Should I try for vet school or go into research?

[dlsloop]

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Hi, thanks for taking the time to read this! I'm currently a junior at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Biology on a pre-vet track. However, my cumulative gpa is currently a 3.09 which is not very competitive for vet school admissions. A 3.0 is the minimum for even being considered for most vet schools but it seems most prefer 3.5+. I would love to go to vet school but it's not the only career I would be happy with. Bottom line, I'm looking for a career where I can study and/or practice biology. With all of that being said, would it be better for me to forget about vet school and focus on something like research? I know experience also has a lot to do with it but I don't want to spend years of my life getting extra experience if my gpa will ultimately prevent me from getting in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[pp9]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to read this! I'm currently a junior at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Biology on a pre-vet track. However, my cumulative gpa is currently a 3.09 which is not very competitive for vet school admissions. A 3.0 is the minimum for even being considered for most vet schools but it seems most prefer 3.5+. I would love to go to vet school but it's not the only career I would be happy with. Bottom line, I'm looking for a career where I can study and/or practice biology. With all of that being said, would it be better for me to forget about vet school and focus on something like research? I know experience also has a lot to do with it but I don't want to spend years of my life getting extra experience if my gpa will ultimately prevent me from getting in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Ignoring GPA, if you can see yourself being happy/satisfied with another career, then go for it honestly. The debt:income ratio for vet med is absurd and you should really go for it only if it's your #1 passion/choice/etc.

If you choose to pursue vet med, get a few thousand hours of experience in different areas (small, large, wildlife, research, etc.) and prep hard for the GRE. You may want to consider retaking any classes you have a C or less in to help bring your GPA up, too. Unfortunately, it's hard to predict whether preparing your application (getting experience for a few years, retaking classes, etc.) and investing any money to do so will result in an acceptance or not. I do know a few people who gave up after a few tries, and I know people who have stats similar to yours and got in after a few tries (with impressive experience, though). All you can do is try to make the best app you can with your essays, LORs, experience, and GRE/grades.