College frustrations/discouragements

[AnimalLover24]

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Hello all,

I am a 24 year old college student(undecided major right now) who has a couple associate degrees including my general education AA and an electronics degree. I am a junior in college trying to attempt a bachelors degree but I keep leaning towards veterinary school. Thats a good thing as it has been my dream ever since I was a kid but is it a realistic dream? I am 24, married, and my wife wants a child in the next year or so. I would need to complete at least the pre-vet requirements if not a bachelor's in something also to apply which would be another 1-2 years. My gpa is OK, 3.6~, and I know my science gpa would be higher once I began taking those courses.

I have tried to just major in something but nothing is as appealing to me than becoming a vet. I don't know what to do. I don't really have the money or time having a family and all but it is something I would love to do more than anything else.

Im really frustrated and am feeling pretty discouraged now. I just dont know what to do. IF I somehow knew I would get accepted, I would do it in a heartbeat but if not I guess I would just try again the next year as everyone else does.

Sorry for rambling, It is hard to let this dream die.

 

[LVT2DVM]

Does you AA have a specific discipline or is it just General Arts. What about majoring in education? or business? Those degrees are just as acceptable as a prevet student as bio, chem or biochem. Just make sure you ACE your prereqs which could be challenging if your planning on becoming a dad soon. (Time, lack of sleep ect...) and maintain your gpa. Youll have just as good a chance as any. Keep in mind though if you still have to take your science courses, you might as well use those towards an applicable BA degree verses taking extra stuff. Just my opinion. Hey, I am an older student (30+) with 3 kids and more application cycles than I'd care to remember and I havent given up. You have plenty of time on your side. Good luck and dont be discouraged yet.

 

[RaptorRehaber]

1. The only way to know if you'll get accepted is to apply through the cycle next fall. If you read through this website you'll see that it's pretty difficult to determine what a guaranteed acceptance status is.
2. What kind and how much experience do you have?
3. You NEED a back-up plan. If nothing else in the world interests you, you haven't done enough research. Go to your school's advisory office to discuss graduate schools or degrees that you may have never thought about. (I used to think that it was vet school or bust but you have to be realistic and find something else that interests you. With some help from advisers, I found some great entomology graduate programs that I'm applying to next fall along with vet school).
4. If you like to work with animals but don't have the time or money to invest in vet school you can always go to tech school or get a degree that will allow you to work in research or zoo's as a trainer.

I'm not trying to discourage you from vet school but everyone needs a reality check from time to time.

 

[rustysmom]

I'm also an older student (just turned 35) and I've applied to Mich. State this past cycle. I don't have any children yet but I am married. I've got a bachelor's and master's in information systems - went back to become a vet when my job got outsourced. I originally wanted to be a vet but thought I could be happy doing IT - well, I always regretted not following my dream.

LVT2DVM is right - you will have just a good a chance as any - I have an interview with Mich. State coming up. Do the best you can in your pre-reqs - keep in mind that you will probably need to spread them out a bit to maintain your sanity, especially with children. 😀 I think the key is having the love and support of your spouse - my husband has done way more householdy type stuff than he probably ever wanted to do. 😉

You can do it - hang in there...

 

[AnimalLover24]

I'm also an older student (just turned 35) and I've applied to Mich. State this past cycle. I don't have any children yet but I am married. I've got a bachelor's and master's in information systems - went back to become a vet when my job got outsourced. I originally wanted to be a vet but thought I could be happy doing IT - well, I always regretted not following my dream.

LVT2DVM is right - you will have just a good a chance as any - I have an interview with Mich. State coming up. Do the best you can in your pre-reqs - keep in mind that you will probably need to spread them out a bit to maintain your sanity, especially with children. 😀 I think the key is having the love and support of your spouse - my husband has done way more householdy type stuff than he probably ever wanted to do. 😉

You can do it - hang in there...

I finally have some time to comment... been so busy with work lately!

