Venting about "rankings" (warning: long rant)

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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Gilrandir

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So I just learned today (via snail mail) that I got accepted to Tufts, and I was absolutely ecstatic. Best Christmas present ever! Tufts had always been my top school, and I've been telling nearly everyone in earshot so since forever. But... I'm Asian. With Asian parents. That means, all they know is to look at rankings, and push their kids towards the highest number regardless. That's how the Asian school system works, you take a test and go into a particular field and a particular university based on the numbers. Plus, they live in Taiwan, so that's pretty much all they know about the schools anyway; I may as well be throwing darts on a map (which is pretty much how applying for undergrad went). My mom in particular is the one who looks everything up online, and she's been sending me Excel spreadsheets of schools-by-rank since I started the application process.

Anyway, what I meant to say was... so I'm totally pumped up by the acceptance, and while responding to an e-mail from my dad I tack on a P.S. I got accepted to Tufts!!!
And the reply comes back, "Congratulations... lets see what cornell says..."
I admit, I applied to Cornell mostly to make them happy, so I could apply to other schools that I *really* wanted to go to. (Cornell is probably awesome, but also probably too cutthroat for me. I had enough of that going to Johns Hopkins for undergrad.)

I mean, that's another problem... my parents were so proud of me going to JHU, omg top bio program top research school omg and now they think that anything less than Cornell is "a step backwards", how can I possibly go from a more prestigious school to a less prestigious one? And also, they were so hoping I'd go into research as a career... Mom keeps asking me, am I *sure* I want to be a vet? Why not consider applying to some med schools along with all the vet schools? (hell no.) I guess she hopes that I'll transition from med school back to research... funny that an Asian parent would consider med school a last-resort, inferior sort of track. I'm guessing they want me to be a ridiculously successful professor like my dad, but... that's not what I want to do for a living.

Argh. I mean, I don't actually have that much to complain about - they're generally supportive (if somewhat baffled) most of the time, and they're going to be the ones footing the majority of my vet school bill (so I feel a bit guilty about "going against them", so to speak) and hey, I got into my top school! Just... aaaaaaaaaargh. Fly, ointment, etc.
 
I don't have any sage advice to give you (others like sumstorm will be along for that 😉 ), but congratulations on your acceptance!
 
I went to a really cut-throat undergrad program as well. I've learned so much from the experience. I've worked harder than I knew I could. I learned how to not get A's and be ok with it. 🙁 Mostly I learned so much from being around such intelligent peers. BUT I too have no desire to attend another university that fosters that kind of environment. I know everyone I take classes with at veterinary school are going to be amazing, intelligent people, but somehow I hope to find a program where everyone can work to help each other because we're going to be in the same profession... as opposed to my undergrad where the main goal was to make sure everyone else was holding down the curve and you were pulling it up. (not that i was ever the person pulling it up... 🙄)

Point of my ramble: I understand and I think that there is more to life and happiness than prestige and rankings.

***Disclaimer: I've never heard bad things about veterinary schools and don't know anything (good or bad) about Cornell***
 
Smileystar5 said:
Point of my ramble: I understand and I think that there is more to life and happiness than prestige and rankings.
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I agree. I had the chance to go to an Ivy League school for undergrad, but choose a different school, in part due to money and part what I wanted. Granted, my undergrad is constantly ranked among the top public schools. But I was very happy with my choice of undergrad... even if it has caused me trouble in getting into vet school. Go where you will be happy. None of your clients are going to look at where you got your degree and judge you on how good of a vet you are... they will judge it based upon how well you treat their pets. And tell your parents to buzz off, the last time vet schools were ranked bu USnews (the only publication that ranks vet schools) was in 2007... who knows, Tuffs might be the next #1 school! Congrats in getting into Tuffs, I wish I was in your shoes! 😛
 
Thanks guys <3 It's so great to have a place where people actually understand this stuff... there's fewer pre-vets in Hopkins than fingers to count them on. o_o;;

