Headshots for ERAS Applications

ERAS headshots have one job: help a strong application stand out for the right reasons. Applying through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) means competing against thousands of other qualified candidates for a limited number of spots, A professional photo is a small piece of the application, but an easy one to get right: a clear, current, well-lit headshot signals the same attention to detail as the rest of the materials, without the effort of a full production.

ERAS Headshots Built for Students and Graduates Specifically

This session is built for medical students and graduates specifically: simple and approachable rather than overly styled, since the goal is a competent, trustworthy photo rather than a dramatic portrait. Sessions run quickly and are priced with students in mind.

How to Prepare

Business formal is the standard: a navy or charcoal suit jacket with a solid tie for men, a professional suit or equivalent for women, nothing low-cut. A white coat is acceptable but not required; plenty of applicants submit without one, so don’t feel like you need to borrow one just for the photo. Stand or sit with good posture and keep your head centered in the frame, with a little space above your head and just below your shoulders. Program directors move through applications quickly, and a genuine, direct expression, a real smile rather than a stiff one, tends to read better in a thumbnail than a flat, serious look.

Common Questions

What are the actual ERAS photo requirements? AAMC specifies a 2.5 by 3.5 inch photo at 150 dpi, saved as a JPEG or PNG under 150 KB, showing a frontal view of your head and shoulders against a plain, neutral background (light gray, off-white, or pale blue) with your face centered and looking straight at the camera. A color photo is standard practice. Ben delivers files pre-formatted to these specs, so there’s no separate cropping or resizing step before you upload to MyERAS. Should I wear a white coat for my ERAS photo? It’s optional. Some applicants prefer it since it reads as immediately clinical; plenty of programs are just as used to seeing applicants in professional attire without one. Either works, as long as the rest of the photo meets the AAMC spec. Ready to schedule your ERAS headshots session? Reserve a time. Matched and applying to fellowship next? See headshots for fellowship applications. Already practicing? See headshots for healthcare professionals.