Update On My Life

I haven't written a blog post in awhile, so I thought I'd post an update about what's going on in my life at the moment. After getting accepted to vet school back in February (it still doesn't feel completely real!), I've been playing the "waiting game" since school doesn't start until August. I've been alternating between wanting to start school immediately (I'm so excited to officially be a vet student!) and being terrified about how drastically vet school is going to change my life (I've heard the warnings from current vet students - I know it's going to be brutal). Basically, I've just been trying to figure out the best way to spend my time before I begin another rigorous, four year degree. Honestly, I've been feeling a little bit aimless lately even though I have a to-do list that's a mile long. Here's a glimpse at what I've accomplished on my to-do list so far, and what I still have left to do before August:

Already accomplished:

• Choose a vet school! I was accepted to three different schools and had a very difficult decision to make. I loved all of them when I visited, and I made extensive pro/con lists for each. I ended up choosing my in-state school, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, due to financial reasons. With the current cost of tuition and high interest rates on student loans, it was the only decision that my practical self could live with. Even though I went there for undergrad, I'm so excited for all the new experiences vet school will bring. Go Illini!
• Find an apartment and roommates. I got a great deal on a town-house style apartment that's less than 10 minutes away from the vet school! It was such a relief to get my living situation figured out since I have a dog, so that limits my options a bit. I also wanted to live with roommates to save money, but not knowing anybody posed a bit of a problem. I ended up finding a complex that provides roommate-matching services, so I'll be living in a 4-bed, 4-bath with 3 other girls. I'm a little nervous about having so many roommates, but hopefully it will work out for the best and we will all get along!
• Apply for financial aid. I filled out my FAFSA forms back in February, but had to go back and update them once my taxes were done. I received my award letter from UIUC, and now all I have to do is decide how much of the offered loan money to accept.
• Create a budget plan for vet school. I prepared a budget spreadsheet with both yearly and monthly itemizations in order to account for all my predicted expenses during vet school. This will hopefully help me to take out the minimum amount of loan money.
• Find a summer job. Just this past week, I finally found a job for the summer! I wanted something that would be low-stress so I can enjoy my summer, but would provide me with the necessary finances to pay for vet-school related expenses. I'm happy to say that I found a position that fits the bill, and I'll be working with animals! I should be starting this week, and I can't wait!
• Find a volunteer position. My boyfriend, Adam, and I just signed up to volunteer at an animal shelter on the weekends. Ever since I left my shelter volunteer position back in Illinois, I've been missing working with the rescue animals. I can't wait for Adam and I to spend our weekends this summer helping to make animals' lives better! 

Still on my to-do list:

