How important is your undergraduate background?

[PlantersPunch]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,

I know everyone says you can come from any major and do fine in vet school, but I was wondering if there is any advantage in having more in depth course work, aside from pre-reqs. Specifically, I'm debating taking "Infection & Immunity" (Ansci 472) next semester versus "Animal Diseases" (Ansci 372). Of course they are offered at the same time and next semester is my last so this is quite the conundrum. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the professor teaching animal diseases and think it will be a better clinical/large animal experience but my advisor wants me to take Immu because he says it will make me more competitive in vet school (hoping I get in).

Anyways.... any input would be greatly appreciated, I'm sure my bias is easily seen in here but I am definitely needing more information.

Thanks!!!

 

[critterfixer]

Personally, I'd take the Animal Diseases class, since you have more interest in the subject. You are going to take immunology first year of veterinary school in any case, so I don't see how taking it in undergrad will make you any more competitive. Any and all large/farm animal courses should help you, though.

 

[Angelo84]

If you think that your immunology class in vet school will give you trouble I would take the immunology course. If you think you can figure it out in vet school I would take the animal disease class that you are more interested in. Also if the school of your choice does any problem based learning the disease class will be helpful too.

 

[birdvet2006]

I would take the immunology class. It's a difficult subject for some, so any extra experience with it will make it easier in vet school. I did well in biomolecular science in vet school because I had prior classes in genetics, biotechnology and biochemistry - for example.

I took an "Animal Diseases" class in undergrad and don't feel it was as helpful as some of the "real science" classes.

 

[RkyMtVet]

I agree with birdvet - take the immunology course. Of all my undergrad courses, domestic animal anatomy and immunology have been THE most helpful ones in vet school, hands down. If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have also tried to get a physiology course under my belt.

 

[Habibti]

Take the class that most interests you. For the most part, I don't remember any details from any of my previous classes (besides... 'I know I've heard about that before... two years ago' or 'sounds familiar'), so the old knowledge hasn't been terribly helpful and I wouldn't say I'm doing a lot worse than everyone else in my class, even those who have a background in it.

Being number one isn't the most important thing in vet school. It's not all about competition. You'll get your DVM either way, whether you ace the class or get a B.

 

[birdvet2006]

Being number one isn't the most important thing in vet school. It's not all about competition. You'll get your DVM either way, whether you ace the class or get a B.

I disagree, somewhat. Many people are interested in pursuing an internship - and grades are very important for many internship positions (especially academic ones). An internship is a good idea, even if you don't want to specialize, so it's in your best interest to do your best in vet school.

 

[Habibti]

I never said that it's not important to do your best to keep doors open, but I did say that is isn't the end of the world if doing your best is getting a B. You'll still make a fine veterinarian. Even the veterinarian who aces everything won't be perfect in practice.

And this relates to her question about undergrad course work: She's not going to miss out on an internship because she didn't take immunology in undergrad.

 

[MonkeyJunction]

Well I can tell you from my wifes experience in applying to vet school that grades in required courses and reference letters counted the most, along with the personal interview. She applied to 5 schools and was accepted at 3 schools. She also had not taken any pre-veterinary/medical/clinical courses only the minimum required for entrance. She also did not have an undergrad degree, it is not a requirement and her undergrad degree was conferred after her 2nd year in vet school. But she did have a 4.0 gpa and 2 years of full time experience as a emergency vet tech when she applied to vet school.

Instead of asking an undergrad advisor, ask a vet who has written reference letters or perhaps a professor at a vet school