Dilemma regarding pre-requisites

[Badger Girl]

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Hi friends-

I am hoping to apply for the fall of 2010 and my original plan was to apply to WI, MN, and IL (WI is my IS school). I am a non-traditional student and am hoping to knock out my pre-requisites as soon as I can. I noticed that Madison does not require their Physics courses to have labs, however, the other two schools I was looking at do. I already have a degree, did not go the 2nd bachelor's route, and am paying for all of these classes out of my pocket. If I just work on trying to get into Madison, I don't have to worry about missing work for another 4 hour lab and if I take it at the technical college, it is WAY less expensive, given those Physics courses will transfer.

I am debating on whether or not to just take the Physics classes and work solely on getting into Madison, especially since it is my IS school and all the perks that go along with that. On the other hand, I am kind of afraid that I will regret not having other options....if the vet school gods would be so kind to give me options. I also would need one less class than I was originally planning on taking (Microbiology), which will save me a good $700 or more. I went down to Madison and had an advising appointment last Thursday along with a tour of the school. I got a good feeling from the person I met with and she seemed to think that I was on the right track so far, plus I am a little diverse in my education and background experiences.

I am thinking that I need to make the decision soon b/c registration is coming up and I was originally planning on taking physics, chemistry and possibly biology (I had C in animal biology in undergrad...oops!) in the fall. Right now, I don't really have a strong preference where I go....I just want to get in to vet school somewhere!

Anyone have any thoughts/experiences? Thanks guys....you rock! 😎

 

[carrbear21]

I'd say just go for it-- whether you take it now or end up paying more later on to apply more than once if necessary. I am IS for MN and am currently taking 2nd semester organic chem with lab because it is required at a few other schools I applied to. I'm non-trad too (26, kinesiology major in 2004 from U of Mn) and took my last 4 pre-reqs at a community college (where it is MUCH cheaper) but had to take 2 over the summer through U of Mn.

I would just suggest doing whatever keeps your options open, no matter what the cost (that's what student loans are for!). There are many people I've talked to on SDN that only applied to their IS school and regret it because they didn't get in but would have been competitive elsewhere perhaps. In the end, we're all in debt anyways!

Good luck! 😀

 

[OSJ]

I would take it, Carbear is right that you might end up paying for it with several application cycles. You never know what a school will do with your application, you could seem like a shoe in (not that there really are any shoes in for vet school) and end up not getting in.
I'd take it with the lab. It will take alot of pressure off when you do apply.

 

[fargeese]

Take the classes for WI first, apply next year and while waiting to see if you got in, take the other classes you need for MN and IL. That way, even if you don't get in that year, by the time you get to the next application cycle, they'll all be done. I had to take some extra classes this year because I didn't get into my IS school last year and applied to several schools this year, and while the IS school did work out, if not, it would have been ok because of the OOS acceptances.

Just my .02!

 

[twelvetigers]

I agree... as much as it stinks taking the labs, I would take them anyway and HAVE those options, just so you know you won't regret NOT having them. Applying at only one school if you aren't 110% sure that you're a shoe-in is iffy. I found out the hard way, and I'll be applying with you in 2010... just to have time to get my head back on straight. But, I feel for ya. Eww, physics. Uck ick uck.

 

[twelvetigers]

You never know what a school will do with your application, you could seem like a shoe in (not that there really are any shoes in for vet school) ...

You put your left shoe in, you put your left shoe out, you put your left shoe in, and you shake it all about... 😀

 

[7dollarjack]

I highly suggest taking the lab courses. Most schools require them. I'm currently running around trying to find a summer session of Physics II to fill a pre-req for this fall. I'd highly suggest you avoid that mistake!

 

[wi girl]

I don't know if this is what fargeese meant, but as you can apply with outstanding pre-reqs (just need to be completed by end of spring term for wi), if you can apply to wi this year (fall 09) and be finishing their reqs first, do that. Then, if you don't get in, take phys lab '10-'11 academic year, and have that be one of the last pre-reqs to finish. This also lets you apply a year earlier so that if you don't get in, you can make your app that much stronger for OOS after a file review.

This is assuming, of course:

(a) that you will have finished all the wi pre-reqs by the end of spring term of '09. If I completely mis-read that, and am getting my years screwy, I'd say do the same thing -- just move it a year later (ie apply fall '09 wi only, then OOS after phys if necessary '10). Sorry if I did mis read the OP -- its late (ish), I'm still jet-lagged, and I haven't started the lab report or literary analysis I have due tomorrow. boo.


(b) also that you are financially able to apply more than once if necessary.

Let me know if I need to clarify.

 

[Hobiecat1642]

You put your left shoe in, you put your left shoe out, you put your left shoe in, and you shake it all about... 😀

pretty much how I did it!!

 

[Badger Girl]

Thanks everyone....Wi Girl....I got what you meant! 😉 I have an email in to WI b/c I'm not 100% sure that the Physics without the labs from the tech would transfer anyway. I will wait to decide until I at least know that much. I think the physics classes at the tech are about $350 each and the ones at the "center" or junior college (whatever it is called) are about $800 or so. I may just suck it up and take the Physics with the labs, but it sure does suck b/c I don't qualify for any kind of aid, including student loans with already having a degree. I started filling out the FAFSA anyway and then gave that office a call to double-check that I don't qualify for ANY kind of aid. They told me that it's the school's decision on whether or not you qualify if you already have a degree. The school where I am going told me that I would not qualify, so I'm assuming that is their "decision." I was thinking about filing a FAFSA anyway just to see what happens. So many hoops to jump through! Oh, and to top it all off, I was going to pay for some of the classes on my credit card, but guess what? They don't take VISA!! What is that about?!?! Only Mastercard and Discover....oh and if you use a credit card, it's a $15 each time you do. I guess UW-Fox Valley is still operating in the stone age. Grrr! 😡

 

[david594]

I already have a degree, did not go the 2nd bachelor's route, and am paying for all of these classes out of my pocket.

Being a 2nd bachelors student will qualify you for federal loans. No other aid though. Its really the best solution to finishing pre-reqs.

If you have good credit, you shouldnt have an issue finding a mastercard with 0% interest for the first 12-15 months. Some people hate credit cards, but if you are careful they can be helpful.

 

[Badger Girl]

I feel like the school is giving me the run around because it says right on their website that students who already have a degree may qualify for loans if enrolled in a degree program. When I asked them about it, they flat out told me that I would not qualify because of the degree. I also have a Master's, but didn't need to take any loans out for that b/c it was completely grant-funded. Not sure if that has anything to do with it, though.....

Where there is a will, there is a way. I need to keep telling myself that! 🙂

 

[wi girl]

Ah, UW Fox Valley. Isn't the entire neenah/appleton area just in the stone age sometimes? I was born there, but moved to madison in the 1st grade -- but we still visit family friends in the area. Good luck with everything!

 

[Badger Girl]

I agree! Thanks for the well wishes. 😀