A biology major and member of Western’s Honors College, Buchanan was involved for two summers with studies on microorganisms in wild elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She will present her results as one of 31 students from Western selected to go to a national undergraduate research conference in California in mid-April. That focus on undergraduate research was both challenging and helpful in strengthening her resume, Buchanan said.

“In the essay I wrote for admission to NCSU, I said Western had provided everything I need to get ready for vet school. I feel very confident that I have had the same caliber of education as other students from bigger schools,” she said. 

Buchanan was accepted at NCSU only a year after she first applied. That’s rare, said Susan Smith, director of Western’s pre-professional program for students who are studying for medical school, vet school, and schools of dentistry, pharmacy, law, optometry, engineering and physical therapy.

“For vet schools, students have to show incredible commitment to the profession by starting to work with animals in high school and accumulating many hours of experience. It is remarkable even to get on the waiting list with your first application as Amanda did,” Smith said. 

Buchanan said she burst into tears of joy when she heard the news. “This will be the culmination of all the things I enjoy. I’ve always felt compelled to work with animals, and I want to serve my community. I plan to come back and work in a clinic in Cherokee County.” 

But first, she’s got to wind up her job with Western’s Educational Talent Search and find a place to live in Raleigh that will accept her pug puppy, Doogal, and 3-year-old African spurred tortoise, Scooter. Members of this tortoise species can grow to more than 100 pounds, Buchanan said. Luckily for Doogal, they are vegetarian.

For more information on Western’s pre-professional program, contact Susan Smith at (828) 227-3277.