Is the veterinary career is better for me?

[MSPV]

I do want to be a vet, but I ask myself, is it really for me? I love animals and handling them. While I was volunteering at the vet clinic, none of the stuff they did turned me off. I watched a spay operation, dentals, shots given, checkups, etc. I didn't throw up or anything and I actually liked it.

Before the incident at the vet clinic, I had considering becoming a dietitian and doing a double major. Of course, I thought my pre vet concentration and nutrition concentration had a lot of classes in common but I was wrong, I decided to go just the vet route.

Now, my doubts about vet school are very strong. I'm going to have take out loans BEFORE vet school, so by the time I would apply to vet school, I would probably already owe about $20,000 in loans. The girl I know told my brother that vet school is very expensive, over $100,000. She's going to take that out in loans and she planned that very well, having not took out any loans for her master's or bachelors.

Another reason I have doubts is the rigid requirements. The GPA and grade part I can do, but I am having a lot of trouble getting the animal and vet experience. I can get animal experience by volunteering at a local shelter, but three other local vets around here do not allow volunteers or are filled up by high school students. And then they look at extracurricular activities, right? I am going to attempt to join a sorority, but how in the world will I have time to do a lot of extracurricular activites with studying, homework, class assignments, and then I got to have time to relax?

Another doubt is the length. Probably about 6 more years excluding internship. With the dietitian career, I'd go two more and maybe some more if I can a master's. Still, it's shorter than the vet career.

So, when I think of changing my concentration to nutrition, I'm okay about it. But when I think of keeping the pre vet concentration I am in, I had strong doubts. I want to be a vet, but I don't know if it's worth all the trouble. Yes, you would make good money and help animals, but is the road something I can handle is what I am asking myself. Dietion is not something I wouldn't mind settling for, it's probably something I'd enjoy from what I've seen and read.

I have plenty of time to decide if I want to stay with the food safety concentration. BUT, I do know that I want my mind made up when I enroll this fall. I don't want to do food safety for a year and then switch to nutrition.

So I was wondering, can you guys give me some input to help make making the decision a bit easier?

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[alliecat44]

It's really sad for me to say this, but honestly--if there's anything else you could be happy doing--I would do that instead of vet med.

The ONLY caveat would be if you were accepted to your in-state veterinary school, which would relieve the debt burden somewhat.

I often wish that there was something--anything--else I could see myself being happy with that didn't involve the personal and financial sacrifices that vet med requires. And I'm graduating Friday! 🙄 Many vets are reporting that they are actively DIScouraging people from entering the profession, for the first time in their career.

Just my $0.02.

 

[HopefulAg]

Now, my doubts about vet school are very strong. I'm going to have take out loans BEFORE vet school, so by the time I would apply to vet school, I would probably already owe about $20,000 in loans. The girl I know told my brother that vet school is very expensive, over $100,000. She's going to take that out in loans and she planned that very well, having not took out any loans for her master's or bachelors.

We all have loans from undergrad (unless you had generous parents), that's not really here nor there, as it's equal to everyone else. Vet school itself can cost anywhere from $100,000 - $260,000 dependent on where you go.

but three other local vets around here do not allow volunteers or are filled up by high school students.

You might want to use the word 'shadow', not 'volunteer'. Volunteer conjures up all sorts of nasty liability issues in the vets mind.

Another doubt is the length. Probably about 6 more years excluding internship. With the dietitian career, I'd go two more and maybe some more if I can a master's. Still, it's shorter than the vet career.

Vet school is only 4 years and does not require an internship. You could do more, however, and become a Veterinary Nutritionist to meet both career goals.

 

[breenie]

Sounds like you don't really want to be a vet. Not just because of your doubts, but mostly because of your vague descriptions of why it's interesting to you. It sucks to drop this much effort, time, and money on something you're not passionate about. So if vet med isn't "inspiring" to you, why bother?

I wouldn't, as Allie mentioned. This is what I want to do, so I will fight tooth and nail to do it, but if I had larger doubts... well... I'd figure something else out. Being a vet isn't JUST about handling animals and going through a revolving door of routine exams. If you can't articulate what about it is compelling to you, maybe being a dietician is a better idea.

 

[Armymutt25A]

You could always follow my path - take a decade off from school, do a few different jobs, get knee deep in a career that you dislike, and apply again.

