unique situation and i need advice

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
S

sunnex3

PennWe c/o 2016!
10+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
1,229
Reaction score
1
Members don't see this ad.
so everyone might now i've been going through some difficult times - both personally and financially.

my dad recently lost his job in Korea and I'm not sure how long it will be before he is able to find another one.

additionally, i've been going through some really tough personal times at school with friends - basically, i'm getting kicked out of my room and ousted out of my group of friends and it's the end of the semester and it's really affecting me.

i am seriously considering finishing up my semester right now and then withdrawing from my university and transferring to my local state university for a number of reasons. i might not be able to transfer there right away, but i can take courses that will count towards getting my bachelor's degree.

how will vet schools look up on the fact that i stopped attending my Ivy League undergrad and left for a lesser known, but still locally respected, state university? I think that I will be much happier here than I am at my school right now, where currently I am extremely unhappy and I don't know that I can continue there for my last year - I'm getting a lot of stress not from school, but rather my peers and my current situation with my friends. i really don't think i can bear living at my school for the next year.

i may get my degree about a semester later than i would have if i had continued at my current university, so i'd have to maybe apply a year later i'm not sure.

also, i have the option of taking courses there as a non-degree student at my local unviersity and applying to vet school, and never earning a bachelor's degree.

too many options and i'm really getting worried but my situation at school has changed drastically in the last few days and i need to take some seroius action to make myself a happier person in a more healthier environment.

**EDIT**** forgot to note that i am a junior, so i have only my senior year left.
 
Last edited:
I really don't think they will look down upon it as long as you were getting good grades at your school. It would look bad if you were doing badly and had to go to an easier school to get better grades. The school might not have been right for you and there is nothing wrong with that! You can always use the explanation section to explain why you moved. I don't think it's the sort of thing that will keep you out of vet school. Do what you need to do to be happy! Good luck
 
i've done really well all my past 5 semesters, although this current semester might be a bit worse because i've had a really tough time personally (not academically) and that's affected my grades, although i know it's not an excuse.
 
I did a similar thing. I was at a higher ranked school (not ivy league) and was very unhappy & did not feel it was right for me for many different reasons. I transferred back to my hometown's college actually (and saved 35K+), respected but not nearly as highly ranked, and am much happier for it, despite almost Everyone telling me it was a bad idea.
I applied to 3 US schools and 2 international, was accepted at Ohio right away, waitlisted then accepted at Cornell, rejected at Penn, accepted at Massey, and offered an interview for RVC. In one of my Ohio essays I actually wrote about this "important decision I had to make." My point is that you can absolutely get in even if you transfer. (but hopefully you still have good grades at your first school-that may be important)
As far as advice goes - I would just say to make sure you carefully consider your options, weigh both sides and other options, and not act out of impulse as it is a big decision. Especially as it sounds like you may only have one year left...? Schools have different requirements as to how many credits you need from their school for them to give you a degree, that it may not be worth it for only one year.
Best of luck
 
as i mentioned before, my GPA and grades are quite strong - 3.91 actually - but not including this semester, it might drop down to 3.8 or so depending on how my finals go.

if i do transfer to this university i am talking about, it may only take me an extra semester to graduate, and i would still wait a year to apply, but i'm not sure.

do i need a bachelor's degree to apply and go to vet school and is it recommended/preferred that i have one?

thanks
 
I definitely think you need to get out of this "poisonous" environment. Whether it be move across campus/find new set of friends or go to another university. I dont think they will look down, especially with your stellar grades. For all they know, maybe you had to move for financial reasons. But i dont think the reason will even matter. I hope things work out for you!
 
