RANT HERE thread

[WildZoo]

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As I am coming down to a final decision on where I am going to attend veterinary school, I am happy but I also feel so insanely discouraged.

I never thought I would get here. Now that I am here, I don’t know what I want. I don’t know what I want to do. I feel like my true interests are so far-fetched and I never really put weight into them. Now that I’m here, I’m sad about the thought of never being able to pursue them. Ofc, I know I don’t have to make decisions right now but everyone says “talk to the profs early” “make connections early” etc etc. I’m scared I’ll never make those connections. I’m scared I won’t get to do what I want, or I’ll never truly find what I want…

I have so many interests, none seem possible. (Aquatic/wildlife/exotic vet med are an interest that I always pushed back because I was told it was impossible. I love public health, but the more I think about an MPH the more I want to throw up in my mouth. I love the idea of true mixed animal practice. I like internal medicine, but don’t think I’d want to pick only large or only small. Pathology is cool but research is gross. I could go on.)

The thought of deciding on who I want to reach out to, how to establish those connections, and choosing a path are hard

You're putting waaaaay too much pressure on yourself, far too early. There is time to explore multiple interests and make connections in different areas. There is time to learn about a whole bunch of different things and see what you like. Even for the fields you mentioned, I know people who didn't realize they wanted to get into them until late in their vet school careers, or did something else right after school and then changed course. You're not locked into what you think you want to do when you start school, nor do those doors necessarily close because you look elsewhere for a while. Enjoy the process and the fact that you get to do it all for a while.

 

[flotus]

I know it’s daunting and confusing, but you have time. You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. I started this year 100% certain the specialty I wanted and now I’m not so sure. A great thing about vet school is that you’re exposed to so much and have so much opportunity to break out of your comfort zone so you discover passion for new things! It will all be ok, breathe 🙂

I just feel like exotics/aquatics/wildlife is so competitive and although I dream about it, I’ve never put it into words or thought it could be a reality. I already feel like I’m far behind because I haven’t been talking about it for 10 years and volunteering at a zoo or anything lol. I feel like I’ll never be good enough to pursue that ..so I’ll pick something else because like I said, I’ve never even put weight into it until I’ve heard about everyone’s experiences with it and I’m getting FOMO and thinking I made a mistake. :/

 

[katiemcat]

I just feel like exotics/aquatics/wildlife is so competitive and although I dream about it, I’ve never put it into words or thought it could be a reality. I already feel like I’m far behind because I haven’t been talking about it for 10 years and volunteering at a zoo or anything lol. I feel like I’ll never be good enough to pursue that ..so I’ll pick something else because like I said, I’ve never even put weight into it until I’ve heard about everyone’s experiences with it and I’m getting FOMO and thinking I made a mistake. :/

Exotics is super competitive, no one can deny that. But you don’t HAVE to be a board certified zoo vet to practice on exotics. My uncle is mainly small animal, but sees exotics, and often volunteers at a mammal reserve and spays lemurs! You will have so many opportunities to learn about and interact with exotics/wildlife in vet school. You are not behind! I have a classmate who came in having never touched a horse and now she’s in love with large animal. We also had a board certified zoo vet talk to our class last week, and he pursued zoo med after being small animal for years.

 

[JaynaAli]

So, so, many people change their mind about what they want to do during school. Sure some are set on day 1 but many more stumble upon their interests during school. Reality is often different than what you expect and it’s not abnormal for people to experience something on a rotation and fall in love and change their whole plans. I went into school thinking I’d do rural mixed practice. Then I fell in love with pathology during school. I spent time doing pathology related things for years but didn’t officially make the decision to actually give up on rural mixed and pursue path until the summer between my second and third year when I worked in the path lab 2-3 days a week and went home to a rural mixed practice to work 2-3 days a week. You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. Go to school, be involved in things like clubs and other activities that interest you, and things will evolve naturally.

Also not all pathology involves research. I think anatomic residencies tend to have more of a research component and focus on graduate degrees than most clin path residencies, but your average pathologist working for a diagnostic lab (which is the largest sector of pathology) won’t be doing their own research. Signed, a clinical pathologist who did not like research but loves her research-free job.

 

[vetmedhead]

As I am coming down to a final decision on where I am going to attend veterinary school, I am happy but I also feel so insanely discouraged.

I never thought I would get here. Now that I am here, I don’t know what I want. I don’t know what I want to do. I feel like my true interests are so far-fetched and I never really put weight into them. Now that I’m here, I’m sad about the thought of never being able to pursue them. Ofc, I know I don’t have to make decisions right now but everyone says “talk to the profs early” “make connections early” etc etc. I’m scared I’ll never make those connections. I’m scared I won’t get to do what I want, or I’ll never truly find what I want…

I have so many interests, none seem possible. (Aquatic/wildlife/exotic vet med are an interest that I always pushed back because I was told it was impossible. I love public health, but the more I think about an MPH the more I want to throw up in my mouth. I love the idea of true mixed animal practice. I like internal medicine, but don’t think I’d want to pick only large or only small. Pathology is cool but research is gross. I could go on.)

