Vet School Class Load

[IcyPatch]

I got accepted into OSU's CVM class of 2013 this week, and I have been thinking about the class load. My undergrad is at OSU and I have never had more than 15-17 (12 is a full time status) hours a quarter (plus I have two jobs). Now, once vet school starts this fall I will have 20 hour quarters, and I am not sure if you guys have ever had quarters before but they got FAST (10 weeks). I also won't be working while in school.

So, this gets me to my question. Does anyone worry about trying to keep up, in the beginning? Or do any current Vet students have comments about how hard it is to hit the ground running?

I guess now that I don't compulsively worry about getting in, I have to worry about something else

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[dyachei]

The problem for me wasn't hitting the ground running. I stayed ahead of the game for the first part of my first semester. Then the tests came and I fell behind. And its almost inevitable to fall behind because they start coming and don't stop. It becomes a test to test (and sometimes quiz) mentality. But you can do it, even if it seems daunting at first.

 

[Danaish72]

I think everyone worries, but you'll hit your own stride. As far working goes, I worked 2 jobs, 20 hours a week in undergrad taking between 15-18 hours and I've been able to maintain one of those jobs (though only about 10 hours a week) and still get good grades in vet school. I would suggest easing yourself in until you find what you're able to do. And don't forget to set priorities! It's ok to get a B if that means you make time to go to the gym or stay in touch with friends.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Agreed, everyone has different strides and priorities.

I take generally 20 credit hours plus a part time job. I need split study time with both work, my dog (super high energy) and for "self" time, so my grades tend to be in the low B range - which is fine by me. Maybe if I killed myself, I could get As...but I'd be ignoring other important life aspects IMO. I'm not out to break any records, I'm here to be a competent, knowledgeable veterinarian and stay sane in the process.

Some people feel more comfortable devoting more time to academic studies, some feel better if they have a job (esp. vet or science related) during school. I'm definitely one of the latter....I had at least one part time job during school for the past eight years.

Staying ahead of the game is very important, as it is verrrry easy to get bogged down if you put things off.

I'd say start out easy and see where your comfort level is. You can always adjust. I took only 18 credits (i.e. no electives) and put my job at the time on hold (just did weekends instead of during the week work) for just my first semester, then slowly added more as I felt comfortable.

 

[ShelterGirl]

I'm finding that it is more work than undergrad in terms of volume, but not in terms of complexity.

It just takes a little time to tweak your routine and find out the most efficient way for YOU to study. I purposely didn't get a job or become super-committed in clubs first quarter because I wanted to figure out what worked and what didn't.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

I'm finding that it is more work than undergrad in terms of volume

Yep, the good old "Ok, we'll liquify your 400 page anatomy book, add a splash or two of caffiene and pump it into your ears and eyes using a FIRE HOSE at full blast! Only 50 more books to go!"

 

[Electrophile]

It's ok to get a B if that means you make time to go to the gym or stay in touch with friends.

It's okay to get a B? Pfffft...it's okay to get C!

 

[lailanni]

Don't worry you'll be just fine.

I'd suggest taking it easy for the first quater/semester. Just see what it's like, how you study, how comfortable you feel. Everyone studies differently and has different needs - test the waters first.

Right now I have a part time job (bakery 12-16 hrs/wk), I'm a food rep (Oxbow), and I'm involved with school (SCAVMA). I enjoy each of those things and it's how I have my fun. Other people ride horses, work in labs, watch tv, go to the gym, drink a lot, etc.

I got kind of bored the first semster without any activities. I like doing lots of things and having a busy schedule motivates me to get school stuff done.

There will be people who freak out and study every night like their life depends on it. There will also be people who seem to drink more than they study. Somehow it all works out.

 

[KittyRex]

It's okay to get a B? Pfffft...it's okay to get C!

Ok. So I have been hearing this sentiment a lot... but is this also true for vet students who may potentially be interested in internships and residencies? What about residencies in competitive specialties like surgery and radiology?

