You Matched! What to Do in the First Week After Match Day
A quick guide to help new residents start the transition smoothly.
Match Day is one of the most exciting milestones in a medical student’s career. After years of hard work, long study nights, and clinical rotations, you finally learn where you will train as a resident physician. While the moment deserves celebration, the week following Match Day is also an important time to begin preparing for the transition into residency. Taking a few simple steps early will help you stay organized, maintain important professional relationships, and ensure that the administrative process for residency begins smoothly.
1) Celebrate the Achievement
First and foremost—celebrate. Matching into residency represents years of dedication and perseverance. Take time to enjoy the moment with the people who helped you reach this milestone.
• Celebrate with family and friends who supported you throughout medical school.
• Share the news with classmates and mentors.
• Take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought you here.
2) Thank the Mentors Who Helped You Succeed
Residency success is rarely achieved alone. Advisors, mentors, faculty, and letter writers all contributed to your journey. The week after Match Day is a perfect time to express your appreciation.
• Send short thank‑you emails or notes to mentors and letter writers.
• Update faculty advisors about where you matched.
• Express gratitude to those who supported your application and career planning.
3) Watch for Emails From Your Residency Program
Residency programs often begin on-boarding immediately after Match Day. Program coordinators and Graduate Medical Education (GME) offices will send important instructions for paperwork, orientation, and next steps.
• Check your email regularly during the week following Match Day.
• Look for messages from program coordinators or the GME office.
• Respond promptly to requests for forms or documentation.
• Pay attention to deadlines for on-boarding tasks.
4) Begin Licensing and Credentialing Paperwork
The process of obtaining your training license and completing hospital credentialing can take time. Starting early helps prevent delays before your residency start date. Every year, incoming residents come down to the last days, wondering if their paperwork and licenses will be complete. Do not wait.
Common early steps may include:
• Submitting official medical school transcripts
• Beginning state licensing applications
• Scheduling fingerprinting or background checks
• Uploading immunization records or health documentation
• Completing hospital credentialing forms
5) Stay Organized
Residency on-boarding can involve many emails, forms, and deadlines. Creating a simple system early can make the process much easier.
• Create a dedicated email folder for residency communications.
• Keep a checklist of required documents and tasks.
• Save digital copies of transcripts, identification, and records.
6) Connect With Your Future Co‑Residents
Many programs begin introducing incoming residents shortly after Match Day. Connecting early can help build camaraderie before residency begins.
• Join group chats or communication platforms if provided.
• Introduce yourself to classmates who matched into the same program.
• Connect professionally on networking platforms if appropriate.
7) Take a Breath Before the Next Chapter
The months between Match Day and the start of residency can move quickly. Use this time to rest, spend time with loved ones, and prepare for relocation if necessary. Residency will bring new challenges, but Match Day marks the beginning of the career you have worked so hard to achieve.
First‑Week After Match Day Checklist
✔ Send thank‑you notes to mentors and letter writers
✔ Monitor email for program communication
✔ Begin licensing and credentialing paperwork
✔ Submit transcripts and documentation if requested
✔ Schedule fingerprinting or background checks if required
✔ Organize on-boarding emails and documents
✔ Connect with future co‑residents
