Timeline for a Match!

Since a lot of people have asked me how to create a timeline and what happens when, thought will write this post so that all get benefitted :)

N= Your desired year of matching

By April-June (N-1)

• Request your ERAS token. (opens somewhere in April/June/July)- Frankly do not remember when- http://neilnf.blogspot.in/2014/08/how-to-get-eras-token-in-order-to-apply.html
• Start requesting letters of recommendation.
• Strengthen your application by having USCE 

By August (N-1)

• Be ready with your personal statements and have your LOR’s uploaded
• Be done with all your Steps (Step 1, Step 2 CK & CS) and if possible graduate and be ECFMG certified since some programs require ECFMG-certification before applying.
• Finalize your documents and upload as necessary. 
• If you haven’t taken Step 3 do consider taking it as it could strengthen your residency application.
• Know which colleges you plan to apply to, which are IMG friendly or so. Talk to your seniors and check where they applied and stuff.

 September 15^th (N-1) Check the date!

• AAMC’s MyERAS opens! Apply early and stay organized.
• Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores are strongly encouraged to be considered for interviews.
• Sometime later register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)

 From October (N-1)- January or February (N)

• It’s time for interviews!
• Be patient as many programs invite interviewees late into January or February

 February (N)

• By mid Feb submit your rank order list.

March (N)

• Get your match results.
• If you didn’t match, consider the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) to find your spot.

March To June (N): 

• Matched Candidates should start and complete Visa Processing if needed and find a place to Stay during this period

July (N):

• Residency Begins after initial 1-2 weeks of Orientation and ACLS + BLS training 

PS- 

• ERAS creates a CV for you
• It is said that latest to apply is by September end at least since most programs finish downloading all their applications by the last week of September.

Some kind person named Dr Harshal Awasthi has painstakingly written about the Matching process and terms. You can find the link HERE or here

Another guide to Residency by some guys from Pakistan is HERE

Step 3 application process

1. Go to http://www.fsmb.org/
2. Top right hand side click on Sign in -> USMLE Step 3
3. Create Account and then fill in the details as it is explained
4. Once the account is created, login and register for the examination. There is only 2 month eligibility period. Please Note that you have to be ECFMG certified in order to apply for the exam – in other words pass Step 1, Step 2 CK and CS ALONG with graduating from your medical school.
5. Once done you will be asked to print a Certification of Identity form. Fill this form and get it notarized either in your home town or in the States should you happen to be there. Mail this form to the address mentioned in the form. Wait for them to confirm and that is it.

Just FYI I did my notarization in India prior to coming to the States. Hence just in case people are confused whether it is valid the answer is yes. You can get the Certification of Identity Form in the following link along with the requirements prior to completing the application.  http://www.fsmb.org/licensure/usmle-step-3/requirements. You can use the US postal service to mail the notarized form should you happen to be in the States.

P.S.-  There is no individual State requirement to be filled out now post the new format just in case people are confused about it as I was initially.