COULD ERAS-NRMP MATCH SYSTEM BE BETTER ?

I don't how many of you will agree on this - but I feel the whole matching process does need more transparency and clarity - both on the programs side and from ERAS

Most Programs, on their part, do an extremely poor job of mentioning on their websites WHAT EXACTLY their screening / selection critiria are. Most program websites are outdated or give vague generalized criteria - as a result they end up receiving too many applications that they may not be able to even completely process.

How I wish - and am sure ALL of you agree - that there were a centralized online system that allowed all ERAS-participating residency programs to upload their exact selection criteria, score cut-offs and Visa policies CLEARLY for everyone each year! Won't it benefit both ? - the programs and candidates ? The Programs will receive lesser but more eligible applications, reduce their workload, while candidates won't have to write millions of emails or makes hundreds of phonecalls to the program coordinators to ask about their criteria ! A centralised "Program Criteria Service" integrated into ERAS would certainly benefit everyone with lotsa time, money and efforts saved.

A distinct result of NOT having this transparency is lotsa people apply to the historically known "IMG Friendly Residency Programs". Thus these programs receive applications in thousands from almost the same pool --> End up selecting almost similar candidates based on scores and other credentials --> Thus the strong candidates end up with 26-30 Interviews, while the less-strong ones get none --> the one's with excess interviews end up cancelling many --> these programs then have to scrub through the applications again to call up more for interviews and so on...

A few IMGs that I had discussions with, felt that a lack of such a criteria service was also a way for ERAS to make more money as lotsa people will apply to as many places as they can ! And why did they say so ? Remember that the money you pay, for each program you apply to, goes to ERAS and NOT to the programs, which means the programs are not bound by your money's worth to look at all the applications they receive :-(

Whad'ya Folks Think ?