MD to Vet?

[WildlifeSaver]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm confused...you say you are a third year but you will take many science classes "when you go to university"? Aren't you at university now?

I would not take a year off (and didn't) but that is something you have to decide for yourself.

When I transfer schools in one year I will be in my third year (fall 09). I also can be in my third year up coming this fall if I decided to transfer now. I only have a few classes upon completion of my AS and I rather just stick it out for 4 classes that are a part of my degree in the AS program to just grad next year and THEN transfer some where else. Basically, some would say I am wasting my time just for like such limtied of classe just to take my Organic, calc and computer programing (which is a requirement for the degree). Just staying there for like 2 classes in a semester that a required for a degree. I could easily transfer and take those classes and many others at the same time thus I would be like in my third year. I am taking my time so to speak. I am going to CC right now (it is cheap and I am not worried b/c I am doing fantastic and having an AS can open doors to me job wise during my undergrad carreer). Hey I can also take more classes for myself as well (A&p1&2, botany)

 

[sunscribble]

An AUTOPSY is on your OWN species, thus, "auto" (own, self). A dog can perform an autopsy on a dog. A human can perform an autopsy on a human. A human can only perform a NECROPSY on a dog! (I even saw this glaring error in a TEXTBOOK once. I may write the authors.)

I don't think that the "auto" in autopsy refers to looking at your own species.

Webster's dictionary says that autopsy is from the Greek word "autopsia - a seeing with one's own eyes".

Wikipedia: "The term autopsy derives from the Greek for to see for oneself. Necropsy is from the Greek for seeing a dead body."

I found this interesting and just thought I'd share. By the way, these two sources need to update their definitions, as neither one distinguished the two terms. (CanadianGolden, maybe you should contact them 😉).

 

[Blesbok]

I don't think that the "auto" in autopsy refers to looking at your own species. If looking at our own species was the meaning we were going for, wouldn't it be called homopsy?

Webster's dictionary says that autopsy is from the Greek word "autopsia - a seeing with one's own eyes".

Wikipedia: "The term autopsy derives from the Greek for to see for oneself. Necropsy is from the Greek for seeing a dead body."

I found this interesting and just thought I'd share. By the way, these two sources need to update their definitions, as neither one distinguished the two terms. (CanadianGolden, maybe you should contact them 😉).

Although necropsy is commonly used for animal postmortem examinations, I highly doubt it has anything to do with the auto referring to human dissecting human. If so, an animal examination would be a xenopsy, not a necropsy.

 

[StealthDog]

Do you think this list is way too small for someone who wants to be a vet?

There are people who only apply to one school and get in on their first shot, so applying to a small number of schools doesn't mean that you'll have to apply for more than one application cycle... But it is a risk to apply to just a few. You have to balance the desire to go to a school with a strong zoo program with the desire to go to vet school at all. If you really wouldn't attend a school that has a strong ag program but weak wildlife program, then definitely don't apply there. It does you no good to get an acceptance to a school that you wouldn't attend!

Be careful limiting yourself to schools that have zoo residencies, though- many residency programs encourage you to attend a residency at a school other than where you got your DVM. There are lots of schools with strong vet programs that may not have a specific zoo or wildlife track. The U of MN has affiliations with the Raptor Center, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and Como Zoo, but has no exotics track. All vet students have to pass the same general board exam, so the majority of your specialty training will take place during your internship and/or residency. We all gotta learn about cows and horses, even if you never plan on touching one after graduation :/

 

[WildlifeSaver]

There are people who only apply to one school and get in on their first shot, so applying to a small number of schools doesn't mean that you'll have to apply for more than one application cycle... But it is a risk to apply to just a few. You have to balance the desire to go to a school with a strong zoo program with the desire to go to vet school at all. If you really wouldn't attend a school that has a strong ag program but weak wildlife program, then definitely don't apply there. It does you no good to get an acceptance to a school that you wouldn't attend!

