Am I far behind? (Turned into a bit of a rant, sorry!)

[MidnightMoon]

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Hi, Im pretty new to the site, but I have to say you guys are freaking me out (more). Everyone seems so far advanced and knowledegable to me. Im a sophmore (kinda?) in college and I dont have any vet experiance yet. Even though I only really truely decided to be a vet this year I feel like Im behind. I started my freshmen year as a biology major on a pre-vet track at a different school then Im at right now, then my Mom bullied/convinced me that I should be a Nurse instead ("You'll always have a job Danielle! And its soo rewarding"). So I transfered back to my hometown because the school Im currently at has a nursing program. Before the summer was even over I stood up to my Mom and went back to the career I actually want.

Problem is that this school doesnt have a pre-vet track, which I guess Im okay with, but my life would be less confusing if it did. And the fact that my counselor made me take a bunch of classes I didnt need so Im behind in my major. Aand the fact that last semester I was a freshmen but this semester Im suddenly a Junior (or so my transcripts say) without being a sophmore in between. And I have NO vet experiance yet.

I've been trying to contact local clinics through the phone, but keep getting turned down. Tomorrow after class I plan to take my resume and a cover letter to two different clinics to see if that works better (thanks to advice I read here!), and over the summer Im hoping to get an internship with a vet at a wild animal rescue. Am I on the right track? Do you think Im too far behind? I really dont want to take a year off before at least applying to vet school.

 

[dgm]

You're not too far behind. And the fact that there's no "pre-vet track" at your school really is not a problem at all. You can find pretty much everything you need as far as prerequisites go on the vet schools' websites. As you've already noticed, advisors are a pretty useless bunch anyways, and as a general rule you'd need to verify for yourself anything they might tell you anyways - after all, if they give you misinformation it's not their future on the line. Just focus on doing well in your classes and getting some experience (I know you're working on it already).

And good for you for standing up to your mother - Nohika, are you paying attention? 🙂 (j/k)

 

[jmcgintee]

You seem like you're on the right track...just get that experience and get good grades in your pre-reqs. I spent my first semester at tiny school as a Bio major and then transferred to my state school for multiple reasons. Also, don't worry about the time it takes to get everything done. I did have everything done and was forced to take a year off due to the fact that I didn't get in first time and I'm actually glad I had that extra year to mature. Good luck!! You'll make it!!!

 

[cerealrhapsody]

Hi MidnightMoon,

I was in almost exactly the same situation. I decided I wanted to be a vet halfway through my sophomore year, had no vet experience, none of the pre-reqs since I wasn't a science major, and no idea of the application process in general.

Well, 3 years later and I'm a 5th-year senior finishing up my pre-reqs and a double major and I'll be graduating in December. Unfortunately, I still have very little vet experience. It's been really frustrating - I really didn't want to take a year off before applying either, but here I am. Now with graduation looming and still no clinic job to fall back on, I'm worried about what I'll be doing in my gap year.

So my point is, you're not alone. And no, you're not too far behind. Just figure out the requirements for the schools you're interested in and focus on your grades - that's the most important thing right now. If you have trouble getting good experience, don't be afraid to branch out into other extra-curricular activities, like research. Don't be too proud to take a position as a receptionist or a kennel tech or a volunteer walking dogs or cleaning cages - you have to start somewhere. Not all of us can be lucky enough to start at the top. Do as much as you can, but remember, without good grades you'll have difficulty gaining an acceptance no matter how much great experience you have. Don't lose sight of that.

Also, stick around this board. It's been an invaluable source of information for me over the years. (I was a lurker long before I ever joined. 😀)

Unfortunately, vet school is a long, arduous journey. Taking a year off isn't the end of the world, even if it feels like it. (Believe me, I know how you feel. 🙁) But if you really want to be a vet, you'll make it eventually if you don't lose sight of your priorities. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

 

[HopefulAg]

It's purty easy.

1) Find pre-reqs that each college requires. Can do that on individual sites or a large composite that VMCAS put together, though I don't know where that is off hand (on their site is my guess). Then meet those pre-reqs.

2) Get experience, broad is good. Large, small, exotic, farm, research, what have you. It's possible to get in with only one type, but it never hurts to get more.

3) Fill out VMCAS when it's open (around May).

4) Fees, fees, and more fees.

5) Join the waiting game!

 

[MidnightMoon]

Hehe thanks everyone! I feel a lot better. I've been keeping track of the requirments for NCSCVM since thats the college in my state and the one I'd perfer to go to. I haven't looked into other colleges yet (though I will). I have a 4.0 G.P.A. right now and Im gonna bust my butt to keep it too. Hopefully all goes well really. I should stop stressing myself out about it so very much.

 

[nohika]

And good for you for standing up to your mother - Nohika, are you paying attention? 🙂 (j/k)

I'm right here. I've pretty much decided that for my health, it's worth going through nursing school. I'll never have to come back here again and even if I don't get into veterinary school the first time, at least I'll have a job that'll easily pay the bills and I won't have to worry about ever having to come back home. I'd prefer not to, but if in the long run it will allow me more security in never coming back to my house, I'm allllll for it. 🙄

I'm working on standing up to her in my own little ways. Taking a class she doesn't approve of (HTML fundamentals and a programming class), considering pathways she hates...it's been interesting. She just kind of wants me out of the house and I want to be out of the house. Nursing has the most job security (and most moneyz) that will allow me to never come back here again, and despite it not being my dream, it's better for me. 😳

 

[twelvetigers]

*facepalm*

 

[168135]

I went to a university that didn't have a pre-vet program and was forced to take a bunch of irrelevant degree reqs my first two years 😛 People that go to a university with a pre-vet program generally get all of their pre-reqs their first two years then start applying. Since I'm a little behind, I'll be applying when I get my degree at the end of 4 years.