The thought of deciding on who I want to reach out to, how to establish those connections, and choosing a path are hard

If it helps at all, I'm graduated and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up. In a way, it's freeing to know the sheer number of things you can do in this career field even if it's also overwhelming. Some part of me really loves that I can decide that I hate every single thing about what I do and manage to go into a job that is different in every single aspect and still have both of those job titles be "veterinarian".

I find that a lot of pre-vets especially have a bit of a crisis once they get into vet school, as many of them have spent a massive chunk of their lives with very clear, outlined, and achievable goals (that goal often being "get into vet school"). Once they get in, suddenly it becomes overwhelming to realize that there's a whole rest of your career that happens after that, and not having everything planned out can be overwhelming and stressful for people who are used to feeling very secure about their long term plans and how to achieve them.

I used to want to go into exotics and decided against it for personal reasons (unrelated to the competitiveness) - but I still have worked on hundreds of exotics patients since I've graduated, because I like them and I'm comfortable seeing them in my caseload. I love pathology, but am intimidated by the research aspects/length of additional training often included in anatomic path residencies - I still do full necropsies all the time, sometimes multiple a week, and get to spend lots of time working on those cases. I love public health, and actually do have an MPH, but I also don't like some of the more "traditional" public health jobs because they don't have enough direct patient contact for my personal tastes. Even with that being said, I use that skillset all the time to put together all sorts of meaningful projects/presentations/data collection projects that I get to work on and apply in interesting ways.

The problem isn't that you can't decide, I think it's that you are trying to force yourself to decide when you don't necessarily have to. Life is both too short and too long - make choices you think you'd enjoy and remember that if something isn't doing it for you, you can quit it at any point in time and do something completely different if you really want to. Some of my favorite people in vet school were the ones who picked up vet med as a second or third career, or the professors who did complete 180s from whatever they had previously done and gone into a field they hadn't been expecting to like at all.

 

[WildZoo]

I just feel like exotics/aquatics/wildlife is so competitive and although I dream about it, I’ve never put it into words or thought it could be a reality. I already feel like I’m far behind because I haven’t been talking about it for 10 years and volunteering at a zoo or anything lol. I feel like I’ll never be good enough to pursue that ..so I’ll pick something else because like I said, I’ve never even put weight into it until I’ve heard about everyone’s experiences with it and I’m getting FOMO and thinking I made a mistake. :/

The competitiveness depends on what you want to do. Zoo? Yeah. Super competitive. But it doesn't mean you have to have been involved in the field for your whole life. If it's what you want to do, don't shoot yourself in the foot assuming that you're not good enough. There are also multiple routes to get there, overall it's still competitive because there are a limited number of jobs, but the residency route isn't the only way.

Companion exotics is pretty accessible. You don't have to be boarded. There are GP clinics that see exotics and many need more people to see them.

 

[flotus]

Thank you all for your helpful messages. It makes me feel a lot better about myself.

 

[Trilt]

You can also change your mind after you graduate. 😛

I swapped from GP to ER several years after graduation. I'm sure I'll change what I do at least one or two more times in the future, too. Nothing stops you from doing one thing then another besides yourself and the benjamins. Give yourself grace now and just be open to tons of experiences while in school - you'll figure out something.

 

[allygator13]

As I am coming down to a final decision on where I am going to attend veterinary school, I am happy but I also feel so insanely discouraged.

I never thought I would get here. Now that I am here, I don’t know what I want. I don’t know what I want to do. I feel like my true interests are so far-fetched and I never really put weight into them. Now that I’m here, I’m sad about the thought of never being able to pursue them. Ofc, I know I don’t have to make decisions right now but everyone says “talk to the profs early” “make connections early” etc etc. I’m scared I’ll never make those connections. I’m scared I won’t get to do what I want, or I’ll never truly find what I want…

I have so many interests, none seem possible. (Aquatic/wildlife/exotic vet med are an interest that I always pushed back because I was told it was impossible. I love public health, but the more I think about an MPH the more I want to throw up in my mouth. I love the idea of true mixed animal practice. I like internal medicine, but don’t think I’d want to pick only large or only small. Pathology is cool but research is gross. I could go on.)

The thought of deciding on who I want to reach out to, how to establish those connections, and choosing a path are hard

Obviously not the same as zoo/exotics, but I didn't even KNOW radiology was a specialty until I was already in vet school, and once I found that out I didn't decide it's what I wanted to do until the summer between second and third year of school. I still got to where I wanted to be, and many others have similar routes. Some people don't even know what they want to do starting out their internship year, after they graduated vet school! And they still get into their desired fields. You have plenty of time, enjoy the process. It's going to fly by!

