Welcome to the College of Veterinary Medicine

Loving the pawprint lanyard!

 Well, I survived my first day of orientation. We technically have already had two days of orientation, but the first day was for several programs and covered all of the logistical stuff like financial aid, health insurance, library and security. Today was the official CVM orientation. We met together in small groups, and got to know each other a little better. I am an introvert. Sure, I am friendly and silly, but usually only once I am comfortable around someone. That being said, this was definitely an instance of finding comfort fast.

Representing my undergraduate school: University of Minnesota. Go Gophers!

This was the only photo I managed during orientation...bad blogger!

 Meeting my vet school comrades was easier than I expected. I think that is because all of us are so much alike, and we share many common interests. Although, I have to admit that ice-breaker games can really throw me off guard. For instance, they asked us what our favorite TV show was. I completely blanked, and they then asked the worst question possible: "Well, what was the last show you watched?" I totally had to admit to binge watching the Kardashians. I was completely mortified. Of course, looking back, I should have said COPS or American Horror Story or anything, ANYTHING but the Kardashians. I'm pretty sure my classmates think I am an idiot now.

Nonetheless, the rest of the day went swimmingly. I've noticed that I am a bit older than the vast majority of my classmates, but I think that I bring experience to the table perhaps more than fresh biochemistry and organic chemistry knowledge. I did meet a girl who did well in both Organic and Biochem, so I will definitely be making her a study buddy in the near future.

Our first homework assignment was to write a letter to ourselves that we would receive on graduation day. I remember doing this in high school, and I still have my letter. I actually read it recently when I found it as I was unpacking. In my high school letter, I wrote about hoping things remained a certain way, and I hoped I was still doing certain things. This time, I chose to ask myself questions and compare my answers at the end of school to how I felt today. I also highlighted specific memories about the application process I wanted to remember. I am excited to read this again in four years, when I am officially a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

That still freaks me out a bit.

Navigating VMCAS: Top Ten Tidbits

If there is anything that will challenge your commitment to vet school, it is VMCAS. The Veterinary Medical College Application Service can be intimidating. Any application that gives students five months to complete is bound to be tedious. I've made a brief list of tips to help pre-vet students navigate and complete their applications.

1. Start early! Do NOT wait until September to begin your application. There is a reason it is available in June. Try to get a head start on it, so you aren't overwhelmed with the amount of information you will be required to enter and complete.

2. Go slowly. If you begin early, you will have plenty of time to complete the application. Try tackling a small bit of the application daily. Don't try to enter your coursework all in one day. By breaking the application into small sections, you will be much less overwhelmed by the amount of information you are required to report.

3. Write your personal statement first. This is probably one of the most important parts of the application. This is what schools will read to get to know you. This essay will determine how the application committee will view you as a potential student. The personal statement can determine whether you receive an interview invitation, especially if your grades are not as high as other students. Start writing this right away.

4. Revise, revise, revise. Going off of #3, have everyone you know read your statement and give you feedback. While it can be intimidating to have people read your writing, it is vital that your statement be as clear as possible, with no grammatical errors. If you are still an undergrad, visit your school's writing center. Tutors will be able to help you with your word choice, grammar, and give you feedback on areas that you should expand.

5. Find your eLORs right away, and stay in touch with them. Make sure that whoever you ask to write a recommendation for you is someone who knows you well. Make sure that you have a professional relationship with them, and make sure to follow up with them to ensure that they submit their letters in a timely manner. There is an option for students to read their eLORs, but it may be beneficial to waive the rights to read these. This will show that you have confidence in those who are writing your recommendations.

6. Get your transcripts right away. Have ALL of your transcripts together and ready to mail before summer is over. If you have attended several schools, the easiest way to ensure that all of your transcripts make it to VMCAS is to have the transcripts mailed directly to you, and then you have the option to mail one envelope with several transcripts directly to VMCAS. This will help lower the risk of losing a transcript in transit.

7. Know the requirements for each school you are applying to. Not all schools have the same pre-requisites, so make sure that you know what each school expects BEFORE you decide to pay the fees to apply there. For example, I only applied to schools that did not require Organic Chemistry II, because that was a class I did not want to take. Similarly, I only took the classes that were required for each school. This saves time and money.

8. Watch out for additional applications. Some schools have supplemental applications that require additional essays or recommendations. Make sure to know which schools you are applying to have these additional applications, and complete them as soon as possible.

