VetCAMP Counselor

VetCAMP has been one of my most formative High Impact Experiences, coming full circle from participant to counselor to application committee member. As a VetCAMPer (2021–2023), I gained early exposure to veterinary medicine through immersive labs, dissections, and conversations with professionals across diverse fields. That experience significantly shaped my academic direction and introduced me to opportunities such as the Turtle Rescue Team and translational research.

Returning as a counselor in 2024, 2025, and just accepted for 2026, I mentored and supervised 160 high school students across two summers, leading hands-on laboratories including venipuncture, medication administration, suturing, turtle handling, and dissections. I also served as a panel speaker, sharing my research journey and offering guidance on pursuing veterinary and scientific careers. In moments requiring adaptability, I stepped into unplanned leadership roles, independently designing and guiding lab activities.

Serving on the application committee further deepened the impact of this experience. Reviewing hundreds of applications reinforced that success in veterinary medicine is shaped by diligence, character, and sustained commitment. VetCAMP has been impactful because it strengthened my mentorship skills, expanded my professional responsibility, and affirmed that leadership is ultimately about investing in those who follow.