Western Updates

[radio2020]

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It is after my in state, and since that is ruled out it is definitely number one now. I am so excited about the school and the area. Southern california has a lot to offer if you explore. I crammed in quite a bit in my time there. Trust me, some story I wish I didn't experience. It was seriously emotionally draining to experience prior to my interview! Good luck to everyone!

 

[HopefulAg]

So those at Western, or those who graduated from Western, is the tuition + costs of living really that high? As I said before I loved Western and dig the PBL and probably would very much enjoy that style of learning, but $260,000 is a biiiiig figure...hoping that some of the stuff they maybe included in their calculations was overestimated or something that can help me justify the price a bit more lol.

 

[jesiah]

how much is it for you hopeful at your in state? i'm gonna take a wild guess and say you're from texas? =p i'm sure you could save some money on living if you lived in one of the seedier areas of pomona if you were willing...but i guess being cali, it is probably more than what a lot of other states are used to paying.

this is something i've been trying to decide too. i live in cali and if i make it to ucd or western, should i decide to go there over ksu? i estimate the price to be about 10k more per year at ksu vs. western/ucd (i live close to western so i'd save on living costs). however, if i'm going to be in 200k in debt, how much really is another 40-50k? i think what i'm realizing is that despite the fact that i'll be in debt for a considerable amount of time, ultimately i am making an investment on my future and need to choose the school that best fits me. but what school that is, i have no idea yet bc i liked ksu and western for different reasons. and hoping to do well on uc d too

 

[HopefulAg]

Well at 8% interest, paying off in 10 years:

$200,000 is $2,426 / month
$240,000 is $2,900 / month
$250,000 is $3,011 / month

So over 10 years the difference would be another ~$60,000.



20 years it's:

$200,000 is $1,672 / month
$240,000 is $2,007 / month
$250,000 is $2,091 / month

And ~$96,000 over 20 years.



Now the part I don't know is how much per month a vet makes, after taxes. I know it's about $70k/yr starting out but that's before tax. Not sure how to calculate what it is after taxes. And I don't know how long the deadline for paying off the loans is.

 

[FinleyMonkey]

OMG radio your story is craaaaazy. I'm sure your interview went amazingly and hopefully we will all be out there next year!

PS your use of emoticons is inspiring. 😀

 

[chris03333]

So those at Western, or those who graduated from Western, is the tuition + costs of living really that high? As I said before I loved Western and dig the PBL and probably would very much enjoy that style of learning, but $260,000 is a biiiiig figure...hoping that some of the stuff they maybe included in their calculations was overestimated or something that can help me justify the price a bit more lol.

yes it is.

 

[archie27]

yes it really is 250,000. one of the doctors i work with was from their first graduating class and it is no joke. They do a pretty good estimation for your budget and it is high! but remember they are a private school so it is not a big surprise. and now that davis has filed bankruptcy i am sure they wont be toooo far behind anymore (as far as schools in cali). I think there is talk that the tuition at davis will increase 30-40 percent to off set budget cuts.

 

[frozen_canadian]

Well at 8% interest, paying off in 10 years:

$200,000 is $2,426 / month
$240,000 is $2,900 / month
$250,000 is $3,011 / month

So over 10 years the difference would be another ~$60,000.



20 years it's:

$200,000 is $1,672 / month
$240,000 is $2,007 / month
$250,000 is $2,091 / month

And ~$96,000 over 20 years.



Now the part I don't know is how much per month a vet makes, after taxes. I know it's about $70k/yr starting out but that's before tax. Not sure how to calculate what it is after taxes. And I don't know how long the deadline for paying off the loans is.

I posted this before but I make $70,000/year. After taxes my take home is about $3700-3800/month. Thats not a lot to live on after loan payments looking at the above figures....think long and hard before jumping in.

 

[HopefulAg]

Well there goes the Western option. I'm glad I got to see the school/faculty/students for myself though.

 

[marcwood]

Well there goes the Western option. I'm glad I got to see the school/faculty/students for myself though.

