What Happens After Medical School Graduation: A Complete Guide
Discover what to do after medical school graduation, including undertaking residency, the USMLE Step 3, board exams, continuing education and more.
For medical students, graduating from a 4-year MD program marks a significant milestone along the path to becoming a practicing physician. It is a major accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated and also prompts reflection on the remaining journey ahead.
Those considering a career as a medical dcotor may find themselves wondering what happens after medical school. What can and should doctors do after graduating? The road to becoming a physician certainly doesn’t end at graduation, it extends into new areas of learning and practice.
Graduating from medical school is just the beginning. In this blog post, we break down the key stages of training and career development that every future doctor needs to be aware of, starting with earning and then completing a residency.
Residency Application Process and The Match
Ever heard of “the Match”? Once you’ve graduated from medical school, you certainly will have!
The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) is the process that connects medical graduates with U.S. residency programs; it runs each applicant’s preferences through a computer algorithm to pair them with the program that best fits their goals.
To give yourself the best chance, research residency programs carefully and prioritize those that align with your specialty interests, career goals and personal preferences. Then focus on your application. A strong CV, a compelling personal statement and letters of recommendation from mentors who know your work can make all the difference – this is your opportunity to show programs not just what you’ve done, but why you’re the right fit.
In terms of timing, the residency application process starts at the beginning of your final year in medical school. Successful students will submit applications through ERAS, be invited to interviews with residency programs, and then find out during Match Week (in March) what program they will be attending after they graduate.
What is ERAS?
ERAS is an acronym for the Electronic Residency Application Service.
It’s the centralized online platform used by medical graduates to apply for residency programs across the U.S. Instead of applying to each program individually, ERAS lets you submit a single application (your CV, personal statement, letters of recommendation and transcripts) to multiple programs at once.
Managed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), ERAS is an essential component of the Match process. Once submitted, programs review your materials and select candidates for interviews. This brings you one step closer to securing your residency.
Remember, students are not penalized for applying to multiple residency programs, so select as many programs that fit your goals as possible.
What is Match Day?
Match Day is one of the most important times in a medical student’s journey – it’s that big moment when you find out where you’ll complete your residency training!
Held every year on the third Friday of March, thousands of medical students learn what residency program they’ve been matched with. For many, this is the moment their medical career truly begins.
Results are determined by the NRMP algorithm, which cross-references your ranked list of preferred programs with rankings submitted by residency programs themselves, matching the best fit for both sides.
Match Day occurs at the end of Match Week. On March Monday, students find out if they have earned a residency placement. On Match Day (Friday), they find out where exactly they will be undertaking their training.
Residency Structure
The first year of residency is called the “internship” period and new doctors undertaking this training are called “interns.” Following the internship year, interns become “residents” and continue throughout the duration of their specialty training, which can last two to six more years, depending on the chosen field of focus. During residency, you’ll gain:
- Clinical Competence: Residents learn to manage patient care independently under the supervision of attending physicians.
- Specialized Training: Each residency program provides focused training in a specific area of medicine, such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, etc.
- Professional Development: You’ll develop critical thinking skills, professionalism and the ability to effectively communicate with patients, families and colleagues.
- Preparation for Licensure: Residency prepares you to pass the licensing exam(s) necessary to become a fully-licensed physician in your chosen specialty.
While challenging, residency lays the groundwork for a rewarding medical career. It significantly impacts patient care and health outcomes, making it a rewarding (and mandatory) step in your journey to becoming a practicing physician.
What Happens If You Don’t Match into a Residency?
Not matching is disappointing, but it’s not a dead end. Many successful physicians have been in your shoes.
Importantly, there is a program in place to minimize the number of medical students that do not receive a match during Match Week, called the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). SOAP runs from Monday to Thursday of that period and gives unmatched candidates the opportunity to secure spots in open residency programs.
There are also additional residency placement programs and initiatives to help students earn residency positions outside the Match process. At St. Matthews University, our team will work closely with any unmatched students to explore all additional placement options.
For anyone who does not find a residency at all, there is always the possibility of re-applying in the next cycle. Here are some next steps to consider if you are preparing to apply again:
- Strengthen your application: Use your additional time to gain more clinical experience, pursue research and address the weaker areas of your application.
- Consider a transitional or preliminary program: These provide valuable hands-on training that can make you a significantly stronger candidate next time around.
- Explore other avenues: Public health, healthcare administration, medical education and research are all fields where your MD degree carries real weight, and can provide additional options for down the road.
Remember, one Match cycle does not define your career. What you do next does.
USMLE Step 3
Step 3 is the final exam in the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) series. Unlike Steps 1 and 2, which occur during the MD program at St. Matthew’s University, it takes place during (or immediately after) your residency. Pass it, and you’re cleared to practice medicine independently in the U.S.
The exam spans two days, each with a distinct focus:
- Day 1 tests your foundational medical and scientific knowledge through approximately 233 multiple-choice questions across six 60-minute blocks. Expect questions covering medical ethics, patient safety and clinical epidemiology.