 

[tealamutt]

its absolutely true. I have had three people who select residents tell me not to worry about grades and to worry about making good impressions by showing people you are hard working, committed, and fun to work with. Every one of them has said they'd rather take the mid-range student with glowing rec's than someone who is top 5 and virtually unknown, or worse known for being high stress and difficult.

 

[Electrophile]

One of our clinicians is working on being double boarded (he already is for ACVP and is working on his nutrition residency) and he definitely told us to not obsess. He said he had mostly Bs and Cs. For IM and surgery, it's more competitive certainly, but I talked with our double boarded soft tissue surgeon/emergency & critical care clinician and he said the same as tealamutt that he'd rather have someone who has strong grades (even if they are not perfect), was well rounded, a leader, and active in other clubs and whatnot that someone who studies 25 hours a day.

That and we've been told by multiple people that just because you were kind of on the lower end of the pack in classes the first two-three years, doesn't mean you will be for your grades for clinics. Some people rock at memorizing and regurgitating facts for the test and then they struggle seeing the big picture for clinical cases and interactions with clients and colleagues.

 

[Solidgun]

What does it really mean when someone gets "excepted" to these institutions?

 

[KittyRex]

Wow. Great to know, guys.
I don't remember where I heard it, but I have been told I would need >3.5 in vet school to be competitive for popular internships/residency programs.

My stress-level just went down a few notches

 

[pressmom]

It's really not that bad. I'm taking 8 classes this semester (9 if you count ABLEs/CE), and I'm not finding it too hard to keep up. I still have time for friends (went out Wednesday night and last night even got my nails done on Thursday with a friend), but I'll probably spend most of the rest of the weekend studying and catching up on the DVR. (Behind in Lost, which I just paused, and Top Chef.) I went to Orlando last weekend for a VBMA conference and have just started as president of that club. I also sit on the SCAVMA executive board (but probably won't next year). I like to really stress quality over quantity in my activities. It's just a matter of balancing letting things slide vs buckling down. Everyone finds their own rhythm and ways of studying. But it's totally doable.

 

[sambone]

What does it really mean when someone gets "excepted" to these institutions?

I'm not sure if you're joking, but I'm pretty sure you mean "accepted," as in admitted to the school.

 

[bern]

During orientation, we had a lecture about how to study effectively from someone in the school's Learning Center, or Center for Academic Success (or something like that). I found it to be incredibly helpful, especially since I'd never bothered to develop good study habits before vet school. Simple things like briefly looking over the lecture notes before the lecture can make an enormous difference in how well you retain the information and can really cut down on time spent cramming for tests, which in turn cuts down on the stress (and leaves you with more time for the extracurricular activities that keep you sane). I would highly recommend seeking out such information, online if your school doesn't offer it.

The biggest thing is just to stay on top of things--once you fall behind with a 25 credit/semester courseload it can be difficult to catch up.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

I don't remember where I heard it, but I have been told I would need >3.5 in vet school to be competitive for popular internships/residency programs.

You don't need it 100% absolutely, but be prepared to make your application shine in other areas. Everything has to be in balance. Some very competitive residency programs, however, do go through a "first pass" where they toss out low GPAs. (from what I hear) since they have so many applicants. But vice versa, a 4.0 with crappy references will not shine either.

Your GPA is a measure (not the only one of course, but a measure nonetheless) or your ability to keep up with the workload and make the knowledge work. Even if you have stellar recommendations, a 3.0 will make it very tough to get a Surg residency, for example.

I guess overall, while ridiculously high GPA is not essential for a competitive residency, you still need to put enough academic work in that it's solid.

 

[ri23]

I don't remember where I heard it, but I have been told I would need >3.5 in vet school to be competitive for popular internships/residency programs.

You don't need it 100% absolutely, but be prepared to make your application shine in other areas. Everything has to be in balance. Some very competitive residency programs, however, do go through a "first pass" where they toss out low GPAs. (from what I hear) since they have so many applicants. But vice versa, a 4.0 with crappy references will not shine either.

Your GPA is a measure (not the only one of course, but a measure nonetheless) or your ability to keep up with the workload and make the knowledge work. Even if you have stellar recommendations, a 3.0 will make it very tough to get a Surg residency, for example.