It sucks that sometimes its the $$$ that becomes the deciding factor. Sorry to hear that this puts Western out of the running for you HopefulAg.

Any other interview feedback out there? I like hearing both positive and negative comments (you can PM me if you don't want to publically commment). I know that this school is not for everyone because of their curriculum. I actually think it will be great for me...I'm too ADD to pay attention in a lecture hall 😳.

I heard they added on another interview date for this Saturday in addition to the Monday (2/22) that I'll be going to. Any SDNers attending these dates?

 

[LovingLife10]

Hi Everyone! I am a SDN newbie, and I am soooo glad I found this forum. I have no idea why I didn't find it until after my third round of vet school applications (woot woot!)

I applied to Western and am very thankful to have gotten an interview a week ago. I loved the school, however, I also am having a hard time digesting $250,000 for my education. I took a Personal Finance class though, a few quarters ago, and I believe that it is possible! You just have to make smart choices, a lot of sacrifices and know that you are going to spend ~30 years doing what you love! I talked with my professor in depth about the amount of student loans I could be facing and he did assure me that I could do it, and still have a life and invest in my future (retirement, etc). He was the CEO of a 250 million dollar company so I'm going to take his word for it. 🙂

There are also scholarships to consider when thinking about tuition costs. The Army offers a Scholarship that will pay for a large majority of your schooling (if you don't mind joining the army 🙂 )

Well I hope everyone hears good news within the coming weeks! Good luck to those who are still interviewing!

 

[jesiah]

time to start hittin the cougar bars and findin myself a sugar mama who'll help me pay off my debt.

if you go through the army, can you specialize before you have to serve?

 

[DVMDream]

time to start hittin the cougar bars and findin myself a sugar mama who'll help me pay off my debt.

if you go through the army, can you specialize before you have to serve?

I was reading up on the army option and it shows that you can do interns/rotations, etc. before you serve but you will just be doing the 4 years of active duty later on and the 3-4 year they require in the reserves.

You can find more info here: http://vetopportunities.amedd.army.mil/

Seems like a great option if you want to spend 8 years in the army (4 of which are active duty).

I might actually get more info on it because spending 8 years in the army is a good deal for 0 debt from vet school and full military benefits.

 

[HopefulAg]

Yah I've considered the army several times as well. Thing I don't like about that option is:

I'm 22 now. ----- 4 years vet school ----> 26 ---- 3 years internship/residency -----> 29 ----- 8 years army ----> 37

So I'd practically be an old man (bit tongue in cheek) by the time I was actually allowed to live my own life. Course I suppose I'd have no school debt so maybe I could bribe some sweet young thing to move in with me, but all the same, I seem to age fast once I join the army!

 

[jesiah]

thanks for the info dvmdream. this is good stuff.

what about boot camp? i remember reading something a while back about this but i'm having trouble finding it on the website.

 

[DVMDream]

Yah I've considered the army several times as well. Thing I don't like about that option is:

I'm 22 now. ----- 4 years vet school ----> 26 ---- 3 years internship/residency -----> 29 ----- 8 years army ----> 37

So I'd practically be an old man (bit tongue in cheek) by the time I was actually allowed to live my own life. Course I suppose I'd have no school debt so maybe I could bribe some sweet young thing to move in with me, but all the same, I seem to age fast once I join the army!

I agree with you on this. I would be an old woman by the time I actually get to enjoy life and do as I want and that is the only thing I am unsure about. Although I may not do a residency so I would only be 34 when I get out of the army.

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

You serve 8 years? And all your loans are taken care of? Depending how much your loans were, that is a pretty darn good deal. Even if it is not exactly what you want to do, it is somewhat related, and what an experience to talk about with future employers. I can get out and decided what to do after, at 34 and no debt? At 34 you're still young and can start then, without debt.
I don't know, maybe I'm still in sticker-shock from Western, but this seems feasible. Eight years is a long time when it is the end of your 20s, though...
I'm interested in learning more.

