For those pursuing the goal of becoming doctors, getting into medical school is an accomplishment worth celebrating. But for many medical students, the reality of it truly starts to sink in during their White Coat Ceremony.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) highlights the White Coat Ceremony as an important rite of passage for future physicians. This is the commitment ceremony during which doctors-in-training solidify their entrance into the medical profession.
But what is a White Coat Ceremony, exactly? And when do you get your white coat? Read on to learn more about what to expect from this landmark moment in your journey toward becoming a doctor.
What is the White Coat Ceremony? What medical students can expect
Different medical schools will have their own traditions when it comes to the White Coat Ceremony. So, when do you get your white coat and what takes place during the ceremony? For most schools, this even takes place at the beginning of a medical student’s education. During these ceremonies, a white physicians’ coat is placed on each student’s shoulders while their loved ones and supporters have an opportunity to watch, usually either in person or virtually.
Some medical schools will have students recite the Hippocratic Oath, which is a traditional commitment based on the work of Hippocrates. Its basic tenets include treating the ill to the best of one’s ability, preserving a patient’s privacy, teaching the secrets of medicine to the next generation, and more.
It has become increasingly common, however, for today’s medical students to recite a growing range of iterations of this traditional oath. Some are specific to the medical school, while other programs have classes of students construct their own oaths.
Launch your medical school journey
So what is the White Coat Ceremony that you’ve heard so much about? Many future physicians would say it’s one of the most anticipated and memorable moments on their path toward becoming a doctor.
At the St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, there is a White Coat Ceremony held at the beginning of each term for all first-term students. This ceremony officially marks their entry into the noble profession of medicine.
Learn more about other important medical school milestones in our infographic “How Long Is Medical School? Mapping Your MD Education Journey”.
You can view videos of previous White Coat Ceremonies on SGU’s YouTube page.