• Get my rabies vaccine series done. I need to contact my insurance provider and find out how much of the cost they will cover. Then I need to locate a healthcare provider in the area that will administer the vaccine for me. I've been kind of putting this off a little since it's annoying how overly expensive and difficult they make the whole process. 
• Research scholarships. I'm hoping to get a scholarship or two to help decrease my student loans. I'm sure this will require lots of scholarship applications this summer!
• Get a new computer. I'm super excited to get a new computer for vet school, but this one will have to wait until after my loan money is dispersed. I've been doing some research, though, and I definitely want to get a laptop-tablet combo computer to make taking notes during class as easy as possible. Right now I'm leaning toward a Lenovo Thinkpad. 
• Order my textbooks. Everyone says to wait until classes start before ordering your textbooks, but I'm so excited, I don't know if I'll be able to wait! I at least want to order one or two beforehand so that I don't fall behind on my studying from the get-go. I'll probably end up getting the dissection guide and the histology book before classes start, and then wait on the rest.
• Buy a new planner and personalize it. One of my favorite things about starting classes is buying a new planner. I have looked at a whole bunch of fancy ones, but I just can't justify spending $50 on a planner. I'm going to buy a cheaper one from Target and then personalize it myself with scrapbook paper, quotes, and stickers. Having a pretty and inspirational planner makes organizing my life and commitments so much more enjoyable!
• Read for pleasure as much as possible. I have a to-read pile a mile high, and I know I won't have much time to read during vet school. This summer, I want to read as many books as possible, preferably while laying by the pool!
• Spend tons of time outside. Being outside is so good for my mental health, and it always uplifts my spirits. I plan to do tons of hiking this summer, and hopefully go camping as well.
• Get into a better fitness routine. I tend to go through cycles where I work out all the time for several months, and then I become a couch potato for several months. Right now, I'm in the couch potato phase. I know that regular exercise is going to be crucial to both my mental and physical health during vet school, so I want to get into a better routine now. It's so much easier to work out regularly when you've already built up your endurance. I also want to take up yoga for flexibility and stress relief, so I hope to master a few basic yoga routines this summer.
• Take care of all my personal appointments before school starts. It's pretty common knowledge that vet school consumes your life to the point where it becomes difficult to even find time to go to the doctor. I want to take care of as many of those personal commitments as possible over the summer: doctor, dentist, and eye doctor, as well as a new haircut, maintenance for my car, and all Lucy's veterinary care.
• Organize my life as much as possible. I know that I'm going to have little to no free time once school starts, so I really want to streamline my life as much as possible to make things easier. This will include organizing my belongs and purging unnecessary clutter, simplifying my wardrobe, making music playlists for working out and studying, and preparing a recipe binder with quick and easy go-to meals for busy weekdays.
• Back-to-school shopping. I can't wait to go shopping for new school supplies, housewares for my apartment, and a new outfit or two. I also can't wait to buy all my veterinary related items, like coveralls, scrubs, work boots, and a stethoscope! And I need to find the perfect dress for my Blue Coat Ceremony!
• Spend time with friends and family. The final item on my list is also the most important. I want to spend as much time as possible with my friends and family this summer since it will be difficult to visit them during the school year. Being in Kansas while they are all in Illinois makes that a little difficult, but I'm going to try to make weekend trips home in May and July, as well as a full week in August right before school starts. I also want to do as many fun things as possible with my boyfriend, Adam, since come August, we will be going back to long-distance for the next four years... 

I realize this list makes me look like a type-A perfectionist and overachiever, but let's be honest: that's what I am. I wouldn't have made it to vet school without my ambition and attention to detail! This is a long to-do list, but I am confident I can get it all done!

On My Bookshelves

Lately I haven't been making the time to read as much as I'd like, and I definitely want that to change. I'll be the first to admit that I often get sucked into the unhealthy cycle of binge-watching Netflix, which usually causes reading to fall by the wayside. But I want to be more intentional in how I spend my free time, and reading has so many more benefits than watching TV. Reading is also one of my favorite ways to relax and relieve stress, and I could use a little more of that in my life. So without further ado, here is my current reading list:


Currently Reading

Quiet by Susan Cain - As an introvert, it can sometimes be overwhelming how idealized extroverts are in our current society. Susan Cain sheds light on the benefits of being an introvert and how we can harness our strengths. I'm less than a quarter of the way through this book so far, and I've already learned some powerful incites about my leadership style and interpersonal relations. I can't wait to see what other knowledge this book holds!

Zoobiquity by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz - This book is all about comparative medicine and how closely tied human medicine is to veterinary medicine. The author, an M.D., discusses various veterinary cases that she has consulted on and how much M.D.s can learn from D.V.M.s. As a future D.V.M., this book is fascinating to me, and I love how she emphasizes the importance of doctors working together to treat and cure interspecies diseases.

20 Something, 20 Everything by Christine Hassler - I am now solidly into my mid-twenties, and this book is all about finding balance and direction during the tumultuous, transitional years between 20 and 30. It's also full of journaling exercises that I think will be great for self-reflection.


