Match Day Ceremony

[monocryl]

How does your school's match day work? I've always been fascinated by the ways different schools approach this.

At my school, we all get together before noon, then at noon there are stations with different chunks of the alphabet (i.e., A-E, F-J, ...), and the letters are handed out. In theory all students have the opportunity to see their results within minutes of noon. A champagne toast follows.

There are no speeches, maps, or other fanfare. It's less exciting in that regard, but I like being able to see the results ASAP.

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[RockfordWF]

How does your school's match day work? I've always been fascinated by the ways different schools approach this.

At my school, we all get together before noon, then at noon there are stations with different chunks of the alphabet (i.e., A-E, F-J, ...), and the letters are handed out. In theory all students have the opportunity to see their results within minutes of noon. A champagne toast follows.

There are no speeches, maps, or other fanfare. It's less exciting in that regard, but I like being able to see the results ASAP.

My school has no ceremony. I never even heard of one until I looked on SDN...

 

[Pinki]

Ours is a big deal, standing room only in the med school auditorium - complete with a theme, costumes, etc. Families fly in from all around, faculty and residents from the adjacent hospital pop in, most everyone dresses up in some shape or form. As a big of a deal, if not bigger, than graduation.

First we take a class photo, then there's a series of skits at 9:30 or so. Then at 10am the envelopes are brought up on stage in a big basket and our dean of student affairs randomly picks an envelope from the basket, announces the student name. Said student picks up envelope and places a $1 bill in the community jar. Then the student is free to open his/her envelope in the relative unprivacy of their seats. The last student gets to keep the cash - most donate it to the post-party efforts. Once everyone knows their - gulp - fate, they come back up on stage in groups according to specialty to one-by-one announce their locale and put a pin a giant map on stage. Most of the folks with kids lugged their young 'uns up on stage to give the big announcement - it was really cute! I know it sounds like a very public forum, and in reality it is, but I'm telling you, the excitement is electric!

Last year, it was 95% joyous - I saw a few puffied-eyed spouses, but for the most part, everyone was happy. Hope I'm in the same boat come Thursday...

 

[nykka3]

At our match ceremony, they try to keep it exciting by using a money pot. It is to break up the monotony of calling out everyone in alphabetical order. They mix up all of the envelopes and then they are drawn in random order by the staff in our office. When the person is called, they come down to the stage and pick up their envelope from one of the deans – and deposit $1 into the money pot, before returning to their seat. The last person called wins the pot of money since they had to wait so long to get their results! The person who is called next to last also gets a monetary prize.
This year we are doing something new by viewing a class film based on spoofs of Grey's Anatomy (with faculty cameo appearances) and various nostalgic moments over the past 4 years. Before, the ceremony, the class will meet up at a local cafe for free breakfast burritos and mimosas. We also take a class photo. The whole match week is filled with various parties and drinking.

 

[(nicedream)]

I'll be on my Ambulatory Medicine rotation talking to someone with an earache. Yay!

 

[MacGyver]

Match day ceremonies are such bull****, I will be skipping mine.

 

[Linus2007]

Our match includes and hours worth of 5 minute speeches. They have the envelopes sitting on a table in front of us meaning it will be torture listnening to the 20 or so speakers and eyeing your envelope. Apparently last year there quite a lot of unhappy faces. Rumour has it too that this year theren will be a lot of unhappy people in my class, most have families and want to stay here but there are only so few spots. That's terrible though to have this ceremony where everyone has to put on there 'bad Xmas gift but I'll pretend it's Ok' faces. I'm only going cos the school got each of us gifts.

 

[Rogue_Leader]

At my school, our match results are put into our school mailbox, which we're allowed to get to at noon. The mail room is kinda small, so word is that the line goes all the way back to the stairwell with people trying to get to their mailbox. I figure I'll skip it since I'm not to concerned with where I'm going since I ranked my home program 3rd in IM. I'm happy to let the couples matchers know where they're going, or the ENT people find out whether they're going to New York City, or backwater Kansas.

 

[mideis79]

Do this "ceremony" happens before the match or on match day?

If it happens before the match, then this is unfair. How is it American Medical School Administration has the right to access this information before the rest of those who dont have that helping hand? The reason I am a little uptight about it is because I am an American IMG (International Medical Graduate). It is hard enough being an AIMG, its even harder as an AIMG going through the match. I am sorry but that is not right if some people get that information before others. 🙁

Sorry to be a little negative but anxiety is kicking in and my fate will be determine in the next 20 hrs and 24 min. Soo yeah you would be upset too if your administration rarely communicated to you and did not have access to that information.

