Double major or study abroad?

[thelarson]

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I've recently realized that it would be fairly easy for me to pick up a second major in animal science (I'm currently majoring in zoology with a minor in international development). However, to do this, I'd have to stay at my home university for my entire senior year (next year), rather than heading off to South America on a study abroad in the fall. So, I'm trying to decide - double major, or work on my Spanish skills and have awesome adventures? Would double majoring even really help with life after vet school, if I'm pursuing a DVM anyways?

Just as additional info: I just completed a study abroad/3 months traveling around East and Southern Africa. I've taken a few animal science courses already, as well as some other upper-level bio courses (histology, comparative anatomy, etc.). I'm also planning to apply to vet school next fall, the same fall that I'd go to South America - would this make it too hard to submit my application, wait for information, send in LORs, etc.? I'm leaning towards equine medicine and eventually would like to become involved with vet med in international development (working in areas like Heifer International does, with an emphasis on improving livestock operations in developing countries in order to help people help themselves out of poverty). I think my vet app is fairly competitive already, and I plan to get more experience next summer, including a lot more clinical equine experience (to date: 700 research hours in equine sports med, 350 general small animal, 50 emergency, 50 equine, lots of general animal experience but little livestock experience)

Sorry, that was probably a little too much 'additional info'. Anyways, I appreciate any thoughts you guys have!

 

[lailanni]

Study abroad!! Well, that's what I would do anyways. I never got the chance and I've always wanted to. Besides, when you're laying on your deathbed are you going to say "Man, I wish I would have gotten another degree" or "Man, I wish I could have traveled and seen the world."And it sounds like it'd help you confirm if you want to do work with international vet med.

 

[BuckleyGirl]

Study Abroad!! It is an experience you will never forget, will learn a ton from, and school and extra classes will always be there...but thats only my opinion... 😀

 

[Pomona2006]

+1 Study Abroad = invaluable experience you may never have the opportunity to do again in your life!

 

[twelvetigers]

Ditto. Majors don't matter that much as long as you have your pre-reqs and a good GPA! Studying abroad is unique, shows that you are "adventurous" and unafraid to try new things, and... well, you'll probably have a hell of a time. 🙂

 

[thelarson]

Okay, South America makes me way more excited than a couple of classes on animal science 😛 But any tips on how to handle applying to vet school at the same time? I'll just have to submit VMCAS by the time I leave (late August/early September), but what if vet schools want to contact me, and I can't check e-mail every day? Are most interviews January or later? Thanks!

 

[CurrySpice]

I'm very curious about this too, but I'm thinking you'll have to call a couple of universities to find out. You really need to explain your situation clearly to them because I read on the pre-med board that it's looked upon poorly there to postpone an interview so far because people often do it so they don't have to go to "safety" interviews if they get in a top choice.

Definitely go to South America. No doubt about it.

 

[Angelo84]

Okay, South America makes me way more excited than a couple of classes on animal science 😛 But any tips on how to handle applying to vet school at the same time? I'll just have to submit VMCAS by the time I leave (late August/early September), but what if vet schools want to contact me, and I can't check e-mail every day? Are most interviews January or later? Thanks!

I would just be very clear in your contact info. Maybe use the explanation section for that especially if it will change. All of my interviews were January or later and I heard about the first one in mid december. Another possible option would be to have parents/friend check mail/e-mail for you and call you. All of my interview offers came by snail mail so e-mail wouldn't necessarily help you.

Good luck! Have fun in South America.

 

[lailanni]

Last year somewhere on the boards, I heard of one person interviewing by phone because they were in Asia or somewhere equally far away. But that was a major, major, major exception.

Check out the acceptance thread from last year. Most people list their interview date and the date they were accepted. You could get a feel for when the interviews were. Very few were before January - but there were some.

I'd agree with the above post- explain that in your explanations section and I'd personally contact the admissions people at your school just so both sides are clear.

 

[DollyyLlama]

haha, looks like i'm definitely not the first to say this, but go abroad! this is my own experience but i thought i'd share: i went to Spain my junior year, thinking it would be a break in my science/pre-vet curriculum. but i got lonely without pets and ended up volunteering at the local shelter, a kind of depressing place that was quite a contrast to the posh SPCA where i'd worked before. so i had a different kind of experience, and got to know a different culture and the role of animals within it, and matured as both a person and a pre-vet. buen viaje!

 

[NittanyKitty]

I was in this exact same predicament a couple of years ago. I chose to double major (both to take classes I wanted and for money issues). I really wish I had chosen to spend a semester abroad instead. Take the opportunity to travel! Who knows when you'll get another chance like that in the future!