This year, in light of the COVID crisis, while ERAS will open on September 1, residency programs will not have access to applications until October 21, which is more than a month later than last year’s date of September 15. At first glance, this alteration might seem minor: After all, if programs download applications in batches by chronological order, an applicant would still be better off submitting on September 1. However, all applications submitted September 1 through October 21 will appear to programs as being submitted on October 21. This affords residency applicants more time to get their applications in order. 

Having said that, ECFMG is still recommending that applicants submit by October 14 to be on the safe side, and I’d also suggest not waiting until the last minute. Good writing takes a long time, and you do not want to be behind the eight ball, submitting suboptimal written materials. 

For help with your residency written materials, contact me.