MSU vs ISU

[Legkolo]

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I got accepted into both, Michigan State U a few months ago (and accepted their offer) and ISU just today(#29 on the waitlist), and i am having a tough time deciding which to go.

i am out of state student for both (ISU is about 5k cheaper)
i am incline to do something with laboratory animal, if not, small animal
i am also interested in internal medicine and comparative medicine (MSU got a med school, which is a plus)
MSU seems to rank higher (from the 2007 vet school list, tho ISU was not on there)
ISU has terminal surgery and has build a new small animal facility (and has a program for vet student to go out of the country for summer)

I never visited MSU, but have visited ISU. ISU seems pretty good, the trailer park (for vet student) sounds nice. The only complaint is their small animal facility seems a bit depressing, without windows, but i doubt that would be a problem when they complete the new facility in 2012.

Can any1 give me some more info about MSU, and above all, which one would you recommend?

 

[wolfpack87]

Legkolo, I can't really help you all that much in your comparison of the two schools. However, I can let you know that rankings (at least as far as the one I believe you're talking about on US News and World Report) are not really that important as far as Vet schools go. Just my 2 cents. Good luck though.

 

[cowgirla]

I thought ISU said that the only place you have to do terminal surgery is in upper level electives?

Honestly, I loved ISU's facilities. Yeah the SA wing was a little old, but by the time class of 2014 gets to do most of their clinic work, it'll be brand new.

I never saw MSU's facilities, so can't comment there (you are talking about Michigan right, not Mississippi?) (Ok, never mind, I didn't read your post very well!)

and out of curiosity, what was your rank?

Rankings don't matter for vet schools. It's a load of *&^$.

 

[HandD42]

I thought ISU said that the only place you have to do terminal surgery is in upper level electives?

Honestly, I loved ISU's facilities. Yeah the SA wing was a little old, but by the time class of 2014 gets to do most of their clinic work, it'll be brand new.

I never saw MSU's facilities, so can't comment there (you are talking about Michigan right, not Mississippi?)

and out of curiosity, what was your rank?

Rankings don't matter for vet schools. It's a load of *&^$.

A terminal surgery is part of the required 3rd year curriculum but you can opt out of it (that is my understanding anyway) and there are additional elective choices on top of that.

I say ISU, but then I am biased as a new Iowa stater!

 

[scubblescully]

Congrats on the acceptances!
I saw both schools and think they are both great choices! ISU had a great community and the LA hospital was great and I'm sure the SA hospital will be too. With that said, MSU impressed me a little bit more. I liked all the students and faculty I met there and liked the facilities. If you are interested in lab animal stuff I have heard MSU does a lot of really cool research but you'd have to ask somebody else. I have heard Iowa State produced really good surgeons but I have also heard the same for MSU. This probably isn't helping at all. Maybe you should stick with MSU because you already accepted their position? But I guess the fact you can't decide even after sending in your MSU deposit shows you actually like ISU better? But maybe that is just because you have not seen MSU? haha. Who knows. Good luck with the decision and congrats!

 

[jpeterman13]

I would personally go to MSU but that's just because I'm IS . They are BOTH fantastic schools. I LOVED Iowa State!! You are right on when you say that they had a "great community". And you CAN opt out of terminal surgeries at ISU as far as I understand it. When I talked to the Dean, he said that they were spending something like 45 million (? not sure, too excited to remember) on the new SA wing and that it WILL be ready for us 2014'ers. Some will say go with the cheaper tuition, but it's only 5k, which isn't that much in the whole swing of things. If I get called of the 70 person IS waitlist at MSU, I will go simply because of tuition and proximity to my family. But I personally believe that Iowa will be better for me in the long run (if you exclude the fiscal factor). Good luck with your decision, if you end up choosing ISU, see you in the Fall.

 

[racccjlm]

A terminal surgery is part of the required 3rd year curriculum but you can opt out of it (that is my understanding anyway) and there are additional elective choices on top of that.

I had this confirmed because I will never perform a terminal surgery - I asked during my interview. You CAN choose to do more spays/neuters, etc.

 

[sunnyshine]

I personally feel that Iowa State has a better large animal science program than most schools and that Michigan State has a better small animal science program. So if you want small animal I would go with Michigan. I am actually waitlisted at both of those schools right now. If you don't mind me asking - what was your rank for Iowa, just curious as to how far down they are.

 

[skkyy1329]

Just wondering, what rank were you on Iowa State's waiting list?

 

[Legkolo]

i am #29 on the waitlist