9. Be prepared to pay fees. In addition to VMCAS fees, (which I think are between $150-200 per school), you may also be required to pay a fee directly to the school itself. These fees can range from $50-200, per school. Expect to pay at least several hundred dollars in fees alone, considering the fees required to obtain your transcripts as well as the fees paid to both VMCAS and each school.

10. Take your GRE early! This is perhaps one of the most important things about VMCAS, There is no special test to be accepted to vet school. Instead, the Graduate Record Exam is used. This test is centered around basic English and Math, with an Analytical Writing section as well. Most schools do not look at the writing portion, but it is something to prepare for nonetheless. GRE scores take several weeks to process, so plan to take the GRE at least four to six months before the application cycle ends. The earlier you schedule your exam, the better chance you have to schedule a re-test in the event your scores are not as high as you expected.

I hope these tips have been helpful to you. Leave any additional questions in the comments and I will answer them!

Deciding to Pursue Vet Med

One of the biggest questions people asked me when I was applying to vet school was: "How did you know vet school was right for you?" Certainly, choosing to pursue any doctorate program is a heavy decision, but vet school is financially perhaps the most expensive, as well as one of the most difficult programs to get into.

My decision to apply to vet school came later than a lot of students. Growing up, I always loved animals and wanted to work with them, but there were several factors that prevented me from beginning this path from an undergraduate level. I majored in English Language and Literature, as well as obtained a degree in German Language. I thought teaching would provide me with a stable career with room to pursue higher education throughout my life. After six months of teaching, I realized that this was not a career I could be happy with, despite the steady income and hours. Veterinary Medicine was the only thing that really kept my interest and I could only see myself working in the medical field.

I was accepted to Midwestern University at the age of 26. I think that by waiting until I was older before applying had the benefit of allowing me to learn how to be an adult. I can't imagine beginning a doctorate program immediately following undergrad. For me, this was the best option. I was able to pay down some debt, while learning how to manage time and money.

The best advice that I can give pre-vet students is to take your time before committing to vet school. Make sure that you are emotionally and physically capable of handling the stress that comes with entering medical school. The veterinarian's  job outlook is different from the human doctor's outlook. We typically work worse hours, while being paid much much less. That is one misconception many people have about veterinarians. Everyone assumes that we all will make six figures from the moment we pass our boards, but in reality, even if we land a high paying job, we have a higher average debt than most other doctoral graduates. That being said, choosing this career is not for the faint at heart. It is a path that must be prepared for well ahead of ever entering a classroom.

Choosing to pursue veterinary medicine was something that I did not take lightly, but it was one of he best decisions I have ever made in my life.

Settling In

Moving away from home is tough- they don't tell you that when you're a kid. Maybe that's because as kids we want nothing more than to be away from home, and away from our parents. I found that as I got into my mid twenties, I wanted to be closer to my family. I want to take care of my parents as they age, and I want to be there for them. But it is important to also live my own life, and to follow my own passions in life. This meant moving across the country, and leaving behind the people I love. I'm fortunate enough in that I have a brother about 20 miles away, which is close enough for me to have support, while still being forced to make friends in my own area.

Settling into Arizona life has been interesting. I love Minnesota, and never pictured myself ever leaving long-term, despite everyone at work telling me once I experience an Arizona winter, I may never come back to the land of ice and snow. I told them I had to come back, otherwise my mukluks might go to waste.

There are things about Minnesota I will miss:

1.    Thunderstorms. While Arizona has rain, Minnesota has the severe weather and tornadoes that come with the humidity in the air. 
2. The first snowfall. It is so beautiful. And crisp. And clean. And silent. 
3. The four seasons. Despite the six months of winter, we do experience four different seasons. Spring has the greenery and blossoms. Summer has the sunshine and thunderstorms. Fall has the GORGEOUS changing colors, and winter has the beautiful snow-perfect for Christmas.
4. Having a doggy door. While being forced to walk the dogs several times a day is great for my health, being woken up every day at the crack of dawn is going to get old pretty fast.
5. Dunn Brothers and Caribou coffee. Thank God there is Dutch Brothers down here, or I may die.
6. My co-workers at the hospital! And of course, my family and pets.

But there are also things I won't miss:

1. The ENDLESS winter that happens right around January/February, and lasts til at least April.
2. Scraping ice off my car in -20 degrees.
3. Being woken up by people in the house.
4. Having to worry about waking anyone up during my late-night snack binges.

The key thing to surviving a cross-country move is to stay busy and focused on something other than what you miss. One thing that has helped me immensely is having to organize and unpack my things. I find that if I put on some music and start cleaning or arranging things, time flies by. Having to take the dogs out is also something that has been a positive distraction. In addition, having to navigate my new surroundings has kept me busy. I know that once classes start, I will be a slave to medicine, so I am trying to enjoy my free time now while I have it.

