Animal science undergrad major

[banana head]

I would appreciate any opinions regarding undergrad animal science programs for my daughter. She is not likely to go pre-vet, would like to work with animals but not sure what she wants to do, loves horses but not interested in riding as competitive sport or career.

Specific opinions regarding the schools she has applied to would be great:
UVM (accepted and probably her first choice), Montana State (accepted - we visit next week), CSU (accepted), Wisconsin, Delaware, Virginia Tech, Cal Poly SLO (unlikely to get in - OOS), UMass Amherst.

Thanks!

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[tnpfan]

I would appreciate any opinions regarding undergrad animal science programs for my daughter. She is not likely to go pre-vet, would like to work with animals but not sure what she wants to do, loves horses but not interested in riding as competitive sport or career.

Specific opinions regarding the schools she has applied to would be great:
UVM (accepted and probably her first choice), Montana State (accepted - we visit next week), CSU (accepted), Wisconsin, Delaware, Virginia Tech, Cal Poly SLO (unlikely to get in - OOS), UMass Amherst.

Thanks!

I can't tell you much about the other schools, but Wisconsin has a very strong animal sciences program. I'm currently an undergrad at Wisconsin and although I'm not not an animal science major I can tell you that there are a ton of animal-related opportunities here. I've been involved in research since my freshman year, and I know of many opportunities to get animal experience. And if your daughter ends up in a different field Wisconsin has great programs in all areas. If she hasn't already, I strongly recommend visiting the school before she makes a decision.

P.S. Madison is the best city in the country. 😉

 

[banana head]

Thanks. Wisconsin is a reach for her, but we can visit in April if she gets in.

 

[incendium04]

As a current Cal Poly Animal Science student, I have to say I love their program. I'm an urban girl and didn't have much experience with livestock and horses but they have opportunities for everyone at any experience level. CP is very hands on (their motto is "learn by doing" afterall) and I personally have done work in calving, lambing, halter breaking horses, growing chickens and quail. They have opportunities for students to become involved in any of the animal units on-campus - horse, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry. In addition to these areas, CP has a vet clinic and a cat shelter where you can volunteer. Also, CP has the only undergrad course in applied embryology which is amazing - maybe your daughter would be interested in working with horses doing embryo transfers or reproductive stuff?

I knew going into CP that I wanted to go to vet school, so all the animal experience helped me make sure of it. If your daughter isn't sure, she can get a lot of experience in a lot of areas and see what she enjoys.

Hope this helps. =)

 

[Duckylady]

I am a junior in the animal science program at Montana State, and I have really enjoyed the program here so far. There are three degree options in the program; equine, livestock management, and science. All three are science-based programs, the "science" option is just the prevet track. I don't have a lot of experience with the livestock management option, but I started out in equine so I know quite a bit about it. There is a lot of background in business in the program which I think is very important, and also quite a few opportunities for hands on experience through courses like colt breaking, pasture management, applied repro, animal nutrition, equine lameness, animal anatomy, etc. We also have an amazing faculty, partially because Bozeman is a great place to live. Not only is it beautiful out here, but there are tons of opportunities for outdoor recreation as well if your daughter is interested in that. Overall, I highly recommend MSU and would be happy to answer any specific questions you have about it.
The weather has been beautiful lately, hopefully it stays that way for your visit!

 

[jar046]

If your daughter wants to live in Louisiana than I would highly recommened Louisiana Tech University. They have a great Animal Science program, and approximatley an 80% acceptance rate into Veterinary Schools. My girlfriend is at LSU Veterinary School and is one of the top students in her class thanks to the great proffessors at LaTech. She has always felt that she was very well prepared and greatful for having attended LaTech.

 

[banana head]

80% acceptance is pretty impressive. But applications are already in and Louisiana would probably be a bit warm for this NE kid.

 

[WildlifeSaver]

I can't tell you much about the other schools, but Wisconsin has a very strong animal sciences program. I'm currently an undergrad at Wisconsin and although I'm not not an animal science major I can tell you that there are a ton of animal-related opportunities here. I've been involved in research since my freshman year, and I know of many opportunities to get animal experience. And if your daughter ends up in a different field Wisconsin has great programs in all areas. If she hasn't already, I strongly recommend visiting the school before she makes a decision.

