Student Debt: How Much Does Veterinary School Cost?

What if I told you that for many people it costs over $200,000? Are you scared yet? Shocked? I certainly hope so, because I was. When I left graduate school and began my journey to veterinary school I had no idea that vet school would cost that much and get me that much into debt, Read More …

Getting Your Research Published

Anyone in the field of veterinary medicine should be familiar with PubMed, a free, searchable database of published research. We, as students and researchers, access these databases frequently when doing background research for an upcoming proposal, research project, or school assignment among other things. While I am accustomed to searching through the literature and citing Read More …

Getting Competitive

I don’t consider myself a competitive person. I had my competitive streak many years ago, but that pretty much ended when I left high school and started my undergraduate studies at Pomona College, one of the least competitive, most collaborative and supportive environments I’ve ever been in. I even stopped competing in skiing and swimming Read More …

Veterinary Experience for VMCAS — Why It’s Important

This is not meant to be a post that will delve into the many, many reasons why veterinary experience is important (and often required) to have before applying to veterinary school. Surely there are obvious reasons; for instance, you will gain a better understanding of the field of veterinary medicine. With even the slightest amount Read More …

A First Year’s Guide to UCD SVM: Orientation

Rumor has it that Dr. Don Klingborg is no longer leading Orientation for incoming first year vet students. Pretty sad if it’s true as he was a lot of fun. (Catch a spoof that the Class of 2013 made called The Campus to roast Dr. Klingborg and Orientation at the Turkey Roast in 2009 on Read More …

Guest Blogger Jennifer, Part 3: Starting Over/Non-Traditional Paths

It can be incredibly daunting to abandon your current career and all the work you invested in getting there, only to have to start from scratch. But Sharon and I have both lived through this one, so believe me, it can be done! Even with all the hassles and frustrations of going back to undergrad Read More …

Guest Blogger Jennifer, Part 1: Fear of Blood

For part 1 of this guest blogger series, let’s talk about blood! Sharon has already discussed this, but I want to revisit the topic, because it was the most important barrier I had to overcome. Throughout my entire life, I have been afraid of blood, veins, and arteries. Until my early 20s, I couldn’t even Read More …

Guest Blogger: Meet Jennifer

Hello readers! Sharon has graciously allowed me to temporarily share her podium by making me a Guest Blogger. Thanks, Sharon! First, a bit about me. My name is Jennifer, and I am an incoming first-year veterinary student at UC Davis. Sharon and I have taken very similar paths, although it took me a bit longer Read More …

Dropping Out of Vet School

Let me assure you this post is not at all related to me. I repeat: I am not dropping out of vet school. Let’s face it though, some people do drop out somewhere along the way. Though it may not be common, it does happen, so I figured I would address in whatever way I Read More …

If Not Vet School, Then What?

Some people have posed the question, “If you didn’t get into vet school, what would you do?” I must admit, vet school wasn’t exactly my first career choice, psychology was. Well, let me rewind even further. Growing up I wanted to be a veterinarian. I had never been to a vet, but I wanted to Read More …