“As an aspiring vet, I no longer have to dream what life will look. All I have to do is think back on my time at UC Davis,” said Megan Merson, a high school student from Santa Cruz, California, who recently participated in the UC Davis Pre-College: Animal Science program. 

Megan was one of more than 200 high school students from across the country and around the world who came to campus this summer for UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s UC Davis Pre-College Programs, getting a firsthand look at college life and potential career paths. 

“I knew this program would offer me the unique opportunity to explore a variety of animals—animals I otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn about,” said Megan. 

Since completing the program, Megan has started her senior year of high school and plans to apply to UC Davis. She’s looking forward to what the future holds and is eager to return to campus. We asked her to share what she learned, what surprised her and how her experience at UC Davis shaped her plans for college and a career. 

Why did you choose the UC Davis Pre-College: Animal Science program? 

UC Davis is renowned for the opportunities it provides to work with animals on campus. The program gives students like me an opportunity to explore and learn more through the facilities at UC Davis and to actually see and touch the animals that I was learning about in class. 

What experience stood out most? 

The practicals we completed in this program offered hands-on practice with skills that made me feel like a real professional. In the veterinary field, surgery and sutures can mean a lifesaving operation is occurring, but experiences like our suturing practice stand out because they provide a stress-free environment where I can learn practical skills. Having the opportunity to learn skills like these has given me perspective on what my future may look like. 

Did you get to do anything that you wouldn't normally be able to do in high school? 

At school, we never get to do dissections, but in the UC Davis Pre-College: Animal Science program, we got to dissect a cow eyeball. We began with a lesson on ophthalmology—eye anatomy, common eye injuries and the key functions of the eye. The dissection gave me the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge through a hands-on activity. This is an opportunity unlike any I’ve had at school. It not only made learning easier, but I also made memories with friends that I still carry with me today. 

What did you learn that surprised you? 

What surprised me most was swine husbandry. I, like many others, don’t get the opportunity to see how animals that we consume are raised. One might assume it’s similar to raising a pet, but during this program, I got to see that livestock are raised very differently. There is a lot more to consider. 

Cost, animal welfare and regular routines are all very important, as they affect the quality and cost of the meat. Swine husbandry carefully considers each factor, taking into account the farm, animal and buyer. It was great to learn where my bacon comes from! 

How do you think this experience will help you make decisions about college or a future career? 

After my time on campus, I am more excited to pursue animal science. My goal is to become a vet, but I quickly learned it’s not that simple. When deciding my future career, I have to ask myself: Do I want to work with small animals? Would I prefer to work with farm animals like cows and sheep? Or does working with waterfowl like ducks and geese seem more fun? There’s what feels like an endless list of things to consider, but this experience helped me answer a few questions for myself. 

I now know that I love working with ruminants, including cows and goats. They are adorable and must be kept in good condition to meet specific standards. When I begin to consider which college will help me reach my dreams, I know that UC Davis has the facilities to allow me to explore my curiosities and work through those questions. I know with the opportunities on campus I can endlessly achieve my dreams. 

What would you tell another student considering the program? 

Do it! If you have questions about the program or about pursuing animal science, this is the place for you. You will have several opportunities to learn about animals both in the classroom and through activities in the barn, giving you an expansive overview of the possibilities available to you. Your teachers will share their stories and answer your questions with insights you can only get from someone who’s done it before. 

What is one experience from the program that you'll remember a year from now? 

After class, my friends from the program and I would explore campus and even downtown Davis. This allowed me to see the Davis community. It’s a town of joy, fun, kindness and friendship. Walking through campus, I couldn’t help but smile and imagine myself as a student there. I now know that when I return to Davis, I will have a community there. 

What did this program help you discover about yourself? 

This program helped me discover that I get excited about doing what most people would not get excited about. Goats? No problem. Let me wrestle them into position for their exam. Horses? No worries. I’ll be happy to scoop up that poop. Oh no, it smells in the swine barn? Well, I am excited to see why. Because of this program, I’m elated about any opportunity I get to pursue my passion for animal science.