Advice for a student interested in graduate work (unrelated field)

[MathewsMD]

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Sorry if this is the wrong place to post. I'd happily move it elsewhere if needed.

At the end of the day, becoming a vet would be my dream. I'm only finishing 2nd year of my undergrad in Physics right now. I have my ways to go, but am at least trying to vaguely plan out future summers and where I see myself in a couple years down the road.

My main dilemma is that I am keen on graduate school for Physics. I know this is also something I would be extremely excited for; a chance to contribute to a field I am very interested in. Life isn't always ideal and that's why I'm simply asking for any advice.

Since I am financially and regionally restricted to only applying to OVC (Guelph)--I am from Ontario--it seems only logical that I apply when I can to maximize my chances. (Although maybe in my 4th year or at the end of grad school, I'll apply a bit more widely in the states and hope for the best.) The answer seems simple but in the (fortunate and lucky) case that I am accepted before my undergrad is even over, I don't know if I'd truly want to leave my undergrad or future grad work quite yet. It's also quite expensive to keep applying. I've been working at a wildlife rehab centre and small practice clinics in the past summer and winter, respectively, and have been loving it. Although I only have about a couple hundred hours in total of animal and vet experience combined (~100/100 split). I'm still continuing to gain more exposure, but will this make me considerably less competitive? I also have a 3.98/4.00 GPA (or 94.6% average) and will hopefully be writing the MCAT this summer, so maybe I can make a better judgement on my competitiveness at that point.

A few questions (sorry if they seem a little odd or obvious):
Are DVM/PhD or MSc programs allowed if the graduate program is unrelated? Is it feasible for vets to stop their work for a couple years and then re-enter the field? Is it possible to balance grad school with part-time work as a vet? I realize this is all highly personal, but if anyone has any insight, I'd be glad to hear it. At the end of the day it is my choice, but I just want to ensure I'm not overlooking any matters.

There are also a few other reasons I'd like to apply to vet school earlier rather than later. I feel like I'm a somewhat strong student but upper-year Physics courses tend to be a bit more difficult to do consistently well in. I'm not trying to say that I'll do poorly and sell myself short, but am merely trying to say that my marks for now are pretty good and so why not apply while I'm at a peak in terms of my competitiveness (if that is the case)? It's obviously hard to predict my exact future grades and I'll continue to work hard in my courses, but the uncertainty in my future marks is one thing that makes me hesitant on waiting. Also, as I'm sure many others are: student loans and finances aren't exactly in the best state. Guelph seems like the most affordable option and luckily grad school in Ontario is generally fully funded + stipend. The only difference is that I can actually support myself a little bit more easily if I am working as a vet as opposed to a grad student whom still has outstanding loans. These aren't huge factors in my decision, but they are still factors, and so that's why I bring them up.

There's something about the diversity in these fields (Veterinary medicine and Physics) that makes them all the more enjoyable and makes me hesitant to leave one for the other. Thoughts on how to possibly combine my two passions or continue graduate school even after vet school are welcome! So are reality checks. 🙂

 

[DVMDream]

Ok, I'm assuming you are wanting to do graduate work in physics. You don't really say so, but you talk about physics a lot so I'm going to guess grad school in physics.

My main question is: what do you want to work as? Do you want to be a vet? Or do you want to go the graduate/PhD route and do research or teach physics? You need to decide that. It is 100% a waste of time and money to do vet school just to then go off to grad school after. And vice versa with doing grad school first.

I think you need to decide what you want to do and go with that.

Not to mention that if you apply to vet school early and get accepted without a bachelor's, I'm not sure you'll be able to get into grad school after vet school without the bachelor's so you'll have to finish that up and possibly even have to retake some classes.

 

[MathewsMD]

Ok, I'm assuming you are wanting to do graduate work in physics. You don't really say so, but you talk about physics a lot so I'm going to guess grad school in physics.

My main question is: what do you want to work as? Do you want to be a vet? Or do you want to go the graduate/PhD route and do research or teach physics? You need to decide that. It is 100% a waste of time and money to do vet school just to then go off to grad school after. And vice versa with doing grad school first.

I think you need to decide what you want to do and go with that.

Not to mention that if you apply to vet school early and get accepted without a bachelor's, I'm not sure you'll be able to get into grad school after vet school without the bachelor's so you'll have to finish that up and possibly even have to retake some classes.

Sorry for being vague. Yes, I am looking at graduate school for Physics. Graduate school is mainly on my radar because I really enjoy learning and because I'd like to contribute to the field simply out of interest. Yep, I definitely acknowledge that if I didn't finish my Bachelor's that I'd have to finish by remaining coursework (which may be a bit of a hurdle if I've been out of it for a while).

Yes, working as a vet is what I'd certainly want to do. I like researching and teaching (in other fields too, e.g. Mathematical Biology) and it's definitely something I'd like to incorporate into my life somehow on the side, but clinical/field work as a vet is what I'm most interested in pursuing in the future.

