Molly Dixon '04

Experiences at Allegheny College helped Molly Dixon figure out that she wanted to study veterinary medicine. Currently in her second year of vet school at the University of Pennsylvania, Dixon recalls how extracurricular experiences helped guide her decision.

"Weekly trips to the Humane Society were a great mentoring encounter for students thinking about veterinary medicine," she recalls. "I also traveled to South Africa with ACCEL. After playing with baby lions and going on a safari, I solidified my decision to become a veterinarian."

But it wasn't just extracurriculars that guided Dixon. "As a neuroscience and psychology double major I was able to create a course of study combining biology, chemistry, neuroscience, animal behavior, and physiology," she says. "Presenting journal articles relating to current research is a breeze, thanks to the seminar-style classes and critical thinking skills I obtained at Allegheny." In addition to her classes, Dixon's senior project was pivotal in getting her where she is today. "The process helped me to pay attention to minute details and to take initiative in tasks that need to be completed."

Dixon advises current Allegheny students to take classes that don't count towards curriculum requirements; Dixon discovered she had a passion for photography while taking art classes. She also tells students to get involved and be well rounded. "I believe the most sought after quality in a candidate is commitment," she says. "Employers and admission committees want to see that you have thought about your life and future career and are willing to follow through whatever process it may take to get there."

The First Five is a series of profiles celebrating the accomplishments of recent Allegheny College graduates in their first five years as alumni. Read more First Five profiles here.