For Michelle Weber, the road to veterinary science wasn’t always clear. Originally from Arlington Heights, Illinois, Michelle began her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a focus on molecular and cellular biology. Initially, she had her sights set on medical school, but a transformative study abroad experience to Thailand during her junior year led her to pursue veterinary medicine instead.
“We stayed onsite at this elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai. It was so beautiful, and it really did change my life,” she says about the experience. “We got to do a lot of veterinary work with the elephants and some husbandry.”
After graduating in 2024, Michelle applied to veterinary schools but didn’t get accepted in her first cycle. Instead of giving up, she found the Master of Veterinary Science program, an opportunity that would allow her to strengthen her animal science background. “It seemed like a great way to build my knowledge and gain more hands-on experience,” she explained.
Since starting the master’s program, Michelle has been actively involved in the Wildlife Medical Clinic, where she secured an internship. “I love wildlife because they’re often overlooked, and I want to be a voice for them,” she shared. One of her most rewarding experiences so far was working with a green heron that had multiple wounds. “I was able to help design a treatment plan, assist with bandaging, and even give input on medications,” she said.
Beyond her work with wildlife, Michelle has also enjoyed the structure of the master’s program. With small class sizes and strong faculty support, she has found it much easier to build relationships with professors “They’re really accessible, whether it’s for help with coursework or reviewing veterinary school applications,” she noted.
Michelle has also enjoyed the structure of the master’s program. With small class sizes and strong faculty support, she has found it much easier to build relationships with professors “They’re really accessible, whether it’s for help with coursework or reviewing veterinary school applications,” she noted.
Applying to vet school is a rigorous and competitive process, and Michelle has been working hard to build her credentials for the next application cycle. “I’ve been taking every opportunity to gain experience,” she said. “Putting yourself out there is really important.”
Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic and motivated by her long-term goal of working in wildlife medicine. While she doesn’t know exactly where she’ll land, she hopes to one day live somewhere with plenty of nature—perhaps in the Pacific Northwest.
For those considering a similar path, Michelle’s biggest piece of advice is to be flexible. “Your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It’s okay to take a nontraditional route,” she said. “I used to want everything planned out, but I’ve learned to go with the flow and take things day by day. It will work out.”
With her dedication to wildlife and hands-on experience in veterinary medicine, Michelle is well on her way to making her dream a reality.
To learn more about scholarships for the MVS degree program, visit our website or email us at ilearning@vetmed.illinois.edu for more information.
By Sarah Reed