Since your GPA is so high, I really wouldn't worry about your transfer hurting you! You can still explain the dip in your GPA from this past semester in the explanation section. A bachelors degree is not a requirement. I wouldn't say that it is recommended, but it could look good that you are getting one. As long as you have the prereqs finished with good grades in those classes, then you are golden. A lot of vet schools like you to complete some other upper level biologies in addition to the prereqs...but it is not required
 
yes i am definitely seriously considering getting out of my current environment, especially since at this local university i have friends who already attend here who i know i will get along with. in addition, i'll be able to live at home which i really like the idea of and i think it'll be a nice break from my current situation. i just need to finish out this semester....it'll be over soon....
i am so stressed by such a great multitude of things right now i don't know what to do with myself.
 
I was in a similar situation last year... I was living in an apartment with 4 other girls... two of them were loud and mean, the other two wouldn't stand up for themselves. It got so bad that I packed up my stuff and disappeared for a week... if I hadn't have done that, I probably would have punched one girl. She kept me awake for four days straight and when I asked her if she could turn her music off so I could nap, she screamed at me for "dumping coffee grinds on her dishes" (the sink was full of her dirty dishes and I wasn't taking them out just to rinse my coffee filter... I wouldn't have needed the coffee if she hadn't have kept me up for FOUR days) Soooo much drama. *end rant*

I loved my university and really didn't want leave. I just couldn't stand being in residence anymore. I was sooo run down that it was affecting my health, which ended up affecting my grades. Moving to a single room would have been difficult for me. I'm a vegetarian and the cafeteria doesn't have many options for someone like me. So I started looking for cheap apartments in my town. If I wasn't able to find an apartment, I was planning on attending another university that was closer to home. If I was having roomate issues or issues with noise, I was only an hour away instead of six hours away.

I lucked out, found a cheap apartment and I'm quite happy living by myself. In the meantime, I found ways to cope with my current situation: spending more time studying in the cafeteria and library instead of in res, sleeping with earplugs in at all time, not worrying or stressing about everybody elses issues or messes, staying with a friend when my roomates were partying or I had to work/volunteer early the next morning, and not being afraid to get a little aggressive if they were being disrespectful to me. I also saw a counselor who let me vent and helped me develop strategies to cope with the stress. Sucks that it took me six months to figure out how to cope, but it all worked out in the end.

I wish you the best of luck!
 
i just don't want to live here anymore and would rather move back home even if it takes longer for me to get my degree...i just need time away from this environment.
 
the only thing i'm concerned about is that it might take me a little longer to obtain my bachelor's and so i might be applying later than i would like, but i'm really unhappy - i don't know if any of you guys can understand what i'm going through, but i'm having a really tough time personally and would really just like to come home and live with my family and go to school and work away from my current environment.

keep the advice coming, but it seems like most people agree that it won't hurt for me to go to a different university.
 
If I were in your position, I would risk taking longer to get your degree to get out of such a terrible situation. That kind of atmosphere can take a huge toll on you. Also, depending on your class schedule, there's nothing stopping you from applying the year you planned and then just not getting an undergraduate degree if you get in.
 
I don't think that going to a state university would hurt your chances of getting into veterinary school. I know plenty of people who attended city schools here in New York and were accepted to a number of schools. Also, you don't need a bachelor's degree to apply to veterinary school, but I believe schools prefer it (and it's nice to have).

I wouldn't stress out about this too much. Keep up your grades, kill the GREs, get your experience in and you'll do just fine! 🙂
 
Last edited:
i have no problem applying without a bachelor's degree, the only thing is, my family probably wouldn't approve heh

i must mention that it's not only my friends that are causing a problem, part of it is me and i should have realized what was happening before it got so bad - i've done some things wrong to in this situation but it's really taking a huge toll on me and that's probably why my GPA is going to suffer a little this semester.

thanks for everyone's support...i just don't know what to do with my life anymore and i feel like things are falling apart.
 
Wow, I totally disagree.

I would suggest that you stay at your Ivy League university especially if you are doing well academically. Admissions committees at vet schools want to know how you deal with adversity. If you change schools because your group of friends has abandoned you, I don’t think AdComs will view that favorably. If you change because your father lost his job and you can no longer afford your Ivy League school – totally different situation. (I am not clear really what your situation is so I can’t be specific, sorry.)

