School of Medicine welcomes newest medical students at annual White Coat Ceremony
EVENT: UC Irvine’s School of Medicine will welcome 114 new students at its 2025 White Coat Ceremony, with California residents making up 86 percent of the class. This time-honored tradition marks the beginning of their journey in medical education. First-year students will don their white coats for the first time and take a physician’s oath, signifying their entry into the profession and commitment to compassionate care. This event offers meaningful photo and video opportunities with emotional moments, as students are coated by faculty and celebrated by family.
WHEN/WHERE: 7–9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, 2025
Irvine Barclay Theatre (grid I6 on this campus map)
4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92617
INFORMATION: Media planning to attend should contact Carly Murphy at 949-501-1008 or murphyco@uci.edu. Parking is complimentary for media who RSVP in advance.
HIGHLIGHTS:
6 p.m. – Doors open
7 p.m. – Ceremony begins
- Students coated by faculty on stage
- Recitation of Hippocratic Oath
- Remarks from UC Irvine leadership and medical educators
9 p.m. – Ceremony concludes
BACKGROUND: The White Coat Ceremony is a national tradition for medical schools, symbolizing a student’s entrance into the field of medicine. At UC Irvine, it serves as a visible reminder of the humanistic values at the core of medical practice. The School of Medicine is ranked among the top 50 U.S. medical schools for research and is recognized for its diverse student body and innovative, inclusive approach to education.
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