Valerie Nelson

My name is Valerie Nelson and I am a member of the NCSU CVM class of 2021. I grew up in Stony Point, New York, and moved to NC in 2013. I decided I wanted to pursue Vet med after my sophomore year of high school, and soon after decided that I wanted to attend NC State for undergrad. 

During my time at NC State, I joined several clubs including the PVMA, Companion Animal Club, and an a cappella group. During these few years, I felt as though I couldn’t quite figure out what I wanted to do within veterinary medicine, so I focused on diversifying myself to determine my interests. I was a VetPAC intern and a teaching assistant for ANS 281 in which I got to explore the scope of veterinary medicine. I focused on gaining experience with all different animals ranging from exotics to food animals to companions animals. 

I completed undergrad in three years and applied to the CVM as a non-resident. After being placed on the waitlist, I worked for a year in a biomedical animal research facility at Duke University while establishing NC residency. On my gap year I learned a lot about the direction I wanted to take within veterinary medicine, and applied again, this time with success! I am now a proud member of the class of 2021, hoping to focus on small animal medicine and eventually specialize. 

Animal Experience:

  • Zookeeping intern: Bear Mountain State Park, NY 
  •  Camp Venture Therapeutic Equine Center, NY 
  • Swine Educational Unit at NC State University 
  • Undergrad research assistance with dairy cattle 
  • Pet-Sitting

Veterinary Experience:

  • Comparative Medicine Specialist- Duke University Laboratories
  • Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas
  • Rockland Holistic Veterinary Care 
  • Large Animal Medicine in the Tropics Course- CELA Belize
  • Rockland Mobile Equine Veterinary Service-NY 
  • North Rockland Animal Hospital

Honors and Awards: 

  • Summa Cum Laude
  • Valedictorian NC State University Class 2016
  • University Scholars Program
  • ASAS Scholastic Achievement Award
  • NCSU Panhellenic Association Woman of the Year in Academics
  • Chancellors Leadership Scholarship 

Activities: 

  • Companion Animal Club- Fundraising Chair
  • APVMA Symposium Attendant- Purdue University 
  • PVMA member
  • Ladies in Red A Capella
  • NCSU VetPAC intern
  • ANS 281 Teaching Assistant 
  • NCVC Attendant 2014
  • NCSU CVM Open House Volunteer