With a great GPA from an Ivy League school, you will be a more competitive applicant for vet school. I am not saying that you would not get into vet school if graduate from a state school – I graduated from a state school and I was accepted into four vet schools (but I was rejected by Cornell, Penn, and Davis.) I am also older. I graduated with a Masters, and then worked for over 10 years before going back to school, so I have been in a lot of job interviews. I can vouch that while it is unfortunate and unfair, people do judge you by where you went to school. You *will* get new and *better* friends, but your degree will not change. Furthermore, it may just be my personality, but I wouldn't let anyone bully me into changing universities. (The very idea of it makes my hackles rise.)

I do not know the details of your particular circumstance – why you feel the need to change schools, but I did see that you are contemplating taking a year off. If you are seriously in need of a break from you current situation, you might consider a year abroad. Through my university, I spent my Junior year in France and then I stayed a second year on my own to become really fluent (I worked as an au-pair, and I audited classes at a French University). It put me back a year academically, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I grew so much and gained an enormous amount of self-confidence – and I became fluent in French. J My years in France gave me a new, broader, perspective and changed my life for the better. I gained experiences that I can talk about with enthusiasm to anyone who will listen, and these experiences have set me apart in both job and vet school interviews. My point in telling you this is that if you want to take a year off, perhaps you can do something similar. A year abroad through your university would get you away from your current social situation. When you got back you would have made friends and fond memories that will last a lifetime, more importantly, your current social circle will have graduated, and you will be able to enjoy your senior year. (You may even be able to get the credits you need to graduate while abroad. If you are a science, major this may be difficult, but I have never looked into it - it may be possible.) If foreign languages and cultures are not interesting to you, maybe you could go live and work on a sustainable farm for a year. I know they have opportunities to live/work on farms in Hawaii and New Zealand. (I know… NZ is not in the US, but they speak English, they are about the nicest people in the world, and they have a lot of sheep!) Vet Schools want a well rounded applicant, so your year off doesn’t have to be science or even animal related (although it would probably be better if it was); it just needs to be doing something that makes you happy and excited to talk about.

But back to my original point – take a breather if you have to, but know that you can get a new apartment, and you will make better friends! Ten years from now, you won’t even remember the names of the people who upset you today, but you will remember the university that gave you your degree.
 
I'm not sure if you knew this...but if you are accepted into vet school without your bachelor's degree, once you complete vet school (or maybe its even just one year of vet school) most schools will automatically give you your bachelors degree without having to complete the rest of the classes
 
to jenniferblue - it's not JUST my friends, it's more a combination of multiple factors that are resulting in my considering transferring to a state university. i completely understand what you mean by the Ivy League degree - i come from Korean American family, so I more than understand. and also, i'm not letting anyone "bully" me into changing universities - i think i've actually been unhappy for a while and i'm ready for a change.

i'm also considering taking a leave of absence for a year, taking some extra courses while i'm at home, and then returning to graduate a year later. that way my current circle of friends will have already graduated and i can start fresh.
 
Jenniferblue makes a good point, sunnex. I know what it's like to go a stressful ivy league school and have mean and psychotic roommates. My final undergrad year was hell, but I'm glad I stuck it out and have that darn ivy league degree to show for it 🙂 I didn't have financial issues at the time, but I had a lot of difficult family issues, half my friends sided with my evil roommate and I lived 3000 miles away from my family.

Ultimately, transferring to a different school is not going to hurt your chances at vet school admission, but I think you should consider other options too. A leave of absence might be just the thing: you can travel, work, do research, get valuable vet/animal experience, and take a few classes at a local college. It's difficult to make such an important decision at such a stressful time, so try to finish up this semester and then spend the summer exploring your options. Speak to your academic advisor. Make time for yourself. Do something you really enjoy. You are going to be ok!

