When Do ERAS Interviews Start? 2025–2026 Guide

Table of contents

Key Dates (Fast Facts)

How Invites Work

Most programs begin sending interview invitations after Sept 24, 2025—once faculty have started file review. Expect multiple “waves” of invites, often tied to internal review meetings (weekly or biweekly). Some specialties coordinate shared release dates to reduce spam, while others let each program decide.

• Common drop times: weekday late afternoons (ET) and just after review meetings.
• Hold lists & trickle invites: many programs send a first round, then additional invites as people decline or dates open.
• Scheduling portals: Thalamus and ERAS®/ResidencyCAS are widely used; log in fast when scheduling opens. ([Students & Residents][2])

Create email filters (subject contains “interview” OR “invite”) and set a notification on your phone for ERAS® and scheduling portals. (AAMC/ERAS® confirms review opens Sept 24; many invites follow shortly after.) ([Students & Residents][1])

Specialty-Specific Patterns (2025–2026)

Below are specialty-specific signals published for the 2025–2026 cycle. Always confirm with your target programs and specialty organizations.

Emergency Medicine (EM)

• Unified Interview Release Date: Tue, Oct 21, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET (scheduling typically opens the next day). Some EM programs explicitly endorse this unified date. ([USD Graduate Medical Education][4])
• Reality check: Participation is voluntary, but dozens of programs follow the unified release. ([EMRA][5])

Orthopaedic Surgery

• Universal Interview Offer Day (UIOD): Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET; 48-hour acceptance window commonly used through Thu, Nov 20. ([American Orthopaedic Association][6])

Dermatology

• APD coordinated rounds: Mon, Nov 3, Mon, Nov 17, Mon, Dec 1, 2025 (with scheduling typically opening that Wednesday). Programs aim to notify applicants of final status by Jan 1, 2026. ([Dermatology Professors][7])

Otolaryngology (ENT)

• ENT historically coordinates early-November offer dates with scheduling a few days later ([opdo-hns.org][8]).

General Medicine/Primary Care (IM, FM, Peds) & Psychiatry

• Generally no single release day; invites roll out from early October through November, with interviews held late Oct–Jan; expect the busiest weeks in December and January. ([Students & Residents][2])

Bottom line: If your specialty has a coordinated release date, be ready at the exact time; if not, plan for October–January.

What to Do the Week Invites Start Hitting - TOP 5 TIPS

1. Build smart inbox filters (Gmail/Outlook): subject:(interview OR invite) OR ("Thalamus" OR "ERAS®" OR "ResidencyCAS") → star + push notify.
2. Pre-block “soft holds” on your calendar (2–3 half-days per week in Nov/Dec).
3. Create a 1-page program sheet (mission, tracks, case mix, faculty) to speed prep. AMA + ACS have strong prep checklists. ([American Medical Association][9])
4. Tech check for virtual interviews: quiet space; eye-level camera; neutral background. AAMC has a dedicated virtual interview guide. ([Students & Residents][10])
5. Practice out loud—don’t “save it for the real thing.”

Are Interviews Virtual or In-Person This Year?

• Most specialties remain virtual or hybrid, and the AAMC continues to publish guidance encouraging virtual formats for equity, cost, and environmental reasons—final format is program-specific. Check the invite details. ([Students & Residents][2])
• Virtual excellence essentials: stable connection, good audio, and practiced delivery. The AAMC’s applicant guide covers gear and environment tips. ([Students & Residents][10])
• For surgical programs, the ACS provides practical interview insights and question frameworks to help you assess fit when visits are limited. ([ACS][11])

Specialty Snapshot Table

Interview Prep That Makes the Difference

What programs notice most is poise + specificity. Use these resources to tighten both:

• AAMC: Applicant interview hub + virtual interview guide. ([Students & Residents][12])
• AMA: Interview strategy, questions to ask, and post-interview actions. ([American Medical Association][13])
• ACS: What to ask, how to evaluate programs in surgery-heavy fields, and general prep. ([ACS][11])

Practice With ResidencyAI

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FAQs (2025–2026)

When do ERAS® interview invitations typically start? Most specialties start sending invites in October, shortly after programs begin reviewing on Sept 24, 2025. Expect additional “waves” through November and December. (Students & Residents)

What days/times do invites usually drop? Commonly weekday afternoons/evenings (ET), often after review meetings. If your specialty has a coordinated date/time (EM, Ortho, Derm), be ready at the exact minute. (USD Graduate Medical Education)

How long does the interview season run? October–January, with December–January the busiest; some programs interview into early February. (Students & Residents)

Do different specialties start on different dates? Yes—EM, Ortho, and Derm publish coordination; others are rolling. ENT historically uses early-November releases; monitor OPDO/AAO-HNS channels for the official post. (USD Graduate Medical Education)

How fast should I respond to an invite? Immediately. Ortho’s UIOD, for example, uses a limited acceptance window; many programs over-invite and dates fill quickly. (American Orthopaedic Association)

Are interviews virtual or in-person this year? Program-specific, but AAMC continues to recommend virtual formats; read your invite for format and tech requirements. (Students & Residents)

What happens after interviews? You’ll certify your Rank Order List in mid-February 2026, then find out outcomes during Match Week (Mar 16–20, 2026). (NRMP)

Read Also

1. The Ultimate Guide to Residency Interview Preparation for the 2026 Match
2. Top 10 Residency Interview Questions and How to Ace Them
3. How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself"
4. How to Excel in Behavioral Experience Questions