International (OVC) vs American Vet Schools

[LoveFate]

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Hello everyone 🙂

I was recently accepted into Ontario Veterinary College - where they seemed wonderful and it was a great experience.

I also had an interview at University of Illinois - and I believe I did very well and am hoping for an acceptance.

My question is, how does one choose between an American vs Canadian education? I was hoping for some insight from other international American students or even current OVC students.

Thanks in advance 🙂

 

[that redhead]

I'm an American student in my last year at AVC (in Prince Edward Island). I feel as though the education is equivalent to that offered by American schools.It was the culture shock that was a bigger deal - moving to a new country in a province that was pretty different from my suburban/urban upbringing. Everyone always kind of jokes, "It's just Canada!" and it's true: I didn't go to a third world country, or one that speaks another language. But there are differences that should be respected. Even the little things like the hassle of setting up bank accounts with foreign banks, cell phone plans with foreign companies, mail/shipping, expensive and sometimes tedious travel planning and all the other little nuances that you just don't think about on a daily basis in your home country. But I also felt as though the experience of going to school in another country, far away from everyone and everything familiar was an incredible opportunity for personal growth.

At the end of the day, I would go where tuition is cheapest. If the two are equal, the decision is one only you can make, but I would definitely consider the convenience aspect of staying in the US.

 

[LoveFate]

I'm an American student in my last year at AVC (in Prince Edward Island). I feel as though the education is equivalent to that offered by American schools.It was the culture shock that was a bigger deal - moving to a new country in a province that was pretty different from my suburban/urban upbringing. Everyone always kind of jokes, "It's just Canada!" and it's true: I didn't go to a third world country, or one that speaks another language. But there are differences that should be respected. Even the little things like the hassle of setting up bank accounts with foreign banks, cell phone plans with foreign companies, mail/shipping, expensive and sometimes tedious travel planning and all the other little nuances that you just don't think about on a daily basis in your home country. But I also felt as though the experience of going to school in another country, far away from everyone and everything familiar was an incredible opportunity for personal growth.

At the end of the day, I would go where tuition is cheapest. If the two are equal, the decision is one only you can make, but I would definitely consider the convenience aspect of staying in the US.

Thank you so much for your input. I am having some trouble weighing out the pros vs. cons. I currently reside in PA and Ontario is a 7.5 hour drive vs 13 to Illinois. The tuition seems comparable and with the US currency exchange it may be more favorable but I was told of the additional expenses of moving out of country. Illinois seemed like a nice school with a whole lot of nothing around it, not that a vet student needs to focus much on the environmental atmosphere. OVC was extremely welcoming, they even accepted me the same day as my interview. I am just a little torn. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself because I should have options first before sweating over this tough decision.

I was wondering if the Canadian vet schools had programs that were as rigorous as the American schools?

Why did you choose AVC? Also, about how much extra would you say you pay for insurance and a cell phone plan?

 

[that redhead]

Thank you so much for your input. I am having some trouble weighing out the pros vs. cons. I currently reside in PA and Ontario is a 7.5 hour drive vs 13 to Illinois. The tuition seems comparable and with the US currency exchange it may be more favorable but I was told of the additional expenses of moving out of country. Illinois seemed like a nice school with a whole lot of nothing around it, not that a vet student needs to focus much on the environmental atmosphere. OVC was extremely welcoming, they even accepted me the same day as my interview. I am just a little torn. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself because I should have options first before sweating over this tough decision.

I was wondering if the Canadian vet schools had programs that were as rigorous as the American schools?

Why did you choose AVC? Also, about how much extra would you say you pay for insurance and a cell phone plan?

The exchange rate is certainly in your favor currently, but it went from not so good to great over my four years, so there is definitely swing that isn't there with US schools.

I feel like I have been adequately prepared for my rotations, and from what I've spoken of vet school with friends at American schools, it's about the same rigor across the board. I passed my NAVLE, so that's pretty much a satisfactory education in my mind at this point 😉

I chose AVC because it was my only acceptance. I would have gone US if I'd had the offer, but PEI is a lot further away than either of your two options. Remember that if you choose to fly, it's very expensive to go internationally. Also factor in the hassle of border crossings (especially if you have pets!), study permit, etc. It's not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but the little things kind of add up. Not prohibitively, but something to keep in mind.

