IUPUI is Indiana's premier urban research university. The campus enrolls more than 30,000 students in 21 schools and academic units.
Nearly 300 IU School of Medicine fourth-year students took the next step toward their career goals Friday during the annual nation-wide 'Match Day,' finding out where they will spend the next phase of their medical education.
Mar 18, 2012 — photo credit: John R. Gentry Jr.
A U.S. map marks the locales of the 'Match Day' pairings.
The excitement turns into celebration once the assignments are known ...
... but not without a bit of early prayer-like preparation.
The most eagerly awaited items were the bright red envelopes.
Through social media (not to mention some over-the-shoulder peeking), word spreads quickly.
The faces of all fourth-year students fills a poster-sized chart.
While the students are eager for word on their future, Match Day also is a celebration of the recent past -- with each other.
Students love to talk about the next stage of their professional lives.
Match Day is a time for students to indulge their sartorial skills ...
... even with outfits unlikely to appear in future health-care facilities.
Match Day is a time to pose for posterity ...
... high-five one another when assignments are made public ...
...and enjoy each other's moments of glory.
Family members of all ages get to join in the fun, too.
The joy of the moment is contagious.
Match Day is also a time of reflection on personal and collective achievements.
Is any moment real if it isn't capture digitally?
Going through 290 envelopes and assignments creates long moments of waiting ...
... but moments of merriment and recognition, too.
Match Day is a time of hugs ...
... sharing word about pairings ...
... and even tears of relief (mixed, of course, with happiness).
Then, Match Day becomes a time of sharing memories and dreams ...
... as well as one last good time together ...
... and even a little bit of good-natured goofiness for (you guessed it) the camera.
IUPUI is Indiana's premier urban research university. The campus enrolls more than 30,000 students in 21 schools and academic units.