Applying 2014 vs. 2015. What would you do?

[ThePiedPiper]

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The original plan was to start courses in the fall and apply in 2015 to enter in 2016. However, looking over my course schedule, I realised that if I were to take one of my planned-for-fall courses in the summer (an intro to chemistry), I would potentially be able to apply next cycle for the 2015 year.

Now, the cons:
- Having never taken chemistry, I am worried about possible burn-out at a summer school pace (I burned out during a high school CC course, but I'm trying to keep it in perspective, as my mental health was suffering due to the circumstances I was faced with, and I also now have four years of the quarter system under my belt 😛)
- I wouldn't be able to apply to my dream school, Western U
- My cGPA is going to be at a 3.2 by the time I graduate, so I would probably be limited to schools that look at my last 45-60 units, pre-requisite GPA and GRE scores, as I would have one year's (or a semester) worth of courses missing from what I'm counting on to boost my GPA
- I would only have a bare minimum and a couple of electives done, versus as if I applied in 2015 and had an entire year's worth of courses under my belt
- I would have less experience working in the field and I am actually really, really happy working right now, to the point I'm not sure I'd mind three more years of school as I work...

The pros:
- It does not involve any additional courses, so my three year plan would remain the same. All that would change is I do a summer intro course and start Chem in the fall.
- If I get rejected, I was planning on applying in 2015 in the first place, so it wouldn't be a loss there
- I would have fewer pre-reqs to take 🙂p), though this could also be a con as I might be less prepared for vet school, having only the bare minimum pre-reqs done
- I could have a chance to be a part of the class entering 2015 versus 2016
- Taking the summer course would give me the option of applying or not applying come next year whereas if I did not take the summer course, I wouldn't even have the option of applying in 2014

I think my main concern is fear. I did a CC summer course when I was 14 or 15 in history and completely burned out, even though I still received an A. As I stated, a lot of it had to do with my mental health at the time, as I was struggling with the death of a very close relative, my parents' divorce, we had moved houses/changed schools, etc. There was a lot going on. I'm not in that place now, not even close, and so I feel I'm more prepped to handle a summer course. However, doing a summer course would also mean less chance to work with my clinic. At least with the clinic where I am guaranteed a position and more hours, they're only in Tues-Thurs and every other Saturday. A summer course would be from 8:00-1:30 Mon-Thurs. Though I could still go to work, I have to factor in study and homework times as I'm sure I wouldn't be lucky enough to only be assigned homework over the weekend. 😛 I feel like what it's coming down to is would I rather enjoy working and exploring the field, strengthening my application at a leisurely pace - oh, and making money in the process - or would I rather have the option of applying next year. And I don't know which one is more important to me right now.

So SDN, I come to you. What would you do? I plan to make many more pros and cons lists, but thought I would see if you can think of any bases I haven't covered. 👍

 

[owlwtiredeyes]

The original plan was to start courses in the fall and apply in 2015 to enter in 2016. However, looking over my course schedule, I realised that if I were to take one of my planned-for-fall courses in the summer (an intro to chemistry), I would potentially be able to apply next cycle for the 2015 year.

Now, the cons:
- Having never taken chemistry, I am worried about possible burn-out at a summer school pace (I burned out during a high school CC course, but I'm trying to keep it in perspective, as my mental health was suffering due to the circumstances I was faced with, and I also now have four years of the quarter system under my belt 😛)
- I wouldn't be able to apply to my dream school, Western U
- My cGPA is going to be at a 3.2 by the time I graduate, so I would probably be limited to schools that look at my last 45-60 units, pre-requisite GPA and GRE scores, as I would have one year's (or a semester) worth of courses missing from what I'm counting on to boost my GPA
- I would only have a bare minimum and a couple of electives done, versus as if I applied in 2015 and had an entire year's worth of courses under my belt
- I would have less experience working in the field and I am actually really, really happy working right now, to the point I'm not sure I'd mind three more years of school as I work...

