Marlena Lopez

Vet School FAQ

1. What did you do in high school to prepare for/get into vet school?

Many people love animals, but do not realize that they need to have a passion for science as well to become a veterinarian. The road to becoming a vet is not easy and you need to have a genuine passion for both science and animals to get through. In my opinion, the best thing you can do in high school to prepare for college, and later vet school, would be to 1) take some science classes in high school (especially biology) and see if you like the material and 2) shadow veterinarians to see if you like the daily duties of the job.

There are several volunteer opportunities you can seek in high school that will give you animal handling experience. Such opportunities include working at a horse stables, shadowing a veterinarian, and volunteering at animal shelters, zoos, and wildlife sanctuaries. Veterinarians are part of a very supportive community, every vet that I have reached out to shadow has been very helpful, and shelters are always in dire need of volunteers.

Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy high school. I know that you may be nervous about grades, SATs, getting into college, etc., but you have many years of studying ahead of you and it's important to enjoy your high school years and not burn yourself out too early. 

2. What did you do while obtaining your bachelor’s degree to prepare for/get into vet school?

Before starting the DVM program I completed a zoology degree in California. A degree in zoology, pre-veterinary medicine, animal science, and even general biology will all prepare you well for vet school.

To get more exposure/experience in animal handling I would recommend that you volunteer or get a position as a vet nurse. Most applicants have a lot of clinical volunteer/work hours to list on their application, I think what made me stand out as an applicant was my extensive research experience.

I completed two research projects while obtaining my undergraduate degree; one was a two-year project under the supervision of a professor at my university and the other was a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer internship that I completed in my last year (see next question for more details). I could show on my vet school applications that these research experiences have led to me to think critically, analytically and creatively, allowing me to uniquely contribute to and advance my program, school and profession.

Communication is an important skill to have in vet school (and the veterinary profession). The communication skills I developed while presenting my research include the ability to speak before large groups, convey complex information in plain language, as well as propose and persuade ideas to others.

3. How can I get myself connected with internships as an undergrad student and is there any specific types of internships that you think give us a better chance in the pool for graduate school?

Internships are a wonderful way to gain more animal handling or research experience meanwhile also boosting your resume and making you stand out as an applicant! There are many summer internships available so that you can ideally work at a vet clinic while taking classes, and then complete an internship, such as a zoo or research internship, while you’re on break from university.

I completed an REU during my last summer of my undergraduate degree, and I know that this internship strengthened my graduate school applications and contributed to my acceptance into some of the best universities in the world.

What is an REU? REU stands for Research Experiences for Undergraduates, and they are paid internships, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). My program in particular was also supported by Duke University and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP). These programs occur during the summer and are aimed at students who are interested in conducting scientific research at a graduate level.

REU Programs are offered around the United States, and in some cases (like mine) institutions will fund research outside the country. Each institution that hosts an REU program has the freedom to make the experience unique, however, there are many similarities across all of them. Each student works under the guidance of an advisor on a project that can be finished by the end of the summer (most programs last about 10 weeks).
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My Experience: My REU project was titled Social organization in day and night roosts of the Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso). I was given the opportunity to spend a summer in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica studying Bat behavior. Leaving the city of Los Angeles where buildings and cement surrounded me, and spending the summer in the forests of Costa Rica where you can see beautiful animals and plants everywhere you look made this a dream internship for a young zoologist like myself. This internship taught me so much about how to be a successful researcher and carry out a scientific experiment.

Benefits of an REU: Not only do REU Programs give you the chance to get to know students with similar interests from across the nation while living in a new city for a couple of months, they also give you insight into the life of graduate school. You will strengthen your research, team working, writing, and presentation skills. After completing the project, I presented our research at four national and regional conferences, providing me with further networking opportunities.

In summary, participating in a summer research program was a blast! I made memories and friendships with my fellow interns that I will forever cherish. Plus, I strengthened my academic and research skills, as well as my resume and graduate school application. For anyone looking for research experience in the field of ecology, I would highly recommend the REU through the Organisation for Tropical Studies at La Selva Biological Station. Field projects cover a wide range of topics including botany, invertebrate and vertebrate zoology, and behavioural ecology. The program is run incredibly well with mentors and a coordinator whom are passionate about helping students reach their full potential within the program.