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University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Medical students celebrate 'Match Day'

Posted at 6:10 PM, Mar 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-15 18:18:27-04

BALTIMORE, Md. — The graduating class of the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Medical Schools found out where they will start their residency.

There were 162 nervous medical students about to learn where they will begin their career as a doctor.

It’s called match day.

The names are called randomly, adding to the suspense. This isn’t just any normal ceremony. When your name is called you come on stage to the music you select.

Each person gives a list of places they would like to start and they find out if they got their wish when they open the envelope. This takes place at the same time and the same day for all graduating medical students.

And at University of Maryland Medical School, each graduate puts in $5 in the box and the last one called gets to the the pot home.

UMD medical student Wei Quan got his wish, he’s going to Arizona.

"I was pretty nervous about it because I didn’t know if I was going to match my number one or my rank list," said Quan.

And UMD medical students Phelan Shea and Amy Zheng got their “match” together on stage.

"We met the first day and it was love at first site, at least on my part, and I don't think she actually noticed me at all, said Shea.

Well that love lasted all through medical school and in the fall they got engaged. Even better news, they both stay here in Baltimore at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

"Something people knock it but, I love this city and I’m really glad to stay here," said Shea.

As the music plays on and family and friends get caught up in the excitement, Devon Zorn sums it up for all the grads.

"This is the best day oh my life, I’m still shacking," said Zorn.

In regards to the pot of money, it’s a little more than $800. Tradition says that reward usually pays for some of the post graduate celebration.

On the other side of town, Johns Hopkins University Medical students were also feeling the nerves of opening up their envelopes and finding out their next move.

"I'm honestly so thrilled that it's over and this whole process is ending and we can move on to the next chapter of our lives. i am so happy for all of my peers who matched so well and got what they wanted it's just an incredibly overwhelming feeling," said JHU medical student Paul Michael.

Michael will go on to study at Boston Children's Hospital to be a Pediatrician.