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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH)--Four years grueling all nighters led up to a special day for many students on Friday.

Graduating students at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine learned where they will get their advanced years of training. They are participating in a nationwide Match Day; when medical students across the country learned where they have been accepted for the residencies.

Students were matched with hospitals from across the southeast, Maryland, Delaware, and Texas.

Internal Medicine student Joe Collins was matched with Palmetto Health Hospital.

"It is emotional," Collins said. "It has been a long time coming. My family has had to sacrifice a lot. My kids have had to spend less time with me. My wife has had to stay up and put in a lot of hours. It is a sense of pride, accomplishment, just knowing that all the hard work is finally going to pay off."

A student's residency is the final stage of medical training. They did not know if they have been accepted or matched until envelopes were opened.