 

[mdnghtdnc]

I know that Western costs a lot of money... but so do other schools in comparission. You shouldn't decide a school based on money issues. If you do this you will have a more difficult time getting through any program, because you will become unhappy and depressed. It happens! So... as I was advised by several financial consultants and other veterinarians to choose a school that number one fits my needs, number too fits my personality, and number three fits my learning style. I had the choice betwen two different schools one of course was Western and the other was a much cheaper school.. and as you all know I chose Western. Yes the numbers are frightening to look at but there are ways to consolidate and postpone payments until you are making a decent salary after graduation etc. All of this will be discussed at any school you go to. I know Western makes you go to a financial aid meeting once the school year has started to discuss options etc. We also have a lot of luch discussion about the topic of debt etc. Don't get discouraged and choose a school based on money! If you fall in love with a school's philosphy, teaching style, location etc... then thats the school you should attend no questions asked. You will have a much higher chance of succeeding! Getting into vet school is only half of the battle.... This is just my two cents... and what was rec. to me that I thought I would pass along. Good Luck to everyone the wait is well worth it!

 

[jesiah]

I know that Western costs a lot of money... but so do other schools in comparission. You shouldn't decide a school based on money issues. If you do this you will have a more difficult time getting through any program, because you will become unhappy and depressed. It happens! So... as I was advised by several financial consultants and other veterinarians to choose a school that number one fits my needs, number too fits my personality, and number three fits my learning style. I had the choice betwen two different schools one of course was Western and the other was a much cheaper school.. and as you all know I chose Western. Yes the numbers are frightening to look at but there are ways to consolidate and postpone payments until you are making a decent salary after graduation etc. All of this will be discussed at any school you go to. I know Western makes you go to a financial aid meeting once the school year has started to discuss options etc. We also have a lot of luch discussion about the topic of debt etc. Don't get discouraged and choose a school based on money! If you fall in love with a school's philosphy, teaching style, location etc... then thats the school you should attend no questions asked. You will have a much higher chance of succeeding! Getting into vet school is only half of the battle.... This is just my two cents... and what was rec. to me that I thought I would pass along. Good Luck to everyone the wait is well worth it!

keep on preachin the good word dnc

amen!

 

[kootz]

Yah I've considered the army several times as well. Thing I don't like about that option is:

I'm 22 now. ----- 4 years vet school ----> 26 ---- 3 years internship/residency -----> 29 ----- 8 years army ----> 37

So I'd practically be an old man (bit tongue in cheek) by the time I was actually allowed to live my own life. Course I suppose I'd have no school debt so maybe I could bribe some sweet young thing to move in with me, but all the same, I seem to age fast once I join the army!

You'd be practicing in the Army! I think! and they have programs that work with BOMB SNIFFING DOLPHINS! If you're into that kind of thing

my sibs did Navy for undergrad and they didn't have to pay a cent. True they had to give away 4-5 years of their lives but my brother was okay with it. He chose to go to the military medical school instead of a top rated one to save a lot of dough, and get paid a lot of dough while in school! And he started at age 28!

 

[archie27]

i wish it was march 15 so we could know already. the waiting is killing me! Everyone dont forget to file your fafsa deadline is coming up fast! march 2

 

[cattycat]

i wish it was march 15 so we could know already. the waiting is killing me! Everyone dont forget to file your fafsa deadline is coming up fast! march 2

I know! it seems like these next 3 weeks are going to go by so slowly!!

Do you guys think that we will get an email even though they said letter?

 

[TrocarKarin]

I know! it seems like these next 3 weeks are going to go by so slowly!!

Do you guys think that we will get an email even though they said letter?

It looks like they said letter last year, but sent emails on the 12th. Who knows if they'll repeat that.

After looking at the 2013 thread, I don't know if I should be sad or happy that we don't have the whole banweb thing to freak out over.

 

[archie27]

my guess is they will send emails. that is what they did last year. and then they also send you a letter via snail mail that comes later. but they could surprise us and send everything the old fashion way.

