Has anyone participated in TX Academic Fresh Start Program?

[AggieRVT]

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I've been searching the old threads about the TX Academic Fresh Start Program and cannot find many personal experiences about the program.

For those who do not know, TX developed a program about 10 years ago that allows for TX residents to make a "fresh start" with a clean slate on their GPA for coursework taken 10+ years ago. The catch: this is an all or nothing deal, meaning all pre-req's, not just "expired" science courses will need to be repeated and the student will need a minimum of 90 hours of new coursework before admission into a professional or grad school.

I am strongly considering this option and I would love to hear from a few others that have contemplated making this decision or even better, students and/or dr's that have taken this route.

My history in brief: I graduated with a bs in animal science from Texas A&M in 1999 w/a craptacular 2.29 GPA. Needless to say, I am quite ashamed of my academic performance from years ago. Although my GPA did not reflect it, my intentions were to go to vet school. I didn't bother applying. I seriously considered SGU vet school in Grenada (they were still brand new then), but realized the financial burden that I would have after graduation. I went to a vet tech school instead to become a registered vet tech.
After working in the field for the past 8 years, I truly love what I do. However, there is a piece of me (big chunk actually) that still wants to be the doctor, not just the tech. I've been at an awesome specialty practice for 5 years and every summer a new crop of eager interns start and I always think that could have been me, and still can be me. I'm ready to take the plunge and pursue my dream with a much stronger conviction than before. 10 years after graduation I am much more mature, focused and confident, I know I can do anything once I set my mind to it.

So this leaves me with a few options:
1) Take a year of upper level science courses to prove to the admissions committee at SGU that I can do the work (their advice), accept the $117K for tuition (not including books, living expences, etc), possibly lose a really great boyfriend in the process, be about $250K in debt upon graduation w/a hopeful salary of $80-100K/yr.

2) Retake all science classes below B avg, but may only bring up GPA to barely above a 3.0 if I made all A's in 70 or so hours, still not acceptible for vet school.

3) Participate in TX Academic Fresh Start retaking everything. I realize I would already need to retake the science courses that have "expired", so why not start w/a clean slate. The 90 hours of classes I've already taken is quite daunting, but I obviously did not learn a whole lot the first time around. If I can manage at least a 3.4-3.6 GPA I have a good shot at Tx a&m vet school after 3 years of undergrad courses which would be much more financially feasible and easier on my relationship.

Thank you to all of those in advance that reply. Any personal information/stories will help with my decision. I have not begun any classes yet, I'm hoping to get started w/pre-req's (again) in January 2010. I know I need to speak w/counselors, I would also like your input/suggestions.

 

[shred4life]

The most logical choice seems like taking advantage of this fresh start program. Taking all of those classes again is probably very annoying and will be a challenge, but if you get to start over fresh and pull of mostly A's and B's you will be in great shape. Pace yourself when taking your pre req's. Try not to pack your semesters in too tightly with lots of challenging courses, but instead spread them out a bit so you have time to really focus on them.

This program seems like an excellent opportunity for you to become the student you know you are at heart. Getting the chance to start over and really work up to your potential is an incredible gift, and if you are willing to work hard and take all those courses again then I would say definitely go for it. Who knows, you may even surprise yourself and remember a great deal of what you learned ten years ago and have a bit of a leg up on the course work.

Texas A&M is a great school, and if you went there you could stay in your area, and your finances and relationship would not suffer. It seems like a win win situation to me!

Best of luck

 

[Perfbird]

Wow, I think it's awesome that you're still goal oriented, it really proves you've got your heart into being a vet. 🙂 I think the fresh start program sounds like a good deal, not to mention that coming out of it you will be back in the school mindset and ready for vet school.

I just had to giggle a little at this, though:

be about $250K in debt upon graduation w/a hopeful salary of $80-100K/yr

I think if a vet made $80-100k per year after 15 years in the field and a high paying job as a researcher or specialty veterinarian, that would sound reasonable, but as a student fresh out of a non-accredited veterinary school? I would say that's extremley wishful thinking...😉 Not to mention that if you even want to think about making that sort of money in the future you would have to do a residency or internship where they pay you maybe around 20k, possibly 30k!

