Animal Medicine: A Personal Statement Of Purpose

The transition from being a child, dependent upon parents for everything, to an independent adult is one of the most stressful times a person will endure. Legally speaking, 18 is the age when you become an adult but the number doesn’t describe the responsibilities and independence you must take on. College is seen as the “big step” into the real world and many people struggle in choosing where to make their transition. I would like to take my “big step” by attending Florida Atlantic University.

I used to tell my friends and teachers that I wanted to explore the medical field because that was what my family wanted me to do. They wanted me to become a doctor as it is a well praised profession that pays extremely well. As I grew older and entered middle school, I realized that becoming a doctor wasn’t something I was immensely interested in. Instead of a doctor, I wanted to become a veterinarian, treating animals instead of people. I’ve become aware of my passion for animals ever since I began having pets: from fish to hamsters to dogs. I decided to focus on animals when I first took one of my hamsters to a veterinarian. I thought that their profession was fun and interesting because it revolves around animals, something that I love and grown up with. Although studying veterinary sciences is difficult and competitive, becoming an animal doctor has been one of my greatest

The practicality and variability associated with this profession will be intellectually challenging. However, I enjoy and am driven by challenging problems. Growing up, I noticed how our pets truly enhance our lives. They are an antidote for our loneliness, enrich our joys, and teach us about loyalty and love. Eventually, I became attracted towards medicine and animals. It wasn’t just because I’m interested in the health and welfare of animals, it was also able because I communicate well with people.

Born and raised in the small town of San Benito by a single mother, I graduated from San Benito High School in 2017 as a first-generation Mexican-American high school graduate. I am currently enrolled at Texas State Technical College pursuing the completion of my General Academic Core as also a first-generation college student.

As a graduate student in School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, I have acquired so many skills ranging from corporate communications, public relations, brand communications, advertising, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), advanced writing, public speaking, just to mention a few.

Being a Veterinarian has been a long term goal of mine for 3 years now, and throughout my highschool experience I have been continuously researching all the various aspects of said career. I know that the department maintains livestock herds and flocks for research and teaching purposes. This knowledge and opportunity guarantees that I will be able to accomplish another short term goal, which is to understand more about large or livestock animals. The only exposures I have been able to experience to animals are small animals at the local vet. I have worked with large animals sparsely and have not had the best experience. As of now I plan to become a small animal veterinarian, but I classes such as sheep management and horse production may change my mind or change my perspective on working with large animals. I do not desire to commit to small animal science completely until I have truly understood what working with larger animals in all its compartments is

To become a livestock veterinary, it takes a massive amount of education. Your required education would be to get your Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Before that though, you need to do your undergraduate classes. It is also recommended you receive your bachelor's degree.. You need to also complete either an internship or residency program and licensure.

This spring, I will be completing my first year of graduate school in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico. I graduated with a B.S. Degree in Environmental Science from UNM last year and was the first in my family to earn a college degree. I transferred to UNM in the fall of 2012 and have had the opportunity to interact with many professors, which I feel helped to influence my decision for graduate school.

It was dark and there were so many noises around me as I slowly woke up and recalled I was in a hospital with abdominal pain. I then heard a familiar voice say “Sweetie, wake up! Wake up!” I opened my eyes to a blurry image of my mother. “Shhh… don't make any noises. We're leaving now. Just act like you are fine. We'll try to sneak out before anyone notices”, my mother said. She explained later that she could not afford to pay hospital bills, so we had to leave before any physician checked over. Living in Vietnam, I was filled with resentment towards their healthcare system, as people were rejected treatment and left to perish in the streets. As a child, I therefore never considered medicine as a career. My spark for medicine was unforeseen until I went on a high school field trip at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. Hovering over the glass ceiling of the operating theater, I watched doctors performing coronary bypass surgery while witnessing the heart beat stronger and stronger. At this magical moment, I was overwhelmed by the power of medicine to save people’s lives.

I will never forget the first time I watched a pet euthanized. Distraught, I thought for a time I would refuse to perform euthanasia in my practice. As I took in more of the doctor-patient interactions, I realized this would not be fair. The bond between a veterinarian and a pet owner becomes very important and is needed through the animal's life. The doctor, who has been there throughout the good and difficult times, needs to be there for the owner and the pet when the only choice left is to end the suffering of the animal.

Ever since I was little the career that has sparked my interest and I want to pursue is veterinary. My father who loves animals has influenced me to be a veterinarian. We have always been close and he has inspired me to go higher in life. My one goal in life is to get my masters degree of veterinary medicine and have my own pet clinic. The university I want to attend and have gotten information about is UC Davis. UC Davis is known for having great majors and one of them is veterinary medicine.

Virginia Tech’s ‘hands-on, minds-on’ approach exemplifies my philosophy: to “invent the future” using individual voices that work cohesively. As an Indian-American, I straddle the divide between two different but inspiring cultures: I flip between English and Hindi, between shaking hands firmly and touching elders’ feet, and selecting fast-food or chicken-tandoori. My dual heritage inspires me to be an active listener and learner who will bring a rich blend of my Indo-American values to a diverse institution.

Throughout high school, I have learn that one can accomplish so much in their education if they work hard. So as I start my college career, I aim to achieve my main goal to be on the Dean’s list every semester. I have prepared myself by developing good studying habits and time management skills that have benefited my grades in school. In addition, I plan to not only use my good habits but also to ask for assistance when needed, get involved in clubs, and find volunteer opportunities. I am confident that I will do exceptionally great at VCU because I feel they have one of the top professors, great technology, and a great environment to further my education.

As long as I can remember, I wanted to do something with animals when I got older. I would dream about helping when they are in need. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian since day one. With growing up, I learned that veterinary students go through a lot to become a veterinary. Writing is very important and it's needed in anybody wants to go into. To be an animal sciences major, a lot of research papers have to be written and as well as persuasive papers.

To excel in this research field, I have gained applicable education and experience to conducted research at an advanced level. I graduated with an Applied Animal Biology, BSc from University of British Columbia, Vancouver. At UBC, my course work primarily focused on underlying animal welfare issues associated with animals under human care and animals in wild. Additionally, I am fascinated by physiology and how different organ system works; therefore, my other focus during my undergraduate years