P.S. Madison is the best city in the country. 😉

I might be living in madison by fall for school. Not getting in for fall, but I will most likely get into UW whitewater for transfer and from whitewater to UW madison transfer. 🙂

 

[tnpfan]

I might be living in madison by fall for school. Not getting in for fall, but I will most likely get into UW whitewater for transfer and from whitewater to UW madison transfer. 🙂

Awesome! What year are you?

 

[WildlifeSaver]

Awesome! What year are you?

I been in college for 3 years. When I transfer I hope I will be in my third year. I am going to Madison the 20th this month just to visit🙂 🙂. I have a bf that goes to the med school there and I love Madison and all the opportunities especially in wildlife. I think there is even a place you can do internships for cranes and a wolf place. So much wildlife stuff attracts me to want to go to the vet med school there. There is residency for wildlife! What year are you in? When I ever get into Madison for undergrad I am doing zoology and medical micro with immunology (double majoring).

 

[tnpfan]

I been in college for 3 years. When I transfer I hope I will be in my third year. I am going to Madison the 20th this month just to visit🙂 🙂. I have a bf that goes to the med school there and I love Madison and all the opportunities especially in wildlife. I think there is even a place you can do internships for cranes and a wolf place. So much wildlife stuff attracts me to want to go to the vet med school there. There is residency for wildlife! What year are you in? When I ever get into Madison for undergrad I am doing zoology and medical micro with immunology (double majoring).

Yep, there are a ton of opportunities here. The vet school's wildlife doctor is really nice and so are the residents. It's really easy to get involved with them if that's what you're interested. PM me if you'd like to know some specifics.

I'm currently a sophomore zoology major. 🙂

 

[nhsvs]

CSU has an excellent animal science department, one of the best vet schools in the country, AND an equestrian science major. The equestrian facilities are among the best I've seen and there are many equestrian sports teams (equestrian team, polo team, etc.). Fort Collins is a great college town. I would also highly recommend Kansas State University -- another school with a great animal science department, equine science minor, superb vet school, and very nice facilities. Manhattan, KS is also a great college town. K-State is still accepting applications and they have a reputation for being very generous with merit aid for OOS students. Good luck.

 

[WildlifeSaver]

Yep, there are a ton of opportunities here. The vet school's wildlife doctor is really nice and so are the residents. It's really easy to get involved with them if that's what you're interested. PM me if you'd like to know some specifics.

I'm currently a sophomore zoology major. 🙂

Yeah I might sometime! thanks!! 😀

 

[Lckynmbrslefman]

I am currently an animal science major at UMASS Amherst, and I couldn't say enough good things about it! I applied to Tufts undergrad and got rejected, so I went with my safety school, UMASS. It ended up being the best choice I ever made.

I started out with practically no farm animal experience...just dogs and a few chickens as a kid. I now feel capable of taking care of an entire farm. UMASS is definitely great for hands on opportunities...your Ansci 101 class as a freshman has you catching and tipping a sheep at the first lab. You also have the opportunity to visit a bunch of farms around the area and they are starting up a small animal handling class with the Springfield shelters. For large animal, you get to be involved with overnight "lamb watches where you can help a sheep give birth and tend to the babies. We also have a great riding program (English, dressage and Western style), goats, Belted Galloway beef cattle and the only undergraduate alpaca program in the nation. There is an Equine Industries major as well if your daughter gets more interested in horses. In terms of meeting people, there are a whole bunch of student run groups revolving around animals and other clubs like Animal Behavior, Prevet and lots of biology classes about herpetology, mammology and ornithology.

Also, UMASS is just awesome all around...its a big school, but once you get used to it it just keeps giving. You have access to classes at the four colleges in the area (Smith, Holyoke, Amherst College, Hampshire) and there are tons of on-campus events for the weekends and for supporting students. The town itself practically revolves around the college and it is very safe and beautiful.

If your daughter has any specific questions about it I would be glad to answer them! 🙂

 

[DocDVMD]

Cornell has a fantastic Ansci program too 😍