Sharonda

​Name: Sharonda Washington | Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Undergrad: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Major: Animal Science
Veterinary Goal: I would love to be the veterinarian that inspires the next generation of black kids that they belong in this field.
Fun Fact: I was born in Panama. 

Favorite Undergrad Course: Human anatomy
Hardest Undergrad Course: Organic Chemistry 1 and 2. Maintaining a positive outlook is what carried me through the course. Along with being positive I was able to to tutoring without feeling defeated. Not only did I seek out tutoring but I would go to the teacher and ask for help. Understanding how to the teacher arrived to answers really helped me understand her test questions.
Recommended Undergrad Courses: Any animal science class.
Best Vet School Prep: Working on FAMU’s farm holds some of my favorite memories from undergrad. It was my first time getting hands on experience, and working one on one with great veterinary professionals. Working on the farm was so peaceful for me that it allowed me to take in information and experience without feeling anxious that I had to know everything. When I have anxious moments in school I often reflect back to that time to remember that I am still learning, and that is okay.
Undergrad Extracurricular Activities: Big Sister/Little Sister, dance group, Newk’s Eatery employee, Krispy Krunchy Chicken employee, farm intern, and kennel technician.

Letters of Rec Strategy: I asked two of my science teachers who knew me from their office hours. I made sure to ask teachers who knew me personally and my work ethic.  I also asked Dr. Wright, the coordinator for the internship at the farm; he was able to watch my growth in undergrad and write a great letter.

Interview Prep Advice: I did a mock interview with Tuskegee when they came to talk to us at FAMU. I felt very confident in my interview skills, and that was the only mock interview I did. While working during my gap year I had the doctors that I worked with ask me questions randomly through the day. I also looked up current events that were relevant to veterinary medicine.

Interview Advice?: On the car ride over to the school I felt myself getting nervous. Before I let the nerves take over I had a dance party in the car. Do something to ease your nerves before you walk in, remember this is supposed to be a good experience.

Describe Life in Veterinary School: Think of veterinary school like getting a stack of pancakes everyday, and you have to eat them. If you don’t they transfer over to the next day, along with a fresh stack of pancakes.

What You Wish You Had Known Before Starting Vet School: I wish that doctors had told me that veterinary school would challenge me mentally. I was not prepared to go through depression, nor did I know how to deal with it. But the silver lining is that I am walking out stronger than I thought I could be.