CAS - Frequently Asked Questions

CAS Forms and Materials
1. How do I get my CAS materials?
2. Do I need buy any computer software to use any of the CAS materials?
3. Can I save the CAS application form on my computer and edit it later?
4. Can I change the font size and type on the CAS application?
5. Can I copy and paste text onto the CAS application form?
6. What can I do to have special font format?

CAS Distribution
7. Can I mail my Distribution list as opposed to sending it online?
8. What happens after I submit my online Distribution list?
9. I want to pay my distribution list by check. Can I send my check payment with my CAS application and support documents?
10. I made a mistake on my distribution list. Can I correct it?
11. How do I add programs to my existing list?
12. What if I only want to list 15 programs now and may decide to list more later? How can I avoid extra distribution costs?
13. I sent my supplemental distribution list; however, I sent it as Initial Distribution form. What happens now?
14. How long does it take to distribute application to programs?

Change of Address
15. What if my address has changed since I registered for the match, but before I've submitted my CAS application package?
16. What if I have an address change AFTER my application has been distributed?

CAS Application Processing
17.What is a complete application?
18.What is the deadline to send my complete CAS application?
19. Can I expedite the processing of my application?
20. Can I send my documents separately?
21. How do I know you received my CAS application package?
22. How do I know my application has been distributed?
23. How are applications distributed to programs?
24. How will programs contact me for interview?
25. I just noticed I made a mistake/typo on my application. Can I correct it?

Support Documents
26. What is the recommended format for CV?
27. How should my letter writers address their letters of reference?
28. How should confidential letters be submitted?
29. What if I cannot obtain one of the required documents?
30. How can I distribute an additional letter of reference?

Payments
31. How do I pay my fees?

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CAS Forms and Materials

1. How do I get my CAS materials?
Answer: You can access all your CAS materials online:

• CAS application form (PDF)
• CAS Distribution List (PDF)
• CAS Instruction Manual (PDF)

2. Do I need to buy any computer software to use any of the CAS materials?
Answer: No. All you need to have is Adobe Reader® version 7 or higher. Adobe Reader® can be downloaded for free at www.adobe.com.

3. Can I save the CAS application form on my computer and edit it later?
Answer: You will be able to save the form and edit without an internet connection if you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat®. The free Adobe Reader® will allow you to edit the form while online. Most applicants with the free Adobe Reader® prefer to print a blank form and go online to edit all the information at once when they have compiled all the requested data.

4. Can I change the font size and type on the CAS application?
Answer: No, unless you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat® 7 or higher and know how to work with PDF forms. We suggest a font size no smaller than 10 pt.

5. Can I copy and paste text onto the CAS application form?
Answer: Yes. You can edit your personal statement in another editing program such as MS Word, copy text from MS Word and paste onto the CAS form. Please note that the CAS form is defaulted to a set font type and size so any font formatting (font type, size, color, underline, bold, etc) done in another editing program will be ignored.

6. What can I do to have special font format?
Answer: You must have the full version of Adobe Acrobat 7 or higher and know how to work with PDF forms. Alternatively, you can type your information using MS Word, print the text on plain paper, then cut and paste the text onto the blank CAS form. Next, photocopy the page to hide the cut and paste for a cleaner look.

CAS Distribution

7. Can I mail my Distribution list as opposed to sending it online?
Answer: All CAS Distribution lists must be submitted online.

8. What happens after I submit my online Distribution list?
Answer: You will receive a confirmation email within 2 business days with all your selections and links to payment options.

9. I want to pay my distribution list by check. Can I send my check payment with my CAS application and support documents?

Answer: Check payments accompanied with check coupons must be sent to:

10. I made a mistake on my distribution list. Can I correct it?
Answer: If you made a mistake on your distribution list and would like to cancel it, contact our office immediately to determine if cancellation of your list is still possible.

11. How do I add programs to my existing list?
Answer: Download the CAS distribution form and be sure to check “Supplemental” box before submitting your supplemental distribution form.

