2008 Pre-Veterinary Symposium

[Tsuky2008]

Hey all!

I was just wondering if any of you have been to previous symposiums and could tell me how you found the experience. I would really like to go, but the cost of registering, flying, and staying is really steep for me and I don't want to ask the rents to fund the trip. Did you all think it was worth the expense? I've been told by someone else who is going that the majority of good lectures/labs are already full, so I'm not quite sure what to do.

If you've been, did you learn any valuable information that could not have been obtained otherwise? Is it something that you can put on your application, or do veterinary schools give any weight to attending?

I'm just wondering if I can justify the expense...if it weren't for the money I'd be there hands down!! Such is life hehe!

Any information you all can give me is greatly appreciated!!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Bcrunner1313]

Hey Tsuky,

I'm part of the committee organizing the Pre-Vet Symposium this year and I honestly think it will be a lot of fun and worth your while. We've got a lot of great activities planned for everyone, and have an optional tour day which will allow you to experience some aspects of veterinary medicine that are unique to Florida.

I think that you will learn some pretty interesting things at the symposium as we have a bunch of veterinarians lecturing on topics ranging from small ruminants to behavior. I have sat through some of the lectures that will be given, and I found them quite fun and interesting. In fact, the vet that I work for will be doing some small animal case studies.

I am sure that it is something that can be put on your application, but I am not sure how much weight the adcoms will place on attending. Overall though, I think it will be a great experience to get to meet many other pre-vetters from all over the country and learn something new while you're at it!

-First time poster, year long lurker.

http://grove.ufl.edu/~prevet/symposium08.html

 

[bakaduin]

Im not on the committee but am an officer in UF's pre-vet club and I think it would be definitely something you should look forward to! It will be fun, educational, and you'll meet a lot of new people.

 

[bakaduin]

BTW nice to see you finally post BC! See ya on Monday!

 

[Jeff SGU]

I have attended the APVMA for the past four years as the Enrollment Counselor for St. George's University. The students all seem to have a great time every year and learn a lot while they are there.

Not only do you get to partake in some classes, but also get to speak to representatives from various schools. Who knows, they may even offer you some free sound advice about applying to their school.

A few years ago when the event was held at Iowa State, I had the pleasure of speaking with the president of the Pre-vet club there who was in charge of all of the arrangements of the event. We had a great conversation and I am proud to say she is now one of our top students.

I am also thrilled as one of my favorite SGU graduates is now an assistant professor at the University of Florida, and has been asked to hold a couple of classes for the pre-vet students in attendance. It's always great to see her, so I'm looking forward to the trip.

And if that isn't enough.... I have a great free gift for everyone who stops by to say hi to me.

 

[Sapphir3blu3]

An alternative, depending on what you'd want to get out of going to FL, is a free, 1-day "pre-vet conference" being held at the end of this month in conjunction with the Midwest Veterinary Conference in Columbus OH.

It's obviously a much smaller deal, but if (for example) you're just looking to get together with other prevets and network, gossip, scope out the competition, whatever... this might be worth checking out.

I'm registered to go. I don't really know what to expect. (Anyone else ever been?) I think it'll all be very basic info and note that high school juniors and seniors are eligible to participate as well, for whatever that indicates. But I figure it can't hurt. Can't beat the cost after all, if you're nearish to that part of the world.

Open to the first 300 registrants, no idea if they're full but there are only 3 days left to register, so if you're interested, hop on it!

 

[MarthaG31]

BCRunner-

I am a vet student associated with American Association of Swine Vets - and we want to get involved with helping at pre-vet symposiums. Please contact me at [email protected]. We would be more than willing to help out at wetlabs, set up a booth, sponsor an event, etc. Thanks.

 

[rachroo]

An alternative, depending on what you'd want to get out of going to FL, is a free, 1-day "pre-vet conference" being held at the end of this month in conjunction with the Midwest Veterinary Conference in Columbus OH.

I'm registered to go. I don't really know what to expect. (Anyone else ever been?)

I went to the Midwest Vet Conference in Columbus 2 years ago and found it to be very beneficial. When I went they had the conference set up into two "sessions." One was more about the professions (speakers who were in Public Health, Equine, LA, a few specialists, etc.) and it's many aspects and then the second half was how to be a competitive applicant, tips on applying, costs of vet school, etc.

Also when I went, they provided an awesome lunch and then afterward all the meetings were finished a few friends and I wandered into the area where people are trying to sell x-ray machines, lasers, pet products, etc. to all the real vets (who were also at their own conference in the same building)!