Smileystar5 said:
somehow I hope to find a program where everyone can work to help each other because we're going to be in the same profession... as opposed to my undergrad where the main goal was to make sure everyone else was holding down the curve and you were pulling it up.
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Yes, exactly! >_< I went to a fairly competitive high school - close-knit, but competitive. And then I went to college where we didn't have the close-knit-ness to keep us decent, by sheer numbers. Ohhhh boy. The most you get are friends helping friends, little enclaves of "lets do it! and lets hope everyone else fails". It didn't occur to me how destructive this mindset was until I started taking Microbiology at another university nearby and was like... wow, people are so laid-back here o_o;; I'm sort of worried that it's going to be hard for me to change the cutthroat mindset when I get into vet school, actually... learning this kind of important life-or-death stuff is not a zero sum game!


wolphcats said:
None of your clients are going to look at where you got your degree and judge you on how good of a vet you are...
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I've tried explaining that to my parents over and over (and also the meaninglessness of rankings in general in vet school) but... :bang:
 
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YEAH! CONGRATS!!! How freakin exciting!!! Santa sure knew what you wanted! 😉

Does Tufts do PBL? (Problem bases learning?) I know Cornell does and I wouldn't be able to do my best with that type of learning style. It's just not right for me, so you might be able to use that 'excuse.'
As far as school ranking, that really sucks that it is such a big deal for your culture. And with vet school ranking- come on- there are 28 vet schools in the country- does it really matter if cornell got a "32.6" on the 'ranking scale' and tufts got a "32.2?" (i totally just made up those numbers). Go where you are happy! Gah- I can see your frustration- how annoying! (and tufts is SUCH a good school!!!!)
Merry Christmas!
 
OK, I am not going to give advice here, but just congratulations!!! 😍 I will let Sumstorm get on her soapbox and tell us all how to think, as usual. How do we ever live without her telling us how to breathe, and when? :laugh:

I do understand what you are going through though. I as well went to the Hopkins of the vet world for undergrad and grad school. I got into Cornell for vet school. I have parents who simply cannot understand why I would not want to go to med school with all my "obvious potential"; they never have and never will. There are more people like you in similar situations than you know.

Anyhow, way to go, and congrats again for getting into one of your top ranked schools! FYI, I myself am going to my top ranked school that I got into -- USNews be darned.
 
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wohoo JHU!
Although I hated a lot of it while I was there, now that I'm out I appreciate it more.
 
oh the asian parent dialogue... hear it a lot from my pre-med friends but first time on here! luckily, my parents (also living in asia) are very supportive of my finding a vet school that is good for *me*. however, they do have their moments... when i got into penn, my parents were like ohhh great so then you can just decline osu!? and i was like... ummm... i dunno i really liked them both... and they were like... oopsies hmm yeah you figure out where u'd be happiest. and apparently my mom's been looking at admissions stats and bragging to relatives about how much more difficult it is to get into penn vet than undergrad... sigh...

i totally know how it's not as simple as telling the determined asian parent to f*** off though... how much would it really bother them if u chose tufts over cornell if you got accepted?
 
First off, congratulations!
Second, if your parents are the type that can be reasoned with (which mine aren't, so I hear ya), you could try talking to them about how the vet school rankings are really not based on anything very substantial, and how we all have to pass the same test to become licensed. You could pull up some data and show them the percentage of applicants accepted (to vet school in general, or to Tufts), and maybe also if you can find some articles about how the vet school rankings are essentially meaningless, and certainly less meaningful than the undergrad ones (which honestly I couldn't care less about - I went to #52 or something and wouldn't trade that for anywhere else in the world).
 
Congratulations on getting into Tufts! That is amazing!

I second bunnity 😉 Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and Cornell will not accept you --- problem solved! :laugh: In all seriousness though, congrats!!!
 
georgie339 said:
Ok... so, I have to ask: What is the "Hopkins of the vet world?"
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Colorado State University. The university he spent years at(even teaching in their first year anatomy lab!) who rejected him when he applied for their vet school.

And I wouldn't call their undergrad the hopkins of the vet world. Their undergrad is currently ranked 128th.
 
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Hi Gilrandir,

Congratulations for getting into Tufts! It must be such an exciting time for you. Congratulations.

I am a third year vet student at Cornell, and I just wanted to share some experiences with you for you to consider during your school search.

I too was apprehensive about choosing Cornell for a variety of reasons. I was lucky in that fact that I had a selection of amazing schools to chose from, but ultimately I decided to attend Cornell. After two-and-a-half years at this school I can say that if you do decide to attend you will get a world-class veterinary training. Are there some people that are "cut-throat" in our class? Yes. Actually, the vast majority of the student body takes their studies extremely seriously, and academic achievement is probably on top of everyone's list. However, I can share with you that the vast majority of the students that I have met are very welcoming, kind, and at the end turn out to be amazing classmates.

