Unable to get some pre-req classes. Now what?

[Jables11]

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I go to a pretty small undergrad, so some prereqs such as public speaking, animal nutrition, animal science etc. are not offered. Since taking prereqs at a local community college isnt really looked favorably upon, am I just **** out of luck and will not be able to apply to these vet schools?

 

[eringobraugh]

I went to a small undergrad also, that had absolutely no animal science classes and it has never been an issue. I think most schools just require upper level electives, though there are quite a few that require Animal Nutrition but you can usually do it online through a different school. IMO, for public speaking, community college is the way I would go. I don't think CC is necessarily frowned upon and if you are only taking one class there, you can always add an explanation on the VMCAS as to why you didn't take it at your University.

 

[HopefulAg]

Just take them at the community college if you can find them. Then, in your explanation statement on supplementals and what not, just note that they were unavailable at your main college, thus you had to take them at the CC.

Taking them at a CC is still better than not taking them at all. It should be noted, however, that some colleges are sticklers about the level of a class (IE they may not except a Microbiology 200 level class but will except a 300 level), in which case you'll have to contact the individual universities. Sometimes you can appeal though and show them a copy of the syllabus in hopes they'll accept your class in stead of the upper level. Never done that though so I don't know much about it.

 

[Crazy Hippos]

You can take the animal science requirements online. Oklahoma State, Purdue, and Florida are just a few schools that offer animal science courses online.

 

[lalzi22]

I'm taking my math pre-rec at CC. They really don't mind 1 or 2 classes, especially if they know that they are animal science courses which are not taught at your school. You just have to do really well. Also, not ALL schools require all those. I didn't have a single animal related class since my school doesnt have an animal science or pre-vet major, and I went to a major 15000 person public university! Check out the pre-preqs for all schools, and perhaps narrow down your list of schools based on pre-reqs, that way you dont waste 5000 just doing pre-reqs for schools you may not even want to go to. You can check their websites for pre-reqs, but a fast way is to check the AAVMC website.

http://www.aavmc.org/

Go to the left tabs section, click on "applying to vet school" and then click on college specifications. A list with all the AVMA accredited schools is on there EXCEPT FOR Tufts and Texas A&M, since they do not accept the VMCAs application.

Good luck!

 

[Willowhand]

I go to a tiny undergrad, and I was able to get several of my prereqs done by doing independent studies and tutorials. Try looking into your school's policy on those, and talk to professors who might be willing to work with you.

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

If you have the time and want to jump start on Nutrition, you can take it online. Search for old threads.

 

[laitmanvet]

I go to a pretty small undergrad, so some prereqs such as public speaking, animal nutrition, animal science etc. are not offered. Since taking prereqs at a local community college isnt really looked favorably upon, am I just **** out of luck and will not be able to apply to these vet schools?

At Rutgers there is a large animal science department and the university is starting to offer more and more online courses.
Currently they offer animal nutrition online:
http://animalsciences.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/courses/11067330w.html

There may be others but I haven't looked.

 

[Biomajir]

I say that taking them at a community college is better than not having them and waiting for another year to apply. Oklahoma State University provides an online course for its animal nutrition, and I know more than half of my class took it that way and no one has any issues with that. I know quite a few people that took other pre reqs at a community college, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[katydid628]

You can take the animal science requirements online. Oklahoma State, Purdue, and Florida are just a few schools that offer animal science courses online.

Just as a correction, UF does not offer distance learning animal science courses, I spent quite a few phone calls determining this. I am currently taking animal nutrition as a distance learning course at Oklahoma state for that very reason!

 

[gilch]

As for the CC, stuff--I think most places it is really not that big of a deal. I have 72--yes, 72 credits--from a community college. I have 2 acceptances. Ask the schools you are interested in specifically--most, that I know of, don't care. VMRCVM does not (info from adcoms) and Mizzou accepted me. My circumstances are unusual, but I still think a few CC credits are no problem for most schools.

That being said, I think that most CCs do not offer animal science or animal nutrition classes. So take the speech at a CC. I highly doubt it would ruin your chances. I also am really surprised that your school does not offer public speaking. Are you sure it is not under an odd name? I had believed that it was a requirement for graduation at most schools. I also think that if you have a bachelor's degree, some school waive some liberal education requirements--whether speech is ever one of them, I don't know.

 

[Caninerepro]

So go to another university for a semester. How bad do you want to be a vet from that school vs. the others?

That said CC is just fine for 100 level courses, quite a few people did that, and it usually costs less as well. 🙂

 

[Minnerbelle]

I go to a pretty small undergrad, so some prereqs such as public speaking, animal nutrition, animal science etc. are not offered. Since taking prereqs at a local community college isnt really looked favorably upon, am I just **** out of luck and will not be able to apply to these vet schools?

i didn't take any of those, and i still had enough pre-reqs done to be able to apply to 7 + schools. i went to a pretty small undergrad as well (600 students per class)

 

[Tobysgirl81]

I started out my undergrad at a community college - first 3 years - and finished the last 2 1/2 at a 4 year (the joy of switching from semester to quarter system). All of my biology and chemistry courses are CC credits. I had...shoot, 115ish units when I transferred? I am retaking o-chem, again at a CC because it fell at a bad time at the university. I didn't offer any explanation because I didn't feel it was warrented. I think so long as you show that you graduated with your B.S from a 4 year, having CC credits on your transcript isn't going to hurt your chances of getting in.