WHICH UNIVERSITY ARE YOU PLANNING TO ATTEND AND WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR CHOICE?
The University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. I chose this school because of the top-notch, direct entry veterinary medicine program. They have one of the best Exotic Animal hospitals and the Roslin Institute (where Dolly the Sheep was cloned) is right next to the teaching building as it is part of the Dick Vet School. The student support available also drew me in, and it certainly helped that we have a Concordia alum at the Dick Vet right now (Kristen Shuster).
WAS THERE A PARTICULAR PROGRAM THAT INTERESTED YOU WHEN CHOOSING WHERE TO APPLY?
I applied to the Royal Veterinary College in London and was accepted as well. In the UK, I was only interested in applying to Veterinary Medicine programs, though I also applied and was accepted to the Masters degree program in Biology at the University College London with an intent of specializing in zoology, as UCL has a very close relationship with the ZSL London Zoo. In the US, I applied and was accepted to multiple universities for animal science, most notably UC Davis as they have the top animal science program in the country, especially in regards to cattle, a species I am passionate about studying.
IN YOUR TIME AT CONCORDIA WHICH CLASSES, PROGRAMS OR SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES HELPED TO SUPPORT YOUR INTEREST IN YOUR MAJOR?
Regarding just the things I’ve done in Concordia, my AP Environmental Science class is what spurred me to be even more interested in farm animals, especially cows. This is because in APES, we learned a lot about the impact farms have on the environment, and the fact that differences in farm management can drastically change the impact production animals have on the environment.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MADE YOUR APPLICATION(S) STAND OUT?
Definitely the wide variety of hands-on experience I have in the field. Dating back to elementary and middle school, I have done many horse related activities as well as a simple intro to vet summer camp. In High School, I have done the usual weekend vet shadowing at local animal hospitals, though I have also done a 1 week vet shadowing at Tai Wai Exotics Animal Hospital in Hong Kong with Dr. Tiger, a world renowned exotics vet, a 2 week vet shadowing experience at the Large Animal Hospital at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a 3 week summer course at Cornell University on Sustainable Animal Husbandry. I should also add that vet shadowing and animal experience is in fact a mandatory part of the application to UK vet schools.
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT COLLEGE LIFE?
As I am going directly into Vet School, my life for the next 5 years will purely be me studying veterinary medicine, so I never have to take another humanities class again in my life. I only have to study the one subject I truly like. Also, moving to a brand new country because I’ve only been to the UK twice.
FROM THE COUNSELOR
“Katrina Tsang has been interested in animals and veterinary medicine since she was an elementary school student. Her longstanding passion and curiosity for animals has led to years of varied and relevant experiences that have included internships, volunteering opportunities, and college summer programs around the world. Katrina has participated in veterinary medicine related experiences in Hong Kong, Illinois, New York, Toronto, and Shanghai which has included work with exotic animals, large animals, and small animals. Katrina is one of very few international students to be admitted to direct entry veterinary medicine in the U.K. and she will begin her studies in veterinary medicine in September at the University of Edinburgh.”
Ben Compton, Concordia high school college counselor
