The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) is a performance summary through the third year from the Associate Dean of Students, Dr. McNeese, and the Assistant Dean of Students, Dr. Lahoti, detailing your academic history during Medical School. Please be aware that this is a summary of your overall performance, not a recommendation letter.

When will the MSPE be released?

MSPE for all schools are released on November 1^st. No one releases or receives the MSPE before this date. However, it is sometimes advantageous to wait and release your MSPE after this date if information is still pending.

What if the program that I am applying to requires a paper MSPE?

Print or type (no handwriting please) mailing labels and give them to Kendall McKee at least one week prior to the November 1^st MSPE release date. She will mail your MSPE directly to the program. If you do not have labels, you can pick up blank ones in the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (MSB G.400).

Early Match-SFMatch

What are the Early Match specialties?

Ophthalmology

Where can I find more information about the Early Match?

Log on to http://www.sfmatch.org and click on your desired specialty.

How do I send my MSPE to the SFMatch?

Your MSPE will automatically be FedEx'd by Kendall McKee on the November 1^st release date. You may choose to provide an updated transcript to be sent in the packet, but it must be received in Student Affairs by October 24^th.

Early Match-AUA Residency Matching Program for Urology

I'm interested in Urology; what do I need to know?

This early match does process documents through ERAS; however, the Rank Order List (ROL) is submitted through their own matching program in early January. Please see their website at http://www.auanet.org/ for further details.

ERAS-General questions

What documents are scanned and attached?

Letters of Recommendation (LoR), Transcript, Photo, MSPE (released Nov. 1)

Can I certify, submit, and assign to programs without all documents available?

Yes. It is strongly recommended that you do so as this speeds the processing of your documents. The program will be able to download the rest of your document(s) at a later date.

What part of my ERAS application can I change after I submit?

You can update your Profile and change your LoR assignments at any time. Everything else is unalterable once submitted. Imagine sending out a paper application that you can not recall to make modifications.

Letters of Recommendation (LoR)

Where do I get the LoR cover sheet?

Log into your ERAS and create a new LoR under MyDocuments. You will then be offered the opportunity to print a LoR cover sheet. Provide this cover sheet to your LoR writers so that they have accurate information about how to address the letter, where to send it, etc. You may also download the form here (Adobe PDF document).

Where should LoR be sent?

Stephen Jones
Office of Student Affairs
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
6431 Fannin St., MSB G.400
Houston, TX 77030

LoR may also be emailed to stephen.w.jones@uth.tmc.edu, but only if they are on letterhead with signature in PDF or TIF format. In order to maintain legibility, LoR should be faxed only as a last resort--if there is some urgency or reason why the letter will not reach Student Affairs in time to meet a deadline. In that case, the number is 713-383-3710. The original should then be mailed so that it can eventually replace the faxed copy.

How do I know if my LoR or other documents have been received?

First, you must "Reserve a slot" for each of your LoR. Once that has been done you can track their status in ERAS by selecting the "Track Application" tab and selecting My Documents, detailed instructions can be found by clicking here. Alternatively you can check your document status on the ERAS Applicant Document Tracking System (ADTS).

How long does it take for documents to be scanned?

Though LoR are usually scanned more often, they will at least be scanned in within three business days of receipt (barring unforseen technical difficulties). Scanning time will be reduced to one day by mid-October, and after October 31^st, LoR will be scanned and attached the same day they are received.

How do I have paper copies of LoR sent to programs that are not accepting ERAS applications?

Provide mailing labels to the letter writer so that they can mail original copies of your LoR to the program. Please do not ask us to send out paper LoR as we can not do so for legal, ethical, and logistic reasons.

ERAS Application Deadline

How do I know when my ERAS application is due?

Check with the programs you are interested in to find out their deadlines, then set your personal deadline at least one week before the earliest date you are given. This will give you time to track down any documents still missing at that time.

Do all ERAS documents have to be in for my application to meet the deadline?

Yes, all documents must be available and assigned by the program deadline in order for a program to consider your application. This includes your CAF (Certified Applicant File), Personal Statement, LoR, Transcript, and Photo. (Note: If the deadline is before November 1^st, the MSPE will be the exception to this rule.)

Where can I find the ERAS Applicant Manual?

You can access the online Applicant Manual, along with other useful information, at https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/eras/residency/134598/using_myeras.html, or you can view a hard copy by seeing Kendall McKee in Student Affairs (MSB G.400).

ERAS Fees

How much does it cost to apply to programs through ERAS?

This depends on the number of programs, and number of specialties, applied to. Up to 10 programs cost $100; after that 11-20 programs cost $10 each, 21-30 programs cost $15 each, and 31 or more programs cost $25 each. NOTE: If applying to more than one specialty, this fee schedule will apply within each specialty.

Transcripts

Will my medical school transcript be sent automatically?

No. The Registrar's office cannot release transcripts unless they are personally requested and the $5 fee is paid. This can be done online (UTLink.uth.tmc.edu) or by contacting them at 713-500-3388. Transcripts for ERAS should be sent to Steve Jones or Kendall McKee in MSB G.400. When ordering, please note "For ERAS, print on plain paper" so that it will be printed on paper that doesn't show 'copy, copy, copy' in the background when scanned. This also results in a smaller file that is more easily retrieved by programs.

