Supplemental ERAS for IMGs
Let’s talk about the Supplemental ERAS Application! The Supplemental ERAS Application is only applicable to Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Surgery.
While it is optional, it is advisable that IMGs take advantage of this opportunity to give their chances of matching a boost.
Even if you’re applying for a specialty that is not applicable, there are certain elements from the Supplemental ERAS application that you may want to incorporate into your regular ERAS application.
The Supplemental ERAS Application is separate from and will be available before the regular ERAS Application. Therefore, you should avoid calling the reader cross-referencing the two of them.
Using the Supplemental ERAS Application can also be beneficial in that you may be able to complete your holistic application at an earlier date, thereby improving your chances of matching.
In fact, the Supplemental ERAS Application forms an integral part of the Holistic Application Process, so it is important to not only list your qualifications, but to outline your stories and experiences.
You should outline stories and experiences that are important to you and not only what you think the application reviewers want to hear.
Even if you may think that your volunteer work or research opportunities were not within the most prestigious of circumstances, you can still list these if they are important to you and your goals as a future resident. Give the application reviewers a reason to believe that you are passionate about your goal specialty!
Tips on speaking about relevant experience:
Use details
Speak factually
Use metrics
Add an effective job description
Describe why it was meaningful and lessons you learnt.
Geographic preferences, while not mandatory, can be hidden if these preferences are flexible. This way, you don’t run the risk of being rejected by programs which do not necessarily fit within your desired geographical area.
Similarly, urban vs rural preferences and research vs surgery preferences can be selected and hidden upon request.
However, If you have a true preference, especially with valid reasoning behind it, it’s a good idea to expound on this within your application.
Overall, the supplemental ERAS Application can be an invaluable tool to increase your chances of matching by affording you the opportunity to submit a more holistic application.
Eager to learn more? Click here to be redirected to drninalum.com for more resources including an ERAS Calculator link and the detailed document about the Supplemental ERAS Application.
Also, feel free to follow @drninalum and @imgroadmap for more free advice on how to make your Supplemental ERAS Application count!
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