New and need advice!!

[jos05]

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Hello all,

I am new here and just really need some advice. I graduated with my bachelors in finance and just recently started my masters in finance program. I dreamed of being a vet while growing up, but just assumed it would be too difficult so took the business route. However, this past year I started working for a vet and it made me realize how badly I really want to be one. Now, I am just not sure where to go from here.
I am currently taking two summer classes for my masters program, and really just don't like them and feel its just not for me. I have no pre-reqs for vet school, so I am torn between trying to complete my finance masters program while not being happy about, and then start taking science classes, or go ahead and start them now.
I guess what I am wondering is would it be best for me to try to stick with it even if its not what I want to do with my life? Would having a masters make my application look better even though it has absolutely nothing to do with science? I'm very torn, and very unhappy in my current program but do not want to ruin myself before I even get started. 😕
I appreciate any help you can give me, I am really enjoying this forum!

Jillian

 

[LittleGato]

To me, it seems that vet schools like to see you finish goals you have set for yourself, even if it's a masters in finance. It gives them reassurance that you will be more likely to finish vet school. Also, being in business would add depth to your application. Part of private practice is handling the business aspect. If you don't have too many more classes to take for your masters, I say finish it and then take the pre-reqs for vet school. Good luck!!

 

[aspiringDVM]

How much longer do you have before you finish your master's? If you only have a semester or even a year, I'd consider finishing it because, as Little Gato said, it shows determination and is a unique experience that will help you run your practice. If you just started on the other hand, you might be better served by focusing on taking the vet school prereqs so you could be ready to apply in a year or two. You mentioned that you're working in a vet clinic, so that's a major point in your favor as you're already getting those vet experience hours 🙂

 

[turnbackhelly]

Hi Jillian! You sound a lot like me not too long ago. I did my bachelor's in psychology and then started a Master of Social Work degree hoping to ultimately go into practice doing animal-assisted therapy. Toward the end of the first year of the MSW program I realized that social work was a poor match for me and that I would be much happier in vet med. I finished out the year (though there was a second year of the program - I had also been admitted to a dual MPH during my first year that I ended up turning down) and started my pre-reqs for vet school that summer (like you, I had NONE from undergrad). I had been working in a vet clinic since starting the MSW program, so I kept that job and also picked up additional volunteer hours throughout the past year to accumulate other vet and animal experience. I also had a lot of animal experience hours from various activities during high school and undergrad.

Since last summer I have been taking a full load of science courses in a post-bac program. I have now completed all the prerequisites for the schools I plan on applying to this cycle. I was worried about what vet schools will think about the fact that I didn't finish my masters program, but I met with the dean of admissions at one of the schools I'm applying to about a month ago, and he actually praised me for leaving the MSW program when I realized that it was not where I wanted to be. He also assured me that (at least for his particular school) it would not be a significant blemish on my application provided that all other areas are solid. Of course this may not be true of all the schools, so you may want to contact admissions offices directly to see if they have a position on this sort of situation either way.

Also, you may also want to consider things from a monetary perspective. For me, the decision not to complete my masters degree was very much an issue of money. I KNEW that even if I finished the MSW program and earned the degree I would never use it, so it didn't make sense for me to spend another $50K (yeah...damn ivy league school) to finish the program, especially since I already had a significant amount in undergrad student loans.

Sorry to make this so long! I think if you are fairly confident that, after completing your pre-reqs and accumulating some more experience, your application can be really solid (GPA, GRE, personal statement, LORs), leaving your master program might not be as big of a problem as you might think.

 

[jos05]

thanks for the replys everyone! I keep going back and forth about it...don't want to look like a "quitter" but I am afraid trying to go through with the program only half heartedly will end up with poor grades which could look even worse. The program is only a year though...so I think I could tough it out if I need to. I was thinking if it could make me stand out a little?
The vet I work for is really great, I started working there in March and have learned so much, I get to assist with surgeries, vaccinations, regular appointments, all great experience. I hope so start volunteering with an equine vet as well, but it won't be too many hours. I took the GMAT to get into business school, I hear its pretty different from the gre's but I'm usually pretty good at standardized tests so I'm not worried.
I think I'm just going to see how my summer classes though and then make the decision. If i do finish it, I will most likely need to get a job and complete the pre-reqs much sloooower than if I did them now!ahhh decisions