 

[CrazyPeds527]

Cermonies are on Match Day, March 20. The only difference is that schools with ceremonies are allowed to release envelopes 1 hour before the NRMP emails the info out.

 

[barcalounger]

Our school has the ceremony at a country club on Match Day. Your envelope is available at 11:00 AM. You are then free to leave, or stay and have a nice lunch (paid for by the med school). Most people stick around. People often party into the afternoon, then there is an informal dinner for the seniors (not paid for by the med school, at a different place) and then the post-dinner drinking (all in the school are invited, also not paid for by the med school). The administration sends out an email asking all preceptors who have senior students to excuse those students from clinical responsibilities on Match Day. If you have a really nice preceptor you might get excused from responsibilities on the following day as well! Good for hangovers.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Our school apparently had the mother of all meltdowns when someone didn't match as they wished around 5 years ago, so we don't do the traditional ceremony. They throw a brunch, you open your envelope and announce it only if you feel like it.

 

[Linus2007]

Do this "ceremony" happens before the match or on match day?

If it happens before the match, then this is unfair. How is it American Medical School Administration has the right to access this information before the rest of those who dont have that helping hand? The reason I am a little uptight about it is because I am an American IMG (International Medical Graduate). It is hard enough being an AIMG, its even harder as an AIMG going through the match. I am sorry but that is not right if some people get that information before others. 🙁

Sorry to be a little negative but anxiety is kicking in and my fate will be determine in the next 20 hrs and 24 min. Soo yeah you would be upset too if your administration rarely communicated to you and did not have access to that information.

No everyone gets it the same day. According to Iverson schools know several days in advance but I doubt the validity of that, our admin finds out literally a half hour before the ceremony so they get 3 or 4 people to fill the envelopes. Don't get to anxious you'll be fine mate.

 

[mideis79]

Thanks for explaining it. An hour before, still. Ohh well what am I going to do about it. 😀

Ohh 3hrs and 45 mins left

 

[lane]

our class officers coordinate a huge party at a local bar/music venue with tailgating starting at 8am. we have 3 bands playing, open bar, barbeque buffet... the works. envelopes start being handed out randomly at 11am and students have the option of announcing their spot on stage then putting a pin in a huge US map for the location. we also do the dollar bucket game like some of the folks above. students bring their families, faculty stop by throughout the day, and administrators hang out most of the time. we'll probably end up with over 500 people. it's a huge party that lasts all day... definitely a good time

 

[minstral]

We have a brunch with our significant other invited at the finest restaurant in the area. (midwst smaller city)

 

[lord_jeebus]

Envelopes on a couple of tables.

10 AM free-for-all.

Champagne, a microphone for anyone who wants to use it, and a map with pins

 

[ThedarnmikeDO]

Heineken+chips and salsa+world of warcraft+outlook express= awesome.

 

[Hard24Get]

Heineken+chips and salsa+world of warcraft+outlook express= awesome.

I want to come to yours! We got this: "Please arrive at 11:45am. The Match ceremony will start promptly at noon and will be followed by a champagne reception/light lunch"

As long as I get my envelope (or whatever) right at noon, they could give me moldy bread and tap water and I'd still show up!

 

[Top Gun]

No Match Day ceremonies for those of us from SGU, unfortunately, being that its a Caribbean school. Still, it will be exciting to find out where I matched on Thursday.

 

[Cuteasaurus]

Heineken+chips and salsa+world of warcraft+outlook express= awesome.

That sounds fantastic. Yay for celebratory WoW.🙂

 

[zinjanthropus]

Our ceremony is awesome -

bar with outdoor stage/bleachers for family (we're in florida)
free draft beer and chicken wings starting at 11:30
names are called up to the stage starting at noon
everyone puts a dollar in a pot - whoever gets called last wins the cash
-not a bad way to spend an afternoon at all!

 

[lane]

do your schools pay for your match day celebration?

our class officers raise and then allocate the $11000 our match day costs...

 

[MacGyver]

Champagne, a microphone for anyone who wants to use it, and a map with pins

Oh I'm all over that. I'd grab that mic, jump up on the table and yell out "hollaaa!!!! i matched at UCSF/Hopkins/MGH/etc! How you like me now bitches!!!"