I guess overall, while ridiculously high GPA is not essential for a competitive residency, you still need to put enough academic work in that it's solid.

I agree with this completely. While I've heard from some professors that they choose based on references and things, there are just as many that look at grades as a large factor in selections. If you are looking to get into a competitive residency, you need to do well grade-wise and have good recs.

 

[alliecat44]

I agree with this completely. While I've heard from some professors that they choose based on references and things, there are just as many that look at grades as a large factor in selections. If you are looking to get into a competitive residency, you need to do well grade-wise and have good recs.

I agree as well. They teach us that it's very important to be well-rounded, and that a 3.5 is "competitive" for most residencies.

i.e., "not stellar grades" does not mean a 2.5.

Also second the observation that grades during the first two years don't really predict your grades in clinics, and that clinical grades/evaluations count for much more than how much anatomy you were able to regurgitate on an exam.

 

[Serendipity4]

Wow. Great to know, guys.
I don't remember where I heard it, but I have been told I would need >3.5 in vet school to be competitive for popular internships/residency programs.

My stress-level just went down a few notches

I REALLY hate to make your stress level go up... but last year I was talking to interviewing students and I was emphasizing how important it is to have a balance in your life, not stress as much about grades, etc. One student asked the same question you did (i.e. about internships, residencies) and the vet specialist next to me chimes in "Yeah, it's good to have a balance and everything, but that might not be possible if you want to do a residency. I can tell you if you want to specialize in something like my area, we won't even look at your application unless you're above a 3.65." (I don't remember his exact area, but it was something in small animal medicine. Interestingly, the large animal specialist commented that they're not quite so grade-focused, and that they care more about a well-rounded individual with good recommendations.)

I really don't want to freak you out, but I would say check with a specialist in the area you want to specialize in at your school, and ask about how they view grades. Because some, sadly, are VERY grade focused.

P.S. For what it's worth, I still say you have to have some sort of a balance though -- if you're the type that can do nothing but study for four years and be fine, go for it! But if you're not, do something to relax now and again -- vet school's a marathon, and it's all too easy to get burnt out quickly if you're not mixing in at least a LITTLE "balance"

 

[Electrophile]

We had a session with some residents and interns on their experiences and they all really said that your LORs *must* be glowing. If they are like "Mr. Smith or Ms. Johnson performed their clinical duties adequately," the people reading them are going to think you totally sucked. Seriously, apparently that's what goes on. Also the residents said that the attending clinician faculty call around their colleagues at the different schools and ask their personal opinion of them over the phone or whatever. So it can be very "political" and who knows who beyond just your grades.

 

[sumstorm]

I was speaking with a vet dermatologist last week about vet school, and she said that for her and her husband (and this is true for my current supervisor as well) vet school was actually easier than undergrad, because they were interested in the material they were learning. They could perceive the relevance of what they were studying, which wasn't so true for chem, organic, intro bio, etc. That relevance offset the heavier workload.

 

[Electrophile]

Erm...I don't know about that. For example, while I agree second year is more interesting than first year, I would not necessarily call it "easier."

 

[cowgirl in MO]

It sounds like everyone in vet school has managed to have a life outside of school, which is great to hear. What about when you start doing clinicals - do you still have free time, or do you spend 80 hours a week at the clinic (which is what I heard from one of my veterinary mentors)?

 

[RazorDoc2010]

It sounds like everyone in vet school has managed to have a life outside of school, which is great to hear. What about when you start doing clinicals - do you still have free time, or do you spend 80 hours a week at the clinic (which is what I heard from one of my veterinary mentors)?

It depends on what rotation you're on. For instance, small animal surgery...I hear you get there at 7 or earlier in the morning and aren't leaving until 7 or 8 at night. And that's almost a 7 days per week sort of thing. Some others, for instance, Ophthalmology, are more 8-4 sort of shifts, and only weekdays. The difference is, when you're done for the day, you don't have to go home and do homework (OK, so you'll have to review some stuff for your cases, but I wouldn't consider that homework). So, to answer your question, there's plenty of time throughout vet school that you have some free time. Yes, it decreases in clinics, but it's still there.