Dilemma...

[st1268]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone,

Although I think I already decided what I'm going to do, I figured I would post this here to get a broader range of opinions before making my final decision.

I got into CSU last year OOS, but unfortunately I had to defer and reapply due to various unavoidable factors. That was probably one of the hardest days of my life. However, since I got in last year, I thought I would have a good chance of getting back in. I retook some classes and the GRE just to be sure. Reapplying this year, I got waitlisted and still remain on the waitlist. I called them yesterday and they said the class is pretty much finalized. I also voiced my concerns that deferring last year may have affected my admissions decision this year, but I was told this wasn't the case.

However, I did get into Cornell OOS this year. Although I'm happy I accomplished this, I can't really say in my heart that I want to go there. I know I must sound crazy because most people would never pass on this opportunity, but going to Colorado is my ultimate dream. I want to move there and spend the rest of my life there, and I can't imagine living in New York for 4 years. I'm thinking about giving up my spot at Cornell, moving to Colorado and working for a year to establish residency, and reapplying to CSU, making it easier to get in and cheaper to attend.

So, how crazy do I sound? 😱 These past few months have been extremely difficult as my family, friends, and coworkers want what they think is best for me, to go to Cornell. I'd love to hear everyone else's thoughts as future veterinarians. Thank you!

 

[supershorty]

I would not give up a seat twice. As you’ve seen, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get in the following year. What if you moved, applied, and were rejected?

Congrats on getting accepted.

 

[SkiOtter]

As you have found out, you’re not guaranteed to get accepted a second time. You’re against a different set of applicants each cycle and who knows, next cycle may have even MORE qualified applicants. Or there may be less. Or there may be the same amount for CSU and more for Cornell and you’re stuck with another waitlist but no other acceptances. Personally, I wouldn’t risk it. You have an acceptance. Don’t put your life on hold for another year or two or three just because you think this one school is your dream school. You may end up LOVING New York and Ithaca, but you haven’t given it a chance. And if you do hate it, it’s only FOUR YEARS. And then you can move wherever you want to.
And from what I’ve seen on here, even as a resident, still possible for CSU to offer you a non sponsored seat. So then you’d be paying 60k per year over 53k per year. Not saving you any money at all there and putting your life on hold for an extra year. Which is an extra year you’re not a vet and earning money.

 

[EB73674]

Frankly, you're luckier than most, you got into two amazing vet schools. You already gave up a spot once, and now you're going to do it again? Really? I'm sorry, that's insane to me, especially when you've already seen that getting in one year won't guarantee getting in another year. Take the spot in Cornell, deal with 4 years of living in a place you MIGHT like less, then take your boards and move back to CO after graduation. Going to school in one state doesn't preclude you from practicing in another. If you bothered to apply to Cornell, I'm not sure why you wouldn't take a seat there. You can do anything for 4 years.

 

[DVMoftheFuture]

Hey everyone,

Although I think I already decided what I'm going to do, I figured I would post this here to get a broader range of opinions before making my final decision.

I got into CSU last year OOS, but unfortunately I had to defer and reapply due to various unavoidable factors. That was probably one of the hardest days of my life. However, since I got in last year, I thought I would have a good chance of getting back in. I retook some classes and the GRE just to be sure. Reapplying this year, I got waitlisted and still remain on the waitlist. I called them yesterday and they said the class is pretty much finalized. I also voiced my concerns that deferring last year may have affected my admissions decision this year, but I was told this wasn't the case.

However, I did get into Cornell OOS this year. Although I'm happy I accomplished this, I can't really say in my heart that I want to go there. I know I must sound crazy because most people would never pass on this opportunity, but going to Colorado is my ultimate dream. I want to move there and spend the rest of my life there, and I can't imagine living in New York for 4 years. I'm thinking about giving up my spot at Cornell, moving to Colorado and working for a year to establish residency, and reapplying to CSU, making it easier to get in and cheaper to attend.

So, how crazy do I sound? 😱 These past few months have been extremely difficult as my family, friends, and coworkers want what they think is best for me, to go to Cornell. I'd love to hear everyone else's thoughts as future veterinarians. Thank you!

