Has anyone got into vet school with no major??

[DVMDS]

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With all the prerequisites plus extra classes, but no major.

I suck at biology so I'm kinda freaking out there, but all of the other majors at my college have so many extra classes that I'd be graduating at least 6 years into college. I just need some help. Any would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JaynaAli]

As long as you have the prerequisites, you can apply to vet school. Overall, most (if not all) schools don't care what your major is if you've taken the required classes. However, most people I know, including myself, did the "extra classes" in a major because it can sometimes help raise their overall GPA, which some schools find to be a more important statistic than others. But if you are looking to get into vet school as quickly as possible, simply taking prerequisites is definitely an option.

My only other thought is that if you struggle in undergraduate science courses, make sure you work hard to improve, get good grades, and really think about whether vet med is the right fit for you. I don't say that to be mean, but vet school is 18+ hours of intense science courses each semester and that is definitely not for everyone.

Whatever classes you decide to take, good luck!

 

[LetItSnow]

With all the prerequisites plus extra classes, but no major.

I suck at biology so I'm kinda freaking out there, but all of the other majors at my college have so many extra classes that I'd be graduating at least 6 years into college. I just need some help. Any would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know how *many*, but we have a bunch of people in my class that didn't come in with a degree.... they were all awarded their B.S. at the end of our first year of vet school. I think as tuition costs have gone up it's becoming more and more common. I'm under the impression most vet schools have a similar program. (Other than, obviously, any that require a degree to get in... I can't remember which ones that is, though.)

 

[Frozenshades]

I don't know how *many*, but we have a bunch of people in my class that didn't come in with a degree.... they were all awarded their B.S. at the end of our first year of vet school. I think as tuition costs have gone up it's becoming more and more common. I'm under the impression most vet schools have a similar program. (Other than, obviously, any that require a degree to get in... I can't remember which ones that is, though.)

Not saying there aren't, but I don't know of any vet schools that require a bachelor's degree.

If you don't want to finish your degree then don't OP. I didn't finish my BS. Just make sure you have appropriate plans for what you'll be doing if it takes you more than one application cycle to gain admission to vet school.

 

[LetItSnow]

Not saying there aren't, but I don't know of any vet schools that require a bachelor's degree.

UCD requires one, per their website. It sorta stuck in my head that there might be one or two others that do, too, I just can't remember.

But... honestly, if I were giving someone advice, I'd tell them to do the bare minimum UG and save the money. You'll do just fine catching up with your colleagues who are 'more' educated. To me, the extra classes don't even BEGIN to outweigh the benefit of less debt. If someone were super academically nervous, I suppose they might figure the debt is worth it. So unless there was a compelling reason an individual *REALLY* wanted to go to one of the schools requiring the degree (like, in-state tuition making the extra UG classes worthwhile, maybe?) .... I'd tell them to find a different school.

I didn't finish my BS.

You will 1.5 years from now! 🙂

 

[Frozenshades]

You will 1.5 years from now! 🙂

Hmmm, perhaps. Some schools will grant a Bachelor's degree after finishing first year right? I don't know if K-State does that.

And I know TAMU won't give me one because they're picky on their requirements. They have required classes they won't let you duck out of. I think if I were to take two more credits (a one hour writing seminar and a kinesiology class) then with my first year of vet school done they would give me a degree.

I really can't see myself going back and taking undergraduate classes though so unless K-State does grant me one it seems likely my DVM will be my first college degree.

Also, the FAQ on UCD website says you don't: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/students/dvm_program/admissions/DVM_Program_FAQ.cfm#q17

 

[DVMDream]

I debated about applying to vet school before I would have gotten my degree, but then I realized, what if something does happen in vet school? What if for some reason I can not finish my veterinary degree? Then what? I am stuck with nothing. Granted a BS in Biology and Chem minor probably won't get me much of anywhere, but at least I might be able to get myself into a Master's or something should vet school not work out. That was my thought/reasoning behind getting the degree. Hell, even if I didn't want to go for a Master's I could get a teaching certificate and with my degree begin teaching rather quickly and would therefore have a quick backup plan if ever needed.

 

[DVM882029]

i am planning on taking pre reqs with no prior degree and then applying.

 

[primatevetjess]

Also, the FAQ on UCD website says you don't: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/students/dvm_program/admissions/DVM_Program_FAQ.cfm#q17

UCD no longer requires a B.S. They changed it so that you did during my second year (I got in without one), but with the new curriculum they went back to not needing one. I know there's conflicting information out there, so I emailed the admissions director in September because I had UG friends wondering. She confirmed that they no longer require a bachelors, but for whatever reason, they also no longer award one after second year.

 

[shortnsweet]

With all the prerequisites plus extra classes, but no major.

