Am I Losing My Mind?!?

[kiki1983]

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I am not much of a gambling person...but I feel like I just took the biggest gamble of my life! After 3 application cycles, I finally got into vet school (look at the successful applicant thread for the details)...and I just turned it all down!!!

This fall I will be starting a Master's in Veterinary Public Health at the Ohio State University... if all goes according to plan, I will hopefully graduate in 5 years with a Masters and a DVM... I just cannot believe I put vet school out of reach for another year. I really hope this works out!

Have any of you been in a similar boat? I feel like at this rate, I'm going to be like 90 years old before I start my career! I know at 25 (26 this fall) there's a whole lotta life ahead of me...I'll still be finishing school by the time I am 30/31... but it's just a little frustrating to see that all my young friends will be getting out of vet school by the time they are 24/25!!!

 

[TurtleLover]

I am not much of a gambling person...but I feel like I just took the biggest gamble of my life! After 3 application cycles, I finally got into vet school (look at the successful applicant thread for the details)...and I just turned it all down!!!

This fall I will be starting a Master's in Veterinary Public Health at the Ohio State University... if all goes according to plan, I will hopefully graduate in 5 years with a Masters and a DVM... I just cannot believe I put vet school out of reach for another year. I really hope this works out!

Have any of you been in a similar boat? I feel like at this rate, I'm going to be like 90 years old before I start my career! I know at 25 (26 this fall) there's a whole lotta life ahead of me...I'll still be finishing school by the time I am 30/31... but it's just a little frustrating to see that all my young friends will be getting out of vet school by the time they are 24/25!!!

I think you are doing what's best for you at this moment in your life. I commented on the Western Waitlisters thread if you want to see what else I wrote in response to your decision 🙂

 

[dgm]

I'm sure that's a decision that you did not take lightly. I think it's very brave of you to take the risk. Good luck at OSU, and just have faith that things will work out!

 

[rachroo]

Think about it, in 5 years you will have 2 more degrees: a masters in public health AND a DVM! So, if you are interested in public health, then it is a wonderful idea!! On top of that, won't you you be considered IS for Ohio on your next application cycle?

I wish you the best and if you ever need anything/have any questions, feel free to PM me!

 

[kiki1983]

Thanks...yeah this decision was not made lightly! My parents were worried for a while that I was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown!

I'm not quite sure what kind of opportunities will be opened with a MPH and DVM, but I am definitely interested in pubilc health, and seeing where this track takes me.... I just keep telling myself there is a bigger picture. Two degrees after 5 years...I asked them about being considered IS. The head of the MPH-VPH program said that for this cycle I would still be considered out of state, HOWEVER, I would get to pay IS tuition starting fall 2010...just sucks I have to compete OOS for a spot in fall 2010 (I missed this cycle by only 3 points though, so that's encouraging). I think I will contact the associate dean of the CVM and ask her just to be extra sure...I wish they would allow me to apply as IS bc technically, I'll have been attending OSU for a year when fall 2010 starts.

And....maybe I will get one of you SDNers as my Big Sib, haha!

 

[athane960]

If veterinary public health is what you want to do then go for it . . . .Because you will end up with more schooling by getting a DVM, then getting an MPH later on down the road and the typical time for that is 2 years. So you are saving yourself a year of schooling.

As to what kind of opportunites there are for an MPH/DVM . .well the list is endless and there is a HUGE need for public health veterinarians right now. See the following links for opportunites and info about public health vets, and this is only to name a few.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su5502a4.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/Eid/vol9no4/03-0037.htm

http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/

http://www.usphs.gov/profession/veterinarian/default.aspx

http://www.fda.gov/cvm/3047.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/about/opportunities/careers/veterianarian.htm

 

[nyanko]

Have any of you been in a similar boat? I feel like at this rate, I'm going to be like 90 years old before I start my career! I know at 25 (26 this fall) there's a whole lotta life ahead of me...I'll still be finishing school by the time I am 30/31... but it's just a little frustrating to see that all my young friends will be getting out of vet school by the time they are 24/25!!!

Always look on the bright side - it could be worse. If all goes absolutely optimally for me this upcoming cycle, I'll be around 36 when I finish (28 now!). That is best case (and unlikely) scenario! So, don't fret about time and age...if this is what makes you happy, then it's what you should be doing. 🙂

 

[robeezy08]

Have any of you been in a similar boat? I feel like at this rate, I'm going to be like 90 years old before I start my career! I know at 25 (26 this fall) there's a whole lotta life ahead of me...I'll still be finishing school by the time I am 30/31... but it's just a little frustrating to see that all my young friends will be getting out of vet school by the time they are 24/25!!!

I think by the time you start vet school you'll hit the mean age, or slightly above it. I wouldn't worry about it, believe me you're young! I mean, you'll be graduating vet school at an age when i'm just starting....ok now I'm depressed. 😛