The pros:
- It does not involve any additional courses, so my three year plan would remain the same. All that would change is I do a summer intro course and start Chem in the fall.
- If I get rejected, I was planning on applying in 2015 in the first place, so it wouldn't be a loss there
- I would have fewer pre-reqs to take 🙂p), though this could also be a con as I might be less prepared for vet school, having only the bare minimum pre-reqs done
- I could have a chance to be a part of the class entering 2015 versus 2016
- Taking the summer course would give me the option of applying or not applying come next year whereas if I did not take the summer course, I wouldn't even have the option of applying in 2014

I think my main concern is fear. I did a CC summer course when I was 14 or 15 in history and completely burned out, even though I still received an A. As I stated, a lot of it had to do with my mental health at the time, as I was struggling with the death of a very close relative, my parents' divorce, we had moved houses/changed schools, etc. There was a lot going on. I'm not in that place now, not even close, and so I feel I'm more prepped to handle a summer course. However, doing a summer course would also mean less chance to work with my clinic. At least with the clinic where I am guaranteed a position and more hours, they're only in Tues-Thurs and every other Saturday. A summer course would be from 8:00-1:30 Mon-Thurs. Though I could still go to work, I have to factor in study and homework times as I'm sure I wouldn't be lucky enough to only be assigned homework over the weekend. 😛 I feel like what it's coming down to is would I rather enjoy working and exploring the field, strengthening my application at a leisurely pace - oh, and making money in the process - or would I rather have the option of applying next year. And I don't know which one is more important to me right now.

So SDN, I come to you. What would you do? I plan to make many more pros and cons lists, but thought I would see if you can think of any bases I haven't covered. 👍

One thing to take into consideration is that applying is very expensive. I applied to 5 schools and it was around $1000, which is not including the cost of going to interviews (which is also very expensive). I think if it were me, I'd probably wait and get the experience, good grades, and try to apply only once if possible. I think you will probably have a better shot of getting in if you give yourself that extra year to build up experience and grades too!

 

[hygebeorht]

Well, I think it comes down to what you mentioned last - that you were not sure if you wanted to work as fast as possible or take it more slowly. There are pros and cons for each of those, too.

Going as fast as possible:

- less tuition to pay
- a heavy workload can look good on applications if you do well
- you may get in a year earlier than expected, so your career will start earlier...

Taking your time:

- less stressful
- more time to work

You also may wish to consider the rate of tuition hikes, which doesn't seem to be slowing for the most part. A year's delay in attendance will cost you more in the long run.

I took the fast route and I've known people to move more slowly. If it were me, I'd take the course and apply sooner. I'd choose 2-3 affordable schools that I have a shot at and apply - for only 2-3 schools, the application fees won't kill you. If nothing else, it's good practice and shows interest. Who knows, you may get in earlier than expected!

The one thing that would make me want to move more slowly is performance. I know I can pack my days and still get good grades - I test well and am lucky not to need to study much. However, if my grades would suffer by rushing, I would take time. Great grades are important and they are hard to make up for.

That's my two cents...

 

[ThePiedPiper]

Thank you both. Financing it is not currently an issue (not sure whether or not it will be when the time rolls around, but I'd rather treat it as a non-issue) and I'm not sure I'm so worried about not being able to handle it. I have maintained a 3.8 GPA (or 3.7) between junior and senior year, with some of those months working 20+ hours a week. I had a tough time until winter quarter of junior year, when I really hit my stride and managed to overcome a lot of the struggles that were plaguing me. I think it's mostly an issue of having the last summer course I took taking its toll on me... It's hard for me to rationally look at it and say it was several years ago at a rough, rough time in my life when the emotional memory is so strong. 🙄 That said, all my other semesters would be a 12-15 unit courseload. I take 15 units every quarter, so a 12 unit courseload on the semester system would be a dream. However, taking 12 would also allow me to work quite a number of hours in addition to my schooling and still do well... Hm.

But I like the idea of applying to 2-3 schools. Because honestly, this summer course would be the only thing different to my schedule, as it would also give me more room for electives during the last spring semester if I didn't get in next cycle.