Be careful limiting yourself to schools that have zoo residencies, though- many residency programs encourage you to attend a residency at a school other than where you got your DVM. There are lots of schools with strong vet programs that may not have a specific zoo or wildlife track. The U of MN has affiliations with the Raptor Center, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and Como Zoo, but has no exotics track. All vet students have to pass the same general board exam, so the majority of your specialty training will take place during your internship and/or residency. We all gotta learn about cows and horses, even if you never plan on touching one after graduation :/

Exactly, I see what you are saying. I can always get a residency at another university other then the one of my DVM. I just think I would one have a better chance and two, I would be happier in the long run because more opportunities in the area of my interest can be encountered during my DVM undergrad years. I don't think it is crazy, but to apply to more then 12 vet schools is a lot considering the amount of schools in the US. Also, doesn't the AAVMC have something to do with the admissions process other then the schools itself (I know you really apply through them and that is why I am asking)? Thanks by the way for your insights🙂

 

[StealthDog]

I don't think it is crazy, but to apply to more then 12 vet schools is a lot considering the amount of schools in the US.

I said you should apply to more than one school, but that doesn't necessarily mean apply to 12! I just know that I only applied to two and was waitlisted at both. Thankfully I got in off the waitlist, but I was kicking myself for only applying to two schools, since it would have meant another long application cycle.

The AAVMC runs the central application process (the VMCAS), and then each school usually does their own supplemental app. I'm not sure what else their role is.

 

[alliecat44]

Wow, this thread really got off-track...WildlifeSaver, a lot of your questions can be answered by searches done on the pre-vet forum--just FYI. 🙂 And you can get TONS of different perspectives--lots of good reading to be done over there/in the archives.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

 

[Blondbondgirl]

I was one of those horse-crazy little girls that wanted to be a vet as long as I could remember! What made my go for med school instead?
My faith-
A friend once told me that if God gave me the brains for medicine, there were a lot of people out there who need help.
I love animals a lot- in fact, I physically miss my dog right now, (my husband has her at the moment) so it took a lot of time to think about it...
But in retrospect I have a lot of peace with my decision, I feel like that is why I'm here. (as in on earth. I have a feeling there will be a lot of responses with a high sass level, but oh well)

It turns out that after a riding accident that broke my back I would not have been able to physically handle equine medicine anyway, so it all worked out!

Good luck to you!

 

[DianaUT06]

Thats what I am talking about presence is given to an in state person for vet med school. Medical school really isn't like that much, is it?

Not unless you're in Texas.

 

[Grace34]

My med school had vast majority of in-state students, in fact I only met 1 or 2 that were definitely from another state. You basically had to have ties to this state in order to go there.

A good friend from undergrad went to vet school, and after finishing had a hard time finding a job. Maybe she was too picky or something, but seriously, after 8 yrs of school I had BETTER be able to find work!!

Also, I think your income will depend on where you live. Around here, many people are lower SES and have very down to earth careers (like farming) - people that are not ever, no matter what, going to pay for an xray for their dog. Many pets just never, ever go to the vet. One of our local vets actually has a day job and does veterinary medicine at night. This is sad to me.

 

[LynnKat]

My med school had vast majority of in-state students, in fact I only met 1 or 2 that were definitely from another state. You basically had to have ties to this state in order to go there.

A good friend from undergrad went to vet school, and after finishing had a hard time finding a job. Maybe she was too picky or something, but seriously, after 8 yrs of school I had BETTER be able to find work!!

Also, I think your income will depend on where you live. Around here, many people are lower SES and have very down to earth careers (like farming) - people that are not ever, no matter what, going to pay for an xray for their dog. Many pets just never, ever go to the vet. One of our local vets actually has a day job and does veterinary medicine at night. This is sad to me.

I'm guessing it does depend on area and the type of medicine you want to practice, and how determined you are to stay in one place. With 28 US Vet schools and class sizes of around 100 each, there are more jobs out there for vets than there are vets to fill them.

 

[Beau Geste]

If you want patients who are cuddly and don't talk, just do peds.😀

kids can talk incessantly too. But they are definitely easy to cuddle!

In my current career, I really warn the parents to enjoy the silence for a while because it won't last.

 

[Beau Geste]

Veterinary science is interesting for sure. I think I could enjoy being a large animal vet, but I have too much attachment to dogs and cats to have to euthanize them frequently. I get a little lump in my throat as it is when I see cats or dogs on the side of the road that were hit by cars.