Category: Uncategorized

Tell us about your background (education, work, journey, experiences).

I went to a small high school near Springfield then went on to receiving my BS in Biochemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While there, I participated in a research lab for three years, working alongside PhD students and leading a team of undergraduates in yeast protein research. I planned to earn my PhD in Biochemistry before pursuing a career in academic research. While in school, I worked at a pet store, where I found my love for veterinary care. In my last year of undergrad, I decided to turn my career path completely and dive into the world of veterinary medicine. I took a gap year to earn experience and make my application more competitive. I began shadowing three local vets before finding a job as a vet assistant at a clinic for the summer. I earned my Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Sciences through Illinois vet med. Additionally, I actively volunteer at Forever Home Feline Ranch, a short and long-term home for cats. Through these experiences, I learned an extraordinary amount about veterinary medicine and myself, solidifying my choice to pursue a career as a veterinarian.

How is/was this program beneficial for you?

I initially applied to the CVS program with the sole goal of strengthening my application. While there’s no doubt that the experience did that, I feel I gained so much more. Compared to my colleagues who earned their undergraduate educations in Animal Sciences, I felt rather unprepared to learn about whole animals for the first time. Like others, I also worried about the material load and expectations of attending vet school. The materials provided by the program presented a specialized overview of many topics covered in vet school at the same level of understanding that was to be expected. As a current first-year veterinary student, I often review notes from the program as supplementary study material. I used my understanding of the expectations in vet school to explain my devotion to being a successful vet student despite the challenges faced along the way.

What part of the program did you find most impactful (specific course, mentoring, community, skill development, etc.)? Describe that impact.

While applying for the CVS program, I considered what benefits I would receive and what skills I would develop through the experience. Yet, the most impactful resource was unexpectedly the people. The mentors of the program provided great tips and feedback on the application process, even providing insight in personal statements and other essay questions. Going into the program, I didn’t know any other aspiring vet students. I got to know other students through discussion groups and made several long-lasting connections. Many of them helped me to improve my application through peer review. I am grateful for the small community we created during attendance of the program as opportunities often became available through this networking.

What is one thing you would say to someone considering this program?

I believe the CVS program was not only a shiny spot on my application but also a developmental experience for me as a student and a person. If this is an obtainable opportunity for you, I highly recommend providing yourself with this experience.

What’s next in your journey (vet school, graduate school, work, etc.)?

I am currently in my first year of vet school at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. I have developed an interest in emergency medicine and plan to pursue specialization after earning my DVM.

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Tell us about your background (education, work, journey, experiences).

I’m a veterinary student at St. Matthew’s University, currently preparing for my clinical year. My journey in veterinary medicine has been shaped by a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience. I hold a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Education, and a Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Science. Before vet school, I worked full-time while completing my graduate certificate and gained valuable experience as a Certified Veterinary Assistant. I also have an extensive background in the equine industry, which has fueled my passion for veterinary medicine. My experiences have given me a well-rounded perspective in both small and large animal medicine, and I’m excited to continue growing in this field.

How is/was this program beneficial for you?

The program was incredibly beneficial to me, especially since I completed it while working full-time. It provided a strong structural foundation in veterinary medicine, helping me better understand cases and apply my knowledge in real-world settings. We learned the basics that most vet students cover in their first year, and by the end of the program, we were able to fully work up and diagnose cases. This experience gave me a significant advantage going into vet school—I recognized a lot of the material covered in my first five semesters, which made transitioning into the rigorous curriculum much smoother. Having that background allowed me to approach my studies with confidence and a deeper understanding of clinical reasoning.

What part of the program did you find most impactful (specific course, mentoring, community, skill development, etc.)? Describe that impact.

The most impactful part of the program for me was the case-based learning approach. Being able to take what we learned in lectures and apply it to real cases was invaluable. By the end of the program, we weren’t just memorizing information—we were fully working up cases, diagnosing conditions, and thinking critically like veterinarians. That experience gave me a huge advantage going into vet school because I already had a structured way of approaching cases. It made complex topics feel more manageable and helped me develop strong clinical reasoning skills early on. This foundation has been incredibly beneficial throughout my veterinary education, especially when transitioning into more advanced coursework and clinical decision-making.

What is one thing you would say to someone considering this program?

If you’re considering this program, go for it—it’s one of the best ways to build a solid foundation before vet school. The structured case-based learning approach not only teaches you the basics but also helps you develop critical thinking skills that will set you apart. Balancing this program while working full-time was challenging, but it made me more confident in understanding cases and diagnosing conditions. By the time I started vet school, I already had a strong grasp of a lot of the material, which made the transition so much smoother. If you want to enter vet school feeling prepared and ahead of the game, this program is absolutely worth it.

What’s next in your journey (vet school, graduate school, work, etc.)?

Next in my journey is completing my clinical year, and I’m hoping to do so at Illinois, where I can further develop my skills in surgery and diagnostic imaging while learning from an incredible team of veterinarians. After graduation, my goal is to start practicing and continue growing as a veterinarian. No matter where my career takes me, I’m committed to lifelong learning and providing the best care possible for my patients.

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Tell us about your background (education, work, journey, experiences).

