The Scramble

The Scramble starts on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Time in the United States, when the list of programs with unfilled positions is posted on the NRMP website, and ends on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Time in the United States

If you wish to participate in the Scramble only, you must

1) obtain an ERAS Token;
2) register at MyERAS;
3) register with NRMP; and
4) apply to at least one program at least two weeks prior to the Scramble

The Token is a 14-digit, alpha-numeric code that you request via ECFMG’s OASIS

There is a $90, non-refundable fee for this service

Detailed instructions for using the Token to login to the MyERAS website are included on the OASIS Token page

You can obtain a Token for ERAS 2010 beginning on June 23, 2009

A Day Before The Scramble

Log on to ERAS and select ALL the programs from the specialties you wish to apply for

Assign Personal Statement, LORs, and all other documents the same way you did when applying for the Match

As a result, you should have all the programs in the "Selected" list with all the documents already assigned

Here is the reason:

On the Scramble day, you will be able to apply to the 30 programs that ERAS allows much-much faster

You will only have to find them in your Selected list, check the boxes, and click Apply

This will take you about 2 minutes

If you had to select them and assign the documents on the Scramble day, you would have spent at least one hour


On Scramble Day

11:50PM EST - Log on to ERAS and navigate to the Programs tab and then to the "Apply to Programs" tab, where you already selected all the possible programs a day earlier

12:00PM EST - Log on to NRMP and get the Unfilled Positions report for your specialty

If you are looking for more than one specialty, you will have to run the report multiple times

12:05PM EST - Having both windows open, ERAS and NRMP, start picking programs from NRMP's list and selecting them in the ERAS window

The best selection would be in or around your city

As soon as you have 25-28 selected, click at Apply to Programs button

During the Scramble, you may apply to a maximum of 30 new programs and up to 15 programs to which you applied during the regular ERAS season

There is no charge for applying to programs during the Scramble

Now, you can start e-mailing, calling, and faxing the programs

If you can get help from friends and relatives - please do so

Priorities should be set as following: E-mailing, Calling, Faxing

You and your helpers should do some dry runs of e-mailing a couple of days before the Scramble

This will help you improve your throughput significantly

Here is the sequence: New E-mail, To: copy and paste from the list, Subject: copy and paste from a template you prepared earlier, Body: copy and paste from the template, Add attachments: select a PDF or MS Word file you prepared earlier with your complete application

If at any time through this process you get a phone call, drop everything and fully concentrate on the interview

Calling The Programs

Should you be calling the programs?

This is the question everybody asks

You shouldn't dismiss this opportunity altogether but it is very important to set your priorities

When you are calling the programs, you can get three possible answers:

"Please submit your application."
If you say that your application has been submitted, the answer will be either "We will call you after we look at the application if you qualify." or
The best one - "Let's talk."

Unfortunately, in 99% of cases you will be getting answers 1 or 2

Please keep in mind that each call will take 5-10 minutes of your time

Compare this with 1 minute per program with ERAS

The bottom line is that it may help to call the programs, but only after you are done submitting your ERAS applications
Call those programs you’ve applied to

The purpose of these calls is to schedule interviews, or maybe even get offered a position over the phone

Prepare a script that you’ll leave by the telephone

Your introduction should be brief and should highlight your strengths and qualifications
Do not mention any failures unless asked

A sample script may read:

“Hello, my name is ___

I'm calling about the Scramble

I’m a foreign medical graduate

I have already passed all of my exams (except ___)

I have completed (time) of (clinical training)

Fax and/or email your application

Here are the potential responses you’ll receive, along with the appropriate responses and follow-up:

“Thanks, we’ll have somebody call you back.”
Give the secretary your full name and number, and move on. Don’t fixate on the position –even if it’s one that you really want –there are no guarantees on Scramble Day, and you can’t afford to waste time waiting for a phone call that may never come. Hang up, and keep on going!


“Thanks for calling; would you be interested in coming down later on this week for an interview?”
Accept the offer, write down the details of the interview, and keep on Scrambling. An interview is an offer, not a contract, and programs typically arrange interviews with several applicants. If you get offered another contract, grab it! (Of course, you should contact the program that offered you the interview to remove yourself from their list.)

“Thanks for calling; please hold for an interview.”
Scramble Day phone interviews are typically short and focused. They’ll ask you about your clinical and communication skills, and your experience. Have an index card near the phone with a brief summary of your qualifications, to ensure that you don’t freeze up on the phone.
These brief interviews are the ones in which applicants get offered contracts while still on the phone. If you are lucky enough to be offered a position, take it. On Scramble Day, you don’t have the luxury of evaluating several offers before setting on your favorite. Thank the program director, accept his offer, ask him for the details of how and when you’ll receive the contract, and hang up the phone, relieved and happy that you’ve had a successful Scramble Day. Congratulations!
“Thanks for calling, but we’re not interested in your application. Good luck!”
There’s nothing to do after facing a rejection but to pick yourself up and keep on going. People may seem terse or abrupt; maintain your composure and stay focused. Unfortunately, many applicants feel that many aspects of the Scramble can be unpleasant; it’s important that you be able to accept rejection and keep moving. Hopefully the next program will be the right one!

Here’s to hoping that all of our readers find residency placements quickly and easily! Good luck!