Skipping White Coat Ceremony?

[calcuttaho]

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So, my white coat ceremony is scheduled on the same day as my sisters c-section. My entire family is telling me to go to my white coat ceremony, though.

To be honest, I really don’t care about attending the white coat ceremony. I’m not a sentimental “milestone” kind of guy, didn’t go to high school graduation or college graduation.

Does anything really happen during the white coat ceremony? Like is it a place to talk with their new classmates and professors, or do most people just celebrate with their families? I think I’ve already made up my mind on skipping it but just want to make sure that there isn’t any importance other than symbolic.

 

[LizzyM]

At some schools, there is also a ceremonial pledge that is recited related to professional ethics. Sometimes there is a inspirational speech. Some schools will livestream the ceremony which would be an opportunity for your family to share in your joy at reaching this milestone in medical education.

Do you have any idea how it is performed at your school? In some schools, a "big sib" helps you into your coat while all around you, other pairs do the same. In that setting, you would not be missed. At other schools, students walk across the stage one at a time and don the coat with greater ceremony. In such a situation, your absence might be noted. Either way, you should not make an excuse regarding your sister's planned c-section but simply let the school know that you will not be attending the ceremony so that whomever had been assigned to help you into the coat, call your name, etc has a heads up.

 

[wysdoc]

Does orientation start before, or after, your white coat ceremony?
If your whole family says go, go! and they can watch videos of you later.
Visit your sister & new baby when they are home from the hospital.

 

[Rachapkis]

If available, I would watch a video of your school's ceremony. It will give you a sense of what occurs and what you may be missing.

 

[calcuttaho]

At some schools, there is also a ceremonial pledge that is recited related to professional ethics. Sometimes there is a inspirational speech. Some schools will livestream the ceremony which would be an opportunity for your family to share in your joy at reaching this milestone in medical education.

Do you have any idea how it is performed at your school? In some schools, a "big sib" helps you into your coat while all around you, other pairs do the same. In that setting, you would not be missed. At other schools, students walk across the stage one at a time and don the coat with greater ceremony. In such a situation, your absence might be noted. Either way, you should not make an excuse regarding your sister's planned c-section but simply let the school know that you will not be attending the ceremony so that whomever had been assigned to help you into the coat, call your name, etc has a heads up

It’s actually an RSVP system, so that won’t be an issue of leaving some people hanging. Photos are also taken on a different day.

Does orientation start before, or after, your white coat ceremony?
If your whole family says go, go! and they can watch videos of you later.
Visit your sister & new baby when they are home from the hospital.

Orientation is before my white coat ceremony. However the med school is only two hours away from my hometown by car so it’s not the biggest deal.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Why don't you ask your student services team? Every white coat ceremony is different, and you may be excused from attending if you needed to be with your sister. Again, it's your call.

There have been a few students who know that the professional photographers from marketing/communications will be roaming through the ceremony, and they didn't want to chance that their image would be out in public showing they've made it to medical school. In those situations, we have respected their request not to participate. (Monetize that name, image, likeness, folks.)