AWS Knots and Thoughts Episode 11- ERAS Unplugged: The Inside Scoop on the Residency Application

Welcome to AWS Knots and Thoughts, a podcast designed to help you succeed in your surgery clerkship. This podcast is produced by the Association of Women Surgeons National Medical Student Committee and hosted by Vikita Patel and McKenzie Mayer. Music by Hart Fogel. In this episode, Vikita and McKenzie take you behind the scenes of the ERAS residency application. We break down timelines, personal statements, VSLO, and what programs are really looking for. Vikita shares her perspective as a current applicant, including how to organize your application, avoid common pitfalls, and stay grounded during interview season. We talk about the mental load, the value of mentorship, and the reality that no two application journeys look the same. Whether you're applying soon or just curious about the process, this episode gives you the inside scoop and practical advice to help you approach ERAS with confidence.