 

[max_wildlife]

I just feel like exotics/aquatics/wildlife is so competitive and although I dream about it, I’ve never put it into words or thought it could be a reality. I already feel like I’m far behind because I haven’t been talking about it for 10 years and volunteering at a zoo or anything lol. I feel like I’ll never be good enough to pursue that ..so I’ll pick something else because like I said, I’ve never even put weight into it until I’ve heard about everyone’s experiences with it and I’m getting FOMO and thinking I made a mistake. :/

also, i might’ve posted this before - it’s not zoo or exotics, but if you’re interested in wildlife stuff, don’t forget that there are paid opportunities that you can pursue in summers. most are unrelated to clinical medicine, but that will still give you some solid hands-on experience. have you looked at texas a&m wildlife job board? it’s here:
Texas A&M Wildlife Job Board
and the positions aren’t just based in texas - lots of orgs post here. these can get you out into the field and hands on with different animals and lots of places are posting positions right now for this summer.
lots of people still apply for these (wildlife bio & ecology students), but they’re not quite as competitive as clinical positions at the big wildlife centers since there are so few of the latter. they’ll still teach you clinically relevant things, even if it’s not medicine - especially if you pursue disease ecology opportunities.

they’re also good for networking. i know a few of the places i did fieldwork collaborated with veterinarians for various things, and while the vets weren’t out in the field every day, they did get opportunities to be out there. and for those veterinarians, those are more of a collaborative effort. i think a couple were volunteer, but they still got to do things that they loved even if it wasn’t their paid day job.

so there are options - they just might not quite look as clear-cut as you imagine. it’s definitely not too late.

 

[that redhead]

As I am coming down to a final decision on where I am going to attend veterinary school, I am happy but I also feel so insanely discouraged.

I never thought I would get here. Now that I am here, I don’t know what I want. I don’t know what I want to do. I feel like my true interests are so far-fetched and I never really put weight into them. Now that I’m here, I’m sad about the thought of never being able to pursue them. Ofc, I know I don’t have to make decisions right now but everyone says “talk to the profs early” “make connections early” etc etc. I’m scared I’ll never make those connections. I’m scared I won’t get to do what I want, or I’ll never truly find what I want…

I have so many interests, none seem possible. (Aquatic/wildlife/exotic vet med are an interest that I always pushed back because I was told it was impossible. I love public health, but the more I think about an MPH the more I want to throw up in my mouth. I love the idea of true mixed animal practice. I like internal medicine, but don’t think I’d want to pick only large or only small. Pathology is cool but research is gross. I could go on.)

The thought of deciding on who I want to reach out to, how to establish those connections, and choosing a path are hard

I know it feels like a huge deal, but I promise it isn’t! So many people change their minds, even multiple times. Just show up, engage in learning and interacting with whoever you come across and be genuine. I didn’t match into my intended specialty, spent 5 years in SA GP, learned a ton and grew a ton and then was able to get back to my intended field after all. I’m not saying everything will fall into your lap perfectly, but it will work itself out in time.

 

[flotus]

Again, thank you all. Each and every one of you are amazing, wonderful people who provide such warm advice and good information. The rant has turned into an appreciation post lol. You guys don’t know how much you help little baby pre-vets like me. <3

 

[babyvet]

RANT. The NAVLE is ****tiest test for people with attention, anxiety, or health related long term memory issues. I'm pooping my pants and it's 7 months away. I'll enjoy studying all summer about things I don't care about, working my butt off, and forgetting everything in time for the NAVLE. YOLO

 

[runningwithriley]

RANT. The NAVLE is ****tiest test for people with attention, anxiety, or health related long term memory issues. I'm pooping my pants and it's 7 months away. I'll enjoy studying all summer about things I don't care about, working my butt off, and forgetting everything in time for the NAVLE. YOLO

You got this! You got through Vet school you can do this! Make sure to have some fun this summer too.

 

[anxiousanimallover]

I get very frustrated with people that got accepted at other places but are still hoping that they'd get off the waitlist somewhere else. Idk why, I think the process is getting to me and the spot that Im in. I feel that maybe they'll get off the waitlist before me and accept a seat when they could accept the seat at the other school and then we'd both get a seat. but if they accept their waitlist seat they open up a seat for another waitlisted hopeful at the other school. Idk im just bummed i have to postpone my life for another year i guess.

 

[battie]

I get very frustrated with people that got accepted at other places but are still hoping that they'd get off the waitlist somewhere else. Idk why, I think the process is getting to me and the spot that Im in. I feel that maybe they'll get off the waitlist before me and accept a seat when they could accept the seat at the other school and then we'd both get a seat. but if they accept their waitlist seat they open up a seat for another waitlisted hopeful at the other school. Idk im just bummed i have to postpone my life for another year i guess.

I'm sorry <3 I get that the wait list life is *hard*. I kept getting wait listed for two cycles in a row. With that being said, when I was accepted, my wait list spot was at a school half the distance and one I was actually more excited about. Someone being on a wait list above you doesn't prevent you from getting a spot no more than you being above others on the list prevents those below you from getting a spot. People who are accepted at one school but wait listed at their choice school will accept their acceptance so they at least *go* somewhere; so them accepting the spot doesn't necessitate them taking themselves off the wait list if they would preer to go to the wait list school. Not for nothing, they could be *below* you on that wait list.