As for extra costs - insurance wasn't an issue, cell phone was tough to wrangle. I had the "Canada" option with Verizon which I think worked out to ~$70/mo(?) or thereabouts. Many classmates got Canadian providers. Gas is a heckuva lot more expensive (think ~$4.50/gallon) too. Not sure how cost of living is around OVC versus your current location, but something to keep in mind.

Happy to help and answer any other questions 🙂

 

[Coquette22]

one that speaks another language.

I beg to differ. Case in point - SCALLOP. [end hijack]

 

[Tante]

Hello everyone 🙂

I was recently accepted into Ontario Veterinary College - where they seemed wonderful and it was a great experience.

I also had an interview at University of Illinois - and I believe I did very well and am hoping for an acceptance.

My question is, how does one choose between an American vs Canadian education? I was hoping for some insight from other international American students or even current OVC students.

Thanks in advance 🙂

How did your interview go at OVC? I have an interview there soon and wanted to have an idea how it works. Is there some sort of structured presentation or do you just show up for your interview?
Thanks and sorry for the thread derail!

 

[that redhead]

I beg to differ. Case in point - SCALLOP. [end hijack]

This is a good point - there are a lot of words pronounced differently up there. Everyone knows "scallop" is pronounced "skal-up" and yet the Canadians continue to pronounce it "skullup"

 

[DVMDream]

I'm an American student in my last year at AVC (in Prince Edward Island). I feel as though the education is equivalent to that offered by American schools.It was the culture shock that was a bigger deal - moving to a new country in a province that was pretty different from my suburban/urban upbringing. Everyone always kind of jokes, "It's just Canada!" and it's true: I didn't go to a third world country, or one that speaks another language. But there are differences that should be respected. Even the little things like the hassle of setting up bank accounts with foreign banks, cell phone plans with foreign companies, mail/shipping, expensive and sometimes tedious travel planning and all the other little nuances that you just don't think about on a daily basis in your home country. But I also felt as though the experience of going to school in another country, far away from everyone and everything familiar was an incredible opportunity for personal growth.

At the end of the day, I would go where tuition is cheapest. If the two are equal, the decision is one only you can make, but I would definitely consider the convenience aspect of staying in the US.

This. I didn't go to Canada, but I do go to Scotland and these are the things that people don't really mention. You will get a great education from the international schools, that is not a problem. Just be aware that while the culture differences might not be extreme, they still do exist.

 

[SocialStigma]

I'm a current 4th year OVC student, we have 15-20 international students (pretty much all from the US) in each class and they all seem to like it here!

I can't really speak to the rigour of the OVC curriculum compared to other schools since this is the only vet school I've attended. I think they're all pretty comparable though.

PM me if you have any specific questions about OVC/Guelph.

 

[Caia]

This is a good point - there are a lot of words pronounced differently up there. Everyone knows "scallop" is pronounced "skal-up" and yet the Canadians continue to pronounce it "skullup"

Hmm. Must be a maritimes thing. 😕

 

[LoveFate]

How did your interview go at OVC? I have an interview there soon and wanted to have an idea how it works. Is there some sort of structured presentation or do you just show up for your interview?
Thanks and sorry for the thread derail!

Sorry for a late response. I've been a bit busy. My interview at OVC was phenomenal. I was interviewed by two professors who were extremely friendly and easy to talk to. I felt very comfortable being myself. It does have a MMI portion where you answer two questions that are meant to evaluate how your thinking process works. It was pretty straight forward. I had lunch, interviewed for about 25 min, and then went on a tour of the school. They actually told me I was accepted after my interview which was awesome! I had such a good feeling about the school. I'm just torn between going internationally vs in the States when I have options.

This. I didn't go to Canada, but I do go to Scotland and these are the things that people don't really mention. You will get a great education from the international schools, that is not a problem. Just be aware that while the culture differences might not be extreme, they still do exist.

I'm not too worried about cultural differences. I think I'd figure things out as I go along. I might actually welcome the change in atmosphere.

I'm a current 4th year OVC student, we have 15-20 international students (pretty much all from the US) in each class and they all seem to like it here! I can't really speak to the rigour of the OVC curriculum compared to other schools since this is the only vet school I've attended. I think they're all pretty comparable though. PM me if you have any specific questions about OVC/Guelph.

Thanks so much! I will definitely be in touch when the time comes. I loved the school and the different class names and mascots. I thought the comradery made the school feel very homey.