- Day 2 shifts to real-world clinical decision-making. You’ll work through approximately 180 multiple-choice questions across six 45-minute blocks, plus 13 computer-based case simulations (CCS). These are realistic patient scenarios, designed to test your judgment and ability to apply clinical knowledge under pressure.
Together, the two days assess most everything you need to master to practice medicine without supervision. It’s the final checkpoint before your independent medical career can begin.
Want to Learn More?
Contact our admissions team to explore the journey after medical school.
What Happens After Residency?
Post-residency, there are still a few stages that physicians face before becoming full practitioners. Let’s highlight them:
Obtaining a Medical License
Passing the USMLE Step 3 is a major milestone, but before you can practice independently, you will need to submit a license application. You may also need to meet additional licensing requirements in the jurisdiction where you plan to practice.
Each location sets its own standards, so be sure to request a full list of requirements and average processing times when you make contact with local licensing boards. Most applications take at least two to three months to complete. If you plan to practice across multiple jurisdictions, bodies like the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) in the United States are worth exploring.
Here are a few tips for your licensing application:
- Be transparent. Always disclose everything. Withholding information causes far greater problems down the line.
- Follow up. Regularly contact medical schools, training programs and licensing boards to keep things moving.
- Use FCVS (in the U.S.). The Federation Credentials Verification Service provides a verified credentials profile accepted by all state medical boards, and is required in many states.
Specialty Board Certification
Board certification is an optional step for many practicing physicians, however it represents a desirable credential that shows future employers and patients that you are an expert in your field. For this reason, many doctors choose to complete board certification exams, in addition to licensing exams.
Practitioners in different medical specialties, in different locales, rely on distinct professional bodies to provide board certification. Be sure to research what board would meet your certification needs, then contact them to learn more about their processes.
Fellowship Training in Medical Subspecialties
Some doctors choose to pursue additional training through fellowship programs. These programs provide advanced education in subspecialties such as cardiology, oncology or pediatric surgery.
Fellowships can last one to three years, and offer an opportunity to develop advanced expertise and conduct research. They are sometimes required in order to enter certain highly specialized medical fields.
Applying for Jobs
Completing your residency is a defining moment. You’ve put in the years and now it’s time to put your skills to work. Whether you’re drawn to hospital medicine, private clinics, academic instruction or another field of practice, the job search is your first step toward building the career you’ve worked so hard for.
Remember to rely on the contacts you’ve developed during medical school, clinical rotations, residency and professional networking. These are often a great source of information about available roles and working conditions, and they may also be willing to provide helpful recommendations to hiring committees.
Lifelong Learning and Continuing Medical Education
Medicine never stands still, and neither should you! Continuing education is a licensing requirement in the U.S. and Canada, but more than that, it’s what separates good doctors from great ones. Staying current with the latest research, technologies and treatments sharpens your clinical thinking, improves patient outcomes and keeps you at the cutting edge of your field.
CME takes many forms. Conferences, workshops and accredited courses all count. In the U.S., the AMA annual conference and Mayo Clinic CME courses are popular choices. In Canada, physicians can fulfill requirements through the CMA General Council or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Whatever path you choose, commit to lifelong learning. Your patients (and your career) will be better for it.
Conclusion
Every phase of your medical education journey, from graduation to residency to licensing, is an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace the journey, stay curious and keep learning – both your future patients and career will benefit from it!
Explore the MD Program at St. Matthew’s University for more information about our medical training opportunities. You can also learn more about our school in this alum testimonial video:
Then contact us with any questions or learn more about applying today!
FAQs About the Post-Medical School Journey
Not all medical students go on to become practicing medical doctors, but an MD degree opens many doors. Some graduates choose to pursue careers in medical research, public health, healthcare administration or medical education. However, the majority do go on to practice as physicians.
Residency begins after completing an MD degree program and graduating from medical school. During your residency, you will work under experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics. The duration of residency varies by specialty, typically lasting three to seven years. Residents gain hands-on experience, manage patient care, expand their clinical skills and develop deep understanding within their chosen specialty. Completing your residency is a critical part of preparing for independent practice.
After graduating from medical school, you are considered a Doctor of Medicine (MD). However, to practice independently, you must complete a residency program. You are a physician in training during residency, but are not yet licensed to practice independently. Completing residency and passing relevant licensing exams allows you to practice without supervision.
Medical students who plan to work in the U.S. typically take at least three major licensing exams:
- USMLE Step 1: Assesses basic medical knowledge after the second year of medical school. For students at St. Matthew’s University, this exam takes place after their fifth semester (Basic Science).
- USMLE Step 2 CK: During the fourth year of medical school, students take the USMLE Step 2 CK exam. At St. Matthew’s University, students complete this exam after their clinical rotations training in North America (Clinical Medicine).
- USMLE Step 3: Usually taken during or after completing residency, this exam assesses the ability to apply medical knowledge in an unsupervised setting.
For Prospective Students
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