I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz as a first-generation college student in the spring of 2023. I earned my bachelor’s degree in both Biology and Art. I started volunteering at my local animal shelter during my college career. My interest in this field became solidified when I worked as a Veterinary Assistant at an Exotics Pet Clinic in my area.

How is/was this program beneficial for you?

This program has been beneficial to me in a variety of ways. As a first-generation college student, navigating the application cycle can be difficult. This program has provided me with many mentorship opportunities. The program leaders go out of their way to be accessible and supportive. I am thankful to have found an amazing community within this cohort.

What part of the program did you find most impactful (specific course, mentoring, community, skill development, etc.)? Describe that impact.

The weekly, problem-based learning cases are extremely impactful. It can be difficult to find time to reason behind each case in hands-on experience. These meetings allow you to challenge your thinking and broaden your understanding of a range of cases.

What is one thing you would say to someone considering this program?

I highly encourage this program to pre-vet students from any experience level and background. This is the perfect way to connect with other pre-vet students, gain mentorship during the application cycle, and deepen your animal medicine knowledge.

What’s next in your journey (vet school, graduate school, work, etc.)?

I am in the process of applying to this upcoming cycle of vet school while continuing to gain more experience.

Update March 2025: Amaya has been accepted into six veterinary schools and has decided to accept her offer at UC Davis. We are so happy for her! When she informed her CVS instructor, Dr. Russhawn Aldridge, she wrote, “I went to UC Davis Admitted Student Day and got to try on my future white coat. It feels so surreal and I couldn’t wait to update you. I am so grateful for all your support and mentorship during this process.”

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Tell us about your background (education, work, journey, experiences).

I graduated from California Polytechnic University, Pomona with my Bachelors of Science in Animal Science with an emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Science in May 2022. Throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate education, I have dipped my toes into many different aspects of the veterinary field including, vaccination clinics, small animal GP, emergency and urgent care medicine, shelter volunteering, wildlife rehabilitation, laboratory animal husbandry, and livestock husbandry. During undergrad I also worked at an educational outreach branch of the Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture at Cal Poly Pomona called AGRIscapes, where I helped teach the local community and schools about the importance of agriculture.

How is/was this program beneficial for you?

The program not only brought my brain back into learning after having been out of school for about a year, but also gave me some insight at graduate level courses. Each POD meeting brought an interpersonal problem-driven, case-based teaching approach which I felt really helped to lock in the information after having done my lectures prior to class. Talking about cases with others resonated with me better than traditional textbook learning alone would. I am always able to see connections between the concepts we talk about in class and real life scenarios at work in the hospital.

What part of the program did you find most impactful (specific course, mentoring, community, skill development, etc.)? Describe that impact.

When I originally found the certificate program, I was very intrigued by the mentoring aspect of the program. My POD leader, Dr. Maria Byrd, blew my expectations through the roof with how helpful and encouraging she is both during class and even outside of class. I applied to vet school while in the program, and when I found out I was offered interviews for 2 schools, with no hesitation and lots of excitement, Dr. Byrd took time outside of class to help me with interview prep. This prep really helped prepare me for my interviews and made me less nervous and better at navigating the difficult questions they had to ask.

What is one thing you would say to someone considering this program?

This is a very good program if you’re looking to apply and go to vet school. The program also is a great transition if you are interested in getting a masters before vet school since the 12 credits from the certificate program transfer to the Master of Veterinary Science degree program.

What’s next in your journey (vet school, graduate school, work, etc.)?

I will be starting vet school at UC Davis in August [2024]! I’ m excited to start my lifelong dream! I’m unsure what direction I would like to take my vet career in but my main goal is to bring better patient care to those in the Latinx community as someone who is bilingual and can speak with them more efficiently.

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Tell us about your background (education, work, journey, experiences).

-BS in animal science (public health minor) from UIUC in May 2023
-Served multiple positions on the Pre Vet Club in Undergrad, President of the Illini Wildlife and Conservation Club
-Have volunteered at the Wildlife Medical Clinic for 3 years
-Currently working at a small animal hospital near UIUC

How is/was this program beneficial for you?

I feel this program was very beneficial as I got to dip my toes into graduate classes. Next year I hope to be in the Masters of Veterinary Science program!

What part of the program did you find most impactful (specific course, mentoring, community, skill development, etc.)? Describe that impact.

I think the mentoring aspect was a big part of it. My first semester pod leader, Dr. Russhawn Aldridge, has helped me through my vet school application process and I can’t thank her enough for her encouraging words and advice.

What is one thing you would say to someone considering this program?

You definitely need to have self motivation to complete all of the lectures and assignments on time. It’s nice that you can do the lectures at your own pace, but you can’t procrastinate like some undergraduate classes.

What’s next in your journey (vet school, graduate school, work, etc.)?

I plan to pursue the masters of veterinary science at UIUC while applying for vet school. I would love to also attend U of I for vet school!

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Give us a brief summary of your background? (education, work, experiences).

During college, I worked as a part-time veterinary assistant at a general practice, volunteered at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and was involved in a couple of on-campus clubs. I then graduated from The Ohio State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. After graduation, I started full-time as a veterinary assistant in the emergency department at an animal emergency room/specialty hospital, which is what I continue to do today.

