When to Apply for Residency: 2027 ERAS and Match Timeline

If you plan to begin U.S. residency training in 2027, your application process starts well before Match Day.

The 2027 ERAS season opened on June 4, 2026. Applicants can begin submitting residency applications on September 2, programs begin reviewing them on September 23, and Match Day is March 19, 2027. (AAMC)

Understanding these dates is important because ERAS and the NRMP Match are separate systems with different deadlines.

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Key 2027 Residency Application Dates

Date	Milestone
June 4, 2026	2027 ERAS season opens
September 2, 2026	Applicants can submit MyERAS applications
September 15, 2026	NRMP Match registration opens
September 23, 2026	Programs begin reviewing ERAS applications
February 1, 2027	NRMP ranking opens
March 3, 2027	Rank Order List deadline
March 15, 2027	Match Week and SOAP begin
March 19, 2027	Match Day
May 31, 2027	2027 ERAS season closes

The AAMC manages ERAS, while the National Resident Matching Program manages registration, ranking, SOAP, and Match results.

June to August 2026: Build Your ERAS Application

The 2027 ERAS season opened on June 4, 2026, giving applicants several months to prepare before programs begin reviewing applications.

During the summer, focus on:

Completing your MyERAS application
Drafting your residency personal statement
Requesting letters of recommendation
Reviewing your experiences
Preparing your program list
Completing required licensing examinations
Checking specialty-specific requirements
Reviewing program signaling options where applicable

Do not leave recommendation letters and written sections until September. These are parts of the application that often require several rounds of preparation.

Clinical electives can also help medical students clarify specialty interests before residency applications. Students seeking international clinical exposure can explore Go-Elective Medical Electives, which provide supervised learning opportunities across different clinical settings.

September 2: ERAS Applications Can Be Submitted

Applicants may begin submitting MyERAS applications to programs on September 2, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET.

However, programs do not immediately begin reviewing them. That happens three weeks later.

Use this period to confirm that your:

Personal statement is finalized
Letters are being processed
Program selections are correct
Application information is accurate
Required documents are uploaded

Submitting early enough to be complete when programs begin reviewing applications can help you avoid unnecessary delays.

September 15: Register for the NRMP Match

NRMP registration opens on September 15, 2026. This is separate from ERAS. Think of the two systems this way:

ERAS: You apply to residency programs.
NRMP: You rank programs and participate in the Match.

Applying through ERAS does not automatically register you for the NRMP Match.

September 23: Programs Begin Reviewing Applications

Residency programs may begin reviewing MyERAS applications and Medical Student Performance Evaluations (MSPEs) on September 23, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET.

For most applicants, this is one of the most important dates of the season.

Your application should ideally be ready before programs begin reviewing.

Medical students should also confirm that required documents from their medical schools, such as transcripts and MSPEs, are being processed appropriately.

Fall and Winter: Residency Interviews

Residency interviews generally take place after applications are released to programs and continue through the following months.

Interview schedules differ substantially by specialty and program.

Before interviews:

Reread your ERAS application.
Know your experiences well.
Research each residency program.
Prepare examples involving teamwork, leadership, challenges, and clinical learning.
Be ready to explain why you chose your specialty.
Prepare thoughtful questions for residents and faculty.

Your interview is not simply an opportunity to impress a program. It is also your opportunity to determine whether you would be comfortable training there for several years.

February 1: Ranking Opens

The NRMP ranking period opens on February 1, 2027.

After completing interviews, applicants create a Rank Order List (ROL) showing the programs they would most like to attend.

Rank programs according to your genuine preferences.

Factors worth considering include:

Quality of clinical training
Program culture
Faculty mentorship
Patient population
Location
Fellowship opportunities
Work environment
Resident support
Salary and benefits

Do not rank a program you would be unwilling to attend.

March 3: Rank Order List Deadline

Your Rank Order List must be certified by 9 p.m. ET on March 3, 2027.

This is also the NRMP applicant registration deadline and the deadline for required graduation and ECFMG verification requirements.

Do not leave your list uncertified until the final minutes.

March 15 to 19: Match Week

The 2027 Main Residency Match Week runs from March 15 through March 19.

On March 15, applicants learn whether they matched.

Applicants who are eligible and remain unmatched or partially matched may participate in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) for available residency positions.

SOAP offer rounds occur on March 18.

March 19: Match Day

Match Day is Friday, March 19, 2027.

At 12 p.m. ET, matched applicants learn which residency program they will join.

For most graduating U.S. medical students participating in the Main Residency Match, this determines where the next stage of postgraduate medical training will begin.

What About International Medical Graduates?

IMGs generally follow the same major 2027 ERAS dates, but they have additional requirements.

For the 2027 season, ECFMG began distributing ERAS tokens to IMG residency applicants on June 24, 2026. (AAMC IMG ERAS Timeline)

IMGs should pay particular attention to:

ECFMG requirements
Supporting documents
Examination requirements
Certification and verification deadlines
Visa policies of individual residency programs

The NRMP requires eligible IMG applicants to meet applicable ECFMG verification requirements by the March 3, 2027 Rank Order List deadline.

Final Thoughts

For the 2027 residency cycle, remember these four major dates:

September 2, 2026: Submit ERAS applications
September 23, 2026: Programs begin reviewing applications
March 3, 2027: Rank Order List deadline
March 19, 2027: Match Day

The best strategy is to prepare your application during the summer rather than treating September as the starting point.

Having your personal statement, letters, experiences, exam plans, and program research organized early gives you more time to focus on interviews and ranking once residency season becomes busy.

FAQs About the 2027 ERAS Timeline

1. When did ERAS open for the 2027 residency cycle?

The 2027 ERAS season opened June 4, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET.

2. When can I submit my 2027 ERAS application?

Applicants may begin submitting MyERAS applications on September 2, 2026. Residency programs begin reviewing them on September 23.

3. When does NRMP registration open?

Registration for applicants in the 2027 Main Residency Match opens September 15, 2026.

4. When is the 2027 residency Rank Order List deadline?

Rank lists must be certified by March 3, 2027 at 9 p.m. ET.

5. When is Match Week 2027?

Match Week runs from March 15 through March 19, 2027, with Match Day on Friday, March 19.

6. Is ERAS the same as the NRMP Match?

No. ERAS is the residency application system operated by the AAMC. The NRMP manages Match registration, ranking, SOAP, and Match results. Applicants commonly need to participate in both systems.