by KYW's Paul Kurtz

Thomas Jefferson Medical College welcomed 250 new students with a ceremony that included a reading of the Hippocratic Oath and the distribution of the white coats that are the traditional uniform for doctors.

Jefferson started this tradition in 1994. It's a symbolic gesture that the students say holds great meaning for them.

"My father's a physician and so I think it's a little more poignant for me because I'm entering his profession, following his footsteps," says one incoming first year med student.

"I think it's the first solid testimony in the comitment to the journey ahead. There's a lot of work a lot of good times, bad times, ups and downs but I think it's the solidification of what's to come and a solid comitment-- exciting and scary all at the same time," another says.

"Though the light at the end of the tunnel is very far away," adds another, "I think it's a pretty bright light and I think there are many things to look forward to to get through the next eight to nine years."