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ERAS Document Checklist

  1. 01
    ECFMG Certification (or 'Certified' status pending Step 2 CK)

    Required for residency; your ECFMG status on September 1 is what programmes see first.

  2. 02
    USMLE Step 1 (Pass) & Step 2 CK score

    Step 1 has been pass/fail since 2022; Step 2 CK reports a three-digit score.

  3. 03
    Medical school transcript (verified by ECFMG)

    Sent directly from your medical school to ECFMG, then transmitted to ERAS.

  4. 04
    MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation / Dean's Letter)

    A narrative evaluation from your school's dean of students, transmitted to ERAS.

  5. 05
    Personal Statement

    650–850 words; see the full Personal Statement checklist for the writing process.

  6. 06
    ERAS Common Application Form (CAF) & photo

    Structured biographical/education form in ERAS, plus a 2.5×3.5in professional headshot.

  7. 07
    Letter of Recommendation #1 — US-based, clinical (strongest)

    Uploaded by the letter writer through the ERAS Letter Portal.

  8. 08
    Letters of Recommendation #2–3

    Same ERAS Letter Portal upload as LoR #1; two US-based clinical letters is the competitive minimum.

  9. 09
    LoR Cover Sheets & FERPA waivers

    ERAS auto-generates a cover sheet per writer; you sign the waiver for each.

  10. 10
    ERAS Token (from ECFMG)

    A unique token from ECFMG/Intealth that activates your ERAS application.

  11. 11
    Programme list finalised before submission

    The list of every residency programme you'll apply to.

  12. 12
    Application fees paid (via ERAS)

    Pay through ERAS using a US-issued credit card or via wire transfer.

  13. 13
    Final pre-submission review

    Read every field, essay, and uploaded document one final time before clicking Submit.

  14. 14
    Visa status declaration in ERAS

    ERAS asks which visa you'll need (J-1, H-1B, or other).

  15. 15
    Name consistency across all documents

    Your name must match exactly across your ECFMG record, ERAS, USMLE reports, transcript, MSPE, and visa documents.

That's one of 12 checklists.

Inside the portal, this checklist is interactive — tap items, add personal notes, see your progress against the calendar. Plus 11 more across the four destinations.

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