Are you allowed to take another degree while in vet school?

[Willotree]

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Like lets say you didn't finish your undergraduate degree or masters before you enrolled into vet school. Could you be allowed to finish off a degree during the summer in vet school perhaps? In other words, could you be enrolled in another program while in vet school?

EDIT: I'm asking about finishing off your degree during the summer sessions. I know it would be crazy trying to finish it off during the regular semester of vet school.

 

[Ashgirl]

I heard of people getting their mph and working towards a Phd during vet school, but I'm not sure about an undergraduate degree. You probably could, though it could also wear/burn you out Is there a specific reason why you would want to pursue an undergraduate degree during vet school?

 

[Willotree]

I heard of people getting their mph and working towards a Phd during vet school, but I'm not sure about an undergraduate degree. You probably could, though it could also wear/burn you out Is there a specific reason why you would want to pursue an undergraduate degree during vet school?

I was planning on applying to vet school in my 3rd year and if I got in I would have no bachelors degree. I was just curious to whether I could possibly finish it off. Also the program I'm interested in doesn't grant me a bachelors degree after finishing first year.. so I was wondering if I could just finish it during the summer sessions. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Ashgirl]

Ah okay. It's probably possible, depending on the undergrad where you are getting your degree from. That would be something to ask the school itself.

Is getting a Bachelor's degree really important to you? What is causing you to want to pursue it during vet school if you are already in a doctorate program? I know several current veterinarians without an undergraduate degree, and I'm personally more than okay with entering and graduating vet school without one, but it's completely up to what is important to you.

 

[Frozenshades]

I was planning on applying to vet school in my 3rd year and if I got in I would have no bachelors degree. I was just curious to whether I could possibly finish it off. Also the program I'm interested in doesn't grant me a bachelors degree after finishing first year.. so I was wondering if I could just finish it during the summer sessions. Thanks for the reply.

I see no reason you couldn't, but really there's no point. If you're making the choice to go to vet school without it you should be comfortable with not having one. Frankly I think you could use your breaks from vet school in a more productive manner. Though I'll admit I had the same thought, but then found myself in a concurrent PhD program, so no B.S. for me. Ain't nobody got time for that.

I mean I guess it also depends on how much you have to do. If you're just a couple classes shy and could take it while doing something else, or even take them online, I'd consider it. Otherwise I say don't put it in front of doing veterinary medicine related things. Or ya know, sleeping.

 

[Willotree]

I made a board before about whether it was worth finishing off my undergraduate degree and I remember you gave me some great opinion Ashgirl 😛 I don't know if you remember the board haha.

Anyway I was just curious because it wouldn't hurt to have a bachelors degree on my hands I guess. I also dreamed of finishing off my bachelors degree at this institution.. but I also really want to apply during my third year. The DVM obviously means so much more to me but I guess I'm greedy in a way lol. Btw I'm not in a doctorate program 😛

 

[Willotree]

I see no reason you couldn't, but really there's no point. If you're making the choice to go to vet school without it you should be comfortable with not having one. Frankly I think you could use your breaks from vet school in a more productive manner. Though I'll admit I had the same thought, but then found myself in a concurrent PhD program, so no B.S. for me. Ain't nobody got time for that.

I mean I guess it also depends on how much you have to do. If you're just a couple classes shy and could take it while doing something else, or even take them online, I'd consider it. Otherwise I say don't put it in front of doing veterinary medicine related things. Or ya know, sleeping.

Yeah that's the thing. I won't be far from finishing my degree.. that's why I'm thinking to myself, why not just finish off a few more credits?
But honestly by the time I get into vet school I probably won't even consider finishing off my bachelors degree. I'd probably be so tired.

 

[Ashgirl]

I made a board before about whether it was worth finishing off my undergraduate degree and I remember you gave me some great opinion Ashgirl 😛 I don't know if you remember the board haha.

Anyway I was just curious because it wouldn't hurt to have a bachelors degree on my hands I guess. I also dreamed of finishing off my bachelors degree at this institution.. but I also really want to apply during my third year. The DVM obviously means so much more to me but I guess I'm greedy in a way lol. Btw I'm not in a doctorate program 😛

I somewhat remember. My memory isn't the best haha.

Sorry, I meant in vet school you would be in a doctorate program, not that you are in one now.

I wouldn't worry about it too much, as you might have a slightly better idea of what to do closer to vet school. A lot can happen in a year or so.

 

[Frozenshades]

Yeah that's the thing. I won't be far from finishing my degree.. that's why I'm thinking to myself, why not just finish off a few more credits?
But honestly by the time I get into vet school I probably won't even consider finishing off my bachelors degree. I'd probably be so tired.

Another aspect to consider is cost, not just the time now but the money too. We all love our shiny pieces of paper but is it really going to advance your experiences and future career as a veterinarian? Well, maybe, but likely a lot less than other things you could do with your time.

And the obvious...credits aren't free. Is it worth it when the DVM you're about to pay for makes them sort of irrelevant?

But like ashgirl said you have time to weigh your options. Just my 2 cents there.

 

[LetItSnow]

Some (many? Most?) vet schools will award you a bachelors degree at the completion of your first year of vet school if you entered without one.

So if it really matters to you, look into that.

I can't see much reason to worry about it. The only real downside to not having one and going into get school would be subsequently dropping out. Then yer kinda in a tough spot - lots of debt and no degree at all.

On the flip side, if you can save yourself 25% of the cost of undergrad and get into (and
out of) vet school more quickly - big win.

From the job perspective I can't see it mattering much either way if you complete your dvm.

 

[WillowLeaf]

If you do decide to finish a couple classes to get the B.S., be sure to double check residency requirements at your undergrad. I thought I might be 1 or 2 classes short of graduating, and considered taking an online class in the summer after first year of vet school. My school has a weird requirement where at least 45 of the final 60 credits of your undergrad has to be taken at that school, so not transfer credits or dual enrollment or anything. My school would count the first year of vet school into that last 60 credits, even though it's for an entirely different degree, so they wouldn't let me graduate unless I took 45 credits after first year of vet school. Just something to ask about in case your school has similar requirements.

If you're a class or two short of a B.S., and can afford that extra tuition, it wouldn't hurt to finish the B.S., but I don't see any reason you would need to. Would future employers really care about a B.S. if you have a DVM and other experiences as a vet student?

 

[WillowLeaf]

Some (many? Most?) vet schools will award you a bachelors degree at the completion of your first year of vet school if you entered without one.

I was told that that depended on your undergrad university as well. That they had to work with the vet school, and the degree would ultimately be awarded by your undergrad. Is that true, or do the vet schools actually give you one whether or not the undergrad college has that policy?

 

[Frozenshades]

I was told that that depended on your undergrad university as well. That they had to work with the vet school, and the degree would ultimately be awarded by your undergrad. Is that true, or do the vet schools actually give you one whether or not the undergrad college has that policy?

I could be wrong but I thought some vet schools will grant you a degree from that university. Transferring credit from vet school back to your undergrad institution would seem to be a pathway that your vet school wouldn't have much say in (who are they to tell another institution that they can't grant you a degree), but doing that is no doubt highly variable depending on your university and major.

My UG would take my DVM credits (since my UG major was in their college of veterinary medicine), but I still won't get my degree because there are two credits I'd have to go back to finish because they must be completed there. A measly two, but not happening.