12. What if I only want to list 15 programs now and decide to list more later? How canI avoid extra distribution costs?
Answer: Choose your programs wisely. After you send your initial distribution list you will have to pay $35 per any additional program regardless of how many programs you have selected for your initial distribution.

13. I sent my supplemental distribution list; however, I sent it as Initial Distribution form. What happens now?
Answer: The system will accept the first Initial Distribution List submitted and reject the others.

14. How long does it take to distribute application to programs?
Answer: 14-21 days from the time receipt of your complete CAS application.

Change of Address

15. What if my address has changed since I registered for the match, but before I've submitted my CAS application package?
Answer: List your new address on your CAS application AND include a separate note to CAS to request change of address. Your address is only updated in our system if you include a separate written request. Please note that programs receive a weekly spreadsheet listing new applicants and contact information pulled from our system. Many programs use the information on the spreadsheet to contact you.

16. What if I have an address change AFTER my application has been distributed?
Answer: You must notify each program individually.

17. What is a complete application?
Answer: Your CAS application is considered complete when your CAS application form, required documents, distribution list and payment have been received.

18. What is the deadline to send my complete CAS application?
Answer: CAS does not have a deadline and will process applications/supplemental documents until one month prior to the Match. However, programs set their own deadlines and you should time yourself to have your complete CAS application in our office 14-21 days prior to whatever deadline you want to meet.

19. Can I expedite the processing of my application?
Answer: All applications are processed in the order in which they are received. Applications that are placed on hold either for being incomplete or per applicant’s request will be distributed within 14-21 days from the day the application is considered complete/ready.

20. Can I send my documents separately?
Answer: Experience has shown that piece mail submission causes delay. Please send your CAS application and support documents in one single package.

21. How do I know you received my CAS application package?
Answer: Email confirmation is sent to you once we have identified your package. We strongly encourage you to select a mail carrier that allows you to track your package online. During pick time it may take us 2 days to login receipt of your package in our system.

22. How do I know my application has been distributed?
Answer: You will get email notification.

23. How are applications distributed to programs?
Answer: Complete CAS applications are distributed to programs online.

24. How will programs contact me for interview?
Answer: Contact method varies according to program. This is a good question to ask when contacting programs.

25. I just noticed I made a mistake/typo on my application. Can I correct it?
Answer: Be sure to double check your information before sending your package for distribution. Once we start processing your application, no changes can be made. You may choose to place your application on hold until the correction is made. Your application will be distributed within 14-21 days from the day the application is made correct and ready for distribution. If the application has already been distributed to programs, you must contact programs individually to alert them of the mistake.

Support Documents

26. What is the recommended format for CV?
Answer: There is not preffered or standard format for CVs.

27. How should my letter writers address their letters of reference?
Answer: There is no standard salutation. Most writers will address the letter to “Dear Program Director”, “Dear Colleague” or “Dear Program”.

28. How should confidential letters be submitted?
Answer: Please ask the letter writer to give you the letter in a sealed and signed envelope. If your letter writer is mailing the letter to you, do not open the envelope. Simply include the letter(s) with the rest of your CAS materials.

29. What if I cannot obtain one of the required documents?
Answer: You may ask us to distribute your file so long as you provide separate explanation letters for EACH missing document. Explanation letters must be addressed to programs. We strongly encourage applicants to give programs an estimated date of when the document will be made available. Please note that some programs may not be able to review your file until all required documents are available. Incomplete CAS applications will be placed on hold and will be distributed within 14-21 days from the day the application is made complete.

30. How can I distribute an additional letter of reference?
Answer: CAS and programs will only accept no more no less than three letters of reference. Additional letters received will not be distributed.

Payments

31. How do I pay my fees?
Answer: We accept payments by Visa/MasterCard, personal check, cashier's check and money order. To make payments by credit card, click on the credit card payment link you received on your confirmation email and make a payment through our secure Viaklix interface. Check payments should be mailed separately to the address below accompanied by a coupon check:

SF Match
c/o Wells Fargo Lockbox Services
SF Matching Program Dept #34059
3440 Walnut Ave., Bldg A, 2nd Floor
Fremont, CA 94538

Please make checks payable to Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship Match.

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