More information is available at http://www.ecfmg.org Form: 507, Rev. 04/99

ECFMGSM Applicant Information for Students and Graduates of ForeignMedical Schools for ERAS 2000

What is ERAS? The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has developed ERAS, the Electronic Residency Application Serviceto transmit residency applications, Letters of Recommendation, Dean's Letters, transcripts, and other supporting documents to residencyprogram directors via the Internet. ERAS is available to students and graduates of foreign medical schools through ECFMG, which serves astheir designated Deans Office.

Upon receipt of the required application fee, ECFMG will mail the Student Workstation (computer diskettes and instruction manual) toapplicants who have graduated or will graduate from a foreign medical school. Using a personal computer, the applicant completes ONECommon Application Form (CAF), selects the desired programs from the list of available programs on the diskette and returns the StudentData Diskette and photocopies of supporting documentation to ECFMG. ECFMG will scan the necessary documents, attach themelectronically to the application, and transmit the application with the necessary documents to the ERAS Post Office. Once ECFMGtransmits this information, it is the responsibility of the individual program directors to periodically download all transmitted applications anddocuments from the ERAS Post Office.

Which specialties will use ERAS in 2000? ERAS will be available to applicants applying for GME-1 and GME-2 positions in DiagnosticRadiology, Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine/FamilyPractice, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Internal Medicine/Physiatry, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatrics,Pediatrics/Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics/Physiatry, Physiatry (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation), Surgery, Transitional Year programs,and all U.S. Army GME-1 positions in 2000. Please note that U.S. Army programs are available only to U.S. citizens who have a militaryobligation.

What about programs not listed above to which I want to apply? You CANNOT use ERAS to apply to those programs.

What do I need to do now? If you do not yet have an e-mail address, make arrangements now! Prior to applying via ERAS, contact theprograms to determine their minimum criteria and application deadline dates.

Who is eligible to apply in 2000? ECFMG will accept applications for the ERAS service from individuals who are certified by ECFMG.Individuals who are not yet ECFMG-certified may also apply, provided that they have been assigned a USMLETM/ECFMG IdentificationNumber. (Note: The assignment of this Identification Number does not imply that an applicant is eligible for examination or for ECFMGcertification.) ERAS applicants who are not yet certified must obtain ECFMG certification before starting a post-graduate training program. Itis the sole responsibility of the ERAS applicant to satisfy all ECFMG certification requirements (passing USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, anEnglish Language Proficiency Test, and the Clinical Skills Assessment as well as documenting the completion of all requirements for, andreceipt of, the final medical diploma). ERAS fees will not be refunded for any reason. Please refer to Requirements for ECFMG Certificationin the ECFMG Information Booklet and ECFMG's web page at http://www.ecfmg.org for detailed information on ECFMG certification.What are the fees for applying through ERAS? There are two separate fees for using the ERAS system: Students and graduates offoreign medical schools are charged a non-refundable ECFMG Application Fee of $75 when they request their application materials fromECFMG. This fee covers the costs of acting as the designated Dean's Office and of processing and transmitting documents to the ERASPost Office, where they are available to all residency programs selected by the applicant. Payment must be made in U.S. funds by creditcard (Please complete the required credit card information on the reverse side) or by check or money order made payable to ECFMG andmailed to the ECFMG office in Philadelphia. Payment should not be sent in cash. Funds may also be wire transferred through most banks inthe United States (Fedwire) to the ECFMG account number 8611080982 at PNC Bank, N.A., routing / transit number 031000053. The check,money order or wire transfer must be identified with the applicant's full name and USMLE / ECFMG Identification Number.

All applicants are charged the AAMC Processing Fee of $60 when they complete their application. This fee covers registration and includesapplication to up to 10 programs in each discipline. Beyond 10 programs the fee schedule is: $6 each for 11-20 programs per discipline, $12each for 21-30 programs per discipline, $25 each for 31 or more programs per discipline.

How will the residency programs know of the status of my ECFMG certification? ECFMG will send an electronic certification statusreport at the time your application is processed to all residency programs to which you apply. Should your status change during theapplication cycle for that year, ECFMG will send an updated certification status report to the residency programs.

If the residency program requires an official USMLE transcript, how will this be obtained? At your request on the diskette, ECFMGwill provide USMLE transcripts to every residency program that you have individually indicated on your diskette for a single charge of $40per applicant.

What is the application deadline? ECFMG sets no deadline dates. Deadlines are set by individual residency programs.

I dont have a computer at home or a modem. How can I apply? You can use any PC-compatible machine capable of running MicrosoftWindows version 3.1 or higher. That PC can be in a school media center, public library or commercial center. Many copy centers havesuitable computers available for rent. A modem is not required to apply via ERAS.

Do I still have to register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)? Applying through ERAS does not register you withthe Match. Applicants should contact the NRMP directly to register, since many hospitals in the United States rely upon the NRMP for theirtrainees and do not select applicants who do not participate in the Match.

How can I use ERAS after the Match? ERAS can be used for post-Match applications. However, because of the extremely short durationof the post-Match "scramble", communication between applicants and programs may be conducted more efficiently via telephone and/or fax.

More information is available at http://www.ecfmg.org Form: 507, Rev. 04/99

Request for an ERAS Application Kit for Residency Programs starting in 2000.(For Students and Graduates of Foreign Medical Schools only)

This form expires on Match Day in March 2000.

Please provide the information requested below and mail or fax this completed request form toECFMGSM at 215-222-5641 or mail to ECFMG ERAS Program:

if you enclose a check or money order: P.O. Box 820010, Philadelphia, PA 19182-0010if you pay by credit card: P.O. Box 13467, Philadelphia, PA 19101-3467

Payment of the non-refundable ECFMG Application Fee of $75.00 must be enclosed.

Please send the ERAS Student Kit to:

Last Name / Family Name: _____________________________________________

First Name: _________________________________________________________

Fax Number with area code: ____________________________________________

Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________ Kits are expected to be available in early JulyCity: _________________________ State/Province: ________________________

Country: ______________________ ZIP/Postal Code: _______________________

E-mail address: ______________________________________________________

USMLE/ECFMG Identification #: _________________________________________

U.S. Social Security Number: ___________________________________________

( ) Check / Money Order for $75.00 is enclosed. (Mail to P.O. Box 820010)

Charge $75.00 to my Credit Card: (Mail to P.O. Box 13467) ( )Visa ( )Mastercard ( ) Eurocard

Credit Card Number: ______________________________ Expires: ____________

Name of Card Holder: _________________________________________________

Signature of Card Holder: ______________________________________________

Date of Application: ___________________________________________________

Please note: ERAS Kits are expected to be available for mailing in early July 1999. Once the application kits become available, they are sentvia regular mail usually within 2 3 business days of receipt of your request. Please contact the ERAS Program at ERASHELP@ecfmg.org, via fax at 215-222-5641 or call 215-386-5900 if you have not received your kit within a reasonable period of time.

Please note: The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) provides the ERAS application form and informational materials,receives your diskette and supplemental documents, attaches them to the data contained in the diskette, and electronically transmits this material, as well asan ECFMG certification status report and official USMLE transcript if you have requested same, to the ERAS Post Office of the AAMC for transmission toeach residency program you have designated. ECFMG has no responsibility after having transmitted the application to the ERAS Post Office. Also, ECFMGhas no responsibility for insuring that the application is complete, or meets specific individual requirements of a particular residency program, or for delayscaused by software or computer problems beyond our control, or for whether a program accepts your application or selects you for a position.

Should we make a mistakewhen charging your credit card,

please do not reverse thecharges, but contact us for an

adjustment or correction.Thanks.