Mizzou c/o 2024

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For those current OOS students, how was your timeline transitioning to Columbia, i.e., when did you move into your apartment, did you bring a car, etc.? I'm all the way from CA, so moving to MO is pretty different

I moved in at the end of May when I was scheduled to start in August simply because my current lease was ending. I was one of the first OOS people from my class to move to town but it honestly just comes down to your personal schedule and how much time you want to settle and explore the town before classes start. The week before classes start there is also a camp style orientation to get to know your classmates and faculty so you’ll want to be in town for that if possible. I don’t think there is anyone who came without a car since most people live off campus/have to drive.


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Are there any areas of Columbia that we should try to avoid moving into? Any rental companies/real estate offices to avoid?
 
Are there any areas of Columbia that we should try to avoid moving into? Any rental companies/real estate offices to avoid?

It seems like most people I know live on the South side of town, but I live on the north side and have no issues whatsoever. I don’t personally rent from any of the following but have heard they are good: KPO Properties, Log Hill Properties. I know KPO waives pet fees if you mention you are a vet student. A lot of people also just find rentals from upperclassmen and word of mouth. Like I’m renting from a couple of recent graduates. The only company I was flat out told to avoid was Modern Property Groups. You will also get added to a Facebook group for your specific class so you can connect with your classmates and upperclassmen on there about finding rentals as well.


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Do you know if Mizzou requires or recommends a specific laptop? I will be purchasing my first laptop (a 2-in-1 hybrid). I'm leaning towards the Lenovo brand because several vets I work with highly recommended it.
The only info I could find was via this link: Computers for the College of Veterinary Medicine

I have a lenovo 2-in-1 laptop, and I
LOVE IT. I highly recommend them. Make sure you have one that has an active pen setting! Mine doesn’t so I can’t use those fancy styluses. :/
 
Does anyone have any insight for me about the interview here? And any advice you may have would be greatly appreciated!
 
I got into Mizzou and was curious if you guys take clinical skills classes during all 4 years? Or what opportunities do you have to practice clinical skills before 3rd and 4th year when you do rotations? Also are there classes to work and practice talking to clients or is that also mainly during 3rd and 4th year?
 
I got into Mizzou and was curious if you guys take clinical skills classes during all 4 years? Or what opportunities do you have to practice clinical skills before 3rd and 4th year when you do rotations? Also are there classes to work and practice talking to clients or is that also mainly during 3rd and 4th year?

I know we have clinical skills during the first year since I’m currently in the class this semester. I’m not sure how much interaction second years get. Aside from classes, there are lots of opportunities to work with animals outside of class. There are frequently job postings for the ICU and foal team. If you don’t want to get a job at school, most clubs have animal handling labs that they set up. The first semester is like no live animals but after that, you start working with live animals and things start to come together about why you’re actually learning all of the stuff they throw at you.


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I know we have clinical skills during the first year since I’m currently in the class this semester. I’m not sure how much interaction second years get. Aside from classes, there are lots of opportunities to work with animals outside of class. There are frequently job postings for the ICU and foal team. If you don’t want to get a job at school, most clubs have animal handling labs that they set up. The first semester is like no live animals but after that, you start working with live animals and things start to come together about why you’re actually learning all of the stuff they throw at you.


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Cool that’s good to know that at least after the 1st semester u work with animals more. Do you know if there are opportunities for people interested in exotic/zoo medicine


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Cool that’s good to know that at least after the 1st semester u work with animals more. Do you know if there are opportunities for people interested in exotic/zoo medicine


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We have a specific club called the ZEW club for zoo, exotics, and wildlife related topics. They try to have meetings every month and often have trips or animal handling labs. Like last semester there was an opportunity to go to a tiger sanctuary and another meeting where we handled rabbits. So it just kind of depends on what the club is doing each month but it still provides great info and opportunities.


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We have a specific club called the ZEW club for zoo, exotics, and wildlife related topics. They try to have meetings every month and often have trips or animal handling labs. Like last semester there was an opportunity to go to a tiger sanctuary and another meeting where we handled rabbits. So it just kind of depends on what the club is doing each month but it still provides great info and opportunities.


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Ok thank you! Do you know if there are rotations available for 3rd and 4th years for exotics or chances to do internships/externships during school for exotics?
 
Ok thank you! Do you know if there are rotations available for 3rd and 4th years for exotics or chances to do internships/externships during school for exotics?

Yes there are tons of opportunities for rotations. Honestly, they let you go anywhere as long as wherever you are going is willing to keep track of your performance and work with the school for grading purposes. That’s why they highly recommend looking into places you may want to go as early as possible because lots of zoos fill up years in advance.


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Yes there are tons of opportunities for rotations. Honestly, they let you go anywhere as long as wherever you are going is willing to keep track of your performance and work with the school for grading purposes. That’s why they highly recommend looking into places you may want to go as early as possible because lots of zoos fill up years in advance.


