Karen McKenzie - 2001 Winning Essay
My specific goal is to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine upon graduation from the D.V.M program offered at the University of Guelph. Admission requirements include both academic excellence and practical experience in the field of veterinary medicine.
To gain practical experience, I began working part-time at an animal hospital in 1996, and took an additional job at another animal hospital in 1998 where I continue to be employed part-time. During my employment I have taken on many roles within the hospitals, including animal care duties, laboratory analysis, and client reception. Being interested in exotic animal medicine, I also obtained a co-op student position at the Toronto Zoo in 1998. In addition, I have assisted a local Humane Society in adopting and rehabilitating abandoned iguanas, and am currently a volunteer at the Wild Bird Clinic at the University of Guelph. My equine experiences include: riding and working with horses for the past ten years; member of the Canadian Pony Club for eight years, including competing at five national education events; volunteering at the University of Guelph Large Animal Hospital, and currently as a member of their Foal Watch team that provides 24 hour monitoring and care to high-risk neonates.
Academically, I have maintained consistently high grades at the University of Guelph as a second-year B.Sc. honours Biomedical Sciences major, placing on the Deans' Honour List three consecutive semesters (last semester's average exceeded 90%), I have applied to the D.V.M. program for the fall of 2001.