WesternU vs. RVC

[chrisn03]

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Hi everyone! So I got accepted to two schools, Western University and the RVC (5 yr program). I was also selected as an alternate for Oregon. I am having a difficult time deciding which school of the two would be the best option for me as I am unsure I would get a seat in Oregon. I am a California resident, so Western would be the closest option as I live 30 miles away from the school. I've tried to make a list of pros and cons for each one, such as cost. Comparing both schools it seems as it would cost around $40,000 more to attend RVC for 5 yrs instead of 4 yrs at Western. Since Western is my IS, I would be closer to my family and home, but I did not like that they don't have a teaching hospital as I would still have to travel to learn. Looking into the RVC, they have a teaching hospital with a large case load that focuses on small and large animal, such as equine. Both programs seem to be great, but I feel like the RVC program is more equipped as I was very impressed with their program and their facilities during their interview.

I would appreciate any insight to any of the schools to help me decide between the two. I am worried about choosing Western for not having the same opportunities that a school with a teaching hospital would have. On the other hand, moving out to London for 5 yrs would be a huge change for me as I have never been away from my family.

Please help! I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[MixedAnimals77]

I don't really have anything to add on the schools specifically, but I wanted to just talk about doing the 4 vs 5 year program. It's a whole year of your life you'd still be in school. It's an extra year you're paying tuition. It's an extra year you're accumulating interest. It's also an extra year you're not out in practice making real money. If you're in the UK I'm not sure if you can even work during summer like you could here in the states so that's even more money lost/spent that you could be making if you stay here. It's an extra year where your free time is limited. I'm not sure a teaching hospital vs distributive model would be worth a year of my life-I know personally it wouldn't be for me. I'm not sure the exact set up of the distributive model, but I'm sure they have some rotations you could take at a teaching hospital at a school with one if that was your interest. Honestly, many students at my school try and spend as little time in the teaching hospital as possible, because out on practice rotations is where we get to be the baby dr. Yes we learn alot in the teaching hospital, but we'll never get to do a surgical fracture repair on our own in the teaching hospital, because there are boarded vets, residents, and interns above us even if that's a "common" procedure when we get out. Also consider that both schools are accredited so if you put in the time and effort you will be well equipped no matter which program you go with. Vet school also really sucks sometimes-I'm not going to lie. Personally for me it hasn't been all that terrible, but hop over to the '22 thread a few weeks ago and people really hate it sometimes. Being closer to that support system can make a huge difference in your mental well being. Also consider the cost of being able to visit home-tickets home over the holidays are super expensive. You'll develop a support system within the school, but I think having that close family support can make a huge difference. If you chose RVC you would also have the culture adjustment on top of adjusting to vet school. Not that England is that drastically different from the US, but there are some differences you'd have to adjust to and that can be even more stressful on top of vet school. Hope I gave you some useful things to think about.

 

[chrisn03]

You make a good point. Those were actually some of the things I was also thinking about. I am actually going to go visit RVC in a couple of weeks to see if it is the school for me since I have never been to London before. Hopefully seeing the school in person will help make my choice. Thanks!

 

[srbibo]

What did you decide and how has your first year been? I was just admitted to the RVC and planning to attend in the fall.