 

[MSPV]

Sounds like you don't really want to be a vet. Not just because of your doubts, but mostly because of your vague descriptions of why it's interesting to you. It sucks to drop this much effort, time, and money on something you're not passionate about. So if vet med isn't "inspiring" to you, why bother?

I wouldn't, as Allie mentioned. This is what I want to do, so I will fight tooth and nail to do it, but if I had larger doubts... well... I'd figure something else out. Being a vet isn't JUST about handling animals and going through a revolving door of routine exams. If you can't articulate what about it is compelling to you, maybe being a dietician is a better idea.

I'm passionate about it, or least I think I am. I love handling animals, and I love science and medicine. Being a vet combines the two or fits the two. So, if a vet isn't like that or that's not something that should attract me, then what's being a vet really about?

Really, I'm going to consider everything and think about it more after I get through with exams this week.

 

[New Foundland]

I'm passionate about it, or least I think I am

kind of a contradictory statement..

 

[Felixor90]

kind of a contradictory statement..

Exactly what went through my head. You either have a passion for medicine or you don't. There's no for "I think" in this equation.

I'm not gonna say whether you should give up or not because that's your future you're making a decision about. However, I will say that if you're not passionate about it, I would try to get some inspiration fast. As you already know, getting in requires a good undergrad gpa, meaning that you'll have to slave yourself into acing all the harder classes like org chem, cell bio, biochemistry, etc. unless your'e a bookworm or have great memory. After that, you have to slave yourself through vet school, which is even worse. My point? If you don't have the passion and motivation to keep going through that torture, you're not gonna make it.

If you do have the passion, stop worrying about the GPA. Get it as high as you can possibly get it and focus on the end goal - to be a vet. Obviously your GPA is important but instead of spending time worrying about if your future GPA will be high enough or not, use that time studying your butt off to make sure it's a shiny 4.0.

Lastly, it is human nature to doubt yourself. If anyone tells you that you're not supposed to have a doubt about your future, they're lying to you. You'd be a ***** not to doubt what you're going to be doing for the rest of your life. However, there's not going to be time to doubt yourself every step of the way. If you're going to doubt yourself every time you think about being a vet, then no, it's not worth the stress.

"Do or do not... there is no try." -Yoda

 

[pooter]

You are the only one who can answer that question. As you can probably tell from this forum, to get where we're trying to go you have to want it. You have to really, really want it and be willing to risk professional ruin and personal humiliation to get it. I made up my mind the day I realized that I wouldn't be happy doing anything else, but you're not me and I can't know how you would feel.

On a more practical note, be aware of the squick factor. You mentioned seeing spays, dentals, and check-ups, but all of those are fairly clean, routine procedures in the grand scheme of things. Over the years I've seen
*a perianal tumor, removal of which caused the dog to defecate all over the surgery site
*lancing an abscess that was half the size of the cats head (pus has a very distinct smell which you won't soon forget)
*debridement of maggots from a dog's rectum and vulva.
And my experience is *still* a lot milder and more limited than most pre-vets and significantly less gross than what we'll encounter in the first year of vet school. If your reaction to these is more "ew" than "cool," congratulations, you may be a normal person and this profession may not be the one for you. If you don't think you can deal with sticking your arm shoulder-deep up a cow's rectum, save yourself and get out now.

I'm not saying any of this to discourage you. Just make sure that if this is what you decide that you go into it with both eyes open. This profession isn't for everyone, which is probably why they make it so damn hard to get into in the first place. Best of luck, whatever you decide.

 

[Dsmoody23]

" I am a werewolf... also a clown." - Pennywise

 

[Raptorlovr88]

You could always follow my path - take a decade off from school, do a few different jobs, get knee deep in a career that you dislike, and apply again.

👍 At least you know for sure and have some $ saved.

 

[HelloNello]

I'm going to agree with what other people have said: Make sure you REALLY are passionate about this.

Vet med isn't a career that will come easy. It is stressful getting there. I cry a lot and laugh a lot and lose sleep a lot, but I keep doing it because there isn't anything else out there I want to do.

