March 2017
Hi Dr. B!
Things are going well for me! I can't believe this semester is almost over - it's been a fun one! I'm taking (and enjoying!) pathology this year, so I'm thinking of all of you Stanford veterinary pathologists frequently!!!
This summer, I worked in a lab at A&M, where I used qPCR and next generation sequencing to study antimicrobial resistance in food animals. This was a wonderful opportunity to explore my interests in human, animal, and environmental health. I presented my work at the veterinary student research conference at the NIH, where I got to meet some of the vet students from other schools who did their summer research at Stanford! I'm still working in the same lab part-time this semester, which has been a great way to further develop my skills and to stay in touch with the truly wonderful people in the lab. I'm also playing a bit of polo again with A&M's polo club - whenever the weather and my schedule allow. I'm afraid things get pretty busy with school again next semester, but I've loved having a less time-demanding schedule this fall and appreciate feeling more settled now that I'm in my second year.
The more I talk with other vet students, the more I appreciate what Stanford gave me - as a student in general, but particularly as a pre-vet student. You and the other vets at Stanford had SO much to do with that - I honestly don't think I'd be where I am without you and the Comparative Med team. Sure, I was willing to "work hard" to get to vet school, but I would've had to have worked a lot harder and experienced a lot more frustration along the way without the support of you and the Stanford vet team. As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm still so thankful for you and the other Stanford veterinarians who support the Stanford pre-vet students!!!!
All the best from Texas!
======================================================
July 2016
This spring (2016), I accepted my offer to the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, and I have been happily reestablishing my roots in my home state. I am wrapping up an intensive six-week anatomy seminar for incoming first year vet students without prior anatomy coursework (sadly, I became pre-vet too late in my Stanford career to take Dr. B's course!). The past few weeks have been a WONDERFUL chance to get a head start on the material, to meet my fall anatomy professor and some fellow vet students (a third of my class took the course with me), and to settle in to Aggieland before things start in earnest in mid-August. The workshop was not for credit, so there was no pressure - just a much-appreciated chance to learn!
This fall, A&M's vet school will move to an entirely new facility just down the road from its current location - needless to say, everyone is very excited! A team of Aggies (including my anatomy professor!) visited Stanford Medical School as they designed the new vet school facility, so I am hoping to feel right at home once the buildings open. As similar as the buildings may be, the weather here could not be more different from the Bay Area climate - it's HOT, HUMID, and rains frequently in the summer! Missing those cool California nights and dry climate, but thankful to be surrounded by some great people and to be starting vet school at last.
I'm happy to talk to any current pre-vets about my experiences, ESPECIALLY if they are interested in A&M - Aggieland is great, but the admissions process here can be quite an adventure! Feel free to share my contact info.
Thank you again for reaching out!
Best,
Elizabeth Lake
elake.tx@gmail.com