🙂
 
would taking longer than 4 years to get my bachelor's degree hurt my chances at all as long as i keep up my grades?

i really need a break from my current environment and seriously considering a leave of absence as well. i just don't know what to do, on the verge of just breaking down and crying..
 
It won't hurt you as long as you have a pretty heavy courseload each semester... if you barely take any hours then the adcoms may think you can't handle the work in vet school
 
luplodw said:
It won't hurt you as long as you have a pretty heavy courseload each semester... if you barely take any hours then the adcoms may think you can't handle the work in vet school
Click to expand...

what about taking a leave of absence, and taking about 2-3 classes in fall and spring while i'm taking the year off at a local college, then going back to finish my degree?
 
If you are only taking 2-3 classes, I think it would be fine if you were working (full time) at the same time. If you are just hanging around your house doing nothing and only taking 2 classes...that would look bad
 
sunnex3 said:
what about taking a leave of absence, and taking about 2-3 classes in fall and spring while i'm taking the year off at a local college, then going back to finish my degree?
Click to expand...

you'll be fine. i graduated with a double major in an unrelated field, started grad school (didn't finish the degree due to a personal situation), then went back and did my prereqs (not full time at first) and was accepted to more than one school.

i personally didn't explain anything in my application and wasn't asked about anything in my interviews. but if you feel better about explaining your situation, there's an explanation statement on vmcas for you to do that.
 
luplodw said:
If you are only taking 2-3 classes, I think it would be fine if you were working (full time) at the same time. If you are just hanging around your house doing nothing and only taking 2 classes...that would look bad
Click to expand...


i don't necessarily agree with this statement. i agree that you don't just want to take 2 classes and not have anything else going on, but you don't have to be working full time. if you plan to work some, volunteer with other organizations, and do research...or something else to show you can handle the course load while having other obligations.

but if it's not in your plan to take those classes and work full time, don't think that's the only option.
 
Yeah sorry... I just meant make sure you have something going on all the time. Either work full time...volunteer...just do something to keep busy when you're not in class
 
what seems to be the best option for me? i'm so anxious and stressed about this right now, and i can't focus on anything...

i'm meeting with an advisor on Friday to speak to them about taking a leave of absence, which i'm feeling is the best option right now, but i'm still not sure...
 
I personally don't think transferring schools is the best option, at least if it's because of your situation with your friends. You haven't gone into details on what exactly is happening, and that's fine, you don't have to. But unless there's another serious reason to transfer (financial reasons, health issues, etc), I just don't think it's a smart move. You are doing well academically, and so you can almost guarantee that a transfer of schools would come up in a vet school interview. They'll want to know what made you transfer, and if you say to them that you transferred because of problems with your friends, they might think you are not emotionally ready for the difficulty level of veterinary school.

You also have to keep in mind that you only have a year left. You can make other friends, live with other people. You don't have to be around these people if you don't want to be. I personally think it'd be worth it to just stick it out and finish your degree at this school, but I don't know what is really going on.

That being said, the idea of going abroad sounds like it could be a great alternative. You get away from the school and these people, and you get experiences that will potentially set you apart from other candidates. Sounds like a win/win to me!
 
it's not just as simple as finding other friends - these are people that i have class with all the time (i mean, they're biology majors like i am and we planned our schedules to have classes with each other) so i won't be able to avoid them.

it's a little late to apply for study abroad for next year. leave of absence might be my best option...but i really don't know what to do, starting to freak out/panic again!
 
If I were you, I'd just take a year off. Live at home, work full-time and bank some money, and get some awesome recommendations out of that year. You can get a TON of experience in a year, which will make your app look amazing when coupled with your GPA. You could even look for courses offered by the state school that might not be offered at your school, or find a research opportunity while living at home.

