gap year ideas and loans??

[arod12]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello,
I am a senior in college and am currently applying to veterinary school. I am interested in taking a gap year to save up money and improve my work-life balance before I enter veterinary school. However, I am not sure how this will affect my undergrad loan payments and also how soon I should have my plan for the year off. I am currently looking to get jobs as a vet tech for the year so I can stay in the field. Basically, I am looking for someone who has done this successfully to give me some guiding advice. THANK YOU!!!

 

[Shepherd Lover]

I have a few friends that made this choice and were happy with their decision. They had a 6 month grace period after their undergrad graduation before they needed to begin paying their federal student loans but once they graduate vet school they will not get the grade period after graduating (which they would have if they had not already used the grace period during their gap year)


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[DVMDream]

I have a few friends that made this choice and were happy with their decision. They had a 6 month grace period after their undergrad graduation before they needed to begin paying their federal student loans but once they graduate vet school they will not get the grade period after graduating (which they would have if they had not already used the grace period during their gap year)


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

You still get the 6 month grace period after vet school, even if you used the 6 month grace after undergrad. I just did this.

 

[CalliopeDVM]

I am currently looking to get jobs as a vet tech for the year so I can stay in the field.

In all honesty, if you can get a job that earns significantly more, take it. I'm thinking about some classmates I had in vet school who worked at an auto plant during their summers -- they didn't gain any vet experience during that time, but they made $10,000 more than anyone else, and that was a lot of help to them then and in the future (fewer loans, less interest). If your choices are Starbucks or a vet clinic, stay in the industry and work in a vet clinic - but don't discount other (non-veterinary) jobs you may have access to if they can help significantly lower your schooling/loan costs down the road.

 

[DVMDream]

I was also going to say, working as a vet tech for a year, won't put any significant dent in your debt. I did it for two years and I still have undergrad and now vet school loans. And I wasn't able to really save up much money....had just enough to move myself to vet school when I was accepted.

 

[Shepherd Lover]

You still get the 6 month grace period after vet school, even if you used the 6 month grace after undergrad. I just did this.

Oh thank you for your post! My friends will be really excited to hear this. We recently had a financial speaker at school that told us otherwise so I'm glad you saw my post! 🙂


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app