The White Coat Ceremony (WCC) is a relatively new ritual in some medical (both MD and DO), optometry, audiology, dental, chiropractic, dietetic, occupational therapy, physical therapy, podiatric, pharmacy, physician assistant, Pathologists' Assistant, nursing, naturopathic and veterinary medical schools that marks the student's transition from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences. At some schools, where students begin meeting patients early in their education, the white coat ceremony is held before the first year begins. WCCs typically involve a formal "coating" of students.