I go to a really rigorous and pretty respected school and I wouldn't let anyone take my degree away from me. I've absolutely hated (HATED) my school at times but dammit I'm earning that degree. Don't let anyone take it away from you, especially with that great of a GPA at an Ivy.

I think if you needed to explain anything to adcoms you could say-- my father lost his job and we hit some rough times, so I took a year off to really strengthen my application before finishing my bachelors.
 
also don't panic. this is your life, you will be absolutely fine.
 
sunnex3 said:
to jenniferblue - it's not JUST my friends, it's more a combination of multiple factors that are resulting in my considering transferring to a state university. i completely understand what you mean by the Ivy League degree - i come from Korean American family, so I more than understand. and also, i'm not letting anyone "bully" me into changing universities - i think i've actually been unhappy for a while and i'm ready for a change.

i'm also considering taking a leave of absence for a year, taking some extra courses while i'm at home, and then returning to graduate a year later. that way my current circle of friends will have already graduated and i can start fresh.
Click to expand...

I apologize. I didn’t mean to belittle your reasons for wanting a change. I have four very good friends who are Korean. Three of them have the most amazing families – warm, loving and completely devoted to their children. However, my friend Jihee has been disowned by her parents because she divorced the man that they arranged for her to marry. In all four families I have seen how important a child’s success is to her parents. In Jihee’s case I saw how much she suffered at first by conceding to her parents’ expectations, and at last by defying them. I admire you for being so young and already examining how to determine what you want versus what your parents want for you.

I can’t think of a better way to put it, so I will just say it - “don’t throw out the baby along with the bath water.” You are one year away from graduating from an Ivy League school. That is something to be incredibly proud of. Despite how you feel about your parents’ pressure, if you weren’t as smart as you obviously are, you wouldn’t be there. This is *your* accomplishment, and it is one that will help you get where *you* want to go in the future.

So, I vote for letting off some steam - take a year off. This can be an opportunity to do something that excites and challenges you. Do something that will make your eyes sparkle when you talk about it with the Admissions Committee; but go back and get your Ivy League degree. You earned it, and it will help you get into the veterinary school of your choice. (It is Penn right?)
 
To be honest, I think you need to do what's best for youself and if that means transferring, do it. It isn't ideal at all, but your well being is what should come first. I would make a note of your transfer and the reasons behind it in your application and at an interview. I don't think it will be looked down on too much, really. Good luck!
 
jenniferblue said:
I apologize. I didn’t mean to belittle your reasons for wanting a change. I have four very good friends who are Korean. Three of them have the most amazing families – warm, loving and completely devoted to their children. However, my friend Jihee has been disowned by her parents because she divorced the man that they arranged for her to marry. In all four families I have seen how important a child’s success is to her parents. In Jihee’s case I saw how much she suffered at first by conceding to her parents’ expectations, and at last by defying them. I admire you for being so young and already examining how to determine what you want versus what your parents want for you.

I can’t think of a better way to put it, so I will just say it - “don’t throw out the baby along with the bath water.” You are one year away from graduating from an Ivy League school. That is something to be incredibly proud of. Despite how you feel about your parents’ pressure, if you weren’t as smart as you obviously are, you wouldn’t be there. This is *your* accomplishment, and it is one that will help you get where *you* want to go in the future.

So, I vote for letting off some steam - take a year off. This can be an opportunity to do something that excites and challenges you. Do something that will make your eyes sparkle when you talk about it with the Admissions Committee; but go back and get your Ivy League degree. You earned it, and it will help you get into the veterinary school of your choice. (It is Penn right?)
Click to expand...

yup the school of my choice is Penn, who from what i hear, is very sympathetic towards non trad students (am i just assuming here? i feel like i know of a lot of non trads who got in here) so i'm hoping that taking a year off btw junior and senior year to reorganize my life before graduating won't look poorly on my application.

