Finding Dr. Toth: Pre Exams, Pre Christmas Update

Hi my lovelies,

I am very sorry I've been ignoring you. Here's what has been going on in the life of this prevet student.

First of all, I finally got another elusive 86% on my third exam in my pollution class! Somehow the feeling you get from bad marks (aka less than 85) is way worse than the good feeling you get from good marks. Although that doesn't stand true for final grades. I'm fairly certain that getting an 'A' in a class is almost the best feeling in the world.

I have 7 marks left to go. 3 final exams, 1 research project, 1 assignment and 1 midterm. I'll keep you posted.

Yesterday I met with my vet, who had last minute agreed to be my reference. Let this be a cautionary tale everyone, get on your references early! I thought I was in the clear with a vet that I volunteered with over the summer and I had a great relationship with but he mysteriously did not return my email or calls for over a month. This left me panicked and at a loss for who to turn to for my vet reference. Thank goodness my own vet, who I've shadowed a few times, is willing to help me out. I know it won't be the best reference in the world, but hopefully it won't be the making or breaking of my application since reference are worth only 5%. Stay tuned on how this one plays out!

Filling out my application to U of S:

This turned out to be a bit easier than I anticipated. Their website is very user friendly and you really just follow the steps. I am on my 3rd draft of my 'Statement', this is what I have so far:

I am going to become a vet because I am very passionate about the human-animal
bond. Animal behavior and intelligence all interest me very much. Long before I
decided to become a vet, I was reading books and articles about how animals think.
Vet school is a great place to learn the fundamentals of animal medicine and from
there I would like to specialize in cognitive abilities, but I would pursue almost
anything to do with ethics or welfare. I am confident I would be a good match for
your program because I am mature, well rounded and self-aware. Upon completion
of my degree, I see myself working with large animals in either a food animal or
zoo setting working to improve our understanding of animals. As a natural leader,
I am comfortable making decisions and working with others. I am eager to learn
and work hard, and I have shown my determination by working through my degree
with a very painful chronic low back condition. There are difficult situations in
this lifestyle, but I know I am capable of dealing with them because I have a great
support system and I am not afraid to ask for help.

(Maybe some of you will think it is not advisable to post this on the internet but I am committed to supporting each other in this process and I have faith in the vet colleges application process that they could pick out cheaters.) Anyway, it is difficult to write everything you wish to convey to the committee in only 200 words. You want to be professional but also approachable and interesting... I am eager to see how my applying this year will play out. Most likely my grades will hold me back, but I at least then I know what I need to work on for next year. I feel pretty relaxed about not getting in this year, if that's what is in the cards, but I know if I get a rejection letter its going to hurt.

My vet, lets call him Dr.Kind, asked me a question I really had no answer to yesterday. It was "What kind of employer do you see yourself working for?". And while I know what I am interested and moreover what I am not interested in (small animal private practice), I really couldn't tell you where I fit in in the job market. So I researched it and this is what I came up with:

- Trainer or Vet at Earth Rangers, a NGO in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that works with children to help the cause of endangered species in Canada.
- There is a Canadian Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians that has internships you can do at zoos in Toronto and Calgary towards the end of vet school. I'm assuming through those internships it would be possible to get contacts and information about where to work in the future.
- Vets without borders or World Vets.
- Animal Welfare research at a University
- Animal welfare/behavioural consultant for food animals, such as improving pens/enclosures.
- Consultant to lawyers on ethics in animal rights/abuse cases.
- Working for NGOs in countries all around the world. Or closer to home for Spay and Neuter clinics, of course a lot of this is volunteer work.

I also found these associations through the CVMA website: