Match Day 101

First of all, the local new channel did a video on "Match Day" today. If you would like to watch it you can click HERE. I'm not sure how long this link will be available so check it out. They interviewed JB, but his interview isn't included. However, you can briefly see me and JB, and Dave and Lesley talking about couples matching. It will also explain a little bit about how "Match Day" works.

Okay, so to help everyone who isn't in medicine out, let me take a second to explain how "Match Day" works. I thought this especially important when my Tante Jan commented that she thought this had something to do with clothes. This cracked me up. It's true. I write things like they are obvious. This isn't obvious.

Basically, after medical school, all medical students have to go somewhere to train. This training can last anywhere from 3 years to 11 years!! Yikes!! Now JB is military so he matched back in January. However, most people had to wait until today to find out where they were going for residency. In a nutshell, hospitals and clinics rank applicants. Applicants rank hospitals and clinics. Then a computer "matches" them together. Talk about stressful!!!

We showed up at the Foundation House at 11:00 for a cocktail hour. Then all the fourth year students and their guests are ushered into a room where Associate Dean Dr. Barrier hands every student a letter that reveals their fate. Then you watch as people open them and find out where they are going. This was very intense.

To further tell the story, I thought I would use visual aids. So scroll below for the story of the day.

Cocktail Hour. Here is Hans, Rachel, and Hans' mom, Debbie.

Here is Tara, prior to the match, anxiously waiting to find out her fate! Tara refused to admit which school she ranked first. However, I had figured it out due to clues Tara didn't know she left.

JB and Wendi. JB and Katie K. (who matched Army) both wore their military uniforms to celebrate. They didn't get an envelope, but I, personally, would gladly give up the envelope to not have wait until March to find out where we are going!

Rachel and Wendi. I am really going to miss Rachel. Rachel is currently in dental school at the University of Minnesota. We hope to make it back for her wedding to Hansie next year.

Lesley prior to finding out where she and Dave were "couples matching." Anyone can couples match -- even two people who are just good friends. It's a little more complicated but fairly important if you are married and want to live with your spouse for the next few years!

Third year students are invited to attend match. Here is Christo (left). What was funny was that his wife, Melissa, was actually the guest of Lesley. So Melissa got to come in the room for the match results while Christo had to wait outside with the other third year students. We also cracked up because both Christo and Melissa said they woke up very nervous this morning despite being a year away from their own match! What great friends being nervous for their friends' match.

Here is Katie and JB. Katie and John are really the only people going to anywhere in the deep south. Katie will be in Texas. Most people are going to California, or staying in the Midwest or New England area.

After the introduction festivities, it was time to find out where everyone was going: I love this picture!!! Here is Ajit finding out that he is going home! He matched at the University of Arizona and will now get to eat his mother's cooking anytime he wants. He will also get to move in with his youngest brother who is in college back home. Ajit's number 2 and 3 choices were very exciting as well (Johns Hopkins for one!) but he really wanted to be home. Younger brother Sujit, who is a second year student, is taking some pictures for Mom, waiting anxiously for a phone call.

Sweet relief!

Lesley and Dave are ... STAYING AT MAYO!!! They couples matched. Dave matched in orthopedics -- a VERY VERY VERY competitive field. Lesley will be a pediatrician, and a fantastic one at that. We are glad the Jones are staying in Minnesota as we will be back on occasion for transfers and because we stand a better chance of them visiting us sometime!

Ajit cuddling with JB. (Ajit thinks cuddling is okay for men. John vehemently disagrees and tells Ajit repeatedly!) :)

Hans will spend one year in LaCrosse before coming to Mayo for anesthesia. We are glad they are staying at Mayo. We figure we have a better chance of people visiting us in Florida if they don't have other family to visit. Since Rachel and Hans are from Minnesota, their family is right here.

Here is the map (covered prior to the match) showing where everyone is going. Wendi is very excited to see that it is official! They are going to Florida! They are going south! It will be warm! There will be a beach! YAY!!!!! Many of you have asked where Fort Walton Beach is in comparison to the rest of Florida. Here it is.

Tara shows where she is going. Tara got into UC Davis in Sacramento, California. Tara would never admit this is her first choice so I will admit it FOR HER! We are proud of Tara as she was applying to get into a program with ONE SPOT for a family med/OB residency. This was very exciting! Unfortunately Tara wasn't sitting at my table so I couldn't get a picture of her expression.

Ajit and JB -- post match.

Friends for life -- Wendi, Tara, and Lesley