Does it matter where you take your pre-reqs?

[EB73674]

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Hi SDN friends!

I have a bit of a dilemma - I decided recently to put off applying for vet school this upcoming summer for the Fall 2019 starting class, in order to make myself a better applicant by diversifying my veterinary & research experience and to take some more classes to improve my GPA. Additionally, I will have time to complete more pre-reqs that will qualify me to apply to many more schools.

However, I'm running into a dilemma - to stay with my post-bacc program at a well-regarded, rigorous, EXPENSIVE university, or to transfer to take the rest of my courses at a state university that is a tiny fraction of my current cost of attendance. I've already had to take out a horrifyingly large loan for this calendar year just to cover tuition, and there are no financial options open to me other than private loans. I'm also looking at another 2 full academic years of school (plus a summer course) fully funded on private loans.

I think I know the answer but would like some opinions - to go or not to go? I can't deny that I'm learning a lot and this school name does carry some clout, but my grades and my wallet would likely thank me for the move. How much do vet schools take into account where you got your pre-reqs, and how bad would it look to move to a less rigorous institution even if it's truly for money reasons?

 

[pp9]

Hi SDN friends!

I have a bit of a dilemma - I decided recently to put off applying for vet school this upcoming summer for the Fall 2019 starting class, in order to make myself a better applicant by diversifying my veterinary & research experience and to take some more classes to improve my GPA. Additionally, I will have time to complete more pre-reqs that will qualify me to apply to many more schools.

However, I'm running into a dilemma - to stay with my post-bacc program at a well-regarded, rigorous, EXPENSIVE university, or to transfer to take the rest of my courses at a state university that is a tiny fraction of my current cost of attendance. I've already had to take out a horrifyingly large loan for this calendar year just to cover tuition, and there are no financial options open to me other than private loans. I'm also looking at another 2 full academic years of school (plus a summer course) fully funded on private loans.

I think I know the answer but would like some opinions - to go or not to go? I can't deny that I'm learning a lot and this school name does carry some clout, but my grades and my wallet would likely thank me for the move. How much do vet schools take into account where you got your pre-reqs, and how bad would it look to move to a less rigorous institution even if it's truly for money reasons?

Schools don't necessarily take the institution into account as much as they do the individual courses taken, and what classes you took together/how you did. Some schools don't really consider 'academic rigor' at all either.

I would go the cheaper route and keep your loans as low as possible.

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Some schools require specific classes be taken at a 4 yr institute but other than that I have not heard of other specifications.

 

[meeka_22]

Personally, I took some of my pre-reqs at a community college (organic chemistry I & II, bio I & II). It was nice because I didn't have to take any loans while I was there, and because of the smaller class sizes I had a really positive experience with my professors. Then I transferred to a university and finished the rest of them. I always heard that schools looked down on people who completed their pre-reqs at community colleges, but I've had a very successful application cycle. None of the schools looked twice at the classes I took at the community college. So as long as there are no specific guidelines (i.e. classes that need to be taken at a four-year institute) then go for the cheaper option!

 

[Mythical]

"how bad would it look to move to a less rigorous institution even if it's truly for money reasons"

It really depends on the school, and therefore I highly recommend speaking with an admissions counselor at each of the vet schools on your list.

Some schools are more, shall we say, elitist about this kind of thing than others, and especially if they know you live in/near Philly, will expect you to have a good reason not to take the classes at Penn. The same goes for Boston people who don't take classes at Harvard/MIT extension, or Bay Area folks who opt for something besides Berkeley/Stanford extension.

But other schools appreciate that not everyone has access to unlimited funds, and will not only be okay with community/junior college courses, but will understand your desire to keep your costs as low as you can.

 

[EB73674]

Hi all, thanks so much for all the input! I should have clarified, the school I would transfer into is a 4-year-university (not a community college) - it's just a state public university, as opposed to a private university. The academic rigor is somewhat less well-respected, but students get into vet school from there all the time. The biggest draw is that it will be even closer to my house, and will be literally HALF the money I'm currently spending (if not even cheaper). Advice is definitely well-taken to consult with admissions counselors at my top schools, I will do that soon. I have a couple of months before I decide about taking a summer course there, so I can make the necessary inquiries. Thanks again to all, and if you're in the throes of applications, good luck!!

 

[lvet]

Hi all, thanks so much for all the input! I should have clarified, the school I would transfer into is a 4-year-university (not a community college) - it's just a state public university, as opposed to a private university. The academic rigor is somewhat less well-respected, but students get into vet school from there all the time. The biggest draw is that it will be even closer to my house, and will be literally HALF the money I'm currently spending (if not even cheaper). Advice is definitely well-taken to consult with admissions counselors at my top schools, I will do that soon. I have a couple of months before I decide about taking a summer course there, so I can make the necessary inquiries. Thanks again to all, and if you're in the throes of applications, good luck!!

I would also say take into account that a lot of vet schools are associated with the state school so I don't see them looking down on that!

 

[ResoluteMike]

Hi all, thanks so much for all the input! I should have clarified, the school I would transfer into is a 4-year-university (not a community college) - it's just a state public university, as opposed to a private university. The academic rigor is somewhat less well-respected, but students get into vet school from there all the time. The biggest draw is that it will be even closer to my house, and will be literally HALF the money I'm currently spending (if not even cheaper). Advice is definitely well-taken to consult with admissions counselors at my top schools, I will do that soon. I have a couple of months before I decide about taking a summer course there, so I can make the necessary inquiries. Thanks again to all, and if you're in the throes of applications, good luck!!

In 2016, I took classes at community college, public university and private university. The academic rigor as I moved between the three was drastically different, but it didn't cause any issues with getting accepted.


I am a little torn on cheaper vs higher quality on this one. I took O-chem at the private university and the higher rigor and expectations probably helped me do better than I would have at the public universities chemistry program. Good luck whatever you decide to do.