My point is that don't just rule out Cornell because it has a reputation of being "cut-throat" to some. Every veterinary college will have a large number of this personality type.

My experience at my school has been nothing less than exhausting and extremely rewarding. I feel like all of the professors want ALL of the students to get as much out of their lessons as it is possible. Learning opportunities, at a high quality, are plentiful.

By the way, a couple of our teachers come from Tufts, and they all regard their former school very highly.

Anyway, congratulations again. Don't just rule out Cornell based on what you hear from others. If you get a chance, come down and take a tour of our school and Ithaca and get a sense of what it is like for yourself.

Best wishes to you!
 
UpstateNY27 said:
My point is that don't just rule out Cornell because it has a reputation of being "cut-throat" to some. Every veterinary college will have a large number of this personality type.
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But only at Cornell can you get a Garage Plate within easy driving distance!
 
Yeah, I talked to an undergrad in Cornell who claimed to know some vet people, but then again he might've just been talking about his own experiences (regarding the cutthroatness)... a Cornell rep came down to JHU and gave a talk, and the Problem Based Learning thing sounded really awesome. My beef with Cornell isn't really with Cornell itself, I guess, it's just that all my parents can see is the REALLY HIGH NUMBER and they won't even consider that maybe there's more to a school than, y'know, just one number. I think they would've been pulling the same thing with me and UPenn, if UPenn hadn't rejected me already. XD;;

Minnerbelle - well, they *say* it's up to me, of course, do whatever makes you happy, we want you to be happy with yourself, but won't you just consider........ so yeah, they'd probably be supportive of my going to Tufts, but, well, there'll always be a "but".
 
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Removed after I read other comments.

Congrats on your acceptance, I am sure you will be happy whereever you end up.
 
david594 said:
Colorado State University. The university he spent years at(even teaching in their first year anatomy lab!) who rejected him when he applied for their vet school.

And I wouldn't call their undergrad the hopkins of the vet world. Their undergrad is currently ranked 128th.
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Um yeah but their vet school is #2, and #1 with a "traditional" program. As is the grad program I was doing. Therio/ET work.

Also, I liked Cornell, a lot. I probably could even have put up with their PBL system, which is not my personal strong suit. I would probably be in Ithica as I type this were it not for the fact that my admissions offer was contingent on me doing a PhD as well. I am just not sure that is what I want to do. I really just want to get out and practice in the "real world" ASAP. I am about done with research and not seeing the sun for days on end. :yawn:

Anyhow, back on topic. Do what you want to do, including factoring in your families wishes if that is important to you. But in the end, it is your life you have to live. Way to go on getting into ANY vet school, there are many here that would kill to be in your shoes.:clap: And welcome to OUR family!
 
Congrats as well! I just wanted to chime in as a current tufts student if you have questions feel free to ask via PM if you would like. I had to decide between tufts and cornell and it was a difficult choice. In the end I decided that the curriculum at Tufts fit me better. We do have a bit of PBL but the entire curriculum isn't structured around it.

As far as numbers I can try to find the exact numbers but I know that Tufts students have a very high percentage of acceptance into internships/residencies so that might make them feel better! I don't know what the similar number is at cornell....
 
Gilrandir said:
Minnerbelle - well, they *say* it's up to me, of course, do whatever makes you happy, we want you to be happy with yourself, but won't you just consider........ so yeah, they'd probably be supportive of my going to Tufts, but, well, there'll always be a "but".
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Hey, well that's a lot more supportive than a lot of my friends' parents, so you got that going for ya! I know it's hard to feel like you're letting your parents down, but if it's just a "but," I'd say go ahead and do it! They'll eventually get used to the idea. Plus, Tufts Med has a great ring to it in the parents' bragging circle anyhoo, so if it's a "bragging rights" thing, then I'm sure your parents will have a good enough time explaining to the non-vet family friends that their baby goes to Tufts vet med 😛. As shallow as it is, bust out the admission stats for out of staters getting into Tufts vet and compare it to some med schools. That tends to shut up a lot of shallow nay-sayers. Plus, it's only really going to matter for the next 4 years while you're in school anyways. After that, it just comes down to the realization that "my daughter is a vet!" and i don't think anyone will really care that you didn't go to cornell.

