Hi-

Could someone who has gone through the match process tell me how late can one apply for the match and still maximize the number of interviews as an IMG? I understand that as an IMG, one should apply asap (August) when registration opens in mid-August. I believe the deadline to register is usually the end of December. If one is not able to apply until October, November or Dec, what impact will that have on # of interviews, etc.?

My second question is:

When registering for the match, an applicant needs the scores for Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS? So, if you are waiting for the score to let's say Step 2 CS (which I understand can take months), one cannot register for the match until the scores have been sent to you?

Sorry for all the questions. Just a little worried about what holds for the future.

Thanks in advance for any help.

frankly, anytime out of the first week is sub-optimal. Let me be very blunt about this: The sooner You Send in Your ERAS Application the Better. To the point of being mroe important than absolute board scores in some cases. Dont believe me? That's ok. But how can it hurt you to take the advice anyway?

__________________
Steph
If you get a warning, put on yer manpants and stop whining about it.

Registration for the match begins in july/august, but you don't submit your application until September. There are various documents required such as your LOR's, the 15 page online application, dean's letter, and your personal statement (which is a part of the 15 pages). These need to be submitted in September. Many of the programs that you apply to download the application. As you continue to send your documents, the programs will download each. (it works like a post-office).


Yes, you should apply in September as an IMG. The deadline for most programs is around mid-december. Check Freida for more accurate dates of specific programs.

The later you wait to fully complete your application, the less time slots for interviews that will be available. So don't delay!

You should have your step 1 score already, so don't worry about that. It is a good idea as an ROSS IMG to have your Step 2 in between september and october. The results can be automatically transmitted or manually transmitted by you (via the internet) to all or specific programs.

For Step 2 CS, you should take the exam before Dec 31, 2005. This is what ECFMG reports. It is obviously safer to do the exam ASAP to avoid any delays of the results! You can still apply in September even if you only have Step 1 results!

Ross will send you by email (make sure they have your current email address) a "graduate application guide" which will very clearly explain step by step all the procedures that you must do to match in time. They will mail this approximately in April or May (i dont' remember exact month).

Hope this helps.

A.[/quote]

Having a full application including step 1 and 2 (CS would be nice also) will get you many more interviews. My first couple interviews started a few weeks after programs downloaded. I know this first hand as there was another applicant with similar stats with less interviews. He did pick up a few more after his step 2 arrived in early November. ERAS starts in in the late summer, with programs downloading in September. The NRMP "match" is totally different from ERAS and you don't really need to register for that until Nov/Dec.

just as an example, we have offereed all of our interviews by the middle of october at my program.