 

[crittergal]

I'm a TX non-trad too but my crummy coursework is only 8 yrs old. The fresh start program is not a option for me since it has to be older than 10 yrs, otherwise, I think it's a great idea.

My suggestion would be to shoot for both. Take the TX fresh start and start working on pre-reqs and a few upper levels at the same time. You still have the older courses on your transcript if you need them for SGU. If things work out 3 yrs down the road and you are able to apply to TAMU, great. If things change and you need a faster path, you'll have completed the year of work that SGU recommended. That way you can kill two birds with one stone and still meet your goal.

Also, there are a number of OOS schools that do not evaluate cumulative GPA, only pre-reqs, science, and last 45 hrs. With this scenario you could realistically apply to those schools too after a yearish and not get dinked by your prior academic misadventures. I hope that makes sense (it sounds great in my head)

And on a random note- by looking at your username, I'm intrigued. Did you ever work at an emergency hosp in Carrollton?

 

[crittergal]

Also, I'm curious why you would seek SGU over Ross? It still poses the relationship strain, but maybe you could start without having to redo a year of coursework. Starting a year sooner means graduating a year sooner- which ultimately means more years of earning potential down the road.

 

[rugbychick16]

Wow, I think it's awesome that you're still goal oriented, it really proves you've got your heart into being a vet. 🙂 I think the fresh start program sounds like a good deal, not to mention that coming out of it you will be back in the school mindset and ready for vet school.

I just had to giggle a little at this, though:

I think if a vet made $80-100k per year after 15 years in the field and a high paying job as a researcher or specialty veterinarian, that would sound reasonable, but as a student fresh out of a non-accredited veterinary school? I would say that's extremley wishful thinking...😉 Not to mention that if you even want to think about making that sort of money in the future you would have to do a residency or internship where they pay you maybe around 20k, possibly 30k!

http://www.avma.org/press/releases/090901_starting_salaries_survey.asp

Not entirely true, many food animal veterinarians could make that in a few years out depening on their location. Also, being from a nonaccredited school should technically not affect your income potential as long as you pass the ECFVG, NAVLE, state boards.

 

[parietal]

You may have already done this, but I'd highly recommend talking to the Texas vet school admissions people to get their perspective. They may have other suggestions that may not be as time-consuming...

 

[alliecat44]

To the OP: keep in mind that the length of time you spend getting those 90 hours (three years?) is that same length of time that you will NOT have to pay your loans back. Make sure to add that in, too. Sadly we live finite lives...also add to that the difference between the (salary you could be making as a veterinarian)-(salary you would be making those three years in school before applying).

There are some out of state schools (such as mine) that, although very expensive, are AVMA-accredited and more holistic in their evaluation of applicants. I was in a situation similar to yours--GPA of 3.0-3.1 (dependong on how it was calculated) from an undergrad degree in 2001. Lots of specialty experience, rocked the GRE--accepted to Kansas first try (after three years of rejection from other schools).

Much more expensive than your in-state option, but something to consider.

I just had to giggle a little at this, though:

I think if a vet made $80-100k per year after 15 years in the field and a high paying job as a researcher or specialty veterinarian, that would sound reasonable, but as a student fresh out of a non-accredited veterinary school? I would say that's extremley wishful thinking...😉 Not to mention that if you even want to think about making that sort of money in the future you would have to do a residency or internship where they pay you maybe around 20k, possibly 30k!

Not true. See the link rugbychick posted.

In urban/suburban areas, SA vets are starting out between 70-90K.

Specialists make well over 100K typically.

If you consider that the OP is looking at graduating from vet school in 2016 or beyond, those numbers are only going to go up.

 

[HopefulAg]

Never heard of the Fresh Start program but that sounds like the one that would benefit you the most.

