Reputations of: Davis, Cornell, Penn, Wisc., NCSU, CSU, Illinois, among others

[hoodle]

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Hi everyone,

I know what I'm asking can be found in searching old threads, but I thought it'd be nice for everyone to hear some general discussion about the pros and cons of each school (academically, mainly, though other general points of interest are invited). It's hard, I think, to get a clear sense of strenths and weaknesses of each school, without talking to people and hearing the wisdom on the street.

Penn: no wildlife medicine, urban
Cornell:
Davis:
Wisconsin:
NCSU:
Illinois:
Colorado:

other schools are welcome I just have a particular interest in these. Personally, I'm curious about DVM/PhD reputations, academic research options, strength of pathobiology/infectious disease/immunology/microbiology and virology research, but other areas of interest would be great to have! All thoughts appreciated!

 

[silverelf]

while we're on this "reputations" bit, does anyone subscribe to US News and thus have an updated ranking?

 

[k9 <3er]

lets add michigan, minnesota, purdue, and auburn on there:

Penn: no wildlife medicine, urban
Cornell:
Davis:
Wisconsin:
NCSU:
Illinois:
Colorado:
Michigan State:
Purdue:
Minnesota:
Auburn

 

[su_grad2007]

Let's add Texas A&M: living in college station

 

[sisiut1]

while we're on this "reputations" bit, does anyone subscribe to US News and thus have an updated ranking?

At least for 2007 they are still using the old 2003 rankings, I have no idea if they will update them anytime soon. They are based on a survey so I would not consider them too reliable. But anyway here they are again:
1. Cornell
2. CSU
3. Penn
4. NCSU
5. Texas
6. MSU, Ohio State
8. Wisconson
9. Florida, Georgia
11. Minn
12. Tufts, Illinois
14. Purdue, VA/MD, WSU
17. ISU
18. Auburn, Tenn
20. KSU, Missouri

 

[ri23]

I believe that new rankings are coming out this spring.

 

[wildfocus]

if it is dvm/phd joint programs you want to do, you are actually quite limited. if it is research, you have more options... here is my experience as an wildlife research-focused applicant to cornell, davis, colorado, and washington

uc davis - great phd and dvm programs - ecology grad (which includes wildlife research) #1 in country; dvm nearly impossible to get into from out-of-state. vstp program pays for dvm years - phd years likely paid by your mentor, who must be committed to you before you are even considered for some programs. the joint program is a little less formal than some others. you can substitute requirements from the separate programs. read how it works at http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vstp/Program/curriculum.cfm

csu - joint program 7 years, phd years paid by mentor, dvm years pay as in-state. good bench work here, with lots of nih $$. usda and cdc wildlife disease labs nearby with bl3 facilities - possibility of collaboration. field work not as prevalent, but can make do. there were ~30 applications reviewed - 6interviewed - 4 offered positions. more info at: http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/cvmbs/DVM_PhDCombinedProgram.htm

cornell - also joint program 7 years paid. i don't know if they even looked at me - flat-out rejected, so no clue on details. really competitive and curriculum formal - get the best gre scores you can. wildlife research NOT really its specialty (two new wildlife residency programs, however) - though it was cornell bird researchers who claim they spotted the ivory-billed woodpecker (and if it's bird research you want to do, might look into the controversy on that topic). info on joint degree at: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/OGE/dualDegree/

washington state (my state school) - very few wildlife labs - grizzlies, big-horned sheep.. no joint program, but a research track (which is probably similar to other schools). in a school like this, you have to be very creative to do what you want. look into collaborations with other universities, and going outside vet met to find a research mentor who does something more in-line with your interests.

there is also the question on if it's better to go dvm first, phd first, or joint. if you are committed to research, really think about this, b/c the last thing you want is a phd-lite... dvm is prob harder to get into, so i'd focus on getting into some joint programs, but also some dvm programs. you can always apply to grad school later, or do a residency or postdoc, or research during your dvm training.

 

[hoodle]

wow, good info... thanks... I like Davis' joint degree philosophy - it feels quite relaxed. Hmm, too bad its impossible to get in to!

 

[InfiniVet]

Penn: no wildlife medicine, urban
Colorado: <-- Has just the sexiest cvm program ever.
Minnesota: Lots of hands on experience for 1-4yrs, not just 4th year spays/neuters. New Equine Center (2006). Has The Raptor Center (Avian). Is really cold.
Texas A&M: Really strong research base, leaders in cloning, AI, etc. Beautiful LA facilities, well funded. Rural city. SA facilities are dungeon-esque. Cheap to attend.
Ohio: Fantastic SA facilities, all the computers are mac based w/24hr access, huge, comfy auditorium for your 1st two years, complete with a Starbucks 10ft away from the classroom. Columbus is a great city. Quarter based academic year which is either a pro/con however you see it.

 

[hoodle]

Colorado: <-- Has just the sexiest cvm program ever.

Why?

 

[cyrille104]

Penn: no wildlife medicine, urban
Colorado: <-- Has just the sexiest cvm program ever.
Minnesota: Lots of hands on experience for 1-4yrs, not just 4th year spays/neuters. New Equine Center (2006). Has The Raptor Center (Avian). Is really cold.
Texas A&M: Really strong research base, leaders in cloning, AI, etc. Beautiful LA facilities, well funded. Rural city. SA facilities are dungeon-esque. Cheap to attend.
Ohio: Fantastic SA facilities, all the computers are mac based w/24hr access, huge, comfy auditorium for your 1st two years, complete with a Starbucks 10ft away from the classroom. Columbus is a great city. Quarter based academic year which is either a pro/con however you see it.

