Crim student defecting to pre-vet!

[Chippymunk]

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Hi, I am currently a 3rd year crim student but decided to start my pre-vet courses this coming semester as I just realized that being a vet is what I truly want to do. I have spoke to my counselor but she didn’t know anything about pre-vet and couldn’t help me. Everything I know I have researched by myself but I still have many questions. I am turning 25 soon and my parents say that I’m too old and it’s too late for me to attempt to get into vet school. I am also kind of discouraged because I am horrible at math but I am willing to try my best. I also need to transfer to another university if I am to fulfill pre-vet requirements as my university does not have all the necessary courses. Does anybody know if my grades transfer over as well? I currently have a mediocre 3.0 GPA but I’m sure I can raise it if I try hard. I am also volunteering at a wildlife rescue centre but they do not have an on-site vet so I may need to find a vet to volunteer with (for the reference). Sorry for the many questions but if anybody can point me in the right direction (what courses to take, where to volunteer, what to do, etc.) that would help me out tremendously. 🙂

 

[Hobiecat1642]

Hey, I'm really bad at math and I was an english major, which I do not regret. It took me 2.5 extra years to finish my pre-reqs, and while it was difficult and there were points where I thought that I would not get through it, I did it. I'll be 25 this month. If you want it, go and get it. It cost me time, and money, and a lot of effort, and I don't regret any of it. I did unpaid internships to get animal experience, and started off cleaning poop at doggie daycare when I was 16. Then I worked as a kennel staff member at the vet, and worked my way through. Good luck! Your undergrad degree doesn't matter--they want to see that you want it, and that you can handle the upper level science classes. Most of my advisors did not know anything about pre-vet specifically, I had to do most of the research myself.

A copy of the vet school requirements manual will help you out immensely--go to amazon.com and look for it. It's pretty cheap and great tool. The prereq courses mostly include:
General chem, organic chem , physics, basic calc and or stats, english 101, humanities credits, microbio, biochem, additional upper level science classes of your choice.

Statistically, they say the veterinary school in your state (or contract state) is your best shot. Not always true though. Some vet schools accept very few out of state residents.

Unlike med school, pre-reqs differ considerably for each school!
Some have Gre subject tests, public speaking, business classes that are also required. Be sure to look them up before you get ready to apply.

Whew! good luck!

 

[twelvetigers]

Here's a recent thread that someone made - the person who made it is switching from a communications degree. I think you'll find it relevant to your situation as well!

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=549469

And about the age thing, just read this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=547737

I dislike math as well. Physics might be hard for you, but you can do it! Just work hard with your grades and get some veterinary experience. Look around on the forum for a while... one thing I always recommend is the "successful applicants" thread... lets you know what sort of experience and grades the people who have been accepted to vet schools have.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=493514&highlight=successful+applicants

 

[laurafinn]

Are you in Vancouver, Washington or Vancouver, BC? If BC, last I heard BC only had 15 spots available at Saskatoon - it's competitive, some would say ridiculously so, but if you get in, cheap tuition! Anyway, check the Saskatoon web site for details. The process is quite different in Canada, in part because residency restrictions determine which Canadian schools you can apply to. If you have the funds, you can go abroad for vet school. This will give you more options.

 

[Chippymunk]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I know what courses I must take but I think most schools I have looked at require me to take 2 full-term years to finish my pre-reqs to see my "determination." Hobiecat may I ask how you were able to stretch your studies an extra 2.5 yrs? It'll be easier on me if I didn't have to take 5 courses a semester since I work as well.

I am from Vancouver BC. I was planning on going to Saskatoon but chances are I would not get in. I also took a look at the "successful applicants" thread and got a general idea of what schools are looking for, I think it's a high (doesn't have to be super-high) GPA and a ton of experience. I'm not sure how I will get over 1000 - 4000 hrs of experience with full time school and working at the same time 🙁

Oh, I'm also deathly afraid that, since I need to take 5 courses a semster, I may get stuck with a very bad prof and end up failing/dropping the course and just ruining my chances of getting into vet school. I've had some really really awful profs in the past. I'm worrying so much and school hasn't even started yet

 

[twelvetigers]

I always forget about Canada! I just assume that everyone is from the U.S. (that's the general mentality here, right?) and start spouting off advice that may not apply to Canadians. I think that, as hard as it is to get into vet school in the U.S., you guys up there seem to have it quite a bit harder! More rules, less schools... it just doesn't seem fair. No to be a downer or anything... heh.

