On Match Day, Students Look Toward Future

Anudeep Grewal marks the spot in Pennsylvania where her residency will begin.

After graduation, Anudeep Grewal will be heading off to Penn State Health, where she'll begin her GPR residency.

She marked the spot on a map of the U.S. –  an annual Match Day tradition, when RSDM's fourth-year students celebrate their acceptance into residency programs. It's a day when life after dental school suddenly seems within reach.

"It's like there's a lot at the end of the tunnel,'' joked Grewal.

Eighty-five percent of 61 RSDM students who sought  matches were successful, compared to the national rate of 66 percent, according to Dean Cecile A. Feldman.

"Rutgers has a reputation for having a very strong program,'' she said.

Feldman also offered words of encouragement to students. "It's been a long four years, but you're almost there.''

As in past years, the most popular residency location was New Jersey, which had its own map at the ceremony, with push pins arranged by county and town. Forty-three students matched in-state, with the second highest concentration in New York, where 15 students found residencies.  The furthest away was Florida, where one student matched. The most popular type of residency was general practice, with four students graduating to a pediatric residency and four going on to Advanced Education in General Dentistry programs (AEGD). Twenty-nine students will be entering private practice.

Cesar Quezada was excited to match at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, where he'll complete a general practice residency. "It's ideal for students who want to pursue a private practice in a big city,'' he said. "The patients are very diverse. There are many Russian immigrants there, as well as Latinos.''

Shannon Rooney, who matched at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, sounded relieved at having reached a milestone. "It's been a journey,'' she said.