To be completely honest with you I do not think that the reasons you have listed are "strong" (for lack of a better word) enough reasons to go down this path. To make a decision to do something that is this stressful, challenging etc etc etc because you think that maybe you might be passionate about it because you like handling animals and you weren't repulsed by being in a vet clinic. To me thats just not a "good enough" reason to put yourself through all of this.

To me being passionate about it means you cannot see yourself doing anything else. This is it for you. you'll apply as many times as needed. etc etc.

I'm not trying to dissuade you, but I am encouraging you to find a better reason to pursue vet med other then you think you wont hate it and you like animals.

Goodluck on this journey!


EDIT: also I am in a sorority and pursuing vet med. I love my sorority, but it does interfere with studying and tests. It can be really hard having to explain why you cannot attend certain events. It may just be my sorority, but they don't really understand the "I have an organic chemistry test on Monday and I cannot afford to be hungover for it..." reason. Its a huge commitment.

 

[GellaBella]

Ugh. I wrote a whole long response and then accidentally deleted it. I hate that.

OK. I think your first concern should be whether or not you're willing to go into potentially $100K+ debt for a potential career...any career. Because if you are not willing to pay for a veterinary education, it doesn't matter whether you have the passion to become a vet or not. There are plenty of people who would LOVE to be a vet, but realize they can't pursue it at this time because they're not comfortable with the debt load. That's a personal decision that only you can come to.

Many of us will be significantly in debt by the time we graduate...I already had $100k+ debt before starting school and I will have another $200k+ by the time I graduate vet school...I have a plan to handle that burden but many people would not be comfortable going that far in debt for so little return (financially). That's ok.

I don't think you have to be absolutely passionate about vet med to become a veterinarian. I know most people on here are incredibly passionate about it, but I don't think I am. I like medicine. I like animals. I think veterinary medicine is more of a challenge than human medicine, so I chose this route but I know I would have also been very happy as a human doctor or a variety of other professions...I'm one of those people who makes the best out of things. But you do have to be comfortable with where the profession will take you, what kind of lifestyle you will have, and you should of course, think that you will be happy in what you do.

 

[bbeventer]

As defined by Webster:

Passion: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction

 

[that redhead]

It doesn't really sound as though you're very informed regarding the career. There is a lot of debt associated with it, but it varies greatly depending on where you go. Vet school is only four years with residency not required of everyone. Also, most vets don't "make good money" in the way that many people see "good money" as. Also, the ability to watch surgeries, injections and dentals and not throw up doesn't mean you're destined to be a vet. One of the best vets I know passed out the first time he saw blood drawn.

I would strongly suggest you research the profession in a lot more detail before committing either way. Look up requirements for schools (and their tuition!) as well as the classes you will be taking while in school. Look into what careers you might pursue as a vet - small animal is one of the most visible career options but there are a lot more out there. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, look into starting/long-term salaries for the paths that interest you. You'll find that it isn't always as lucrative as it seems.

I think its crucial that you learn more about the profession before you can make a decision. You don't come across as very passionate about the career - which is fine! If it isn't something for you, absolutely go after something different.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Look people.

Some of us aren't super eloquent about describing our feelings.

You can't possibly truly evaluate a person's interest in a subject based on stuff they type out on an anonymous message board. Just because this person didn't want to be a vet since they were 6 years old or whatever, like many of you, or just because they cannot explain in glowing, crystal-clear detail why they are interested in veterinary medicine, does not mean it isn't a good choice and they could make a great vet.

Hell, look at me. I didn't even think about vet school until halfway through college. I still can't even define what I like about it. I like animals, I like science, I like medicine.

Exactly what went through my head. You either have a passion for medicine or you don't. There's no for "I think" in this equation.

Excuse my French, but bulls**t. This poster is expressing the SAME initial worries that a lot of people have when they are starting to become interested in vet med (or any subject). You can't be balls to the wall passionate right off the bat. If you are, then you're an idiot, because you're jumping into something you know nothing about. Cut the OP some slack.

Edit: I'm cranky today. So bear with me.

 

[Minnerbelle]

... or just because they cannot explain in glowing, crystal-clear detail why they are interested in veterinary medicine, does not mean it isn't a good choice and they could make a great vet.

I agree with this 100%. When putting together my first draft of my personal statement and coming up with my first response for the dreaded "why vet med?" question for my mock interviews... I drew a blank. I felt passionate about it or so I thought, but when it came to expressing it in words I sounded like a tool.

