August 9, 2024 – Julia Bellefontaine has dreamt of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine since she was a young girl. Her journey to veterinary school has included hands-on animal care experience, academic commitment, and valuable professional skills development. She has worked with a variety of animals, including feral cats, horses, and shelter animals. After working as a kennel attendant, she eventually progressed to a role as a receptionist at an animal clinic.  

It was in her position at the animal clinic that she was significantly able to hone her communication skills by working closely with clients and veterinary professionals. “That was the job where I started getting more used to people and figuring out how to talk to them,” she says. “[Veterinary Medicine] is not just about working with animals—it’s hugely people-related.” 

Julia’s dedication to diversifying her experiences played a crucial role in enhancing her veterinary school application. One standout experience that strengthened her application was her role as a teaching assistant during her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois. By advocating for and securing this position, she became the first undergraduate TA for her professor, showcasing her initiative and leadership skills. 

The application process for veterinary school is known for its rigor and competitiveness. “You have to list everything you’ve done,” Julia says, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive application. “I listed everything, even pet- sitting or pet ownership, anytime I interacted with a person in an animal clinic. I put those jobs in there because I feel it’s important, and I think the one thing they’re looking for is a well-rounded person.” 

Julia decided to take a gap year before applying to veterinary school to gain more experience and secure stronger letters of recommendation. During this time, she participated in the Certificate of Veterinary Science program at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.  “It was really helpful—they did case studies with us which is really beneficial when going into vet school because it’s such a huge workload,” she says about the program. “They did a really good job with applying each case to what you would do in real life.”  

The Certificate in Veterinary Science (CVS) is a program designed to help deepen the understanding of veterinary concepts and prepare students for veterinary school through advanced courses and mentorship. When she applied for veterinary school the following year, Julia secured a more personalized letter of recommendation from a mentor within the program.  

She connected much of what she did in the CVS program to her job as a veterinarian receptionist, where she often had to read through patients’ histories and diagnostics.  It was in this role, complemented by the problem-solving skills she was developing in the CVS program, that she was gradually introduced to the medical facet of veterinary work.

Julia applied to six veterinary schools and secured an interview at Illinois. Throughout her interview process, she was able to showcase her skillset acquired from her past and current experiences. Despite initially being waitlisted from Illinois, that did not stop her from building upon her existing skillset. She applied as a wildlife intern at a rehabilitation center to work with new species and learn more about one of her interests, zoo medicine.  

Julia was later pulled off the waitlist and is attending veterinary school at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in the Fall of 2024. She looks most forward to the hands-on learning opportunities available that set Illinois apart from other veterinary schools with clinical rotations in her first year, unlike many other schools that begin in the third or fourth year. She knows from her experience in the CVS program that integrating classwork with real-world learning is the best way for her to learn. 

Looking ahead, Julia is enthusiastic about managing patient care, particularly emergency care, and tackling the unique challenges of veterinary medicine. “I think what’s interesting about vet med is you’re challenged. You can’t talk to your patients and your patients can’t talk to you,” she says. “It’s like putting puzzle pieces together when you’re diagnosing them.”  

Her advice to aspiring veterinary students is to avoid comparison and focus on their unique journey, “Every school is looking for something different in an applicant. Focus on what you’re doing and make it individualistic.”  

Julia has fostered her education and many applicable skills at the University of Illinois, having graduated in 2023 and participating in the CVS program. Her journey reflects a blend of passion, dedication, and initiative, making her a standout applicant and future Class of 2028 student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.  

Read more here about Julia’s experience as a student in the Certificate of Veterinary Science program.