How serious is Texas A&M about their requirements?

[dbird]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've only recently decided to apply to vet school (although this was a childhood dream, I gave up on it for a few years), and I have only a year left of undergraduate with only a few slots open for vet requirements I'm missing. Texas A&M is the only school I'm considering due to location. I have all of the hard sciences and life sciences, but I don't exactly have any of the 4 specific non-science requirements (Composition and Rhetoric, Literature, Speech Communication, or Technical Writing) or Animal Nutrition.

The problem is, I go to a university out of state, and my university does not offer any of these classes specifically (even though it is a top school). I have actually taken many non-science courses that require mastery of speech communication, technical writing, composition, and literature, including five philosophy courses, an english course, and a Latin course; however, their titles and focus were not in general "Literature", more like "Tales of the Real World" offered by the English department. I'm not even sure what class would work for technical writing; I don't think we have anything like that here. As far as animal nutrition, there is only a lower level course called principals of nutrition that focuses on human nutrition and is not even available as a biology major credit.

So my question is, if I apply with none of the specific non-science requirements, and with only classes that I could make the case employed speech communication, technical writing, or composition, how much of a disadvantage would I have? Is it even worth applying? I'm not even completely sure yet if vet school is for me. I want to be an animal behaviorist, and vet school would be one route, but graduate school is possible as well. I would have to take inorganic chemistry and biochemistry, two notorious difficult classes at my school, to apply to vet school, but not to grad school, so I don't want to take them if I don't have a reasonable chance of making it into vet school.

 

[mooshagen]

All vet schools are serious about their requirements. If any of your classes got you, for example, an oral communications gen ed out of the way and your undergrad understood that, then you could plead the case by submitting a syllabus or a course description that this class was indeed oral intensive. Other than that, if that is not the case, you do not stand a chance applying, and you would not be at a disadvantage, your file would simply not be looked at.

 

[kakurubird]

All vet schools are serious about their requirements. If any of your classes got you, for example, an oral communications gen ed out of the way and your undergrad understood that, then you could plead the case by submitting a syllabus or a course description that this class was indeed oral intensive. Other than that, if that is not the case, you do not stand a chance applying, and you would not be at a disadvantage, your file would simply not be looked at.

This exactly.

If your school doesn't offer animal nutrition, there are TONS of schools that offer an online class. Search the forums for "animal nutrition" or similar and there should be lots of threads with information about the different universities that offer versions.

 

[ORvetgirl]

I can't speak specifically to A&M's requirements since I didn't apply there, but I would contact their vet school admissions office and ask someone there directly about those 4 classes, and how you can fulfill those at a different school. You may have to send them the course descriptions of the classes you've already taken that you would like to substitute for those requirements. Animal nutrition is offered online by a few schools, including Oregon State, and there are several threads on this forum about that.

Also, just as a note, I've heard that A&M is pretty difficult to get into, especially for non-Texas residents, so they may not be very flexible.

 

[zanydogz]

dbird:
You'll want to contact Yolanda at the admissions office to figure most of this out. As for as I know when I applied, Composition is comparable to any English writing class and any lit class will count for the Literature requirement. Speech you can take at a community college (I did at least) or online and nutrition you can take online. Technical writing will be harder to work with. I had to send in samples of my writing for the adcoms to review to see if I could get the course waived (which I did and it worked). If you look at TAMU's website, they have tabs that detail which courses at which outside university's can be used for pre-reqs.

http://vetmed.tamu.edu/dvm/future/equivalent-prerequisites

There's also a tab on the left on that website that details where you can take nutrition courses that will count. And also, when you apply to vet school, you don't have to have all the pre-reqs done at that point. You can still be lacking a few credits as long as you show you will take them before you graduate.

Are you a TX resident by chance? If so, then your chances of getting in are better than as an OOS student. Hope this helps some. Let me know if you have anymore questions!

 

[kakurubird]

Speech you can take at a community college (I did at least) or online and nutrition you can take online.

Silly question: speech is basically oral communication course, right? How does that work online?

 

[zanydogz]

Silly question: speech is basically oral communication course, right? How does that work online?

Not sure exactly. I know some CCs offer it online (mine back home did), but I'm not sure how they would orally test you...😕

 

[jlindp]

dbird:
Speech you can take at a community college (I did at least) or online and nutrition you can take online.

I was told by Yolanda that Speech (and most of their other course requirements) could not be taken online (by correspondence). I think you can get away with Technical Writing online (I did and got in, anyway) and maybe Animal Nutrition? As zanydogz advised, the best bet is to send Yolanda any and all comparable course information you can and see what will and will not transfer.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[Jamr0ckin]

Not sure exactly. I know some CCs offer it online (mine back home did), but I'm not sure how they would orally test you...😕

Webcam. You record the speech and upload it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile

 

[zanydogz]

Webcam. You record the speech and upload it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile

Ohhhh. Well that makes more sense. Thanks!

