Ashley Altus

Every year, thousands of graduating medical students participate in The Match, National Resident Matching Program. Students rank their top teaching hospitals to be placed into residency training with their fate in the hands of a Nobel Prize winning algorithm. Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine held an envelope opening party so students could all open their match letters together to find out where they will be spending the next 3 to 7 years. After months of interviews and traveling, students opened their envelopes simultaneously.

Hugs and congratulatory shouts filled the room after the initial envelope opening.

Matching into residency is an emotional roller coaster. Students have worked for four years tirelessly to make their medical dreams come true and match into their chosen specialty.

Students pin where they matched into residency on a large map.

Students wrote the hospital they matched into on dry erase boards to share the good news that they matched into residency.