Like I said, being wait listed is hard. Just please keep in mind that others also being wait listed at the same school while also holding an acceptance elsewhere doesn't preclude you from getting an acceptance.

 

[anxiousanimallover]

I'm sorry <3 I get that the wait list life is *hard*. I kept getting wait listed for two cycles in a row. With that being said, when I was accepted, my wait list spot was at a school half the distance and one I was actually more excited about. Someone being on a wait list above you doesn't prevent you from getting a spot no more than you being above others on the list prevents those below you from getting a spot. People who are accepted at one school but wait listed at their choice school will accept their acceptance so they at least *go* somewhere; so them accepting the spot doesn't necessitate them taking themselves off the wait list if they would preer to go to the wait list school. Not for nothing, they could be *below* you on that wait list.

Like I said, being wait listed is hard. Just please keep in mind that others also being wait listed at the same school while also holding an acceptance elsewhere doesn't preclude you from getting an acceptance.

This is a helpful mindset, I just keep thinking everyone one is here to help animals like you are and we all worked our asses off and I will end up where I'm meant to. I can't help the wandering mind lol

 

[puppydogtor]

I have been struggling for a while now with whether vet school is for me. Today pretty much solidified that I am not meant to be in this program. The thought of withdrawing gives me so much relief and calms me down, but I'm scared to have to pay off the debt I've already acquired/choose a new career path. I'm kinda grieving the life I thought I was gonna have. I'm feeling like a failure - if I leave I am throwing away an opportunity someone else wanted so badly and worked so hard for. I'm also never gonna help as many animals as I want to. I wish I could have known prior to starting the program that I would feel this way. I have loved so much of the learning and experiences I've had. Simply, my head is no longer in it and I feel like I'm drowning in the workload with my adhd and anxiety. I was planning on getting through this last quarter and taking the summer to work different jobs and soul search, but today my brain told me to stop forcing it. I've been telling myself "you can get through these next few weeks" for months - I guess that trick stopped working

 

[genny]

I have been struggling for a while now with whether vet school is for me. Today pretty much solidified that I am not meant to be in this program. The thought of withdrawing gives me so much relief and calms me down, but I'm scared to have to pay off the debt I've already acquired/choose a new career path. I'm kinda grieving the life I thought I was gonna have. I'm feeling like a failure - if I leave I am throwing away an opportunity someone else wanted so badly and worked so hard for. I'm also never gonna help as many animals as I want to. I wish I could have known prior to starting the program that I would feel this way. I have loved so much of the learning and experiences I've had. Simply, my head is no longer in it and I feel like I'm drowning in the workload with my adhd and anxiety. I was planning on getting through this last quarter and taking the summer to work different jobs and soul search, but today my brain told me to stop forcing it. I've been telling myself "you can get through these next few weeks" for months - I guess that trick stopped working

Could you talk to your school about taking a medical leave of absence for your mental health? That would give you some time to mull it over when you’re not feeling all the daily pressures of school.

 

[katiemcat]

Could you talk to your school about taking a medical leave of absence for your mental health? That would give you some time to mull it over when you’re not feeling all the daily pressures of school.

I agree with this advice so much!!! I also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Vet school really knows how to exacerbate mental health issues. We have had a mental health counselor brought in to talk to my entire class as so many people are struggling with anxiety/depression/lack of self worth. You are not alone. Please see your schools mental health professional and explain how you’re feeling. They want to help you through this impossible feeling time. I agree a leave of absence would give you the time to soul search and work on your mental health without being constantly bombarded by school. I can’t tell you whether or not vet med is for you, but I think you owe yourself this chance before moving on completely. Feel better @puppydogtor ❤️

 

[MMLJT3]

I agree with this advice so much!!! I also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Vet school really knows how to exacerbate mental health issues. We have had a mental health counselor brought in to talk to my entire class as so many people are struggling with anxiety/depression/lack of self worth. You are not alone. Please see your schools mental health professional and explain how you’re feeling. They want to help you through this impossible feeling time. I agree a leave of absence would give you the time to soul search and work on your mental health without being constantly bombarded by school. I can’t tell you whether or not vet med is for you, but I think you owe yourself this chance before moving on completely. Feel better @puppydogtor ❤️

I agree with this! My SO is a psychotherapist, and has so many clients in professional schools! He has many colleagues that are just as kind and understanding. You are definitely not alone. If you can find someone at school or privately to talk to, I do think this could be beneficial. Taking a leave of absence is also totally okay! I have a good friend who took one during vet school! I am hoping for the best for you! ❤️

 

[jaboo]

My husband and I started house hunting 2 months ago as we've both decided to stay in the NE US area for his job prospects and I enjoy working at my current practice. We've been going to open houses and stalking MLS and found a really promising one this weekend. The open house just cemented our thoughts and we made a pretty competitive offer (13% above asking price, 20% down). We were hopeful.

Got a call from our agent the next day that there was already an offer that waived the inspection and the current market is getting so competitive that offers with inspection still included have been going immediately in the trash. We were super uncomfortable waiving the inspection, especially as FTHB'ers, so our agent recommend a pre-inspection consult (not a full inspection, but just making sure there were no major structural and mechanical issues). The consult went great and had very minimal issues. We updated our offer without an inspection the morning of the offer deadline.

