While some Texas kids learn to ride before they can walk, others like Hunter Cleveland take a different route in choosing a major from Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Coming out of high school, about the only thing the League City native definitely knew was that his academic career path needed to eventually take him to medical school.

How he got there was a different matter. After high school Cleveland didn't have a specific major in mind; other than he knew he didn't want to end up lost is some general science track like chemistry or biology. That's when he heard about the tie between Tech's Department of Animal and Food Sciences and medical school enrollment.

Students enrolled as an animal science major not only take classes specific to animal nutrition, anatomy and physiology; they're also required to take all the basic sciences courses required for medical school admittance. That includes biology, chemistry, physics and organic chemistry. Some students even believe choosing a unique major, such as animal science, allows them to stand out among thousands of applicants.

"Other than my grandfather being a farmer, I really haven't grown up with any ties to agriculture," said the freshman animal science major. "As a kid growing up with no agricultural interests "" or even any real knowledge related to the field "" I never expected to major in animal science.

"It's worked out well, though" Cleveland said. "My beginning animal science course was easily the class that I learned the most during my first semester."

Cleveland's interest now lies in cardiology, but he realizes that may change as he adds more science courses. But no matter what medical specialty he chooses, he knows he'll have a good foundation with a Texas Tech bachelor's degree in animal science.

"I think if you're going to shoot for med school, pick a major you'll enjoy," Cleveland said. "Expect to put in some work and go for it."

Written by Kelsey Fletcher

CONTACT: Kayla Rathmann, Coordinator of Student and Alumni Programs, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2805, ext. 254 or kayla.rathmann@ttu.edu

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