 

[cowgirla]

- I wouldn't be able to apply to my dream school, Western U

I have to ask...have you seen the discussion on the recent NYT article about cost of education? Because Western is one of the more expensive US schools and your debt load would likely be similar to some of the ones discussed in the article.

Also, a 3.2 is not so bad. Low, yes, but you can compensate for that with good vet experience hours, LORs, etc. Many many people on this forum have gotten into schools with that GPA or lower.

If you are truly set on western, I would take whichever path left me in less debt. So, probably the faster one.

 

[dovelover]

I'd say start by taking the summer course and go from there! Once the end of summer rolls around, you may change your mind one way or the other, but you can't go back in time and take the course if you get to summer's end and want to submit your vet school application. However taking the course and then deciding to wait a year really won't hurt you much, as long as you are confident in your ability to pull off a good grade (and confidence is everything!)

 

[ThePiedPiper]

I have to ask...have you seen the discussion on the recent NYT article about cost of education? Because Western is one of the more expensive US schools and your debt load would likely be similar to some of the ones discussed in the article.

Also, a 3.2 is not so bad. Low, yes, but you can compensate for that with good vet experience hours, LORs, etc. Many many people on this forum have gotten into schools with that GPA or lower.

If you are truly set on western, I would take whichever path left me in less debt. So, probably the faster one.

I have. I've been following that thread. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. But I also am not sure what my loans are realistically going to look like. My grandfather may or may not be helping finance my education but I'm not sure how much he's planning on financing it and right now, it's not open to discussion. He wants me to bring him all my options for grants, scholarships, loans, etc. and then he'll talk to me about it - and I won't have that information for a while yet.

To even apply to Western, though, I'd have to do three years of schooling, not two. Schools like LSU and KSU I could consider after two years. 🙂

I'd say start by taking the summer course and go from there! Once the end of summer rolls around, you may change your mind one way or the other, but you can't go back in time and take the course if you get to summer's end and want to submit your vet school application. However taking the course and then deciding to wait a year really won't hurt you much, as long as you are confident in your ability to pull off a good grade (and confidence is everything!)

See, this is my issue. 😛 I know I'm smart enough but I also know I won't do well if I don't go into it confident. I tutor so have seen students grasp the material to the point they're teaching me and then they go into an assessment exam and flunk it on their first try, even though they might have aced that same exam in a no pressure situation during a practice exam at mine. So I know I need to be confident going into it if I decide to go for it, but you definitely make good points.

 

[dovelover]

To even apply to Western, though, I'd have to do three years of schooling, not two. Schools like LSU and KSU I could consider after two years. 🙂

Don't be so focused on going to a particular school that it requires you to take a whole extra year to prepare. Honestly, I had my heart set on three different schools at different points in the application process. One I didn't end up even applying to (it was a UK school, and I'm at a different point in my life now where moving there just isn't practical or as exciting as it once was), the other two were the only two I was rejected from and I'm glad. They were both top ranked, competitive schools, and I don't think I would have liked the more competitive atmospheres that are sort of innate in their student bodies. Yet I would have felt obligated to go to them because they were top schools. If I have learned anything from this application process, it is that the things I really want/need in a school are not the things I thought I would. If I were to do this all over again, I would probably be applying to a very different list of schools.

 

[cowgirla]

I

To even apply to Western, though, I'd have to do three years of schooling, not two. Schools like LSU and KSU I could consider after two years. 🙂

.

Whatever schools you apply to, make sure you do your research into what they look for in an applicant, what their breakdown is of GPA/GRE, what their average out of state stats are, etc. KSU might be a good fit. LSU tends to have a very high OOS GPA.

MN only looks at last 45gpa, OK tends to look at whole applicant > grades, some schools accept a large % of OOS students, some schools weigh GRE = GPA, etc.

