Help! I'm a 3rd year BA student and I want to do be a vet!

[jessikt]

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*want to be a vet. (can't edit the title) 🙂


Hey everyone!

I have finally decided that I want to pursue Veterinary medicine and I am very excited about this decision!

My only problem is that I am about to enter my 3rd year of a Communications degree and I want to pretty much start over and do a Biology degree (I figured Biology would be better than Biomedical Science because it has more animal related courses, am I right to assume this?)

The issue is that I am missing some of the pre-requisites for entry into either program (maths and sciences) so I am planning on doing them this fall at an Adult High School. I am trying to figure out a way to begin taking the courses required for the Biology degree in Winter 2009 because it'd be great not to waste an entire year! I am waiting replies from some advisors at my school but any input from people here who have had similar problems would really help!

Has anyone else made the switch half way through an arts degree and were missing prerequisites? Any advice is VERY appreciated!

Thanks so much! I love reading this forum. 🙂

 

[rustysmom]

Welcome!

You don't actually need a degree in biology to attend vet school. I have 2 degrees in Information Technology and I start at Michigan State's vet school in less than one month 😀. If you are still interested in communications, definitely finish your degree but start taking the pre-reqs (typically biology, chemistry (general and organic), physics) for vet school along with the classes for your communications degree.

Every school has slightly different pre-reqs. For Michigan State, I also had to take cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and nutrition. I only applied to Michigan State so I can't speak for other schools - your best bet is go to the web site of each school that you're interested in and note their pre-reqs. If you're interested in multiple schools, I've heard that keeping a spreadsheet of each school's pre-reqs is helpful (I have friends who applied to medical school who lived by this method when keeping track of which pre-reqs they still needed for various schools).

You'll also need to take the GRE or MCAT. I took the GRE. Most schools require the general GRE but I know there's a couple that also require the biology GRE (don't remember which ones right now). I helped some of my med school friends study for the MCAT and I was sooooo happy I took the GRE instead 🙂

You'll want to do the best you can in your pre-reqs and on your GRE. Also, you'll need a variety of animal experience and you'll need to shadow a vet (or two). You can check out the successful applicants thread to get an idea of what stats people had --> http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=493514

good luck

 

[jessikt]

Thanks for your quick reply! 🙂

I am not interested in Communications at all and I have spend the last two semesters taking ALL electives trying desperately to find what I am interested in! So I'd prefer to do the Biology degree and use what I've done so far as my electives. (I think I could finish in about 3 semesters or so)

I also need time to get all of my volunteer work in and actually learn some science since I am pretty rusty from high school!

So I'm not sure exactly what my question is, haha. I guess I'd just like to hear similar experiences!

Thanks again!

(Oh and congratulations on getting into Vet school!!)

 

[nyanko]

(I think I could finish in about 3 semesters or so)

With no prerequisites completed? 😱

I don't think that's going to happen, sorry to be the pessimist here. To put it in a little bit of perspective, here's what I did and how long it took me.

I figured out going into the 3rd year of my BS in Computer Science that I wanted to go to vet school. I took chemistry courses and a chem minor and finished up that degree on time.

So, with a prior BS, I went into a second BS degree program at a different school. Now keep in mind this is with absolutely 100% no gen ed requirements needed, only the major requirements, and I already had my chemistry finished too (a sequence that must go in order and takes about 5 semesters to complete on its own, 4 if you can squish either gen I/II or organic I/II into the same summer, which I did with organic I/II). I started back in August of 2005, did one semester part time, then switched to full time for Spring 2006, Summer 2006 (full load), Fall 2006 (overload), Spring 2007, and graduated in Summer 2007 (with a full courseload). So all in all, to complete my degree in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, keeping in mind that it was only degree requirements, and not even all of those, took me five semesters of full time coursework and one of part time. Every single course I took in that time was necessary for my major except for one. And it was full course loads of upper division sciences too! So I would plan to be in undergrad for longer than 3 semesters more if I were you. 😛

 

[parietal]

Congrats, jessikt, on finding your path. I also have a background in communications, but it took me far longer to realize I really wanted to be a veterinarian.

But you have a lot of work ahead of you. Nyanko's right, you probably need to expect a lot more than 3 semesters. Years after my first degree, I decided to leave my job and return to school full time to do my prereqs. I had done general bio, gen chem and physics the first time around, but had forgotten most of it.

So I found a great little state school, retook gen chem I/II last summer, took o-chem I and II during fall 2007 and spring 2008 and will take biochem I and II next year. (Many vet schools only require one semester of biochem.)

So in chemistry alone, you have five or six semesters of work ahead of you. While gen chem can be squeezed into a single summer, I haven't found many schools that will allow you to do the same for o-chem or biochem.

The biology prereqs are a little bit easier, especially since some schools don't require you to take them all sequentially. Most schools require general biology, zoology, genetics and microbiology. Some also require cell biology. You could probably squeeze this into three or four semesters, but if you want to get a major in biology (and you really don't need to), you'll need to take a lot more classes that likely have the later courses in your sequence as prereqs.