How did you become interested in the Certificate in Integrated Animal Health Sciences?

I applied for veterinary medical school in 2021 and, unfortunately, didn’t get accepted into any programs, which is when my friend forwarded me the email that he had gotten about the Certificate in Integrated Animal Health Sciences. This post-baccalaureate program sounded perfect for my situation, it was a high-yield science program, less than a yearlong, online, and was veterinary based from the University of Illinois’ veterinary medical school.

Tell us about the personal and professional impact of this program in your life?

I’m so happy that I completed this program because it made me think critically, seems to have mentally prepared me for veterinary medical school, and helped me create new study habits. I also find myself asking more questions at work and wanting to know the “why” behind the cases that we come across.

In what way has the certificate program affected your future career perspectives and prospects?

This program showed me a small glimpse into the life of a veterinary medical student, and with the knowledge and different way of thinking that they supplied, I feel that I am ready for the next steps, and hope that I will be accepted into a program soon.

What is one thing about the certificate program you would say to someone considering enrollment?

I would highly recommend this certificate program to anyone who is working on bettering themselves in their education and their professional life, and to anyone who is determined to get into veterinary medical school. I was struggling to find a post-baccalaureate program that checked all my boxes, I am so fortunate that I came upon this program when I did, and I’m proud of myself for doing well and completing it.

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Tell us about your background (education, work, journey, experiences).

I received a Bachelors in Kinesiology and Health Education from The University of Texas at Austin in 2015. I started shadowing a veterinarian in 2017 at a small animal and exotics clinic and started working there in 2018. I have been working there for the past five years and have worked with ferrets, rabbits, birds, reptiles, pocket pets and opossums. I have applied to vet school multiple times, without any luck. I started a Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Veterinary Social Work from The University of Tennessee Knoxville but decided to reapply to vet school one last time and found the CVS program.

How is/was this program beneficial for you?

As far as vet school application goes, I think this is the best application I will have presented to the admissions committees thus far. I feel confident that my personal statement will stand out and got help describing my experiences in a way I would never have thought of on my own. I really feel the knowledge that I learned from the CVS program can easily be incorporated into my everyday work so that I can become more competent before vet school even starts.

What part of the program did you find most impactful (specific course, mentoring, community, skill development, etc.)? Describe that impact.

I loved the veterinary form and function and biology of pathogens courses. I felt that they were integrated well. I would say the most impactful part of the program would be the mentoring/help I received on my application to make it the best it can be and the case based learning. The help I received transformed my writing skills that I think will make my application stand out but also be useful in the future. The cases we went through were so fun to think through and enhanced my critical thinking skills. I can easily integrate the case based learning concepts and competencies that I learned into cases at work and continue to identify gaps in my knowledge to better solve and think through problems.

What is one thing you would say to someone considering this program?

I was hesitant at first about doing this program given that it was new, condensed and I was paying for the program in full. I wanted to make sure I would get my money’s worth. Within the first week, I knew the program would be worth it. I got so much out of it and am so glad I took a chance. It was well worth it! I would do it all over if I could, and I know the program will continue to improve even more as time progresses. If you are debating on pursuing this program, don’t be afraid to take a chance. You will thank yourself!

What’s next in your journey (vet school, graduate school, work, etc.)?

I am reapplying to vet school this cycle and plan to continue working while finishing up some vet school prerequisites.

Update from original student spotlight submission:

After applying to veterinary school for the fifth time, I received an acceptance from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, which was a dream come true for me! I had faced around 25 rejections in total over the course of those five years. I believe that my success was due to the Certificate in Veterinary Science program, its curriculum, and the help I received on my applications through the program. My ultimate goal is to become a small animal and exotics veterinarian. I have a keen interest in various fields, including emergency medicine, internal medicine, neurology, infectious/zoonotic diseases, preventative medicine, and exotic medicine, including fish medicine and hospice care.

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Tell us about your background (education and current work experience).

I just graduated (May 2023) from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors of Science in Animal Sciences and a minor in Business. I have animal experience and veterinary experience working with feral cats, horses, shelter animals, and as a CSR and kennel attendant. I also was a teaching assistant for about 2 years and an Animal Sciences Ambassador.

How is/was this program beneficial for you?

This program was very beneficial when it came to the case study aspect. I loved being able to talk through each small part of a case and connect it to a bigger concept.

What part of the program did you find most impactful?

I found the skill development part the most beneficial. I had never had the opportunity to go over a real case and apply real clinical skills. I was able to eventually apply this within job environments.

What is one thing you would say to someone considering this program?

For those considering the program, I would recommend that you take advantage of your resources as much as possible and really take the time to reflect on the cases, even after grand rounds each week.

What’s next in your journey?

I am planning to apply to vet school for the class of 2028, after taking a gap year to work, gain experience and become more financially confident.

What is one thing about the program you would say to someone considering this degree?

I cannot say enough great things about all the staff and professors I have had the privilege of working with! Their kindness, understanding, and exemplary mentorship have left an indelible mark on my educational journey.

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