I applied and interviewed at Western, though I have decided to go to Purdue. I just wanted to mention that even though Western is unique in the fact that they are completely PBL, there are other schools that integrate PBL into their curriculum. Purdue has been doing PBL for quite some time, and I'm sure other schools do as well. I loved the PBL session we did during interviews at Western. However, I love lectures just as much. I do well in them; I absorb the material. And I just couldn't imagine having to read hundreds of pages every night of information that I haven't previously experienced in lecture. I just don't get a damn thing from reading if I don't have any previous understanding (just simply knowing vocabulary and a basic explanation, etc). From what I understand about Western through talking to students that go there, Marsala on here and other students during interview day, there is a bunch of reading instead of doing lectures. It sounded like there might be a couple lectures a week, but considering next fall I will be in classes 7:30-4:30 M-F, I can't imagine having to absorb all the information I'll be learning in lecutres on my own by primarily reading online articles and textbooks in the library. That's me. Maybe you do really well by learning through reading. Then yeah I'd keep looking in to it. But if it's solely PBL that's attracting you, I'd keep your eyes open.
I also see you're from California. Are you from the Los Angeles area? Then that would also be a plus to you if you were; you'd be living close to home and close to an area where you would potentially be working. I kind of look at the tuition as if you're paying for networking; Sounds like third year you start working in clinics around Los Angels, which is a bonus if you plan on working in Los Angeles like I am. I haven't heard great things from those veterinarians about their students, but they're brand spanking new 3rd years, I wouldn't expect people still in vet school to be as good as the graduated interns from the program they are replacing. Anywho, location would definitely be a plus if you decide Western. But if you're not in Los angeles, why not Davis? Very well respected vet school and you'd be instate for much cheaper than Western.
And that brings that up. Cost. Bursting happiness bubbles is never nice. Not that I'm trying to burst bubbles, but talking about money/debt usually isn't happy. Anywho, when I was calculating everything, I'm pretty sure it came out to about 250k before interest. If I had only got in to Western I would have looked at Army, but since then I've learned a lot more about it. It seems like they only take 25 people a year, which is less than 1 per school. I also heard a rumor that their reducing the budget for the program, and therefore will be doing less scholarships. So it may get even harder. Also, you have a minimum of 8 years of service. +s you get a stipend during school and you have a guaranteed job after graduating and are a something or order rank when you're done. Not to shabby. I just don't want the mystery of where i'll be after I graduate; I plan on marrying and moving to Los Angeles and staying there if I get a job after graduation. But if you don't forsee that happening in your near future and you want to get paid to travel, and you think you can pull a 4.0 in vet school, then I say shoot for it. There's nothing stopping you from trying. But it is a lot of debt to be putting yourself in to if you have cheaper options that are just as good. I know vets who were instate at Purdue 15 years ago and are no where near close to paying off their debts. Granted one started her own business and built her own clinic so she had to take out more loans. But in this economy, debt isn't something I'd take for granted. And yes it's okay to be hopeful, but make sure you have your plan B's and maybe even C's in case scholarships don't pull through, or even if your housing plans fall through. ya never know is one of my motto's. Life is full of crazy **** that you never know when someone's gonna throw it in your face. The most you can do is try to be prepared.
Anywho, sorry if this is off topic slightly, or just not the intention, but I hope this opinion gave some insight.
A question: Did you already apply and get in to Western, or are you going to apply next year? some of this may be totally irrelevant if you've already applied and accepted. But oh well. lol