Did you get accepted to CSU, Infinivet? I don't remember you posting that...

If so, congratulations! If not, f them.

 

[FatPalomino]

Did you get accepted to CSU, Infinivet? I don't remember you posting that...

If so, congratulations! If not, f them.

LOL!!!!!

 

[alonepear]

Please add Mississippi State University to the list.

I am extremely interested in this as well, because it seems like there is a huge void when it comes to information on how people view the Mississippi State program.

When I went to interview, I was blown away with how well run the program seems to be. I also liked all the little things that make it different, like 2 years of classroom, 2 years of clinical experience (vs 3 and 1), and also the little personalized desks in one large lab room (rather than lockers, or no personal space at school at all).

During the orientation they emphasized how Mississippi State CVM is a "well-kept secret," in terms of how good it is, and they believe that soon it will be very well known that their program is high quality.

Also, I thought the students and faculty were the absolute nicest, welcoming, friendly and informative people I've met at any veterinary medical school thus far.

Just my 2 cents

As for NCSU, my in-state school, I know numerous people who currently attend the school and hold it in very high regard, especially in terms of top-notch faculty. Sometimes, I have to wonder if the school holds itself a little too high in regard...

 

[Angelo84]

at OSU I was told we would be in lecture/anatomy lab for two years and wouldn't touch a live animals in class until third year. Can anyone confirm this or has heard anything else? Also do they do terminal surgeries on healthy animals?

Thanks.

 

[sonnyman28]

You spend your first year in anatomy and lecture. Second year there will be a lab with live horses but the majority is lecture-based. The third year you spend half you day with live animals. The small animal portion includes surgical experience with recovery surgeries. There are no terminal surgeries that I know of.

 

[seaturtlegirl]

I have to totally agree with Alonepear! I love mississippi, and that is where I want to go, hands down!!!! Despite 4 interviews, I don't think there is anywhere else I would rather be...

MSU is somewhat young as a vet school, and I think that my have something to do with its ranking. I also love the flexibility of desigining your own fourth year, geared towards what you want to do. I love the people, the teachers, and the feel of the school. I don't think any other school is better, in terms of the type of learning environment.

 

[sonnyman28]

additional info - There are clubs and electives that you can participate in where you work with live animals prior to your third year including theriogenology club (you are paged in and help if a dystocia comes to the hospital), food animal club ( you can help with displaced abomasal surgeries), and lastly there are is an equine elective class second year where you are on call all quarter for colic cases that come in.

 

[Cheska]

at OSU I was told we would be in lecture/anatomy lab for two years and wouldn't touch a live animals in class until third year. Can anyone confirm this or has heard anything else? Also do they do terminal surgeries on healthy animals?

Thanks.

Ohio State, right? Too many OSU's! I know that the class of 2002 had terminal surgeries. On the terminal surgery at that time (they may have changed their policy since then, but I do not know) there were groups of 3, one person doing anesthesia, one assisting in the surgery and one main surgeon. The professor would make you turn your back, make a cut, then you would have to find where the "bleeder" was. Anyway, that was in 2001, so I don't know if things have changed since then.

 

[sonnyman28]

My girlfriend is a third year at Ohio State right now, and she is currently in the small animal surgical class. The current program is similar to the one you described, students select their group of 3, and throughout the quarter they do four surgeries (neuters and spays). Each person in the group rotates postitions from primary surgeon, assistant surgeon, and anesthesiologist. All of these surgeries are recovery, in fact if an animal does not survive the surgery, the student that is the anesthesiologist must go to an M and M. The dogs are from a local shelter, greyhound rescue, and a local guide dog association. They are in the developement phase of starting virtual reality surgical program that should be running by next year, in addition to the recovery surgeries. Ohio State was actually one of six schools to be commended for their surgical program and the elimination of terminal surgeries. Your fourth year you also spend a month in small animal surgery and two weeks at a local shelter where you are the primary surgeon.

 

[2quick]

Hey, I'm a second year at Ohio State, and I'm not aware of terminal surgeries in the current curriculum. It's true that the first two years are mainly course work. Anatomy is first year with the first quarter=canine, second=equine, and third=farm animal. You are allowed to begin taking electives at the end of first year but with a rather limited selection. The systems courses begin third quarter of first year with neurology and endocrinology. They continue through second year with cardiology, musculoskeletal, etc... Basically, these courses encompass all aspects of the topic including pathology, clinical medicine, different species, etc... Second year there are a greater number of opportunities to take various electives, but third year is when you'll take the majority. Everyone must take 32 elective credit hours by graduation (5 of these= your externship during clinics). From what I understand the coursework of third year mainly revolves around labs (surgery, etc...) and electives. Clinics begin the third quarter of third year and continue for a year straight.
If you have any other questions about OSU, let me know.
Andrew

 

[2quick]

Good post Sonnyman28- how is your girlfriend enjoying third year? I hear it's much more fun than second!
Andrew

 

[sonnyman28]

As I read that post aloud to her...she responded with a big YES!!!! (While I sit here trying my hardest to finish biochem and await my first year.)