I'm looking for some insight here. This is mainly Tufts vs. UW-M with LSU being a darkhorse because it's really hard to actually find any information on the school for some reason?
A little background: I'm an adult (31) student looking to pursue international conservation medicine. Not a total pipe dream, I've been working in international conservation for many years and know the limitations and difficulties presented by the career. I'm also aware things change in school, but I have very little interest in general small animal practice. My second choices will likely be a small animal specialty or academia. The schools are close enough in cost that my finances allow me choose a program based on other factors.
Tufts: Pros are I really liked the school and the programs/faculty. A large amount of faculty with my interests, the wildlife clinic on campus. Large caseload at the hospital. I'm originally from NJ/NY so being back on the east coast and drivable distance to friends and family is a bonus. Cons..it's rather isolated from people my own age. I'm friendly and I'm sure I'll make friends wherever I go with some classmates, but I worry that it will be difficult to meet people beyond school.
UW-M: Great school. Decent exotic load at the hospital. Madison is a fun town with lots to do. I have no visited the school yet so I'm not sure how I feel about it beyond that. Cons...Very little international exotic/conservation faculty. Madison is cool but its still the midwest. After doing a few years out here I can say that I get the appeal of widwestern life but it will never be my forever home.
LSU: I really don't know much beyond they vets they now have heading their hospital exotics are top-notch. Most of my experience (and a lot of passion) is in herpetology and it's hard to beat Louisiana for herp experiences. I'd also love to live somewhere warm for a few years. Otherwise I don't know much about the program beyond it's very low rankings and relatively low NAVLE rates (but can't find an explanation for either).
I'd really appreciate any insight
A little background: I'm an adult (31) student looking to pursue international conservation medicine. Not a total pipe dream, I've been working in international conservation for many years and know the limitations and difficulties presented by the career. I'm also aware things change in school, but I have very little interest in general small animal practice. My second choices will likely be a small animal specialty or academia. The schools are close enough in cost that my finances allow me choose a program based on other factors.
Tufts: Pros are I really liked the school and the programs/faculty. A large amount of faculty with my interests, the wildlife clinic on campus. Large caseload at the hospital. I'm originally from NJ/NY so being back on the east coast and drivable distance to friends and family is a bonus. Cons..it's rather isolated from people my own age. I'm friendly and I'm sure I'll make friends wherever I go with some classmates, but I worry that it will be difficult to meet people beyond school.
UW-M: Great school. Decent exotic load at the hospital. Madison is a fun town with lots to do. I have no visited the school yet so I'm not sure how I feel about it beyond that. Cons...Very little international exotic/conservation faculty. Madison is cool but its still the midwest. After doing a few years out here I can say that I get the appeal of widwestern life but it will never be my forever home.
LSU: I really don't know much beyond they vets they now have heading their hospital exotics are top-notch. Most of my experience (and a lot of passion) is in herpetology and it's hard to beat Louisiana for herp experiences. I'd also love to live somewhere warm for a few years. Otherwise I don't know much about the program beyond it's very low rankings and relatively low NAVLE rates (but can't find an explanation for either).
I'd really appreciate any insight