Non-degree pre-req?

[VetWannaB]

New here: career changer 😀 soooo glad found this forum.. had already learned a lot! 🙂 just want to make sure i get all the facts correctly: for non-traditional pre-vet applicants, in order to meet all pre-req requirement, i assume that everyone just enroll the "non-degree seeking" program? Also if certain classes taken via online and certain in person, how would the final GPA come together, especially if not taken from the same institutions? Thank you!!

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[EngrSC]

New here: career changer 😀 soooo glad found this forum.. had already learned a lot! 🙂 just want to make sure i get all the facts correctly: for non-traditional pre-vet applicants, in order to meet all pre-req requirement, i assume that everyone just enroll the "non-degree seeking" program? Also if certain classes taken via online and certain in person, how would the final GPA come together, especially if not taken from the same institutions? Thank you!!

Cumulative GPA is a catch-all reflection of every college course you took/take from every school you've attended (though I think a few schools eliminate courses such as those taken in a vet tech program)

You don't need to be a "non-degree seeking" student to take your prereqs. You can take classes at your local community college, as open enrollment (i.e. crash courses) at your local 4-year school, you can enroll as a post-bacc student as if you're trying to earn a second bachelors, etc. It's really whatever works best for you.

Be careful with online classes - some schools explicitly state that certain courses cannot be taken online.

 

[VetWannaB]

Cumulative GPA is a catch-all reflection of every college course you took/take from every school you've attended (though I think a few schools eliminate courses such as those taken in a vet tech program)

You don't need to be a "non-degree seeking" student to take your prereqs. You can take classes at your local community college, as open enrollment (i.e. crash courses) at your local 4-year school, you can enroll as a post-bacc student as if you're trying to earn a second bachelors, etc. It's really whatever works best for you.

Be careful with online classes - some schools explicitly state that certain courses cannot be taken online.

Thanks so much EngrSC for your reply. I am checking with the admission office on the online classes part. I do want to clarify one thing though: what is the typical degree that everyone on this forum enrolls for pre-vet pre-requisite purpose (meaning that all pre-req classes are covered by such degree? the picture in my mind is I will probably need to pick and chose classes from couple different majors?) I apologize for asking such a fundamental/primitive questions.

Thanks everyone in advance. 🙂

 

[eschmidt32]

I decided to go with a Biochemistry degree based on prereqs. My degree, combined with the gen ed required courses covered everything that I needed for the schools that I applied for, with the exception of one course for one school. Otherwise, I didn't really need to worry about having to take a bunch of classes that wouldn't count towards my degree. Good luck as you begin this process!

 

[pandaclaus]

I am also a career changer. I completed my undergraduate studies in engineering 6 years ago. I took the prerequisites for veterinary school at night, as a non-degree candidate, in a local university's continuing education program. There are some pre-medical post-bacc certificate programs that cover most of the standard prerequisites, if you're interested in that.

 

[EngrSC]

I am also a career changer. I completed my undergraduate studies in engineering 6 years ago. I took the prerequisites for veterinary school at night, as a non-degree candidate, in a local university's continuing education program. There are some pre-medical post-bacc certificate programs that cover most of the standard prerequisites, if you're interested in that.

👍 This is what I'm doing (also originally got my degree in engineering). I take some classes at the community college (like 1/5 the cost) and some in a CE program at the 4-year school near me.

 

[hygebeorht]

I enrolled full-time as a 2nd-bachelor-seeking student (the degree wasn't really my goal, but if you say you are not seeking a degree, you cannot get federal student aid).

Eventually I ended up in a graduate program and just finished that up. I never specified a major, just undecided with an interest in biomedical sciences. My prereqs were completed through a combination of CLEP/IB/AP testing, courses at the 4-year school, and a course at the local CC.

It's worth taking $$$ into account. CLEP testing is the cheapest way to get credit, but some vet schools do not accept CLEP/IB/AP credit. Do your research on that count.

 

[ChittyBang]

I'm non-trad also (thirties with a degree in Forensic Psych) and enrolled in a local, private 4 year college as a Biology major. I had the option of enrolling as non-degree/post-bacc, but I wanted the option of earning a BS in Bio as a "plan B".

 

[pandaclaus]

👍 This is what I'm doing (also originally got my degree in engineering). I take some classes at the community college (like 1/5 the cost) and some in a CE program at the 4-year school near me.

The cost was a huge factor ($1k/class vs. $1k/credit) in taking classes in the continuing education program. But, the deciding factor for me was being able to take night classes. I've been working full-time and could not take a mid-morning bio class or a 1-5pm lab on a Tuesday or similar.

