Below is a timeline of events with additional suggested actions per time period for the Main Residency Match Season from start to finish for International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Bookmark this page to help you stay on track with the 2025 Match Residency Application Timeline and Checklist!

2024-2025 Residency Application Cycle: Complete IMG Timeline and Checklist

Date Pending: ERAS Tokens available to IMG applicants

• Apply and pay for your ERAS token through ECFMG
  • You can find this under ECFMG’s OASIS ERAS Support

• Use your token serial number to register for MyERAS
• Start researching residency programs that are best suited to your professional criteria
  • Be aware that free databases and program websites aren’t always up-to-date. Check for timestamps and verify the information!
  • Annually updated and personalized Customized Residency Program Lists are available at Match A Resident

• Schedule and take your USMLE Exams so you can have them ready when residency applications begin
  • Remember, you will need your USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK completed by the Rank Order List Deadline in March to qualify for the Main Residency Match

July – August 2024: Prepare Your Residency Application

Visit our partner, Residency Experts to learn the best strategies for obtaining strong Letters of Recommendation (LoRs)

• Learn about the submission process through the ERAS LORP before talking to your Letter Writers
• Make sure you confirm with the writers and give them the Letter Request Form from MyERAS
• Have a one-on-one meeting to discuss their feedback about your performance and your expectations about the letter
• If you do not waive your LoRs, you may upload them through ECFMG’s OASIS
• If you’ve been asked to write LoRs on behalf of your author, visit Residency Experts’ Authorship Guide

• Start writing your medical residency Personal Statements
  • You will need at least ONE Personal Statement PER medical specialty
  • If you need help editing or completing a statement from scratch, see Residency Statement

• Start filling out your MyERAS Application
  • Preview the application with the ERAS Worksheet
  • Fill out your Contact Information (This is the only part of the application you can change after certifying)
  • You can work on the application and come back to it as many times as you need before certifying
  • Utilize professional assistance to edit, optimize, and craft your MyERAS Written Sections to perfection with the help of Residency Experts Application Editing and Review
  • DO NOT CERTIFY until the application is complete and error-free; after certifying, your answers will become locked and unchangeable for the rest of the application season

• Request your USMLE transcript
  • Make sure you authorize the release of this document when you begin applying
  • If you haven’t taken the Step 2CK, take it before September! (Scores usually take about 3-4 weeks to come back)

• Take and upload a photo
  • Have a professional take your photograph

• Request the Medical School Transcript and MSPE from your medical school
  • They will not do this automatically, you must ask
  • If you cannot get an MSPE, you will need to let ECFMG know, so you can upload a placeholder document that explains you were unable to get this document

August 21st, 2024: Suggested OASIS documents submission date to have the documents ready before the application start (2 weeks prior)

• Ensure all the documents you have uploaded are ready to use
  • Follow up with your LoR writers and make sure to thank them!
  • Check with OASIS, MyERAS, and your medical school for the status of your documents

September 2024: Apply to Residency Programs and Register for NRMP®

September 4th, 2024: Starting at 9 a.m. (EST), ERAS allows residency applicants to certify and submit their applications to residency programs. (Programs will not receive the applications until September 25th, 2024)

September 16th at 12pm (EST): NRMP Registration opens

• Certify your MyERAS application
  • Please Note: Do not certify your ERAS Application until it is 100% completed. If you click “Certify” with incomplete or incorrect content, this document will be unchangeable and set in stone for the rest of the residency season.

• Double-check your saved program choices to ensure you are only applying to programs you qualify for
  • Please Note: ERAS will not refund any money paid to incompatible programs. Be careful when choosing which programs to apply to, and pay close attention to the state requirements as well as individual program requirements.

• Assign documents to residency programs
  • Be careful to assign the correct documents to the right programs. For example, Family Medicine programs should be receiving your Family Medicine Personal Statement and Letter(s) of Recommendation.

