waiting, help! and also some insight

[susiewaits]

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So I have to start this by apologizing for being a browser, but I finally decided to join discussion, so feel free to vent about my past "activity".

I am currently waitlisted at tufts (IS) and Oregon State (OS), and accepted at St. George. I visited St.George (because I am one of those people that HAS to know where I could be living ahead of time).

Issues (which I am sure there are others who are having the same problems)
1.I am trying to be an equine vet, and it does not seem as though there (st.george) is much oppritunity there for someone who wants to go into that specific field. Not to mention, though the buildings are new, some of the labs are very dark and dreary. But on a positive note, the locals are very nice. And the small animal hands-on looked like a great program. (if any of you have questions about the school I would be happy to talk about my impressions with you, but a student there would probably be better)
2. I currently work at a pharmaceutical company, and am out the door very soon, as my job is no where near what I want to do, and I am miserable.

what should I do? cross my fingers that I get in off the waitlist and not go to st. george (risk taking another year) (I am 22, 1 year out of undergrad)

 

[LVT2DVM]

Dont know if my advice amounts to a hill of beans but I would have to say it depends on your situation. Ive been trying to get into VS for 6 years. Ive researched carib schools for the first time this year bc I am in my 30s and I feel time is running out. If you can afford it (realizing SGU is at least 2x or 3x expensive) and your desire is to get in and out as soon as possible and you have no family issues then I say do it, dont wait. Looking at your situation from here, you have plenty of time (age wise), and you made it onto several wait list which means you could make some simple improvements (depending on what your post interview recommends) and be offered several spots next year. It could be you need more experience. IF that is the case then you could ditch your current job for a vet related job and kill 2 birds with one stone (improve your app and get out of a job you hate). You may have to wait and see what you post interview says before you can really decide and hopefully by then you will hear about your waitlisted status too. Thats a hard one-- Im in the same boat albeit add 10 years.

 

[david594]

Unless SGU is $100 - 150k per year then it is nowhere near 2-3x as expensive. Tufts yearly cost of attendance is around 50k a year with everything.

Have you considered accepting and putting down the deposit and still waiting to hear from the other schools. Worst case you are only out the deposit amount if you get accepted elsewhere.

 

[susiewaits]

My parents live right down the street from tufts, and have offered me the finished basement for free if I get in/attend tufts. So i would save quite a bit of money in that respect (no privacy, but money is money)

I am certainly putting down my deposit.

What I am thinking is that I am going to find a vet related job that I enjoy, and If i do so I will wait another year and try again. If i don't find that kind of job, I will go. However, a vet that I volunteer under said that students who went to st.george/ross found it VERY difficult to transfer... which makes me even more hesitant (this is all in the case I don't get off of a waitlist)

 

[susiewaits]

thanks for the opinions guys, I appreciate it. best of luck to you both the next admissions cycle. I am hoping I will be spared the stress.

I think I know the answer to the question "what is the most stressful situation you have ever been in?". Personally I like to know a little bit in advance about the next year of my life...

lvtdvm.. are you regionally limited for schools you can go to?

 

[ri23]

My parents live right down the street from tufts, and have offered me the finished basement for free if I get in/attend tufts. So i would save quite a bit of money in that respect (no privacy, but money is money)

I am certainly putting down my deposit.

What I am thinking is that I am going to find a vet related job that I enjoy, and If i do so I will wait another year and try again. If i don't find that kind of job, I will go. However, a vet that I volunteer under said that students who went to st.george/ross found it VERY difficult to transfer... which makes me even more hesitant (this is all in the case I don't get off of a waitlist)

Is this your first time applying. If you made it onto a couple of waitlists, you're application is probably very good. I would recommend getting a vet related job (especially if your animal experience is lacking) and take any advice the Tufts/Oregon can give you.

Do not expect to transfer! Very few schools offer that option and those that do accept transfers are pretty hard to get into. I think you would be much better waiting another year and reapplying. You can strengthen your application, and hopefully save money (that is if you don't get in off the waitlist).

 

[LVT2DVM]

Unless SGU is $100 - 150k per year then it is nowhere near 2-3x as expensive. Tufts yearly cost of attendance is around 50k a year with everything.

Have you considered accepting and putting down the deposit and still waiting to hear from the other schools. Worst case you are only out the deposit amount if you get accepted elsewhere.

Carribean Vet School tuition is 12,000 per semester and that doesnt include books or housing. So 4 years = approx 150K maybe 140 if your lucky.

 

[enchantingme2]

SGU is a nice school, but if you want to do equine it might be worth seeing about the other two. If you do not mind me asking, what number are you on the waitlists? If you aren't too far down then you probably have a decent chance of getting in. I think that placing the deposit down and then finding out is a good idea if you have the money to do that. You also have to consider the fact that if you are waitlisted this year, then you have a really good chance of getting in next year. So....if you really wanna go to Oregon or Tufts... whats one year? I am on my year off (did not apply last year), and the experience I have been able to get has been amazing (you dont have to stay at the Pharmaceutical company 😛). I guess it just depends on what you consider more important right now in your life- a better equine program or graduating a year earlier. Good Luck, Its a tough decision!

 

[susiewaits]

yes this is my first time applying. I decided not to go through the stress of it my senior year. I struggled my junior year academically because i transferred from a large state school to a small competitive college ..so i needed to concentrate on raising my grades my senior year.

my animal experience is okay, but could def. be supplemented (we will see what my review from tufts says, next thursday)

-i did 4 months full time with a large animal vet (most amazing summer of my life!)
-6 week intern at a small animal hospital, where i now volunteer once a week (soo little time!)
-volunteered at tufts a couple times a week for a summer small animal
-and a little bit more random volunteering hours

so maybe lackluster

 

[ri23]

Carribean Vet School tuition is 12,000 per semester and that doesnt include books or housing. So 4 years = approx 150K maybe 140 if your lucky.

I don't really know a lot about Caribbean vet schools, but 24,000 a year is not a lot. OSU is 50,000 a year out of state. I know that the cost of living is more in the Caribbean, but I've always heard how expensive tuition was. I would say 24,000 a year is pretty average.

 

[david594]

Tufts is 30k a year in tuition for in state. Plus the cost of books/housing/heating and a car and you are talking $45k a year easily. Tufts for an instate student not living with their parents are looking at $200k.

 

[susiewaits]

I wish I knew where on the waitlist I am. They both said the same thing. "we don't rank (lie!)."

SGU is a nice school, but if you want to do equine it might be worth seeing about the other two. If you do not mind me asking, what number are you on the waitlists? If you aren't too far down then you probably have a decent chance of getting in. I think that placing the deposit down and then finding out is a good idea if you have the money to do that. You also have to consider the fact that if you are waitlisted this year, then you have a really good chance of getting in next year. So....if you really wanna go to Oregon or Tufts... whats one year? I am on my year off (did not apply last year), and the experience I have been able to get has been amazing (you dont have to stay at the Pharmaceutical company 😛). I guess it just depends on what you consider more important right now in your life- a better equine program or graduating a year earlier. Good Luck, Its a tough decision!

 

[LVT2DVM]

thanks for the opinions guys, I appreciate it. best of luck to you both the next admissions cycle. I am hoping I will be spared the stress.

I think I know the answer to the question "what is the most stressful situation you have ever been in?". Personally I like to know a little bit in advance about the next year of my life...

lvtdvm.. are you regionally limited for schools you can go to?

No, not regionally. My SO would/could move anywhere but the Carib (Not impossible to get a job there, but VERY difficult)

My problem is my college science credits (while very good grade wise) are older than the typically allowable 6-8 years and so I am limited to the # schools I can apply to.

 

[LVT2DVM]

I wish I knew where on the waitlist I am. They both said the same thing. "we don't rank (lie!)."

WHAT???
Someone please explain to me then how they go about contacting people on the waiting list? Is it first come first serve? Freeforall? Thats absurd!

 

[susiewaits]

tufts apparently has a meeting after April 15th to pick their first round of candidates off of the waitlist. I am not sure what Oregon State does, they wouldn't say. maybe I should send admissions a box of chocolates...

 

[LVT2DVM]

I don't really know a lot about Caribbean vet schools, but 24,000 a year is not a lot. OSU is 50,000 a year out of state. I know that the cost of living is more in the Caribbean, but I've always heard how expensive tuition was. I would say 24,000 a year is pretty average.

Okay heres the breakdown.

6 Basic Science Terms at $13,000 each = $78,000
3 Clinical Terms at 14,000 each= $42,000
78+42=120,000 plus books and housing.

The adcom at SMU and Ross told me to budget 65,000 per year. And their programs are a little shorter..about 3 years long.

 

[VAgirl]

Okay heres the breakdown.

6 Basic Science Terms at 13,000 = 78,000
3 Clinical Terms at 14,000= 42,000
78+42=120,000 plus books and housing.

The adcom at SMU and Ross told me to budget 75,000 per year.

$120,000/4 = $30,000. So with the numbers you've quoted, they're expecting you'll need $45,000 per year for books, housing, and living expenses??? How can that be?

 

[susiewaits]

who knows..what i do know is that in grenada, a disposable camera costs 55EC dollars which is something like 20 bucks (this is no special waterproof or anything). everything is expensive

 

[LVT2DVM]

$120,000/4 = $30,000. So with the numbers you've quoted, they're expecting you'll need $45,000 per year for books, housing, and living expenses??? How can that be?

$120,000 is only for tuition.

Housing, books, life expenses, food, ect...is all extra. And with the dollar dropping like you know what the exchange rate is steep.

I dont know maybe my math is off, I suck at that. Thats just what adcom told me. But I know a Dr. who wen to Ross and his final loans equalled 155,000. I dont know what all that included.

 

[susiewaits]

in the end i think the cheapest option for me is tufts because of my possible living situation. oregon state, the rent around there is very cheap. I went there for my first two years of undergrad (kicking myself for not staying).

 

[susiewaits]

thanks RI...this is what I was thinking, but i may still put the deposit down for SGU incase I change my mind and get impatient..but logically i think i should wait a year.

 

[VAgirl]

$120,000 is only for tuition.

Housing, books, life expenses, food, ect...is all extra. And with the dollar dropping like you know what the exchange rate is steep.

Ok, but it's important to differentiate. What you're saying is tuition costs are really not any different than OOS at some schools in the US (in fact, cheaper than some...the ones I know off the top of my head are like $35K-$37K/yr rather than $30K/yr as SGU looks like it is from your #s). But the cost of living is much higher. Sounds plausible.

 

[lailanni]

I'll be dropping off the Oregon waitlist in a little while (just waiting to finish 1 pre-req so I can confirm WSU for sure), so hopefully that will help!!

 

[chris03333]

Carribean Vet School tuition is 12,000 per semester and that doesnt include books or housing. So 4 years = approx 150K maybe 140 if your lucky.

I graduated with $200k debt.

 

[susiewaits]

ouch 200,000 in debt... I have been preparing myself mentally for that, but I honestly can't even imagine that kind of money. either way, this is what we want to do, we have to bite the bullet. If you don't mind me asking, do you struggle with the payments on the loans?

I thankfully will be 100% in debt to my parents who are giving me a good interest rate (but yes I have to pay back in full +)

and any little bit helps. good luck to everyone.. i will keep you posted on my situation.

 

[BruceCaboose]

I talked about this a lot to one of the small animal veterinarians I worked under. He married another student from vet school so they have the debt of two vets, however, he told me that when he graduated he consolidated all their loans into one big payment with a way lower interest rate. He said paying it isn't that big a deal - they own their own very nice home and cars and support a dog, three cats, and a toddler and are still well off. Just think of it as a mortgage or car payment you pay off over many many years, not one huge lump sum. Hope that helps some people though I may just be unrealistic and naive 🙄

 

[purplebunnie]

I work with a first year vet who graduated from Ross. She had no problems getting back in to the states- she picked up an internship at North Carolina State. She says they actually make arrangements with a few schools to get their US students back in. At Ross, she worked the emergency clinic her fourth year as the doctor in charge (kind of like a PA).

Needless to say, she did an extra year in the states of internships, got paid significantly more because of her emergency clinic experience, and pays 1500 a month in loans for the next 30 years. She wouldn't do it any other way, because that's what she had to do.

Embrace debt🙂 You'll have it. Get a job in Connecticut. They pay vets more here.

 

[chris03333]

ouch 200,000 in debt... I have been preparing myself mentally for that, but I honestly can't even imagine that kind of money. either way, this is what we want to do, we have to bite the bullet. If you don't mind me asking, do you struggle with the payments on the loans?

I thankfully will be 100% in debt to my parents who are giving me a good interest rate (but yes I have to pay back in full +)

and any little bit helps. good luck to everyone.. i will keep you posted on my situation.

Not yet...In deferment for now. I got lucky and the bulk of my loans are locked in at 2.5ish % so my payments won't be too hard to handle.

That is really cool that you have your parents support (regardless if they want you to pay them back or not)👍

My parents supported me as much as they could financially (they paid the bulk of my undergrad) and I am truely grateful for that.

 

[RockStarKDub]

Have you considered accepting and putting down the deposit and still waiting to hear from the other schools. Worst case you are only out the deposit amount if you get accepted elsewhere.

Is this an acceptable thing to do? I have one more interview to go, but as it is right now, I am accepted at one school and waitlisted at another. If I don't get into the school I have yet to interview at, I would much prefer to go to the waitlisted school. Can I really put my deposit down at the first school and then just forfeit it if the waitlist school calls me?

 

[chris03333]

Is this an acceptable thing to do? I have one more interview to go, but as it is right now, I am accepted at one school and waitlisted at another. If I don't get into the school I have yet to interview at, I would much prefer to go to the waitlisted school. Can I really put my deposit down at the first school and then just forfeit it if the waitlist school calls me?

Yes.

 

[RockStarKDub]

^ That just made my day.

 

[Angelo84]

Is this an acceptable thing to do? I have one more interview to go, but as it is right now, I am accepted at one school and waitlisted at another. If I don't get into the school I have yet to interview at, I would much prefer to go to the waitlisted school. Can I really put my deposit down at the first school and then just forfeit it if the waitlist school calls me?

Also remember you don't have to deposit until April 15th (at least that was the date last year). So you can wait on depositing until you hear from the school you still have to interview at.

 

[RockStarKDub]

Also remember you don't have to deposit until April 15th (at least that was the date last year). So you can wait on depositing until you hear from the school you still have to interview at.

Oh yes, I'm definitely doing that. If I get into this last school, the rest is a non-issue. Just wanted to verify my options if I don't get in! 🙂