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Residency Support - Acronyms
Common acronyms you are likely to encounter while applying to residency programs:
- CAF - Common Application Form, the ERAS version of a resume
- CARMS - Canadian Resident Matching Service, the Canadian version of ERAS
- COMLEX - Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, a series of three osteopathic licensing examinations - it's the osteopathic version of the USMLE
- DSF - Document Submission Form, used by international applicants
- ECFMG - Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, which certifies international applicants who want to train in the United States
- EFDO - ERAS Fellowships Documents Office, which transmits applicant information exclusively for fellowship programs
- ERAS - Electronic Residency Application Service, which transmits applicant information to residency programs
- FREIDA - Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database, a free online resource containing information on over 8,000 accredited graduate medical education programs
- FSMB - Federation of State Medical Boards, which oversees registration and scheduling for USMLE Step 3
- LOR - Letter of Recommendation, which should be accompanied by an ERAS LOR cover sheet (as well as a DSF for international applicants)
- MSPE - Medical Student Performance Evaluation, more commonly known as the "dean's letter"
- NBOME - National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, which licenses osteopaths
- NRMP - National Resident Match Program, which allows both applicants and residency programs to rank order their choices
- PTAL - Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter, formerly known as the "California Letter," required for international applicants desiring residency positions in California
- SOAP - Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program, the formal name for the time period just before Match Day that used to be called the "Scramble"
- USCE - United States clinical experience, a term used to describe doing a rotation, externship, or observership in the United States (some program directors will only interview applicants who have studied here for at least one month!)
- USMLE - United States Medical Licensing Examination, commonly known as "the boards." Step 2 of the USMLE has two components:
- CK - Clinical Knowledge, the traditional component of the exam, like Step 1
- CS - Clinical Skills, only offered in select locations across the United States