 

[ThePiedPiper]

Don't be so focused on going to a particular school that it requires you to take a whole extra year to prepare. Honestly, I had my heart set on three different schools at different points in the application process. One I didn't end up even applying to (it was a UK school, and I'm at a different point in my life now where moving there just isn't practical or as exciting as it once was), the other two were the only two I was rejected from and I'm glad. They were both top ranked, competitive schools, and I don't think I would have liked the more competitive atmospheres that are sort of innate in their student bodies. Yet I would have felt obligated to go to them because they were top schools. If I have learned anything from this application process, it is that the things I really want/need in a school are not the things I thought I would. If I were to do this all over again, I would probably be applying to a very different list of schools.

Thank you. You bring up some very good points here, too! I think I really need to do some reading around on school sites and see what certain schools are all about. A part of the reason I had my heart set on Western (or Davis, but I'm not sure I'd be competitive at Davis, though I suppose I could apply on anyway 😛) is because both are in California. I have always lived in California, am very close with my family, and the idea of being OOS is scary, but it's one of those things I would do if it came down to where I was accepted. I'd probably have all the pre-reqs completed for Davis by the time I applied too, so I could throw my application to the ring to throw my application to the ring. 😛

Whatever schools you apply to, make sure you do your research into what they look for in an applicant, what their breakdown is of GPA/GRE, what their average out of state stats are, etc. KSU might be a good fit. LSU tends to have a very high OOS GPA.

MN only looks at last 45gpa, OK tends to look at whole applicant > grades, some schools accept a large % of OOS students, some schools weigh GRE = GPA, etc.

I was under the impression that LSU also heavily weighs your last semester units and required course GPA? Based on what was written here:

OBJECTIVE EVALUATION - 65%

The objective evaluation is based on scholastic achievement and standardized test scores. All official transcripts of college course grades are examined to determine scholastic achievement. The total objective score is derived from:



Required Course GPA - (29%)
Last 45 Credit Hour GPA - (18%)
General GRE score - (18%)

I had thought about MN and potentially OK too, but probably not for the 2014 cycle, but I didn't know that about OK, so thank you for that info.

May I ask if there's a book that compares selection procedures etc? I'll do my own research into it too but was curious as to if anyone knew of any. 😛 I'm finding it hard to figure out these sites because I look at the class statistics (of 2016, 2015, etc.) and realise that my cGPA might be a few points off (or way off the mark for some schools), but I still have a chance to make my application very, very competitive in other areas, but for some reason I'm having a hard time figuring out what schools would be the right "fit" for me and maybe a part of that is simply not knowing what to look for or how to read the sites.

Edit: Found a couple books. 😀

 

[Naturalist]

I'm in a sort of similar situation. I came into college 26 credits ahead due to AP credits. I planned on graduating early, so I took some gen eds in the summer. Well, this year I realized I'm really not ready. I have a lot of maturing to do, as well as a lot more vet experience to earn. My parents see using my 4th year as a waste of time and money, but I don't think they realize the cost of applying is also huge, especially since right now I don't have a chance of getting in. I might as well add a few more hard science classes to my transcript, and have an extra summer to gain a variety of experiences. I still have biochem and physics to take. Maybe if I do them both in the fall, l'll think about applying to my IS this year just to see. But only there.

Do you feel ready, emotionally and intellectually? I'm definitely still growing.

 

[ThePiedPiper]

The only way in which I do not feel ready is moving OOS or moving away from home, as I get horribly, horribly homesick, but I need to get over that at some point. 😳 Other than that, I have been ready for a long, long time. It took me 21 years to come into my own and find my wings, and I really am ready to take off and fly. 😳

 

[dovelover]

I'm in a sort of similar situation. I came into college 26 credits ahead due to AP credits. I planned on graduating early, so I took some gen eds in the summer. Well, this year I realized I'm really not ready. I have a lot of maturing to do, as well as a lot more vet experience to earn. My parents see using my 4th year as a waste of time and money, but I don't think they realize the cost of applying is also huge, especially since right now I don't have a chance of getting in. I might as well add a few more hard science classes to my transcript, and have an extra summer to gain a variety of experiences. I still have biochem and physics to take. Maybe if I do them both in the fall, l'll think about applying to my IS this year just to see. But only there.