Tune in for another post soon! And if there are any topics regarding moving/vet school/grad school you would like to see me write about, leave a comment below!
                  

Saying Goodbye and Finding Comfort

Most people move away from home when they first go to college. I spent my first year in a dorm, then primarily lived with my parents until I made the move to Arizona. That being said, I think it is safe to assume that I have never really been away from home. I wish I could attribute this to my Eastern European culture, but sadly, the reason I lived at home for so long was that living on your own in Minnesota is EXPENSIVE. Actually, living on your own anywhere is expensive. Although I had a decent paying job, my student loan payments were almost as much as renting or owning a home. If it weren't for doctorate loans, I wouldn't be able to live in the place I live in now. Anyway, more on expenses in another post.

Saying goodbye to my dad was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I am exceptionally close to my dad, and the thought of him leaving last Sunday morning shattered my heart. I broke down Saturday night when I looked my dad straight in the eye and sobbed, "I want to go HOME!" Only, this was my home now. I knew I would have to get used to being on my own if I was ever going to be successful in vet school. Still, watching my dad leave tore my heart right out of my chest.

Each day gets easier, I have to admit. But I still find myself in moments of extreme melancholy. Fortunately, we are in the days of iPhones, and I can call/text/FaceTime my dad any time I need. That is comforting to me. I found more comfort as I was unpacking after my dad had left, I was going through old birthday cards and bits and bobs I chose to keep over the years. In one birthday card, my dad had written, "Love You, Dad" which was somewhat unique because he usually just signs "Dad" rather than writing anything else. It was written so beautifully, and I found comfort in having his handwriting close. Plus, he never says "I love you" but always "Love you", both in text and verbally.

So, this past Friday I went to a tattoo shop and put my dad's writing on permanently. I cannot even describe the joy I feel when I look at this piece. It is so beautiful and comforting and  I had wanted a tattoo for my dad since I was in my late teens.

Sinful Skin Tattoo in Glendale. I saw Aaron, and he was great!

He was able to photocopy the exact writing and use it as a stencil. This is my dad's actual writing, not the artist's tracing.

I absolutely love the placement of this tattoo! (Biggie does too)

Close-up of the image

The next morning- so in LOVE with it!

My dad's reaction. Priceless!

This was only the first step in beginning to settle in and really find myself as a person. I am happy that the first step was a large one, and one that I will be able to remember forever. Now I have to get my dad to get a tattoo!

Backlog: Moving Cross-Country Day 4 (the Home Stretch)

I quickly decided that Flagstaff is probably my favorite city that I've been to throughout this road trip. Even as I write this several days after moving to Glendale, I still love Flagstaff. Perhaps that is because it is like Minnesota in a way. It's normally about 30 degrees cooler than the valley, and there are pine trees everywhere. It has that "up north" feel that Minnesotans love. Many of us choose to vacation in what we call "up north", which is basically any place north of central Minnesota, all the way up to the Canadian border. One of my favorite places in Minnesota is Duluth, which is along lake Superior, about three hours north of my hometown. Flagstaff reminded me of Duluth, and I said several times that I would move to Flagstaff in a heartbeat.

Gorgeous view from the hotel

Because we were about a day ahead of time, we had time to really relax around the hotel before setting off for Glendale. This gave us time to have breakfast. I had some yogurt and several cups of coffee, because I knew it would be a long day of driving, and then moving into my apartment. My dad and I walked the dogs and talked about all the changes that were happening at home and in Arizona. Despite enjoying the walk with my dad, I could feel anxiety building inside me.

We washed the blanket that Sonja had soiled, then headed off towards Glendale. The drive through northern Arizona was breathtaking. My dad admired the canyons and mountains, and commented on all the pine trees. I was hoping to see an elk, but that didn't happen (dang!) The roads were curved and hilly, so I didn't take any photos- safety first!

We stopped at a rest stop between Flagstaff and Sedona, where I was able to walk for a bit and take some photos of the landscape. I saw some kind of coyote creature, as well as a tarantula, which was thankfully deceased.

What have I gotten myself into?

This guy was about the size of my palm. haha WAS...

Panoramic view from the rest stop

I had permission to receive my apartment keys a day early, so we picked up my brother in Scottsdale and headed to my complex in Glendale. After a few hiccups with electric and down payment, I finally walked into my apartment for the first time. I completed the walk-through via video and started to unpack the basic necessities. I didn't take any photos because we were so busy, but I will be sure to post some as soon as I am finished establishing myself here.