There are parents out there that would really think that their kids were failures and make them feel sh*tty about themselves for wanting less than/getting into the #1 school... so I think you're in a pretty good position IMO. I mean, the fact that they're supportive of your pursuing vet med in itself is a pretty good sign. I think sooner or later, they'll realize that wherever you go, you're getting the same quality education AND the same level of respect (at least in the profession itself where it really matters).

And I just realized that I forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!:biglove:
 
Hey, if it helps at all, the current AAV president (Association of Avian Veterinarians), is a Tufts grad! She is in charge of all avians vets IN THE WORLD. I don't know about your parents, but my parents would be damn impressed.
 
Minnerbelle said:
There are parents out there that would really think that their kids were failures and make them feel sh*tty about themselves for wanting less than/getting into the #1 school... so I think you're in a pretty good position IMO. I mean, the fact that they're supportive of your pursuing vet med in itself is a pretty good sign. I think sooner or later, they'll realize that wherever you go, you're getting the same quality education AND the same level of respect (at least in the profession itself where it really matters).
Click to expand...

Not to mention how many would criticize a child for failing to become a 'real' doctor! 😉😀
 
i just wanted to reply cause I am in the OP's same shoes (I'm Asian as well with a parent, my dad who lives in Korea, who REALLY REALLY REALLY doesn't want me to go to vet school, he would rather that I be a doctor). I also go to an Ivy League school and deal with the whole Asian parent school ranking business, and i just want to sympathize with you because i know exactly what you're going through. thankfully, my mom is very supportive of my dream to be a vet and that helps a lot but it's hard not having the support of my dad.

oh and ps, congrats on your acceptance to tufts! it's an amazing school and i would LOVE to be in your shoes in a year. 😀 :xf:
 
sumstorm said:
Not to mention how many would criticize a child for failing to become a 'real' doctor! 😉😀
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Heh, I feel like my parents would want me to become pretty much any sort of doctor other than an animal doctor ("what's the point in that?" "wasted potential" etc.) I just feel kinda bad, because they're probably going to be footing most of the bill and "going against your parents' wishes" is the pinnacle of ingratitude in Asian society ^^;;;

The pulling-out-the-stats tip actually sounds like a good idea, though. (I admit, I quail at the thought of trying to argue my mom around... a lifetime of conditioning is hard to break.) But then... if I change their wishes, I wouldn't be going against them, now, would I? XD

Thanks for the support, guys, I <3 you all 🙂 Good luck on your endeavors towards vet school!
 
Gilrandir said:
Heh, I feel like my parents would want me to become pretty much any sort of doctor other than an animal doctor ("what's the point in that?" "wasted potential" etc.) I just feel kinda bad, because they're probably going to be footing most of the bill and "going against your parents' wishes" is the pinnacle of ingratitude in Asian society ^^;;;
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Fortunatly for me, Oneida culture values the voices of one's elders, but does not categorize parents as more signficant than other elders. And we value those who work with animals. I don't have to deal with the 'footing the bill' issue; parents haven't contributed to education since high school; if you can be sent to war, have a child, be imprisoned as an adult, in their minds, you are an adult who can pay your own way and decide whether you attend school or work....or in my case, work so you can attend school! 😀 There is a saying in Oneida that essentially means 'if you want to see your choosen vista, be prepared to travel the distances on your own feet. '
 
sumstorm said:
There is a saying in Oneida that essentially means 'if you want to see your choosen vista, be prepared to travel the distances on your own feet. '
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Hijacking just to say that I LOVE that saying! Thanks for posting it.
 
parietal said:
Hijacking just to say that I LOVE that saying! Thanks for posting it.
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Thanks, I have it in Mingo on my wall at the house near vet school... it reminds me that there are always decisions and choices and perspectives, and they aren't always shared. It's one my father said a lot when I was growing up. I think there might be a bit more tied into it, but hard to articulate. Kind of like 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost has a variety of meanings to it and the perspective of the reader alters the meaning.
 
