BS Engineering to Vet School?

[EngrSC]

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Hi all -

I got my BS in aerospace engineering and worked as a mechanical engineer for a large defense contractor. I went back to school and am almost finished with my AS in veterinary technology and will be taking the VTNE. I originally followed this program because I wanted to "get my feet wet", so to speak, before committing to being a pre-veterinary student. Now I'm working in a vet hospital and couldn't be happier ... and I hope to apply to vet school down the road. So I have a couple questions ...

Does anyone know if engineering grades are factored into science GPA?

Does anyone know if my veterinary technology grades will count towards my GPA? The program is AVMA accredited (obviously because I'll be taking the VTNE).

I do need to go back to school and take microbiology, biochem, second semester general chem, organic chem, etc. Physics, math, and statistics are all covered through my engineering degree.

I should also add that I've been involved in dog and cat rescues the last 4 years. I was a board member of one organization then left with several colleagues and we created a new organization from ground up. I've been a board member with this organization for a year and a half now and we have our non-profit status, yay! We saved 480 dogs in our first year, phew!! My animal and veterinary experience is definitely cat and dog heavy but once I finish my last semester of my veterinary technology associates I will be doing a large animal clinical which focuses on horses and other large animals. It's only 250 hours but I hope to continue working with large animals after that to bring more balance to my experiences.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[fromthebox]

OK, for your questions:
1)Does anyone know if engineering grades are factored into science GPA?
This will vary by school, as each calculates it differently, but yes, some of your eng grades will likely count for this, for example physics, math, and statistics may all count at one school, but only physics at another. Thus I recommend you get a copy of the VMSAR to get a closer look at what each school requires and how they calculate it.

2)Does anyone know if my veterinary technology grades will count towards my GPA?
This also varies. Some schools will consider them post-bacc work reather than part of your UG GPA. But they can't hurt you if you did well. Same goes for any sci courses you still need to complete, they will likely fall into post bacc as well.

You are doing fine on experience hours, but you are right that they are predominantly SA. Get some variety in there, not only in animal types but in locations. You have a lot of work in rescue, try to get more clinical time, maybe some emergency shadowing, more large animal/production stuff. Remember how much is less important than quality of time.

Do well in the pre-reqs you still have to complete, they will help show your commitment and ability to handle the coursework. And definitely look through the VMSAR.

 

[EngrSC]

Thank you!

I'm worried about the engineering grades because they're not great. Anyone that's studied engineering (especially aerospace) will tell you a 3.6 and above is nearly impossible! But my physics, math, and statistics grades were all really good. I'll definitely look to get my hands on the VMSAR!

I hope my vet tech grades count towards my GPA. I've got a 3.92 there 🙂

Any idea if post-bacc grades in the sciences I still need to take will help with my poor engineering grades? I'm afraid I may have ruined my chances by picking such a difficult major in college. I graduated 3 years ago but I'm still at least a few years out from applying to vet school. *sigh*

 

[scb44f]

To start, my husband and I both where cheme's in undergrad, so I'll just tell you about our experiences with that and professional schools.

Your aero classes will likely not be considered in the science GPA. I cannot say for sure because I only applied to Mizzou and they don't calculate a science GPA, but my husband is a medical student and from his experience with applying to med school, engineering classes are not considered to be science classes, as strange as that seems. You can always call the schools you want to apply to, though, just to be sure. You may be able to swing some classes so they are included in your science GPA, like thermo, as I have heard of med schools allowing that and it's worth asking for if your grades in those types of classes are strong.

Edit: Many (most?) vet schools look at the last 45 credit hours or last 3 semesters GPA, however there may be some restriction on that, depending on the school. Mizzou, for instance, specified that it was the last 3 full time semesters, not including summer semesters. Each school goes by their own way, though, so you may want to check out the websites of schools you may be interested in. Your grades in post-bacc classes may not totally make up for lower grades in engineering classes, but they will certainly help! 🙂

 

[fromthebox]

Thank you!

I'm worried about the engineering grades because they're not great. Anyone that's studied engineering (especially aerospace) will tell you a 3.6 and above is nearly impossible! But my physics, math, and statistics grades were all really good. I'll definitely look to get my hands on the VMSAR!

How not-great are they? above 3.0? What was your overall undergrad GPA?

I hope my vet tech grades count towards my GPA. I've got a 3.92 there 🙂

Any idea if post-bacc grades in the sciences I still need to take will help with my poor engineering grades? I'm afraid I may have ruined my chances by picking such a difficult major in college.

They may/may not be added to your undergrad gpa and averaged, depends on the school. They may/may not count in your last 45 gpa as scb44f said. More likely they will than not, but it varies. Even if they do not factor in these ways, they will help show who you are now and that you can do the work. They will not hurt you.

I graduated 3 years ago but I'm still at least a few years out from applying to vet school. *sigh*

I would suggest to get everything done as quickly as you can and still do well. Also make sure you check which schools have expiration on required classes. Some have limits that may work for or against you, depending on which courses are being excluded.

EDIT:
You did really well in tech school. Any relationships with professors there or in your Eng program? Start looking now to build or maintain the relationships you will need for Letters of Recommendation. Often you need at least one Veterinarian, sometimes someone in academia (a professor/advisor) and another person, hopefully another vet or one of the board members/ consulting veterinarians at your rescue org (either the previous one or the current one) You need 3, can submit up to 5 I think.

 

[GreenMouse]

Thank you!

I'm worried about the engineering grades because they're not great.

It can be done!

My first undergrad degree was in computer science and I graduated with a 2.8 GPA. When I decided to go back to school after a few years in the real world, I ended up getting a second B.S. (in Animal Science) in order to get my GPA up. However, since I already had 128 credits on my record, getting straight As only brought me up to a 3.1. Thankfully during my time back in school I worked my butt off (working/school 6 am until 9pm every day including weekends and then homework after that) to get lots of experience, and all of that outweighed my GPA. I made sure to get small animal, equine, food animal, and research. Also built strong relationships and worked hard to make sure that my LOR were strong.

I hope my vet tech grades count towards my GPA. I've got a 3.92 there 🙂

Some will count, some won't. Make sure to check with the schools where you will be applying.

Any idea if post-bacc grades in the sciences I still need to take will help with my poor engineering grades? I'm afraid I may have ruined my chances by picking such a difficult major in college. I graduated 3 years ago but I'm still at least a few years out from applying to vet school. *sigh*

Science classes will *definitely* help. I only managed to get my science up to a 2.85, but that was enough. The 400-level physics and math courses during my engineering days killed that GPA, but the Ad Coms know that a C in MATH 468 is not the same as a C in MATH 150, so I think that helped. When I went back to school I made sure to get As in all of the science classes that I took (and I made sure I took hard ones) so that was also a bonus.

It is definitely possible! Don't despair! It may take a few years, but keep at it. A lot of the advice others gave given is great. Definitely make sure your grades stay high - that is the only way to convince them that you can make it through vet school. After my first year, I have to say that it is harder than any engineering year, or the time when I was trying to get in. It is a completely different type of learning and pressure.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions and I would be happy to help!