It's unbelievable how fast time has flown! It truly feels like
it was just yesterday I was submitting my application to vet
school, checking and double checking to make sure all of my
information and essays were in order. Honestly, the 3 months I had
to wait for a decision letter feels longer than the 3 years I've
been here! I can't believe it, but here I am, preparing to submit
my tracking request and 4th year clinical electives!
As most of you know, the 4th year of veterinary
school at Texas A&M is very different from the first three
years. The most alarming change is the lack of a summer break!
That's right, 3rd year will end on a Friday, and
4th year clinical rotations will begin on the following
Monday. In one week, I will officially submit my request to track a
small animal career choice. Other options include large animal,
mixed animal (half large and half small), and alternative practice.
Up to this point, we are trained and educated on all domestic
species, large and small, from basic anatomy to complex
pathophysiology. However, for 4th year, we are able to
hone our focus in on what we see ourselves practicing in the
future. If horses and/or cattle are your expertise, you will choose
large animal. If you're like some of my friends and love ALL
aspects of veterinary medicine, you will track mixed-animal. What
if you're interested in a unique area of veterinary medicine, like
research or public health? That's great! You will choose the
alternative track and a specialized curriculum will be adjusted for
you.
The 4th year consists of 22 weeks of "core
curriculum" rotations; no matter what you decide to track, you will
be required to rotate through these 11, 2-week blocks consisting of
large animal community practice, small animal primary care, large
animal emergency, small animal emergency, etc. These blocks are
your small and large animal foundation and help prepare us for our
national board exam. The additional 28 weeks will be focused on
your career choice, and you will rotate through all of the services
in the veterinary teaching hospital (internal medicine, radiology,
surgery, etc.). For example, since I am tracking a small animal
career, I will go through the "core curriculum" rotations (which
includes some large animal rotations), but then I will spend the
other 26 weeks rotating through every single one of the specialty
services offered in the small animal hospital. If you've added that
up already, I bet you're wondering about those extra 2 weeks -
that's our much needed vacation!
Although 4th year is 50 challenging weeks of blood,
sweat, and tears, to all vet students, it is a faint light at the
end of a tunnel.