Do you feel ready, emotionally and intellectually? I'm definitely still growing.

You may want to consider scheduling all the classes in the fall and graduate a semester early, if you can, and have the spring off in addition to the summer. Honestly, you mature a lot faster (and well, better) outside of school than you do in school. Trust me on that. And if you take that time to have an interesting life experience (move away from home, travel, do some sort of intensive full time vet experience, etc.), it's a good talking point for interviews.

 

[hygebeorht]

You may want to consider scheduling all the classes in the fall and graduate a semester early, if you can, and have the spring off in addition to the summer. Honestly, you mature a lot faster (and well, better) outside of school than you do in school. Trust me on that. And if you take that time to have an interesting life experience (move away from home, travel, do some sort of intensive full time vet experience, etc.), it's a good talking point for interviews.

👍👍

School is a magical alternate dimension from reality. Work for a year, travel, do cool stuff. You'll learn and grow a LOT.

 

[ThePiedPiper]

You may want to consider scheduling all the classes in the fall and graduate a semester early, if you can, and have the spring off in addition to the summer. Honestly, you mature a lot faster (and well, better) outside of school than you do in school. Trust me on that. And if you take that time to have an interesting life experience (move away from home, travel, do some sort of intensive full time vet experience, etc.), it's a good talking point for interviews.

👍👍

School is a magical alternate dimension from reality. Work for a year, travel, do cool stuff. You'll learn and grow a LOT.

I know you were responding to the other poster, but after talking about it with my mother, I think my best option is going to be stick with the original plan: graduate in March, work full-time for a while, get my feet wet in the fall with some intro courses, and then start pre-reqs full-time in the spring. I think what I'm concerned about is having to sacrifice a lot of experiences that I want to do or have the opportunity to do that I would not get the chance to with a summer class or starting up a full courseload of pre-reqs in the fall, and I feel like right now, I would regret sacrificing those opportunities to try and get into school a year earlier. I feel like I'd regret it if I didn't get accepted anywhere, and I suppose that right now, as much as I want to get into vet school, as much as I want to beat rising tuition, as much as I want to get started in my career, my journey right now is exploring the field and doing a lot of the things I was unable to do as a psych major or too busy to do because of other things. Even if I end up regretting it next year, at the very least, it's something I can deal with and learn and grow from in ways that will only strengthen my application, whereas if I got accepted and didn't get to experience everything I want to, I feel like I would always regret not following those leads. Thank you all for acting as my sounding board! 🙂

 

[Rainheart]

I will just put my opinion in here- I know that my IS vet school always says that if you can apply early, do it. Not really to get an admission offer, but to get a year experience of applying, maybe interviewing, and if you don't get in, you'll get some amazing feedback on your application. So, if you can swing the money, I'd say apply a year early.
I did hear, though, with my IS school, if you did get in as a junior, it is binding and you have to go. I'm not sure about other schools.

 

[ThePiedPiper]

I will just put my opinion in here- I know that my IS vet school always says that if you can apply early, do it. Not really to get an admission offer, but to get a year experience of applying, maybe interviewing, and if you don't get in, you'll get some amazing feedback on your application. So, if you can swing the money, I'd say apply a year early.
I did hear, though, with my IS school, if you did get in as a junior, it is binding and you have to go. I'm not sure about other schools.

Would you say that this experience with sending in applications is worth giving up other experiences to do with the field? Some of the experiences I'd potentially be giving up are working with an emergency clinic, working with a local small animal clinic and a vet I absolutely adore, an internship doing research on horses, a necropsy/marine research internship, and working with the wildlife center in the summer. The wildlife center, small animal clinic and horse internship are all guaranteed, but the SA clinic and horse internship have been pushed to spring and summer, respectively. The wildlife center is also in the summer. I'd have to give both up to do a summer class. For me, after realising all I'd have to give up, I felt like it was worth the extra year.

