Residency Advisor
How Soon After Matching Should I Reach Out to My New Co-Interns?
It’s Match Day afternoon. Your email has that long-awaited subject line from GME. You’ve got your official welcome packet, a resident group chat invite might be trickling in, and you’re staring at your phone wondering:
“Is it weird if I message my future co-interns now? Am I supposed to wait? Is there some unspoken rule?”
Here’s the answer you’re looking for:
You should reach out early. Within days of Match Day is normal. Within 1–2 weeks is still totally fine.
Let’s break down how to do it, when it’s too early/too late, and what to actually say so you don’t feel awkward.
The Short Answer: Ideal Timeline
If you want the clean, no-nonsense guideline:
- Reaching out Match weekend through the following week = ideal, very normal
- Reaching out within 2–3 weeks after Match = still common, totally fine
- Reaching out later than that = okay, but you’ll probably be plugging into groups that already exist rather than starting them
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Match Weekend | 35 |
| Week 1 | 40 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 20 |
| After Week 3 | 5 |
If your question is “How soon is too soon?” — messaging people on Match Day itself or the next day is not too soon at all. A lot of people do that.
The key is how you reach out, not whether it’s “allowed.”
What Usually Happens at Most Programs
At most mid-to-large programs, one of three things happens:
Program or chief residents start a group first
You’ll get:- An email with a WhatsApp/GroupMe/Signal link
- Or an invite to a Slack/Teams/Discord
That usually happens within a few days to a couple weeks after Match. Sometimes same day if they’re organized and excited.
A current resident finds you on social and adds you
You’ll see:- Random Instagram follow from “PGY2IM_Residency”
- Facebook DM: “Hey, I’m a rising PGY-2 in your program, congrats, here’s our group chat”
Sometimes this is based on the email list the program sends them.
One of the new interns starts the ball rolling
This is especially common in smaller programs or community programs:- Someone searches “Program Name PGY1 2025” on Facebook
- Or they reply-all to the program’s welcome email:
“Hi everyone, I’m X, also starting PGY1 in July — would love to connect! Should we start a group chat?”
None of these options is “more correct” than the others. But here’s the thing: the interns who start or join early groups almost always feel more relaxed going into orientation. You already know some names, you have a vague sense of who’s into nights, who’s bringing a dog, who’s scrambling for housing.
So yes, you’re allowed to be that person who starts the group.
How You Should Time Your First Reach-Out
Let me give you a practical framework so you’re not guessing.
Step 1: See what the program does (first 3–7 days)
For the first few days after Match:
- Check your email (including spam)
- Watch for:
- “Welcome to [Program]” emails
- Any mention of GroupMe/WhatsApp/Slack
- A PDF with contact info (this is your gold mine)
If you get a group invite link within that first week:
You don’t need to overthink timing. Join the group the same day. Introduce yourself within 24 hours of joining.
Something simple:
“Hey everyone, I’m [Name], one of the new [specialty] interns. Went to [med school/region]. Excited to meet you all and move to [city]!”
That’s it. No essay. Just proof of life and a bit of context.
Step 2: If nothing appears, you go first (after ~1 week)
If it’s been about a week after Match and you haven’t seen:
- A group chat
- Any direct outreach from chiefs/residents
- Or any co-intern chatter
Then it’s completely fair game (and actually helpful) for you to start the connection process.
You’ve got three main options:
Reply-all to a program email that includes co-intern addresses
Subject line stays the same. Your message can be:
“Hi everyone,
I’m [Name], one of the incoming [specialty] interns. I wanted to say congrats to all of you — very excited to join [Program].
Would people be interested in a group chat to coordinate housing / moves / random questions? I’m happy to set up a WhatsApp or GroupMe if that’d be helpful.
Looking forward to meeting you all,
[Name]”This is polite, proactive, and completely normal.
Email one of the chiefs or program coordinators
If you’re more cautious:
“Hi [Chief/Coordinator Name],
I’m [Name], an incoming PGY-1. I was wondering if there’s already a group chat or email list where the new interns connect? If not, would it be okay if I started one so we can coordinate housing and logistics?
Thanks so much,
[Name]”This keeps you from accidentally stepping on toes if they already have a plan.
Find co-interns individually (if no list exists yet)
You can:
- Check if your program posted the match list publicly
- Use social media (FB search, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- Connect with one or two people, then expand
Again, easy opener:
“Hey [Name], congrats on matching [Program]! I’m [Your Name], also starting there this July. Wanted to say hi and see if you know if there’s a group chat yet?”
You’re not coming across as desperate. You’re coming across as organized and socially competent. Programs like that.
How Personal Should You Get Early On?
There are three “levels” of communication right after Match:
Group-level
- GroupMe/WhatsApp/Slack/FB group
- General intros, housing questions, “who’s bringing a car?”
- This is where you start. Low pressure, low intimacy.
Small group-level
- A subgroup for people living in a specific area
- Or gen med interns vs prelims vs categorical surgery
- Forms naturally once the big group exists
1:1 DMs
- For roommates, specific housing details, or clear shared interests
- You don’t need to force this early unless you’re specifically trying to find housing together or coordinate something concrete
Rule of thumb: Start in groups, move to 1:1 if there’s a reason.
| Style Type | Good Example | Awkward Example |
|---|---|---|
| Group Intro | “Hi all, I’m [Name], incoming IM intern from [School].” | “Here’s my life story and 10 fun facts.” |
| 1:1 First DM | “Congrats! I’m also PGY1 there, wanted to say hi.” | “We’re going to be best friends, I know it.” |
| Housing Coordination Text | “Anyone looking for a roommate near [area]?” | “I must find a roommate in this group ASAP.” |
Specific Scripts You Can Steal
Here are some ready-made messages so you don’t waste brain cells.
