SMU Advice

[SireSpanky]

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First time poster, long time reader.

I'm a PhD candidate in a Chemistry program at a top US university. Thesis will cover medicinal chemistry, cancer diagnosis and cure, and nanotechnology. Strong desire to enter veterinary medicine after, with an ultimate goal of being a vet for marine mammals, but exotics at a zoo would be great too. I know these fields are competitive.

In my eyes, SMU is perfect. The cost, the faculty, the location, the closeness to family (Houston). This is a school I'd love to attend. My question to all of y'all is, do you think that the PhD from the top tier institution would mitigate the lack of accreditation of SMU? Could I still land some marine mammal internships/residencies at UF or UC: Davis?

If not, are there any foreign (non US or Canada) schools that anyone recommends for exotics? I have never left the states, and have a strong desire to earn this degree abroad.

Thanks in advance!

 

[aretoo]

Your PhD wouldn't change the fact that SMU is not accredited...you would still need to write the North American boards to practice in the US (the expensive, tough equivalency ones).

 

[SireSpanky]

so I fork up the money and invest the time to pass the PAVE or ECFVG...am I still as competitive?

 

[BobDog]

I am not sure that your PhD will be as helpful as you might think, because it seems to be in a field completely unrelated to what your vet med career goals are, but maybe there are some details that you left out. Why exactly do you want to go to the trouble of getting a degree at a non-us institution? Just to go abroad? It would seem that you would have a better chance at competitive residencies with a DVM (or VMD) from a US institution. Sure it can be done with a non-us degree but why put yourself at a disadvantage?

 

[alliecat44]

Also, last I heard there was a 1-2 year waiting list (at times) to take the ECFVG. Hopefully with the advent of PAVE that wait is decreased, but that's yet another year or two of your life--not just the $7,000-8,000 to take the test--that you could have back. Why not go to an accredited school abroad? Australia's really far away, but Murdoch is right on the coast of Western Australia--maybe you could play with some sharks. 🙂

 

[ri23]

If you really have your heart set on going outside the country to obtain your veterinary degree, I definitely second the idea of going to a AVMA accredited school. That will put you in a better place for obtaining residencies and practicing the in the US.

 

[FlyOnTheWall]

I'm a PhD candidate in a Chemistry program at a top US university. Thesis will cover medicinal chemistry, cancer diagnosis and cure, and nanotechnology. Strong desire to enter veterinary medicine after, with an ultimate goal of being a vet for marine mammals, but exotics at a zoo would be great too. I know these fields are competitive.

With these credentials I'll bet you'd make a real strong candidate for most US programs. my $0.02.. Stay in the US.. Get accredited veterinary training and then you can use that PhD to stand out from the crowd of intern and resident applicants... You need the basic vet training to get to the next step of specialized (wildlife/marine) training. There will be plenty of opportunities to do some fun externships while in vet school regardless of how close your vet school is to the ocean.

 

[LVT2DVM]

I am a May 08 SMU student.. with that in mind I have to agree with the other replys, you should definately apply to an AVMA accredited schools first. While I know Ross and SMU would prefer if we didnt think of them as "back up" schools, they fact is--they are and unless you live in or are planning to live in an state that accepts the PAVE accredidation, you will be spending an extra 5K and potentially an extra year waiting to practice once you graduate.

In response to your comment about Houston and exotic medicine, What about Tx A & M they have one of the best exotics programs in the country. If I were in to exotics, thats were Id be looking and if marine is your game, definately check out FL. Summary, please try to get into a AVMA school first, youll be glad you did. If you wanna see the world, take some time off and travel.

 

[clawsbeatskin]

In response to your comment about Houston and exotic medicine, What about Tx A & M they have one of the best exotice programs in the country.

This is definitely not true. I have a friend who is pursuing exotics there and she is always having to defend her decision to do so. They don't even have an exotics track, let alone faculty! The best they can offer students is a student-run exotics society. I'm wondering where you got your information, it's really off-base.

Don't get me wrong, TAMU is a great school (and happens to be my IS) if you want to pursue more "traditional" vet fields.

 

[LVT2DVM]

This is definitely not true. I have a friend who is pursuing exotics there and she is always having to defend her decision to do so. They don't even have an exotics track, let alone faculty! The best they can offer students is a student-run exotics society. I'm wondering where you got your information, it's really off-base.

Don't get me wrong, TAMU is a great school (and happens to be my IS) if you want to pursue more "traditional" vet fields.

Well, Im sorry you feel that way and that your friend has been put in that situation. That information was expressed to me by a TAMU graduate that specializes in exotics, but that was several years ago maybe their program has changed? I guess better advice would be for SireSpanky to contact specific programs and ask more detailed questions about the departments and field of specialty he/she has interest in.

 

[ri23]

Tennessee has a good exotics program. Really though, you can get those opportunities at any of the US vet schools through externships. It is really just best to choose the school that will you like the best and that will work with your situation.

 

[bakaduin]

In my eyes, SMU is perfect. The cost, the faculty, the location, the closeness to family (Houston). This is a school I'd love to attend. My question to all of y'all is, do you think that the PhD from the top tier institution would mitigate the lack of accreditation of SMU? Could I still land some marine mammal internships/residencies at UF or UC: Davis?

SMU is certainly a beautiful campus but I wouldnt call it close to Houston! Normal flights from Georgetown to Houston have a layover in Miami and run 8 hours. Texas AM is what Id call close to Houston not that!