Our agent let us know last night that our offer was the 2nd best amongst over a dozen offers but we were still beat out by a higher offer with better financing. Both me and my husband are really disappointed. The house was a small ranch in a nice neighborhood but would easily be too small for many people. This is the only home in 2 months we've liked enough to make an offer and it still wasn't enough. I know that we're not at peak inventory for the area yet, but with the competitive buying market right now, we're both feeling disheartened. The inventory is at historic lows due to people not wanting to sell and upgrade to a new home due to current mortgage interest rates. There are no houses on the market today in our price range that we would even consider.

I started daydreaming about living in this house and what we would do with it. How we could walk to nearby shops, finally get a dog, and settle down. It would have been really lovely. I told my agent that this feels like a breakup in a way. Both our agent and our families have said the right one will come around next time and I've heard my peers say that they had to put in multiple offers before they got a house. My husband and I are just feeling really doubtful and cynical right now and mourning what could have been.

 

[katiemcat]

Currently have a migraine from my TMJ, cant open my mouth, can’t get into the dentist until tomorrow, and have many exams to study for 🥹

 

[puppydogtor]

Could you talk to your school about taking a medical leave of absence for your mental health? That would give you some time to mull it over when you’re not feeling all the daily pressures of school.

I'm planning on doing this if I can. However, I'm worried that since I would have to wait a year I would forget how much I am struggling right now and end up back in the same position. I'm still going to inquire about it, but realistically I don't think I would/should come back

 

[genny]

I'm planning on doing this if I can. However, I'm worried that since I would have to wait a year I would forget how much I am struggling right now and end up back in the same position. I'm still going to inquire about it, but realistically I don't think I would/should come back

it's a hard decision to make. vet school is so demanding, and it's different from actually practicing as a veterinarian. deciding not to continue with vet school now is probably a better decision than pushing through to graduation and then being miserable as a veterinarian with an even bigger mountain of debt, if that's what you really want to do. there are so many posts on the NOMV fb page from new grads that just break my heart.

 

[Musicandhorses]

I’m so tired of the “sink or swim” mentality when someone clearly asks for help and guidance and gets none. Maybe it’s time I leave the toxic environment.

 

[riverdog4]

My husband and I started house hunting 2 months ago as we've both decided to stay in the NE US area for his job prospects and I enjoy working at my current practice. We've been going to open houses and stalking MLS and found a really promising one this weekend. The open house just cemented our thoughts and we made a pretty competitive offer (13% above asking price, 20% down). We were hopeful.

Got a call from our agent the next day that there was already an offer that waived the inspection and the current market is getting so competitive that offers with inspection still included have been going immediately in the trash. We were super uncomfortable waiving the inspection, especially as FTHB'ers, so our agent recommend a pre-inspection consult (not a full inspection, but just making sure there were no major structural and mechanical issues). The consult went great and had very minimal issues. We updated our offer without an inspection the morning of the offer deadline.

Our agent let us know last night that our offer was the 2nd best amongst over a dozen offers but we were still beat out by a higher offer with better financing. Both me and my husband are really disappointed. The house was a small ranch in a nice neighborhood but would easily be too small for many people. This is the only home in 2 months we've liked enough to make an offer and it still wasn't enough. I know that we're not at peak inventory for the area yet, but with the competitive buying market right now, we're both feeling disheartened. The inventory is at historic lows due to people not wanting to sell and upgrade to a new home due to current mortgage interest rates. There are no houses on the market today in our price range that we would even consider.

I started daydreaming about living in this house and what we would do with it. How we could walk to nearby shops, finally get a dog, and settle down. It would have been really lovely. I told my agent that this feels like a breakup in a way. Both our agent and our families have said the right one will come around next time and I've heard my peers say that they had to put in multiple offers before they got a house. My husband and I are just feeling really doubtful and cynical right now and mourning what could have been.

This housing market is insane. We recently got an accepted offer on a home where I’ll be relocating for school, but we lost 4 offers before it. On the other side, we just sold our current home in one day with multiple crazy offers.
I know from experience it’s really hard to not get invested in these homes you put offers on, but my mantra through it all is “we’ll end up where we’re meant to end up!”
Keep your head up and keep trying! I’m sure it’ll take multiple offers but I’m sure you’ll eventually find your home ❤️

 

[anxiousanimallover]

Currently have a migraine from my TMJ, cant open my mouth, can’t get into the dentist until tomorrow, and have many exams to study for 🥹

I had this for years since I was like 10 and my mom didn't believe me until I couldn't open my mouth or chew on a sandwich and finally got treatment. IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING, so wild to know

 

[katiemcat]

I had this for years since I was like 10 and my mom didn't believe me until I couldn't open my mouth or chew on a sandwich and finally got treatment. IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING, so wild to know

I’ve had it since I was in high school but I think it’s gotten worse because of stress 😧 My jaw keeps clicking, getting stuck, and it hurts. Hopefully they can help me out tomorrow. I already wear a night guard and everything 😔

 

[VeggieTrex]

I’ve had it since I was in high school but I think it’s gotten worse because of stress 😧 My jaw keeps clicking, getting stuck, and it hurts. Hopefully they can help me out tomorrow. I already wear a night guard and everything 😔

Not TMJ, but I've had like 5 root canals so I sympathize with all of the mouth pain. It really sucks.

