Match Day marks the formal end of the medical school application cycle and the beginning of a demanding four-month transition period leading up to residency training. This time, between March and July, is a critical window for managing complex administrative tasks, executing a major personal relocation, and preparing for a new professional identity. Successfully navigating this period requires intense focus on deadlines and logistics to ensure a seamless start to the first year of physician training. The official commitment made on Match Day sets in motion a cascade of time-sensitive requirements that demand immediate attention.
Securing Your Spot: Contracts and Licensing
The first administrative task following the match is the formalization of the position through a residency contract. While the match is a binding commitment, the program is obligated to provide the official contract, which typically arrives within ten days of the match result. This contract is generally non-negotiable regarding terms like salary or duration, but the applicant must review it for accuracy before signing and returning it promptly.
Simultaneously, residents must begin the process of obtaining a medical license in the new state, which is often the most time-consuming requirement. Many states issue an initial postgraduate training license, allowing the resident to practice under supervision within the program. This process can easily take two months or more to complete, and the high volume of applications in the spring often causes significant delays.
Delaying the license application can jeopardize the July 1st start date, as programs cannot allow unlicensed physicians to begin patient care. Following licensing, residents must complete extensive hospital credentialing paperwork to verify their qualifications and education. This involves submitting documents like medical school transcripts, USMLE scores, immunization records, background checks, and drug screenings.
The credentialing process is separate from licensing and grants the resident specific clinical privileges within the hospital system. This verification is rigorous because the hospital is legally bound to ensure all practitioners are competent. Programs often use an online portal to manage this complex documentation, which must be completed accurately and by strict deadlines.
Navigating the Relocation Logistics
Once the administrative paperwork is underway, the focus shifts to the physical logistics of moving and establishing a new life. Finding housing is a priority, and residents should begin their search immediately, as the rental market around major academic centers can be competitive. It is advisable to obtain a letter from the program verifying employment and salary, which is frequently required for a lease or mortgage application.
Locating housing that minimizes the commute to the main training hospital is highly recommended, with many residents aiming for travel times under 30 minutes. A short commute is a significant quality-of-life improvement after long shifts, and some programs may require residents to live within a certain radius for on-call duties. The goal is to secure a lease that aligns closely with the residency start date, usually July 1st.
Moving expenses and security deposits require careful budgeting, as the first residency paycheck will not arrive until several weeks after the start date. Relocation also involves setting up utilities, transferring banking services, and updating vehicle registration and driver’s licenses in the new state. These practical steps are necessary to establish residency and prevent future logistical headaches once the work schedule begins.
Preparing for Residency: The Summer Transition
The period between graduation and the July 1st start date offers a unique opportunity for both financial and mental preparation. Financially, new residents must address their student loans, as the grace period for federal loans will end upon graduation. Most residents enroll in an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan, such as the SAVE plan, which calculates monthly payments based on their new, lower residency salary.
This strategy keeps payments manageable and ensures the resident is on track for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if they work for a qualifying non-profit hospital system. Residents should also review the program’s benefits package, which typically includes health insurance and a retirement savings plan (403b or 401k). Taking advantage of any employer match for retirement contributions is highly recommended.
Mentally, the summer is often viewed as a final, unstructured period of rest before the intensity of intern year begins. Mentors often advise using this time for travel, spending time with family, or simply recharging. The transition from a medical student to a practicing physician is profoundly stressful, involving taking on ultimate responsibility for patient care, which requires significant mental fortitude.
The final onboarding process typically begins in mid-to-late June with a mandatory orientation period lasting one to two weeks. This time is dedicated to institutional training, including learning the hospital’s electronic health record (EHR) system, completing compliance modules, and attending required certification courses. Programs require residents to be physically present and engaged in these activities to ensure they are ready to begin clinical duties by the official July 1st start date.