After a dinner of pizza, we went to bed to await another day of unpacking and shopping.

After four days of driving, I was home...kind of.

Backlog: Moving Cross-Country Day 3

I woke up in New Mexico to grey skies and a dry throat. After hitting up the hotel's breakfast bar for a yogurt cup and cinnamon roll, we headed back to the car for a long day of southwest driving. 

New Mexico was a beautiful state; my dad fell in love with the colorful landscape and laid-back feeling the scenery provided. New Mexico was the perfect blend of prairie-plus-mountain. I really enjoyed the drive as well. As we got closer to the Mexican border, signs dotted the highway warning us to avoid picking up hitchhikers. The local correctional facility had posted these to deter drivers from transporting potential illegal immigrants. 

The sign reads: Please do not pick up hitch-hikers in this area. Thank you. Springer Correctional Facility

You can see the mountains emerging in the distance

The further into New Mexico we drove, the prairies began to be replaced with stunning rock formations. We passed through a city called Las Vegas, which was adorable, but nothing like the Las Vegas most people are familiar with. Had we more time, I would have liked to explore this town, but sadly, we were on a mission to get to Arizona. It was during this day I began to feel a pressure in my chest. I didn't know what was causing my unease, but I tried to brush it off and make the most of the drive. Sonja must have sensed my anxiety, because she took the opportunity to have a wee on the blanket in the back seat...Oops.

Getting closer to the border of Arizona

Eventually, we made it to the Arizona border. Native American shops and attractions welcomed us as we drove into the state. After cruising through a rainstorm, we arrived in Flagstaff for our final hotel. In my previous night's insomnia, I took the opportunity to book a hotel in advance, and made the executive decision to stop in Flagstaff, although we could have made it to Glendale within that day. Because we were slightly ahead of time, I wanted to see some of Flagstaff, because I had always been told that it was similar to Minnesota. We settled into our hotel, suggested by my sister-in-law Ashley, where Georgia's anxiety got the best of her and she had a bit of an accident in the hotel room... Oops, again.

Native American attraction just outside Arizona

Made it

We had Chinese for dinner, and I gave the dogs a bath with some lavender doggy shampoo purchased at the Wal-mart near the hotel. Feeling clean and calm, the dogs settled down and actually slept the best in this final hotel. I still was battling my chest pains and insomnia, but distracted myself by watching Animal Planet. 

Sonja clearly felt bad for weeing in the car

All clean and ready for bed!

It was hard to believe that we would be in my new home the very next day...

Backlog: Moving Cross-Country Day 2

After a restless first night, I rose to a rainy, humid Kansas morning. After grabbing a banana we headed back to the interstate for another long day of driving. We traveled all the way across Kansas, which consisted mostly of wide open plains, with herds of cattle and crops dotting the landscape. Although simple, it was nonetheless a pretty view. Until we began approaching the Oklahoma border. 

A field of windmills, and sometimes the occasional oil pump. 'Merica!

She was mad we wouldn't let her sit on my lap and drive. Also, clearly not amused with my selfies...

                                         
This part of the United States is where a large portion of beef is raised and marketed. As we approached Oklahoma, where most of the beef processing plants are located, we began to see large corrals filled with cattle. A sign read "feeding station." Now, I am not opposed to eating meat, but what I saw here turned my stomach. There were miles of pens, stuffed with so many cows, they could barely move. There were no trees or shelter available for them to seek shade, and the temperature gauge in my car read nearly one hundred degrees. To me, this is nothing less than animal cruelty, and it really opened my eyes to the beef production industry in this country. Rather than focusing on animal comfort, the focus is on quantity, not quality of life. It broke my heart, and it was during this late afternoon I decided I definitely did NOT want to pursue food animal medicine.

I chose not to photograph what I saw along the Kansas countryside, but I will never forget the sight of miles of cattle, waiting to die. If you are curious as to what a feed lot is, you can view some photos here.

Almost missed the Oklahoma border sign!

Simple, but still beautiful

Wide open spaces...til we hit the feed lots

                                              
Towards late afternoon, we crossed through the panhandle of Oklahoma and soon entered New Mexico. The change in landscape was drastic. Rather than miles of prairie grasslands, there were rocks and shrubs. The greens and yellows changed to reds and browns.

Entering New Mexico. Sorry for the poor quality!

