Newbie needing direction! Please Help!!!

[lemonie]

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Howdy y'all! I'm new here and am seeking some much needed direction. I currently hold a double BA in Psychology and Family Studies. I have been training dogs for the past 10 years and now do professional private training specializing in aggressive and hyperactive dogs. Though I have spent the last 5 years working in adolescent psychiatric, my heart has always been with the animals and have trouble going to work for any other reason. I am now seeking direction in working toward my DVM. Can someone give me some advice and direction in what my next step is. My last biology course was 6 years ago. Please help me out!

 

[CookieBear]

Howdy y'all! I'm new here and am seeking some much needed direction. I currently hold a double BA in Psychology and Family Studies. I have been training dogs for the past 10 years and now do professional private training specializing in aggressive and hyperactive dogs. Though I have spent the last 5 years working in adolescent psychiatric, my heart has always been with the animals and have trouble going to work for any other reason. I am now seeking direction in working toward my DVM. Can someone give me some advice and direction in what my next step is. My last biology course was 6 years ago. Please help me out!

http://aavmc.org/ is a start. You can find everything each school is looking for, from their site.

When I embarked on this path, I returned to school part-time while working full-time. I have a B.A. already, and I've taken one science pre-req after another the past four years, to be able to apply.

Or, I understand some on this board return to school in a "post bacc" type program, where you can take more sciences at a time, earn a second degree, or something that I'm forgetting. I didn't have the option of going to school again full-time. That would be the fastest way... but you have to make sure you get great grades. And great GRE scores to be competitive.

And.. varied animal experience. Don't do what I did: fall in love with an animal hospital and work half your life there! It complicates matters!

Good luck.

 

[Taenia]

You might want to look into fresh start programs at various schools...I know Kansas won't accept prereq's if they're from 6 years ago, I think. Other schools limit you to 10 years. Just make sure you check...you may have to retake some really basic courses.

 

[Boxsterluv]

Taenia is right, some schools don't accept pre-req's from a long time ago, and also, every school has their own list of pre-req's... Your best bet is to do some research on the schools and look at the pre-req's for the schools you are interested in. Get in contact with those schools to see if the classes that you've had are still acceptable, and get to work on any pre-req's that you don't have. Remember that most vet schools require the GRE, so check that out too.. Come up with a timeline to get your pre-req's and take the GRE and get some varied experience (it sounds like you've done lots of small animal, maybe put in some time with large animals?) then work towards your goal! Good luck!

 

[lemonie]

Thank you all very much! I was thinking that these were the steps I was needing to take and wanted to make sure I was on track. I am talking with some local vets and brushing up on my science. I'm hoping to apply in another year or so but will be very glad to leave my current job and gain more experience in a field I enjoy. 😀
Quick GRE question...do I need to take a general GRE or is there a specific field (i.e. medical) I need to take it in? I had already taken my Psychology GRE 2 years ago but that will be outdated anyway by the time I apply and don't think it would be accepted.
As for gaining varied experience, this will be very tough since I live in the land of corn and bliss" (Illinois). Thats right...corn and no cattle. I do have some experience with horses, I mean, I can ride and take care of them, but nothing medical. Thank you again for all the advice and please keep it coming!

 

[RazorDoc2010]

you will need to take the GRE General Test and a couple of schools (only Ok-state and Georgia(?) to my knowledge) require the GRE Biology test in addition to that

 

[Vetgirl305]

Everyone is right. you definately need to take the GREs and you will certainly have to take some sciences again. Some schools like to see repeat courses and others like to see upper level courses. I recommend contacting the schools that you are interested in and talking to them personally. Most vet schools are extremely nice about talking to you, and some even prefer that you come down. Tufts is really nice and helpful; Malcom Kieter (assoc dean of admissions at Penn) would love to meet with every applicant in person and give them guidance and direction. I would definately make a list of schools and contact the about what they want. You may be able to get into some schools without retaking the 8 dreaded science classes.....Good luck.