Rustysmom, We sound just alike! I have an AA(general ed.) and an AA(computers) and, just like you, I thought I would enjoy that kind of work. I have always wanted to be a vet but just didn't think I could make it(not much faith in myself) and my grades in high school weren't very good so I just didn't have a shot, at least in my mind. In college my grades are really good and although I have most of my science classes to take still I am not too worried about them.

I sometimes feel like I am being selfish and feel like I am 'forcing' my wife to work while I go to school. It isn't a good feeling at all. She is very supportive and loving and I couldn't ask for more. I want her to be happy more than anything and I want to be able to provide financially for her and our future family.

Basically the last 2 semesters I have been going part-time because the fact is, I WILL NOT be satisfied if I don't go on to become a vet. I know someone mentioned something about being realistic and having a backup plan. That is good advice but I don't think I would be happy doing much of anything else. I have talked to career counselors galore and dug deep within myself to realize this. In fact, every single day for the past 2 semesters, at least, I have been really thinking about what I want in my life. I have a great wife and family, now I just want that dream "job" I have always wanted.

I sometimes feel like I missed the train. I think to myself that I'm too old(I know I'm only 24) to go to school another year of preq's and 4 years of vet school.

Rustysmom, good luck with your interviews. It is nice to see another computer "geek" following their dream.

Everyone here gives such great advice and are really great at encouragement. I need it now more than ever!

 

[nyanko]

I'm 27 with a bachelors in Computer Science and applied this past cycle (to one school only, with an interview coming up tomorrow). I started thinking about it when I was about your age, AnimalLover, and graduated with my second bachelors in Molecular Biology and Microbiology in August of 2007 then just applied after that. I was 26 when I applied, so it definitely isn't too late for you!

RaptorRehaber is right though. You definitely need to get some vet related experience if you haven't yet. You also need to enjoy science if you want to be a vet, so other science related careers should appeal to you as well were you not to get accepted. Or tech school, or other animal related work...

 

[CBRGrl]

You're still so young! From being on this forum only a short while, it's abundantly clear that there are a ton of people who want to pursue vet med as a second career. You're not alone! The only advice I can give you is to make sure you ace your prereqs and the GRE. If you're undecided, go volunteer at a clinic (which you'll need to do anyway) or work in a lab doing biomed research. The best advice I can give you is to follow your passion, and if your choices end up leading you to vet school then more power to ya! I know a woman in one of my classes last semester who is applying next application cycle and she's 43 years old (has been a tech for 20 years). It's never too late 😀

 

[millie]

I say life is too short, do what makes you happy. You still have a lot of life ahead of you and I think that you should follow your dreams. I think that your wife would understand because I am sure if she was in the same situation as you, you would be understanding too. I love animals a lot and I am 23, I have been thru many hurdles in my life but one thing that kept me going was: "one day I know I will live my dream". You can do it and how would you even know if you don't try. Good Luck.

 

[AnimalLover24]

I say life is too short, do what makes you happy. You still have a lot of life ahead of you and I think that you should follow your dreams. I think that your wife would understand because I am sure if she was in the same situation as you, you would be understanding too. I love animals a lot and I am 23, I have been thru many hurdles in my life but one thing that kept me going was: "one day I know I will live my dream". You can do it and how would you even know if you don't try. Good Luck.

That is what I keep trying to tell myself. One day I will make it. My wife printed some admission/prereq requirements off yesterday for OSU, I think, and was talking to me about how she fully supports my decision. I was kinda shocked because it is a lot more school which means time away from her and all that. She is really great and I can't do this without her so I am glad she is so supportive. She wanted to get her MBA so who knows, maybe one day I'll be the doc and she will take care of the business part of it if I had my own practice. That is a long time away but I can dream I suppose.

Thanks for the great advice everyone!

 

[Rebeki]

If you have a spouse who is supportive (like I do) I say definitely go for it! If you feel regret at 24, imagine that regret at 44 or 54 when you've spent the last 20 or 30 years doing something less fulfilling. I am in a somewhat similar situation as you (I'm 26 btw) and applied for the first time this year and was accepted as an instate student! My advice is do your research and go for it with an eye on a back up plan. It is better to try and not get in than to not try and always wonder & regret.