i already have plans for what i want to do in my break, if that is what i do: get an internship at a wild life refuge center (really cool), get more LA experience, get back into riding, keep on working at the specialty clinic i work at, take some courses, etc. i would like to take microbio and biochem while i'm taking a break, at my local state school. and also take the GRE

i'm having a hard time mainly because i never saw myself as the type to follow a non traditional path. taking a year longer to get my degree is something in ever even dreamed of doing and i'm scared it will look terrible on my application.

hopefully all you non trads out there can offer me some comforting words...😕
 
sunnex, it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. so you will finish your bachelors in 5 years, no problem. you will stand out in your applications and adcoms will love you! don't worry, you're going to be just fine!

ps: an ex of mine took a year-long leave of absence from columbia between junior and senior year and graduated with honors in chemistry and just finished a phd at stanford. taking a leave of absence when necessary and bouncing back just shows everyone how strong you are 🙂
 
While I don't think it would ruin your oppurtunity for vet school, I would really take some time to think about this. Do NOT act in haste.

How will you answer an adcom when they ask 'why did you transfer?'

Why not just find a different living situation and finsih this off? Take the high ground, prove your profesionalism and ability to handle social adversity while finishing on time?

If you do withdraw, remember that if you have student loans, you will have to start paying in 6 months if you aren't enrolled again.

Transferring is a great option, but when you only have a year left it may make more sense to stick it out.

Have you considered taking some of the last classes this summer to minimize time around the affronting individuals?

Do you have a mentor with whom you could discuss this?
 
i'm going to talk with an academic advisor on Friday to speak to about this issue.

I would explain either taking a leave of absence/transferring by explaining that my environment was not healthy for me at all and I needed time away from my school and academic environment to clear my head and put myself in a better place before graduating and applying to vet school.
 
is there anyone here who has taken time off DURING undergrad and can give me some advice?
 
You may have an issue transferring with so many credits. I transferred (I planned on it from the start) and I needed 60+ credits from my second university for them to give me a degree.

Talk to someone at your school's counseling center before you do anything. It's free and it really helps.

If you had asked me three years ago I would have said go to the state school, but you only have two semesters left. I think you should stick it out where you are. Something similar could easily happen in vet school, and you can learn and grow from this experience. Finish your semester, make some new, non-school friends over the summer, live by yourself next year. It'll be fine.
 
sunnex3 said:
i'm going to talk with an academic advisor on Friday to speak to about this issue.

I would explain either taking a leave of absence/transferring by explaining that my environment was not healthy for me at all and I needed time away from my school and academic environment to clear my head and put myself in a better place before graduating and applying to vet school.
Click to expand...

I did transfer, between Freshman and sophmore years, between comparable schools (highly ranked top tier lib arts.) So I can empathize. So let me ask more questions:

Why after 3 years was the environment a problem requiring transfer?

if you take a leave, why was the enviro so bad for 1 year?

What will you do when the vet school isn't a good environment?
 
i'm leaning more towards leave of absence rather than transfering.

as to your questions sumstorm, it got so bad because i didn't get/seek help sooner and resolve the issue sooner. i should've known when i reached my limits and have resolved the issue sooner, but i just let it build up until it got this bad. now i'm in an unhealthy, suffocating, poisonous environment and there's not much i can do to fix it.

as to what would happen in vet school if it happened again, i would get help sooner and realize when i have a problem earlier on and not be afraid to seek help about it or take some time to reorganize myself.

the problem is that i let it go on for so long and didn't directly address the issue sooner and now it's pretty much irreversible - were it to happen again, i would recognize when i need to learn to seek help elsewhere. i just don't think it's healthy for me to remain in my current environment with the same people for the next year because i didn't fix the problem when i should have.

i have learned from this experience what my limits are and when i need to step back and re-evaluate the situation.'

if i take a leave, i wouldn't spend it doing nothing - i would take classes at a cheaper school, take some time to re-organize myself, and get more unique experiences and just take a year to grow as a person.
 