In the Queue

Tell Me Where It Hurts by Dr. Nick Trout - Written by a renowned veterinary surgeon, I'm sure this book will give me a window into the daily life that I have to look forward to in my future profession. I'll be interested to see how his story compares to my experiences thus far as a veterinary technician.

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot - I can't go to veterinary school without having read this classic! And all of James Herriot's books are so cheap on Kindle, so I may just have to read them all!

Good Dog: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Loyalty by the editors of "Garden & Gun" magazine - This book is a collection of stories by various authors all focused on the topic of dog ownership and the companionship, friendship, and support that dogs have to offer. I'm definitely looking forward to this feel-good read.

For Bea by Kristin von Kreisler - A heartwarming story about the life of a beagle rescued from a research laboratory. My mom got me this one for my birthday since I have a rescue beagle of my own, and I can't wait to read it (although I know it will make me cry like a baby!)

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - This story is told from the perspective of an elderly family dog on his last day, as he recounts his life and adventures with his owner. I've heard such great things about this book and how it emphasizes the human-canine bond. I'm sure this one will be a tear-jerker too.

The Genius of Dogs by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods - I'm sure you are starting to see a theme here! Clearly, I can't get enough books about dogs. This was another Christmas gift, and I'm sure it will be very enlightening about how dogs' brains function and process the world around them.

House Rules: Survival Guide to Living with Roommates by Malcom Rockwood - This book was free for Kindle, so I grabbed it really quick! I haven't had the best luck with roommates in the past, and I'm hoping this book will have some helpful incites for choosing compatible roommates in vet school.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner - This one has been in my queue for a while now, and I caved and watched the movie before reading the book. But the movie was so good that I want to read the book even more now! And of course, books 2 and 3 of the trilogy, as well.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - I bought this book ages ago and just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. The subject of stem cell research and the ethical debates surrounding it are fascinating to me, and I can't wait to delve into this real-life story.


On My Wish-list

Unsaid by Neil Abrahamson - In this book, a veterinarian who has passed away at a young age reflects on the life she left behind. Meanwhile her husband, an attorney, works on a case regarding a chimpanzee and a research experiment and draws upon his late wife's life story to guide him. Should be a very interesting and emotional story!

Drive by Daniel Pink - I've been meaning to read this one for ages. Daniel Pink reveals the science and psychology behind what drives us to succeed. As an overachiever myself, I think it will be interesting to see his take on motivation and how it directs our life choices. I may have to move this one to the top of the queue as I am currently trying to make some important life decisions about my future…

Mindset by Carol S. Dweck - Similar to Drive, Mindset focuses on the psychology of success and what sets overachievers apart from everyone else. My mom has this book, and I've read little snippets of it, but I definitely want to read the whole thing to see how my mindset can affect my life.

Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz - Every time I go to Target, I find myself picking up this book and reading the back cover. It discusses the fascinating topic of how dogs think and understand the humans around them. I think this will be a very important read for my future career as a veterinarian, to help me better understand my patients and how I can make vet visits less stressful for them.


I think that's a long enough list for now! It will be a miracle if I can finish all of these before I start vet school in 6 months. But I always like a challenge, and it will be extremely enjoyable trying to conquer this one!

The Vet School Application Process

The application process for veterinary school is extremely long and stressful. Many applicants begin preparing their application years before they're ready to submit. Once submitted, it takes nearly 9 months before you receive a verdict of either accepted, waitlisted, or denied. Those 9 months are full of excitement, suspense, and more often than not, self-doubt. It's no secret that getting accepted to veterinary school is one of the most difficult professional goals to achieve, with an average of 10 applicants for every one position, and it can be a challenge to remain optimistic. As a successful applicant, I hope that some of my knowledge and experiences may help other future applicants to achieve their goal of attending veterinary school. Here are my top ten pieces of advice to keep in mind as a pre-vet student:

1. As soon as you decide that veterinary school is the path for you, start doing research. Compile a list of schools that you think you would be interested in attending. Find out what prerequisites are required by each school, and plan your undergraduate schedule accordingly. Most veterinary schools require you to have all but two of your prerequisites completed by the end of the fall semester the year you apply. You don't want to find out too late that you are missing a prerequisite class necessary to attend your dream school. 
2. Familiarize yourself with the application process as soon as possible. The majority of schools use an application service called VMCAS (Veterinary Medical College Application Service), and you will send the same application to every school. There are a few schools in the US (and a handful of international schools) that don't use VMCAS, so if you plan on applying to any of those, make sure you are aware that they require a separate application. For those schools that do participate in VMCAS, the application opens in early June and closes in September, giving you approximately 3 months to complete it. Don't wait until the last minute, though! Your stress level will be high enough already without having to worry about not meeting important deadlines. 
3. Make sure your finances are in order before beginning the application process because it is expensive! For the 2014-2015 application cycle, the VMCAS fee was $195 for the first school and $100 for each additional school after that. In addition to VMCAS fees, you will have fees for each school's supplemental application (generally ranging from $50-$100 per school), fees for submitting your GRE scores ($27 per school), and fees for sending your transcripts to each school. And don't forget the cost of taking the GRE and the cost of traveling to any interviews you may be offered. To give you an example, I applied to 7 schools in total and spent approximately $1500 on applications (excluding the cost of interviews). I attended interviews at 4 of my 7 schools and spent approximately $300 per interview (although I was lucky enough to be able to drive to them all; airfare would have been substantially more expensive!) 
4. When applying to veterinary school, grades aren't everything, but they definitely are important! Make sure they are a priority to you. If you find yourself struggling to maintain your grades due to overextending yourself, give up some of your extracurricular activities and focus on studying. You can always gain more experience after you graduate if need be, but it is infinitely harder to improve a poor GPA.
5. On that note, admissions committees also like to see that you can handle a difficult course-load, so don't just take a bunch of classes that will give you an "easy A." Strive to challenge yourself as much as possible. Coming from someone who didn't have the best GPA (only a 3.5), but who pursued a difficult major (biochemistry), I can say that getting B's in challenging, upper-level classes says a lot more about you than getting all A's, but only meeting the minimum pre-requisite requirements. The added benefit of taking extra upper-level classes is that once you get accepted to veterinary school, you'll already be familiar with some of the material, which will put you ahead of the game. 
6. Diversity is an important factor for many admissions committees. Most schools have approximately 1000 applicants and only 100 seats in each class, so do whatever you can to make yourself stand out! Pursue a unique major, join extracurricular activities that highlight your interests, and seek out uncommon experiences. Allow yourself to think outside the box, too! Several experiences that I had that I believe made me stand out were my research experience, my volunteer position at a hospital, and my past employment in the marketing field. There's always a way to relate your experiences back to veterinary medicine, so find those connections and use them to your advantage!
7. Continuing with the diversity aspect, make sure you have a wide variety of animal and veterinary experiences. Veterinary medicine has many different facets, and admissions committees want to see that you have a well-rounded understanding of the field. Try to gain experience with both large and small animals; even if you think you'll ultimately only focus on one or the other, you'll be required to learn about both during veterinary school. Experience with exotics or research animals will also go a long way in making you stand out. And don't forget that the quality of the experience is just as important as the quantity!
8. Try to maintain an up-to-date list of all your activities and the hours spent at each one because the VMCAS application will ask you to be specific. It's also helpful to keep a master list of any awards or scholarships you may have, since there's a separate section to list these on the application. And I would definitely recommend keeping a journal about your animal or veterinary experiences. Any time you witness something really interesting, jot down a little note about it. Trust me, it will be immensely helpful when it comes time to write descriptions of your activities and brainstorm subject matter for your personal statement.
9. The importance of strong letters of recommendation cannot be understated! Try to form relationships with your professors, mentors, or veterinarians that you shadow. Most schools require at least three letters of recommendation, but VMCAS allows you to upload as many as six. Make sure you are familiar with each schools' requirements. A wide variety of letters that showcase your unique personality will allow admissions committees to get a more complete picture of your passion, interpersonal skills, and work ethic. Using myself as an example: I had letters from three different veterinarians I worked for (each one with a different specialty), as well as a professor that I was close with, the P.I. of my research project, and the medical liaison at the animal shelter where I volunteered.
10. Above all, do your best to remain optimistic during the admissions cycle! Every applicant has their strengths and weaknesses, and everyone has worked extremely hard to make it to where they are. Have confidence in yourself and your abilities, and remember that you deserve to be admitted just as much as anyone else! 

