Other Options?

[Thunderbunny]

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So, I hope this post doesn't come accross as too Debbie Downer, but here goes.

I'm starting to worry about my chances at vet school. I have 2 years before even applying, but I have hardly any vet or animal experience and an entire semester of 0.0 GPA (I wasn't attending classes but didn't withdraw properly) that I'm not sure I can recover from. I'm doing everything I can between volunteering and getting decent grades, but I know I need a backup plan if no vet school will take me. I know I'd love to work in the zoo/exotic animal industry, and I'm curious if anyone has any experience with other animal health related careers, maybe ones requiring a master's degree? I know I could work as a zookeeper or something like that, but I would prefer something that requires a bit more schooling (and a better paycheck, of course 🙂 )

 

[nyanko]

Unfortunately, most jobs that involve hands-on animal experience of the sort that being a vet tech or veterinarian involves are not very high paying and don't require a lot of education, but rather require experiences in the field.

Animal health related jobs you could get with an MS would generally be research-related, and sometimes you can get a good position as a researcher with animals but you won't really be handling the animals all that much with that sort of position, as there are techs and vets for that stuff. I wouldn't really advise seeking out a potential alternate career by the level of education it requires (assuming you haven't already gotten a MS or anything...). Another thing to keep in mind is that most people aren't funded for a MS (you have to compete with PhD students for funding opportunities and 9/10 times they win), so unless you really have some reason to get one it's generally not going to be worth it.

edit: If you really feel like you love research but are unsure about doing a PhD, that's a reason to go for an MS, I suppose. But with a BS being the new high school diploma nowadays (everyone has one!), an MS is basically going to become the new BS.

 

[jglovicz]

Just a quick response to the MS funding. At my institution in my program (animal biology), I don't know any MS students that didn't get funding (mostly through TAships). I do know that many programs may not have as many TA opportunities, but if you are interested in pursuing an MS, contact the department and ask about funding (nyanko makes a good point that for fellowships/scholarships you might be competing against PhD students)

 

[nyanko]

Just a quick response to the MS funding. At my institution in my program (animal biology), I don't know any MS students that didn't get funding (mostly through TAships). I do know that many programs may not have as many TA opportunities, but if you are interested in pursuing an MS, contact the department and ask about funding (nyanko makes a good point that for fellowships/scholarships you might be competing against PhD students)

I am in the same grad group as you at UCD, and was not offered any funding by the graduate group (and don't anticipate it for next year either) mainly because my professor is in the school of vet med rather than the department of animal science. I had to seek out my own TAships, and luckily was hired by the Micro dept for BIS2A for Fall & Winter, and the Molec/Cell Bio dept for BIS101 for Spring. The Genetics Grad Group also doesn't offer any funding for MS students and you have to seek out your own. Also of note is that all 3 quarters I've been a TA, I've been the only MS student in the group. So it's not a universal thing by any means. 😉

 

[jglovicz]

I am in the same grad group as you at UCD, and was not offered any funding by the graduate group (and don't anticipate it for next year either) mainly because my professor is in the school of vet med rather than the department of animal science. I had to seek out my own TAships, and luckily was hired by the Micro dept for BIS2A for Fall & Winter, and the Molec/Cell Bio dept for BIS101 for Spring. The Genetics Grad Group also doesn't offer any funding for MS students and you have to seek out your own. Also of note is that all 3 quarters I've been a TA, I've been the only MS student in the group. So it's not a universal thing by any means. 😉

Good point! It's important to check for funding through each department (I never meant it to sound like funding was universal)

 

[smm482]

No Imagination posted this in the Which Schools will accept the highest grade earned thread:

"Mississippi gives an interesting option for bad grades. You can basically start and any year, and they will only incorporate from that point on. In other words, if your freshman and sophomore years are horrid, and you started over, they will count from your junior onward."

This could be an option for you if the 0.0 semester occurred early on in your undergrad career. Just a thought!

 

[sumstorm]

With a bachelors and a unique background, or a masters, it is possible to enter the managment levels in small zoos. I don't know what you consider good pay, but I started out with a BA at $30k (small southern city with cheap cost of living) and was at $42k in 3 years. The only 'problem' is that management isn't very hands on with animals (much more work on exhibits, programs, events, etc.) One way to get a foot in the door is to attend an AZA conference. Expensive, but you can learn a lot that can make you mor marketable in the field.

 

[Thunderbunny]

Wow! I didn't know this about Mississippi, but I will research the school more and probably add it to my list of top interests. Thanks for telling me that!

 

[sumstorm]

NCSU has alternative eligibility for GPA issues as well. Generally needs to be 'exceptional' and not far off the mark...but I htink a case could be made for one tragic semester.

 

[StillDreaming]

That kind of sucks, but don't let it get you down. I think that you can still get in somewhere, with the two years you have left to just bring up the GPA as much as possible (i know it will be hard, but it isn't impossible to bring it up above a 3.0)... also, start racking in those hours for vet experience. If anything, take a couple extra classes and spend an extra year in school to get another 30 hours into your GPA to bring it up. Also, it give you another year added on to get experience. Also don't mistake for not getting in your first year as not getting in at all... it may take multiple application cycles to be successful!

 

[david594]

To the OP.

You need to remember though that as long as you make it past the automatic app=>wastebasket line, there are actually humans who will be reading your application.

And your situation sounds like something that could easily be explained for in your explanation statement. (regarding the semester of 0.0 GPA) Just saying that you had dropped the semester, but had some issues with the registration and that you did not actually attend that semester which is why you got the big O across the board. And assuming you do fine all your other semesters, then I would doubt this would have much affect on your application.

I think a semester of all F's with an explanation that you dropped it, but not in time followed by a semester of all A's would be a hell of a lot easier to explain that 2 semesters of straight C's. Both result in the same GPA, but I would much rather have the former when it comes to a human looking at my grades.