And speaking as a former social-science major, I can say definitively that taking four science classes in a semester is far different than four social-science or humanities classes. Labs eat up a huge portion of your time, especially in the upper-division classes.

You'll also need to find time for a full-year (or summer) sequence of physics and perhaps a few animal science or nutrition classes that more vet schools now require.

Without a background in the sciences, I'd really urge you to take it slowly enough to make sure you can get as close to a 4.0 as possible while still having time for shadowing and/or internships. If you kill yourself and your GPA to get through quickly, you're not doing yourself any good because you will almost certainly be rejected for at least your first year anyway. So at minimum, I would expect two full years plus one or two summers. That's what it's taking me, and I had already had my generals done.

Oh, and while you really can major in biology or biomedical science or whatever you want, you may find that the vet school prereqs line up nicely with a biomed degree. At least at my college, the general bio major has a lot more requirements in ecology and plant biology and such that really don't relate much to veterinary school, while the immunology and pathophysiology-type electives in the biomed degree will (I'm hoping) make vet school a little bit easier. If your school has an animal science department (mine doesn't) that's another excellent option, plus you get the kinds of hands-on farm animal experience that vet schools love.

If you're willing to travel, you may have another option, however. Most of the Australian and New Zealand (and perhaps U.K.?) vet schools have a pre-selection semester or year of basic science training that makes you eligble for admission to their schools. The program I'm most familiar with is Massey University in New Zealand, which like most of the UK/Aus/NZ schools is AVMA accredited and seems to love international students. You're not guaranteed acceptance, but I don't know exactly how competitive it is. It probably varies a lot by school.

I didn't find out about that option until I was halfway done here, but if I was in your shoes, I would very seriously consider it. It's a lot quicker for us career- and/or degree-changers. Their vet schools issue a bachelor's of veterinary science, but it's considered to be the equivalent of our DVM.

Anyway, I hope this helps, and best of luck. A couple years ago, I was pretty much where you are now, and I'm applying for admission for fall 2009. So it can be done!

 

[twelvetigers]

Let's list some common vet school pre-req courses.

General Biology
Inorganic Chemistry I
Inorganic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Biochemistry (some with lab, some without)
Physics I
Physics II
Genetics
Algebra/Trigonometry/Calculus I (depends)
Composition I
Composition II
And for some:
Animal Nutrition
Cell and Molecular Biology
Microbiology
Physiology

Some have humanities course requirements as well. This is just a general outline of courses, but every school is different and you should do your own research. Many of these courses have to be taken in order, especially the chemistries. You must finish one to start another. So, as Nyanko said, 3 semesters may be a pinch.

Note that a bachelor's is not always required to get into vet school. I agree that it's a good idea to get one anyway, as a backup or just to have. It's wise to choose a major that overlaps with a lot of the required courses listed above. I picked Zoology myself. There's also animal science, microbiology, biochemistry, wildlife, biology... lots of things. Choose wisely, and stick to something you enjoy.

I also have a question... you're saying that this university requires you to have specific high school courses in order to get into its undergraduate program? That's strange. Could you clarify on that for us?

And one more bit of advice... start looking for vet experience now! Go to a local clinic and ask to volunteer. That's the best place to start. If you want to know more about what vet schools look for in applicants, read around on the forum, search for the "successful applicants" thread, and of course, don't hesitate to ask if you have questions. 🙂

 

[purplebunnie]

Honestly, it doesn't hurt you to finish up your BA when you're that close.

I finished up my BM and started my pre-reqs in my last year. Took me about three years to finish the BS degree after which included all my pre-reqs and the rest of the classes to finish up the major. I just moved back home and attended state university to keep costs down.

Good points about an alternate degree:

Nobody asked me about my patho degree in my interviews. Everyone wanted to know about my experiences as a music major. I got asked everything from what did I pull from being a music major to help me in my professional aspirations to whether or not I've ever played on the corner with a change hat.

Taking your time to finish up your classes lets you get more out of them. It also keeps you from cramming too much science into too little time. Gives you more time for... better grades! More animal experiences! Research opportunities! GRE prep!

 

[jessikt]

Thanks so much for all of the replies!

Although I am in my third year of a Communications degree I have only taken two actual communications courses because I realized early on that it was not for me but I did not know what I wanted to do instead so I just took a lot of random electives (everything from anatomy to german) trying desperately to figure out what I wanted to do. So I have zero motivation to finish my communication degree because I would have to take ALL communications classes for the next two (or maybe more since I was part-time for one semester) years! I can use the courses that I have taken so far as electives for my Biology degree though.

I think I would like to complete a Biology degree for many reasons. It gives me time to gain lots and lots of animal experience, time to prepare for the GRE, time to work and maybe save a little money for vet school, and I'd like to have a degree to fall back on juuusst in case.