 

[Rainheart]

Would you say that this experience with sending in applications is worth giving up other experiences to do with the field? Some of the experiences I'd potentially be giving up are working with an emergency clinic, working with a local small animal clinic and a vet I absolutely adore, an internship doing research on horses, a necropsy/marine research internship, and working with the wildlife center in the summer. The wildlife center, small animal clinic and horse internship are all guaranteed, but the SA clinic and horse internship have been pushed to spring and summer, respectively. The wildlife center is also in the summer. I'd have to give both up to do a summer class. For me, after realising all I'd have to give up, I felt like it was worth the extra year.

I'm sure there are a ton more experiences once you are in vet school- just my opinion, anyway. Why would you have to give up all the experiences for one summer class, though?

 

[ThePiedPiper]

I'm sure there are a ton more experiences once you are in vet school- just my opinion, anyway. Why would you have to give up all the experiences for one summer class, though?

The small animal clinic postponed my volunteer position because they decided they were pretty full with volunteers already. It's a busy clinic and they're one of the only ones who returned my call about shadowing/volunteering in the first place. So it's not so much that I might not have to give those opportunities up as I would worry they'd frown upon offering me a position, making time for me, and then having me decline it based on a class or not being able to commit to the time they want from me. :/

The summer class is for the duration of the month I'd be expected to start working with horses, and the internship is 16 hours a week. I could not commit to that when I'm in class Mon-Thurs for 5 hours a day, plus homework and labs and reading. The wildlife center, I could potentially volunteer at May and August, but their biggest months they need help are May, June and July and I was planning on doing some fostering (and the coordinator is actually trying to schedule the training orientation around a trip I'm taking because I'm one of the few who can commit to all three months. Most students leave by mid-June and if I took the summer class, I would be too). I couldn't work at the kennels for the same reason I could not work with horses, because I already hold one job with a dental clinic. I admit that the emergency clinic I could still probably swing, but seeing as I work 20+ hours already, I likely would not get hired somewhere for a month only to have me go back into school again in the fall. I can handle 30-35 hours while doing 15 units pretty well, but it's a stretch and takes its toll on me and my performance. 😛 It's mostly a matter of that the summer class falls awkwardly when all of the opportunities have been offered to me or it falls in an awkward middle place, where places risk only keeping me around for a month since I work 20+ hours already and have two jobs.

 

[Naturalist]

The small animal clinic postponed my volunteer position because they decided they were pretty full with volunteers already. It's a busy clinic and they're one of the only ones who returned my call about shadowing/volunteering in the first place. So it's not so much that I might not have to give those opportunities up as I would worry they'd frown upon offering me a position, making time for me, and then having me decline it based on a class or not being able to commit to the time they want from me. :/

The summer class is for the duration of the month I'd be expected to start working with horses, and the internship is 16 hours a week. I could not commit to that when I'm in class Mon-Thurs for 5 hours a day, plus homework and labs and reading. The wildlife center, I could potentially volunteer at May and August, but their biggest months they need help are May, June and July and I was planning on doing some fostering (and the coordinator is actually trying to schedule the training orientation around a trip I'm taking because I'm one of the few who can commit to all three months. Most students leave by mid-June and if I took the summer class, I would be too). I couldn't work at the kennels for the same reason I could not work with horses, because I already hold one job with a dental clinic. I admit that the emergency clinic I could still probably swing, but seeing as I work 20+ hours already, I likely would not get hired somewhere for a month only to have me go back into school again in the fall. I can handle 30-35 hours while doing 15 units pretty well, but it's a stretch and takes its toll on me and my performance. 😛 It's mostly a matter of that the summer class falls awkwardly when all of the opportunities have been offered to me or it falls in an awkward middle place, where places risk only keeping me around for a month since I work 20+ hours already and have two jobs.