Wishing you much luck tomorrow!

 

[katiemcat]

Not TMJ, but I've had like 5 root canals so I sympathize with all of the mouth pain. It really sucks.

Wishing you much luck tomorrow!

Ugh poor thing. Dental pain is some of the worst pain you can experience.

 

[VeggieTrex]

Ugh poor thing. Dental pain is some of the worst pain you can experience.

Truly! My wisdom teeth took me out for like a week.

 

[RightMeow!]

I'm astounded by how efficient the CVM bureaucracy is at screwing students over. I'm probably more impressed than annoyed at this point.

The CVM pushed through a proposal for the addition of summer tuition during the clinical year. Naturally, it begins with my class because of course it does. Not too miffed about it though, they said the extra tuition will be used to improve rotations, switch to electronic records, and provide extra resources like CVM specific mental health and finance professionals.

Then they pass a CVM wide tuition increase that applies to incoming AND current students, because of course they do. So now we're paying more in tuition across the board and have to pay even more for summer tuition. I don't really understand the need to do both at the same time, but it's still a cheap-ish program and the idea is to improve our education so I feel bad for complaining.

Oh, but that's not enough. How about the CVM decides to charge that summer tuition in the fall? It's a win-win for them. The CVM gets their dirty money AND the students get ZERO benefits during the summer so the school gets to save money! Student wellness, recreation, insurance, other resources? Nah, it'll be charged in the fall so we *technically* haven't paid tuition during the summer and can't use them. It's a very kind and thoughtful bureaucracy though and they offered to reimburse us for the cost of a gym pass if we jump through hoops like circus animals.

The best part is that the administration gave themselves raises and bonuses. Rotations are being removed and students registered for them have been left to fend for themselves. The school will now only cover housing for one external rotation. Our list of preceptorships was half that of the class ahead of us. Electronic records will show up next year at the earliest. Not a single change has been made to improve our access to mental health or financial support. Everyone in the class had an elective rotation replaced with something else because they need warm bodies more than we need to learn.

I've tried to be understanding. I have. Then today we got the most petty email that sent me into orbit. Looks like they "don't have" the budget to reimburse us for a summer gym pass.

Really?

/rant

 

[supershorty]

The CVM pushed through a proposal for the addition of summer tuition during the clinical year.

Just curious, did you not have any tuition associated with that summer at all prior to this? Our 4th year has always cost more because of the summer tuition and I assumed that was pretty standard across all the programs.

 

[flotus]

You don’t want to know how my week has been LMAO

bought new car = backed into pole (wasn’t my fault I swear) $2500 damages
Rock fell on new car = huge dent
Wife’s new car = wouldn’t start yesterday ($200 battery + we put $850 in repairs last week)
My car this morning = towed or stolen..don’t know which yet lmao lmao lmao

Don’t ask about my emergency dentist appointment or strange new rashes that we totally thought was scabies (but isn’t)


HAHAHAHAH WE LAUGH SO WE DONT CRY

 

[katiemcat]

You don’t want to know how my week has been LMAO

bought new car = backed into pole (wasn’t my fault I swear) $2500 damages
Rock fell on new car = huge dent
Wife’s new car = wouldn’t start yesterday ($200 battery + we put $850 in repairs last week)
My car this morning = towed or stolen..don’t know which yet lmao lmao lmao

Don’t ask about my emergency dentist appointment or strange new rashes that we totally thought was scabies (but isn’t)


HAHAHAHAH WE LAUGH SO WE DONT CRY

Dental issues gang 🙌

 

[anxiousanimallover]

I’ve had it since I was in high school but I think it’s gotten worse because of stress 😧 My jaw keeps clicking, getting stuck, and it hurts. Hopefully they can help me out tomorrow. I already wear a night guard and everything 😔

There is treatment. It took almost a year an half and a round of invisalign, but it's possible!! I had to go to an orthodontist

 

[katiemcat]

I already had Invisalign but it didn’t help my bite much. My sister told me she got something called a splint and she no longer has TMJ pain so that’s what I’m hoping for! Cant go to the dentist until after mandatory class tho 🥸

There is treatment. It took almost a year an half and a round of invisalign, but it's possible!! I had to go to an orthodontist

 

[WildZoo]

Just curious, did you not have any tuition associated with that summer at all prior to this? Our 4th year has always cost more because of the summer tuition and I assumed that was pretty standard across all the programs.

There are a handful of schools that don't charge tuition for that summer, though I think most do. UT still doesn't as far as I'm aware.

 

[supershorty]

@flotus have you found your car yet?

