Perhaps you should take a closer look at some of the threads in the pre-vet forum...
So we're going to all be earning $60,000 a year for 30+ years? Is that really what you're arguing? From bls.gov: "Median annual wages of veterinarians were $79,050 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $61,370 and $104,110. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,610, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $143,660." The wages can and do go up. Big loans can be manageable if planned right.
I don't understand what point you are trying to make. If you really think Knecht is right, then anyone taking out loans to go to vet school is an idiot, because they'll never make the money back. Go back and look again at the argument you're agreeing with and defending - he's prophesying the doom of the vet profession and perpetual poverty for all vets. I'm saying that it's managable, and it certainly shouldn't stop people from becoming vets. Is that really so hard to agree with?
@david: Which is why I adjusted the tuition based on those factor to compare it to other schools. It comes out close to in-state tuition, because I have to pay OOS tuition for the first vet year. Stipends hardly enter into it, because I'm not going to be paying off any loans on 24k a year - grad school will basically be a frozen period where loans sit, and the unsubsidized ones accrue interest.
I'm not sliding into school on a tidal wave of free money. When I said "like you and me", I meant that we are making a choice that makes financial sense, even if it is unfair.
Edit: Okay, screw it, that's it. I'm not blaming anyone for their debt. I don't smugly feel superior to anyone. I'm under siege and trying to defend a statement that really shouldn't need defending. I'm saying if you really thought it was impossible to pay back your loans, you
wouldn't be in vet school right now. Why don't you try reading what I'm writing instead of picking at every little foible.