Do you want to be a veterinarian or do you want to go to vet school at CSU? As you have already learned, an acceptance one year does not guarantee an acceptance the next year. Take the guaranteed acceptance, the one you have now at Cornell. You can move to Colorado after you graduate in 4 years. Honestly, do you know how many people wish they were in your situation, with an acceptance to vet school? Suck it up. Or don't and let the spot go to someone who will actually appreciate the opportunity.

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Have you been to Ithaca??
The area is rather darling!

In order to differentiate between myself and the others that have posted, I'll say do this for yourself as a means of self-improvement. Something you're afraid of to prove that you can do it. And who knows-you could move to NY and meet your best friend, or the love of your life... possibilities are endless until you do it.

 

[MixedAnimals77]

As a person from CO I urge you go to school while you have the opportunity. CSU as a resident you aren't guaranteed to be given IS tuition and getting in a 3rd time might prove even more difficult. Move here after being a vet if that's what you want.

 

[DVMDream]

Do you want to be a veterinarian or do you want to go to vet school at CSU?

This. You really need to evaluate this question. Is the dream to be a veterinarian or to go to vet school at a specific school?

If the dream is the latter, you really need to reconsider many things.

If the dream is the former, I understand the disappointment because I too had in my head from about 8 years old that I'd become a vet by going to CSU, but that didn't happen.

I instead took a path I'd never have imagined, moving out of the country, then back, but I reached the ultimate goal and became a vet.

Now if your main reason for wanting to wait is to get IS tuition somewhere, I could understand that but don't skip an acceptance only to keep attempting for one specific school. You'll get a great vet education anywhere you go and you could always do an external rotation or two at CSU.

 

[that redhead]

I can't really say in my heart that I want to go there. I know I must sound crazy because most people would never pass on this opportunity, but going to Colorado is my ultimate dream. I want to move there and spend the rest of my life there, and I can't imagine living in New York for 4 years.

This is very short-sighted. You have the rest of your life to live in Colorado, but only this one (guaranteed) chance to start down the path to becoming a veterinarian who practices in Colorado. I was in a similar position of only having one (expensive) option and I am so glad I took it. I was far away from home, in another country, and sometimes unhappy, but I made amazing friends, learned a lot and got my DVM. I might never have been accepted to another school and instead, I'm a practicing veterinarian.

Imagine how you'd feel if you never got another acceptance - you'd kick yourself for not taking this opportunity now.

 

[MOOSEygoosey]

Hey girl (or guy) 🙂 I will be going to Cornell this fall, pm me and we can talk about it!
I do have to say that I agree with the others when they say that you don't want to risk it and I know that may not necessarily be what you want to hear, but, again, as DVMofthefuture and DVMDream said, do you want to be a vet or go to colorado vet school? But seriously, pm me and I'll talk with you about my journey because there are some similarities that I think I can tell you that might help you feel better 🙂

 

[battie]

I'm thinking about giving up my spot at Cornell, moving to Colorado and working for a year to establish residency, and reapplying to CSU, making it easier to get in and cheaper to attend.

Going to throw out another Colorado resident perspective.

Cost of living in a lot of Colorado has gone way up and moving here to try to set up residency will also cost you more money (possibly as much as 20k+). If you were to only get a non-sponsored seat, you now have spent an extra couple dozen grand in changing residency and missed out on a year of veterinarian salary/loan repayments just to get another OOS tuition offer. Tuition is only getting worse year by year both in price and interest. Why take that risk on extra economic burden? Even as a Colorado resident, it's not worth it.

 

[SkiOtter]

just to get another, much higher, OOS tuition offer

FTFY

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Going to throw out another Colorado resident perspective.

Cost of living in a lot of Colorado has gone way up and moving here to try to set up residency will also cost you more money (possibly as much as 20k+). If you were to only get a non-sponsored seat, you now have spent an extra couple dozen grand in changing residency and missed out on a year of veterinarian salary/loan repayments just to get another OOS tuition offer. Tuition is only getting worse year by year both in price and interest. Why take that risk on extra economic burden? Even as a Colorado resident, it's not worth it.

True. Fact: IS tuition increases an average of 7% in CO every year. CO is one of the worst states for funding higher education. Keep that in mind also.

 

[youngkal]

Have you been to Ithaca??
The area is rather gorges!

FTFY 😉

But really Ithaca is beautiful! I did a 3 week program and loved it out there and that was in 2012! I went back last year and the stuff they did to the Vet school and how much Ithaca has expanded was awesome to see! I think you should take your shot!

Good luck!