And don't you all jump on me and say that maybe I wasn't meant to be a vet... 'cause I've read a lot of PS's from here from very very passionate people that were horrible. Not because they were badly written, but because there lacked a "valid" reason why they wanted to become a vet. It's actually very difficult to do.

One thought I would add though for the OP. I mean, yes you have another 4 years of college (+ maybe years after that) to grow and ultimately decide, but something struck me from your other thread. If you're very self conscious of what other people think of you, and have felt trapped in a small community... that's something to definitely get over before you get to vet school. That's 4 years of your life where you're STUCK with the saaaame people. Perhaps this is not the case with other classes, but I know a few people here that feel totally ostracized and self-conscious, and it's incredibly sad. Not saying that this is bound to happen to you or anything, but vet school is pretty intense performance-wise to begin with... that it would be pretty difficult to constantly have feelings like that distracting you.

 

[GellaBella]

Look people.

Some of us aren't super eloquent about describing our feelings.

You can't possibly truly evaluate a person's interest in a subject based on stuff they type out on an anonymous message board. Just because this person didn't want to be a vet since they were 6 years old or whatever, like many of you, or just because they cannot explain in glowing, crystal-clear detail why they are interested in veterinary medicine, does not mean it isn't a good choice and they could make a great vet.

Hell, look at me. I didn't even think about vet school until halfway through college. I still can't even define what I like about it. I like animals, I like science, I like medicine.



Excuse my French, but bulls**t. This poster is expressing the SAME initial worries that a lot of people have when they are starting to become interested in vet med (or any subject). You can't be balls to the wall passionate right off the bat. If you are, then you're an idiot, because you're jumping into something you know nothing about. Cut the OP some slack.

👍

Exactly. I didn't decide to go with vet med until 2 years ago. And I'm 28. Did I take someone's spot that is more "passionate" about it than I am? Probably. Does that mean I shouldn't be here or that I'll be a bad vet because of it? Don't think so.

It's absolutely, 100% okay to not be head over heels blindly in love with something...it gives you better perspective and allows you to make a truly rational decision about what you want to do with your life.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

In addition, you can be completely passionate about something and still wonder all the time if it is right for you, or if you can do it. I almost dropped out of vet school halfway through because I began wondering if it was really for me. Good thing I continued.

Don't make the OP feel as though they are not "passionate" enough to do it. Many people said the same thing to me. One person even told me to my face that I didn't have the same level of passion and dedication as the rest (or clinic hours), and that my spot should have been given to someone who wanted to be a "real vet". 🙄

 

[dyachei]

In addition, you can be completely passionate about something and still wonder all the time if it is right for you, or if you can do it. I almost dropped out of vet school halfway through because I began wondering if it was really for me. Good thing I continued.

Seconding this. If you don't question it sometimes, especially in vet school, you've almost got to be crazy. OP, it is a difficult road, but you're the only person that can decide if it is right for you. My best advice is to try to find a place to shadow/volunteer/work and see if it is something you can see yourself doing. It doesn't have to be in a clinic, there are vets in various positions including research and public health.

 

[breenie]

Right. He/she doesn't need to be rabidly drooling and screaming "vet med" through the streets to be allowed to apply, but the bigger question is...

Does whatever desire the OP has outweigh the potential for crushing debt and a less than ideal salary? That's the bar that needs to be cleared here. "Liking animals" doesn't cut it enough for ME to take on the challenge of getting a DVM. I'm assuming it isn't enough for most other people, either.

 

[libster06]

Another reason I have doubts is the rigid requirements. The GPA and grade part I can do, but I am having a lot of trouble getting the animal and vet experience. I can get animal experience by volunteering at a local shelter, but three other local vets around here do not allow volunteers or are filled up by high school students. And then they look at extracurricular activities, right? I am going to attempt to join a sorority, but how in the world will I have time to do a lot of extracurricular activites with studying, homework, class assignments, and then I got to have time to relax?

Another doubt is the length. Probably about 6 more years excluding internship. With the dietitian career, I'd go two more and maybe some more if I can a master's. Still, it's shorter than the vet career.

