Switching to pre-vet...

[marycatherine]

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I'm in my senior year of a bachelor's degree in English and Hispanic Studies at a good school in Virginia. For a long time I thought I wanted to go into a Ph.D. in Spanish or Comparative Lit, but very recently I've realized this just isn't where my heart is.

I've worked as an Animal Care Technician at my local humane society for a year, and worked/volunteered at a dog shelter for a year prior to that. I can draw blood, give meds/shots, and have humanely euthanized animals before. I love my job more than anything and I think I'd like to become a veterinarian to work with shelters and whatnot.

However my only problem is that I already feel daunted by having to stay at school. I'll be graduating with my friends in May 2010, however I will then need another year (at least) to get all my science pre-reqs done. If I'm lucky, I can get them done by next spring, however there are some issues with Biochemistry that might mean I'd have to spread the courses over 2 years (my school has a strict schedule in terms of pre-reqs for classes).

I'm worried about living at home (luckily my great school is in my hometown) and worried about feeling miserable while my friends are living in apartments, getting married, and living the dream. To be honest, I'm scared of finally having my terminal degree late in the game, not being able to start a family until later, and just scared I am putting my life on a weird track.

I'm scared of rejection, as I've seen many people write about applying multiple times. I've got 1270 GRE scores (should go up if I retake it, as I didn't study at all), a 3.1 cumulative GPA, and would work my tail off to get an amazing science GPA. I have not shadowed yet, though would plan to start work with a vet this summer, and also would start volunteering at a therapeutic horse center to get large animal experience, too. I figure I'll apply to Virginia Tech for the in-state help? (And others, but I think Tech is my goal.)

I realize this isn't quite a question, but does anyone have any advice for a nervous possibly-pre-vet-student?

 

[Vydellia]

I would advise against graduating and then doing your science prereqs, purely for financial reasons. If you hold off on graduation until you've finished them, then you'll continue to get any aid you may be currently getting in the form of grants and such. Once you graduate and already have a degree, all you can get are loans. I speak from experience, as I got an english degree first and then went back 2 years later. If I had only known before I signed my intent to graduate form, I could have saved myself a ton of money.

I know it sucks to feel like you're being left behind. Heck, I'll be 30 this year and I'm just now in my first year of vet school 🙂 What you have to decide is if you'll be more unhappy waiting to start things like moving out on your own and starting a family or more unhappy with having those things and wishing you'd gone to vet school. It's not impossible, but it's alot harder to do once you've got a regular job and family involved.

 

[marycatherine]

I think I would be happier starting a family after I'm done with vet school-- or meeting somebody nice while in vet school! When I think of what I want, just for me, I know it's vet school. I'm just frustrated because I don't think I'll have many friends or chances to date in the 2 years I'm living at home as I live in my college-town, and it's going to feel very weird when all my friends are gone-- but then that's more time to work on my grades/work.

Unfortunately, it isn't financially better to push off graduation. While we are not financially rich by any means, my dad saved my whole life and paid for my college for me (benefits of being an only child?). However it's always been said that I will pay for anything post-graduate, and my dad is retiring this May-- he's 70 and damn well deserves it. I'm hoping if I study as a non-degree-seeking student, I'll be able to work to put some away to help ease the transition to vet school and pay for my science courses. My mom paid for her undergrad (took her 8 years to do it part time) and she's for me taking 2 years to do the science classes and pay for them myself, and get the experience. I think 2 years is the best way to improve my application, but I don't want to wait that long!

 

[twelvetigers]

Well, you could still continue as an 'undergraduate' and pay for it yourself. There's a fair chance that it would be cheaper for you. Also, there's a whole host of problems with taking classes as a post-bacc. The major problem is that classes tend to fill up before you get the chance to enroll, since post-bacc students enroll last, even after the freshman.

Unless you've already taken a few science courses (biology, chem I, physics I) then it will definitely take you two years to complete the pre-reqs I think. There's just too much coursework for one year, and too many things that have more than one part (and have to be completed in order).

