for what its worth...I am just finishing my masters at VT, also got my undergrad here. So i am familiar with alot of people who want to apply to the vet school, but most dont get in, even if they are from VT. I'd say the people who get in are VERY dedicated to seperating themselves out from other applicants.
I took 2 electives there last year, Neurobiology (a first year class), and Neurochemistry (a graduate and residency class). I was very impressed with the school. Tons of facilities, looks alot larger on the inside than it looks on the outside. Although, the labs/lecture rooms seem very old and uncomfortable. Not very good for having a laptop open etc.
For the most part it was a great experience taking a class with the vet students. I'd say about 1/4 of the freshman class with in their upper 20's/low 30s, and most of them seemed like they got a masters degree in something too. I'd say another 1/4 of the class was very young, right out of undergrad. And the other half was mid 20's, but probably didnt get in on their first try.
With that said I know its very very competitive to get in. Seems like you not only need top notch grades and scores, but experience also. (not just experience playing with your horses out back, actual volunteer experience treating animals in clinics & tons of veterinary volunteering).
I didn't think the classes were that hard at all. Exams were very straight forward, didn't try to trick you any. They know the students have tons of other classes to take and exams day after day. All the students were very very nice. Didn't notice any cutthroat type attitudes or anything. There were at least 75% females, most were engaged or already married. (YIKES!)
Seemed like some prof.'s were better than others, and knew how to teach more than others which is typical.
I feel sorry for the 2nd years who have to take toxicology, I think thats their hell class. I had a bit of neurotoxicology, and they emphasized on pestacides (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) very very very heavily, which was very confusing (bad prof, a biochemist/toxicollogy researcher), tons of different chemicals to memorize and their effects, most which i could care less about because I deal with people and not animals.
Cant really say I had any bad experiences with the school. Other than some of the rooms/labs and equipment seemed quite out dated, and I find it strange they follow the same schedule as the undergrad/grad part of the university, seems like they are trying to squeeze a TON of classes into rather short semesters.
I wish the medical school at VT had equally comparable facilities and long breaks, they dont even get off summers or full winter breaks.