The important thing with experience isn't the sheer amount of it... just try to get a fair amount in several different areas! GPA is very important, and very hard to repair once mistakes are made. You have the advantage of being able to do well in all of your science courses, and THAT will look good at least - a high science GPA and last 45 hours (or so) GPA. Don't forget about the GRE test. Nothing to worry about too much, just don't forget about it because it can be relatively important as well. Thankfully, it's pretty simple. Is there a Canadian school that wants the MCAT only? That, my friend, would be a different story...

Don't freak out - you have plenty of time to "plot your course" and such. Good luck! 🙂

 

[Chippymunk]

The only school I can apply to in Canada is Saskatoon due to residency rules. I browsed through their requirements quite a bit and didn't see a GRE or MCAT requirement, just the listed courses and 3 references. Should I assume that they require a GRE? Chances are I would have to apply to international schools since I can only apply to Saskatoon and they only accept around 15 BC students a year. Now that I know I would probably have to apply to international schools, i'm more confused.

Anyways, thanks for all the help guys. I need all the help I can get!

 

[jessikt]

I think that the Ontario Veterinary College only accepts MCAT scores. I am not 100% sure but it only mentions the MCAT on their website. Yikes.

 

[david594]

The only school I can apply to in Canada is Saskatoon due to residency rules. I browsed through their requirements quite a bit and didn't see a GRE or MCAT requirement, just the listed courses and 3 references. Should I assume that they require a GRE? Chances are I would have to apply to international schools since I can only apply to Saskatoon and they only accept around 15 BC students a year. Now that I know I would probably have to apply to international schools, i'm more confused.

Anyways, thanks for all the help guys. I need all the help I can get!

If they dont list a GRE or MCAT requirement then chances are very good, you dont have to take either. My friend who went to UPEI as a resident didnt not have to take any standardized tests for admissions.

When comparing US to Canadian schools we need to keep in mind that the typical deal for US students is to do 4 years undergrad before applying for veterinary school. On the other hand in Canada, they can start applying to vet school after 2 years.

 

[Pennvet]

You were going to be a cop, and now you want to be a vet?\

 

[Chippymunk]

You were going to be a cop, and now you want to be a vet?\

Um, I don't believe I said anything about being a cop, just that I am a 3rd year crim student. The main reason I went into crim is because of pressure from my parents, which is a long story.

 

[Truth74]

Um, I don't believe I said anything about being a cop, just that I am a 3rd year crim student. The main reason I went into crim is because of pressure from my parents, which is a long story.

My parents steered me in that direction as well. They thought law enforcement was a grounding type of a situation.

 

[Chippymunk]

My parents steered me in that direction as well. They thought law enforcement was a grounding type of a situation.

Really? How long did you stay in crim before going into pre-vet?
My parents actually wanted (more like pressured) me to become a lawyer. I think they were more concerned about being able to say, "hey, my son is a lawyer and makes lots of money!" than what I was really happy doing. So right out of highschool I was given no time to research what I want to do and had to take up crim then get into law school after my 4th yr. I did tell them I didn't think crim was for me but they would always lecture me on why it's too late to switch out. They also pressured my brother to become a doctor even though he says he doesn't want to, but he's already in his 5th year

 

[Truth74]

Really? How long did you stay in crim before going into pre-vet?
My parents actually wanted (more like pressured) me to become a lawyer. I think they were more concerned about being able to say, "hey, my son is a lawyer and makes lots of money!" than what I was really happy doing. So right out of highschool I was given no time to research what I want to do and had to take up crim then get into law school after my 4th yr. I did tell them I didn't think crim was for me but they would always lecture me on why it's too late to switch out. They also pressured my brother to become a doctor even though he says he doesn't want to, but he's already in his 5th year

I changed majors after my second year. I was actually on the debate team, in police explorers, and student congress in high school, so my parents wanted me to go the lawyer route, too. To become a politician. 👎 They were trying to indoctrinate me, early. Once I figured out that wasn't what I wanted, I told them so in no uncertain terms. They decided to play the finance card, and cut me off. I ended up having to go it on my own.

It was unfortunate, but they got over it. My mom is nothing but proud of me, now. My dad keeps talking about my arm up a cows butt at the dinner table. 😱🙄😉
They'll get over it, eventually.

 

[Pennvet]

you should go into pig medicine!