Match Day emotions: From anticipation to relief, elation

After four years of studying and clinical rotations in medical school, matching can be an emotional roller coaster.

On Friday, The DO talked to several fourth-year students at the Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Match party to see what was going through their minds before they matched and what they think they did to match at their top picks for residency.

Relief

“Overall, I’m going to be relieved to be matched and happy to be somewhere,” Robert Campbell, OMS IV, said before opening the envelope that contained his fate.

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After the countdown, Campbell learned that he matched at his first-choice program, family medicine at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Ready to take ownership

Matching is the start of the transition from medical student to resident.

“I’m excited to take ownership of every patient that I encounter, and to finally pursue that dream that I’ve had becoming their doctor,” says Nistha Rawal, OMS IV, who also matched into her first-choice program: the osteopathic internal medicine residency at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois.