Vet tech first?

[Boidae]

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Hello! I'm a nineteen year old female living in NY, which is not a fun place to try getting veterinary experience. At first I was turned away from vet school because of the fierce competition but I've decided it's where my heart lies and what I want to do.

Problem is, it's impossible for me to get real experience. I've been working since I turned sixteen and have had no luck finding a job with a vet. I volunteer at a cat shelter but there's no where else for me to go. Where I live is very stringent. I was considering pre-vet but I'm worried about not getting into vet school after.

My plan is:
>Associate's in veterinary technology at Delhi
>Transfer to Cornell to get bachelor's while working under vet
>After Cornell, attempt to apply to vet school

I've read that becoming a tech first makes you look "wishy-washy" but I cannot figure out another way to truly work under a vet who can give me good recommendations for vet school. Should I just apply for pre-vet next semester? Currently, I have 19 credits, 11 of which I earned in high school. They're all basic classes. My GPA is 3.66.

 

[kernel]

Hello! I'm a nineteen year old female living in NY, which is not a fun place to try getting veterinary experience. At first I was turned away from vet school because of the fierce competition but I've decided it's where my heart lies and what I want to do.

Problem is, it's impossible for me to get real experience. I've been working since I turned sixteen and have had no luck finding a job with a vet. I volunteer at a cat shelter but there's no where else for me to go. Where I live is very stringent. I was considering pre-vet but I'm worried about not getting into vet school after.

My plan is:
>Associate's in veterinary technology at Delhi
>Transfer to Cornell to get bachelor's while working under vet
>After Cornell, attempt to apply to vet school

I've read that becoming a tech first makes you look "wishy-washy" but I cannot figure out another way to truly work under a vet who can give me good recommendations for vet school. Should I just apply for pre-vet next semester? Currently, I have 19 credits, 11 of which I earned in high school. They're all basic classes. My GPA is 3.66.

Have you tried finding a vet who would let you job shadow them?


As has been discussed many times in this forum, getting vet tech certification is generally considered a waste of time if you plan on going to vet school.

You have a lot of time ahead of you to get experience. You don't need a paying job in the veterinary field to accrue hours, either. Get your foot in the door now and start networking with vets and vet clinics!

 

[Boidae]

Yes, I've called everyone within a 50 mile radius and they tell me to volunteer at the Humane Society. :/ I'll keep looking, I guess but it hasn't been going well for two years now.

 

[PetPony]

Could you go to a college farther away (still instate) that may have more opportunities?

 

[Boidae]

Could you go to a college farther away (still instate) that may have more opportunities?

I pay for my tuition out of pocket and it's $2500 a semester at the community college I'm in. They have very basic programs but it's inexpensive so I'm trying to get prereqs done. FAFSA doesn't give me much aid. My school offers zero opportunities which is why I want to transfer to a real program, but I can't do that even for pre-vet without vet experience. I'm kind of land-locked.

 

[DVMDream]

I pay for my tuition out of pocket and it's $2500 a semester at the community college I'm in. They have very basic programs but it's inexpensive so I'm trying to get prereqs done. FAFSA doesn't give me much aid. My school offers zero opportunities which is why I want to transfer to a real program, but I can't do that even for pre-vet without vet experience. I'm kind of land-locked.

Why do you need vet experience to be accepted into an undergrad program? That makes absolutely no sense. You should easily be able to gain admission to an undergrad program without having prior vet experience.

 

[Boidae]

Why do you need vet experience to be accepted into an undergrad program? That makes absolutely no sense. You should easily be able to gain admission to an undergrad program without having prior vet experience.

Really? Okay! 🙂 I'm just going off things I've read online.

 

[PetPony]

Really? Okay! 🙂 I'm just going off things I've read online.

Not every online source is a good source. There's a lot of good info on this website here, but you should always check the individual colleges' and universities' websites to make sure and email them if you can't find the answers there.

 

[orca2011]

Also, it doesn't even have to be a pre-vet track at a college. You can major in whatever you want and still apply to vet school as long as you have the pre-reqs.

 

[felinelvr44]

Do you have pets? Have you asked your own vet if you could shadow them (not work as a tech, just purely shadow/volunteer)? That's how I got my first vet experience started. I can't imagine a vet not agreeing to let someone shadow/volunteer as long as it's not some crazy busy emergency clinic where you might bein the way. But a regular SA clinic? You'd think they would be happy for the free labor.

 

[DVMDream]

Really? Okay! 🙂 I'm just going off things I've read online.

You need to research undergrad programs at the schools you are interested in. There are very few "pre-vet" tracks. Usually if you want to major in something close to vet med it is either going to be in a science subject such as biology, chemistry, physics, animal science, zoology, etc. You do NOT have to major in anything like that though. You could major in history, art, Spanish, business, political science, psychology, anything you want.... You just have to take the prerequisites required for admittance to veterinary school. The schools should have these listed on their websites, but they can change on occasion, so just be sure that you gain all of the necessary prereqs, do well in them, gain experience (you can shadow a vet for this... does not have to be at a shelter, try actually walking into clinics and talking to someone, bring a resume, explain who you are what you are looking to do and what you are looking to gain, you do NOT have to work or get paid). You could even find a job as a kennel technician at a vet clinic (cleaning cages, restocking, laundry, keeping the hospital clean and then try speaking to the vets through that method). You just have to look around and try many different places. Good Luck!

 

[Boidae]

Thanks so much guys! I just looked on Collegeboard and a school not too far from me offers a bachelor's in pre-vet!!! I can keep my job and go to school without having to leave the state! AND they'll take my transfer credits because they're both SUNY schools.

I also emailed an admissions counselor at Michigan state and she said the vet tech-vet track isn't a good idea and it's better to just do pre-vet.

EDIT: Yes, I've owned animals my whole life. Reptiles are my favorite. 🙂 Currently I own five snakes, two lizards and a whole buncha tarantulas.

 

[PetPony]

Do you have pets? Have you asked your own vet if you could shadow them (not work as a tech, just purely shadow/volunteer)? That's how I got my first vet experience started. I can't imagine a vet not agreeing to let someone shadow/volunteer as long as it's not some crazy busy emergency clinic where you might bein the way. But a regular SA clinic? You'd think they would be happy for the free labor.

Actually, I've found several that won't take anyone. Free labor means they're probably not covered by insurance which could cause a lot of trouble. Shadowing is more likely to work but even that doesn't always. It took me a long time to find a place that let me come in.

Thanks so much guys! I just looked on Collegeboard and a school not too far from me offers a bachelor's in pre-vet!!! I can keep my job and go to school without having to leave the state! AND they'll take my transfer credits because they're both SUNY schools.

I also emailed an admissions counselor at Michigan state and she said the vet tech-vet track isn't a good idea and it's better to just do pre-vet.

EDIT: Yes, I've owned animals my whole life. Reptiles are my favorite. 🙂 Currently I own five snakes, two lizards and a whole buncha tarantulas.

A bachelor in pre-vet? I don't think that exists. Do they mean they have pre-vet routes maybe but you would get a bachelors in Biology, Animal Science or something similar?

 

[Boidae]

Yes, sorry, it's a track in pre-health you can follow. Would that be a sufficient path? I can just paste a link to the college's website because I'm terrible at explaining things, lol.

 

[BlackDog17]

Yes, I've called everyone within a 50 mile radius and they tell me to volunteer at the Humane Society. :/ I'll keep looking, I guess but it hasn't been going well for two years now.

Is there a reason why you haven't taken their advice? The Humane Society may not be working strictly under a vet, but it's getting your foot in the door that counts. Pretty much everyone has to start at the bottom and work their way up. You can't just walk into an animal hospital asking for a vet tech job and expect them to hire you on the spot when you have zero experience.

Volunteer at the Humane Society for a while. True, chances are you'll mostly be walking dogs and scooping poop, but you'll be working with animals and building your reputation as a reliable, hardworking individual. And once you prove yourself, your supervisors may be willing to give you a good reference when you apply for jobs at animal hospitals.

 

[Escalla]

There are tracks that are pre-vet, just not an actual major -- I have a B.Sc. in Equine Science with emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. But it doesn't really matter. Just major in something that you enjoy and make sure you get your pre-reqs done.

 

[DVMDream]

Yes, sorry, it's a track in pre-health you can follow. Would that be a sufficient path? I can just paste a link to the college's website because I'm terrible at explaining things, lol.

It really depends. You need to think of a few things... Is this a degree that you would be interested in aside from it working to get you to vet school? That is the first thing. You should be interested in what you are obtaining a degree in, it is possible that you may need this degree as a back-up or "something to fall back on"... make sure that it is a degree that you can use and will be happy with. You don't want to get stuck having worked for 4 years to obtain a degree simply to get you into vet school and then not get accepted (which hopefully won't happen, but it does). Make sure you do something that you enjoy.

The only thing that you need to do as far as college courses go for getting into vet school is to obtain the prereqs... look at the vet school websites.... prereqs are listed on these websites.... you could end up with a bachelor's of aliens of the universe and the vet school would not care as long as you get those prereqs and do well in them.

 

[Boidae]

Is there a reason why you haven't taken their advice? The Humane Society may not be working strictly under a vet, but it's getting your foot in the door that counts. Pretty much everyone has to start at the bottom and work their way up. You can't just walk into an animal hospital asking for a vet tech job and expect them to hire you on the spot when you have zero experience.

Volunteer at the Humane Society for a while. True, chances are you'll mostly be walking dogs and scooping poop, but you'll be working with animals and building your reputation as a reliable, hardworking individual. And once you prove yourself, your supervisors may be willing to give you a good reference when you apply for jobs at animal hospitals.

I have, I mentioned that I already volunteer at a cat shelter. I give cats medication, clean, get scratched, give them flea baths; the whole shebang. Unfortunately, I also work full time and go to school full time so I don't have much time left over to volunteer anywhere else.

 

[Emiloo4]

Where in NY are you? Upstate NY (where Cornell is located) is the 2nd or 3rd largest area for Dairy in the country. There are plenty of opportunities to at least get large animal experience. You many want to think about shadowing during a summer or something. I know it can be hard to find experience, but it's definitely not "impossible". I lived in NY as well. Let me know where you live and I can see if I can help you think of places.

 

[BlackDog17]

I have, I mentioned that I already volunteer at a cat shelter. I give cats medication, clean, get scratched, give them flea baths; the whole shebang. Unfortunately, I also work full time and go to school full time so I don't have much time left over to volunteer anywhere else.

How long have you been there? Have you talked to your supervisors or other shelter staff about your desire to work in a vet clinic? One of the nice things about this field is that everyone tends to know each other. There's a good chance that the people you work with will know a few vets and they may even be willing to put in a good word for you if you ask. Networking is HUGE when it comes to getting your foot in the door.

Also, does your shelter have a vet on staff, or at least one they use periodically? If so, ask if you can be more involved during the exams. If the vet sees you're really interested and eager to learn, he/she may be more willing to take you on as a volunteer.

 

[Boidae]

Where in NY are you? Upstate NY (where Cornell is located) is the 2nd or 3rd largest area for Dairy in the country. There are plenty of opportunities to at least get large animal experience. You many want to think about shadowing during a summer or something. I know it can be hard to find experience, but it's definitely not "impossible". I lived in NY as well. Let me know where you live and I can see if I can help you think of places.

I'm right near Albany. I know there's a horse sanctuary in Amsterdam, plus the various cat and dog shelters near the city.

 

[orca2011]

Also, asking anyone you work with at your cat shelter would be a good idea. Or get involved with the Humane Society in your town when you get the chance and ask them. The humane society in my area happens to also have a veterinary clinic that is open to the public. Started out there as an intern (mainly observing and cleaning) and now work there as a vet assistant. The vets there were then able to give me contact info for dairy vets, equine vets, etc. While none of those end up working out, I was able to eventually find an equine vet to shadow and I now work for them too a couple times a month when I'm home during breaks.

Do you have any friends who ride or are involved in 4H or anything like that? Ask them who there vet is and see if they'd be willing to get contact info for you.

Also, how did you present yourself when asking to shadow at a vet's office? Sure, some won't let you shadow (I've had that happen to me several times) but if you said something about wanting to volunteer that sometimes throws up a red flag due to the insurance reasons someone mentioned earlier. If you are very clear about wanting to observe, you might have better luck. And it doesn't hurt to try again. Sometimes clinics just have a lot of staff and really just don't have the room but that can change. Also, ask family friends and things like that. Sometimes, it takes a connection like that to get into an office.

 

[BlackDog17]

Also, how did you present yourself when asking to shadow at a vet's office? Sure, some won't let you shadow (I've had that happen to me several times) but if you said something about wanting to volunteer that sometimes throws up a red flag due to the insurance reasons someone mentioned earlier. If you are very clear about wanting to observe, you might have better luck. And it doesn't hurt to try again. Sometimes clinics just have a lot of staff and really just don't have the room but that can change. Also, ask family friends and things like that. Sometimes, it takes a connection like that to get into an office.

This. 👍

Also, are you just calling/going in and asking if there are positions available? If so, you may be better off sending them a resume and cover letter and then giving them a follow up phone call a week or two later. Even if you don't have much to put on a resume right now, it looks much more professional and shows that you're serious about this.

I got my first real veterinary experience this way. I spent a week putting together cover letters and mailing out my resume to 37 veterinary offices within driving distance from my hometown, asking for an internship for the month of January while I was home on winter break. Only a handful replied, but I ended up working with an awesome shelter vet who taught me a TON of stuff in just a few short weeks, and that set me on the path to my next experience at another shelter, and later my first paid veterinary job.

 

[equineconstant]

Also, are you just calling/going in and asking if there are positions available? If so, you may be better off sending them a resume and cover letter and then giving them a follow up phone call a week or two later. Even if you don't have much to put on a resume right now, it looks much more professional and shows that you're serious about this.
.

I second this. I don't know about you, but when I was applying to colleges I had to put together a resume of my high school activities, etc. So then the summer after freshman year when I started looking for vet experience, I added my college activities and sent it off to about 10 clinics. Then in the end I actually got a place somewhere my dad's friend from work suggested (it was a little further than I had been looking) and I got some great experience there.

 

[ViaBea]

I would also agree to possibly change the way that your asking even though there definitely are some that won't accept anybody because how you ask and who you know can be important.

For example, the first time I asked to shadow at the current place where I go, I called on the phone and got a quick no from the receptionist. However, about 6 months later, we took a stray dog in to be scanned for a chip, and before we went I specifically told my mom not to ask him to let me shadow because I already got a no, but she went ahead and asked the vet anyways. That time though, I got a yes! Since I've shadowed there though, I have heard the receptionist tell other people no on the phone though; so, at my particular clinic its definitely better to come in person and talk to the vet.

Additionally, at the equine clinic where I shadow, I got in by emailing them a resume and mentioning that another vet I know recommended them. I also got to shadow at two other places (one ended up being a terrible experience ultimately) because I knew people that knew the vet. In fact, just the other day, my dad's chiropractor was offering to put me in touch with a vet that he knows to potentially shadow (I might take him up on it in the summer when I have time). So, definitely ask around!

 

[Boidae]

Thanks so much guys! I edited my resume a bit and I'm gonna be going around on my next day off work to hand them out to offices. 🙂 I also found a page on the college I'm considering's website detailing what they use for their pre-health program. If anyone could take a look and tell me if it looks like a good outline I'd really appreciate it.

http://www.albany.edu/advisement/prehealthcurriculum.shtml

 

[vethopeful2011]

Hello! I'm a nineteen year old female living in NY, which is not a fun place to try getting veterinary experience. At first I was turned away from vet school because of the fierce competition but I've decided it's where my heart lies and what I want to do.

Problem is, it's impossible for me to get real experience. I've been working since I turned sixteen and have had no luck finding a job with a vet. I volunteer at a cat shelter but there's no where else for me to go. Where I live is very stringent. I was considering pre-vet but I'm worried about not getting into vet school after.

My plan is:
>Associate's in veterinary technology at Delhi
>Transfer to Cornell to get bachelor's while working under vet
>After Cornell, attempt to apply to vet school

I've read that becoming a tech first makes you look "wishy-washy" but I cannot figure out another way to truly work under a vet who can give me good recommendations for vet school. Should I just apply for pre-vet next semester? Currently, I have 19 credits, 11 of which I earned in high school. They're all basic classes. My GPA is 3.66.

I don't think that being a vet tech first makes you look wishy washy, but required vet tech courses don't cover many pre-requisites for vet school, so it's important to be mindful of that and sub in classes you will need as pre-reqs. Three out of the four vets I work with were techs before they were vets. I think your plan sounds pretty reasonable. Delhi is a lot cheaper than Cornell too, so you could save a lot of money on those first two years. If money isn't an issue Mercy College has a four year vet tech program that covers all the pre-requisites for vet school. I'm a tech in NY, and I don't think it was a waste of time. You can gain the same number of hours without being a tech of course, but you're hands won't be as dirty at the end of the day if you know what I mean 😉

 

[Boidae]

I don't think that being a vet tech first makes you look wishy washy, but required vet tech courses don't cover many pre-requisites for vet school, so it's important to be mindful of that and sub in classes you will need as pre-reqs. Three out of the four vets I work with were techs before they were vets. I think your plan sounds pretty reasonable. Delhi is a lot cheaper than Cornell too, so you could save a lot of money on those first two years. If money isn't an issue Mercy College has a four year vet tech program that covers all the pre-requisites for vet school. I'm a tech in NY, and I don't think it was a waste of time. You can gain the same number of hours without being a tech of course, but you're hands won't be as dirty at the end of the day if you know what I mean 😉

And you're in pre-vet now? Hmmm. I'd really like to go to Cornell but the program at Mercy College looks perfect for what I want. Thankfully they have dorms, too. Do you know of any other schools that offer that kind of degree?

 

[BlackDog17]

To really know if a program is going to be good for you or not, you're first going to have to find out what pre-reqs you need for the vet schools you're interested in attending. Most of the core courses are pretty similar, but some schools have a few additional requirements. For example, some schools want you to take Public Speaking or Animal Nutrition before you apply. So it's a really good idea to look at the veterinary school requirements first, then compare that to the undergrad program you're considering.

Most schools have their required pre-reqs right on their websites, you just have to dig to find them sometimes. Here's Cornell's: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/admissions/PSPreReqAcademic.cfm

Also, this book is put out by the AVMA, and it can be a godsend when you're applying to vet school. It lists all the schools, their requirements, and statistics from previous years. You may also be able to get it at your school's library: http://www.amazon.com/Veterinary-Medical-School-Admission-Requirements/dp/1557535876

And I wouldn't necessarily say that becoming a vet tech first is a waste of time, but it's generally agreed that it will not be any extra help getting you into vet school. If you are really struggling to get experience and want to have a paid job in the veterinary field while you're completing your pre-reqs, then it may be a good idea for you. But just keep in mind that the vet tech program is 2 years, and then you'll most likely need the full four years of undergrad to complete all of your pre-reqs if you want to apply to vet school. So you need to consider whether you're willing to spend (and pay for!) the additional time in school.

 

[Boidae]

To really know if a program is going to be good for you or not, you're first going to have to find out what pre-reqs you need for the vet schools you're interested in attending. Most of the core courses are pretty similar, but some schools have a few additional requirements. For example, some schools want you to take Public Speaking or Animal Nutrition before you apply. So it's a really good idea to look at the veterinary school requirements first, then compare that to the undergrad program you're considering.

Most schools have their required pre-reqs right on their websites, you just have to dig to find them sometimes. Here's Cornell's: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/admissions/PSPreReqAcademic.cfm

Also, this book is put out by the AVMA, and it can be a godsend when you're applying to vet school. It lists all the schools, their requirements, and statistics from previous years. You may also be able to get it at your school's library: http://www.amazon.com/Veterinary-Medical-School-Admission-Requirements/dp/1557535876

And I wouldn't necessarily say that becoming a vet tech first is a waste of time, but it's generally agreed that it will not be any extra help getting you into vet school. If you are really struggling to get experience and want to have a paid job in the veterinary field while you're completing your pre-reqs, then it may be a good idea for you. But just keep in mind that the vet tech program is 2 years, and then you'll most likely need the full four years of undergrad to complete all of your pre-reqs if you want to apply to vet school. So you need to consider whether you're willing to spend (and pay for!) the additional time in school.

I said it before and I'll say it again-- you guys are the best. I'm not sure which school I'm gonna go to. I'd like to go to Cornell but that's gonna be even harder than getting into vet school normally. That's the only school in my state and I really don't want to go halfway across the country. But if I must, I must. I think the Mercy College track is best for me. Kinda sucks that it's near the city but they have a lot of externships with different places. SUNY Albany leaves you on your own to do all that.

Another issue I have is how terrible I am in math. I'm hoping if I study and pay attention it's gonna become a bit easier but I'm dreading calculus.

 

[Emiloo4]

Another issue I have is how terrible I am in math. I'm hoping if I study and pay attention it's gonna become a bit easier but I'm dreading calculus.

Use tutors! Don't be afraid to ask for help, but don't forget you will be using math on an hourly basis as a veterinarian.

 

[Boidae]

Use tutors! Don't be afraid to ask for help, but don't forget you will be using math on an hourly basis as a veterinarian.

Yes, I really need to broaden my horizons. I'm really excited for the challenge, though. High school was a breeze and I really want to feel like I'm using my brain.

 

[BlackDog17]

Another issue I have is how terrible I am in math. I'm hoping if I study and pay attention it's gonna become a bit easier but I'm dreading calculus.

I suck at math. I had to take Calculus twice because I got a D the first time around, partly because I didn't want to do it and didn't make it a priority. A lot of schools have tutors available. Mine has a specific "Math Center" where you can just drop in any time and ask questions, and that's really helpful. Also, don't be afraid to ask your professor for help outside of class, it's what they're there for!

And dating a math major helps too.

 

[Boidae]

I suck at math. I had to take Calculus twice because I got a D the first time around, partly because I didn't want to do it and didn't make it a priority. A lot of schools have tutors available. Mine has a specific "Math Center" where you can just drop in any time and ask questions, and that's really helpful. Also, don't be afraid to ask your professor for help outside of class, it's what they're there for!

And dating a math major helps too.

I'm definitely gonna use what's available to me. I never do at my current college and I feel like an idiot. I'm paying them all this money; might as well use every penny!

Hahaha yes! My boyfriend is going to school for accounting and he gets anything, be it calculus or statistics, no problem. He's also not so good at English and science, which I excel in. Still, I'd love to be good at math. It opens a lot of doors.

 

[vethopeful2011]

And you're in pre-vet now? Hmmm. I'd really like to go to Cornell but the program at Mercy College looks perfect for what I want. Thankfully they have dorms, too. Do you know of any other schools that offer that kind of degree?

No other schools in NYS. A tech program doesn't means you'll have to repeat years to complete pre-reqs if you plan well. Just sub in higher level science courses, like instead of something like 'chemistry and physics for the health sciences' take chem and physics use extra classes as electives et. I finished the tech program in the same period of time I could have completed only my pre-reqs because all of the pre-reqs are sequential for the most part anyway. Mercy has a pre-vet/tech program though like I said, so you won't even have to deal with the 'planning carefully' issue. I look at it this way, you can spend your first two years taking specialized classes including clinical issues and hands on clinicals, something that as a pre-vet you will probably enjoy. Vet tech school is like mini vet school in a way because you cover the same subjects, in some cases in the same depth. (Anatomy et.) It's also nice to take lab classes specifically geared towards veterinary medicine, not human medicine. I would not have been able to develop my clinical skills to the level I'm at now if I hadn't done things this way. What better way to learn how to be a vet than to work closely with one every day.

Everyone has a different 'correct path' to lead them to veterinary school and the 'tech first' strategy is a valid one.

 

[krist]

Vet tech school is like mini vet school in a way because you cover the same subjects, in some cases in the same depth. (Anatomy et.)

I can't speak for all tech programs, but the ones that my friends have gone through definitely don't come even a little tiny bit close to covering the depth we do in anatomy...just FYI

 

[Boidae]

No other schools in NYS. A tech program doesn't means you'll have to repeat years to complete pre-reqs if you plan well. Just sub in higher level science courses, like instead of something like 'chemistry and physics for the health sciences' take chem and physics use extra classes as electives et. I finished the tech program in the same period of time I could have completed only my pre-reqs because all of the pre-reqs are sequential for the most part anyway. Mercy has a pre-vet/tech program though like I said, so you won't even have to deal with the 'planning carefully' issue. I look at it this way, you can spend your first two years taking specialized classes including clinical issues and hands on clinicals, something that as a pre-vet you will probably enjoy. Vet tech school is like mini vet school in a way because you cover the same subjects, in some cases in the same depth. (Anatomy et.) It's also nice to take lab classes specifically geared towards veterinary medicine, not human medicine. I would not have been able to develop my clinical skills to the level I'm at now if I hadn't done things this way. What better way to learn how to be a vet than to work closely with one every day.

Everyone has a different 'correct path' to lead them to veterinary school and the 'tech first' strategy is a valid one.

Well I applied for Mercy so fingers crossed that I get in. 🙂 I've been reading online that they aren't terribly picky. I really want to thank you for noting that degree program for me. It's absolutely 100% what I wanted. Now I'll be a vet tech but still have my prereqs done for veterinary school. AND they have transfer agreements with Ross University. Thank you SO much!!! 😀 I'll let you know if and when they send an acceptance letter. Most people said it's within a week because they operate on rolling admissions.

 

[vethopeful2011]

I can't speak for all tech programs, but the ones that my friends have gone through definitely don't come even a little tiny bit close to covering the depth we do in anatomy...just FYI

Yes. Maybe some poetic license on my part. Just basing it on the words of my maschochistic prof! 😍

 

[OutdoorsBarbie]

I do not believe getting your vet tech before makes one look "wishy washy"! I think if anything it shows you are dedicated. I am currently doing the same...as well as working on my pre-reqs. My program director is a DVM who got her vet tech licence first. 🙂

 

[Boidae]

Well I received my acceptance letter in the mail today! 😀 I can't go until next year because I need to tie up some loose ends at home before I start living on campus, but YAY!!! 😀 😀 😀

 

[vethopeful2011]

Well I received my acceptance letter in the mail today! 😀 I can't go until next year because I need to tie up some loose ends at home before I start living on campus, but YAY!!! 😀 😀 😀

Congrats!!!!!😍

 

[Andie1]

Hi Boidae! Congratulations on starting the tech degree! I actually got my BS at Mercy a few years ago (c/o 2009) and absolutely know that you'll have all the tools to do well there if you put the work in. A couple of the major staff have changed (from what I've heard since I've been there), but the head of the department now has been a tough highly motivating professor there for years--essentially, she wants everyone to do well and will push you to do your best!

My classmates from Mercy are all doing well and had no problem finding jobs as techs. Several of my professors were vets--i think they're still there. A few classmates went straight into vet school after graduating. I worked for several years (LOVED working as a tech), and I'm going to vet school next fall!

In my opinion there's nothing wishy washy about doing a tech license first. I worked for an awesome specialty place that would not hire me unless I was licensed, so I'm glad I could take advantage of unique opportunities only avail to licensed technicians. Also, working with vets so closely gave me so much insight and great letters of rec for my vet application. In one of my interviews a few weeks ago, the interviewers were explicitly quite impressed with my work as a tech. I worked in a busy specialty, referral, emergency practice--and they were pleased to know I had such great exposure to the profession.

Mercy is a solid program, and again, if you put the hard work in you will do awesome! Congratulations! The program and being an LVT definitely gave me a lot of tools toward going to vet school. I'm happy to share any other thoughts or any questions about the program if I can! I'm excited for you!

Well I received my acceptance letter in the mail today! 😀 I can't go until next year because I need to tie up some loose ends at home before I start living on campus, but YAY!!! 😀 😀 😀

 

[Boidae]

Hi Boidae! Congratulations on starting the tech degree! I actually got my BS at Mercy a few years ago (c/o 2009) and absolutely know that you'll have all the tools to do well there if you put the work in. A couple of the major staff have changed (from what I've heard since I've been there), but the head of the department now has been a tough highly motivating professor there for years--essentially, she wants everyone to do well and will push you to do your best!

My classmates from Mercy are all doing well and had no problem finding jobs as techs. Several of my professors were vets--i think they're still there. A few classmates went straight into vet school after graduating. I worked for several years (LOVED working as a tech), and I'm going to vet school next fall!

In my opinion there's nothing wishy washy about doing a tech license first. I worked for an awesome specialty place that would not hire me unless I was licensed, so I'm glad I could take advantage of unique opportunities only avail to licensed technicians. Also, working with vets so closely gave me so much insight and great letters of rec for my vet application. In one of my interviews a few weeks ago, the interviewers were explicitly quite impressed with my work as a tech. I worked in a busy specialty, referral, emergency practice--and they were pleased to know I had such great exposure to the profession.

Mercy is a solid program, and again, if you put the hard work in you will do awesome! Congratulations! The program and being an LVT definitely gave me a lot of tools toward going to vet school. I'm happy to share any other thoughts or any questions about the program if I can! I'm excited for you!

You did the same degree program I'm entering?!?! 😀 So it's good for getting you into vet school in the end? Are you going to Ross or another school? All of your prereqs were fulfilled at Mercy? How are the externships/volunteer opportunities? Also curious to know if you lived on campus? I'm sorry, I have so many questions and I haven't found many other people from the same program, haha.

That's AWESOME. I'm thinking a BS in veterinary technology will give me the bump I need to get some serious work in a vet office and you've solidified my decision even more! I'm SO excited; thank you all for the support!!!

 

[stenodactylus]

I'm just going to add my 2 cents....I wouldn't be a vet tech first. The courses aren't transferable to most universities to cover any pre-req's you need. If you could be happy being a vet tech as an alternate career, then maybe it would be worthwhile.

Personally, I wouldn't want to be a tech. The salary is so low its essentially unlivable. I have never actually worked at a vets either; a paying position just never worked out right with school scheduling and after graduating I have debt and can't afford minimum wage. I volunteered at shelters quite a bit and eventually got a gig as a "volunteer/intern" vet assistant where I learned how to intubate, restrain, monitor anesthesia, draw blood, place catheters etc. It was wonderful experience and probably more than I would have gotten to do as a paid vet assistant anyway. I am currently working in the field of Animal Control which at least provides a decent wage and I get to work with animals and have a reasonable alternate path if vet school doesn't work out. I got into one school I'm just trying to find out how to afford and still waiting to hear back from two, so I can't say this was really the best thing to do but who knows, maybe it will work out ok.

 

[Boidae]

I'm just going to add my 2 cents....I wouldn't be a vet tech first. The courses aren't transferable to most universities to cover any pre-req's you need. If you could be happy being a vet tech as an alternate career, then maybe it would be worthwhile.

Personally, I wouldn't want to be a tech. The salary is so low its essentially unlivable. I have never actually worked at a vets either; a paying position just never worked out right with school scheduling and after graduating I have debt and can't afford minimum wage. I volunteered at shelters quite a bit and eventually got a gig as a "volunteer/intern" vet assistant where I learned how to intubate, restrain, monitor anesthesia, draw blood, place catheters etc. It was wonderful experience and probably more than I would have gotten to do as a paid vet assistant anyway. I am currently working in the field of Animal Control which at least provides a decent wage and I get to work with animals and have a reasonable alternate path if vet school doesn't work out. I got into one school I'm just trying to find out how to afford and still waiting to hear back from two, so I can't say this was really the best thing to do but who knows, maybe it will work out ok.

I'm just using it as a stepping stool. The program I'm entering is a BS that covers all the prereqs for vet school as well as rewarding you with a degree in veterinary technology in the end. They have transfer agreements with Ross, so I'll have several things to fall back on in case something comes up. 🙂 I'm hoping you can figure things out for school. I'm having the same issues right now. I wish it were free!

 

[Andie1]

You did the same degree program I'm entering?!?! 😀 So it's good for getting you into vet school in the end? Are you going to Ross or another school? All of your prereqs were fulfilled at Mercy? How are the externships/volunteer opportunities? Also curious to know if you lived on campus? I'm sorry, I have so many questions and I haven't found many other people from the same program, haha.

That's AWESOME. I'm thinking a BS in veterinary technology will give me the bump I need to get some serious work in a vet office and you've solidified my decision even more! I'm SO excited; thank you all for the support!!!

Yup! I finished the program a few years ago, and it's definitely awesome news I'm going to vet school in the end. I'll put the disclaimer out there that I am a Non-Traditional student--going to Mercy was my 2nd bachelors degree and I have spent a lot of time figuring out my way to vet school 🙄 I did probably a third of my pre-reqs at Mercy, and no I didn't live on campus. I was about 5 minutes away.

With that said, I wouldn't take any of it back at all! Mercy was my introduction to the vet field and the teachers really push you to find opportunities, get into the field/specialty you like, and in the Westchester/NYC area, you have a lot of different possible opportunities depending on what you're interested it. The externships were great and if the format is still the same it's 1 semester of general practice and 1 semester of the specialty you're interested in. I did about 500 hrs each which was a great source of vet experience hours. Also, both externships offered me full time positions when I finished, so its also a good way to get your foot in the door for jobs.

Of my classmates that went to vet school immediately upon graduation, they went to Georgia, Minnesota, and Ross. I haven't decided where I am going yet, I have gotten into a couple US schools so far and am crossing my fingers until the end of the application process is done. I don't wanna jinx myself, but I'll definitely let you know where I choose 🙂

Of course, there's is going to be a lot of mixed feedback on this thread. There are lots of routes to vet school, but at the very least, it can be done through Mercy. The Mercy program, like lots of things, will be what YOU put into it--the opportunities are definitely there though so I hope you like it! Lots of luck to you