out this form will give you a red flag.
This will have a negative impact on you by showing that you are not that serious about getting into the residency program. As a matter of fact, the residency programs only select those students who are serious about this. Therefore it will decrease your chances of getting into that particular residency program.
Specializations that consider this application
Following is the list of specializations that consider taking up the Supplemental ERAS application-
- Adult Neurology
- Emergency Medicine
- Dermatology
- Internal Medicine (categorical)
- Internal Medicine/Psychiatry
- Neurological Surgery
- Anesthesiology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology
- General Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Public Health and General Preventive Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Conclusion
A supplemental application is an expansion of the standard ERAS application which you need to submit during the time of the residency program. 15 specializations accept Supplemental applications. It helps you to show your interest in the residency program you are applying to. Although it is not compulsory to send the application to the residency program, you must submit it as it will increase your chances to get selected.