All in all I guess I'm just at a loss for the time being. Currently, OVC is cheaper than UofI but only by $2000-3000 a year. It is closer, I'm from PA, by about 4 hours. The atmosphere was much nicer as far as the town and the people. UofI has an interesting program where they begin clinical rotations from your first year. I thought that was interesting as it gets you into the field right away. They also seem to have much more variety with their electives. I have an interest in exotics and it did not seem like OVC had anything to offer in that area. What do you guys think?

 

[DVMDream]

I'm not too worried about cultural differences. I think I'd figure things out as I go along. I might actually welcome the change in atmosphere.

That is fine. I wasn't either when I went to Scotland. To be honest, there weren't that many differences, there are some but not a whole lot, however it is amazing how even small things can have an impact on you when you are somewhere new and stressed with a difficult degree program. Obviously how much the differences impact you or if you will even notice them depends on the individual person. It may be completely not a factor at all for you, but it is something that you should be aware of prior to going to a different country. Along with all the other things associated with moving to another country (phone calls, time difference, banking, housing, etc).


As far as which school you should attend.. you need to decide that. Make a list of pros/cons for each school, prioritize what is important to YOU that the school offer and go from there. Hopefully that helps in your decision. 🙂

 

[CalliopeDVM]

You bet that OVC's curriculum is "as rigorous" as those in US schools.......some consider it to be among the top 5 vet schools in North America. Even if you just look at OVC's pass rates of the NAVLE-- over the last 10 years, the average pass rate has been over 97%. There's nothing "second class" about the education there simply because it's not in the US.

 

[LoveFate]

You bet that OVC's curriculum is "as rigorous" as those in US schools.......some consider it to be among the top 5 vet schools in North America. Even if you just look at OVC's pass rates of the NAVLE-- over the last 10 years, the average pass rate has been over 97%. There's nothing "second class" about the education there simply because it's not in the US.

Hopefully my post didn't offend you. Maybe my choice of wording was incorrect... I have been unable to find comparisons for veterinary schools that include all North American schools and rank them amongst one another. Do you know of a resource where I can find this information?

 

[DVMDream]

Hopefully my post didn't offend you. Maybe my choice of wording was incorrect... I have been unable to find comparisons for veterinary schools that include all North American schools and rank them amongst one another. Do you know of a resource where I can find this information?

Vet school rankings don't mean anything. They are arbitrary.

You will get a very good education at any of the AVMA accredited veterinary schools whether they are in the US, Canada, Europe, UK, or Caribbean.

 

[CalliopeDVM]

Hopefully my post didn't offend you. Maybe my choice of wording was incorrect... I have been unable to find comparisons for veterinary schools that include all North American schools and rank them amongst one another. Do you know of a resource where I can find this information?

No, there aren't really any rankings like that, and (as DVMDream said) they are pretty arbitrary and based on things that often have little to do with the actual quality of the education. You definitely only want to consider AVMA accredited schools - which you are - and if I were to look at anything, it would be the pass rate of the licensing exam (it's a percentage of only those who sit the exam, not of the entire class, so it could be helpful regardless of where in the world the school is). If possible, compare it to the average pass rate of that year.

(my comment about "top 5" isn't based on commercial ratings, but on the personal opinion of some veterinary faculty I've met from other schools.)

 

[LoveFate]

So if the two schools have similar NAVLE pass ratings, what other criteria should I consider aside from the cost?

 

[CalliopeDVM]

So if the two schools have similar NAVLE pass ratings, what other criteria should I consider aside from the cost?

Other than cost, I can only think of a couple:

- Location can be important, unless you're planning on moving permanently and never going home for visits. Consider the costs of living as well as the costs of getting home and back on vacations.
- Some schools have an unofficial focus that might be more to your liking (more equine, or more wildlife, etc)

 

[wolfpackprevet]

Other than cost, I can only think of a couple:

- Location can be important, unless you're planning on moving permanently and never going home for visits. Consider the costs of living as well as the costs of getting home and back on vacations.
- Some schools have an unofficial focus that might be more to your liking (more equine, or more wildlife, etc)

Case load is something to consider it think. If you're large animal and you're on a block and only have one or two patients, it is going to be something you want to take into account. Clearly that's not predictable, but different schools do have different caseloads and client makeup at their hospitals.

 

[jmo1012]

Case load is something to consider it think. If you're large animal and you're on a block and only have one or two patients, it is going to be something you want to take into account. Clearly that's not predictable, but different schools do have different caseloads and client makeup at their hospitals.

