High school senior soon to be undergraduate student: pre-vet concentration

[Sam31031]

Hello, my name is Samantha! Hope everyone is doing well. Now I've gotten feedback from a few people from SDN already, and although it makes my deciding easier, I'd still like to hear what other people may have to say. I live in Florida, and have gotten into 8 universities. Now, I'm trying to decide at least a week before decision day, which is May 1st. I'm pretty sure I'll go to my community college, although, I really don't want to stay in this area and don't like the idea of going there. I think my second cheapest option would have to be a community college up in MA. I know it's kind of the same, but since I don't live there it doesn't feel too much like one. My only thing is that I either would go to UF in Gainesville or Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, MA. One is public, and the other is private. So far my advice has been to go to my cheapest or second cheapest, and that UF would be my cheapest grad option in the future. What I also have started considering is second job options if vet med were to not work out, which I hope not. I'm currently going to be either a biotech, biochem, biology, or psychology major for the schools that I've been considering lately. But what I've released is that I don't have to choose that just because it's the "easier way out for pre-reqs", and I mean I am kind of doing that, but I do love science. But I have other majors I may consider switching into. Please leave any feedback leading up to my decision, I'd love to hear from more. You're all so kind on the SDN.

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[BigCats]

Hi! Florida gal starting at UFCVM this fall 🙂 Sounds like you've got a pretty good head on your shoulders- definitely would recommend keeping costs down however you can. I have zero debt from undergrad and am going to my cheapest option and am still not thrilled about my future debt haha. The community college -> university plan is definitely sound (just make sure to take microbiology and biochemistry at a university- UF requires an upper-level course), although I think there's a lot of nuance and personal preference- ex. if it would only cost you a bit more to go somewhere where you think you'd be substantially happier, I would consider that worth it. Other people might disagree with me, but in a hypothetical situation where you're so miserable in your location that you start failing classes, that would be more expensive and detrimental to your application than if you had spent a bit more to go somewhere else. If it would be like 15 or 20k more to go somewhere else, probably not worth it. Also, not sure where you applied or if you have Bright Futures or National Merit but if you do, that would definitely make FL schools more attractive. I'm happy to discuss more here or over PM if you have any specifics 🙂

 

[turnandburn]

I'd go with your cheapest option (local community college) and make the best of it! You can always relocate later!

 

[max_wildlife]

Hey so I am all in favor of picking your cheapest school and did so for a decade. It's what most people suggest and if you can tolerate the location, they aren't wrong.

That said -- I ended up picking the more expensive school -- actually Tufts. And I don't exactly recommend this but want to share my story so that you get that perspective. I've wanted to relocate to New England since 2015. I lived in other states and even countries for short periods of time but never established myself for more than 6 months. Every time a temp or seasonal field job ended, I came home to a city that made me feel trapped. And for some people it's not a big deal or it's something they adapt to over time, or it's more than the location; but being here in my current city for so long made me and makes me feel like a caged feral cat lol. I am a good example of someone so miserable in their location in the past that they did started failing classes.

So when it came to vet school I finally snapped. I do not come from money and haven't saved any from my current career, so my future debt is going to be incredible. I don't recommend doing this if you can help it.

What I do recommend is if you seriously do have your heart set on relocating and find yourself miserable and desperate to do so -- make that leap when it's most affordable. I think the waiting and the constant 'it's only 4 more years' mentality ended up being super toxic for me because it added up to 11 years in my case lol.

Ultimately, if it's more affordable to move now and explore now and learn about where you want to go to school and what will make you happy, that leap might be worth considering before deciding on a vet school, because vet school is more costly. Just consider the debt will impact other areas of your life as well. Make the best financial decision that you can, but make it critically. And make sure you are taking mental health into account too.

 

[genny]

I'm currently going to be either a biotech, biochem, biology, or psychology major for the schools that I've been considering lately.

So if research is a possible alternative career choice to vet med, then there may be some value in going to a 4-year institution. You can get involved as first year in research if you are motivated to do so. I’m not trying to look down on community colleges, since I did all of the prereqs that I could at a CC, but there are opportunities at 4-year schools that CCs don’t offer, and depending on your personal situation, that might make the extra cost worthwhile.

My opinion on vet school is totally different. Go to the cheapest school hands down. The debt is ridiculous, and you get a good education at any vet school. You can also go anywhere after vet school. I have classmates working across the country, and some overseas with the military. Where you go to vet school has no bearing on what you do afterwards, other than the amount of soul-crushing debt that you want to take with you.