I think I understand your situation a little bit more now; sorry if I sounded dumb before. I think you have it pretty well figured out, and honestly your potential experiences sound great. I took 9 semester hours throughout last summer, and I didn't have much of a hard time keeping up with work and other things. Granted they were really easy courses, I'm not sure what pre-reqs you're going for. If it has a lab, it's probably automatically harder than what I did 🙂

 

[ThePiedPiper]

I think I understand your situation a little bit more now; sorry if I sounded dumb before. I think you have it pretty well figured out, and honestly your potential experiences sound great. I took 9 semester hours throughout last summer, and I didn't have much of a hard time keeping up with work and other things. Granted they were really easy courses, I'm not sure what pre-reqs you're going for. If it has a lab, it's probably automatically harder than what I did 🙂

Oh, no worries! You didn't sound dumb at all. I think your question was valid. 🙂

You took 9 semester hours?! 😱 What courses did you take? This would be an intro to chem course so not TOO hard, but it does contain a lab and it is 5 hours a day with homework every night. I remember when I took a history course over the summer, I had 3 hours of homework a night in addition to a 5 hour long class, so I was pretty beat and didn't have much time for other things. 😛 Kudos to you for keeping up with 9 semester hours!

 

[Naturalist]

Oh, no worries! You didn't sound dumb at all. I think your question was valid. 🙂

You took 9 semester hours?! 😱 What courses did you take? This would be an intro to chem course so not TOO hard, but it does contain a lab and it is 5 hours a day with homework every night. I remember when I took a history course over the summer, I had 3 hours of homework a night in addition to a 5 hour long class, so I was pretty beat and didn't have much time for other things. 😛 Kudos to you for keeping up with 9 semester hours!

They were just garbage courses I wanted to get done so I could graduate early (which I decided against right after finishing them 🙄). Just philosophy, world literature, and a humanities class on Western civilization. Philosophy was online and I think it was only 6 weeks? It was short. So I guess that one doesn't even count. None of them required much brain power or time outside of class...I'm not being arrogant or anything, they literally were just those "show up and get an A" type of classes that are impossible to fail.

I think taking a science course in the summer is hard no matter what. I know someone that did Physics I like that and it was brutal. It had a lab after every lecture, so she ended up being there for something like 6 hours each day they met. If I remember right, it was the shorter summer session, so that made it even faster. She's doing Physics II this summer, but I don't remember which summer session it is. It's a different professor so hopefully it's not that bad. But even if the material isn't that hard, just being so time consuming creates its own challenge...which you definitely realize.

Is intro to chem the same as general chemistry? The prerequisite for organic? Or is it a prerequisite for general chemistry? If it's not really necessary, could you skip it altogether--therefore allowing you to still apply early and get all your experience? At my school all your need is 8 credits gen chem --> 8 credits organic chem --> 4 credits biochem.

I'm glad you have the maturity though, like you said earlier. I keep feeling like, "oh, I'm fine, I know a lot and I'm ready.." and then I look back a month later and realize how naive I was about so many things just a month ago! Hopefully you don't feel that way.

 

[hygebeorht]

Is there nowhere you can get an online chem course? Online summer courses are a great way to fit in a little work when your schedule is already full.

 

[dovelover]

I think taking a science course in the summer is hard no matter what. I know someone that did Physics I like that and it was brutal. It had a lab after every lecture, so she ended up being there for something like 6 hours each day they met. If I remember right, it was the shorter summer session, so that made it even faster. She's doing Physics II this summer, but I don't remember which summer session it is. It's a different professor so hopefully it's not that bad. But even if the material isn't that hard, just being so time consuming creates its own challenge...which you definitely realize.

I took physics II in the summer and found it much preferable to taking it in the school year. I think it depends a lot on how the course is set up at your school. I think it was good for me because I didn't have any other academic distractions (aka, things that were more exciting to spend time trying to understand than physics...) Mine still only had lab twice a week (like during the regular semester course) the labs were just twice as long. None of us actually went to the lecture as our TA taught the material in recitation in a way that was easier to understand anyways. So that may have been why it was more manageable 🙂

 

[ThePiedPiper]

Is intro to chem the same as general chemistry? The prerequisite for organic? Or is it a prerequisite for general chemistry? If it's not really necessary, could you skip it altogether--therefore allowing you to still apply early and get all your experience? At my school all your need is 8 credits gen chem --> 8 credits organic chem --> 4 credits biochem.

