Recent content by SocialStigma

Definitely don't ask an intern/resident. It doesn't have to be a boarded specialist (I had a primary care DVM write one of mine).

I made a study schedule and divided each day into 3 blocks (9am-12pm, 1-5pm, 6-9pm). I studied a different area for each block to make it less boring. ACVS publishes how much topic is weighted (eg. 35% MSK, 20% soft tissue, etc) and I allocated more blocks to the bigger, more heavily weighted...

I scheduled lighter rotations with no on call/patient care responsibilities (radiology, pathology, primary care, derm) in the months leading up to the NAVLE, then took 1 week off before it.

Hi, I'm a boarded SA surgeon. Will do my best to address your questions here but if you have any follow up ones, feel free to PM me. Class rank is more important than GPA. If this info is not readily available to you, you should be able to contact the dean's office to ask. Generally I would...

Agreed that a suit is not needed. I wore business casual (dress pants, blouse, blazer).

I lived off of savings during my internship year and was living pretty much paycheque to paycheque as a resident. I didn't live with my SO and did not have any pets during those years, which made it more doable.

It may be possible with some specialties (not sure if ophtho is one of them or not) but not others. I would suggest working somewhere with an ophthalmologist at an ER/referral/urgent care facility or at a GP where you have nearby ophthalmologists so you can shadow them. It will be very difficult...

I got into vet school after 3 years of undergrad and have no regrets. I knew I wanted to specialize though and that I would have at least another 4 years of internship/residency afterwards, so I just wanted to expedite the process as much as possible.

As someone who did an internship, I would not have done one had I not specialized, unless I was looking to work in a busy SA ER only practice.

It's definitely possible, but will require a partner who will understand the long hours involved, lots of library "dates", potential for long distance depending on where you end up for med school/residency, etc. My husband and I met and started dating when he was in undergrad, and he's...

Disclaimer: I don't know anything about the U of A program aside from what I've just read in this thread. Personally I would not attend a school that does not have a teaching hospital if I knew I wanted to specialize, if I had another option that does. It puts you at a disadvantage when it...

I didn't have a pet throughout vet school because I knew I was going to specialize and wouldn't have the time/energy to take care of a dog during internship/residency. Also I didn't have any money as a student to spend on anything outside of routine vax, annual wellness exams, etc or pay for a...

As others have mentioned, neuro, cardio, dentistry, and ophtho would perform surgeries relevant to their specialty. Criticalists would not perform surgery - they tend to manage the sickest patients in ICU only.

Make an effort to get to know and stand out on surgery rotations, get involved in research, and do your best to maintain a high GPA/class rank. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions, I'm a surgeon (small animal).

An internship takes part of your soul and it's likely not worth it if the end goal isn't to specialize imo. I'm sort of kidding but not really. I regularly was at the clinic from 6am to 8-10pm during my internship and all I had time/energy to do once I got home for the night was shower and...