External Rotations - Zoo/Aquatics

[that redhead]

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I'm starting to look at external rotations for fourth year (finishing up second year now). I came to vet school wanting to go into lab animal and my interests haven't changed. However, I thought it would be fun to spend one of my external rotations at the zoo or aquarium back home. I was browsing their websites today and each asks for two letters of reference as well as a letter of intent where you talk about your interest in zoo medicine.

I have people who would write me letters but they wouldn't be zoo people. And I don't actually want to go into zoo med, I just want to try something I've never tried before and gain some cool experience. I know it's an incredibly competitive field - do I stand a chance in being selected without a strong background and intended future in zoo med?

 

[elefante7]

Zoos vary widely on who they accept for fourth year rotations. Some would only accept someone with a strong demonstrated interest in zoo med. Others are okay with having someone like yourself who just wants to get a cool experience. You could also tie in how zoo experience would benefit your future in lab animal medicine. I can't tell you whether or not the zoo or aquarium you are planning on applying to will take you, but you might as well try (and applying early doesn't hurt either).