Some advice needed

[PrimalMU]

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So, here recently I've been having some real issues regarding what I want to do with my schooling. Here is my situation:

I'm a senior who decided to go pre-vet last year. So, I've been working on getting my pre-reqs the past year and a half. Last summer I worked at a clinic and decided that if I didn't get into vet school on my first try I'd go to a vet tech program. However, after thinking, I opted to go straight to the vet tech program and work on my pre-reqs there since I've got all my general ed classes finished. Well, after looking at this fall's schedule it looks like I won't be able to fit ANY pre-reqs into my schedule in the fall. Since its a fairly small university (< 10,000 students) they don't offer any of the classes twice, so evening classes aren't even an option.

Anyway, this is starting to all come together, and I'm sitting here and literally every 30 minutes I change my mind from really wanting to go to vet school to looking at all the classes I'd have to take even after the vet tech program and deciding that maybe its not such a good idea. Back and forth, back and forth.

So, what I'm really looking for is just some perspective. I know that its certainly not out of the question for me to still be able to apply to vet school. In fact, one of my possible plans is to move out of state after I get my student loans paid off and apply to an in-state vet school.

Really, its not the thought of the workload, but the logistics of being able to pay off my student loans and then continue to take classes, etc. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[david594]

Are you graduating in May?

If you don't go the vet tech route will you be able to finish up the remainder of you pre-reqs within the next year so that you can apply this coming application cycle?

If your plan is to go to vet school, doing the tech program is largely a waste in my opinion. You will be finishing up the program(with even more debt than you already have) and instead of using what you learned to work, you will be trying to immediately apply to vet school. You can get great experience as a certified tech, but you will be basically delaying your application to vet school by a full 2 years in doing it. You will have better clinical skills, but they teach you everything you need to know in vet school anyways so it wont benefit you much.

If you can get a job working in a clinic, maybe second shift, you will be able to finish up you pre-reqs during the day. You wont have to take out the extra loans for the vet tech courses, and will have more time to work and study for your pre-reqs.

 

[PrimalMU]

Good points, however all points that I have thought out. First, my rationale for going straight into a vet tech program. It will take me at least 2 years to finish up my pre-reqs (one full year of organic, plus a semester of biochem, then a semester "off"). So, faced with the prospect of finishing up 2 years of pre-reqs only to maybe get in to vet school vs take 2 years for a vet tech program and have a guaranteed job and be in a position where I could get my student loans paid off within a year, I've opted for the second option. I'd already decided that I was going to become a vet tech if I didn't get into vet school, so I was looking at a guaranteed 2 years to go straight to a tech program versus at least 4 years if I didn't get into vet school.

Another perk about the vet tech program I'm going to is that I'd be able to get a wide range of large animal experience (on-site small and large animal clinic and farm), something that seems to be impossible where I am living now.

I just can't seem to find a decent solution for my situation.

 

[Whirr]

You've probably already thought about this, but how is the job market in your area for vet techs? If you push yourself through that program and can't get a job in the field, you might be right back where you are right now, but with more debt...

... of course, the job market can be a problem for those of us who want to go straight to vet school, too. I'm trying not to worry about it right now.

 

[PrimalMU]

There aren't many vet techs around here from what I've seen. But, there are several clinics that do value certified techs, so I'll hopefully be able to get a job at one of those. I'm ultimately planning on moving out of state anyway.

 

[BartonVet87]

I have worked at a mixed animal clinic for going on 5 years now. Officially, I'm an assistant but I do all of the same things as the techs and the pay is the same. I never pursued certification b/c I knew I was going to apply to vet school and I didn't want to spend the $$. I thought long and hard about forgoing vet school and therefore all of the debt that goes along with it, BUT I knew I would never be happy unless I was the one doing the surgery/making the decisions/etc.

My $0.02 🙂

 

[Hobiecat1642]

Take your pre-reqs. The vet tech program will still be there if you don't get in. I had to do a post bacc, and it took me a long time to get my pre-reqs done. It's a hard road, but you can do it!!!