 

[sweetvalentin]

Vent sesh:
I just put a deposit down on an apartment after the longest two days of my life visiting Philadelphia 🥲
I've always lived in smaller cities adjacent to large ones. Example living in Tacoma adjacent to Seattle. Lived in Azusa adjacent to L.A. so living in the heart of Philly was a bit daunting of a thought. Well while I was visiting I had someone following me while I was walking down the street, I had to literally make 360 degree turns twice to shake him! Two women also broke out in a fight right next to me on one street. I had someone randomly buck at me while I was walking down a major street, and then early this morning an unfortunate soul literally yelled "YOOOOO" at the top of his lungs and ran at me before I yelled yo right back and grabbed my pepper spray. Luckily I scared him back I guess and he walked away as if I offended him 🥲
I'm officially terrified as if I wasn't scared to cross the country as it is. Maybe I'm being dramatic but this is just not what the plan was 😩 I'm glad my wife will be coming with me although she's not much more intimidating looking than me 🥲

 

[flotus]

@flotus have you found your car yet?

They towed it. I parked in a handicap spot and apparently my handicap sticker fell. But I have one. They said “it wasn’t displayed properly” ://// and won’t give me a break on it. $200 to get it out

 

[ali9280]

I'm astounded by how efficient the CVM bureaucracy is at screwing students over. I'm probably more impressed than annoyed at this point.

Reading this and starting school there in the Fall scares me a little bit. But I do hope they FINALLY switch to electronic records because those paper files at the VTH are a mess.

 

[battie]

The fact a university veterinary hospital is using paper records is ridiculous

 

[genny]

I'm officially terrified as if I wasn't scared to cross the country as it is.

Ah Philly, the city of brotherly love! Its charm grows on you. ❤️

 

[RightMeow!]

Just curious, did you not have any tuition associated with that summer at all prior to this? Our 4th year has always cost more because of the summer tuition and I assumed that was pretty standard across all the programs.

Nah, only 11 US schools have summer tuition for 4th year. Part of their proposal was literally "11 other schools do this, so it's okay if we do too." I kind of understand, but I also disagree when they're charging us the SECOND HIGHEST summer tuition, give themselves bonuses for doing so, remove clinical rotations, and then force everyone in the class to work for an understaffed service because they can't figure out how to hire actual techs or assistants.

I've also been lucky enough to avoid maxing out student loans so I shouldn't even complain. Some of my OOS classmates will have maxed out federal loans due to the increase and their response was basically "well that sucks. go take out a private loan I guess. we can't help you."

Reading this and starting school there in the Fall scares me a little bit. But I do hope they FINALLY switch to electronic records because those paper files at the VTH are a mess.

I'm extremely jaded at this point, so take my complaints with a grain of salt. A lot of my annoyance stems from the combined USU/WSU program. For example, we had to take a therio course at USU that was supposed to cover a third year WSU course. After we took it the admin changed it to an elective and then required that we take the course AGAIN at WSU. Also, some of our exams at USU were written by WSU faculty and then we later learned that the WSU students didn't even have to take it?????

Anyway, my point is that it's probably less irritating if you're at WSU the entire time. Then you only have to contend with a complete lack of transparency, some administrative dysfunction, and money grabbers.

The fact a university veterinary hospital is using paper records is ridiculous

It's clearly because electronic record systems are so prohibitively expensive that such a small, poor school can't afford to switch. Please just ignore the massive salary increases or the fact that our football coach makes ~$3 million a year.

--

Sorry, I have to mini-rant a little more now that I'm thinking about it.

I'm even more salty because the previous dean vehemently opposed any cost increases for current students because it wasn't something that we agreed to when we were accepted. He always did the ethical thing and was a student advocate. Then our new dean flips a complete 180, raises our tuition through the roof, slaps us with a bunch fees, neuters our clinical year, falls through on promises, then disappears with little explanation knowing that students in the program can't really just leave for a better place.

The epitome of bad timing I guess.

 

[VeggieTrex]

Nah, only 11 US schools have summer tuition for 4th year. Part of their proposal was literally "11 other schools do this, so it's okay if we do too." I kind of understand, but I also disagree when they're charging us the SECOND HIGHEST summer tuition, give themselves bonuses for doing so, remove clinical rotations, and then force everyone in the class to work for an understaffed service because they can't figure out how to hire actual techs or assistants.

I've also been lucky enough to avoid maxing out student loans so I shouldn't even complain. Some of my OOS classmates will have maxed out federal loans due to the increase and their response was basically "well that sucks. go take out a private loan I guess. we can't help you."



I'm extremely jaded at this point, so take my complaints with a grain of salt. A lot of my annoyance stems from the combined USU/WSU program. For example, we had to take a therio course at USU that was supposed to cover a third year WSU course. After we took it the admin changed it to an elective and then required that we take the course AGAIN at WSU. Also, some of our exams at USU were written by WSU faculty and then we later learned that the WSU students didn't even have to take it?????

Anyway, my point is that it's probably less irritating if you're at WSU the entire time. Then you only have to contend with a complete lack of transparency, some administrative dysfunction, and money grabbers.



