Shabria grew up in Norfolk, Virgnia, a small and relatively low-income area. There were many stray cats and dogs running around that she would take home, much to her mother and grandma’s dismay. “It’s always been natural for me to see an animal outside and talk to it like Dr. Doolittle,” she jokes.
While much of her family had a natural inclination towards the arts, she always felt a deep connection with animals. Her love for animals at a young age set her down a path in veterinary medicine to develop the skills and experiences necessary to turn that passion into a profession.
The journey was far from easy. “It was trial by fire, for sure,” she says about the process of applying to veterinary school multiple times. This year marked her fifth attempt, and with each rejection came a deeper understanding of herself and her dreams. “The hardest part of the journey was letting it go,” she says. “I needed to keep getting rejected until I could figure out how to be okay if I didn’t become a veterinarian.”
Despite advisors and instructors in her field suggesting she pursue alternative career paths such as human medicine, Shabria remained steadfast. She contemplated her options but ultimately decided that her journey wasn’t over yet. “Having the perseverance to say, ‘This doesn’t feel finished yet,’ was crucial.”
A turning point for her was when she discovered the Certificate in Veterinary Science (CVS) degree program, a certificate program within the Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine specifically designed for aspiring veterinary students. “It was like a spark,” she says about joining the program. “I just needed to be in the right environment.” The CVS program offered her a chance to learn in a supportive atmosphere that felt like a perfect fit. It was here that she experienced a profound shift in her approach to education and personal growth.
The CVS program offered her a chance to learn in a supportive atmosphere that felt like a perfect fit. It was here that she experienced a profound shift in her approach to education and personal growth.
Prior to joining the CVS program, Shabria found it difficult to separate her worth from getting accepted into veterinary school, having been rejected by multiple schools throughout the years. “Once I finally let that tie go, I could really embrace how I learned, and I learned that through the CVS program.” Instead of viewing rejections as a reflection of her self-worth and capabilities, she reframed it as an opportunity to build skills that would make her a stronger applicant. “Looking back, I think if I had been accepted into vet school not knowing what I do now, I wouldn’t have succeeded.”
For Shabria, one of the most significant aspects of the CVS program was the faculty. “I had never met professors who truly cared in an intentional way,” she says. She remembers a challenging moment in class when she and her peers felt overwhelmed after a difficult exam. Instead of allowing the students to spiral into self-doubt, the faculty stepped in to mediate and reassure students that they can improve and will do it together. “I had never had a professor say, ‘Calm down, let’s do this together’,” she says. This encouragement helped her realize that her weaknesses were not impossible obstacles but opportunities for growth.
After years of perseverance and toying with the idea of a different career path, she finally received acceptance into veterinary school. All her hard work — the various jobs, experiences, and education — had paid off. This fall, Shabria will be attending veterinary school at Western University in Pomona, California. Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast, she is eager to gain more exposure in her field and determined to approach her studies with greater control over her learning and well-being.
Shabria’s journey to veterinary school has been one of perseverance, growth, and dedication to her passion for animals. As she steps into this new chapter, she does so with the confidence that she is ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Learn more about the Certificate in Veterinary Science here and see what other students are saying about the CVS program.