 

[ThedarnmikeDO]

I want to come to yours! We got this: "Please arrive at 11:45am. The Match ceremony will start promptly at noon and will be followed by a champagne reception/light lunch"

As long as I get my envelope (or whatever) right at noon, they could give me moldy bread and tap water and I'd still show up!

It was pretty much standing room only. People love to watch me play warcraft.

Sucks about the "light lunch" that always equates to some lunchable-esque rip off.

 

[OBGXYN]

<bump>

Some of my classmates are trying to change our more traditional Match Day ceremony to one that is less stressful, namely so everyone can get their envelope at the same time. Currently my school does the 'stage/name-called/dollar in the bucket/announce if you want' option, but I am wondering if there are others to consider. A table of envelopes followed by champagne and large map sounds like it could work well . . .

Any other ideas?

 

[CCObG2B]

<bump>

Some of my classmates are trying to change our more traditional Match Day ceremony to one that is less stressful, namely so everyone can get their envelope at the same time. Currently my school does the 'stage/name-called/dollar in the bucket/announce if you want' option, but I am wondering if there are others to consider. A table of envelopes followed by champagne and large map sounds like it could work well . . .

Any other ideas?

At my school we have breakfast (I'm on the West Coast) and all of the envelopes are posted on the wall with tacks. At 9am, you can retrieve your envelope and open it in your own area with family/friends/alone. That's pretty much it. I'm so thankful we don't have to go on stage!

 

[JanetteBournes]

We have to go on stage. I'm dreading it 🙁

 

[Old_Mil]

How does your school's match day work?

 

[Kubed]

Ditto.

Our school says "congrats! ... Now go to work"

 

[Old_Mil]

Ditto.

Our school says "congrats! ... Now go to work"

Before I entered medical school, I didn't realize that there were still people who took the slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei" seriously...

 

[BlondeDocteur]

Thank GOD we don't have to open our envelopes in front of anyone. I have a good friend from high school who goes to a med school where they do that-- and who streams live video of the ceremony on their website. I watched a couple of years ago, waiting for my friend to be called, and saw all these students who were obviously disappointed with the results of their Match be humiliated in front of their entire class.

We're East Coast so we have a table laid with envelopes in alphabetical order. At 12 noon everyone is allowed to pick theirs up, at their leisure. Copious libations and snacks are provided in the Faculty Club for some Dutch courage. If you're disappointed with the results, at least you have a few minutes to yourself to convince yourself it's OK, and to come up with reasons to tell your classmates how happy you are.

 

[DonStracci]

We have to go on stage. I'm dreading it 🙁

Be a rebel, DON'T GO!!!
Seriously, Mine is like that too- formal, have to read your envelope contents in front of everyone. It's required but NO WAY am I going- with big, emotion-laden discoveries like that, I want to be at home, with my husband. Historically I've had some vaso-vagal (I guess?) responses to things, and I'm pretty sure I oughtn't be in a huge crowd on a stage for this

 

[error404]

Be a rebel, DON'T GO!!!

I feel like match day could be a ton of fun... unless they force you into a spotlight. Everyone will be asking you where you matched for the next week straight-- no point in having to stand up in front of everyone. Finding out your future can be a very personal thing-- and best done either at home or when everyone else finds out at the same time (and then trust me, no one is looking at you, because they've got their own envelopes.)

Very glad I don't have to. (We do the "all at once" thing.) Talk to the admins and change your school policies!

Is there anyone who LIKES the idea of everyone announcing their matches into a mic?

 

[pmpkn219]

"Is there anyone who LIKES the idea of everyone announcing their matches into a mic?"

I would be ok with this Only because I'm only ranking places I would be happy to go... though I still think I'd like a moment to let it sink in, for me! But I would feel terrible for my classmates in different situations/not feeling so sure, if they had to do it.

Our school gathers at noon in a conference-type room, and we do the bring a dollar game. We can bring family, and parents/SOs can contribute to the cash pool if they feel like it. Then I guess our names are called at random, given envelopes and the last person called gets the cash.

We can open the envelope once we get it, or scamper off to a corner and read it there. Then at 12:30 we have a catered lunch where lots of the faculty come and people mingle (one would think those who are upset would skip this part, it's not at all mandatory!)