So, when I think of changing my concentration to nutrition, I'm okay about it. But when I think of keeping the pre vet concentration I am in, I had strong doubts. I want to be a vet, but I don't know if it's worth all the trouble. Yes, you would make good money and help animals, but is the road something I can handle is what I am asking myself. Dietion is not something I wouldn't mind settling for, it's probably something I'd enjoy from what I've seen and read.

I think everyone has doubts. I was and still am certain that this is what I want to do, but that doesn't mean I don't question if I can do it. Last semester was the hardest of my entire life. I questioned literally everyday why I even got myself into that. Vet school honestly nearly broke me. I think to determine if it's the path for you you need to really talk to students in vet school and see what they're going through. It helps to know what you're getting into beforehand. No one can be totally prepared, but I wish I would've known the schedule I would be working under so I could have readied myself more. Liking animals and handling, and science is great, but there's just a lot more to consider in deciding whether to go into the career.

Now, my doubts about vet school are very strong. I'm going to have take out loans BEFORE vet school, so by the time I would apply to vet school, I would probably already owe about $20,000 in loans. The girl I know told my brother that vet school is very expensive, over $100,000. She's going to take that out in loans and she planned that very well, having not took out any loans for her master's or bachelors.

As far as this goes, I did not have any undergrad debt either. And no, my parents aren't rich and didn't dole out a ton of tuition money, because I went to school on scholarships. That's the reason I chose my undergrad because of how much scholarship money they gave. I didn't get a full ride either, I applied year after year and wrote essay after essay but it was totally worth it. Vet school is very expensive, and something to think about, but it was never something that would've kept me from applying.

 

[Kylana]

Before the incident at the vet clinic, I had considering becoming a dietitian and doing a double major. Of course, I thought my pre vet concentration and nutrition concentration had a lot of classes in common but I was wrong, I decided to go just the vet route.

I find this interesting because at my undergrad, the Nutritional Science Major WAS the Pre Vet Major...There was no Pre Vet, they just told you to go into Nutritional Science or Agroecology. Some people opted to do different degrees as well. But is there no way for you to major in Nutritional Science and just take all the pre reqs for vet school (even if you had to do a few summer classes)? You really don't need to have a "pre vet concentration" to apply to vet school...

I myself was very interested in nutrition and seriously considered going into Dietetics as well. My major was Nutritional Science and I loved every minute of it! However, in the end I still wanted to be a vet. So maybe I didn't take as many animal/vet related courses in undergrad as some people, but I am really happy with my degree. When I started university, I had no vet experience and just wanted to be a vet because it sounded like a cool career. The more I learned about nutrition and vet med, the more I fell in love with both of them. Even though I didn't go into the dietetics program, I was still pretty much offered a job in the nutrition field when I graduated. Up to that day I was still deciding which career I would like more. But in the end I decided to not go for the nutrition job so that I could go to vet school instead!! But my point is, if there is any way you can make it work, I would totally suggest the nutritional science concentration and just try and fit all the vet school pre req courses in on top of that, even if you have to take a couple extra courses and don't get to take as many animal related ones. It would give you more time to explore both careers and I honestly don't think being in a nutrition program is going to hurt you even if you decide vet med is the route for you! If nothing else, you'll know all about nutrition for your own benefit. And I may be biased, but I think food is one of the most interesting topics in the world as it is just so darn relevant to everything! Whether you are using it to help manage a vet med case, are looking at sustainability and climate change, are looking at the spread of diseases through the food system, or dealing with poverty and world hunger, food and nutrition are just so important!

 

[CurrySpice]

Right. He/she doesn't need to be rabidly drooling and screaming "vet med" through the streets to be allowed to apply, but the bigger question is...

That post made me giggle!

OP: You don't need to commit to a career today, or even tomorrow, or next year. Explore all of your paths in undergrad. Study hard so that you don't close any doors with your GPA. Join some clubs/activities you enjoy, maybe focusing on some animal or vet experience. Try to find an internship with a dietician to see whether you like that career path. Just because it may be easier to enter the field, that doesn't mean it's the right career for you either.

Seriously, just enjoy life and study hard. Even if you graduate without veterinary experience, you can take a few years off and focus on gaining experience.

 

[elliepants]

" I am a werewolf... also a clown." - Pennywise

awesome 🙂.