 

[Sam31031]

Hi! Florida gal starting at UFCVM this fall 🙂 Sounds like you've got a pretty good head on your shoulders- definitely would recommend keeping costs down however you can. I have zero debt from undergrad and am going to my cheapest option and am still not thrilled about my future debt haha. The community college -> university plan is definitely sound (just make sure to take microbiology and biochemistry at a university- UF requires an upper-level course), although I think there's a lot of nuance and personal preference- ex. if it would only cost you a bit more to go somewhere where you think you'd be substantially happier, I would consider that worth it. Other people might disagree with me, but in a hypothetical situation where you're so miserable in your location that you start failing classes, that would be more expensive and detrimental to your application than if you had spent a bit more to go somewhere else. If it would be like 15 or 20k more to go somewhere else, probably not worth it. Also, not sure where you applied or if you have Bright Futures or National Merit but if you do, that would definitely make FL schools more attractive. I'm happy to discuss more here or over PM if you have any specifics 🙂

Thanks for the advice! Congrats on starting at UFCVM in the fall, must be exciting. I couldn’t get bright futures due to my ACT score, and not sure if I’ll retake the test.

 

[Sam31031]

Hey so I am all in favor of picking your cheapest school and did so for a decade. It's what most people suggest and if you can tolerate the location, they aren't wrong.

That said -- I ended up picking the more expensive school -- actually Tufts. And I don't exactly recommend this but want to share my story so that you get that perspective. I've wanted to relocate to New England since 2015. I lived in other states and even countries for short periods of time but never established myself for more than 6 months. Every time a temp or seasonal field job ended, I came home to a city that made me feel trapped. And for some people it's not a big deal or it's something they adapt to over time, or it's more than the location; but being here in my current city for so long made me and makes me feel like a caged feral cat lol. I am a good example of someone so miserable in their location in the past that they did started failing classes.

So when it came to vet school I finally snapped. I do not come from money and haven't saved any from my current career, so my future debt is going to be incredible. I don't recommend doing this if you can help it.

What I do recommend is if you seriously do have your heart set on relocating and find yourself miserable and desperate to do so -- make that leap when it's most affordable. I think the waiting and the constant 'it's only 4 more years' mentality ended up being super toxic for me because it added up to 11 years in my case lol.

Ultimately, if it's more affordable to move now and explore now and learn about where you want to go to school and what will make you happy, that leap might be worth considering before deciding on a vet school, because vet school is more costly. Just consider the debt will impact other areas of your life as well. Make the best financial decision that you can, but make it critically. And make sure you are taking mental health into account too.

Thank you so much, I found this very insightful

 

[Sam31031]

So if research is a possible alternative career choice to vet med, then there may be some value in going to a 4-year institution. You can get involved as first year in research if you are motivated to do so. I’m not trying to look down on community colleges, since I did all of the prereqs that I could at a CC, but there are opportunities at 4-year schools that CCs don’t offer, and depending on your personal situation, that might make the extra cost worthwhile.

My opinion on vet school is totally different. Go to the cheapest school hands down. The debt is ridiculous, and you get a good education at any vet school. You can also go anywhere after vet school. I have classmates working across the country, and some overseas with the military. Where you go to vet school has no bearing on what you do afterwards, other than the amount of soul-crushing debt that you want to take with you.

Thank you for this, helps me when trying to make a decision

 

[turnandburn]

Hey so I am all in favor of picking your cheapest school and did so for a decade. It's what most people suggest and if you can tolerate the location, they aren't wrong.

That said -- I ended up picking the more expensive school -- actually Tufts. And I don't exactly recommend this but want to share my story so that you get that perspective. I've wanted to relocate to New England since 2015. I lived in other states and even countries for short periods of time but never established myself for more than 6 months. Every time a temp or seasonal field job ended, I came home to a city that made me feel trapped. And for some people it's not a big deal or it's something they adapt to over time, or it's more than the location; but being here in my current city for so long made me and makes me feel like a caged feral cat lol. I am a good example of someone so miserable in their location in the past that they did started failing classes.

So when it came to vet school I finally snapped. I do not come from money and haven't saved any from my current career, so my future debt is going to be incredible. I don't recommend doing this if you can help it.

What I do recommend is if you seriously do have your heart set on relocating and find yourself miserable and desperate to do so -- make that leap when it's most affordable. I think the waiting and the constant 'it's only 4 more years' mentality ended up being super toxic for me because it added up to 11 years in my case lol.

Ultimately, if it's more affordable to move now and explore now and learn about where you want to go to school and what will make you happy, that leap might be worth considering before deciding on a vet school, because vet school is more costly. Just consider the debt will impact other areas of your life as well. Make the best financial decision that you can, but make it critically. And make sure you are taking mental health into account too.

