Submitting the Application

You should apply to at least the number of programs thought necessary to assure matching. Be sure to include some hospitals at which you feel you are almost certain to have success.

Discussions with the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and your specialty-specific advisor can help you determine the number of programs to which you should apply and the final form of your rank order list.

Remember, earlier in the process you should have contacted numerous programs for information, and then interviewed at a subset of those programs. Your rank order list may be as limited or extensive as you choose.

Assistance from the Office of Student Affairs

The responsibility of applying for residency rests with the student. The Office of Student Affairs will help you with the application process. This office is your source for the following: 

• ERAS and NRMP updates and guidance
• Information regarding other matches in ophthalmology and urology. However, transactions for these matches take place directly between the matching agency and the student. (Please also see "Early Matches”)
• MSPE and Transcript. The "MSPE" is an appraisal of your entire medical school experience. The last draft may be reviewed by the student for factual accuracy. The Office of Student Affairs will send an official copy of your transcript.
  It should be noted that under rules first adopted in 1987 by the Council of Deans (the deans of all U.S. medical schools), MSPEs will not be sent until October 1st. If requested by the programs to which you are applying, only transcripts may be sent out before October 1st.
• If you choose to apply to a NON-ERAS program, you are required to include certain documents in your package. Gather the required documents until your package is complete and send all documents in one package.