 

[VetWannaB]

Thank you so much for all of your posting! I really appreciate it very much. 🙂

For people who enrolled for post-bacc degree: do you have to complete all the courses and get the degree? I understand the plan B perspective (which is a smart move), but let's say if all I need is to get the pre req, can I just drop off after that? 🙂 Also, I assume you will have to be a full-time student?

For Community College (which I may take this route), how would you know if this doesn't make you less 'desirable' than someone got their pre req from somewhere more prestige? I think I've seen postings here that talked about the pros and cons and how hard to really know what the reviewer/selection committee think and look for...but just want to see if anyone has any new thoughts on this.

I live in DC area, anyone has/had any good experience with any school for the pre req program, I would love to hear from you. Thank you!

 

[that redhead]

I live in DC area, anyone has/had any good experience with any school for the pre req program, I would love to hear from you. Thank you!

I got my BS at Maryland. Since it's a large school it's pretty easy to get into the classes you need to take. Some people don't like the big classroom setting though, so that's a personal decision.

They offer a pre-vet "track" under the animal science degree, but you do not need a specific degree to get into vet school, just the right classes. Most schools require gen chem, organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics at the very least, so that's a good place to start, but research the schools you're looking at applying to and get an idea for their specific requirements on top of the "core" of sciences.

 

[ChittyBang]

Post-baccalaureate is not a degree in itself, but rather just says that you're doing undergraduate coursework after already receiving a Bachelor's degree. You can enroll as a non-degree student doing post-bacc work...does that make sense?

And no, you don't have to finish a degree. If you already have a Bachelor's then doing the pre-reqs alone is usually sufficient, depending on the school's individual requirements and recommended courses.

 

[EngrSC]

Post-baccalaureate is not a degree in itself, but rather just says that you're doing undergraduate coursework after already receiving a Bachelor's degree. You can enroll as a non-degree student doing post-bacc work...does that make sense?

And no, you don't have to finish a degree. If you already have a Bachelor's then doing the pre-reqs alone is usually sufficient, depending on the school's individual requirements and recommended courses.

👍

I'm in California where the school system is really hurting financially. Because I already have a degree and have some 140 units I'm pretty much the last to register through the community college. If I take classes open enrollment and any of the 4-year schools I show up the first day of class and have to beg the professor to let me in. Ideally I try to take classes at the 4-year where I'm enrolled as a "second degree-seeking" student because I get better registration due to the number of units I have but sometimes the classes don't fit with my work schedule.

Really what it comes down to is getting your classes when and where you can, which can be really tricky. I haven't had any issues so far, just a few close calls, you have to be persistent and try to work things from every angle.

 

[kakurubird]

I live in DC area, anyone has/had any good experience with any school for the pre req program, I would love to hear from you. Thank you!

Look into the University of Maryland's Science in the Evening program. I think in-state prices even if you aren't a MD resident and evening classes. It's how I did physics & biochem. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[PippyPony]

I would watch the Community College classes depending on which schools you are applying to. I had a meeting with the admissions staff at Tufts (my top choice), and they told me in no uncertain terms that I should not take classes at CCs unless there was really no other option.

They also said they don't give any preference to people who enroll in a "formal" post-bacc over those who just take the classes on a one-off basis. I know a lot of the formal programs are super expensive, so I would check out the costs before choosing one.

 

[VetWannaB]

THANKS AGAIN for everyone who offered me with your valuable experience and recommendations.

Couple random questions came to mind that might not fit the subject line anymore..but too lazy to start a new thread 🙂

Is there a place that I can find the weigh percentage for each required element per school (GRE xx%, GPA xx%...)? I bought a book, 2013 Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements, but it doesn't include information like this.

Also I know certain schools are big on "research hours": what suffices as "research"? and where likely offer this type of experience?

 

[EngrSC]

Is there a place that I can find the weigh percentage for each required element per school (GRE xx%, GPA xx%...)? I bought a book, 2013 Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements, but it doesn't include information like this.

Also I know certain schools are big on "research hours": what suffices as "research"? and where likely offer this type of experience?

I've been able to find the percentages on some of the vet schools websites, but not all. I'm not sure if some schools just don't advertise it or if it's just not easy to find. I was only able to find it for Cornell, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Texas. A few others listed their selection criteria but not how they weight each piece of info. So if you're able to find it for any of the schools let me know 🙂

I think research has to be done under a PhD, MD, DVM, etc., but I'm not sure. When I was in UG I spent a summer doing research in one of the labs at my school. I looked up some of the research projects, contacted the professors whose research sounded interesting, and one of them let me in. Unfortunately it was in a subject completely unrelated to medicine - neutron and quark stars It was ridiculously boring but I didn't know then that engineering wasn't my thing.