As for veterinary experience, bring in a resume in person. In two cases, I knew who the owners were, asked for them when handing in my resume, and explained to them that I'm a pre-vet looking for experience. I got in at one clinic, but haven't done any volunteering there because my school schedule clashes pretty horribly with the hours that they are open.

If you can't find vet experience, volunteer at a shelter. You might be able to make some connections there with the vets who work with the shelter. Research also looks good on a vet school application... talk to some professors to see if they're looking for somebody or know of somebody who is.

 

[lalzi22]

My school (of 15,000 people) had like 5 pre-vets, so we def did not have a pre-vet track, just a biology or biochem major. Like everyone else has said, don't worry about not being on a pre-vet track. It isn't necessary at all. Just make sure to take whatever pre-reqs the couple schools you will apply to require and you'll be fine. Just make sure your grades are good, take your GRE your junior year or summer before your senior year and get some good experiences under your belt.

 

[Wolphcats]

My school had 800 students, and I was the only pre-vet student in like 5 years. We did have a pre-vet adviser, but she was also the pre-med adviser.

I suggest you take the required courses for your local state school or which every school you want to get into.

As for the experience, try getting experience through shelters or wildlife clinics as a volunteer for 1/2 year, then try reapplying to clinics after you have had some experience.

 

[gilch]

I think everybody's given pretty good advice so far, but I'd like to add that in addition to class specifics, vet schools vary on what kinds of experience they want to see. For instance, my IS, Virginia-Maryland, wants varied experience (I think this is across the board, actually), some with a vet, but there is no bonus to getting more than ~500 hrs. In addition, they really emphasize research/biomedical experience and it can be quite difficult to get in w/o it. Here they are looking at things like UG research for credit or volunteering, working in a lab with DVM, PhD or even MD. Any lifeguard or EMT training is also a plus. I know the research doesn't matter too much at some schools-- although which escapes me just now. DVM admissions vary alot and and a perfect applicant at one school may be rejected at another, even with meeting the pre-reqs.

Good luck and you are not to late to start!

 

[No Imagination]

For starters, SDN is the best 'pre-vet' program out there. 'we' are the people who are trying or have gotten in, 'we' have far more experience and information then any one school or 'pre-vet' program. While it is certainly possible that an adviser will give you a pearl of wisdom every now and again, you pretty much have to shovel through crap to get to it.

Like others have said before me - You take the pre-reqs, you keep your grades up, and you apply (usually in your 3rd, or 4th year, if you have completed everything - or in the process) - but for many, myself included, you apply in your 5,6,7th... year. So be it, its a dream and a challange, but certainly worth it!

As far a pre-reqs. go, you will be able to complete 97% of them at any legitamite 4 year university, basically

2 semesters of Biology
2 semesters of Chemistry
2 semesters of Physics
2 semesters of Math (Alegebra and beyond)
2 semesters of Organic Chemistry
2 semesters of English (one with a speech component)
2 semesters of Humanities (Anthro, Phylosophy, ect.)
1 semester of Genetics
1 semester of Biochemistry
1 semester of Microbiology
1 semester of Nutrition (for some schools)
3-4 semesters of random adv. science/biology, like Anatomy, physiology, Comp. Vert, ...

I would say, that is about 95% of what you need. The other 5% (2-3 classes) are school based. If I left any of the major pre-reqs out, I am sure someone can correct me.

After this next test block, I may try to come up with a more comprehensive list that can be sticked - with big, friendly, red letters letters saying this is not official, and "Don't Panic"

Ohh, and take the GRE 🙂

 

[gilch]

For starters, SDN is the best 'pre-vet' program out there. 'we' are the people who are trying or have gotten in, 'we' have far more experience and information then any one school or 'pre-vet' program. While it is certainly possible that an adviser will give you a pearl of wisdom every now and again, you pretty much have to shovel through crap to get to it.

👍

 

[MidnightMoon]

For starters, SDN is the best 'pre-vet' program out there. 'we' are the people who are trying or have gotten in, 'we' have far more experience and information then any one school or 'pre-vet' program. While it is certainly possible that an adviser will give you a pearl of wisdom every now and again, you pretty much have to shovel through crap to get to it.

Unfortunately I had to learn that the hard way. I just spent the last two hours matching the requirements for me to graduate vs the requirements for me to get into vet school. Took a while but I got everything in and set and I feel A LOT better. That's gotta be a major "DO" to applying to vet school. But you guys are now offically my advisors and companions in this stressful-chaotic-but worth it- process.

 

[HopefulAg]

There really is no better site/method. I applied to my first cycle by myself, then found SDN for interview advice, and found every question I had when filling out my application had already been answered at least three times prior.


You have people who've made it, people who are re-applying (took me three times myself), people who're non-traditional, people from various majors, people from all walks of life. Pretty much any questions you have, someone here likely knows the answer.

 

[OliveOyl]

I agree that this is the best site and resource to go for any advising. At least you found it early. Unfortunately for me, I did not find it until long after I got accepted to vet school. Now I just keep up with everything on here and am amazed daily by the info and wish I would have had the help when I was applying, interviewing, testing, etc.

 

[Tobysgirl81]

As one more addition to No Imagination's list - oddly enough, a lot of vet schools require a communications class. I was involved in a lot of public speaking as a kid so I never found it necessary, and managed to dodge the classes during school but if I had to reapply next year I probably would have taken one again to give me more options of schools to apply to. So take a public speaking course at some point as well!