Directional Analysis

[amalthya]

Well, if there's one thing that living in Congo and working at the Sanctuary did, it was instill in me a real thirst for hands-on work with animals.

So, without further ado, after I complete Columbia (starting this fall) I'm going to be applying to vet schools. It's been somewhat discomforting because the people I've told have been sort of skeptical/incredulous, but really, once I thought about it, it made me really happy.

Yea, so I haven't done a whole lot of science of late, but I think I'd make a good veterinarian. I already love the anatomy stuff, and I loved biology when I was at Chapin. I used to constantly gross out my dad by going over, in detail, the processes of digestion as he ate.

And everyone knows I love bones and anatomy too.

My one fear is that, in my last years at Columbia, I'll have to rush to finish the science requirements. Which include .., *drumbeats of doom* ... Chemistry. Now, Chemistry is the one class at Chapin I nearly failed. Mind you, I was in the midst of a teenage Angst Crisis and barely doing my homework or paying attention in class, but eek.

Double eek.

I feel like I've gotten so disenchanted with non-profit work. When I was back in DC I met with a big-man at JGI-Africa Field Programs who gave me a stern "talking to" about how the staff of the Goma office shouldn't be assisting with anything for the Chateau Chimpanzee. I managed to contain my rage, but to sit with someone and discuss those chimps, my chimps, with anything except love, reverence and care was so ... sickening?

Of course, I was disenchanted long before that, but I just feel like my goals can be accomplished best with hands-on work. What's more, I can help anywhere in the world. I can volunteer vet services anyplace.

Yes, I know that vet school is hard, and that it's difficult to get into, which is why I'm starting to plan now. I'm thinking that my two top choices would be UPenn and the VA-MD Regional Program which is tied into UMD.

I'll have to take the GRE's, which is somehow terrifying, but I think I could start studying soon.

I think too that my old professor Jill at Columbia can get me some sort of cool internship at the Bronx Zoo for my veterinary experience requirement. She's the one who hooked up my gig at the Natural History Museum.

I'm nervous and excited and finally feel like I have a direction, and a sense of purpose. I always wondered about being a veterinarian but didn't think I could handle animal trauma or euthanasia. But after Tate, I can't imagine it being worse.

Anyway, positive comments are encouraged. I'm at a stage in life where I feel like I could accomplish pretty much anything if I put my mind to it. I had a dream last night about dinosaurs, and a lot of you were in it, and not only did I survive but I managed to pick up really heavy people and carry them to safety, defying physics entirely.

I just hope that my grades/stats can live up to my own expectations right now :)

Comments

[leighbug]

don't listen to the people who are being negative. i think it's awesome that you've found a direction, and really want to do this. from what you've said about the chimps, and the pictures you've posted, you're really good with animals, and that's a big key to being a good vet.

as for chemistry, what chem class is it? so much of chemistry is actually just memorizing a reaction, and then applying it to chemicals. it's just a hell of a lot of memorizing!

you can do it!

[amalthya.livejournal.com]

I think I just have to take basic chemistry for two semesters and potentially one semester of organic.

I think it's the overwhelmingness of having like, endless science classes for 2 years. Biology I can handle... easily... but the rest is terrifying!

[leighbug]

the basic ones are no where near as hard as organic...o-chem sucks hardcore. usually there are lots of study groups for basic chem. i did one for o-chem, and found it really helped.

endless science classes for 2 years would be heaven for me! *mutters to herself about stupid arts & science core requirements*

and your icon is awesome!

[amalthya.livejournal.com]

haha -- I bogarted the icon from banana_pouch because it just made me laugh so much.

Thanks for the suggestion of a study group! I hope that it'll help me too! :)

[leighbug]

you're welcome!

[drdelirium.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm not really sure what to say other than... well, I'm very proud of you. I was impressed enough with your ambition and opportunity-grabbing in Africa, but this is a whole new bag of tricks and it makes me proud to hear you're grabbing life by the horns and making sure you live it your own way. I'm rootin' for you all the way. I can't really imagine anything other than you succeeding.

As for chemistry, I wouldn't worry too much. Heh, if nothing else, you should take heart that can't be much worse at it than me. I flunked it in high school, failed General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry in college, and failed/flunked Biochemistry in medical school... and yet here I am, still chugging away. I'm living proof than ineptidude in one subject doesn't necessarily deter you from your chosen course.

Good luck with everything.

[amalthya.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you! *hug*

And really, you're an inspiration for far better reasons than plugging away at Chemistry :)

I nearly failed Chem in HS, so uh, I empathize absolutely, and I avoided chem like the plague at college. Now, I'll have to take TWO YEARS of it.

Eep!!!

I'm super proud of you in general -- maybe I should say so more often! (also, I've got a BIG FAT package that's going out to you on Tuesday)

[grysar.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a good call. If you want any help prepping for GREs, lemme know. If you want any help prepping for chemistry, I got nothing, so find someone else. ^_~

[amalthya.livejournal.com]

Actually, that'd be awesome -- do you have any old prep books left over?

Also, I'm obligating you to fill my head with EVERYTHING you know about chemistry ;)

[littlekatydid.livejournal.com]

oh good luck! I think being a vet would be a great job - except that I'm too scared of chemistry :-P

[tom-kiper.livejournal.com]

Sounds cool! Don't worry about chemistry - some of the basic bio stuff overlaps with chem anyway, and I'm sure you have some subliminal recall somewhere! The GREs are so not scary, too. No calc or anything, just algebra and basic trig, tops, and the verbal section should be no sweat for you. Seriously, all I did was run through the sample test they sent me once, and the math pamphlet they also give you, and I did OK. You're smrt! You can do it. ;)

[amalthya.livejournal.com]

lol. If only because I'm paranoid, I think that I'd try to study lots and lots.

Or at least, plan to, leave it all until the last minute, and then panic-riddenly study the night before.

You know the drill ;)

[ecruizer.livejournal.com]

I think vet school is a wonderful idea and a great wonderful profession. I'd be willing to lend a hand w/ chemistry.

[amalthya.livejournal.com]

Well I'd expect you to come visit me in New York anyway :)