 

[Electrophile]

Starting when you're 25 or 26 is certainly not too old! I turned 25 during my first semester of vet school and a couple extra years and being married really helps keep things in perspective. Yeah, I can't study 6 hours a day cause I'm not single with no pets or kids (no kids yet, thankfully!). But eh, in the end, it's your family/personal life that will make more difference the day you die than how much money you made or how many degrees you got. And there are numerous students in our class with kids. It's tough and you'll get lots of folks recommend you waiting. Not so bad if you're not the gal, but still...ff you guys get pregnant while you're in school, where will the income be coming from? That's a big question.

 

[AnimalLover24]

Starting when you're 25 or 26 is certainly not too old! I turned 25 during my first semester of vet school and a couple extra years and being married really helps keep things in perspective. Yeah, I can't study 6 hours a day cause I'm not single with no pets or kids (no kids yet, thankfully!). But eh, in the end, it's your family/personal life that will make more difference the day you die than how much money you made or how many degrees you got. And there are numerous students in our class with kids. It's tough and you'll get lots of folks recommend you waiting. Not so bad if you're not the gal, but still...ff you guys get pregnant while you're in school, where will the income be coming from? That's a big question.

Thats certainly a big question and a good one too. She would love a kid asap and I would love one too but I need to get on track and be pursuing this so I can be out of school and be able to support my family. Ya know, I see people who are getting their MD or DO and that is fine and I've considered it as they certainly make more money but like you said, money isn't everything and honestly I don't know that I could be a medical doctor, I don't like people that much! haha.

A little off-topic but Electrophile, how far into vet school are you at Columbia? I live in Springfield, MO and that is one of the schools I am considering being in-state. Any advice you can give? Feel free to PM me if you want.

 

[david594]

Ya know, I see people who are getting their MD or DO and that is fine and I've considered it as they certainly make more money but like you said, money isn't everything and honestly I don't know that I could be a medical doctor, I don't like people that much! haha.

Not liking people is the last reason why you should go DVM versus MD. In most of the veterinary fields you are dealing with the owners more than the animals. They make all the decisions about the animal, and you will be the one who has to sit there and explain to them why you think they should spend $100 on blood work... then another $100 on x-rays... when Fluffy is sick. Then see how they respond the the idea of $800+ surgeries.

Now go spend some time in a human hospital. When a patient arrives in the ER, the first question isnt going to be "The emergency fee is $150, can we have your credit card now". The MD's are sitting there with the patient going over estimates and trying to justify every line item for their workup.

 

[AnimalLover24]

Not liking people is the last reason why you should go DVM versus MD. In most of the veterinary fields you are dealing with the owners more than the animals. They make all the decisions about the animal, and you will be the one who has to sit there and explain to them why you think they should spend $100 on blood work... then another $100 on x-rays... when Fluffy is sick. Then see how they respond the the idea of $800+ surgeries.

Now go spend some time in a human hospital. When a patient arrives in the ER, the first question isnt going to be "The emergency fee is $150, can we have your credit card now". The MD's are sitting there with the patient going over estimates and trying to justify every line item for their workup.

I knew that would probably be taken wrong. I don't mind working with people or have anything against it. It is just that I would feel more rewarded by helping a little girl's best friend, fluffy, then I would dealing with people strictly all day. Is that any clearer? lol, I dont know.
But I know md's and my wife is an rn and I understand how they interact.

 

[Electrophile]

Thats certainly a big question and a good one too. She would love a kid asap and I would love one too but I need to get on track and be pursuing this so I can be out of school and be able to support my family. Ya know, I see people who are getting their MD or DO and that is fine and I've considered it as they certainly make more money but like you said, money isn't everything and honestly I don't know that I could be a medical doctor, I don't like people that much! haha.

A little off-topic but Electrophile, how far into vet school are you at Columbia? I live in Springfield, MO and that is one of the schools I am considering being in-state. Any advice you can give? Feel free to PM me if you want.

PM sent!