Hey there, I have not personally taken time off while an undergrad but my boyfriend has been in a similar situation (he had a very difficult period of time with people/personal as an undergrad). He chose to take a year off between his sophomore and junior year to work, travel, and to take some time to think about what he truly wanted to do. He felt that it really helped him to better understand why he was there to begin with and to really firm up what he wanted to do with his degree. He learned a lot about himself and revised/refined his path. The following year, he transferred into a program and school that he felt was a much better fit. When he came back, he was a much happier and more whole person, more mature, with a better feel for his path forward which he says, made all the difference.

Graduate schools sometimes like when students take an alternative path (I myself have had anything but a direct path to vet school and will be attending this fall) and when he applied to schools, he was accepted to both Duke and Columbia. Though these are not vet schools, they are extremely competitive programs and he was able to move forward with his path, a much stronger person.

Granted, this is just his experience, but just wanted to give you some solace in knowing that taking time off, even at this point in your academic path, will not be a life sentence. It may briefly affect your path, but, it's all a matter of how you use your time off and what you learn from it. Make sure that if you take this time off, you have a solid idea of how you will use the time and be sure that when it is over, you will feel strengthened and empowered by it, able to use it to improve your application. Others are right in saying that adcoms will seek to know why you left, and if you can justify it by saying, "here's what I learned and here's who I am now...." you will be fine! Remember every path is different!

If time off is what YOU need, do it. But you also might consider speaking with a school counselor (non-academic) in the health office at school. I know sometimes people nay-say it but, having someone to confide in, to get advice from (unbiased) and to vent to, may help you to process what is going on with your acquaintances, and what you are considering doing with your change in path. I saw a counselor for a number of years after a challenging period in my life and I have nothing to say but good things about having someone to help you process your decisions.

Best of luck!
 
Hey!

I had a few things to add:

Only you will know what is going to put your heart at ease. Not in any way trying to invalidate anyone's advice here (it's all great), but you really have to be the final say here. Obviously, if you were me (all stubborn and everything), you'd stick it out no matter what. BUT, if you were my sister (once in desperate need of a break), you'd take some time off for you (as you'd be assured forcing yourself to finish would be futile and disadvantageous). So, talk to your advisor, but more importantly, talk to you. I think, in the end, you truly know what will put you at ease.

Having said that, I have a good friend that was accepted to vet school after applying his Junior year of Undergrad. He is in vet school now, without a Bachelor's degree. I'd imagine, you may very well apply to vet school and be ok'd without it.

I also have a friend that took 1 year off after her Undergrad to go to Disneyworld and visit with her family and things. She applied to vet schools that year, and she will be gladly starting this year! So time off, I don't think it's a bad thing, especially if you need some time to relax and recharge.

I guess, I'll finish by saying that I am a firm believe in the cliche 'Everything happens for a reason.' So, don't worry! Keep your goals, take care of yourself, and you'll be alright! I think that as long as you can explain those things that you worry negatively affect your app, that's all that matters. But, honestly, needing a break, changing school due to finance, or moving to a more positive environment are nothing to ashamed of 🙂
 
yes i've been trying to think about what is best for ME right now and that's what i've really been struggling with actually. i just don't KNOW what is right!

i just know that i need a break, chance of pace, and a chance in environment (most importantly)

i do know that i'll be able to put my year off in a positive light, because there's so many things i want to do with that time that i think will make me stand out more as an applicant.

i just don't know what to do and feel so helpless right now...
 
i actually went to an ivy league school and transferred out for similar-ish reasons. i was accepted to vet school this cycle, so i don't think it made a huge difference in my. application. i think you'll probably be fine as well, since your grades and everything are good/will be good at both schools (ie-you're not transferring because you want an 'easier time' academically). [note: i'm NOT saying that ivies have necessarily harder academics, just that some people perceive them that way.]

