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The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) is a pinnacle piece in your candidacy for US medical residency. Over the years, there have been numerous new additions to it such as the supplemental ERAS application. With data supporting these integrations, they have become an important aspect of the ERAS application. Two new categories, Program Signaling and Geographic Preferences, offer applicants the opportunity to notify programs of their interest in a specific program or geographic area. Understanding how to effectively navigate this section can significantly enhance your chances of matching with your preferred residency programs. In this blog, we will go over both Program Signaling and Geographic Preferences and explore strategies to optimize these sections for a successful match.
Understanding Program Signaling
The Program Signaling section of ERAS allows applicants to express their level of interest in a residency program before interviewing there. The quantity and type of signals you have depends on your intended specialty. For the 2024-2025 cycle, the number of signals and types by specialty are as follows:
Anesthesiology: 5 gold, 10 silver program signals
Child Neurology and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: 3 program signals
Dermatology: 3 gold, 25 silver program signals
Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology: 6 gold, 6 silver
Emergency Medicine: 5 signals
Family Medicin: 5 signals
General Surgery: 15 signals
Internal Medicine: 3 gold, 12 silver
Internal Medicine/Psychiatry: 2 signals
Neurology (adult): 8 signals
Neurological Surgery: 25 signals
Orthopedic Surgery: 30 signals
Otolaryngology: 25 signals
Pathology: 5 signals
Pediatrics: 5 signals
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: 8 signals
Psychiatry: 10 signals
Public Health and General Preventative Medicine: 3 signals
Radiation Oncology: 4 signals
Thoracic Surgery: 3 signals
Transitional Year: 12 signals
*Gold = high level of interest
*Silver = less but still high level of interest
Program signaling, while still relatively new, was shown to help applicants who might be overlooked. In the AAMC's 2023-2024 ERAS® Application Cycle: Results of the Program Director Reaction Survey, 71% out of 1,113 respondents indicated that they Agreed or Strongly Agreed that "Program signals helped me identify applicants whom I would have otherwise overlooked".
In the same survey, when asked about the level of importance each application component had on a program's decision on whom to invite to interview, 67% of respondents identified program signaling as "Important or Very Important". The highest-rated application components by importance level were as follows:
Letters of Recommendation (75% voted "Important or Very Important")
Step 2 CK or Level 2 Pass/Fail (75% voted "Important or Very Important")
Step 2 CK or Level 2 Score (74% voted "Important or Very Important")
Personal Statements (74% voted "Important or Very Important")
MSPE (70% voted "Important or Very Important")
Program Signals (67% voted "Important or Very Important")
So how can you use program signaling to your advantage? Deciding to signal a program should start with your gut feeling. You may ask yourself questions such as, "Can I picture myself working here for the next three to five years?", "Can I see myself fitting in here?", or "Do my goals and aspirations align with this program?". You may also consider more logistical aspects such as, "Is this program IMG friendly?" or"Is this program in an area I'd be okay living in?". These are good questions to ask yourself to help you in selecting programs to signal. Since you're limited to a specific amount of program signals, you'll want to use them wisely.
By strategically designating programs, applicants can convey their enthusiasm and commitment to a specific program, potentially increasing their chances of receiving interview invitations. You can find out which programs have opted in for program signaling by visiting the AAMC's website here.
Tips for Effective Program Signaling:
Conduct Thorough Research: Deep dive program information and familiarize yourself with factors such as reputation, IMG friendliness, curriculum, faculty, and location.
Prioritize Wisely: Reserve the "most preferred" designation for programs that closely align with your career goals and aspirations.
Be Genuine: Select programs based on genuine interest rather than perceived prestige, ensuring a better fit and increasing your chances of a successful match.
Mistakes to Avoid
Ego Signaling: You should not signal a program just for the program's prestige. A mistake many applicants make is signaling highly competitive programs that don't align with their background, goals, and application.
Signaling to Match: While the main goal is to match, applicants should avoid signaling programs for the sole purpose of matching. You should only signal programs that you would be happy with doing a residency at.
Not Utilizing Signals: The worst mistake you can make is not utilizing program signaling at all. This is a huge opportunity to stand out to programs that receive thousands of applicants each year. It's a tool to help you stand out to programs and, hopefully, get you an interview.
Navigating Geographic Preferences
The Geographic Preferences section, which also includes setting preferences, allows applicants to specify preferred geographic locations, if any, for residency training. You can select up to 3 US census divisions. For setting preference, you'll be able to indicate your preferences for urban, suburban, or rural settings, if any. For both setting preference and geographic preference, you'll be able to describe your preferences or lack of preference.
How Preference is Shared with Programs:
Geographic Preference | Setting Preference | |
Preference identified | Only shared with programs that you apply to in that geographic region | Shared with all programs you apply to |
Lack of preference identified | Shared with all programs you apply to | Shared with all programs you apply to |
No response | No information will be shared with programs you apply to | No information will be shared with programs you apply to |
Geographic Preference:
If you identify a geographic division, only the programs you apply to in that geographic region will be notified of your preference. If you choose that you do not have a geographic preference, all programs you apply to will be able to see this.
Setting Preferences:
Your indicated preference or lack of preference, as well as your description, will be shared with all programs you apply to. If you do not respond or skip setting preferences, no information will be shared with the programs you apply to.
Strategizing your selection of geographic regions can optimize your chances of matching with programs situated in areas conducive to your personal and professional growth. According to the AAMC's Supplemental ERAS® 2022-2023Application Cycle: Results of the Program Director Reaction Survey, 82% of program directors "used the Geographic Preferences section during their admissions process and reported that it helped them identify applicants whom they would have otherwise overlooked".
Additionally, the study also showed that "More than 75% of respondents interpreted a “No geographic preference” response as the applicant was willing to go anywhere; 45% of respondents thought the applicant was more interested in factors other than in geography.".
If you're planning on applying to a specific geographic area, choosing a geographic preference may be a good idea for you. However, keep in mind that if you're planning to apply to programs in more than the 3 allotted US census divisions, it might be more beneficial to respond having no geographic preference. Additionally, if you're planning to apply broadly, you may want to keep in mind that all programs will be able to see that you do not have a geographic preference which may indicate that you're geographically open to programs.
Tips for Strategic Geographic Preferences:
Assess Lifestyle Factors: Consider factors such as cost of living, cultural amenities, and proximity to family and support networks.
Explore Programs for Fit: Research regions in your desired specialty that have residency programs that you are a good fit for. Consider factors such as IMG friendliness, interests (such as research, etc.), and board passing rates.
Balance Personal and Professional Priorities: Strike a balance between personal preferences and career aspirations. Since residency is a minimum of 3 years, understand that you'll need to live in this area for an extended amount of time. Also, understand that IMG friendliness varies in different states and programs.
Conclusion
Mastering the Program Signaling and Geographic Preferences section of the ERAS application is crucial for maximizing your chances of securing interviews at your preferred residency programs. By strategically signaling your preferences and selecting geographic locations aligned with your goals, you can enhance your overall application and increase your chances of a successful match.
Remember, thorough research, strategic planning, and genuine interest are key to effectively navigating this section of the ERAS application. With the right approach, you can unlock opportunities and embark on a fulfilling residency journey in your desired specialty and/or location.
Links & Additional Resources:
AAMC Program Signaling for the 2025 MyERAS® Application Season - https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/program-signaling-2025-myeras-application-season#programs
AAMC Biographical Information - https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/publication-chapters/biographical-information
Supplemental ERAS® 2022-2023Application Cycle: Results of the Program Director Reaction Survey - https://www.aamc.org/media/64996/download
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