Group chat intro (Day 1 in the chat)
“Hey everyone, I’m [Name], incoming [specialty] PGY-1. Med school at [School], originally from [City/State]. Excited (and a little terrified) to start with you all. I’ll be moving to [City] in [Month], so if anyone’s looking at housing around [neighborhood], let me know!”
“Let’s start a group chat” email (no group exists yet)
“Hi everyone,
I’m [Name], one of the incoming interns. Huge congrats to all of you — really excited to be joining [Program].
Would people be interested in a WhatsApp/GroupMe to coordinate housing, moving, and random questions? If so, reply with your phone number and I can set something up and share the link.
Looking forward to meeting you all soon,
[Name]”
Reaching out 1:1 about housing or roommates
“Hey [Name], congrats on matching [Program]! I’m [Your Name], also starting there in July. I saw you’re thinking about living near [area] — I’m looking at that too. Would you be open to comparing options or possibly splitting a place?”
If you feel late to the party (you find the group weeks later)
“Hey all, I’m [Name] — somehow just found this chat. I’m one of the incoming PGY-1s, med school at [School]. Sorry for the late arrival, but excited to finally connect!”
Nobody cares that you’re a little late. Everyone’s just trying to make it to July with a lease, a badge photo, and functioning scrubs.
Common Fears (And Why They’re Overblown)
Let’s hit the stuff you’re probably quietly worrying about.
“Will I seem too eager or annoying?”
No. You’re about to spend 3+ years together doing overnight calls and code blues. Saying hello in March is not “too eager.”
The only way you become annoying is if:
- You spam the group with constant messages
- You turn every conversation into your personal therapy session
- You dominate planning without listening
Basic social awareness solves this. You’re fine.
“What if nobody answers my first email/message?”
Most likely reasons:
- People are still traveling / celebrating
- Your message got buried
- They read it, appreciated it, and forgot to reply
You can:
- Wait a few days
- Send a follow-up like: “Got a few responses so far, here’s the link to the group chat…” even if that “few” is 2 or 3
Silence doesn’t mean “they hate you.” It means people are disorganized humans.
“What if I reach out and there already is a secret group?”
You won’t look dumb. If anything:
“Oh hey, we actually have a group already — here’s the link, sorry you weren’t added earlier!”
You just solved your own problem by asking.
How Program Size and Culture Change the Dynamics
The “right timing” does depend a bit on the type of program.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Large University Programs | 5 |
| Medium Community Programs | 10 |
| Small Specialty Programs | 14 |
(Values = average days after Match that intern chats first form)
Large academic IM/EM/Gen Surg programs (10–30 interns)
- Usually have something set up quickly by chiefs
- You can expect a link within the first week
- You reaching out Match weekend to say congrats is still welcome
Medium community programs (6–12 interns)
- Sometimes slower to organize
- A proactive intern email around Day 5–10 is often what makes the group exist at all
Small subspecialty programs (2–4 interns)
- Individual emails are common
- A 3-person group chat is normal, not weird
- You can reach out basically any time after Match and it won’t feel excessive
Don’t Overcomplicate This: A Simple Rule
If you want a one-line rule you can stick on your wall, here it is:
“As soon as you know where you matched and have a way to contact your co-interns, it’s okay to reach out — just keep it short, friendly, and low-pressure.”
That’s it. No residency etiquette police. No hidden curriculum. Just normal adults coordinating a major life change.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Match Day |
| Step 2 | Join group |
| Step 3 | Introduce yourself within 24 hours |
| Step 4 | Email chiefs or reply all |
| Step 5 | Create or join group chat |
| Step 6 | Gradual 1 to 1 messages if needed |
| Step 7 | Did program send group info? |
FAQ: Reaching Out to Co-Interns After Match
1. Is it okay to reach out on Match Day itself?
Yes. Plenty of people do. A quick “Congrats everyone, excited to work with you all!” reply-all or GroupMe message is completely normal. Just don’t blow up people’s phones with 20 messages that day. One or two is enough.
2. What if I’m introverted and this all feels like too much?
You don’t need to be the organizer. You don’t even need to be super chatty. But at minimum, join whatever group the program sets up, and send a short intro. Then you can mostly read and chime in when something is directly relevant to you (housing, scheduling, etc.). Being silent for months before orientation makes everything feel more awkward, not less.
3. Is email or group chat better for a first contact?
If you already have everyone’s emails and no chat exists, email is the clean way to start. It’s the easiest way to capture everyone and then move them into a WhatsApp/GroupMe. If a group chat already exists, use that instead and avoid duplicating channels unless there’s a really good reason.
4. Should I add co-interns on Instagram/Facebook right away?
You can, but do it lightly. If you see them in a program email or list and find them on social, it’s fine to request or follow them, especially on Instagram or LinkedIn. But don’t be weird about it: no deep scrolling, no liking photos from 2017, no rapid-fire DMs before you’ve ever said hi in the group.
5. What if I never reach out and just wait until orientation?
You won’t get punished for it, but you’ll probably feel behind socially and logistically. Most intern groups coordinate:
- Housing intel
- Where to live/avoid
- Scrub hacks
- What orientation is really like
If you skip all that, you’ll still survive, but you’ll walk in on Day 1 feeling like everyone else already knows each other. It’s avoidable awkwardness.
Open your email right now and look at your Match notification or welcome packet. If there’s a list of co-intern names or a message from your program, send one short, friendly note or join the group chat today. You’ll feel more like part of a team and less like you’re free-falling into July.