Felt the need to bump this thread in light of my own recent strife... I apologize in advance for my whining. 😳

I was recently accepted to Cornell (IS), and no one in my life (friends, family, etc.) can seem to look past its #1 ranking. Yes, Cornell is a FANTASTIC school, and I feel so lucky to have been accepted there, but in my opinion it is not the most ideal match for my interests (SA ECC) and career goals. I have my sights set on Penn, and after a REALLY great interview there yesterday I'm pretty hopeful (although definitely putting the cart before the horse here before actually getting an answer from Penn - a bad habit of mine 🙄). Furthermore, I was a Penn grad student in a past life, am currently living in the Philadelphia area, and would love to stay here, not only through school but ESPECIALLY long-term after graduation. I know it won't be impossible to return to this area and find a job as a Cornell grad, but in my estimation (and hopefully I'm wrong here) it might be much easier as a Penn grad.

In the end, IF I'm even accepted to Penn (again... cart--horse), my decision will likely come down to money and I'd bet the farm that I'll be at Cornell in the fall. Which is fine! I'm not complaining about "having to" go to Cornell, I'm just venting about the fact that none of the important people in my life can look past Cornell's #1 ranking to understand the reasons why it might not be number 1 for ME or my interests. For example, on my Penn tour yesterday I learned that some 4th year Cornell students are actually doing SA ECC rotations at Penn due to Cornell's relatively small caseload... and it's things like this (and being a little unsure of the PBL curriculum) that worry me about deciding on Cornell. In the end I know that no matter where I end up I will get a great education and it will be entirely what I make of it, I just wish the important people in my life could try to understand that in an ideal world (read: abundant $$$!) I would be basing my decision predominantly on factors OTHER than a school's ranking!

Okay, end rant. Thanks so much for listening - you guys are great! 😍
 
I know how you feel. When I got into Cornell, a lot of people who know nothing about vet schools said, "Why would you go to Davis?." Or, "Cornell is Ivy league." None of these people were aware of school rankings; it was always a state school versus ivy league thing. I tried to explain that those ideas don't apply when it comes to vet school, but some of them still can't imagine why I chose a state school.

I'm going to charge those people more. 😉
 
with all this ranking talk.. where exactly are people finding these "rankings" a website or something? just wondering..
 
Rankings change. What will your parents do if in the next couple of years Cornell isn't #1 anymore and Tufts is (LOL)?

So go where it fits YOU.

Cornell is a great school but I no more believe that it's the #1 veterinary school in the USA than I believe in the tooth fairy.

Tufts is quite a prestigious school with a fantastic reputation. The people who really know are going to hear "Tufts" and know how qualified you must be to have gotten in. And CONGRATULATIONS.
 
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Turnbackhelly,

Congrats on your Cornell acceptance. I don't see this as you whining about getting into Cornell at all. If you do get into Penn, then you will have a decision to make and it's perfectly normal to weigh your options -- that's not whining.

All the things you have mentioned are important factors in making a decision on a school. At the end of the day, you will be the one attending the classes, labs, and rotations. So if you see yourself really enjoying your time at Penn and being happier there, then I think you should follow that! You should enjoy your vet school experience and feel most comfortable in the decision you make. And if you decide that Cornell is the right decision, then go there!

I know you'll make the right decision. 🙂 Good luck! I hope you get that Penn acceptance!
 
Thanks a lot, rileyroo, I really appreciate it!! Seriously, every one on here is the best - I've gotten lots of encouraging PMs in the last few days. I love you guys!! 😀
 
I assume it's the USNews rankings of graduate schools...

It was last 'ranked' in 2007 which coincidentally is roughly the time when the number 2 (well tied for second) school, UC Davis, had a sketchy time with their full AVMA accreditation (i.e. that had work to do to get it back in good standing).

It's hard to tell from the website how they determine the rankings b/c there are two systems... The medical school rankings are more in depth than say business schools and involve MCAT scores, undergrad GPA's, etc.

Honestly regardless of how the schools are ranked (medical or otherwise) a big chunk of the ranking is based on a survey of professional (medical, etc) perception/knowledge of the programs that the schools run.

Rankings for vet school are really worthless IMO, you're going to get a good education regardless of which school you choose to go to. Furthermore it is more important that you pick a school which may have a strong focus in your potential area(s) of interest.
 
JustCats said:
I know how you feel. When I got into Cornell, a lot of people who know nothing about vet schools said, "Why would you go to Davis?." Or, "Cornell is Ivy league." None of these people were aware of school rankings; it was always a state school versus ivy league thing. I tried to explain that those ideas don't apply when it comes to vet school, but some of them still can't imagine why I chose a state school.

