Decision help: University of Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech

[Aves]

Hello current and future vet students. I am having a lot of trouble choosing between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech because I loved them both, and was wondering if any of you had any advice/opinions. I am out of state at both vet schools (I am turning down my contract school), so that's not really a factor. I'm planning to go into small animal medicine, and hope to eventually do an internal medicine residency, if that helps. I'd really appreciate your thoughts! Thanks a lot!

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[Moonpaw]

I don't know about virginia tech, but I've heard really great things about Tennessee's small animal program.

 

[Electrophile]

Anywhere you go, you'll be plenty covered with small animal. 🙄 Even if for some crazy reason, they weren't that strong in small animal and you were interested in something fairly specialized, remember that you can do externships and preceptorships in places all over the country that you are interested in. People get really hung up on special programs. When you look at your salary versus your debt load, an extra 100K in debt for a special program ain't worth it. Maybe some people can't, but I could tolerate just about anything to save an extra 100K. JMHO. Any reason you turned down your in state school?

 

[pressmom]

I 😍 our internal medicine people. They are great! One of the residents has been my dog Henry's doctor, and he is fabulous. As other's have said, virtually anyplace is going to prepare you well for small animal medicine. We have a brand-new addition to the small animal hospital (that I'm sure you heard about at your interview) with an MRI and linear accelerator. This is in addition to our nuclear med and CT facilities. I turned down my contract to come to UTK, and haven't regretted it for a second. Let me know if you have more specific questions.

 

[critterfixer]

I am wondering the same thing. Is there some reason you are not considering your state school? It can make a huge difference in your debt load. Unless you are really unhappy with your state school, why take on a more expensive program?

Both UTK and VT are great schools, but I don't know which state school you are comparing them to. Tennessee does have the better women's basketball team, by a mile, though. 😉

 

[Aves]

Thanks, for your thoughts. Pressmom, it's nice to hear that someone else was willing to turn down their contract school. As for why I am planning on making that decision, I was pretty unsatisfied with my contract school in comparison to the other schools I looked at (I'm from DE and my contract was with UGA). I'm really interested in doing research, for one thing, and it seemed that both UTK and VT had a lot more opportunities for, and were a lot more excited about, students doing research while pursuing their DVM. The people that I spoke with at UGA also just didn't seem as positive about their program (citing the need for more space, not really talking positively about the facilites or professors or student interactions, etc.). I realize that I could have gotten a skewed sample, but I just really didn't like UGA (I also didn't really like the area), and it seems like I might have more opportunities at UTK and VT. I know that it is a lot more expensive, but I am willing to make that investment to get more out of my education, and I could open up a spot for another student in doing so. Thanks a lot for all of your feedback!

 

[critterfixer]

If you are truly unhappy with your contract school, then pick UTK. 😀

 

[Aves]

Thanks! It's really scary to think about the money, but money's not everything, I guess 😀.

 

[VetMed555]

Tech is great for research, and they also have a strong program in internal medicine. I absolutely love the atmosphere at Tech. Plus you're in the mountains. If I drive for 5 hours, I'm at the ocean (where I currently live). Roanoke (relatively large) is only half hour away. The location is truly great IMHO. How cool is that?😀 I don't know anything about UTK, so I can only talk about Tech though. I'm sure both schools are great, so you won't lose either way. VT is my in-state school, but I also happen to really like it. 😀

 

[Aves]

I really appreciate your feedback, and would love to hear more. How do you like living where your respective schools are? How are student-faculty and student-student interactions? Thanks again!😍

 

[dyachei]

I really appreciate your feedback, and would love to hear more. How do you like living where your respective schools are? How are student-faculty and student-student interactions? Thanks again!😍

The faculty members at UTK, for the most part, are amazing. Almost all of them love to talk to students. There are a couple who even go out of their way when they see a possibly depressed/distracted student. They want to see you succeed, and all are receptive to helping you understand how to do better. Student-student interactions are fine. I like to think we are pretty close-knit as a whole since there aren't that many of us (but that could just be me, maybe pressmom and critterfixer can weigh in).

I like living in Knoxville, as I perceive only a few problems. There's the tendency for things to close early on Fridays for instance (some places as early as 3) so that people can start their weekends early. I like how close everything is to everything else - the school is close to the Strip and downtown for food and activities. Its less than 10 miles to the nearest mall.

 

[polo vet]

aves i have not made my final decision either, but i think we are in very similar situations. i sent you a nice long personal message about UGA pros (i'm a conrtact student there too) and about VMRCVM (since i go to school in va and had an internship last summer in maryland). please read it!!!!!!!

 

[bear90]

aves i have not made my final decision either, but i think we are in very similar situations. i sent you a nice long personal message about UGA pros (i'm a conrtact student there too) and about VMRCVM (since i go to school in va and had an internship last summer in maryland). please read it!!!!!!!

I've already accepted my offer to VMRCVM, but do you mind sending me your opinions about that school? I haven't gone to school in VA before, and I'm interested in what other people think of it. Thanks!

 

[VAgirl]

I've already accepted my offer to VMRCVM, but do you mind sending me your opinions about that school? I haven't gone to school in VA before, and I'm interested in what other people think of it. Thanks!

Or you could just post them, polovet. I'm sure other people (especially ones who will be applying in this upcoming cycle) would like to know.

 

[polo vet]

i will once i make a final decision and mail in my acceptance and write up my decline letters