I'm glad you have the maturity though, like you said earlier. I keep feeling like, "oh, I'm fine, I know a lot and I'm ready.." and then I look back a month later and realize how naive I was about so many things just a month ago! Hopefully you don't feel that way.[/QUOTE]

There are still some things I feel completely naive about. I still can't see how I missed so much in my last relationship, for example. Go hindsight. But academically, I think now that I'm focused in the right place, I feel pretty solid. I think going through four years of psychology because I was too scared to attempt a science degree allowed me to grow out of that situation.

As far as chemistry, my high school never offered chemistry, so it's an intro to inorganic chemistry. hygebeorht gave me a good idea about the online course, though. I'll have to look and see an advisor and see if it could stand in for high school chem. My high school was very poor in the sciences, hence the fear of doing them in the first place, so my fall is pretty much an intro semester, where I get my feet wet in the sciences and get a high school level introduction to what I'll go on to study at the college level. 😛 I'm not able to take general chemistry without having had high school chemistry, unfortunately! I could skip ahead in the biologies, which I was/am/still might do, but chemistry requires high school chem as a pre-req.

 

[dovelover]

As far as chemistry, my high school never offered chemistry, so it's an intro to inorganic chemistry. hygebeorht gave me a good idea about the online course, though. I'll have to look and see an advisor and see if it could stand in for high school chem. My high school was very poor in the sciences, hence the fear of doing them in the first place, so my fall is pretty much an intro semester, where I get my feet wet in the sciences and get a high school level introduction to what I'll go on to study at the college level. 😛 I'm not able to take general chemistry without having had high school chemistry, unfortunately! I could skip ahead in the biologies, which I was/am/still might do, but chemistry requires high school chem as a pre-req.

Don't let yourself be afraid of science if it's what you really feel passionate about. My dad had a poor high school education in sciences (he was behind because he came in from a teeny tiny catholic elementary school where is math teacher/nun was taking a high school algebra course at the same time she was teaching them. 😱) I think this general feeling of inadequacy (he's plenty smart enough) was what made him not go after his true passion of medicine. He works in hospital administration instead. He's good at his job, but I think he has regrets.

Luckily, you've already identified how your own fears have held you back and are trying to rectify that. Just keep chugging forward and keep challenging yourself. Don't get disheartened if you struggle a bit a first. You can do it! 😀

 

[loxodonta51]

I took Chem 1 and 2 along with Bio 2 during a summer and a different summer took Physics 2. I must say, I greatly preferred the fast pace of the summer session. Also, most professors do realize how difficult cramming all that material into 6-8 weeks is, so they tend to be easier on you. But I am sure that varies from school to school!

Also remember you will be able to get a lot of these experiences in vet school. While the ones you listed do seem cool, most vet schools provide similar opportunities. Not saying that you should not take advantage of them, just that you may have the opportunity to have a similar experience in vet school!

 

[ThePiedPiper]

Thank you both!

The main reason I'm not wanting to let go of the experiences is because I don't have as much experience as many other applicants. I have around 5000 hours of animal experience and currently only 30 hours at a specialty clinic and no other vet experience!! Some of these experiences would either contribute to a broader variety of animal experience or to vet experience, but I suppose I can really work on getting that up within the next year.

I ended up Googling the syllabus for the course and all work seems to be completed in the labs. If that's the case, I plan on signing up to take the course since I would be done by 1 and would only have to worry about quizzes and exams. I could likely still work and volunteer. I am also hoping that taking 12 units over the semester when I'm used to 15 units over the quarter will allow me to comfortably work 30-40 hours. 😛 That way I could tackle my pre-reqs while also getting experience in. I figure if I applied with 1000+ hours at a specialty and maybe 100 hours in everything else, I might have a shot with a 4.0 last 45 units, 4.0 in science pre-reqs and good GRE scores. 🙂 And I could always apply a second cycle as planned.