Undergraduate /
Good grades on every subject - Statement of Purpose transfer A&M biology major [8]
Graduating from high school marked not only the start of new beginnings for me, but also laid out a whole new range of indecision. My life no longer revolved simply around the small things, such as what my plans were for the weekend. It now came down to much greater plans, like what i wanted to do with the rest of my life! This overwhelmed me and for the next few months the indecisiveness and hesitation only grew stronger. With each major I learned more about, came only the lack of spark in my interest. My mother, knowing I was bouncing around from major to major and coming from a medical background, suggested one day that I myself try medicine. Seeing no other options, I began to take some science classes. School immediately became more enjoyable than ever before. The material I was learning, along with my teachers' guidance, made me absolutely fall in love with the subject. The classes I enrolled in were so much more rigorous and hands on than any other subjects I had experienced so far and I loved it. I became so interested, in fact, that I found myself gladly signing up for the science club on campus. This, too, opened up a whole new realm of the scientific world for me. I quickly began researching some of the careers that one could pursue involving science and using your hands. The one that really stuck out to me among the others was becoming a veterinarian. The only thing that struck me as odd after really discovering the specifics behind this career was why I hadn't thought of it sooner! I've always had a strong love for animals. I had my share of pets throughout the years that I adored. I also, as many others in the medical field do, loved to help others. What better job for me was there?
It wasn't long before I decided to look for some volunteer work at veterinarian clinics in the area. I was anxious and excited to put forth my help. Unfortunately, after applying to almost every clinic in north San Antonio, I came up empty-handed. Soon after, however, my family and I made a move to the small city of Helotes. Almost as soon as we arrived, I applied to a clinic there, feeling hopeful, yet doubtful. Contrary to my doubts, however, after two interviews I proudly accepted an internship at Helotes Animal Hospital. After shadowing a technician for a week, all the while asking every possible question I could think of, I found myself more and more eager to have my turn at actually assisting the doctor. As most things had transpired with this whole experience, change seemed to come overnight. My strong desire to get some hands-on training was soon fulfilled when my first patient came through the door. After drawing up vaccines and handing them to the doctor, he asked if I was ready. Without a doubt in my mind I said yes, trying to seem somewhat calm, but inside I was ecstatic with excitement.
Being alone with the doctor and the patient for the first time was a completely new experience for me. It was also an experience I will never forget, because it taught me to be prepared to expect anything. Five minutes after we administered the shots to a tiny squirming poodle, the dog started to have a reaction to something in the medication, and began throwing up uncontrollably. I had never seen this situation occur in my weeks of shadowing and training, but after seeing the look on the doctor's face, I knew something was terribly wrong. He told me to take the small dog to surgery, a place I had never gone near before. The once lively poodle was now laying almost lifeless in my arms, with only a very faint heartbeat. The doctor was going a mile a minute, continually barking orders. My main task was to hold the oxygen tube for the little dog. I watched as the doctor tried almost every technique that he knew to try, to no avail. Finally, he made one last attempt to administer adrenaline to the pup. Miraculously, and to everyone's relief, the poodle started to slowly but surely come back to us. Thankfully, he made a full recovery and is still the same very animated poodle today. A bigger change had happened in me, however. I had witnessed, and in a small way been a part of, saving an animal's life. Later, as I watched the relieved owner walk out the door with their fully recovered pet, I got a strong sense of the importance of what that veterinarian was able to do. At that very moment, it was crystal clear in my mind that this is what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be able to be the doctor that made those moments happen.
In the months following that first patient, I've been a part of an incredibly wide range of situations. From the uncomplicated tasks of cutting dogs' nails and giving cats a bath, to the vital responsibilities included in helping the doctor treat illnesses, heal injuries and ultimately save lives, each and every experience has expanded my understanding of this field, as well as my longing to be a part of it. I have discovered a whole new feeling of satisfaction I've never felt before with any of my other endeavors. This satisfaction is something I want to experience every day I go to work.
Although it does take this kind of passion to practice veterinarian medicine every day, I know that alone won't ensure a license to do so. The right schooling from the right institution, along with that passion, will allow me to fulfill my dream. I have worked with a veterinarian who is an A&M alumnus. He knew that learning from the people who know veterinarian medicine best would lead to the abilities of knowing how to react in any situation, with any animal. That is why I wish to attend A&M University. I've seen firsthand what doors having an education can open, and the intelligence that A&M's former students exhibit has proven to me, personally, that this school has what I need. The university has an excellent program for attaining a biology degree, after which I will be prepared to attend A&M's veterinary school. One day, I myself will be a capable veterinarian.
