Spine Surgery Fellowship Match - Frequently Asked Questions About CAS

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

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 need to have the full version of the Adobe Acrobat version 7.0 or higher to be able to save the form and edit it later. The free Adobe Reader version 7.0 or higher allows users to edit the form while online. If you have Adobe Reader only, we recommend that you print a blank form to use it as draft and fill out the form online when you have all the information available.

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.

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:

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

Checks should be made payable to Spine Surgery Fellowship Match. We accept personal, cashiers or money order checks. A link to download the check coupon will be provided on your CAS Distribution confirmation email.

All other CAS materials should be sent to:

SF Match
655 Beach Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

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. The box is located on the top-right hand corner of the form.

12. What if I only want to list 15 programs now and decide to list more later? How can I 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.

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.

26. My medical school Dean’s office has copies of my letters of reference. Can I get copies from my Dean’s office to be used on my CAS application?
Answer: Yes. Have your Dean’s office provide you the letters in a sealed envelope along with a note confirming that your Dean’s office is releasing the letters on your behalf. All letters can be placed in the same envelope. Have your Dean’s office sign/stamp across the envelope seal and include the sealed envelope together will all your other CAS materials.

27. Do I need to send official copies of my medical/college transcripts?
Answer: Official copies are preferred but not required. Clear copies are accepted and will be labeled as “COPY”.

28. 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”.

29. 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.

30. What if I no longer have the original copies of my US-MLE Scores with Performance Profiles?
Answer: Send us a copy of your score report or transcript. Include your Performance Profile, if available.

31. If I send original documents, can I get them back?
Answer: Yes, after the Match is concluded. Please note that we will not return your CAS application form and any confidential documents.

32. 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.

33.What if I want to include additional support documents which are not requested by CAS?
Answer: Read the CAS Instruction Manual carefully. Documents not distributed by CAS will be excluded from your application. We do not notify applicants of non-distributed documents. If your extra document is not distributed by CAS (see instruction manual for a list of acceptable extra documents), you must send it directly to your program (s). We strongly advise that applicants first call programs to check if direct distribution of an extra document is acceptable. Due to the large volume of applications, programs may only be able to review what is in the CAS application, unless otherwise noted.

34. What if a program asks me to provide additional documentation?
Answer: Send it directly to the program.

35. What if I have a document that I want to add to my CAS package after it has already been distributed?
Answer: You may request any documents that are acceptable by CAS to be distributed at no additional cost. After the initial distribution, new documents will be distributed as supplemental documents to programs. Mail your new document to CAS making sure you include your name and registration number.

36. How long does it take to distribute a supplemental document?
Answer: 14-21 days from the time of receipt. All mail is processed in the order in which they are received.

37. Some programs asked me for a photo. Does CAS distribute photos?
Answer: We do not; however, applicants are encouraged to bring a photo to each program they are granted an interview.

CAS - Frequently Asked Questions