I'm going to charge those people more. 😉
Click to expand...

LOL, sounds like my (non-Asian but living vicariously through me) mother. She really wanted me to apply to Cornell and UPenn because they were Ivy League. I told her I may or may not get in and it really wouldn't matter, as Mizzou would be the cheapest with in-state. She STILL kept badgering me about going to medical school after I started vet school. You know what got her to finally stop? Her and my father came down to the open house second year and they were like "wow, it's like a real hospital!" :laugh: 🙄

So now that I'm thinking about a nutrition residency at some point in the future, now she's like "you should apply to Cornell for that!" I told her that the program at UC-Davis is probably about the best for clinical nutrition and she's like "But Cornell would be Ivy League!!" 🙄🙄🙄
 
At what point in the year do they come out with new rankings?
 
hmm i liked how the US news rankings had a lot of ties and showed the points. i know that many vet schools are similar so it wouldnt surprise me if the last 10 schools on that new list you posted were around the same level
 
My dad is the same way with me.

I got an interview to Iowa and Glasgow... and he was like "good for you, but I think it is all pointless because you're going to get into UF"

I feel like if I don't get in I'm going to disappoint him! I'll be happy if I get in anywhere.

When I got into UF for undergrad he just said "good... I knew you'd get in!"

It's hard when your parents have expectations that you aren't sure you're going to reach... or are different then what you want.
 
Man, I feel for you guys that have to handle such tough decisions. I feel so lucky. My parents were thrilled that I went to a local college, and that I was capible of handling my own tuition. They were even happier when I decided to apply to vet school. I don't think they really cared what I went into as long as it made me happy. They always pushed the idea of college. And once I was near graduation and concidering grad programs they jumped on board. The only thing I have to deal with is that they keep asking me if I am "sure I want to go out of state, because I would have to move and pay higher tuition!" They have always been there to guide me and help me understand any situation I am exposing myself to, but ultimately they leave the decisions to me, and I have to deal with the consequences. I guess it is just another form of "tough love." Instead of being told what to do and where to go, they leave me with the decision and to fix my own mistakes.
I am not sure which is actually harder, now that I have read some of the feelings of the students on the other side of the fence...

And seriously... CONGRATS!!!

Be happy that you got accepted anywhere! I have been trying for 6 years and am only now getting the feeling that all this hard work is paying off! I hope that I get in this year, to any of the schools that I applied to. I was very careful in my application process and selected schools that I would ge happy in regardless. I am sure that most of us do the same thing. We look at programs, locations, ranking reports, etc, and make our own choices. I can't immagine that many people would waste money applying to a school that held no interest for them (and let's face it, with only 28 US schools, they all hold the interest of getting us one step closer to our career goal), but they all have unique qualities to offer and we choose carefully. I have little choice to make at this point. They might make it for me based on who says "yes."

Good luck to those who still have parents to "make happy." At my age (despite my upbringing) I have learned that you can't make everyone happy all of the time AND that if you aren't happy with yourself and your decisions for your own life, then you can't make anyone else happy anyway. Don't waste too much valuable time and energy on this. Negativity brings you further down and you are headed UP in the world, my friends. We are all in the process of becoming DOCTORS!! DVM, MD; it all still has doctor in the title, last I checked! 🙂
 
FYI....rankings truly mean nothing in vet med. There is no set way to do the rankings and many lists are biased. People that base all decisions for choosing a vet school on rankings will be very uninformed about what the schools truly are like. Each school has its own specialities. What I find interesting is that some schools that "rank" low have more specialties, better facilities and offer students more clincial experience. Just shows rankings don't always mean much.

Do your own research...do not count on lists or you will be disappointed!

Anyone who doesn't believe me...I highly recommend the above quoted article http://www.veterinaryschools.com/veterinary-school-rankings.html

Schools use the rankings to try to recruit students. Once you are in school, the school that once bragged about their rankings will admit to you that rankings do not mean everything. Then, once you graduate vet school, future employers will think nothing of where your school ranked...the best thing to do would be to educate yourselves before you get to vet school!
 
Hahaha...
I am facing the exact same problem. My asian dad only looks at rankings. He knows the US News rankings by heart and he is probably going to make me pick whichever school has the highest rank. Don't worry, you're not alone.
 
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