Applying to residency: Steps for students and future residents
Get step-by-step guidance to apply, interview, Match and prepare for your first year of residency.
Navigating the Match process can feel overwhelming, but with the right information and support, you can move forward with confidence. This guide walks you through each part of the process, from preparing your application to choosing a program and understanding what to expect after you match.
Understanding the residency application process
Applying to residency programs is a major milestone. Your application has four core components that help programs understand who you are and how you might fit within their residency.
Residency application components
Know your key deadlines and requirements
The Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®), developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), is the centralized online system for submitting residency and fellowship applications. While most programs use ERAS®, always verify specific requirements and deadlines with each program.
Access to ERAS begins when you receive your token from the dean’s office of your medical school. You can begin uploading letters of recommendation during third-year clerkships.
Residency application timeline and key milestones
| Medical school month | Key actions and deadlines | Tips/resources |
|---|---|---|
| Spring–Summer | Begin building your CV and draft your personal statement. Request early letters of recommendation during rotations. | Use Strolling Through the Match for CV and letter-writing tips. |
See “A note for international medical graduates” below for information on the steps and resources for international students.
| Medical school month | Key actions and deadlines | Tips/resources |
|---|---|---|
|
June–August Typically in June |
Receive your ERAS token from your dean’s office. Register with ERAS and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Upload application materials. | Confirm deadlines directly with each program. |
| September | Submit your ERAS application when the system opens. | Double-check all sections and finalize personal statement versions. |
| October 1 | Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) (Dean’s Letter) released to programs through ERAS. | Review your MSPE in advance with your dean’s office. |
| October–January | Interview season. Attend interviews and rank programs. | Review the AAFP’s Residency Interview Guide. |
| February | Submit your rank order list through NRMP. | Discuss ranking strategy with your faculty advisor or mentor. |
| March | Match Week. Receive your results. if needed, participate in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). | Stay connected with peers and the AAFP for support. |
| June–July | Residency begins. Complete onboarding and orientation, as outlined in the Next steps after the Match section of this article. | Prepare for the transition from student to physician. |
See “A note for international medical graduates” below for information on the steps and resources for international students.
Tracking your deadlines and to-dos
Start preparing letters of recommendation and your CV during your third year.
Watch for your ERAS® token from your medical school.
Confirm deadlines directly with each residency program.
International medical graduates (IMGs) should review U.S. residency eligibility criteria.
Strengthen every part of your application
Build a standout package
Start building your CV in the first years of medical school. Unlike a résumé, your CV should include a comprehensive, reverse-chronological record of your academic background, clinical training, accomplishments and interests.
Keep it well-organized and updated every six months.
Use it to guide your ERAS® application and share with your letter writers.
Refer to AAFP’s CV tips for writing and formatting ideas.
Preparing for residency interviews
How to prepare for common interview questions
Residency interviews help you evaluate programs and help programs assess you.
Expect questions about:
Why you chose family medicine
Your clinical experience
Teamwork, challenges and growth
Stress management and conflict resolution
What you’re looking for in a program
Be sure to also prepare thoughtful questions to ask programs about curriculum, wellness, diversity and other priorities.
Learn more about residency interview questions.
How to stand out in interviews
Make a lasting impression by preparing with purpose. These tips can help you approach interviews confidently.
Interview tips
Research each program in advance
Reflect on what makes you a good fit
Ask insightful questions
Practice, but answer authentically
Our residency interview guide provides step-by-step advice, including what to expect before, during and after the interview.
Choosing the right residency program
Factors to consider
With hundreds of programs to choose from, it’s important to identify your priorities early. Talk to current residents, use search tools and reflect on your experiences to build a rank order list (ROL) that aligns with your values.
Some program details to consider are:
Geographic location
Program culture and values
Faculty mentorship
Opportunities for research or procedures
Patient population and care settings
Use this residency selection guidance to help build your list.
Tips for a competitive application
Programs may perform a holistic review, considering your background and interests in addition to grades and test scores. Show genuine interest and demonstrate alignment with the program’s mission and strengths.
To stand out among other applicants, focus on:
Writing a compelling personal statement tailored to family medicine
Requesting meaningful letters of recommendation
Sharing your story through a well-crafted CV
Preparing thoroughly for interviews and following up professionally
Refer to AAFP’s Strolling Through the Match digital guidebook for more tips on how to craft a strong application.
How to use signaling, past experience and location preference
ERAS includes three features that help you express interest in specific programs. Use these tools strategically to help programs understand your interest and potential fit.
Program signaling: You may select up to five family medicine programs to signal strong interest.
Geographic and training environment preferences: Select preferred U.S. Census regions and practice settings.
Past experience: Highlight up to 10 meaningful experiences across categories such as research, service or leadership.
Learn more about how to signal your preferences.
Next steps after the Match
What to expect in your first year
The first year, known as your intern year, includes rotations through key medical areas and your own patient panel in a continuity clinic. You’ll also prepare for your final licensing exam (U.S. Medical Licensing Examination [USMLE] Step 3 or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination [COMLEX] Level 3).
As residency progresses, expect more independence and leadership opportunities. The adjustment can be challenging, but it’s also a period of tremendous growth.
Transitioning from med student to resident
What to anticipate:
Longer hours and faster pace
Identity shift from student to physician
Hands-on learning and increased responsibility
Support from peers, mentors and faculty
Learn more about family medicine training requirements.
Videos to help you prepare
“Applying to Family Medicine Residency”
Advice from a program director, faculty advisor and recently matched resident.
“We Matched! You Can, Too!” (2025)
Tips and insights from former medical students who matched into family medicine residencies in 2025.
A note for international medical graduates (IMGs)
Support for IMGs is available from the AAFP, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the American Medical Association (AMA).
To apply to U.S. residencies, IMGs must:
Become certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
• Verify credentials
• Pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical KnowledgeApply through ERAS and register with the NRMP
• Review eligibility and visa requirements
• Confirm program-specific requirementsSecure a visa
• Most common options: H-1B or J-1 visas