 

[c17lat]

my guess is they will send emails. that is what they did last year. and then they also send you a letter via snail mail that comes later. but they could surprise us and send everything the old fashion way.

At the admissions presentation on my interview day, I directly asked about that. The lady said snail mail, not email, but apparently they got emails last year. I don't know why they would change now.

 

[marcwood]

Altough I haven't had my interview yet (it's tomorrow), I can't wait until the 15th either...just 3 weeks away!
I hope they email then send snail mail like they did last year. The 15th falls on a Monday...will they be mailing letters out on Thurs, Fri, or Sat?

 

[cattycat]

Altough I haven't had my interview yet (it's tomorrow), I can't wait until the 15th either...just 3 weeks away!
I hope they email then send snail mail like they did last year. The 15th falls on a Monday...will they be mailing letters out on Thurs, Fri, or Sat?

They said if we don't get it by March 15 , to call them. So I imagine they would send it even earlier than that

 

[marcwood]

I had my interview yesterday. Thanks to SDNers, there were no surprises during the interview process and the curriculum. I think Western is a great school for the right kind of student. It is definately not for everyone but I definately think it's for me 🙂
Good luck to everyone! Less than 3 weeks away until we find out.

 

[radio2020]

14 more days. Going kinda crazy.

 

[jesiah]

is this your first choice radio?

 

[DVMDream]

14 more days. Going kinda crazy.

Me too. This is my final hope for going to vet school this year. Good Luck to you Radio!! I hope we find out something soon, maybe even before the 15th. I also hope they send e-mails instead of only snail-mail because that is the week of Spring Break and I will not be able to collect my mail until an entire week after!😱 Good Luck everyone!!

 

[radio2020]

is this your first choice radio?

My first choice will definitely be wherever I get in. But if I was lucky enough to HAVE a choice, I would go with PEI first. Everything there was a better fit for me. BUT, I would be a lucky girl to go to any vet school. 😀

 

[marcwood]

Me too. This is my final hope for going to vet school this year. Good Luck to you Radio!! I hope we find out something soon, maybe even before the 15th. I also hope they send e-mails instead of only snail-mail because that is the week of Spring Break and I will not be able to collect my mail until an entire week after!😱 Good Luck everyone!!

I'm with you DVMDream. This is my final hope for this cycle also. 😱 After being there and finding out more about their program, this would be my first choice school...I'm a PBL kind of learner 🙂
I hope they do emails like they did last year...it looks like emails were sent on 3/12/09 (Thurs)

 

[DVMDream]

I'm with you DVMDream. This is my final hope for this cycle also. 😱 After being there and finding out more about their program, this would be my first choice school...I'm a PBL kind of learner 🙂
I hope they do emails like they did last year...it looks like emails were sent on 3/12/09 (Thurs)

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!! Good Luck vibes are being sent your way!

And I agree after seeing the school I got that much more excited about possibly going!

 

[HopefulAg]

Is it sad that I'll be more excited if I get into Western than I did when I got into A&M? I doubt I'm going to get accepted (did a horrrrrrible interview) but I really dug the teaching method and I guess I want to be 'accepted' by such a cool school, even though I won't be going there.

 

[DVMDream]

Is it sad that I'll be more excited if I get into Western than I did when I got into A&M? I doubt I'm going to get accepted (did a horrrrrrible interview) but I really dug the teaching method and I guess I want to be 'accepted' by such a cool school, even though I won't be going there.

No I do not think so. I am actully starting to think that even if I had gotten accepted to WSU and also to Western that I may have been more excited about Western. Really WSU was my top choice because of $, but I think I may actually like Western and their teaching style better so if I get in I am definitely going! Have you decided that you are going to A&M for sure or are you still undecided? Congrats on your acceptances!

 

[HopefulAg]

Have you decided that you are going to A&M for sure or are you still undecided?

Still undecided, though the crap with FAFSA and Edinburgh may make me go to A&M and remove any choice in the matter. Not sure how I'm going to get my visa and everything in order in the 2 months that it seems to be that they're going to alot us.