 

[MIZMARLEY]

I think we sometimes seem to forget that there is no "normal" course in life. There are many ways to get to the same place and no way is better than another. You don't have to go to college for four years and then straight to graduate school. I'm 23 years old with 2 bachelor's degrees and I'm still working part-time and I'm a part-time student trying to get into vet school. This is my first year applying to vet school and, while I'm scared to death I won't get in, I have to step back and take a deep breath because whatever is meant to happen will happen. I think if going to vet school is what you really want to do with your life, then you should work hard to get it and don't let anyone tell you it is too hard or expensive or anything else. Don't worry about living with your parents or putting off having a family. Those things will come when it is the right time. The most important thing (at least I believe anyway) is to do what makes you happy and live life in the moment. Don't live life scared of what might happen or might not happen. All you can do is give your best.
As far as rejection goes, that is not something you should be worrying about. You have a great GRE score (and without studying) and your GPA is not bad. You could bump it up a bit, but what I have found recently is that vet schools like a well-rounded person. And if it took you a little longer to figure out what you want to do with your life, then that's okay too. You'll be a better vet for it.

 

[david594]

I wasn't far off your position 2 years ago so I'll give you some thoughts. First figure out exactly what courses you need. With pre-reqs it can take upwards of 5 consecutive semesters to get everything done. (chem1->chem2->orgo1->orgo2->biochem)

Next figure out what schools in your area you can take them at. Community college is good for most of the lower courses(bio, chem, physics, and orgo series), but you will need to find a 4 year school for things like biochem, cell bio, micro bio, genetics, etc. Paying for it yourself you will want public school of some sort just to keep costs down. Most can be taken through the continuing ed department of a school, but applying as a second bachelors student(most schools offer this) can open tons of doors if their classes tend to get filled. Don't confuse a post-bacc program with a second bachelors.

Lastly I would work on finding a job. Veterinary related is good as the hours will help your application. Then you just need to strike the balance between working and making enough money to pay for school and taking as many classes as you can while still succeeding in them.

I really didn't think the 2 years was that weird. Your not that old that people are going to even notice your not a normal undergrad. And at my job I became decent friends with a bunch of people there and I could always meet a couple interesting people in all of my classes.

 

[nyanko]

I think twelvetigers changes her avatar more often than nohika changes her mind.

OP:

Echoing everybody else (jeez like 2 posts since I started this), at the absolute least with being able to take both organic chem courses over the summer, the chem pre-reqs alone required 2 academic years: gen chem 1/2 in fall/spring, ochem 1/2 in summer, biochem 1/2 in fall/spring. Even if you only need biochem 1, you can't begin vet school in the spring* so you'd in all likelihood take it in your application year. And taking bio 1/2, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, physics 1/2, statistics and whatever other requirements your intended school has all at the same time as those will probably require a longer time than you figure.

Of course, if you could work a pre-req or two into the remaining semester of your undergrad degree that would be the best option to cut down on the amount of time it'll take to finish. Also, if you declare yourself as a second degree-seeking student after graduation, you'll get registration priority with the undergrads and be eligible for federal loans.

My background: I'm a non-traditional applicant who decided in my junior year of my computer science degree that I wanted to go to vet school. My GPA after my first degree was similar to yours. I declared myself as degree-seeking and went to get the prereqs, and honestly if I hadn't gotten sidetracked with becoming absolutely obsessed with genetics and realizing that research was what I was meant for, I would have applied a lot earlier. I ended up actually getting the second degree, though, so I'm an oddball. 😉

You will have to hold off on applying until the cycle beginning June 2011 anyway if you don't have any prerequisites done, so don't really feel the need to rush it - the earliest you can realistically begin is Fall of 2012.

*at US schools, Aussies are all flipped around and you can start at Caribbean schools then..

 

[twelvetigers]

Hey, I see something cute and I change it. Don't hate.

 

[nyanko]

Hey, I see something cute and I change it. Don't hate.

That's how I feel about relationships.

Internet avatars, though, serious business!

edit: I only look at avatars when identifying people in a thread, so it throws me off, that's why I commented!

 

[twelvetigers]

Well, the name is bold, and I'm the only other person with the little Twitter bird, so... and if the avatar is animated, it's probably moi.

Besides, I have to keep you on your toes.

 

[nohika]

I think twelvetigers changes her avatar more often than nohika changes her mind.

I'll take this as a compliment. Though it's probably not one.

 

[marycatherine]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think 2 years would be the best to strengthen my application, and would give me the time to get good grades and a lot of hours under my belt. (I added things up and I've got 500 as a shelter employee!) My hypothetical 2 year plan so far:

Spring 2010:
Bio 203
Primate Behavior (if I can get things switched around. it's just an elective, but since I can't get any other prereqs yet, I figured why not?)