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Awesome! That’s great to hear and it’s nice that the school has 2 years of rotations to help give students more opportunities!

Since you have 2 years of rotations does that mean the classes are a lot faster because they have to fit a lot of information in two years rather than 3?
 
Awesome! That’s great to hear and it’s nice that the school has 2 years of rotations to help give students more opportunities!

Since you have 2 years of rotations does that mean the classes are a lot faster because they have to fit a lot of information in two years rather than 3?

Mizzou does what are called Instructional Periods (IPs). We have 11 IPs of classes before clinics and each IP is 8 weeks vs at other schools that do 16 week long semesters. Since we try to fit things into 8 weeks, our class schedule is definitely faster paced but I find that I don’t get as burned out as I would if I had to have the same classes for 16 weeks. Some classes such as Anatomy will last over multiple IPs but other classes will be different. We typically have exams every week where some semester vet schools may have some weeks where they don’t have exams. It can be difficult for people to adjust to the pace but honestly once you get the hang of it, it’s not a big deal.


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Mizzou does what are called Instructional Periods (IPs). We have 11 IPs of classes before clinics and each IP is 8 weeks vs at other schools that do 16 week long semesters. Since we try to fit things into 8 weeks, our class schedule is definitely faster paced but I find that I don’t get as burned out as I would if I had to have the same classes for 16 weeks. Some classes such as Anatomy will last over multiple IPs but other classes will be different. We typically have exams every week where some semester vet schools may have some weeks where they don’t have exams. It can be difficult for people to adjust to the pace but honestly once you get the hang of it, it’s not a big deal.


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Ok sounds good! Thanks again for answering all my questions! I’m trying to decide to go here or my instate school. They both similar in tuition cost because of Mizzou instate tuition after one year and living is cheaper in Columbia, so that’s not too big of a deciding factor with me, so I’m just trying to compare programs!


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Ok sounds good! Thanks again for answering all my questions! I’m trying to decide to go here or my instate school. They both similar in tuition cost because of Mizzou instate tuition after one year and living is cheaper in Columbia, so that’s not too big of a deciding factor with me, so I’m just trying to compare programs!


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I was in completely the same situation and ended up choosing Mizzou over my instate based on the cost of living and the feeling I got during my interview. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!


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For current students- does mizzou have good opportunities for lab animal medicine?
 
Does anyone know how long after the interview in state will hear of decisions?


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I went thread-stalking. :ninja: It looks like IS residents hear back late March! IS residents in the c/o 2023 heard back March 20th, and IS residents in the c/o 2022 heard back March 29th,
 
For current students- does mizzou have good opportunities for lab animal medicine?

There are a couple lab animal related classes and you can take lab animal medicine rotations for clinics. The best option we have for working with lab animals is the VRSP program where you work on a research project with a faculty member during the summer between your 1st and 2nd year and/or the summer between your 2nd and 3rd year.


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In anyone’s experience, do they tend to ask more common vet med/interview questions or does it tend to be more focused on your individual application?
 
In anyone’s experience, do they tend to ask more common vet med/interview questions or does it tend to be more focused on your individual application?

They like to say that the whole point of the interview is to match the application to a face and make sure that the “relationship” of vet school would be beneficial for both you and them. So while they definitely focus on your specific application, expect a couple general interview questions. They also really want to make sure you are making an informed decision too so they love answering any questions you have at the end of the interview as well.


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There are a couple lab animal related classes and you can take lab animal medicine rotations for clinics. The best option we have for working with lab animals is the VRSP program where you work on a research project with a faculty member during the summer between your 1st and 2nd year and/or the summer between your 2nd and 3rd year.


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Thank you for this information. I can’t seem to find a good schedule of what the semesters look like on the website. How long is your winter/summer break?
 
Thank you for this information. I can’t seem to find a good schedule of what the semesters look like on the website. How long is your winter/summer break?

Our winter breaks are around 3 weeks long and our summers are like 1.5-2 months since we have a more accelerated schedule than other schools that can take the full summer off. You get more flexibility once you start clinics because they give you time to take a block off. So you schedule clinics how you want (if that makes sense).

I think they allow everyone to see the academic calendar, but I’m not sure. If you go on the Mizzou website and click current students, there should be an option for academic calendar where you can see the start and end dates of each IP.


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Can March 1st come any sooner?? I’m so anxious to interview and meet everyone!!!
 
For current students- does mizzou have good opportunities for lab animal medicine?

The lab animal residency program is considered to be quite a strong program, and the lab animal clinical elective, is both a longer elective and provides varied experience and is quite well liked by all that take it. If you have any further questions about it, feel free to ask them here or shoot me a pm.


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Does anyone know how much extra money is it to get your MPH, and the extra time you need to spend? Taking an extra class per block or do people still finish within 4yrs?
 
Does anyone know how much extra money is it to get your MPH, and the extra time you need to spend? Taking an extra class per block or do people still finish within 4yrs?

People still finish within 4 years. Don’t have a good answer for money though.


