Do I need another B.of S. degree, or..?

[lbecktell]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,

I'm preparing to return to school to accrue my pre-vet course requirements. I already have a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree from a great NYS school in Advertising/Public Relations. I had an excellent GPA and graduated in 2011, so the oldest coursework is 6 years old. My questions are:

1) Do I need to get another Bachelor's degree in order to be eligible for vet school?

2) If not, how do I "package" my loose pre-vet courses in a manner that is easily understood and accepted?

3) If yes, will the vet school accept my liberal arts degree as my communications/social sciences requirement, or will I need to re-take those courses?

My first choice (and IS school) is Cornell. Followed by Tufts (first OOS choice), UC Davis, UPenn, OSU, NC State, and UMN.

The curriculum for a Biology degree at my undergrad of choice is available upon request! Please let me know if I've violated any forum rules by posting this...and thanks in advance for all of your excellent advice and perspectives. 😍

Lili B.

 

[onisteverina]

You don't need an additional B.S... you can just take the classes either at a local university or do what I did.. and join a post-bacc program for pre-health/med/vet. In regards to the social science/humanities, you ultimately would need to check with each individual schools. Overall, it seems like most schools don't care how recent those classes were taken, but you would have to check.

 

[lbecktell]

Hey, thanks! Some more dumb questions..

What is a post-bacc program? 🙁

If my school of choice doesn't offer a post-bacc program, what are my options?

 

[puppyloomp]

A post bacc program means you're taking undergrad classes (usually) but are not enrolled in a degree program at the school. Your best choice (depending on finances and work schedule) may be doing the general sciences (gen bio, gen chem, organic chem, physics) at a community college and taking the few remaining upper level classes at a 4 year university.

 

[lbecktell]

Right now, the plan is to do math and physics at community college while husband and I both work full time, and pay down some minor credit card debt we have. I am very fortunate that he makes enough of a salary to support the household should I go back to school full time, which I plan to do in a year's time. He would like me to keep some sort of part-time job, which I hope will be a position with a vet or shelter in our area.

I emailed with admissions at Cornell, and asked about doing most of the classes at a community school. They pretty much said... "you could...but...I don't recommend it".

So then, what I'd do is enroll at the undergrad school as an undeclared or non-matriculated student?

 

[WulfpackChica]

So then, what I'd do is enroll at the undergrad school as an undeclared or non-matriculated student?

When I was doing classes here and there at North Carolina State they classified me a NDS (Non-Degree Seeking Student). I had the last pick of classes, but I did do some online.

Good Luck 🙂

 

[lbecktell]

Ok, great! Thanks! I guess I have to talk to my alma mater and see what the equivalent is there of an NDS student.

How do you present that in an application then? Is there a place to list all relevant coursework? Does it matter that it's not matriculated? I know you guys have said no...but...does that play into the admission decision at all?

You'll have to forgive my disbelief, as I work in a field right now where not having a specific degree to drag around behind you is frowned upon. So I am trying to learn! 🙂

 

[LetItSnow]

Ok, great! Thanks! I guess I have to talk to my alma mater and see what the equivalent is there of an NDS student.

How do you present that in an application then? Is there a place to list all relevant coursework? Does it matter that it's not matriculated? I know you guys have said no...but...does that play into the admission decision at all?

You'll have to forgive my disbelief, as I work in a field right now where not having a specific degree to drag around behind you is frowned upon. So I am trying to learn! 🙂

I don't know that any of us can definitively answer the "does that play into the admission decision at all" question. Maybe for some admissions people it does, maybe for some it doesn't. My hunch is that for the vast majority it doesn't. As long as it makes sense in the context of the general narrative of your application. I think it's one thing to say "I wanted to be a vet from the day I was born" (and then go do a different degree) versus "I went this direction in life [different degree] and now I want to do this because ....." Ya know? But even then I doubt it's too important.

As far as presenting it, you just list all your courses in the order you took them, regardless of whether it was part of a degree program or not. Unless they've changed how you input them. When I went through (someone correct this if it's changed) you first input the schools you attended. Then you input all the classes you took at each institution. Somewhere in there (probably when putting in the institutions) you noted whether it was degree-seeking or not and whether you obtained any degrees from that institution. I put down post-bacc for everything after my undergrad degree was awarded.

My undergraduate degree is theology. I did my science pre-reqs at a different institution as a post-bacc, non-degree-seeking student. Didn't seem to matter one bit, but of course I don't know what they thought about my application behind the scenes.

 

[lbecktell]

My undergraduate degree is theology. I did my science pre-reqs at a different institution as a post-bacc, non-degree-seeking student. Didn't seem to matter one bit, but of course I don't know what they thought about my application behind the scenes.

All it takes is one "yes!" They can think all they want behind the scenes. 🙂

Thank you so much all for the excellent and friendly advice!