Summer 2010:
Chem 103 (Gen Chem 1)
Orgo Chem 206 (Orgo 1, doesn't need Gen Chem 2 as a prereq at my school)

Fall 2010:
Bio 203
Orgo Chem 307 (Orgo 2)

Spring 2011:
Chem 308 (Gen Chem 2)
Bio 440 Microbiology

Summer:
Physics 107
Physics 108

Fall 2011:
Bio 443 Molecular Genetics
Math 131 – Calculus for Life Sciences

Spring 2012:
Biochemistry



The only reason I can't fit it in one year is that Biochem needs a prereq of Gen Chem 2, and I'm not sure if my professors will let me take both at the same time-- plus some schools might not like that I've got so many requirements left in my spring before enrolling? 2 years seems like the smartest choice. I think I've just been eager to get it over with, but I'm going to try and look at things more optimistically and think of all the cool experiences I'll get to have over the next two years while I'm preparing for vet school.

Thanks everyone for your help. And I'm gonna go find a nice avatar, haha.

 

[dgm]

Two years seemed like a long time when I was first starting my pre-reqs, but it absolutely flew by for me!

 

[racccjlm]

Hi! I think everyone else has put up quite good advice --- ditto on the whole family/relationship thing. I guess I'd add that another 2/3 years can be a small price to pay for enjoying what you do for the rest of your life. I've known people in their 30s with masters etc. go back to school and then apply to vet and med school. It all depends on how bad you want it. I say go for it!! 🙂

 

[sumstorm]

The only concern I might raise is that I don't know if those constitute a 'heavy science' courseload (sorry, I have been out of school for a long time) and you may need to prove that you can manage a science intensive course load. Then again, I couldnt have handled chem and orgo at the same time (chem is my worst subject.) It seems odd that your chem course is a 103 then a 308.

 

[marycatherine]

The only concern I might raise is that I don't know if those constitute a 'heavy science' courseload (sorry, I have been out of school for a long time) and you may need to prove that you can manage a science intensive course load. Then again, I couldnt have handled chem and orgo at the same time (chem is my worst subject.) It seems odd that your chem course is a 103 then a 308.

That's a good point. I think I'll email an admissions office and see what they say! I can always take physics during the year instead of the summer-- which would give me more time to work and make money during the summer.

And yeah, our number system for sciences is really weird, but they're all labeled and I've triple-checked pre-reqs and courses.

 

[flyhi]

I think twelvetigers changes her avatar more often than nohika changes her mind.

That's a toss up.....

And, they are all so friggin awesome. I totally have
Avatar Envy

 

[twelvetigers]

I try. 😀

There's one I really want but can't get it trimmed down to the required size... 🙁

 

[BlacKAT33]

I try. 😀

There's one I really want but can't get it trimmed down to the required size... 🙁

i miss kitten mittens!!! (that was u, right?)

 

[Danae00]

.

 

[twelvetigers]

i miss kitten mittens!!! (that was u, right?)

Yup. Lol. I liked it, but I had to make the quality so horrible for the file to be small enough that it bothered me. 🙄

 

[dottoressa]

You are so young! Stop worrying so much about throwing your life out of wack. Personally, I think anyone's life that is totally "in wack" has never really thought what they want out of life. Why? Because what we want is going to change numerous times as we age and mature and change. God knows the goals I had for myself when I was 18 were very different from when I was 24 and are very different now that I am 30. Don't be surprized if in 5-10 years many of your graduating friends who you think are so on track find themselves back in school pursuing a completely different field 🙂

It sounds like vet is something you know you really want to do. Great! So few people (even after they graduate) have a clue what they want to do with their lives. If vet is what will make you happy then you should definitely go for it.

You don't have to do it immediately though if you want to live a little first. There is nothing wrong with taking a few years to travel, work, live on your own, discover who you are, be a beach bum, teach english abroad, basically do whatever you want to do. In fact, I would highly recommend it. But if you love school and don't want a break then by all means keep going to school. Just don't plan out your life based on what you think is the "proper" way of doing things. Do what feels right for you. You have so much time to live your life, don't be afraid to "screw it up".

Let's just say that I'm a 30 year old non-trad (pre-PT, not pre-vet) student who doesn't regret for a second the twists and turns in my life that lead me to finally figure out what I want to do with my life.... for now! 😉

As another who would like to 'switch to pre-vet', I appreciate your comments. This is what a number of wise friends have told me, a non-traditional aspiring equine vet with some obstacles in the way... I have to keep the faith and stay excited that it's all part of my journey. Hopefully I'll make the dream happen, even if it's not immediately. Thanks for your words of encouragement.