 

[Bacci]

I second what others are saying about holding back on commitment. Yes vet school requires a lot of planning, but not so that you can't do other things. Actually, sometimes I wonder if those students that live and breathe vet med, spend every moment in a clinic, volunteering at the animal shelter, etc etc become a little boring. Be well-rounded! If you love nutri-sci, major in nutri-sci. I was a psychology major and just took pre-vet classes on the side. I loved it, and it didn't hold me back a bit. And I think having nutritional sciences as a back up career is a good idea, especially if the elusive school of vet med escapes you, as it does so many.

 

[Coquette22]

Actually, sometimes I wonder if those students that live and breathe vet med, spend every moment in a clinic, volunteering at the animal shelter, etc etc become a little boring.

I also wonder if they actually get accepted at any school. It seems like most schools give at least some weight to a student's outside interests.

(And enough with the creepy clown pictures! Two threads now have had them. That's two threads too many. 😛)

 

[lostbunny]

" I am a werewolf... also a clown." - Pennywise

stop posting these scary clowns!

OP: I think the last bout of posts were more helpful in saying you're the one who has to decide. I think you should explore all the fields that interest you to some degree, and you might even find something that you didn't know existed.

I'm a strong advocate for traveling and taking time off school to get 'real world' experience, learning about yourself and the rest of the world. I'm from North America and find that in 'our' culture, extended traveling and 'Gap Years' are taken for granted and a lot of us stress out about school and think we have to graduate and get a job as soon as we possibly can so we can start saving for retirement. Before you write off my post and assume its really expensive to travel- you can live off about $20 per day in some countries, and in fact there are many ways where you can get really useful experience and live/eat for free (Help Exchange, WWOOFing, etc).

I'm just bringing this point up because this is something that really helped me in deciding vet med was my path. I lived in Australia for 6 months (still here! <3) for *free* working on research stations in the bush doing studies on birds. I knew I wanted to do something in science, so I jumped into research assisting with grad student's projects. For a while after living in the outback and being surrounded by wildlife all the time, I seriously thought "OMG! this is TOTALLY For me!!" I wanted to do field biology, research and live the rest of my days in the bush. As time went on I realized that writing papers, budgets and eating beans every day was NOT for me, and I also noticed that the injured animals I'd come across in the bush were more interesting then the birds I was supposed to be studying.

Thats my experience, but what I'm trying to say is rather then asking other people to help you decide on whats best for YOUR life, you need to get out there and figure it out for yourself. Like others have said, not all of us had some defining moment in our lives when we were 2 and began the path to vet med. I knew it was something I wanted to do, but that sort of lingered throughout my life and I never really thought about 'why'. Until I started writing my personal statement, I had to write down a list of reasons why, many of them very silly, and I'm on my 8th draft, and its definately not going to be my final.

Moral of this long drawn out post: go explore the world and explore your life. You won't know if you like yabbies till you've tried them.

 

[sumstorm]

10 years ago I wasn't willing to deal with the debt to go to vet school. Now, the calling is so strong that I can't justify not going. It will work out when it works out.

Now, some pieces of advice; don't assume your in state vet school will be the best or cheapest option for you. out of staters at NCSU generally pay less total than most in staters elsewhere.

Really sit down and run the numbers; look at what vet's make doing the kind of med you think you'd be interested in. look at the debt averages. Run those numbers through payment calculators, really look at what it means to pay a mortgage payment in student loans each month with the salary that is likely.

Think about the other factors; do you like people in the area you plan to enter (ie clients, clinicians, researchers, students, etc?) Are you ok with giving my most of 4 years for the education? I left a successful career to do this, and there are many days when I feel like the rotten fish at the bottom of the barrel and wonder why I traded in a great business to feel generally incompetent. I still believe I will be an excellent vet, but I have had to deal with a ton of shortcomings.

Get enough experience in vet med (shadowing, working, etc) that you can articulate what it is about the career that will likely bother you the most. For some its euthanasia and lack of client funding, for others its owner compliance, for some it is dealing with the business side of things, and for others it is the routine repetitive parts of the job. Then identify what will help you get through those times; running, art, camping, reading, etc (burn out is a big issue in this profession.)

It is fine to pursue what will serve you best right now....but you may find yourself back in the same position a decade from now, and there is nothing wrong with that.