Reluctantly crouched at the starting line,

So I realized the other day that I have just over 16 weeks before I will be starting veterinary school.  Surprisingly that doesn't leave me with much time to spare.  Attending veterinary school in another country apparently comes with some extra tasks that must be completed before attending.  Like most schools a deposit is made to hold your seat; however, that isn't the only thing required of you before even starting to talk about financial aid, fees and tuition.

Traveling and studying in another country, especially one as interesting and hot as Saint Kitts requires some extra pieces to the puzzle.  Visa paperwork must be filled out, background checks must be made, and the all time fun piece, a health certificate and Rabies vaccine.  That last one will be a little chuckle to those in the veterinary field as they are a requirement of any interstate/international travel with any type of animal.  I made a joke that other day at work that I would simply have my boss finish that last piece and I would just give myself a rabies shot sitting in our vaccination fridge.

These are many steps that require time in between to complete and therefore I have a feeling 16 weeks is going to come and go by the time I get them all done.

Then comes the financial aid...  For some this is a dreadful time.  For me it is the final question to be asked before starting on this journey...

Is this really what you want to do with your abilities, time, and energy?  The financial aid I see as the final litmus test to determine if this is truly something you want to do.  Vets don't get into the business for the money.  Schooling costs rival next to other medical science programs while providing upon graduation many less professional choices as well as starting salaries.  But I digress.  I hope to spend more time on another post in the future focusing on this problem.

So as you may see, my next 16 weeks will be fairly busy making sure all the 't's are dotted and the 'i's are crossed.  But, hopefully everything will go off without a hitch and I will be writing to you all real soon from 61st parallel.

Graduation Day

It's official, I am no longer an undergraduate student.  This past weekend I was able to enjoy a wonderful ceremony as well as dinner at Kobe Steak house in Rancho Mirage with family and friends to celebrate me finishing my Bachelors of Science degree in Biology.

To give some people some background, this has been a journey that started back in 2005.  It started up in Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, pursuing a degree in Computer Science.  Through a few hiccups and life changes I was pulled towards Crafton Hills community college to finish up general education requirements and finally Cal State, San Bernardino to finish my degree.  This journey has had many twists, turns, u-turns, lane changes, and full on stops to ask for directions.  But, all has finally paid off.

I discuss this, as all of this work has led up to my acceptance into veterinary school.  All of this work has been the key required to simply open the door to an education that will allow me to pursue a profession that I have grown to love after my experiences throughout this 6.5 year journey.

Now the real work can begin.

Acceptance!

So it is official.  No more prerequisites, no more work experience hours, no more letters of recommendation.  That's it!  I will be attending Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine starting May 7, 2012!  It has been a long journey to this point; and now, the real journey can begin.

It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you of your admission to Ross University's School of Veterinary Medicine for the class beginning May-07-2012.  My sincere congratulations on this important step towards realizing your goal of becoming a veterinarian.


Sincerely,
The Associate Dean of Admissions


For those of you who don't know me, my name is Chris.  After 6.5 years of undergraduate work I have finally put in my paperwork to graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from Cal State University, San Bernardino.

I wanted to make this blog as a way to share with others the trials and tribbles associated with being a student in veterinary school, as well as give myself a place to document the milestones associated with the next 40 months of my life.