- Joined
- Jul 19, 2015
- Messages
- 61
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- 39
I entered college as a nursing major. I did great GPA-wise my freshman year, and was working at a dog daycare/kennel. My sophomore year I was still a nursing major, and transferred to my state's large, competitive university. About 3/4 of the way through, I totally panicked and realized that I don't want to be a nurse. After much mulling that semester, I realized I needed to have a career in the animal care industry. I really thought with all of my heart at that moment that I wanted to do what my boss does - open a daycare/boarding facility. Thus, I dropped out of my first semester at that large university. A big fat W for the whole semester. I felt totally discouraged and lost - I could have switched majors, but I didn't see college as necessary for opening a business. I felt my time would have been better spent at the daycare learning from my boss. I also felt as though I had wasted 1.5 years in university, when I should have been gaining the business experience necessary at the dog daycare while earning money to start my own business. It wasn't long until I realized what I spend most of my time doing...I watch veterinary reality shows, I find myself constantly picking up articles about modern medicine, and I'm always the go-to coworker when a dog needs medical attention at the daycare. It really was staring me right in the face that I love veterinary medicine. I then decided I had made a huge mistake - as I am only human, but I do realize this withdrawal cost me both time-wise and financially. I went back that spring semester to the small institution where I started (b/c it's less expensive, and I wanted to verify my pursuit of vetmed) and got a 3.95 while taking 21 credits (3 in a veterinary assisting course). I am shadowing a mixed practice vet this summer, and I have experience as a farm hand. I couldn't be happier or more sure that I am on the right track for success now. In the fall, I'm going back to the large university to major in animal science. This flip flopping between universities and withdrawal will delay my graduation 1 year. So, that being said (lol), I'm concerned this flip-flopping and withdrawal will be the kiss of death from some veterinary schools. I obviously plan to elaborate on this in my personal VMCAS statement, but I'm afraid of how this appears to some schools. Any thoughts appreciated. TIA