I did calculate the time it would take to complete the Biology courses wrong. 😛 but it's ok, I'd rather have more time to do all of the other stuff required for entry into vet school rather than squeeze it all into 2 years!

As for the high school pre-requisites. I believe I would have to complete some pre-requisites (I did not take any math or science courses in my final year of high school) to gain entry into a Biology or Biomedical science program.

This is the most confusing part, since it is almost August and I want to start as soon as possible!

 

[parietal]

I'd talk to someone in your school's biology department to be sure. Most schools offer introductory math and science classes for those who didn't take them in high school.

 

[jessikt]

I'd talk to someone in your school's biology department to be sure. Most schools offer introductory math and science classes for those who didn't take them in high school.

Yup my school does have that actually. Now I just need to worry about it not being too late to transfer for the fall!

My school is going to block my e-mail as spam soon. I've been sending so many e-mails in the past few days! 😀

 

[pressmom]

Let's list some common vet school pre-req courses.

General Biology
Inorganic Chemistry I
Inorganic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Biochemistry (some with lab, some without)
Physics I
Physics II
Algebra/Trigonometry/Calculus I (depends)
Composition I
Composition II
And for some:
Animal Nutrition
Cell and Molecular Biology
Microbiology
Physiology

Don't forget Genetics. My most hated course...

 

[nyanko]

Don't forget Genetics. My most hated course...

🙁 BUT HOW I DON'T UNDERSTAND?

🙂love: genetics)

 

[twelvetigers]

Ohhhhh yeahhhhhh I did forget genetics. I didn't mind it much, but... well, let me rant for a second, okay?

I took animal genetics. It's pretty much exactly the same as human genetics, only the teacher is much nicer and much more clear about everything. Vet schools (or at least OKSU) accept this for the genetics requirement just fine. HOWEVER... it will not apply to my ZOOLOGY degree. I will have to take the human genetics in order to complete my zoology degree. Does that make *any* sense? ARRGH.

Okay, that was my rant. But yes, I forgot it and will go add it now for completeness!

 

[pressmom]

🙁 BUT HOW I DON'T UNDERSTAND?

🙂love: genetics)

I had the most BORING professor. Monotone and all. Plus, it's just not my subject. Sorry. 🙁

 

[zpinkpanther]

Welcome!

I would definitely encourage you to finish up with the communications degree! You're so close, and it could be a big asset when applying to vet school, and when you eventually start your career as a vet. I think people often forget that as a vet, communication with your clients is a HUGE part of your job.

So, in hopes of inspiring you or something similar, let me share with you my story. I've wanted to be a vet since I was about 7, and when I started college, I fully intended on being a bio major. Long story short, I goofed off my first year, wasn't too fond of the classes I took, and decided to scrap the bio thing and major in French. I figured I'd be a teacher or a translator (haha, me, a teacher- yeah right!). It then took me until my junior year, when I was in France for a semester, to figure out that I needed to be a vet. Instead of starting over, I finished my French degree, since it is something that I really love, and just took prereq's on the side. It was fairly easy for me, since I had already taken most of the classes I needed for my major and a couple bio and chem classes, too. After I graduated with my BA (May 2007), I took two more semesters of classes to finish up requirements, and now I'm starting vet school this fall! 😀

So hopefully that helps you. Basically, college is for experimenting with different classes and finding something that you love to major in (or at least something that doesn't make you want to tear your hair out 😛). If you ever feel like you're taking too long to start vet school (I do, and I only took one extra year after 4 years of college), I know there are several people on here that are starting pretty late, but they're doing it anyway! The vet I work with didn't start vet school until she was 30, so there's no rush. 😎

Anyway, enough of my babbling. Good luck with everything and keep us posted!

 

[BrumleyVet]

One more thing to consider (from experience), if you haven't had Chemistry and/or Biology in a while, consider taking the lowest (intro) course first. Nothing like getting into a class where you spend more time catching up just trying to understand what they are teaching you!

 

[jessikt]

You've got me thinking nowm zpinkpanther! I think with my communications degree you can either go the path of Media (my original interest..sort of) or interpersonal communication (which would be best for vet med) and I need to add a minor, so maybe a major in Interpersonal Communication with a Minor in Biology would be best? How would I get to Chemistry and other pre-reqs though? My electives are pretty much all gone!

EDIT: There is also the problem that I really have no interest in my Communication program. :S I'd be so much more motivated in a program that directly relates to Vet med. Would it really be such an asset to finish it?

EDIT Again: Ok actually, I think it would be best to do the Communication degree with a minor in Biology. I don't have that many more classes to complete and I wouldn't be just wasting my past classes. It will also give me time to meet in person with academic advisors and discuss how to do my pre-requisites and if I have picked the best path to vet school. Now i just have to e-mail back everyone that I have e-mailed at my school to say I have changed my mind about the Biology degree! haha