Meg chose to go to Ross, which is a Caribbean vet school. She received the acceptance letter before the VMCAS cycle was even open. We have interviewed other Caribbean vet school students in the past. At this St. Kitts vet school, Meg was able to start much earlier than a US school. Which in turn will let her graduate earlier and start earning money as a veterinarian.
When becoming a veterinarian later in life like Meg, choosing to go to a school with no summer breaks and graduate earlier is paramount.
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- Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 274 Pages - 04/15/2020 (Publication Date) - Purdue University Press (Publisher)
Name, veterinary school, and year that you began at this St Kitts vet school
Meg Sorhus, RUSVM, 2017 (Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine- Caribbean vet school)
Do you live with any animals?
Abby – 12-year-old Spaniel; Leia – 1-year-old cat
Did you bring any animals down to St. Kitts, your Caribbean vet school?
Yes, our dog
Have you adopted any animals while living on the island of St. Kitts?
I am fostering a cat at this St. Kitts vet school.
Where did you attend undergrad, and what was your major?
Truman State University in Missouri. Biology/Pre-vet
At what age did you first apply to vet school?
36 years old
How many schools/application cycles did you apply to before being accepted?
One. RUSVM, the St.Kitts vet school, was the only school that I applied to.
Questions About A Caribbean Vet School
What was your reason for moving to another country to attend a Caribbean vet school?
Since I am becoming a veterinarian later in life, I could get in 8 months sooner and finish up another eight months earlier. Then I can choose my clinical affiliate school to attend. They also have an excellent prep school for my kids on campus, contributing to my wanting to attend a Caribbean vet school.
At your St. Kitts vet school, do you remember any specifically challenging interview questions?
The interviewer was very interested in balancing an accelerated program, living in a foreign country, and raising my kids.
What was your GPA (in undergraduate)?
3.69
What was your GRE score?
I don’t remember – but low in math and high in English
Did you apply to Ross during or after your bachelor’s education?
During
Did you attend grad school before getting into RUSVM: a St Kitts vet school?
No
How many extracurricular activities did you list on your application?
Quite a few
Did you work as a vet tech before getting into the St.Kitts vet school?
Yes, I was able to list a lot of large and small animal experiences on my application. I am not a licensed tech, but I did tech work for about a year.
- Gear for vets, doctors, certified, licensed, or registered veterinarian techs, physicians working in veterinary medicine in clinics, hospitals, or vet school.
- Apparel for a Surgical Tech, Anesthetist, Dental Tech, Nutrition Tech, Zoo Vet Tech, or Equine Vet working on horse on farms or in clinics.
- 8.5 oz, Classic fit, Twill-taped neck
What types of paying jobs did you have before going to your Caribbean vet school- RUSVM?
Many animal-related jobs: farrier, an equestrian instructor at a university, multi-species farm owner/operator.
Did you volunteer? If so, where?
Yes, but mainly at the local schools or public education on my farm.
How many people read your personal statement before submitting it?
A few friends, professors, and the career center all gave their input.
When did you decide to become a vet?
I realized that I loved medicine as much as animals before I had kids. I wanted to have kids first and do vet school when they were in school.
Did you interview any vets before starting the application process for Ross, the St. Kitts vet school?
I spoke with the vets I worked with and a professor at my school who was a vet.
Were you a member of any clubs at your undergraduate school? If so, which ones?
Pre-vet club; Art guild
Have you joined any student clubs in your DVM at Ross the St. Kitts vet school program? If so, which ones? Are they helpful?
Surgery Club; Feral Cat project; SCUBA club.
They are all very helpful and provide me with a lot of hands-on experience.
Who gave you your letters of recommendation? Did you know them well?
The vets I worked with and a professor I was close to.
Caribbean Vet School Application Process
Did you find the Caribbean vet school application process stressful? Why or why not?
Yes, but I don’t think it was abnormally stressful. I applied directly through RUSVM since It was the only school that was open at the time.
I was accepted to this Caribbean veterinary school before my other choices even opened their applications.
Do you have any advice for students thinking about attending Ross, a vet school on the island of St. Kitts?
Yes. I love how many options I have in their field of work; dealing with animals all day and working with people that love animals is the best!
The curriculum is demanding – plan to put your head down and study.
Realize you will get homesick, but that and making positive friends here on the island will help. Take time out to enjoy the
island, and don’t expect it to be like the USA – embrace that!
What do you like most about your Caribbean vet school?
The hands-on experience available, plus our professors, are amazing!
Is there anything about St. Kitts, the island, that you love?
The constant sunshine, gorgeous beaches, beautiful hikes, and the opportunity to learn SCUBA!
Do you find it difficult living and studying on a tropical island at your vet school in the Caribbean?
No, I find that since there are limited places to go and no friends/relatives close, which gives me ample study time.
Any study tips?
I love having plenty of study time.
Take time off at least once a week, or you will burn out. Use the TA system provided by RUSVM. When you study, sit down and DO it. A great tip on how to boost your GPA is: If you have not tried rewriting your lectures, give it a try. It works for most people.
What has been your favorite class at Ross University, your vet school in the Caribbean?
Surgery- challenging but very interesting. Amazing professors!
What is the most challenging class in your DVM program so far?
Small Animal Surgery
As a student, did you have to take out loans for your education? If so, are you concerned about the amount of debt that you have accrued?
Yes and yes. I realize it will take a long time to pay off my loans, but I did not go into this blindly.
Have you done research or work on any compelling cases at your vet school in the Caribbean?
Yes, at Ross University, there is a lot of research opportunity.
Do you have a specialty, or are you working towards one?
I am strongly considering going for a residency in minor animal surgery or ophthalmology.
Do you have any last words of wisdom?
You can be miserable at a Caribbean vet school (or any vet school for that matter), or you can be happy. Either way, it’s going to be hard work and perseverance. Choose happy, and you will realize you can love life even while it is hard.
How can people find you? (Social media or email)
Facebook: Meg Sorhus
