General pre-vet reqs and how long to complete?

[dreamsicle]

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I realize it probably differs slightly by school, but usually what are the pre-reqs for veterinary school? I would also like to know how long it would take to complete these requirements, assuming none of them have already been completed. i really would like to finish them in one year - will this be possible? thankyou.

 

[chris03333]

I realize it probably differs slightly by school, but usually what are the pre-reqs for veterinary school? I would also like to know how long it would take to complete these requirements, assuming none of them have already been completed. i really would like to finish them in one year - will this be possible? thankyou.

www.aavmc.org
this site will answer what each school requires. NO you cannot complete all prereqs in 1 year, most people take 3 so 2 would even be pushing it.

 

[VeganSoprano]

No, it would not be possible to complete all pre-reqs in a year, especially because some pre-reqs are pre-reqs for other pre-reqs (now that's a mouthful!) - e.g. gen chem is required before organic chem which is usually required before biochem.

It takes a minimum of 2 years to complete all prerequisites but 3 years is much more common. Vet schools definitely prefer applicants who have bachelor's degrees.

 

[dreamsicle]

I see. Well see I am graduating in December '07 with a BA in English from Berkeley. Recently developed interest in vet school after, so I don't have enough space in my schedule to cram in all the pre-vet requirements(that wouldn't do too well for my gpa either), so I thought the post-bacc would work, but another 3 years after undergraduate before I can even complete the prereqs is slightly discouraging....unless maybe I can squeeze in the upper div biochem and genetics without having taken any lower div bio or chem..wonder how that would work out for me. Anyway, I'd appreciate your advice!

 

[eaglemeag]

I see. Well see I am graduating in December '07 with a BA in English from Berkeley

Well... several of the pre-reqs for many vet schools are classes in the humanities/soft sciences. For example, x number of hours in english/composition, x number in social science, and usually a few math classes too. You've probably taken many of the non-science pre-reqs already as requirements for your BA.

You most likely won't be able to take the upper-level classes without their lower-level prerequisites, either. And even if you could, trust me, you DON'T want to take something like organic chem without basic chem first. Now, if you get a basic biology class under your belt, then you can usually get into the upper-level bio classes all at once (for example, at my school, Basic Bio and one other research-oriented class were all that was required for anatomy/physio, genetics, etc.).

I would bet on at least 4 more semesters in addition to your degree, unless you can squeeze some classes in this fall. Taking classes next summer wouldn't hurt either to speed things along.

Another note: Having a degree in something besides science really helps you stand out among the hundreds of other applicants to your school. So, you've got that going for you! 🙂 Hang in there!

 

[dreamsicle]

Cool, ya I looked at the pre-vet reqs for various schools and I have completed all of the non-science pre-vet requirements for english/lit, fine arts, social science, stat/calc, so I'll be looking at just the sciences when i'm doing my post-bacc. how hard do you think an upper div non-lab genetics class would be if i haven't done lower div bio? could i still do fairly well? lol wishful thinking i know..

 

[youthman]

yes, I have you a previous degree, you can probably do it in 2 if you include summer school.

 

[snowyegret]

how hard do you think an upper div non-lab genetics class would be if i haven't done lower div bio? could i still do fairly well? lol wishful thinking i know..

I think you can do farirly well taking a non-lab genetics class before taking any lower division bio; for me, it was actually helpful, because we had to do an extensive independent fruit fly project in first semester bio, which I happened to take after genetics.

A two-semester sequence in biochemistry was my first ever life science class. Even though I didn't have the bio and ochem pre-requisites, the instructor let me take the class but suggested that I pick up the ochem texts and reference those when something needed more clarification. It was a tough sequence, but using those texts and hitting up office hours and review sessions definitely helped me get through the class. That was followed up by classes in physiology, developmental biology and genetics. To top it all off, after taking all those classes I just finished up first semester bio this past semester!

Now there's something to be said about taking these classes in sequence to help you better understand how all these subjects build upon each other. There were many times in ochem this past year where I had one of those moments when things in biochem from three years ago finally made sense. It would have been nice to have had the information beforehand. So, in the end, it depends on how much extra time you're willing to dedicate to learning background concepts that won't be covered in class and if you're comfortable learning things a little bit backwards.

 

[dreamsicle]

I emailed some mcb instructors and they advised me not to do the upper divs without the lower divs if I wanted to do even remotely well. I figure I can maybe squeeze in some lower div chem, but will post baccs mind the fact that I am entering the post bacc already having completed some of the pre-reqs? I am beginning to think a formal post-bacc isn't the best route for veterinary students.

 

[JIKJen124]

Not really at all possible in 1 year, 2 if you go both summers. I'm wrapping up my second year with 2 more courses to go in the fall before I'm finally done.

Having done both formal post-baccs and self-structured just taking classes as a continuing ed student, I certainly would recommend the later. Post-bacc programs tend to be hyper competative and not really designed for getting pre-vet done as efficiently as possible. Don't forget, you'll need time for work/volunteering during your postbacc as well, which may keep you from pushing as many courses per semester as you otherwise would.

Jen

I emailed some mcb instructors and they advised me not to do the upper divs without the lower divs if I wanted to do even remotely well. I figure I can maybe squeeze in some lower div chem, but will post baccs mind the fact that I am entering the post bacc already having completed some of the pre-reqs? I am beginning to think a formal post-bacc isn't the best route for veterinary students.