I wish you well with your decision. Please check back in and update after you start paying back on your loans.

I have a large number of colleagues who are struggling with the constant financial stress of loans and I don't know a single person who, if they could go back, wouldn't have gone somewhere cheaper.

Take that for whatever it's worth.

 

[SkiOtter]

I wish you well with your decision. Please check back in and update after you start paying back on your loans.

I have a large number of colleagues who are struggling with the constant financial stress of loans and I don't know a single person who, if they could go back, wouldn't have gone somewhere cheaper.

Take that for whatever it's worth.

Look, I am the BIGGEST proponent for going to your cheapest school (see my signature if you don’t believe me) but I don’t think continuing to rag on someone about it is helpful when they’ve already made their decision and committed to the school and national acceptance day has come and gone.

 

[turnandburn]

Look, I am the BIGGEST proponent for going to your cheapest school (see my signature if you don’t believe me) but I don’t think continuing to rag on someone about it is helpful when they’ve already made their decision and committed to the school and national acceptance day has come and gone.

I'm not ragging on anyone. My response was completely neutral.

 

[SkiOtter]

I'm not ragging on anyone. My response was completely neutral.

You could have fooled me and the five other people who liked my post.

 

[max_wildlife]

Look, I am the BIGGEST proponent for going to your cheapest school (see my signature if you don’t believe me) but I don’t think continuing to rag on someone about it is helpful when they’ve already made their decision and committed to the school and national acceptance day has come and gone.

I do appreciate that 🙂

I wish you well with your decision. Please check back in and update after you start paying back on your loans.

I have a large number of colleagues who are struggling with the constant financial stress of loans and I don't know a single person who, if they could go back, wouldn't have gone somewhere cheaper.

Take that for whatever it's worth.

Thanks for your concern, but I'm not without advisement -- veterinary and financial -- and I'm at peace with my decision.

 

[turnandburn]

You could have fooled me and the five other people who liked my post.

My first paragraph literally said I wish you well and the remainder of my comments were directed to the OP. I should have edited for clarity.

I have zero interest in a popularity contest or arguing this with you.

All I can do is share my insights but I realize that no one listens to practicing DVMs talk about loans or finances. I hadn't either.

 

[SpiderPony]

So if research is a possible alternative career choice to vet med, then there may be some value in going to a 4-year institution. You can get involved as first year in research if you are motivated to do so. I’m not trying to look down on community colleges, since I did all of the prereqs that I could at a CC, but there are opportunities at 4-year schools that CCs don’t offer, and depending on your personal situation, that might make the extra cost worthwhile.

so I completely agree with this. Most of the defining things both on my application and in my actual life that relate to a career involved my four year. Research, competitive teams/clubs/whatever, areas of animal related sciences you don’t know about yet, etc.

What you can do (sort of what I did) is enroll in a 4 year and take classes at a community college at the same time. That way you don’t miss out on the niche fun stuff but youre still saving money and not in the 300 seat weed out physics lecture. Just make sure you know what has to be taken at a four year for schools you’re applying to.

Every time a temp or seasonal field job ended, I came home to a city that made me feel trapped. And for some people it's not a big deal or it's something they adapt to over time, or it's more than the location; but being here in my current city for so long made me and makes me feel like a caged feral cat lol. I am a good example of someone so miserable in their location in the past that they did started failing classes.

I also hardcore relate to this. If you’re not happy it will begin to manifest all over your life.

My UG is also the location of a vet school, and I reached a point where some close friends and family were really concerned about my mental health and well-being if I were accepted there. It took me longer than necessary to finish my BS, and I don’t know if I could’ve done 4 more years. There are some lonely places out there. Sounds dumb until you live it.

It doesn’t matter how cheap something is if you can’t utilize it


Beyond all of that, major in something fun. Half my problem was how uninspired I was by everything I had to study and do day to day. If you like biochem (I did too, I’m not judging), biotech, or biology that’s awesome. You’ll get plenty. But if it doesn’t resonate with you enough that it’s a joy to study then study something else. I ended up with a certificate and a minor and a half taking stuff I actually liked and delayed my own graduation to the tune of a year’s tuition $$.

Also may be worth mentioning - at my school some of the departments you listed have a reputation for being more difficult and impersonal than some others. Particularly the biotech/bioengineering stuff that’s got mostly people who aren’t planning on a professional school application where a 3.3-3.4 GPA is considered low. Try to feel out what departments the most successful applicants come from and why