Best of luck to all current and future applicants! I can't wait to be colleagues with you all!

When Dreams Become Reality

Starting a blog has been a dream of mine for several years now, but for some reason, I always find it difficult to maintain. I think it's because I have trouble prioritizing blog writing over other matters that seem more pressing at the time. But the truth is, documenting your life experiences is just as important as any other task, and it's a great way to inspire personal reflection, connect with others, and eternalize your memories. Each and every time something exciting or monumental happens in my life, I am always drawn back to the idea of writing a blog so that I can remember those moments for years to come. However, I need to remember that the little moments in life are just as important and can create some of the most vivid memories. Going forward, I hope to document both the significant and the simple moments so that I can better appreciate the balancing act that we call "life."

Looking back at the blog post I wrote just under a year ago when the idea for "Embrace the Chase" was first born, I am amazed at how far I've come since then. At that time, I was a recent college graduate trying to navigate the transition into the "real world." I was living at home with my parents, working a minimum wage job, and not at all sure where my future would lead me. A year later, I am now living in a new city, 500 miles away from my family and friends, and have taken a huge step towards establishing my independence. Not only that, but I have discovered what I believe is my true purpose in life - I have transformed my love for science and my passion for helping both animals and people into a career that will truly allow me to make a difference in the world. And this past week, I learned that my dream of becoming a veterinarian is finally going to become a reality, as I have been accepted into veterinary school for the Class of 2019!

The next few months of my life are going to be a whirlwind of monumental decisions as I prepare for starting veterinary school in the fall. I have to decide which school I want to attend (multiple acceptances are both a blessing and a curse!), find housing and roommates, figure out my finances, and more. But although my to-do list seems a bit daunting right now, I couldn't be more excited to make all these decisions and take my first major steps toward becoming a veterinarian! And even though I know I have a difficult four years of school ahead, I feel well-prepared for the challenge. For the first time in my life, I will be fully immersed in a field that I'm passionate about, and I can't wait to dive in, head first!

Inaugural Blog Post

Throughout life, we are constantly chasing after something, trying to achieve our latest dream. We live in a society founded on ambition, and it is what gives our lives purpose. This is especially true during your twenties, when you are still trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do in life. As a twenty-three year old, I am right in the thick of the tumultuous period when you're no longer a college student, but not quite a fully functioning adult yet. The “quarter life crisis,” if you will.

I have this vision in my head of my future self: a successful, independent woman with a career that she's passionate about, her own beautifully decorated apartment, and a perfectly organized life. A woman that is completely self-assured and happy with who she is. What can I say, I'm a dreamer and a perfectionist. And although I am still far from making that vision a reality, the exciting thing is that at this point in my life, anything is possible. I have no restrictions when it comes to chasing my dreams.

So, I am starting this blog as a way to document and embrace all the little stepping stones that we take along the way to reaching our ultimate goals. I often struggle with wanting to reach my goals immediately, failing to appreciate my life as it currently is. I hope that this blog will help me to find balance and happiness in my daily life, while simultaneously motivating me to never stop pursuing my dreams. To “embrace the chase,” as the title reflects. And I hope that I can help encourage my readers to do the same!