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Any advise on finding housing/roommates? I am moving from very far and am hoping to move into a house that’s already furnished/partly furnished. Is this an option?!
 
Any advise on finding housing/roommates? I am moving from very far and am hoping to move into a house that’s already furnished/partly furnished. Is this an option?!

That can be an option at some places. When you get added to the class Facebook page, tons of people will post looking for roommates.


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Any advise on finding housing/roommates? I am moving from very far and am hoping to move into a house that’s already furnished/partly furnished. Is this an option?!
Second the above advice, plus there will be ton of upperclassman on the FB group to ask about good apartments and places to live, including if you want roommates or want to live alone.
 
For anyone looking for rentals, my roomie and I live in single family home 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (a master bedroom and bathroom). We are both moving out in May as we are graduating and looking to help our wonderful landlord find other vet students to live there after we leave! We live in a WONDEFUL neighborhood just 9 minutes from the vet school. Kitchen, dining and living room. Large fenced back yard. Rent is 1200 a month. for bills (including our wifi company) we pay roughly $150 each. We wouldn't trade this place for anything! We love it! 2 car garage and driveway. Friendly neighbors! Would be a great place for 2-3 vet students to live in! I think there are a two pet limit with a non-refundable pet fee. Message me if interested!
 
Quick question for current students/especially 3rd and 4th years, I know Columbia is a small/mid size town but do you guys fill the school gets a heavy case load, like do you get a good variety of cases and plenty to see or are there times where there are no cases and you guys sit around?


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Quick question for current students/especially 3rd and 4th years, I know Columbia is a small/mid size town but do you guys fill the school gets a heavy case load, like do you get a good variety of cases and plenty to see or are there times where there are no cases and you guys sit around?


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If in small animal, you will never have an issue in terms of case load. Large animal is very similar. Equine surgery and equine ambulatory is pretty steady as well (my equine surgery was actually insane, and I have been in on the same number of colic surgeries as my wife doing an equine internship, but I have heard my experience was abnormally high). Equine medicine can be really hit or miss, heard some people being busy throughout and others who saw almost nothing during time there. If you want more specifics on a particular specialty, can definitely help answer further


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8 days till my interview!! I’m super excited, nervous about what they’ll ask in the 15 minute slot! I literally dreamed last night of a practice interview
 
8 days till my interview super excited, nervous about what they’ll ask in the 15 minute slot! I literally dreamed last night of a practice interview

I interviewed last year and it was incredibly relaxed! They just asked about my experiences and about my application. It was conversational and my nerves were gone really quickly! You’ll be fine, just be yourself! They genuinely want to get to know you. I’m interviewing March 1!!


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I interviewed last year and it was incredibly relaxed! They just asked about my experiences and about my application. It was conversational and my nerves were gone really quickly! You’ll be fine, just be yourself! They genuinely want to get to know you. I’m interviewing March 1!!


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Me too!! What time? Mine is at 11:30 🙂
 
If in small animal, you will never have an issue in terms of case load. Large animal is very similar. Equine surgery and equine ambulatory is pretty steady as well (my equine surgery was actually insane, and I have been in on the same number of colic surgeries as my wife doing an equine internship, but I have heard my experience was abnormally high). Equine medicine can be really hit or miss, heard some people being busy throughout and others who saw almost nothing during time there. If you want more specifics on a particular specialty, can definitely help answer further


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Ok cool, does it usually depend on season as well? Like more Equine medicine in spring and summer?


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Quick question for current students/especially 3rd and 4th years, I know Columbia is a small/mid size town but do you guys fill the school gets a heavy case load, like do you get a good variety of cases and plenty to see or are there times where there are no cases and you guys sit around?


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Hi! I’m a fourth year! As mentioned, in the small animal hospital very busy. The only time I really just sat down twiddling my fingers was during some radiology days (radiation vacation!) otherwise pretty busy. I’ve gotten a great amount of steps in running around many days haha. I’m currently on my equine medicine rotation and we have been SO BUSY. On food animal, I have had several busy days. The days you are not super busy tend to be days where there is bad weather. We’ve had a couple of days like that this winter! Overall you will not have to worry about caseload. You will have lots of cases on your rotationS. Some rotations I’d juggle 3-4 patients at one time! It was a lot but definitely worth it because you learn a lot .
 
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Is it common to bring a guest/parent for the interview day? I know they are invited to lunch but I was not sure about the rest of the day.
 
Is it common to bring a guest/parent for the interview day? I know they are invited to lunch but I was not sure about the rest of the day.

Last year my step dad came with me and most people had a guest with them. It’s super common!!!


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Is it common to bring a guest/parent for the interview day? I know they are invited to lunch but I was not sure about the rest of the day.
My mom came with me, especially since we drove all the way from Georgia, and most interviewees had a parent or significant other with them!
 
Did everyone else get the second reminder email today about interviews this weekend? Do I need to respond or anything, or are they just reminding all of us again as a courtesy? Just wanna make sure
 
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