For many people, the white coat worn by doctors, lab workers and nurses is nothing more than a uniform linked to the field of healthcare and medicine. But for those who are actually working in this field, it is a symbol of pride, responsibility and unwavering determination to exert their efforts in the health and well-being of the population.

Wearing the white coat marks the start of this journey in medical colleges, and this custom is commonly referred to as the ‘White Coat Ceremony.’ Short clips of this glorious ceremony are used to motivate college students who aspire to join medical school.

The field of medicine is revered worldwide, and Pakistan is no different. Each year, nearly 200,000 students throughout the country take the Medical Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT), yet only about two percent of the students gain admission to public sector colleges. The merit is sky-high, and every mark matters in the tough battle. It’s more of a drama, with the emotional health of young minds at stake, and many students struggle to cope with failure and disappointment. Only a few fortunate individuals make it to the top and secure admissions to their dream institutions.

Being one of those lucky students, experiencing the White Coat Ceremony was a dream come true for me. It is a memory that I take pride in recalling and journaling. The emotions were overwhelming, and the sense of joy was indescribable. The memories of the day are vividly alive in my mind, inspiring and comforting me even today.

The MDCAT journey was much more than an ordinary phase of academic life. Let’s save its experiences and memories for another time. Fast-forwarding, the much-awaited day of the White Coat Ceremony arrived. It was Monday, the start of a new week, and more importantly, a new chapter of my life. Surprisingly, I slept well that night and woke up refreshed. After doing all the morning essentials — praying, having breakfast, dressing up — my parents and I set out toward my dream medical university. Today was my first day there.

The preparations for the White Coat Ceremony were complete. The auditorium was decorated and well-lit, welcoming the new medical students. The atmosphere was bright and I could feel the energy around me. I could see new faces surrounding me, with pride and confidence lighting them up. Today was the day everyone had been longing for; the day dreams were moulded into a delightful reality.

I did not know any of the students personally, but all of us could feel a sense of camaraderie already developing between us. We all had the same objective, and we had all achieved it.

And then, sooner than we had expected, the proud moment came. We were asked to don our white coats. As soon as the fabric touched my shoulders, I felt its crispness and smoothness. But even more than that, I felt a wave of happiness radiating inside me. I felt as if a souvenir of recognition of my efforts had been dropped on my shoulder. The white coat felt heavier than it was.

At that moment, it felt as if time had come to a halt, to allow me to absorb the awe of the moment. The whole auditorium was suddenly dotted with white figures. Everything seemed so magical and endless. I could hear a collective gasp ripple through the hall. I could hear the cheers of the parents. This moment had demanded so many dreams, so much hard work and so many expectations.

And then everything was over, as quickly as it had started. With the excitement at its peak, we were asked to take an oath of service and honesty toward our profession. Amid the whole gathering, we swore to be responsible and skilled doctors, and to serve humanity in every possible way.

A new responsibility dawned upon us. We were no longer mere students, but future healers, guardians of welfare. The lives of helpless patients would be in our hands. The visualisation of the new target removed the earlier excitement. We were sent to this medical college for a purpose. And that was to become skilled doctors and serve our neighbourhood, our community. We had to be different from the scores of medical practitioners who treat their patients unjustly and are, unfortunately, part of our medical setup.

In that moment, I realised my journey was not just a milestone — it was the beginning of something much greater.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 17th, 2025