What type of Masters should I do?

[asalinas18]

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Hello all!

So I know that a career in veterinary medicine is the only thing that will make me happy. However, my undergraduate grades are a bit lacking, so I want to do a masters before I even apply to vet school to boost myself a bit. Does anyone know if the type of masters matters? There are three choices I'm chosing from:

1. Masters in Biology (emphasis in animal behavior/behavioral ecology): most of my undergraduate research/coursework centers around this, and I think I would excel in a program like this. This would mostly be centered on wildlife and my thesis would probably focus on only one species.

2. Masters in Animal Science: I know this is the "pre-vet" major and I have no real coursework in animal science besides 1 physiology course, so I think a program like this could really prepare me for vet school.

3. Masters in Public Health: I know there are a lot of MPH programs that have an emphasis in veterinary medicine, so I figured this could be a good option.

Thanks so much!!

 

[shortnsweet]

Hello all!

So I know that a career in veterinary medicine is the only thing that will make me happy. However, my undergraduate grades are a bit lacking, so I want to do a masters before I even apply to vet school to boost myself a bit. Does anyone know if the type of masters matters? There are three choices I'm chosing from:

1. Masters in Biology (emphasis in animal behavior/behavioral ecology): most of my undergraduate research/coursework centers around this, and I think I would excel in a program like this. This would mostly be centered on wildlife and my thesis would probably focus on only one species.

2. Masters in Animal Science: I know this is the "pre-vet" major and I have no real coursework in animal science besides 1 physiology course, so I think a program like this could really prepare me for vet school.

3. Masters in Public Health: I know there are a lot of MPH programs that have an emphasis in veterinary medicine, so I figured this could be a good option.

Thanks so much!!

What year in undergrad are you? Could your GPA be raised by retaking some of the pre-reqs rather than doing another full degree? Not to say there is anything wrong with doing a masters-- that's just a lot of school, and a lot of the time people who go for masters do it because they have another interest besides vet med, like research? (At least in my experience) Also, grades aren't the only thing schools look at...GRE, LORs, vet experience? Just my 0.02.

You may also want to be aware that some of the public health courses that focus in vet med especially are for graduated vets, or as a dual degree with a DVM (or equiv).

 

[nyanko]

Not to say that doing a Masters degree is necessarily a bad idea, but a thesis based one isn't really the best thing to do to make up for a poor GPA. For that purpose you'd probably be better off taking some upper division science coursework as a non-degree seeking student or doing a non-thesis Masters in a biomedical science (so-called Plan B programs designed for students who want to apply to health professional schools but who may not have the grades).

There is one caveat to this though - if you think you may have a real interest in research, the thesis based Masters is a great way to get in and actually do some research that's meaningful while remaining in an academic environment. You can get research experience in other ways but with only a bachelors most of what you get will be kinda more "technician"ish where you're not doing any real independent stuff unless you go above and beyond your role in the lab.

And additionally, grades aren't everything. If your GPA is low, try to rock the GRE hard. Some schools weigh these equally and it can really help to balance out the low GPA. Do better in more recent courses, get great experiences in clinics and with veterinarians, get good LORs and you may not even have to worry about it.

 

[lostbunny]

The type of masters doesn't matter, as long as you do better then you did in undergrad (since you're doing the MSc to up your marks).

Not sure if this is offered in the USA, but you should look into doing a course based masters if you're not really into doing research. If you've got the money, there are 1-2 year course based masters (that likely involve a small research project/paper- but not a full blown thesis) abroad such as in the UK, Australia and I think some in Canada as well (but I don't think I've found a 1 year one).

Something else to consider as well if you're just looking to up your marks, is doing a post graduate program where you come out with a 'graduate diploma' or 'graduate certificate'. Again, I don't think these are very big or even offered in the USA, but basically the point of them is for people who have Bachelor's but want to get more credentials or up their marks for whatever reasons.

The long and short of it is.... no it doesn't matter what you do your MSc in- as long as you do well!

 

[RadRadTerp]

...of the Universe.

 

[Marsala]

I'm going to suggest that you get a Master's in something that you enjoy and can see yourself getting a job in if you don't get in to vet school. Seems like that possibility is rarely discussed, but it is a reality. Just my 2 cents. That being said, I am working on my PhD in entomology, and have my MS in entomology as well.

 

[Raimes]

Let me be the first to warn you, and echo what everyone said. Make sure it's a masters you can see yourself happy in, and will you get you somewhere if you don't make it into vet school.

A masters degree does NOT equal an acceptance, I'm done with my masters and probably am not going to get in.

Course work matters a lot but the non-thesis can be lacking laboratory work. And that is a BIG deal in the world (ie if you don't make it into vet school). It's really a catch-22.

