Dublin vs VAMD (IS) vs UPENN (name worth it?) vs tOSU vs UFL vs LMU vs Midwestern

[dvminmyfuture]

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I am thinking next week may be a big week of decision announcements. At least maybe in the next two weeks. I have searched through all the other threads and the Pro/Cons document. This was my 3rd cycle and I am so grateful to be in the position of making a decision between schools. I appreciate any and all thoughts on my questions below - and most certainly appreciate your time responding!

I have 3 acceptances right now, I would attend 2 schools: Midwestern or LMU.

I have had positive interviews with Dublin, VAMD, OSU, and FL with decisions pending.

My UPENN interview is coming up.

I understand I should be thinking about teaching hospitals, and cost of living for my decision between schools. I'm trying to spreadsheet all of that information and yet one or even two clear choices don't materialize.

Remaining questions:

- For UPENN, is there not a value to the name? Living in Philly would not be my first choice, however, I wonder whether the extra cost of tuition and living in Philly is balanced by the name recognition of the school. What advantages have others experienced based upon the UPENN name? Thoughts? For example, tOSU is ranked higher than UPENN but doesn't carry the name recognition.

- For Dublin , I understand the argument that in the end living in Europe is more expensive. I also have read everything about them being more laid back than US schools. However, what about the advantages of being able to work both in Europe and the US after graduation? Experiences or thoughts? And also, I can't find this anywhere but is there not savings in health insurance, my interview said health insurance is covered.

- For Midwestern, the cost is prohibitive. It doesn't seem like a bad school though. And I have met so many students that chose Midwestern over Penn and other schools. It does seem like a really stark suburban place to live that isn't particularly walkable. Are there people that love living there? Can you share why?

- VAMD is my top choice, not only as my IS, but I really appreciate the environment/town/structure. What poor experiences has anyone had at VAMD? Would you discourage anyone from attending VAMD, and why?

 

[Cowsrcool]

Hello! I cannot offer much but I know that prestige in the name of a school does not translate to vet school! A DVM from any program is the same as a VMD from Penn! So I would say if you were wondering if the extra money and debt is worth it, for OOS I would say no! Absolutely not necessary to go into more debt for “name”

 

[indysadventures]

I am thinking next week may be a big week of decision announcements. At least maybe in the next two weeks. I have searched through all the other threads and the Pro/Cons document. This was my 3rd cycle and I am so grateful to be in the position of making a decision between schools. I appreciate any and all thoughts on my questions below - and most certainly appreciate your time responding!

I have 3 acceptances right now, I would attend 2 schools: Midwestern or LMU.

I have had positive interviews with Dublin, VAMD, OSU, and FL with decisions pending.

My UPENN interview is coming up.

I understand I should be thinking about teaching hospitals, and cost of living for my decision between schools. I'm trying to spreadsheet all of that information and yet one or even two clear choices don't materialize.

Remaining questions:

- For UPENN, is there not a value to the name? Living in Philly would not be my first choice, however, I wonder whether the extra cost of tuition and living in Philly is balanced by the name recognition of the school. What advantages have others experienced based upon the UPENN name? Thoughts? For example, tOSU is ranked higher than UPENN but doesn't carry the name recognition.

- For Dublin , I understand the argument that in the end living in Europe is more expensive. I also have read everything about them being more laid back than US schools. However, what about the advantages of being able to work both in Europe and the US after graduation? Experiences or thoughts? And also, I can't find this anywhere but is there not savings in health insurance, my interview said health insurance is covered.

- For Midwestern, the cost is prohibitive. It doesn't seem like a bad school though. And I have met so many students that chose Midwestern over Penn and other schools. It does seem like a really stark suburban place to live that isn't particularly walkable. Are there people that love living there? Can you share why?

- VAMD is my top choice, not only as my IS, but I really appreciate the environment/town/structure. What poor experiences has anyone had at VAMD? Would you discourage anyone from attending VAMD, and why?

Seconding “no” on going somewhere only for the name or perceived “rank.” Those ranks aren’t even an official thing anyway!

Also, FWIW, THE Ohio State University carries a lot of name recognition for a LOT of people - me included, hated those guys when I went to undergrad (WE ARE!!!!!!). Lol, love them now, though my PSU-loving mother may need to adjust if I end up there. 😉

Choose a school that feels right to you and will allow you to live the life you want to live after. Not based on rank or perceived status.

 

[JaynaAli]

Rank and recognition doesn’t hold significant value. Sure, a practice owner who went to one school might like hiring grads from their alma mater, but maybe someone else might have had a bad experience with a graduate from that same school and refuse to hire someone who attended. But the vast majority of employers don’t care where you went to school as long as you pass NAVLE. The same goes for clients…they don’t care where you went. They may ask out of curiosity and a select few may choose to see you because of the school you went to, but factors like clinic location, hours, price, and your bedside manner are all going to be much more significant factors in their vet choice.

Specifically in regards to specialty training, there is a component of “who you know” when it comes to letters of rec for residency, but so many students change their career plans and specialists can leave their jobs so I wouldn’t necessarily go somewhere because Dr. Famousspecialist is there…they may not be there in a year or two or you may not even want to pursue that specialty.