• Submit your applications between September 4th and September 25th
  • All applications submitted during this period will be time-stamped “September 25th,” so you do NOT need to rush all your applications on September 4th
  • Apply to at least 100 programs per specialty (if applicable)
  • You may continue to find programs and submit applications throughout the rest of the Residency Application Season

Applications Released and Interviews Start

September 25th, 2024: At 9 a.m. (EST), residency programs begin receiving applications previously submitted by residency candidates

• Continue to submit applications
  • It is best to submit your applications by September 27th, however you may continue to find programs and submit applications throughout the rest of the Residency Application Season

• Register with NRMP
  • Remember, registration with ERAS does not mean you are registered with NRMP
  • Register with NRMP before deadline to avoid late fees

• Check on and follow up with the status of your applications
  • Be sure to check your messages on MyERAS

November – January: NRMP, Applying, and Interviews

• Send Follow Up Letters to residency programs you haven’t heard back from
• If you’ve obtained interviews and completed them, send a Thank You Letter after
• Take OET Medicine on or before the last available test date in December 2024. If you test after this date, your OET scores may not be available in time to complete your Pathways application before the 2025 Match
• Make sure ECFMG receives your scores directly from OET by January 31, 2025.
• Submit your Application for Pathways for ECFMG Certification by January 31, 2025.
• If you haven’t already, register with NRMP by January 31st to avoid a $50 late fee

February 2025: NRMP and Rank Order Lists

February 3rd, 12pm (EST): Rank Order List ranking opens

• Be sure to register with NRMP by the Rank Order List Deadline (February 28th) (also required for Post-Match SOAP eligibility)
• Create, change, and certify your Rank Order List
  • You may make changes to your Rank Order Lists after certifying until the deadline

March 2025: MATCH Week and the Post-Match SOAP

March 5th: NRMP Rank Order List Deadline (9 p.m. EST) and last day to register for NRMP

• Register with NRMP (required for Post-Match SOAP eligibility)
  • The Rank Order List Deadline is also the last day for your USMLE exam scores to be verified. IMGs must have their USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2CK verified by the Rank Order List Deadline in order to qualify for the Main Residency Match

March 17th, at 10am (EST): Match Week begins and Post-Match SOAP kicks off

• Check your Match Status on Monday of Match Week at 10 a.m. (EST)
  • You will be either Matched, Partially Matched, or Unmatched
  • If you are Unmatched or Partially Matched and SOAP Eligible, the Post-Match SOAP has begun

Participating in the Post-Match SOAP: What’s Next For Me?

• Step 1: Get your List of Unfilled Programs from the NRMP R3 system
• Step 2: Obtain your Program Compatibility Search (PCS) Access from Electronic Residency to help you research and pick the best programs from your List of Unfilled Programs
• Step 3: At 11 a.m. (EST) on Monday, March 17th, log into ERAS and start selecting your 45 programs, assigning documents, and applying once you are SURE you have chosen the right programs you qualify for. See detailed schedule of SOAP offer rounds here.

Thursday, March 20th: Post-Match SOAP concludes at 9 p.m. (EST)

Friday, March 21st: MATCH DAY! If you were Matched, your residency location will become available at 12 p.m. (EST)

May 31, 2025 5pm (ET): 2024-25 ERAS Application Season Ends

• Finally, think about if you have copies of EVERYTHING you may want in the future. It’s best to save backup copies of all your documents and written sections.
• After all that hard work, if you are Matched, you will begin training July 1st the year of The Match
• Just to clarify, this is a timeline and checklist for the Main Residency Match Season. Further in-depth information about the Post-Match SOAP will be released beginning January 2024.
• **Please Note: Dates and times are subject to change. Always keep informed by visiting the websites.

We hope this Residency Application Timeline and Checklist has been helpful! Check out the official resources below for additional information.

Official Websites Resources:

1. ERAS: https://students-residents.aamc.org/attending-medical-school/how-apply-residency-positions/applying-residencies-eras/
2. ECFMG: http://www.ecfmg.org/
3. NRMP: http://www.nrmp.org/
4. USMLE: http://www.usmle.org/

 

The NATIONAL RESIDENT MATCHING PROGRAM®, The NRMP®, SUPPLEMENTAL OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM®, and SOAP® are registered trademarks of National Resident Matching Program. THE MATCH™ is a trademark of National Resident Matching Program. ResidencyPrep, LLC and this page are not sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with National Resident Matching Program.