 

[dbird]

Thanks guys. I am a Texas resident, but I'm having even more doubts about whether applying is worth the trouble of two very difficult classes in one semester plus the cost of more online courses, not to mention all the debt from vet school that I could work off in grad school, as well as more limitations in where I can attend school (kind of a big issue personally). Oh, and on top of all that work in applying, there's a still substantial chance I won't get in. Sounds like I'm leaning towards grad school.

 

[twelvetigers]

If grad school is something you would be okay with, then definitely do that.

If you would never ever be content being anything other than a veterinarian, only then should you decide to become a veterinarian. I just don't know if it's worth it otherwise. 🙂

 

[mooshagen]

If grad school is something you would be okay with, then definitely do that.

If you would never ever be content being anything other than a veterinarian, only then should you decide to become a veterinarian. I just don't know if it's worth it otherwise. 🙂

Agreed 🙂

Plus, if taking two hard courses in one semester is intimidating, vet school might be too demanding. Also, there are a lot more requirements than just course work, such as animal and veterinary hours. If those are low, one probably would not be able to apply sooner than a year from now anyway (as a full time student).


Sent from my SCH-I510 using SDN Mobile

 

[adams30]

. I would have to take inorganic chemistry and biochemistry, two notorious difficult classes at my school, to apply to vet school, but not to grad school, so I don't want to take them if I don't have a reasonable chance of making it into vet school.

Most vet schools require these classes (inorganic chem and biochem) too if you ever decide to apply to a vet school other than Texas A&M. Unfortunately, they are pretty strict about their requirements and usually don't make exceptions.

Other than the classes, another way to decide if you are ready to apply is if you have a good amount of veterinary experience with multiple areas hours and animal experience hours.

I knew a girl like this who went to my undergrad. She wanted to be a vet at first and changed her mind and went to grad school for animal behavior. I think working with some vets helps give you a good idea if it is really for you.

 

[dbird]

Agreed 🙂

Plus, if taking two hard courses in one semester is intimidating, vet school might be too demanding.

These specific courses are ones that my fiance received C's in after scoring in the 99th percentile on his MCAT, and he wasn't even taking them concurrently. I could probably handle it, but it wouldn't be a happy time. I do personally feel that I am capable of handling the rigors of vet school, though.

I have vet experience from junior high, but I know that probably doesn't count for admission. Is it really out of the question that I could get enough experience within the next year to apply?

I think the major issue I have now with going to vet school is trying to coordinate with my fiance who is applying to med schools. If I decide on vet school, I have one location near a med school; for grad school in animal behavior I have three really good locations, and a few more I might be able to make work. This, and some of the issues you guys have raised, have made me lean towards grad school, but I'm finding it harder than I thought to say goodbye forever to the possibility of being a vet. :/

 

[zanydogz]

These specific courses are ones that my fiance received C's in after scoring in the 99th percentile on his MCAT, and he wasn't even taking them concurrently. I could probably handle it, but it wouldn't be a happy time. I do personally feel that I am capable of handling the rigors of vet school, though.

I have vet experience from junior high, but I know that probably doesn't count for admission. Is it really out of the question that I could get enough experience within the next year to apply?

I think the major issue I have now with going to vet school is trying to coordinate with my fiance who is applying to med schools. If I decide on vet school, I have one location near a med school; for grad school in animal behavior I have three really good locations, and a few more I might be able to make work. This, and some of the issues you guys have raised, have made me lean towards grad school, but I'm finding it harder than I thought to say goodbye forever to the possibility of being a vet. :/

I mean, its definitely not impossible to get hours within the next year. And the ones from junior high still count. Hours are hours.

Since you haven't experienced the field itself in a while, it might be best for you to start shadowing at a vet clinic to 1) get some hours and experience and 2) make sure this is really what you want to do. I'm not trying to deter you, just want you to understand what the profession involves and the commitment it takes.

 

[abbercadaver]

To echo others, some courses can be subbed for others as prerequisites for vet school. HOWEVER, if you do not have them ok'd by the staff (Yolanda, in this case) and just apply thinking, 'Oh, English Comp is equivalent to Composition and Rhetoric,' your file may be flat out not reviewed because it does not show that you have completed all prereqs. These are not necessarily cases where the university will call/email you to tell you that you are missing prereqs. Oftentimes, if you do not meet the requirements the schools have set, then you are just SOL.

Specifically with A&M I had issues with my Microbiology class. It was the only one offered at my university (a 4-year) other than Intro to Microbiology, and was the required Micro class for a biology student to graduate. The issue was with the numbering. It was a 300-level and not a 400-level class...was on the phone and sending copies of syllabi and course objectives to Yolanda. Had to contact the professor 4 years later and he was like, "Um. Sure. I THINK I still have those...."

If grad school is something you would be okay with, then definitely do that.

