For this episode of Med Student Over Easy, Molly and Kaitlin are joined by 3 guests from the Application Process Improvement Committee (APIC), Liz Werley, Lisa Smith, and Tim Fallon to discuss the new EM residency application system called Residency CAS.
What is APIC?
APIC is the Application Process Improvement Committee. This is a CORD committee that looks at all aspects of the EM Residency application process and give recommendations to programs on best practices for the application cycle. They were the committee that introduces things like program signaling to the EM application a few years ago.
What is Residency CAS?
A new application platform similar to, but also in a lot of ways different from MyERAS application platform that we used this past application cycle. OBGYN residencies adopted this new platform last year and both programs and applicants seemed to appreciate the functionality of this new platform. Residency CAS’s parent company is used for central application processing of almost all other medical specialties so although this platform would be new to EM residency, it is widely used in other areas of medicine. It has also never crashed!
Why is EM switching from MyERAS to Residency CAS?
APIC realized that the current system was failing to meet the needs of programs and students. Improving student experience was a big driver of this decision including addressing financial challenges and an effort to simplify the process by using one platform for the entire process. From the program side, Residency CAS allows for more holistic review. Residency CAS also allows the specialty as a whole to anaylze the data from application season to application season to find areas for improvement without having to wait for ERAS to release the data, which at times has taken months. This data can also be helpful for advisors has they help students answer the questions, “Am I a competitive applicant for this program or specialty?”
What do students need to know about Residency CAS?
- It will be a cheaper process than the ERAS application
- Residency CAS will allow you to highlight aspects of yourself on your application in ways that you may not have been able to in the old application platform.
- Residency CAS has great functionality on both desktop and mobile devices.
- Through Residency CAS you can give your dean’s office access to follow along with you during interview season so they can more easily help to advise you throughout the process.
Is the content of the application changing?
Almost everything about the content going into the application is staying the same.
- Program signaling is the same. 5 signals, not including your home institution.
- New optional experience essay that most people will not fill out, but is there for students who have experienced particular hardships prior to residency can elaborate on those as needed.
- There will be a new 4000 character limit to the personal statement.
- Letters of recommendations will stay the same. Up to 4 letters can be sent. At least 2 SLOEs are expected.
How will this affect special populations (military match, couples match, etc.)?
- Military match will still happen through the MOD system, but civilian deferment applications will happen through Residency CAS
- For couples, not much is changing since the couples match designation is done through the NRMP so that process will stay the same.
- For students that are dual applying to two different specialties, depending on the two specialties you are applying to, you may have to complete two applications since the EM application will be done in Residency CAS and the other specialty may use ERAS or another platform.
What’s the timeline?
Similar to past years. Applications will open to students on June 4, 2025. Applications will be due September 25, 2025. Programs will then be able to go in and look at your application on October 1, 2025.
For more information, be on the look out for the new combined EMRA CORD Application Guidleline, which should be coming out in the next few weeks.
Post by Patricia Capone, DO PGY3
About Our Guest:
Liz Werley, MD
Former Program Director and Core Faculty, Penn State Health – Hershey Medical Center
President Elect, Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians (PACEP)
Liza Smith, MD
APIC Immediate Past Chair
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate
Emergency Medicine Clerkship Director/Associate Program Director, Baystate Medical Center
Tim Fallon, MD
APIC Chair
Associate Residency Program Director, Maine Medical Center
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