We stopped in a small town called Clayton, which was, to say the least, interesting. Upon entering the town, it was evident that there was some level of poverty, despite the several hotels spread through the downtown area. We chose a Super 8 on the very edge of town, away from the barred doors and windows.

Future advice for anyone moving: pre-select your hotels BEFORE you leave.

The only room with a single bed was a smoking room, despite the sticker on the door clearly stating no smoking. As I opened the door, I almost choked. I quickly opened the window and cranked the air conditioning in an attempt to air out the room as best as I could. At this point, however, I was exhausted and didn't give two hoots about where I slept. In comparison to the previous hotel, this one was a little cleaner, even with the toxic stench permeating every surface. I didn't have to shower with my shoes on, at least.

My dad brought me a Subway sandwich; we had decided that eating one meal a day was sufficient, considering we had a long way to drive. We had snacks, thanks to a few gift baskets my co-workers at the hospital gave me before I left. (Thanks guys). We ate dinner, walked the dogs, and retreated to my smoky cave. I was a little more comfortable knowing my dad was right across the hall, but I bolted the door anyway, and turned on the television.

The dogs were still restless, although slightly quieter here. I brought a pillow and blanket into the room so my scent would be a little more present, and perhaps that calmed them some. Sonja settled into the blanket, and Georgia snuggled up on my legs to watch some TV. We slept a few hours, before once again hitting the road for another day of driving- this time through the southwest.

Georgia was really keen on watching Alaskan Bush People...

Day 3 coming soon...

Backlog: Moving Cross-Country Day 1

My dad, my uncle, and I left Minnesota last Tuesday morning. It was raining, and I cried on and off until we reached Des Moines, Iowa. It was bittersweet. I was happy to be pursuing my dream, and happy to be away from the pressures of my family.

One of the things that made this move so difficult was my family situation. I don't want to hurt my parents by writing about this, but at the same time, I need to find a way to heal myself. Basically, my parents decided to get a divorce shortly after I was accepted to vet school. With the stress of preparing to move my life 1800 miles away, the additional pressure of the divorce weighed heavily on me. Tensions were high as I loaded my dogs into my Mazda, and pulled out of the driveway of the only home I had ever known.

Sonja traveled between the back and front seats to observe my driving skills. We kept in touch with my uncle via walkie talkie (which I think my dad really enjoyed playing with).

I forgot to get photos of leaving Minnesota and entering Iowa, but I remembered as we crossed into Missouri!

Managed to take a selfie before getting told off for taking photos while driving

The drive was easy, with minimal traffic. We stopped briefly to allow the dogs to get some exercise, as well as to refuel ourselves and the truck hauling the trailer of my belongings. My dad and I talked a lot about what was going on, as well as admired the landscape. We laughed together, and even shared quite a few tears throughout the drive. After battling through Kansas City's evening rush hour, we decided it was time to begin looking for a place to spend the first night of our road trip. We drove as far as Ottawa, Kansas before checking into one of the only hotels that allowed dogs.

Neat bridge near Kansas City

Sonja did not enjoy Kansas City traffic; she fell asleep with her head on my shifter!

Crappy photo of the Kansas border

Upon arriving, the room was stifling hot, and the shower was definitely questionable. Nonetheless, I was exhausted from crying throughout the trip, and feeling sick from the drive, emotional baggage, and lack of food. My dad and uncle shared a room, which was located on the opposite side of the hotel. I was slightly frightened to be on my own, and I remember thinking that I would have to get used to being alone, as I was about to spend the next four years living alone.

The hotel was dirty, and most of the occupants were construction workers staying there while they worked on the highway projects. I scarfed down a Whopper Jr and dead bolted the door to settle in for the night. Despite being exhausted, sleep did not come. The dogs, sensing my unease, barked and cried throughout the night, startling me from any sleep I managed to fall into. I soothed myself with the television, and utilized the semi-decent free WiFi to catch up on watching some YouTube videos. Finally, around 4:30 AM, I fell into an exhausted sleep before waking up at 7 to hit the road again.

No sleep happening here!

Stay tuned for Day 2...

The Basics

I wanted to make this blog to follow my journey through vet school: the ups, the downs, and the in-betweens. I also wanted to provide a space for anyone interested in veterinary medicine to ask questions about application processes, moving, coursework, ect. Here is a basic rundown of who I am:

Name: Danna

Location: Glendale, Arizona at Midwestern University

Year: First year Doctor of  Veterinary Medicine student

Interests: small animal medicine, dogs, parasites, epidemiology, pharmacology, public health

Pets: Two Italian Greyhounds

Anyway, welcome to the blog! I hope you enjoy!