Auburn first-year student questions:

[Euphoria08]

I was just accepted into the veterinary program at Auburn and I have a few questions for current students.

Does the school offer health insurance or do I need to find an independent provider?

Should I move to the area soon after graduation and buy a trailer from a graduating 4th yr student or is it okay to wait until the end of July/ early August? Recommend buying a house? Renting an apartment?

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on helping make my move easier and smoother? I'm an OOS contract from KY.

Thanks for any replies!

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[Sarah007]

hey.
i'm not a vet student so i don't know about insurance but i do live in auburn and my advice would be to get a place asap. last year i came down in july to reserve a place and there were only three places with one bedroom apartment vacancies!
many people live in trailer parks and there is one very close to the vet school that you might want to look into but be warned that we do get several tornados a year. if you can't find a place you like in auburn, try looking in opelika which is about ten minutes away. last but not least, DON'T live near the stadium if you plan on studying because during football season it is insane!
hope this helps!

 

[CloseToToast]

I'm a Kentucky student and just finished my first year. If you came to the Open House, you probably already got answers for most of your questions, but I'll answer them anyway.

The school does not supply health insurance, so you'll have to do that on your own. If you join SCAVMA, you can get insurance through them. It seems to be pretty reasonably priced.

For housing, I would recommend living as close as possible to the school. It makes getting to class and studying at the school that much easier. There are a few apartments and houses in the immediate area, but mostly trailer parks. I live in a trailer because I like having a yard and plenty of space and because I have pets. Most trailers are for purchase rather than rent, and you pay a lot fee. The only downside is that you'll be responsible for maintenance of your trailer and possibly your yard unlike in a rental property. You don't have to move immediately, but you should look for a place as soon as you can since most places sell early. I bought my trailer at the Open House, but didn't move until late July.

As far as making the move easier, try to move early enough that you have some time to settle in and learn your way around the area. Also, try to relax some before classes begin because you'll be studying starting the first week.

I'd be glad to answer any other questions you have!

 

[vetgirl3493]

Crossland Downs is a condominium complex across the street from the vet school. I paid a down payment equal to what I would have on a trailer, and then got a balloon mortgage for a great 5 year payment rate and was able to own my condo and therefore have my pets. Sold it at graduation for more than I paid and came out pretty good overall.

Reasons I liked living across the street from the school:
-when you are on call during clinicals (especially on equine) they expect you to be at the school within 10 minutes of being paged
-i got to sleep in more on those crazy hours on dairy and beef rotations
-friends can come over more easily from class
-i could walk to the OTS house
-the condo people took care of the yard but I still had a little tiny back porch and areas I could walk my dogs on-leash.
-there is a pickup for the bus service at the front of the complex if I remember correctly

Downside:
-traffic on Wire Road can be a real hassle in the mornings, and the line to pull out can be bad. Maybe they put up a light since I was there.

 

[LandSpeeder]

I just sold and moved out of one of the little houses across from the vet school, HearthStone is thier name. There are an unusual amount of those for sale right now and are very cool if you live by yourself and can get a home loan. I can promise you that in 4 years you'll get your money back. I was not in vet school, but a few of my neighbors were. My power bill was never over $100 either!

 

[vetgirl3493]

Hubby and I loved those! We called them the "gnome houses" and decided if we ever went back we would try and get one. They looked as big as our condo and more offset from neighbors.

 

[mekia02]

Can anyone tell me if Orientation to Veterinary Medicine is a required 1st yr course at Auburn?
Thanks