This article was updated on June 19, 2026, by Rebecca Lapides to reflect the most current information and recommendations.   The final year of medical school marks the start of your residency application journey. To succeed, you need a clear understanding of the application process and its key milestones. For...

When entering medical school, the thought of impending USMLE exams looms over the preclinical and clinical years. Once Step 1 and Step 2 are traversed, residency is on the horizon and the idea of further examination preparation can be unsavory. However, Step 3 is not an exam to be taken...

Each year, thousands of medical students anxiously await their MATCH results in the third week of March, a culmination of nearly a decade or more in education and training. While the process may seem daunting, remember you have applied to college and medical school in the past, and this process...

On January 6th, 2022, the USMLE Step 1 Exam became a pass or fail exam. This forever changed the landscape of the USMLE exams going forward. At present, the only graded USMLE examination prior to applying to residency is the USMLE Step 2CK examination. This exam is a unique opportunity...