 

[BlowJoe]

So it's been a week since most of our lives have changed (for the good or the bad). We have closure now and no longer have to worry or have bad dreams about where we will be. No longer will we be asked by others where we want to be and how we ranked our programs. So I thought it would be great for everyone to share their Match Day experiences and emotions. Here is Mine:

So for match day at my school we did the whole random order of names to come and get our envelopes and also the whole everyone brings a dollar and the last name to be called gets the money. So intially I was NERVOUS, my family was there. There was some brief talk from the Dean of Student Affairs, I was so nervous I don't remember what was said. I believe I was texting my friends who were scattered somewhere within the room but I did not know exactly where cuz I had gotten there about 5 minutes before the ceremony started. So everyone else's names was being called and I saw alot of hugs and kisses and I was still waiting!!! That was the worst, waiting because at that point I didn't care where I was going, I JUST WANTED TO KNOW!!! Then the room became noisy because all the other students had opened their letter and they were conversing and putting pins on the large map. It was an very informal event. Then FINALLY, my name was called (probably closed to the last 3/4 of the students). All my other friends got there letter already and I was so ready to get mine. So when they called my name I remember saying "THANK YOU", then I jumped up from my seat dollar in hand and went to get my letter. I couldn't even wait till I got back to my seat where my family was to open it. I opened it in the process of walking. So I had mentally prepared myself to be ready to go to any of my top #4 programs (cuz I knew that my #4 couldn't wouldn't pass me up). I open my letter and I saw my # 1 😱. I was completely in shock. I remember saying I got "My #1 City". Then I ran to my family and told them. Then I got up and went to put my tack on the map. And I remember one of my classmates telling me she was going to the same city. I didn't know how to respond b/c I was in shock and everything happened so fast. I'm not even sure what I told her. Then all I remember was running around looking for my friends. Taking pictures was a blur. And also I had a slight bit of anxiety cuz I had match at my "reach" program, so I had been told by teh Chairman at my school. Then I was worrying about performing well at this great program. Eventually that passed. But I just remember being in totally shock 😱 from then on and the match day ceremony happened SO FAST!!! What a great day!!! After that I celebrated with family and friends until the wee hours of the morning. WHAT A GREAT DAY!!! Now, I have start to worry about the next stage. Finding a place to live in a new city 🙁

 

[DonStracci]

True to my claim a few posts up, I skipped out on my school ceremony (much to the dismay of my school, but that's another post).

My husband came home for lunch, and after we ate we headed up to my computer. We poured some aqvavit (Finnish liquor) and sat down. It was 12:55 but the email was already there. So I clicked on it and... we were speechless because it was NOT what we were expecting (in a good way!)

My husband took a photo about 5 seconds after opening the email. It's fabulous- my hand is still on the mouse, you can see the screen, my happy face, and my aqvavit.

Overall, a MUCH nicer experience than reading my results over a microphone to 1000 people.

 

[NJWxMan]

I was sitting at a nurse's station with a patient chart in front of me, acting as if I was doing my consult (to avoid being asked to get off of the computer). With a black Tim Horton's coffee in my left hand and a shaky right hand on the mouse, I clicked open my email only to realize that I had matched where I was 99% sure I was going to match. Thousands of miles and dollars later, I end up sweating it out. No parties. No brunches. No champagne.

 

[BigRedBeta]

My school does the 'read in front of 600 people' bit...and to be honest while there were some moans about it before the actual day, our match was so overwhelmingly positive that I'm glad that's the way we did it. Of course there were a few people who didn't get what they wanted and I'm sure they hated it, but overall it was really exciting to see everyone find out in front of you...of course I was the 6th person drawn out of the basket so I got to sit and bask in my happy glow for an hour and fifteen minutes which might have had something to do with it...

One key aspect a significant portion of my class took part in was the 'kegs and eggs' breakfast at one group of guys house before hand. Probably about 40 people showed up to imbibe on keg beer and mimosas...I think being a couple drinks down took the edge off for a lot of people.

As for my actual envelope opening...I don't remember it; I kind of blacked out for portions of being on stage. I looked down, saw the program I knew I was going to be most excited about matching at (technically it was #3 on my ROL, but that's another discussion), and then called the next person up...I have zero clue who I called. I've since been told that I opened my envelope and immediately started smiling. I do know that my face hurt the next day.I actually would have been pretty happy with any of my top 6...it would have been a little shocking to go that far, but I loved the city my #6 was in and the program was great, just not the size I was looking for.