Match Day madness at EVMS

NORFOLK, Va (WAVY) - Every March a rather strange ritual happens at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. It's called Match Day.

It's the end of four years of medical school and a spectacle for those watching. Dressed as characters from the big and small screen, the future doctors put on quite a show.

But why do they do it?

Student Doug Talk says that it's a celebration. He says Match Day is even more important than graduation day.

"Today we find out what we're going to do for the rest of our lives, and where we're going to be for the rest of our lives," he said. "So, today really is, for us, where being a doctor starts."

Friend and fellow medical student Tiffany Forrester said, "I used to think I'd like something more formal, but after being here, you need something to distract yourself."

Forrester and her friends dressed as characters from Lord of the Rings.

"We were called 'the fellowship' because we were all married coming in to medical school, we studied together."

The future pediatrician and part time romance writer just wanted to know, where the next chapter of her life will begin. So did the 100 other students who anxiously waited, then ripped into their envelopes at 1:00 p.m.

One student dressed like Michael Jackson screamed "I'm going to DC!"

Another dressed as Michael J. Fox from 'Back to the Future' will be headed north to Alaska.
"It's [good] we didn't have to go back in time to get there," he said. Alaska is just where he wanted to end up.

As for Tiffany Forrester, "EVMS! CHKD here I come!"

It was another perfect match.

Most of the doctors will begin their residencies in July.

Match Day is celebrated on the third Thursday in March every year, at medical schools all across the country.