however, i do want to warn you that everyone that ever sees my transcipts/resume's education section--schools, potential employers, etc--comment and question why i would leave an ivy league school. also, my family was supportive of me, but 3 years later, i still sometimes get comments from the extended family about it. trust me, i know it is a tough situation, but you have to make sure you are 100% okay with transferring because it will get brought up and you will have to explain your decision to transfer over and over again.

edit: i didn't read the whole thread before posting this reply, so i didn't read that you are leaning more towards a leave of absence during undergrad. fwiw, if it were me, that's the route i would take over transferring.

feel free to PM me if you need anything or i can help at all.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think it would be best for me to take a year to take care of myself. I'm considering taking a year off, going back to finish my degree, and then maybe joining the peace corps afterwards before I apply. I feel like I've realized recently that I need to do more in my life to grow and develop as a person and gain some unique experiences.

I never thought I would be following this non traditional path but I feel like it can only help me and not hurt me. I'm not being forced to go take a break from school because the SCHOOL is making me, I am making this decision for myself.

If anyone else has any other words of advice, please please let me know as my decision is not final yet and I would still like to hear other peoples input.

I'm so glad I can come to sdn to get such helpful advice from such caring people who don't even know me, you guys have no idea how much I appreciate all your kind words. 🙂
 
sunnex3 said:
Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think it would be best for me to take a year to take care of myself. I'm considering taking a year off, going back to finish my degree, and then maybe joining the peace corps afterwards before I apply. I feel like I've realized recently that I need to do more in my life to grow and develop as a person and gain some unique experiences.

I never thought I would be following this non traditional path but I feel like it can only help me and not hurt me. I'm not being forced to go take a break from school because the SCHOOL is making me, I am making this decision for myself.

If anyone else has any other words of advice, please please let me know as my decision is not final yet and I would still like to hear other peoples input.

I'm so glad I can come to sdn to get such helpful advice from such caring people who don't even know me, you guys have no idea how much I appreciate all your kind words. 🙂
Click to expand...

Just to comment, I don't think taking a year off from school makes you a non-trad. 🙂 I think it's good that you're smart enough to realize what you need to do in the situation.

I do think it's a good idea to brainstorm what you would do if this happens again in vet school - even if you don't recognize it in time to get help, how would you deal with it? What would you do? I can imagine it would be even worse in vet school because there's only between 80-150 people in the class and it wouldn't be like you could purposefully avoid them for any long, extended period of time.

I've considered taking a LOA right now myself because our house flooded and we may lose it due to how massive the damage is, and I may end up doing so...but I'm really going to try my hardest not to. In situations like this you just really have to buckle down and ignore everything else going on and realize that what you're doing has to be for your best interests, and not for everyone else's. If it's in your best interest to take a LOA, go ahead - only you know this for sure.

Whatever you choose, I wish the best of luck in all your future endeavors! :luck:
 
is there anyone else here who took time off DURING undergrad and can give me some input/advice/share your experience?
 
I think you should schedule an appointment to speak with one of the counselors/psychologists at Student Health. Sounds like you have a lot of stuff to discuss that your advisor may not be totally helpful about 🙂
 
i would schedule an appointment, but with finals week i just do not have time before the end of the year to get an appointment in....so i'll speak to my advisor and see what they say, and maybe i'll schedule one after i go back home and just take a train back up to philly for the appointment, since i don't have to make my final decsion to take a year off until later in the summer
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

hazysea
Advice on Experience!
Replies
24
Views
2K
Angelo84
A
L
Reapplicant advice (c/o 2030 hopefuls)
Replies
1
Views
461
juggling-zebra0831
J
H
PHYS 2 University of New England: Exam advice
Replies
0
Views
269
hopefulvet!
H
Shiloh47
  • Locked
Vet School / Vet Profession and Economic Policy
2
Replies
99
Views
2K
supershorty
supershorty
A
what are my chances/need advice on how to improve.
Replies
0
Views
730
Animal_Science
A
Top