When should I request my transcript for ERAS?

Ideally you should request your transcript as soon as ERAS opens. However, if you are waiting for a particular grade that you think will help you in the Match, you may request it later. Just make sure that the transcript is requested at least two weeks before your program deadlines.

How many medical school transcripts do I need to send?

Only (1) official copy is needed for your ERAS application. Early Match participants should send one copy directly to the SFMatch and may choose to have an updated copy sent with their MSPE/DL on November 1^st.

Can I update my transcript?

Yes, you may do so at any time. Just request a new copy of your transcript for ERAS and pay the $5 fee.

How do I send my USMLE Transcript to programs through ERAS?

This can be done through the Documents section of your ERAS. A fee of $50 will be assessed when you certify and assign your ERAS and the transcripts will be sent out electronically. Information on sending paper USMLE Transcripts can be found at https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/eras/residency/248510/usmle.html.

Do I need to provide undergraduate transcripts?

No, in most cases you will not have to provide undergraduate transcripts for ERAS. However, if a program specifically requests transmittal of this information, you can have a paper copy sent to Steve Jones or Kendall McKee for scanning and create and assign an "Undergraduate Transcript" LoR slot for that purpose.

Paper Applications

How do I have paper documents sent to programs that do not use ERAS

You will have to obtain a copy of each of your documents from the source. For the MSPE: If mailing is required, print or type a mailing label (or labels) and give it to Kendall McKee. If the program prefers an email, send the email address with your MSPE request to Kendall McKee in an email. You should also provide mailing labels to your LoR writers; letters must go directly from them to the programs. A transcript can be obtained from the Registrar's Office through UTLink or by contacting them at 713-500-3361. A copy of your roster photo can be obtained from the Office of Communications at 713-500-5530. You should check with the program to find out in what format they would like to receive your application and personal statement and provide those documents yourself. Details on obtaining a paper USMLE Transcript can be found on the USMLE website. Further details about many of these documents can be found throughout this web page.

NRMP (National Resident Matching Program)

What is the NRMP?

NRMP stands for National Resident Matching Program. This is the program that is used to submit your Rank Order List (ROL), which says which programs you would like to go to and in what order.

When do I need to register?

You must register by November 30^th in order to participate in the Main Match. After this date, a late fee of $50 will be assessed. No one will be able to register after the ROL deadline on February 22.

How do I register?

Go to http://www.nrmp.org and click on Register/Login > Applicant Registration, then follow directions.

How much does it cost to register for the NRMP?

The cost to medical students is $50.

Where can I find more information about the NRMP process?

The NRMP Applicant Registration Guide and User Guide are located at http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/user.html.

Couples Match

What if I want to match as part of a couple?

You should designate yourself as such in ERAS and let programs know that is what you are doing. Applicants notify the NRMP of their desire to participate in the Match as a couple by providing their partner's AAMC ID number and paying a $15 fee per partner. Matching couples can link their program choices so that they can be matched into a combination of programs suited to their needs. Please review the relevant section of the NRMP Applicant User Guide at http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/user.html for more detail.

Contacting Programs

Is it okay for me to contact residency programs?

Yes. You should be appropriately aggressive in following up with programs regarding the status of your application and whether they are interested in interviewing you. It might be helpful to make sure that you note such things as being part of a couple when your partner is interviewing there, having family in the area, etc., as appropriate. If you have an advisor or faculty member with a personal contact at that program, you can invite them to call on your behalf.

USMLE ID

What is the USMLE ID?

This is the number that identifies you for Step 1-3.

How do I find out what my USMLE ID is?

Go to https://apps.nbme.org/ciw2/prod/jsp/login.jsp and click on the Forgot your USMLE ID link.

Senior Roster Photos

What is a Senior Roster Photo?

This is the class photo used to form a pictorial class roster for hanging in the hallway on the ground floor of the Medical School building. It is also recommended that this photo be used for Match purposes. This photo is a graduation requirement.

How do I have my Senior Roster Photo taken?

Kendall McKee will notify you of dates and times when sessions are being held. You should then call Communications at 713-500-5530 to set up an appointment. This should not take more than 15 minutes of your time. If you miss all of the scheduled sessions, you may be required to set up and pay for your own personal session.

How should I dress for the photo?

You should dress professionally. The photo is a head and shoulders only shot, so this means shirt, tie, and suit coat for men and a nice blouse or dress for women.

How do I get my Roster Photo into ERAS?

An electronic copy of all Senior Roster Photos will be given to Steve Jones, following the final photo session. If you want to use that photo for ERAS, you do not have to do anything. It will be automatically uploaded and attached for you unless you provide an alternate photo (see below).

Do I have to use my Senior Roster Photo for the Match?

No. You may substitute a professional photo measuring between 2.5" x 3.5" and 3" x 4" for your Match application only. However, your Roster Photo must be taken by the Office of Communications.

Resources

What resources can I use to find out more about residency programs?

Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA): http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2997.html

First Aid for the Match

Scutwork.com: http://www.scutwork.com/