I suck at biology so I'm kinda freaking out there, but all of the other majors at my college have so many extra classes that I'd be graduating at least 6 years into college. I just need some help. Any would be greatly appreciated.

Define "Suck at Biology"...because even if you don't have a major in it, you still need high grades in Bio courses as pre-reqs....? And Bio tends to come back again and again in vet school....just my .02 though.

As for applying with no Bachelor's degree, I have multiple friends who did that and are just fine, but my mindset is similar to DVMdream...what if something were to happen down the line. I like having my BS as a backup.

 

[DVMDS]

Define "Suck at Biology"...because even if you don't have a major in it, you still need high grades in Bio courses as pre-reqs....? And Bio tends to come back again and again in vet school....just my .02 though.

As for applying with no Bachelor's degree, I have multiple friends who did that and are just fine, but my mindset is similar to DVMdream...what if something were to happen down the line. I like having my BS as a backup.

I struggle in it, I actually just started my first bio class so I might be jumping the gun on the "I suck train" but items always been my worst science. Ecology interests me most, it might just be the cell part of biology that I struggle with.

 

[shortnsweet]

I struggle in it, I actually just started my first bio class so I might be jumping the gun on the "I suck train" but items always been my worst science. Ecology interests me most, it might just be the cell part of biology that I struggle with.

Haha yeah...I would give it a chance....You may end up liking the upper level courses more when they have specific topics like Physiology or Animal Behaviour etc 🙂

 

[DVMDS]

Haha yeah...I would give it a chance....You may end up liking the upper level courses more when they have specific topics like Physiology or Animal Behaviour etc 🙂

That's what I was thinking. So should I stay a biology major or... Because I did struggle with it in high school and my friends mother said it's a hard major. I do need to boost my gpa, it is extremely low.

 

[shortnsweet]

That's what I was thinking. So should I stay a biology major or... Because I did struggle with it in high school and my friends mother said it's a hard major. I do need to boost my gpa, it is extremely low.

Hmm..you're a freshman? You technically shouldn't have to declare until sophomore year. You can honestly major in whatever you want...doesn't have to be a science.

It's not an easy major by any means, but I wouldn't be scared away from it just because of high school problems. Find something you love, and take those classes. With you being interested on top of working hard, your gpa should come up 🙂

 

[DVMDS]

Hmm..you're a freshman? You technically shouldn't have to declare until sophomore year. You can honestly major in whatever you want...doesn't have to be a science.

It's not an easy major by any means, but I wouldn't be scared away from it just because of high school problems. Find something you love, and take those classes. With you being interested on top of working hard, your gpa should come up 🙂

I finished my freshman year, I am taking my first semester sophomore year this summer so I can stay on track. Just all the extra languages and stuff that come with the classic major at my school make me not want to take that, plus I have wanted to be a vet since I was 2 so I really want to get there. Thanks for your input and replying.
Actually everyone, thank you!!

 

[LetItSnow]

UCD no longer requires a B.S. They changed it so that you did during my second year (I got in without one), but with the new curriculum they went back to not needing one. I know there's conflicting information out there, so I emailed the admissions director in September because I had UG friends wondering. She confirmed that they no longer require a bachelors, but for whatever reason, they also no longer award one after second year.

Oh, my bad. I thought it was safe to assume that http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/students/dvm_program/admissions/ was up to date. Sorry for the wrong info! 🙁

(As an aside, UCD really should fix that!!!)

Does that mean there are no vet schools left requiring the B.[S.|A.]?

 

[nickyfdoc]

I am so happy you posted this! I too am applying without a degree and just pre-reqs! I've contacted the admissions of the school I want to go too (Midwestern in Arizona), and as long as your grades are good in pre-reqs you have a shot.

I told a girl I work with (also pre-vet) that I was applying and she got in a hissy and told me I would have no shot and shouldn't even bother... but this girl also hates me and always says I'll never make it to vet school whereas she is BFF's with the new dean and definitely WILL get in since she has lunch with him often. Or something to that effect lol.

Don't let others kill your dream! 🙂 What's the worst that can happen, they say no? Keep on trugging along with undergrad and apply again! That's my plan!

My major is Biological Sciences (animal phys & behavior) minor in bio chem.

If I don't get in, I'll continue on and apply till I do get in 🙂 It gives me 3 years to apply if they keep saying no! 🙂

 

[MysteryCat]

Oh, my bad. I thought it was safe to assume that http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/students/dvm_program/admissions/ was up to date. Sorry for the wrong info! 🙁

(As an aside, UCD really should fix that!!!)

Does that mean there are no vet schools left requiring the B.[S.|A.]?

I'm 99% sure that Dublin does. Not sure about US schools though.