Students from Penn State College of Medicine's class of 2016 officially began their medical careers last Friday with the White Coat Ceremony at the Hershey Lodge. During this annual rite of passage that included family and friends, 149 first-year medical students received their white coats from a distinguished faculty member and recited the Oath of Modern Hippocrates -- the universally recognized creed for physicians. Students in this class represent 25 U.S. states and seven foreign countries.

On March 18 at noon, fourth-year Penn State College of Medicine medical students joined thousands of fellow medical students across the country in simultaneously opening letters to learn which hospitals and health care providers have accepted them into residency programs. The much-anticipated ceremony is known as Match Day.