It's clearly because electronic record systems are so prohibitively expensive that such a small, poor school can't afford to switch. Please just ignore the massive salary increases or the fact that our football coach makes ~$3 million a year.

--

Sorry, I have to mini-rant a little more now that I'm thinking about it.

I'm even more salty because the previous dean vehemently opposed any cost increases for current students because it wasn't something that we agreed to when we were accepted. He always did the ethical thing and was a student advocate. Then our new dean flips a complete 180, raises our tuition through the roof, slaps us with a bunch fees, neuters our clinical year, falls through on promises, then disappears with little explanation knowing that students in the program can't really just leave for a better place.

The epitome of bad timing I guess.

I'm so sorry. That all feels like a nightmare to deal with on top of an already stressful time.

I'm sure there are some good reasons for tuition raises, but locked rates should be the standard.

 

[josie13756]

Vent sesh:
I just put a deposit down on an apartment after the longest two days of my life visiting Philadelphia 🥲
I've always lived in smaller cities adjacent to large ones. Example living in Tacoma adjacent to Seattle. Lived in Azusa adjacent to L.A. so living in the heart of Philly was a bit daunting of a thought. Well while I was visiting I had someone following me while I was walking down the street, I had to literally make 360 degree turns twice to shake him! Two women also broke out in a fight right next to me on one street. I had someone randomly buck at me while I was walking down a major street, and then early this morning an unfortunate soul literally yelled "YOOOOO" at the top of his lungs and ran at me before I yelled yo right back and grabbed my pepper spray. Luckily I scared him back I guess and he walked away as if I offended him 🥲
I'm officially terrified as if I wasn't scared to cross the country as it is. Maybe I'm being dramatic but this is just not what the plan was 😩 I'm glad my wife will be coming with me although she's not much more intimidating looking than me 🥲

My daughter was accepted to PennVet and after a two day visit to Philly, she decided to attend another school. We had a similar experience where the area didn’t seem safe and she felt it wasn’t a good fit for her. There is also a big advantage to having both the small and large animal hospitals on campus. This has led to numerous opportunities for her to get hands on experience. The traffic around Philly is challenging and finding parking is very difficult. New Bolton Center is easily a 1-1 1/2 hour commute depending on traffic. You have to look at where you think you will thrive…if you have other options, you may want to consider them.

Vent sesh:
I just put a deposit down on an apartment after the longest two days of my life visiting Philadelphia 🥲
I've always lived in smaller cities adjacent to large ones. Example living in Tacoma adjacent to Seattle. Lived in Azusa adjacent to L.A. so living in the heart of Philly was a bit daunting of a thought. Well while I was visiting I had someone following me while I was walking down the street, I had to literally make 360 degree turns twice to shake him! Two women also broke out in a fight right next to me on one street. I had someone randomly buck at me while I was walking down a major street, and then early this morning an unfortunate soul literally yelled "YOOOOO" at the top of his lungs and ran at me before I yelled yo right back and grabbed my pepper spray. Luckily I scared him back I guess and he walked away as if I offended him 🥲
I'm officially terrified as if I wasn't scared to cross the country as it is. Maybe I'm being dramatic but this is just not what the plan was 😩 I'm glad my wife will be coming with me although she's not much more intimidating looking than me 🥲

 

[puppydogtor]

I just put a deposit down on an apartment after the longest two days of my life visiting Philadelphia

Welcome to Philly! I got my undergrad degree there and while Philadelphia will always have a special place in my heart, I am never going back again (except passing through for the airport haha).
I was in one of the more unsafe areas so not trying to scare you - North Philly, not near UPenn or Drexel. Almost every day my dogs would hide under the futon because of gun shots. It got to the point where I refused to walk them in the dark - even when it's dark at 4:30 pm in the winter. They had to pee in the backyard then. I had neighbors/classmates get mugged, I was followed pretty frequently, and my neighbors once had an armed break-in at their apartment. My senior year a classmate was murdered coming back from fall break - he parked his car, was held at gun point and was willing to hand over his wallet/keys, but got killed anyways. It is not a safe city and you shouldn't pretend it is but also shouldn't let that keep you from experiencing life.

Philly tips: Always have pepper spray (or a taser like some of my friends lmao), always share your location with someone and update your friends that you're safe. Never go to a gas station at night or walk outside alone at night. Never leave anything visible in your car - it will 100% get broken into. And if you have dogs, awesome. For some reason people thought my derpy 60 lb lab/cattle dog mutt and 30lb terrier mix were threatening 😂

 

[puppydogtor]

update: the dean convinced me to finish out the quarter if I can. That is the ideal situation ofc, I just feel like with my current state of mind that it's going to be extremely difficult to accomplish. So I'm going to take a few more exams and go from there. Right now my grades are fine but if I fail a class I can remediate it over the summer. I would much rather have only the summer to figure things out than an entire year. No matter what though, it's not like I'm at risk for being kicked out of the program & that makes me feel a lot better. I really think I'd enjoy being a vet, I'm just not as sure I can make it there