There are two residency application portals in the United States: the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). ERAS facilitates the submission of residency applications, while NRMP manages the matching of applicants to residency programs. Below is a detailed overview of each system and their respective timelines.
ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service)
ERAS, managed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), is the centralized application service through which medical students and graduates apply to residency programs.
Key Components of the ERAS Application
- MyERAS Application: Applicants complete this online application, providing personal information, educational background, work and volunteer experiences, and a personal statement.
- Letters of Recommendation (LoRs): Applicants request LoRs through the ERAS system, which are then uploaded by the letter writers.
- Medical School Transcripts: These are uploaded by the applicant's medical school.
- USMLE/COMLEX Transcripts: Applicants authorize the release of their United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) transcripts.
- MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation): Also known as the Dean's Letter, this is uploaded by the medical school and provides an assessment of the applicant's performance.
2026 ERAS Timeline Highlights
While specific dates for the 2025 ERAS application cycle are subject to change, the general timeline is as follows:
- June: ERAS opens for applicants to begin working on their applications.
- September: Applicants can start submitting applications to residency programs.
- October: Residency programs begin reviewing applications and may start extending interview invitations.
- January: Interview season typically concludes.
- May: ERAS season ends.
See helpful links below:
1. ERAS Timeline
This timeline is maintained by the AAMC and applies to the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), which applicants use to apply to residency programs. It includes:
- Dates for opening MyERAS
- Application submission periods
- When programs can begin reviewing applications
- MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation) release date
This is essential for knowing when to submit your ERAS application and track key deadlines.
2. 2026 ERAS® Timeline
This is the specific ERAS timeline for the 2025–2026 application cycle. It includes:
- Key submission dates for applicants
- Dates for when programs access applications
- Final document submission deadlines
- Timeline for interviews
This page is crucial for planning when to gather letters of recommendation, submit documents, and prepare for interviews.
3. Application | Students & Residents
This is a comprehensive overview of the ERAS application process. It covers:
- How to register and access MyERAS
- What documents are required (personal statement, LoRs, MSPE, etc.)
- Tips for submitting a complete and competitive application
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How to track and confirm document delivery
This page is a critical resource for understanding every component of the residency application process.
NRMP (National Resident Matching Program)
The NRMP oversees the matching process, known as "The Match," which pairs residency applicants with available training positions in U.S. residency programs, that choose to participate.
Main Residency Match Process
- Registration: Applicants register for The Match via the NRMP's Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) system.
- Ranking: Both applicants and residency programs submit rank order lists, indicating their preferences.
- Matching Algorithm: NRMP uses a computerized algorithm to match applicants to programs based on these preferences.
- Match Week: Applicants learn their match status, and unmatched applicants may participate in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) to obtain unfilled positions.
2026 Main Residency Match Timeline Highlights
For the 2026 Match cycle, key dates include:
- May 1, 2025: Programs and institutions can begin registering and updating program information in the R3 system.
- Late September 2025: Applicants can start registering for The Match.
- January 30, 2026: Deadline for programs to finalize the number of positions offered (quota change deadline).
- February 2026: Deadline for applicants and programs to submit their rank order lists.
- March 2026: Match Week occurs, culminating in Match Day when results are released.
Applicants should consult the NRMP's official 2026 Main Residency Match calendar for precise dates and additional details.
Understanding and adhering to the timelines and requirements of both ERAS and NRMP is crucial for a successful residency application process. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check the official ERAS and NRMP websites for the most up-to-date information.
See helpful links below:
1. Psychiatry | NRMP
This page on the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) website provides an overview of the psychiatry specialty in the Main Residency Match. It includes:
- Match statistics for psychiatry (e.g., number of applicants, match rates, fill rates)
- Applicant competitiveness data (e.g., average number of ranked programs)
- Historical trends (U.S. MDs, DOs, IMGs)
- Graphs comparing psychiatry to other specialties
This is helpful for applicants assessing their competitiveness and understanding how psychiatry is trending.
2. 2026 Main Residency Match Applicants Calendar
This is a timeline for medical students applying to residency programs through the NRMP Match for the 2025–2026 cycle. It includes:
- Registration dates for applicants
- Ranking deadlines
- Match week timeline, including the SOAP (Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program)
- Match Day
This calendar helps applicants keep track of critical milestones throughout the Match process.
3. 2026 Medical Schools Match Calendar
This calendar is tailored for medical schools and administrators, outlining:
- When schools can access student data
- Dates for verifying student information
- Deadlines for certifying applicant lists
While it’s intended for institutions, applicants may still benefit from understanding how schools interact with the Match.
4. 2026 Main Residency Match Programs & Institutions Calendar
This calendar targets residency program directors and institutions, and outlines:
- Dates when programs can register and update program information
- Timeline to view and download applications
Rank order list deadlines for programs
- Match Week and SOAP participation timeline
Useful for applicants who want insight into how program timelines align with theirs.