This will probably upset pre-vets for me to say, but truly, as someone who has been graduated for over ten years…it doesn’t matter where you go. I know it feels like a monumental decision and you need pros and cons lists, but at the end of the day, vet school is kinda fun but also kinda sucks and it’s just a stepping stone to a career. It’s exciting and scary and feels like a big deal, but I’ve been in three vet school towns so far and have been more alike than different. Vet school is vet school. Schools like to tout things like “hands on in your first year!” And sure, maybe it’s kinda fun but more often a lot of that early year stuff was kinda silly or not what you’d expect. Most of the schools have lots of clubs. If they don’t have one, you can start one and it’ll be a bomb leadership thing to put on your resume. Most schools have almost everyone pass NAVLE. Most schools are in towns that are little blue dots, even in very red states. Most faculty members want you to succeed. I personally would want to prioritize a place that has a teaching hospital so that may be one difference to factor in imo, but supposedly you don’t need that to be successful either. I know it can be a hard decision and I’ve been there, so I do understand the feelings. I’m not saying this to try to mute your excitement or anything like that, but just to say no matter what you choose, it’ll likely all work out and they’ll all get you there in like five years. Four years of vet school seems like a lot but really isn’t that long in the scheme of life. You’re gonna do GREAT anywhere!

Take your list and a flip coin or put them in a random number generator. If you’re sad with the results, do it again until you are happy. (But try to go to the cheapest school.)

 

[dvminmyfuture]

Rank and recognition doesn’t hold significant value. Sure, a practice owner who went to one school might like hiring grads from their alma mater, but maybe someone else might have had a bad experience with a graduate from that same school and refuse to hire someone who attended. But the vast majority of employers don’t care where you went to school as long as you pass NAVLE. The same goes for clients…they don’t care where you went. They may ask out of curiosity and a select few may choose to see you because of the school you went to, but factors like clinic location, hours, price, and your bedside manner are all going to be much more significant factors in their vet choice.

Specifically in regards to specialty training, there is a component of “who you know” when it comes to letters of rec for residency, but so many students change their career plans and specialists can leave their jobs so I wouldn’t necessarily go somewhere because Dr. Famousspecialist is there…they may not be there in a year or two or you may not even want to pursue that specialty.


This will probably upset pre-vets for me to say, but truly, as someone who has been graduated for over ten years…it doesn’t matter where you go. I know it feels like a monumental decision and you need pros and cons lists, but at the end of the day, vet school is kinda fun but also kinda sucks and it’s just a stepping stone to a career. It’s exciting and scary and feels like a big deal, but I’ve been in three vet school towns so far and have been more alike than different. Vet school is vet school. Schools like to tout things like “hands on in your first year!” And sure, maybe it’s kinda fun but more often a lot of that early year stuff was kinda silly or not what you’d expect. Most of the schools have lots of clubs. If they don’t have one, you can start one and it’ll be a bomb leadership thing to put on your resume. Most schools have almost everyone pass NAVLE. Most schools are in towns that are little blue dots, even in very red states. Most faculty members want you to succeed. I personally would want to prioritize a place that has a teaching hospital so that may be one difference to factor in imo, but supposedly you don’t need that to be successful either. I know it can be a hard decision and I’ve been there, so I do understand the feelings. I’m not saying this to try to mute your excitement or anything like that, but just to say no matter what you choose, it’ll likely all work out and they’ll all get you there in like five years. Four years of vet school seems like a lot but really isn’t that long in the scheme of life. You’re gonna do GREAT anywhere!

Take your list and a flip coin or put them in a random number generator. If you’re sad with the results, do it again until you are happy. (But try to go to the cheapest school.)

I certainly appreciate your time @JaynaAli @indysadventures and @Cowsrcool - and your words too. This is what I was seeking - perspective beyond my current space in the universe where I feel the decision has MONUMENTAL weight. Here's to all of us finding what feels right for us - and all of us probably going to the cheapest school 🙂!

Thanks again.

 

[thesunshinefuturedogtor]

Out of the European schools, I think Dublin is one of the cheapest if not the cheapest! I am also an applicant to Dublin and USA schools and when I did my calculations, Dublin would actually be cheaper than many schools including UPenn and Midwestern as well.

As someone not actually in vet school and also going through the process of applying to both UK and USA schools, I hear from soooooo many people to travel while I can and enjoy the experience! It totally depends on your personality and life goals as well but I definitely do not think Dublin should be discounted from the group for any cost reasons.

 

[dvminmyfuture]

Out of the European schools, I think Dublin is one of the cheapest if not the cheapest! I am also an applicant to Dublin and USA schools and when I did my calculations, Dublin would actually be cheaper than many schools including UPenn and Midwestern as well.

As someone not actually in vet school and also going through the process of applying to both UK and USA schools, I hear from soooooo many people to travel while I can and enjoy the experience! It totally depends on your personality and life goals as well but I definitely do not think Dublin should be discounted from the group for any cost reasons.

awesome - thanks @thesunshinefuturedogtor - I'm thinking the same about Dublin, while vet school seems like it will be a long time - I'm sure it will fly and why not spend it in Europe opening opportunities for travel and learning, good luck to you!

 

[battie]

For UPENN, is there not a value to the name?

None. The average client doesn't know what vet schools exist outside of their state. Most clients don't know Penn is an Ivy. Ivy reputation matters in very few professions.

For example, tOSU is ranked higher than UPENN but doesn't carry the name recognition.

Rankings don't matter. They aren't based in any way on student or university success.

However, what about the advantages of being able to work both in Europe and the US after graduation?

That's *if* you can work in Europe after the fact. As many people are learning, it's actually quite difficult to immigrate to a wide variety of countries because their laws protect high yield jobs for their own population. I would not attend Dublin with the assumption you'd practice in Europe immediately after school.