Used to be you only had to worry about the visa and you could have 3 months to do it. This year you're going to have to do everything in 2 months, which is very implausible given how fast governments tend to work.


I could live with Edinburgh or A&M, I just don't like to be forced after being given a choice.

 

[DVMDream]

Still undecided, though the crap with FAFSA and Edinburgh may make me go to A&M and remove any choice in the matter. Not sure how I'm going to get my visa and everything in order in the 2 months that it seems to be that they're going to alot us.

Used to be you only had to worry about the visa and you could have 3 months to do it. This year you're going to have to do everything in 2 months, which is very implausible given how fast governments tend to work.


I could live with Edinburgh or A&M, I just don't like to be forced after being given a choice.

That is understandable. Why are they only giving you 2 months to get everything together that does not seem like nearly enough time. Hopefully, they will realize that they need to give you more time so you can go where you want to go.

 

[HopefulAg]

From my understanding, it's out of their control. Congress is changing the way they're doing international funding through FAFSA and so the Edinburgh people have to undergo new training for the new system, which they don't predict will be done until June. And it won't affect just Edinburgh, but all international applicants, though I can only speak for Edinburgh as that's the only one who's given me more information on the process.

There's more detail on the last page of the Edinburgh/RVC/Glasgow thread.

 

[cattycat]

I'm going crazy too just waiting...we will know soon! I absolutely love the school so I hope I (as well as all of you) hear good news!

 

[Moxylove]

Yeah I'm going crazy too! I'm so glad I'm not alone though, were all in this together! I really like their PBL method, it reminds me of House haha. This is my final opportunity to get in to vet school this year as well... sometimes I don't know if I can handle the stress!

 

[Moxylove]

I think its kinda dumb that we have to apply for FAFSA before we even know if we got in or not. It gives me false hope:/

 

[mdnghtdnc]

Hey Everyone! The university just recieved very good news yesterday via the dean and the faculty and staff were notified today... Western is official! We have reached FULL Accreditation status for three years!!! I thought I would pass on the news!

 

[Loolical]

Very exciting! I can't wait to hear from them!

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

Hey Everyone! The university just recieved very good news yesterday via the dean and the faculty and staff were notified today... Western is official! We have reached FULL Accreditation status for three years!!! I thought I would pass on the news!

Awesome!!! Thanks for the update! Go Western!

 

[DVMDream]

That is AWESOME!!! Way to go Western!!

 

[marcwood]

wooo hoooo for Western.👍 Now people can stop with the "but it's not accredited" smack (although it did have limited accreditation...which in no way affects a graduate's status or has practice limitations).

still anxiously awaiting their decisions 😱

 

[cattycat]

Now people can stop with the "but it's not accredited" smack (although it did have limited accreditation...which in no way affects a graduate's status or has practice limitations).

I agree! I've gotten that quite a few times and always have to say that it IS accredited!! Now there is no doubt about it! yay for Western!


Is it just me, or is time going by extra slow these days? lol. Come on Western! Let us know already!

 

[crittergal]

Is it just me, or is time going by extra slow these days? lol. Come on Western! Let us know already!

I didn't apply to Western, but I agree. The clock seems to be moving in slow motion. March is going to be the longest month EVER! I just picked up a bunch of shifts at work so I wouldn't constantly refresh SDN and obsess. Might as well go for a paid distraction. Now, let's see if I can actually manage to refrain from checking my iPhone like mad... Oh the curse of technology!

 

[Llama Slug]

The clock seems to be moving in slow motion. March is going to be the longest month EVER! I just picked up a bunch of shifts at work so I wouldn't constantly refresh SDN and obsess. Might as well go for a paid distraction. Now, let's see if I can actually manage to refrain from checking my iPhone like mad... Oh the curse of technology!

I just signed up for like a hundred classes at my gym for the same reason.... maybe this way i can get fit and not obsess? (although so far i am just REALLY sore and really obsessive)