Eric

​Name: Eric Alexopoulos | Hometown: Chicopee, MA
Undergrad: University of Massachusetts | Major: Finance
Veterinary Goal: Small Animal Specialist
Special Skills: Brewing craft beer
Fun Fact: I don't have a sense of smell

Favorite Undergrad Course: Business Law
Hardest Undergrad Course: Organic chemistry; just put in the work. 
Recommended Undergrad Course: Any class on a topic you know nothing about that will take a lot of work to learn, all of vet school is learning topics you have never been exposed to. 
Best Vet School Prep: Shadowing veterinarians
Undergrad Extracurricular Activities: Animal shelter and animal hospital volunteer, veterinary technician.

Letters of Rec Strategy: I built professional relationships with professors and vets I worked under. Always ask in person if possible and make sure you word it like, "would you feel comfortable writing me a strong letter of rec?" That way they have an out if they can't, you really don't want their letter if they aren't going to make you sound wonderful.

Interview Prep Advice: Read through everything on their website, take notes and make sure you have well thought out questions to ask them. 

Interview Advice?: Practice as much as possible.

Describe Life in Veterinary School: It is a lot of work, the courses move fast and you have to keep up. That being said, there is still plenty of time for yourself before you get onto clinics. Once you are on clinics you really don't have a life, so be prepared. It is stressful, be prepared. 

What you wish you had known before starting vet school: You don't get to escape people in veterinary medicine, your communications skills with clients are almost more important than how good of a doctor you are.