What brought me to Ross University's School of Veterinary Medicine...

How my story starts seems to be the typical start for most veterinarians that I have come across in my life.  At the young, impressionable, and naive age of 6 years old, I began telling others that I wanted to become a veterinarian.  At the age of 11, I started finding ways to really develop a feel for and gain insight into the field of veterinary medicine.  I shadowed small animal, equine, and large animal veterinarians as well as interned at a small animal emergency veterinary clinic.  I gained the most experience as a veterinary assistant at a small animal clinic by taking on client education projects (i.e. pet obesity and senior wellness) and following the lead of their successful veterinary technicians in any work related duties (i.e. placing IV catheters, intubating cats/dogs, proper sterilization/packaging of surgical tools, etc.).

I earned my B.S. in Agriculture from The Ohio State University by majoring in Animal Sciences and minoring in Life Sciences.  My major was chosen because of the immense hands on interactions you gained with large animals as well as the statistical popularity it had with accepted students into OSU's veterinary program.  My minor was chosen based on its ability to fulfill most, if not all, course requirements by OSU and several other college/university veterinary programs.  I loved my major and the professors in the Animal Science department at OSU.  Although I am happy with my performance in undergrad, my GPA and GRE ended up not being the most competitive scores I truly needed to be welcomed into OSU's veterinary school.

After 2 years of being unsuccessful with applying to OSU, I began looking into the other options I had.  I sat down with the dean of OSU's veterinary school mid January of 2010 to discuss why I wasn't admitted to the program, what I could do to become a more competitive candidate, and what her thoughts on Ross University students were that had entered OSU for their clinical year.  The breakdown she gave me was as follows:

•   Statistically I wasn't competitive.  She told me that the veterinary school had supportive data that statistically proved a correlation between lower science GPAs and higher incidences of a student dropping out of the program.

•   In order to be more competitive, Dean Sanders suggested that I enter the Masters in Public Health program and have a focus on Veterinary Medicine.

•   Dean Sanders said hands down she loves the students that come from Ross University.  She said that Rossies are extremely more outgoing than her OSU students which she thought could be a result of the students having to adapt to the island life, live far from family and friends, as well as take on the difficult curriculum of veterinary school.  She said that Ross students were just as successful as her OSU students if not more successful.

I decided against the option to earn my masters based on the timeline that was presented to me for the program in order to become more competitive (basically I had to acquire a research job and be a part of the research team's publications and presentations).  It was all these "what ifs" and a waiting game to become a veterinarian through Ohio States's College of Veterinary Medicine.

So I then turned my attention towards Ross University's School of Veterinary Medicine.  I sat in on a  Ross University seminar that came through Columbus, Ohio when the OVMA convention was in town and was able to really get acquainted with the school, what it has to offer future veterinarians, as well as the experiences that several speakers have had or are currently having at the university and on the island.

Hands down...I was impressed.  So I began my application process and received an invitation to be interviewed!  The interview went extremely well and throughout the whole application/interview process all my questions and concerns were thoroughly answered.

Right around my birthday in September 2010 I got accepted...best birthday present ever!  I was accepted for the May 2011 Vet Prep Program.

Ross University did something for me that OSU couldn't...they gave me an opportunity.  They looked at me as more than just a bunch of numbers...they saw an excellent future veterinarian.  The Vet Prep program consists of a handful of classes (i.e. microbiology, physiology, study skills, veterinary terminology, etc.) taken throughout the week that provide a basic foundation for your following semester at Ross University (this will be the first semester of veterinary school).  Why does this opportunity continue to be so awesome??  I get to be eased into the numerous adaptions and adjustments that I will be making with such a big move.  Instead of jumping right into vet school, I have a little bit of time to prep for the curriculum and adapt to my surroundings.  What sucked about this semester program?  It is not funded by government loans unlike the entirety of your veterinary school career.  You must find a private lender...and by private lender I mean you have 2 choices since most banks don't provide loans for international schools such as Ross.  So I have a loan through Sallie Mae that I wasn't approved for without a co-signer.  The other downfall of Sallie Mae and this type of loan, there is no deferment while you attend Ross.

So with all that said, I'm down to the last week before the big move...I've got all my travel vaccines, I've got my passport, I'm almost packed up.  I'm bursting with a ton of different emotions...excitement, nervousness, anxiousness to get there, etc.  But I'm ready for this adventure and this new chapter in my life.  It may not have been the prettiest path to get where I’ve wanted to be my whole life, but what matters is that I did it. I went against all odds. I fought through all the hardships and adversity that I was faced with and came out the other end pretty well off.  So very thankful and appreciative of the lessons that I have been lucky enough to learn so far in life and the experiences that I have encountered.  And I know that I am surrounded by so many positive influences and special people that never stopped believing in my potential. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t change a thing about my path. And a huge thank you goes out for all those that have been a positive influence. And another thank you to everyone that has continued to be there as I grow and thrive in life.

...I think this was a good starting place for my blog...feel free to ask any questions that you may have about Ross University as you go along on this journey with me : -)

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