 

[Crystalight33]

I also had to go back post bachelors (and post masters lol) to take all my pre-reqs for vet school. I agree with taking as many classes as possible at the community college, it is so much cheaper! I took my general bio and general chem courses at a community college, then transferred to a 4 year state school. When I transferred, I decided to enroll as a 2nd degree seeking student (with no intention of actually graduating with a second degree) in order to be first in line to sign up for classes. A lot of the classes I needed had very limited class size (like genetics, cell and molecular bio, biochem) and if I'd been a non-degree seeking student, I wouldn't have been able to get into those classes since they fill up so fast. Just something to think about. I honestly don't think there is a "right" or "wrong" way to go about fulfilling your pre-reqs as long as you keep in mind that some vet schools have "expiration dates" on some classes, like certain classes have to have been completed in the past five years. I'm not sure about the schools you listed, but it should be on the school websites. Anyway, I hope this helps!

 

[Frozenshades]

I emailed with admissions at Cornell, and asked about doing most of the classes at a community school. They pretty much said... "you could...but...I don't recommend it".

Don't let them bully you...

save the cash.

 

[lbecktell]

Do I need to bulk up the rest of my application in other ways then? If I get my general classes at the community college?

Here's what I need...can you guys confirm that my designation of the "general" classes is correct?

Physics I - general
Physics II -general
Biology I - general
Biology II - general
Chemistry I - general
Chemistry II - general
Biochemistry – upper
Zoology – 3-5 credits, general
Electives – 53 credits, depends...I can get these at either/or
Algebra - general
Statistics - general
Trigonometry - general
Calculus - general
Physiology – 5 credits
English Lit/Comp - already have from my current degree
Microbiology – ½ year, upper
Organic Chemistry - year, upper
Humanities/Social Sciences – 6 credits, already have from current degree
Genetics- upper?


Should I also be taking additional elective courses, like physiology, nutrition, animal behavior, etc?

 

[Museum Nerd]

Do I need to bulk up the rest of my application in other ways then? If I get my general classes at the community college?

Here's what I need...can you guys confirm that my designation of the "general" classes is correct?

Physics I - general
Physics II -general
Biology I - general
Biology II - general
Chemistry I - general
Chemistry II - general
Biochemistry – upper
Zoology – 3-5 credits, general
Electives – 53 credits, depends...I can get these at either/or
Algebra - general
Statistics - general
Trigonometry - general
Calculus - general
Physiology – 5 credits
English Lit/Comp - already have from my current degree
Microbiology – ½ year, upper
Organic Chemistry - year, upper
Humanities/Social Sciences – 6 credits, already have from current degree
Genetics- upper?


Should I also be taking additional elective courses, like physiology, nutrition, animal behavior, etc?

Each School is slightly different as to their required courses. AT NC State you must have an animal nutrition class and i also beleive a public speaking class that you dont have listed. I made a matrix of a list of each schools prereqs that i was interested in and then determined if i could meet them in the timeframe i had. Also curious as to why you need 53 electives? You have a BS degree already those should count as towards your elective courses.

 

[lbecktell]

Each School is slightly different as to their required courses. AT NC State you must have an animal nutrition class and i also beleive a public speaking class that you dont have listed. I made a matrix of a list of each schools prereqs that i was interested in and then determined if i could meet them in the timeframe i had. Also curious as to why you need 53 electives? You have a BS degree already those should count as towards your elective courses.

I have public speaking in my list of classes for my first degree...and you're right, I don't need 53 electives..I can get them from my first degree. Face, meet palm. I attribute that to a lack of coffee this AM.

As far as animal nutrition, they don't offer it at my school...what does one do in that situation?

A matrix is a great idea, thanks.

 

[orca2011]

I have public speaking in my list of classes for my first degree...and you're right, I don't need 53 electives..I can get them from my first degree. Face, meet palm. I attribute that to a lack of coffee this AM.

As far as animal nutrition, they don't offer it at my school...what does one do in that situation?

A matrix is a great idea, thanks.

Animal Nutrition is pretty easy to take online. If you use the search tool, you'll get several threads recommending schools that offer it via distance learning.

 

[lbecktell]

Cool! Thanks!

I'm feeling much better about collecting my pre-reqs after this thread. I originally thought I absolutely wouldn't get into school unless I had another 4-year from a recognizeable tech or science school. My alma mater is $35K a year.

This way, it seems like it will take at most three years for me to do this, and cost about $75K less. Feels great.

 

[equineconstant]

As far as animal nutrition, they don't offer it at my school...what does one do in that situation?

Online courses are generally accepted--there are a few threads on here about options. But you'll have to look at your schools and make sure of what you need so it will be accepted.

 

[lbecktell]

So what you guys are telling me is...I don't have to spend hundreds of thousands on undergrad all over again...and it'll be okay?

