Elizabeth Kim, Personal Statement

It was time to prepare Brandy the Jack Russell to deliver her puppies. I remember the
excitement and anticipation of our animal science class because Brandy was ready to pop the
entire week. Before we let her settle into her whelping box, Mrs. Farwell allowed me to do the
honors of taking Brandys rectal temperature. I washed my hands using aseptic technique, a
procedure we demonstrated competency for the other day, and slapped on some latex gloves. I
squeezed the clear lubricant carefully onto the thermometer and watched as the jelly slowly
coated the applicator. The moment before I inserted the thermometer, I took a deep breath and
looked at Brandy. She must have sensed my hesitation because she looked back at me with a
reassuring stare and I could not help but laugh to myself for even being worried. I gave her a
quick courtesy pet and slowly inserted the thermometer and patiently waited for her temperature
to drop to initiate labor.
To say that my first encounter with veterinary experience was interesting would be an
understatement. The following day allowed me to reflect on the gratification that I felt after
seeing the healthy litter of six that Brandy delivered. Knowing that I contributed to bringing new
life to this world determined the path I wanted to take for the rest of my life: to open my own
practice and continue to impact the lives of animals. With this experience that I will remember
for the rest of my existence, I developed the assets of an aspiring veterinarian through dedication
in my volunteer work, research, and leadership.
After taking Mrs. Farwells animal science class, I proceeded to dedicate my time to both
an animal shelter and a hospital throughout my summers, but came to the realization that helping
an owners beloved pet provided me with greater satisfaction than working with an elderly or
sick patient. Although I developed an aversion to hospitals, this experience exposed me to a wide
spectrum of people that I may encounter in my future veterinary clinic. As a professional it was

Elizabeth Kim, Personal Statement

important to do my job and be of assistance to patients and fulfill their requests to the best of my
ability regardless if they were unreasonable or compliant. I did not have a dramatic experience
that determined my career path as a student, but this made me aware of the reality of this
occupation. Although the doctor did not have to respond to life threatening situations on an
everyday basis, the significance of every responsibility, whether it was a simple checkup or
treating a sick pet, was more relevant as I observed the number of individuals walking through
the facility.
Procedural checkups constituted the bulk of the doctors day, but they must be done and
are just as significant as when I checked Brandys temperature to determine when she was ready
for labor. I applied and continued to learn the importance of technical proficiency and procedural
rigor in Dr. Bartells avian biology lab where I worked as a research assistant. As a student, I
contributed to a project that will eventually discover the proteins that are expressed during a
birds migratory phase to combat sleep deprivation in the military. Under the direct supervision
of Dr. Horton, I immersed myself in the world of neurobiology and broadened my understanding
as a biology major. Before any meticulous duty I was given, such as sectioning an entire sparrow
brain, Dr. Horton told me, Always be aware of what you are doing and why. He asked the
assistants to articulate our own protocol, emphasizing that any small imperfection or mistake
(such as touching the face with latex gloves or reusing a micropipette tip for distinct solutions)
could skew the data. The lab imparted in me that it was crucial to grasp the broader implications
of tedious protocol and thoroughness in order to comprehend the theoretical medical knowledge
and reasoning behind the duties I was given. My lab experience will prepare me for the aseptic
technique and cognitive analysis that must be respected in the veterinary office and operating
rooms.

Elizabeth Kim, Personal Statement

It is not only important to know physical techniques and lab protocol, but also to
communicate your ideas with others. Miscommunication in research can lead to collecting false
data that cannot be used because of an individual following poorly written instructions.
Similarly, managing a practice not only involves the competency of handling animals and
protocol, but also the ability to cooperate with pet owners and coworkers. As a mentor to 24
incoming freshmen at Penn State, I ensured a pleasurable, safe, and beneficial summer semester
for students looking to get a head start on college experiences. Effectively communicating
amongst my group was crucial, as well as establishing my authoritative role in their lives.
Working with students not much younger than me created an obstacle for respect, but separating
personal life from my job as well as appealing to their interests allowed me to execute my
purpose as a mentor. Leading these students, managing conflicts in the group, and mediating
between them and their professors will help me navigate the challenges of communicating with
my peers as a veterinary student and eventually in my own practice.
Through my diverse experiences as a volunteer, assistant, and role model, I had the
opportunity to see the significance of technical work and biological reasoning to prepare me for
an ambitious career as a veterinarian. The prestigious veterinary medicine program at Purdue
University will allow me to continue my education as an aspiring veterinarian and incorporate
my experiences as a diligent veterinary student. I am an excellent candidate for the Small Animal
track within the DVM program, which will bring me closer to the goal of running my own
practice for household pets and touch the lives of animals and people as I did with Brandy the
Jack Russell.