 

[jmo1012]

i have not heard of someone doing a masters or phd in an unrelated field as part of a dual DVM program (theoretically you might be able to swing a distance program at the same time).

to be honest, you sound like you have some growing to do before you should be making these big decisions. it just isnt really practical to think you should do both. can you? yeah, probably. but why? i think you need to be more realistic with yourself. neither of these are well paying careers (exceptions of course). it would be very difficult to expect you could work as a full time DVM and complete masters/phd type work (again, exceptions but not the rule). part time would generally depend on the situation, because you could easily be working full time or more as a dvm even in a part time job, thats just the nature of the field. then you also lose the benefits of being a full time employee. and i agree with dvmdream, what you're describing right now is a waste of time and money. you need to keep in mind that your life goals are going to grow and change as you get older, and while some of the more common life events may not seem significant or appeal to you now, that is likely going to change.

and if you're not sure what you really want to do right now, the first place i'd start with is to finish a bachelors degree so you at least have other doors that can be opened later on. education is going to continue to get more expensive throughout the years, and you dont want to put yourself in the position of having to pay more for a bachelors later on just so that you can go to grad school. (also, more of a time sink too)

 

[LetItSnow]

I think a lot of things are possible if you take the long view on life. One of the doctors I've been working with this last week has a PhD in some branch of sociology and did research on salary changes driven by shifting ratios of the sexes in any given field.

Nothing wrong with having multiple interests in life.

 

[MathewsMD]

Ok, I'm assuming you are wanting to do graduate work in physics. You don't really say so, but you talk about physics a lot so I'm going to guess grad school in physics.

My main question is: what do you want to work as? Do you want to be a vet? Or do you want to go the graduate/PhD route and do research or teach physics? You need to decide that. It is 100% a waste of time and money to do vet school just to then go off to grad school after. And vice versa with doing grad school first.

I think you need to decide what you want to do and go with that.

Not to mention that if you apply to vet school early and get accepted without a bachelor's, I'm not sure you'll be able to get into grad school after vet school without the bachelor's so you'll have to finish that up and possibly even have to retake some classes.

Also, if you don't mind adding: in what sense is it a waste to go to grad school then apply for vet? I can understand it for the reverse situation, but besides starting your career a little later, are there many other drawbacks?

 

[MathewsMD]

i have not heard of someone doing a masters or phd in an unrelated field as part of a dual DVM program (theoretically you might be able to swing a distance program at the same time).

to be honest, you sound like you have some growing to do before you should be making these big decisions. it just isnt really practical to think you should do both. can you? yeah, probably. but why? i think you need to be more realistic with yourself. neither of these are well paying careers (exceptions of course). it would be very difficult to expect you could work as a full time DVM and complete masters/phd type work (again, exceptions but not the rule). part time would generally depend on the situation, because you could easily be working full time or more as a dvm even in a part time job, thats just the nature of the field. then you also lose the benefits of being a full time employee. and i agree with dvmdream, what you're describing right now is a waste of time and money. you need to keep in mind that your life goals are going to grow and change as you get older, and while some of the more common life events may not seem significant or appeal to you now, that is likely going to change.

and if you're not sure what you really want to do right now, the first place i'd start with is to finish a bachelors degree so you at least have other doors that can be opened later on. education is going to continue to get more expensive throughout the years, and you dont want to put yourself in the position of having to pay more for a bachelors later on just so that you can go to grad school. (also, more of a time sink too)

I agree. It is hard to predict what exactly I'll want a few years down the road and that my mindset on things will change. But just to clarify, how exactly would it be a waste of time? It would push behind the exact day I enter the profession. But I'll be still doing other things I find personally enjoyable and even gaining more animal experience on the side while at it. Am I missing something here? Maybe my goals at the time will change, who knows...

Yes, I'm leaning towards at least waiting till my last year of undergrad before applying. It would save application costs and hopefully I'll have a better idea of what I want by then. Thanks for the response!

 

[DVMDream]

Also, if you don't mind adding: in what sense is it a waste to go to grad school then apply for vet? I can understand it for the reverse situation, but besides starting your career a little later, are there many other drawbacks?

Unless you are planning on actually using your grad school education, which being honest would be very difficult to do both physics researcher/professor and work as a vet, then it is a waste of money. There is one more exception in that you are using it to boost your vet application, but that isn't the case for you. I just see it as a waste of time, you aren't going to use the degree and grad school costs $$$$. Not only that but as you complete grad school, vet school tuition increases and you'll spend more money on vet school and less years in the profession making money to pay back those loans.

If you're just wanting to do a graduate degrees for kicks and because you are interested, then go for it. But not sure I understand what you are asking us then?

 

[Jess Monster]

There's something about the diversity in these fields (Veterinary medicine and Physics) that makes them all the more enjoyable and makes me hesitant to leave one for the other. Thoughts on how to possibly combine my two passions or continue graduate school even after vet school are welcome! So are reality checks. 🙂

As others have mentioned, make sure you finish your bachelor's first to give yourself the necessary foundation for whatever education you choose in the future. I've known many people who have come to veterinary medicine from seemingly unrelated fields (physics is not unrelated to medicine). Some people abandon those fields for vet med and others find ways to marry their interests/education in unique ways.

I don't think it's impossible to get your Master's in Physics first and then move along to vet school. Obviously the latter will be delayed a few more years. Even getting a Master's after vet school is not outside the realm of possibilities. For me personally, it's only a waste of time and money if you don't use your education and even then, it's your time and your money to do with as you please.

As far as how to combine these interests, my first thought was research in radiology and other new imaging techniques. There's a lot of applied physics in that area. Also, research related to prosthetics. There are whole journals about medical physics. I would look there for ideas on how to combine your interests. Whatever you do, just don't adopt a really narrow view of veterinary medicine as you continue with your education. It's not all clinical work and there are opportunities for people who choose non-traditional careers and educational paths.