I have considerable equine experience, as well as rescue experience. I am working on bumping up my vet hospital experience and shadowing experience--my horse's vet has agreed to let me shadow, and so has the rescue's vet and my dog's vet (two differently affiliated practices). We also have a specialist practice in the area, an emergency medicine practice, and a low-income clinic in the inner city that I have connections to through the rescue.

The thing I liked about attending my alma mater as a bio major was that they place interns with the zoo every summer...and that would have been AWESOME.

Edit:
Ok, so now I have another question. On the UC Davis site, they have this about undergrad:

A Bachelors degree is required prior to matriculation
Potential applicants should enroll at undergraduate institutions offering the prerequisite courses as part of an accredited baccalaureate program. Students may select majors and schools on the basis of interest and aptitude as long as prerequisites are fulfilled. Required preveterinary courses listed as Upper Division must be completed at a four-year college.

Does that mean that I can still apply with my B.S. in Advertising/PR as long as I do a post-bacc program of the required pre-vet curriculum?

 

[DVM882029]

So what you guys are telling me is...I don't have to spend hundreds of thousands on undergrad all over again...and it'll be okay?

I have considerable equine experience, as well as rescue experience. I am working on bumping up my vet hospital experience and shadowing experience--my horse's vet has agreed to let me shadow, and so has the rescue's vet and my dog's vet (two differently affiliated practices). We also have a specialist practice in the area, an emergency medicine practice, and a low-income clinic in the inner city that I have connections to through the rescue.

The thing I liked about attending my alma mater as a bio major was that they place interns with the zoo every summer...and that would have been AWESOME.

Edit:
Ok, so now I have another question. On the UC Davis site, they have this about undergrad:

A Bachelors degree is required prior to matriculation
Potential applicants should enroll at undergraduate institutions offering the prerequisite courses as part of an accredited baccalaureate program. Students may select majors and schools on the basis of interest and aptitude as long as prerequisites are fulfilled. Required preveterinary courses listed as Upper Division must be completed at a four-year college.

Does that mean that I can still apply with my B.S. in Advertising/PR as long as I do a post-bacc program of the required pre-vet curriculum?

Someone else could answer better possibly, but I believe the BS you have is sufficient as long as the pre reqs are completed. You can check their incoming class stats, sometimes the schools list what the various B.S. degrees are in.

 

[TheComfyCat]

Davis also requires that you take the upper div bio pre-reqs at a 4-year university. (Genetics, biochem, and physio).

 

[shortnsweet]

Do I need to bulk up the rest of my application in other ways then? If I get my general classes at the community college?

Here's what I need...can you guys confirm that my designation of the "general" classes is correct?

Physics I - general
Physics II -general
Biology I - general
Biology II - general
Chemistry I - general
Chemistry II - general
Biochemistry – upper
Zoology – 3-5 credits, general
Electives – 53 credits, depends...I can get these at either/or
Algebra - general
Statistics - general
Trigonometry - general
Calculus - general
Physiology – 5 credits
English Lit/Comp - already have from my current degree
Microbiology – ½ year, upper
Organic Chemistry - year, upper
Humanities/Social Sciences – 6 credits, already have from current degree
Genetics- upper?


Should I also be taking additional elective courses, like physiology, nutrition, animal behavior, etc?

Is this list from Cornell's pre-reqs? I never took zoology, algebra, or trig in college.

 

[lbecktell]

Is this list from Cornell's pre-reqs? I never took zoology, algebra, or trig in college.

No...it's the list I'd need to take to apply to some of the others. Zoology is actually only required alongside bio at UMN. Everywhere else, it's optional in place of bio.

Algebra is required at Ohio and UMN. or, some other sort of math course.


I made a huge matrix, including credits, and feel tonnes better now. My husband and I also sat down and discussed tuition prices, cost of housing in the area (we have 5 animals, including a rottweiler and pit bull, so the rent versus own question is important) and availability of IT jobs for him. Our top 3 are now UC Davis, NC State, and Cornell, all for various reasons.

I called the admissions at those three schools last week and confirmed that I don't need to get another B.S. degree. However, I still have to ensure that the courses I will be taking at my schools (Bio, Chem, math, physics at community college, rest at 4-year) will match up to their requirements and be accepted.

Has anyone encountered any issues with that?

 

[shortnsweet]

Davis people can confirm...but it is very difficult to get in there being OOS because they have so few spots. Might just be something to consider!

 

[lbecktell]

Davis people can confirm...but it is very difficult to get in there being OOS because they have so few spots. Might just be something to consider!

Absolutely in consideration. 🙂 👍 They accepted 40-something OOS applicants last year out of over 400 who applied. But...I'm also trying for a bunch of other schools! And if I don't try...I'll never know!

I have limited choices due to BSL in some states. I have a pit bull and a rottweiler, and it's not an option to leave my family behind. Or muzzle them. :/