ERAS Scramble Application Quota Increased BUT...

In case you missed it, AAMC announced an increase in the number of unfilled positions to which participants in the Post-Match Scramble may apply using ERAS, starting March 2008.

The new limit has been raised to 45 Programs where Thirty (30) of those programs can be new programs where the applicant had not applied during the normal application season while fifteen (15) can be programs to which the applicant had previously applied during the regular ERAS season - i.e re-applications.

Previously, limit was a total of 30 Applications using ERAS period, without a need to reapply to programs where one had previously applied - since the programs could still access the applications and could simply look them up again - or effectively, there was no quota for calling up programs where you had previously applied.

Huh ! This makes me wonder if this increase is actually an effective reduction ! Because:
1. The number of new Programs you can apply stays the same with the new rule, and
2. While you could previously request any number of programs where you had previously applied to reconsider your for the scramble, now that will be reduced to only 15.

Either ways, I would not worry too much about it since:

a. You will be 'applying' only after you make that call to the program and after the program coordinator finds you eligible to apply, i.e. the actual programs that you send your applications will be a targeted application - not wastefully random - and mostly much lesser than the number of programs you get to talk to.
b. You can still use fax or email with scanned documents and the Common Application Format from your ERAS application copy-pasted onto a word document.


Note that during the scramble, MyERAS will display a new tab called 're-apply' for applying to programs that you had previously applied. Do Spend a few minutes reading the Official Instructions to use the ERAS Reapply function Here (PDF)


Q. What are ERAS Fees during the scramble ?

A. No Fees - (Haven't you shelled out too much already ? lol ) . But any pending fees from previous applications must be paid in full to be eligible to apply during scramble.


Q. What if you wanted to Apply to More than 30 New (Previously Unapplied) Programs or Reapply to More than 15 Programs?

A. Like I just mentioned, ERAS cannot be used more than those limits, You can used fax or email instead, if the residency program agrees.


Q. Can ERAS be used to apply for unfilled programs AFTER the scramble ?

A. Yes it can be - and you will need to the pay the regular rate of $25 per application transmitted through ERAS