master program in animal science for experience?

[GizmoKitty]

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Fist of all, congrats to everyone who got accepted this cycle!

Looking at everyone's stats really intimidates me, as I am a non traditional student and I just recently decided that I am going to try for vet school 😛 My question is: what do you think about doing a masters program to improve vet school application?

Since I have been out of school for about 3 years now, do you think a newer academic record would look better? My undergrad GPA was 3.65, but I think if I do master program in animal science I would be able to take more animal related courses (my B.S. was in biochemistry). Also the program i'm interested in is UIUC animal science program, so I might have a chance to work with the research farms and dvm professors on research. This is also the school I would like to go for vet school as well.

I really don't have much vet experience besides SA (~2000hrs shadowing and vet assistant in private practice and shelter). So a masters program would probably get me some hands on experience with farm animals if I ask around. However, this is a thesis required program which may take 2-3 years to complete. That seems like such a long time considering I am already late to the game. Taking courses as non-degree student will probably get me similar experience but it will cost a lot more $$$$. Since grad student may apply to TA or research positions which can lower/waive the tuition.

What should I do?? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks

 

[spicykimchi]

Looking at the stats you do have, I personally wouldn't get the master's. I think I would try to buddy up with some livestock/equine vets and shadow them. Or maybe if it's not necessarily veterinary experience you want, but just plain large animal experience, maybe you could volunteer at a horse rescue? If you have no horse-related experience whatsoever you probably will only be able to do things like pick up the poop but the people that run the rescue may be willing to teach you about horses. If they taught you how to handle the horses/exercise them/ride them/etc. you could do a lot more and thus get a lot more expereince.

Another option for large animal experience may be to take riding lessons. I do this. It's $25 for an hour and I go once a week.

And maybe you could go to a dairy or something and offer to volunteer (help take care of their cows for free) in exchange for being taught about cows?

Anyway have you taken the GRE? If not why not study like mad for it and get an epic score.

 

[princesspeaches]

You could apply to both veterinary school and a masters program this fall. I did that in the fall of 2008, was rejected/waitlisted from veterinary school, but made it into an awesome masters program and applied again to veterinary school this year. (Still waiting to find out if my plan was a success.)

If you make it into veterinary school the first time around, awesome, and if you don't, you have a plan for how to make yourself more competitive for the next time. And if you get a in a funded program, you aren't going into debt.

But, I wouldn't get an MS if it wasn't something you were actually interested in on it's own. Research can be really unpleasant. I still think it's worthwhile; if I don't get into veterinary school this year, I'll still have my masters in a field I like working in. I also be able to get a better job than with my BS.

 

[JollyBlueJay4]

Following up on Princess's comments, I have to agree. If you are looking to make your application more competitive, take some courses here or there, volunteer, work part/full time, vary your experiences and do all those things you know vet schools love. A wide range of solid experiences > a wider range of superficial experiences > limited range of 43 years experience.

I would not go into a MS degree without a high passion for what you'll be doing, and a strong friendship with your advisor. Speaking from experience, research can be extremely frustrating, challenging, and drive you a little batty (similar to applying to vet school, yippeee!). So, if you don't have a HUGE passion and love for what you're doing, you'll find it incredibly easy to delay deadlines, slack on your lab duties, not be interested in assisting other people with your lab on their projects, not wanting to branch out in science meetings, not try as hard to find funding for additional projects, not research additional assays when yours aren't working (they NEVER work on the first try), not want to spend the 3000000 hours it takes to write papers, prepare presentations, edit edit editedit, submit for publication, thesis, edits some more, lit reviews AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

In conclusion, if you find a MS degree your legitmately interested in and could see yourself doing toward a PhD and career, go for it! If you are thinking of using that MS degree as a stepping stone toward a DVM, beware! You can do it, I mean, nothing's impossible! But it'll take a lot of guts, be an extremely stressful and trying 2 + years of your life... Soooo personally, I wouldn't.

Hope this helps! Good luck in whatever your decision may be!!! =)