ERAS Insights

Specialty Engagement, Match Week, and 2027 ERAS® Season Planning

Feb. 27, 2026

Update from Leadership

Dear Colleagues,

February brings important milestones across the AAMC Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®) community, and we are grateful for your continued engagement as the season progresses.

We are pleased to share the successful completion of the 2026 Urology Match and Secondary Urology Match. This marks our second year working with the Society of Academic Urologists and the American Urological Association to support the Secondary Match and rolling offer process. Close coordination between the AAMC and specialty leadership helps ensure a well-aligned process. We appreciate the opportunity to support the urology community and look forward to continued success in future cycles.

Our work with specialties continues as we prepare for the 2027 ERAS season. We are advancing initiatives such as specialty-specific standard letters of evaluation and the ongoing assessment of specialty pilot projects. You can find a summary of these efforts and other key updates on the What You Need to Know About the 2027 ERAS Season webpage. We encourage you to explore the page and stay tuned for further updates as the new season approaches. We also invite you to join the 2027 ERAS Letter of Recommendation Updates: Introduction to the AAMC Letter Writer Portal webinar on March 24 at 1 p.m. ET. This webinar will provide key updates to the 2027 ERAS Letter of Recommendation process, including the transition to the new AAMC Letter Writer Portal.

As we turn to the weeks ahead, we know many of you are preparing for the 2026 Main Residency Match® Week, which will take place March 16-20. We encourage you to review the updated ERAS Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®) resources linked below to help ensure your teams are prepared. We are excited to support programs, medical schools, and applicants during this pivotal moment in the transition to residency.

Thank you for all you do to support your programs and institutions.

Patrick Fritz
AAMC Senior Director for Residency and Fellowship Services

Program Signal Participation for Specialties in the 2027 ERAS July Fellowship and September Residency Cycles

Leaders of specialty organizations that intend to provide program signals to applicants during the 2027 ERAS July fellowship cycle and September residency cycle may sign and submit the participation agreement and return it to the ERAS program by March 27 at 5 p.m. ET. Each specialty should submit only one form signed by an approved association executive committee member (e.g., president, CEO, appointed chairman, etc.).

New On-Demand Webinar: Program Signaling and Interview Invitation Findings

The AAMC recently hosted a webinar exploring the impact of program signaling on the 2026 season. If you were unable to join us live, you can now watch the recording to explore the latest application trends, signal-to-interview invitation data, and key considerations for the upcoming cycle. Watch the recording.

Get Ready for SOAP Week

SOAP week begins Monday, March 16. Now is the time to review the latest AAMC resources to ensure your team is prepared. Updated 2026 guidance and key details are available below:

Join the ERAS Residency and Fellowship Recruitment Community

The Residency and Fellowship Recruitment Community has replaced the Program Director’s WorkStation (PDWS) Community Site and relocated to the AAMC Virtual Communities Network. This new community offers an easy-to-use discussion forum where ERAS users can connect, engage, and share best practices. Through this community, you have access to webinar recordings, tutorials, job aids, and user guides.

Log in or create your new account on the AAMC Virtual Communities Network to access the community. After your account is approved, look for the Residency and Fellowship Recruitment Community in the list of "My Communities" at the top of the page to join. We look forward to connecting with you there!

What We’re Hearing About the ERAS Program

“I have used ERAS for many years and am really happy with its user interface, responsiveness to questions and concerns, and willingness to make changes that benefit users!”

Michelle Grosch, General Medical Education Administrator, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health

Thala-Us Synapse National Tour

Thalamus is launching a 12-city tour to connect with the academic medicine community.

More than a conference, Thala-Us Synapse is a traveling, two-day immersive graduate medical education community experience. Explore the future of medical education, experience Thalamus innovation, and connect with peers to spark collaboration and new ideas. Join their team at a Synapse stop in a city near you.

VSLO^® Student Training Available and Modernized System Launch Plans

The AAMC recently held the second part of its two-part student training for the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities™ (VSLO^®) program. The recordings of both trainings are now available on the VSLO Resources and Training page. Whether you or your students are looking for a general overview of the VSLO application service or want to see the complete process from starting an application to submission, these two sessions answer the most frequently asked questions from students.

We also want to let you know that the planned launch of the modernized VSLO system will take place this fall. The decision was informed by 2024-2025 data on VSLO application service usage as well as an analysis of historical VSLO activity. Exact dates will be shared closer to the fall 2026 launch. For now, please bookmark the VSLO Program Updates page and stay tuned for additional updates.

As we proceed through the away rotation season, you and your teams can connect with the AAMC during VSLO Office Hours, a one-hour session dedicated to answering any questions you may have. View Office Hour dates and register to join us.