If you would never ever be content being anything other than a veterinarian, only then should you decide to become a veterinarian. I just don't know if it's worth it otherwise. 🙂

👍 Definitely. The debt load is not worth it, otherwise.

Thanks guys. I am a Texas resident, but I'm having even more doubts about whether applying is worth the trouble of two very difficult classes in one semester plus the cost of more online courses, not to mention all the debt from vet school that I could work off in grad school, as well as more limitations in where I can attend school (kind of a big issue personally). Oh, and on top of all that work in applying, there's a still substantial chance I won't get in. Sounds like I'm leaning towards grad school.

What is your GPA and your GRE score? I'm not sure why you think there's a substantial chance you won't get in.

Also, what are the two classes you're talking about? Two of the ones mentioned above?

These specific courses are ones that my fiance received C's in after scoring in the 99th percentile on his MCAT, and he wasn't even taking them concurrently. I could probably handle it, but it wouldn't be a happy time. I do personally feel that I am capable of handling the rigors of vet school, though.

I'm not sure if I agree with you, here. You should honestly evaluate whether you feel like you could handle vet school. I mean, you're talking about TWO classes...vet schools have you taking 20+ hours each semester. Those classes aren't exactly what I'd call a breeze to get through.

I have vet experience from junior high, but I know that probably doesn't count for admission. Is it really out of the question that I could get enough experience within the next year to apply?

It totally counts. If you can remember it and have contact info for the vets you shadowed/worked with, you're good.

Since you're familiar with applications to med school, I assume you know it works like those. You apply in June-October of the year BEFORE you plan to matriculate. So right now people are applying for the 2013 school year beginning in Fall of 2013.

So...is it possible for you to get enough hours (500+, like LIS said) to apply between now and October? Ehh....if you kick your butt into gear, maybe. Is it possible to get those hours between now and NEXT October? Most definitely.

 

[LetItSnow]

To echo others, some courses can be subbed for others as prerequisites for vet school. HOWEVER, if you do not have them ok'd by the staff (Yolanda, in this case) and just apply thinking, 'Oh, English Comp is equivalent to Composition and Rhetoric,' your file may be flat out not reviewed because it does not show that you have completed all prereqs.

Before I applied to vet school I met with the previous director of admissions just to talk over questions I had. We were talking about the number of applicants versus number accepted and he laughed and said "You'd be surprised how many people apply who don't even meet the prerequisites."

My read on that was that it's pretty common for people to make the mistake of thinking that the requirements are just 'guidelines' or that the schools aren't really THAT serious about them, when in fact they are. 🙂

 

[dbird]

So...is it possible for you to get enough hours (500+, like LIS said) to apply between now and October? Ehh....if you kick your butt into gear, maybe. Is it possible to get those hours between now and NEXT October? Most definitely.

Cool, this is what I thought. If I were to apply, it would definitely be next October.

I'm not sure if I agree with you, here. You should honestly evaluate whether you feel like you could handle vet school. I mean, you're talking about TWO classes...vet schools have you taking 20+ hours each semester. Those classes aren't exactly what I'd call a breeze to get through.

I'm wasn't trying to say that I don't want to apply ONLY because I would have to take those two courses (inorganic chem and biochem). I go to an Ivy League and have previously taken 2+ difficult upper level courses in biology concurrently and done fine. I only meant to demonstrate that the cost of applying is great (money and time for online courses, extra work in demanding chem courses I have little interest in). If applying was effortless, I would do it in a heart beat, and then consider my options when I know where my fiance will be going to med school. As it stands, I'm hesitant to put all that effort into applying when I might just decline a vet acceptance to go to grad school in the same city as my fiance. Even if I was accepted and my fiance wound up in Texas A&M med, I might still be undecided about vet vs. grad school. They both just seem like such great options for me! 😳

Anyway, thanks for the insights, everyone. You've helped me understand just how much work still needs to be done if I want to apply.

 

[abbercadaver]

They both just seem like such great options for me! 😳
.

Honestly, if you are seriously happy considering grad school as a viable option, then you REALLY need to do that.

It's far less expensive. It's (IMO) less strenuous. There are more job opportunities following your grad degree than a DVM. There would probably be an internship/residency/whatever period after graduation with a DVM to be an animal behaviorist...whereas with a grad degree, I'd think your options would be more open.

Really, most people on here consider grad school as a "Plan B" if they don't get into vet school. Some people try multiple times before getting in or even trying their "Plan B" to grad school.

If it is (like TT said earlier) something you could not be happy without doing, go for it. 🙂 If not, definitely consider less expensive and more promising options out there.

Don't think I'm trying to discourage you with this (or the classes question 😉), but really really think about debt vs. starting salaries for vets. It's not great looking these days. 🙁

I'm really glad we've helped. Please continue to ask questions and be active on the thread if this is a path you decide you wan to take. 🙂 We all try to be very supportive here.