New Article for New Vets

[DVM882029]

I think this is a well written article, while it's along the lines of a reality check it's also careful to encourage people (us) who are committed and want to make it work the most efficient way possible. It's kept me optimistic at least... And just last night I cut down some schools off my list because of price (both tuition and the price of additional pre-reqs)

Thoughts?

http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=28103

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[adams30]

This has been the most positive yet realistic article I've read about the profession in a while.

While it is important to be well aware of the realities of veterinary medicine, discouraging people from doing it isn't constructive either ... after all, who will practice when those who are discouraging us now retire?

The article highlighted on a lot of things that I kept in mind when I applied to schools last year. While I did think it'd be cool to go to school out of state or overseas just for a new experience, I decided it was not worth the price tag. Thus I only applied to 3 schools and fortunately got in my in-state, which was my least expensive option.

The high interest rate is crazy. My friend had to buy a car recently, and the loan for her car was only at 2% interest. Doesn't make much sense that you can get a car for lower interest but not an education.

 

[KokoPuff]

At least schools spend tons of money trying to get minorities the lowest rates possible. The attack on the middle class continues.

 

[Jess Monster]

Positive, but still a "you're screwed financially" message. 🙁

I'm likely going to fall into the over $200,000 camp. The older I get, the more terrible it sounds, but, like so many others, I would find it difficult to be happy pursuing any other career.

I joke with my parents that this means I'll have to get married now.... or get a sugar daddy, whichever opportunity presents itself first. That or I rent out my womb.

 

[ChittyBang]

Positive, but still a "you're screwed financially" message. 🙁

I'm likely going to fall into the over $200,000 camp. The older I get, the more terrible it sounds, but, like so many others, I would find it difficult to be happy pursuing any other career.

I joke with my parents that this means I'll have to get married now.... or get a sugar daddy, whichever opportunity presents itself first. That or I rent out my womb.

👍 haha I also have been joking (but not really) that I'll have to get married in order to pay my bills after vet school :what:

As a 2014 applicant I'm pretty darn scared of what lies ahead financially and this article did not assuage me at all. I'm committed to pursuing this field, but am not taking this impending debt situation lightly. I want to be a vet, always have, but I almost feel that if I don't get in this cycle that it might be a gift, in a way. I know that's just my nerves talking, but... 😕

 

[dyachei]

I felt it wasn't really all that positive. More neutral. I don't think you should dissuade future vets. I think you should educate them - especially that if they would be happy doing something else, they probably should. Until there is massive reform, I will believe that. And I believe that part of that is educating them on costs vs earning potential. And what that means for living. Because it's not fun to live like a student. For years after you graduate.

 

[equineconstant]

I didn't see it as very positive either. Particularly since I'm already worrying that I made a mistake choosing vet school, statements like this aren't comforting:

Psychologically, the longer people travel down a particular path, the more likely they are to find confirmation that they're on the right path, and filter out information to the contrary,

"I think that's what's happening in veterinary medicine," she said. "People since they were 5, they've shaped their entire lives — school, volunteer, work experience — toward becoming veterinarians. Even when this new information comes in that says, ‘Hmm, perhaps this isn't the right thing,' they use all their coping and denial skills to say, ‘It's not going to be me' and they entrench deeper."

I actually looked at the linked "Three reasons veterinarians are not doomed" article, and didn't see that article as very positive either. It seemed to me like it was saying "everything is terrible for everyone involved, but it's worth it somehow!"

 

[DVMDream]

I didn't read the article to be honest. Mostly because this is the 16376498237 article on the same damn subject. The horse has been beaten, time to put the sticks down and actually DO something about it instead of repeatedly writing articles on it. Writing an article for the 17939238 time isn't going to change anything; how about coming up with a plan of action for solving the problem or at least making the issue not as extreme?

 

[FarmerMom]

I see nothing wrong with being honest about the costs of vet school vs the reality in terms of earning.This is why there are only a few schools I will actually apply to, because I cannot justify the expense of the education for the vast majority of the schools.

As a non-traditional student, my particular situation is unique, and it allows me to take on the debt of tuition and books without much change to our current "living" expenses.

 

[that redhead]

I didn't read the article to be honest. Mostly because this is the 16376498237 article on the same damn subject. The horse has been beaten, time to put the sticks down and actually DO something about it instead of repeatedly writing articles on it. Writing an article for the 17939238 time isn't going to change anything; how about coming up with a plan of action for solving the problem or at least making the issue not as extreme?

You're right - you didn't miss anything. I think we all get the point and we're all scared about our futures. Instead of writing articles belaboring the point, can we be writing letters to the AVMA who continue to accredit new schools and exacerbate the problem?

 

[ChittyBang]

As a non-traditional student, my particular situation is unique, and it allows me to take on the debt of tuition and books without much change to our current "living" expenses.

I'm non-trad as well and we have less time to plan paying the debt off, etc. We theoretically have more money saved up before school (theoretically), but without much change? I'm not sure I understand.

 

[FarmerMom]

My husband is a disabled veteran, he has a pension through that. My expenses won't change because with kids and husband, we're already paying a mortgage and bills we'd be paying regardless. If we get my instate, my only additional expenses are gas to get to school. I'm also in a position to pay on my student loans while I'm still in school.

 

[FarmerMom]

It also means, we can move to the location of another school if necessary, and we have a very good chunk of equity in our current residence, it would pay off most of what I would borrow for school anyhow.

Like I said, my situation is unique to most, even for a non-traditional student.

 

[ChittyBang]

Ahhh... I see 🙂 You're lucky in that sense.

 

[DVM882029]

It also means, we can move to the location of another school if necessary, and we have a very good chunk of equity in our current residence, it would pay off most of what I would borrow for school anyhow.

Like I said, my situation is unique to most, even for a non-traditional student.

That's a very lucky situation!

I'll go hang out near the air force base 😉

 

[david594]

The high interest rate is crazy. My friend had to buy a car recently, and the loan for her car was only at 2% interest. Doesn't make much sense that you can get a car for lower interest but not an education.

The rate is crazy, but the difference is that if you can't afford the loan payments on the car you will get up one morning to find the the bank had it towed away and sold off.

If you fail to pay your students loans there isn't anything they can take back and sell off to recover part of your debt. Even worse is to think of the students who fail out of veterinary school with $50k, 100k, or upwards of $200k in debt with no degree to show for it and still have to pay off those debt loads.

 

[lso5013]

At least schools spend tons of money trying to get minorities the lowest rates possible. The attack on the middle class continues.

Hopefully that'll help out my cause for admission too! Hahaha...but seriously...

 

[lailanni]

I'd say that discouraging is fair game. (Not as in "you're never going to make it", but rather "you're very likely going to be at a horrible financial disadvantage for the rest of your life.")

This part of the article irks me.

"We don't want to discourage anybody at all," Headley said. "We still all think this is a pretty good profession, but the problems that we've seen with some of these young people coming out of school with literally six figures of debt, and coming to work for a $50,000-a-year job, is disturbing. It's going to be 20 years before they are out of poverty.

Or paraphrased, "I don't want to discourage you - but you're going to be in poverty."

Um. I would discourage anyone from being in poverty. Period.