What to do?

[tay]

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Hi everyone, I'm a junior at TSU, currently pre-vet, but still kinda pondering. I'm worried I won't get into vet school and I just started taking animal science courses so if I want to change majors now is the time to do it. My GPA is decent as my adviser says a 3.3, I know I need to raise it, I worked at a kennel for a couple of months but I have no clincial experience. If i stick with this, I plan on racking up a lot of hours. I'm just curious as to what I should do If I don't get in? I really would rather not spend my life re-applying. I love animals and I think this is the career for me, however I don't know want to work at something so hard and then be disappointed. Sounds like I'm complaining I know, and I am, I'm not 110% devoted to being in school for ten years.

I know for a fact I will major in something science related. I guess I'm between pre-vet or pre-med, as medical school is easier to get into. Ahh, I don't know, I'm confused and lost, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[shortnsweet]

Hi everyone, I'm a junior at TSU, currently pre-vet, but still kinda pondering. I'm worried I won't get into vet school and I just started taking animal science courses so if I want to change majors now is the time to do it. My GPA is decent as my adviser says a 3.3, I know I need to raise it, I worked at a kennel for a couple of months but I have no clincial experience. If i stick with this, I plan on racking up a lot of hours. I'm just curious as to what I should do If I don't get in? I really would rather not spend my life re-applying. I love animals and I think this is the career for me, however I don't know want to work at something so hard and then be disappointed. Sounds like I'm complaining I know, and I am, I'm not 110% devoted to being in school for ten years.

I know for a fact I will major in something science related. I guess I'm between pre-vet or pre-med, as medical school is easier to get into. Ahh, I don't know, I'm confused and lost, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Be careful saying it is easier to get into med school than vet school. You choose one over the other because it is the profession you are passionate about and can see yourself devoted to it for a lifetime...not because your stats get you into one school and not the other. I know many, many med students who had trouble getting in, and had just as much trouble as vet students.

Next, the whole point of gaining clinical experience is for you TO decide if this is what you really want. So, I would say try and start working with a vet, or many different kinds of vets and dipping your feet into the profession. You'll know once you start if this is what you want.

You've got some time to figure out what you want in life. If vet school turns out to be it, then great 🙂 If you find something else that holds your interest, go for it!!!! College is the place to find that all out!!!

 

[irishigs]

I understand that the process seems daunting. There is indeed a lot that goes into getting accepted into vet school, and remember, that's just the beginning.
I guess I would say that if you want this, you have to make it happen. You are already in the pre-vet classes, so work hard and bring your grades up. Ask a vet to shadow him/her so you become more familiar with what a vet actually does on a day-to-day basis. Don't give up your dreams and go to medical school because it is easier. Anything worth anything takes time and sacrifice and you must be willing to work hard so that you can set yourself up for a life in which you can have everything that you want.
If you don't get into vet school on the first try, so what? If you really want this, you won't let a little thing like that stand in your way. Get some more experience. Try a wildlife refuge or an animal shelter.
And what's wrong with going to school for ten years? I find it to be a lifestyle that is most enjoyable. 🙂

 

[nyanko]

Nobody here can tell you what to do if you don't get into vet school in 2 or 3 years or whatever. As the others have said, you need to look at your reasons for wanting to go to vet school and think about your other options and how they relate to these reasons. Getting some vet experience will help you with this.

Also echoing that being in school for 10 years really isn't so bad. 😉

 

[dgm]

Well, you could always do what I did: Believe all the hype about how it's sooo hard to get in and you probably won't make it, decide instead to major in something that isn't your passion but will actually make you a little money (like engineering), work a few years and realize you don't really give a crap about your job and shouldn't have given up on your dream. Then start over... 😳

In all seriousness, med & vet school prerequisites are pretty similar, are you sure you'd have to switch majors to do one vs. the other? You can probably get your pre-reqs done while completing just about any science-y degree. You just have to find a major you like (preferably one that will be useful for something even if you decide against the vet/med school path, or don't get in the first time around), buckle down and do well. Good luck!

 

[Smileystar5]

Also, it's easy to forget that right out of college you'll be ~22. Which is really young!!!! If you spend 3 years working and applying... it's not your "whole" life... it's just a part of paying your dues. Also, it's not like life will stop during that time... you'll still make money, and have friends/relationships and rack up important experiences to write about on them applications!

The veterinarian I work for applied to veterinary school 14 times before he got in! He even moved to Italy (and learned italian) for a year to get started. Finally, someone cut him a break in the states! He got married and had children before he was ever accepted and I promise you he doesn't regret it one bit 😀

 

[ReadyBeVet]

Well, you could always do what I did: Believe all the hype about how it's sooo hard to get in and you probably won't make it, decide instead to major in something that isn't your passion but will actually make you a little money (like engineering), work a few years and realize you don't really give a crap about your job and shouldn't have given up on your dream. Then start over... 😳

Wow, this post could have been written by me. That is exactly what I did, too. Here I am, 5 years later starting over. It is sooo worth it- I just wish I would have realized it sooner.