Yeah definitely look into this. If you have the chance to choose with all else being equal, go somewhere you interests see a lot. Ultimately clinical experience is what makes you a good doctor, no amount of sitting in a classroom can teach you real life experience. But don't forget that your interests may radically change in 4 years 😉

 

[that redhead]

All in all I guess I'm just at a loss for the time being. Currently, OVC is cheaper than UofI but only by $2000-3000 a year. It is closer, I'm from PA, by about 4 hours. The atmosphere was much nicer as far as the town and the people. UofI has an interesting program where they begin clinical rotations from your first year. I thought that was interesting as it gets you into the field right away. They also seem to have much more variety with their electives. I have an interest in exotics and it did not seem like OVC had anything to offer in that area. What do you guys think?

If OVC is cheaper and closer to home, I'd go there 🙂 I don't know that being in clinics first year has much value aside from being more exciting than classroom work, but maybe some current students can give their opinion on that. As for interest in exotics, you can get all you can fit in with your clinical rotation electives outside of school. If OVC doesn't afford much opportunity to do external rotations, that would be a -1, but you can always use your summer breaks to gain more experience.

 

[SocialStigma]

If OVC is cheaper and closer to home, I'd go there 🙂 I don't know that being in clinics first year has much value aside from being more exciting than classroom work, but maybe some current students can give their opinion on that. As for interest in exotics, you can get all you can fit in with your clinical rotation electives outside of school. If OVC doesn't afford much opportunity to do external rotations, that would be a -1, but you can always use your summer breaks to gain more experience.

Just wanted to comment that in the SA stream at OVC (assuming you would choose this stream since the other options are mixed, equine, and rural community practice), there are 30 weeks in the academic year from Sept-April and only 16 weeks of core rotations. So you pretty much have half the year for external rotations in any specialty and clinic of your choosing 🙂.

 

[LoveFate]

If OVC is cheaper and closer to home, I'd go there 🙂 I don't know that being in clinics first year has much value aside from being more exciting than classroom work, but maybe some current students can give their opinion on that. As for interest in exotics, you can get all you can fit in with your clinical rotation electives outside of school. If OVC doesn't afford much opportunity to do external rotations, that would be a -1, but you can always use your summer breaks to gain more experience.

So at the moment OVC is cheaper with the currency exchange - about $46,000 as opposed to Illinois which is about $49,000. BUT as you know the currency exchange fluctuates with the season and year - OVC is $56,000 CAD - right now at about $46,000 USD BUT if the exchange rate changes it is more likely that OVC will be about $50,000 as the exchange rates are less favorable during the vacation season (August). I got some pretty good information from a women who worked at a currency exchange, its almost like playing the stock market. So point of the matter is, depending on the economy, the rate can get higher or lower, that's the risk I would have to take.

OVC is about 8 hours total and Illinois is about 12 hours. Not a HUGE difference in distance but Illi is not necessarily a distance I'd feel comfortable driving straight through alone. I did drive the whole way to OVC for my visit and it was a decent drive - not that illinois wasn't - we just stopped for the night halfway through our travels. Illinois is relatively cheap to travel to by air though ~$200-250 round trip from PA. Whereas, it is ~$400 to fly to Ontario solely because it is an international flight.

With going into Canada I would have to get a Visa, a mobile plan, a new bank account, and additional health insurance. All these things may add up to the difference in tuition prices as well as the cost of living is higher. The area is MUCH prettier though with much more to do.

I'm in a tight spot as well because I am married and my husband is in the military. That being said, he'd never be able to move to Canada with me for obvious reasons. If he could get transferred to Illinois then there would be potential for us to live together but the likelihood of a transfer is slim. So I want to remain close but I also want to not make a decision solely based on him because this is a choice affects my life predominantly for the next 4 years.

I'm naturally an indecisive person, the more important the decision, the harder it is for me to make it. Boo.

I appreciate everyone's help in this matter! I still have not chosen an area of specialization though I do want to have some exotic focus and potentially lean toward research.

 

[LoveFate]

Bump.

 

[Caia]

Bump.

Not sure what else there is to discuss....make a list of the pros/cons of each and go from there. Guelph is a great school and will give you a great education just like any other school in the US/Canada, so it should be on other factors (cost, interests, other things associated with moving out of the country, etc.)