 

[Perfbird]

Thanks for the link, it's good to know that some things are going up. As the article said, it's a mixed bag, and the average starting salary across all fields was 48K, a long ways from 80-100k. But, I didn't meant to harp on that point, I just wanted to say that 80k isn't really a realistic expectation for fresh out of the press veterinarians. Maybe not unrealistic for the near future, but I wouldn't want to base such a crucial decision based on thinking that you'll be making 100 grand right away.

And I agree, vets out of unaccredited schools have the same knowledge and are just as capable and educated as any vet graduating from an accredited school, and it really shouldn't affect anything about your future career (which I know none of your clients will ever care that you went to a non-accred. vs. accred. school), but it does. I have a few friends who have graduated from SGU, and they were not able to get any internships because they were competing with acrred. school vets. It's sad and seems like an unfair judgment, but it does happen quite often.

My suggestion would be to shoot for both. Take the TX fresh start and start working on pre-reqs and a few upper levels at the same time. You still have the older courses on your transcript if you need them for SGU. If things work out 3 yrs down the road and you are able to apply to TAMU, great. If things change and you need a faster path, you'll have completed the year of work that SGU recommended. That way you can kill two birds with one stone and still meet your goal.

I was just wondering how the OP would do both? Does the Texas program not wipe your old classes until you've completed the 90 hours? Because if they wiped them from the start then it wouldn't be possible to keep the old classes around in case. But I haven't looked into the program, so I'm not sure of the details.

 

[sumstorm]

You might contact other schools you are considering and ask how they would handle/vies it. I get that the idea is no transcript exists for your early classes, but other schools may not be so accepting of that idea. Either way, you would still have to report the time in school.

 

[crittergal]

I was just wondering how the OP would do both? Does the Texas program not wipe your old classes until you've completed the 90 hours? Because if they wiped them from the start then it wouldn't be possible to keep the old classes around in case. But I haven't looked into the program, so I'm not sure of the details.

It doesn't erase your transcript/coursework, rather it is a program where TX residents can have their older coursework overlooked. So yes, if the OP elected to do the program today, all coursework older than 10 years would be nonexistent for the purposes of pre-reqs, GPA, etc at TAMU only. If the OP were to apply in a different state or somewhere abroad, the schools would still have access to the older coursework.

 

[AggieRVT]

Thank you to all of those that responded! I intend to formally speak w/an admission counselor at A&M, and other OSS. At this point, I don't care where I go, as long as I get in somewhere. SGU will still be an option, I may hold onto that card until I definately need it. I really need to hear stories from those who took advantage of the TX fresh start program. I realize that other state schools will see all college transcripts, but that's ok, they'll see that I got my act together in the past 10 years -as long as I'm granted an interview.
As far as SGU over Ross, I just like the program better. I know Ross would be faster, but I would like to spend summers with family and working at vet facilities to expand my real world knowledge. I know successful vets that have attended both, I think it's mostly personal preference. I believe Ross would require me to take a year of upper level science courses in US anyways.
As far as internships/residencies ase concerned, the private specialty practice I work for in Houston accepts many students from every school. Of course they want the best & brightest, but it's more the student's academic performance rather than which school they attended. We have a SGU grad now & another finished her residency here this past spring.
As far as salary, I know interns make the bare minimum, but I also heard they can demand a higher salary after 1-2 internships vs those that go to work immediately after graduation. Also, location and field makes a HUGE difference in salary! I had a vet tell me that she can't find even a new grad associate for her downtown houston sa clinic and she's willing to pay $100k, she may have been exagerating & it was a few years ago, but you never know.
Thanks again, keep me posted if anyone knows someone (even pre-med) that participated in the program. I have reservations only because it would be annoying to retake everything, but at least I have that option.

ps-for the question regarding my user name, I stole it from a friend that I believe did work at an EC in Carrolton. I don't think he minds it, I've used it before!

 

[crittergal]

ps-for the question regarding my user name, I stole it from a friend that I believe did work at an EC in Carrolton. I don't think he minds it, I've used it before!

LOL. It always makes me laugh whenever I realize just how small this world really is.