I hope I didn't bring you down, rejections have made me cranky! 🙁

Good luck! 🙂

 

[asalinas18]

I actually just graduated UCLA as a Biology major, so there's no hope for me to get my GPA up (I have a 3.1 so I feel very helpless). I decided to go pre-vet a little late in my undergrad career. Also, the primary reason I am doing a masters is because I really want to (but the fact that it could potentially help me get into vet school is a plus). I did a lot of research in undergrad and really enjoyed it ... so if vet school becomes out of the question then I'll probably apply to PhD programs as well just in case. Basically I'm doing a masters no matter what, I'm just not sure which type would be best, and I think I would enjoy all three.



As for the MPH programs - I know that most of them are for a dual degree for vet students, but there are a few that aren't (ohio state and texas a&m). I think these could be fun too because I love public health.

Thank you for all your responses! I do think a thesis-based masters will be best for someone like me. I have a lot of undergraduate research experience and it could be a potential plan B if I never get into vet school.

 

[Kmeid]

I'm doing this too! I applied this year but if I don't get in I set myself up to do my Masters next year. I know this one wasn't on your list, but I'm doing a Masters in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences. The coolest part about it is I can knock out some of my Vet school courses during grad school if I decided to go to VMRCVM since I'm doing my masters at VT. I think everyone else kinda hit it on the head though. They told me it really didn't matter what I did my masters in as long as I did well (they did suggest something *sciency* to keep my brain in the right mind set for vet school). Do something you'll enjoy! Then you'll be even more motivated to be successful 🙂 goodluck!

 

[jemappellejane]

I've got a question about all of this:

I'm currently in a masters program. It's in Math/Science/Technology (MST) Education. And I have my teaching certification in Biology. I've done AWESOME in grad school (3.9) but I'm worried that it won't matter as much as if I'd been in a more "sciency" program. My courses are all pretty much education based. I basically learn how to teach science better.

What are your opinions on this? Will I be decreasing my chances by finishing my current masters rather than taking more upper level science courses? I don't want to abandon my program, but I also want to do what's best for my chances at vet school.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mbelu]

I got a master in Biology and I've gotten a few acceptances. I think it does help if you get high grades and also use the time to get more experience. I used the two years to also work at a clinic and work in a lab. I think they like if you had some lab experience too but that's just my opinion not a for sure. I'd definitly go more for something where you can take hardcore bio classes : anatomy ... cell ... micro ... ect ...

 

[lostbunny]

I've got a question about all of this:

I'm currently in a masters program. It's in Math/Science/Technology (MST) Education. And I have my teaching certification in Biology. I've done AWESOME in grad school (3.9) but I'm worried that it won't matter as much as if I'd been in a more "sciency" program. My courses are all pretty much education based. I basically learn how to teach science better.

What are your opinions on this? Will I be decreasing my chances by finishing my current masters rather than taking more upper level science courses? I don't want to abandon my program, but I also want to do what's best for my chances at vet school.

Thanks in advance!

From what I've gathered is that the pre- rec courses should reflect science directly (ex. animal physiology, advanced biochemistry, etc). The schools generally require that you've taken some type of animal science, some type of biochemistry, cell biology, etc. They vary slightly, but for the most part the schools all ask for similar courses. So I think something where you're learning methods to teach science rather then learning science may not exactly qualify for a pre rec.

Depending on the school you might be able to submit certain courses you want to use to have your GPA calculated (like at OVC), but in the end you still have to submit all your transcripts. Other schools will just pick which courses fit their list of pre-recs and use the information you've given them to calculate your overall GPA.

So with your courses, its hard to say if it will 'decrease your chances'. Maybe call a couple of the schools and speak with them. Since you're halfway through your program you may as well keep going with it. You'll still have some higher education that can help you increase your overall average, and also give you that edge.

In the end, if after getting your MSc doesn't "get you in" so to speak, you can always do more post grad work, or alternatively go with the higher level science courses.

 

[jemappellejane]

I should clarify that my pre-reqs were all done in undergrad, so I've already got those under my belt. I decided to go into teaching after I graduated because I thought vet school wasn't a possibility (that's another long story). Anyway, I just feel kind of stuck right now, taking classes that don't really "matter" for what I really want to do. I know that getting solid grades in these courses definitely shows my ability to do graduate level work, however I feel that I could be doing something more. I don't want to abandon my program though, having put a lot of time and MONEY into it.

lostbunny- I think I will contact schools as rejections start trickling in more. I'm also contacting my advisor in my program to see if there's anyway I can take more upper level science courses as a substitute for the courses needed for my program... a long shot I know, but worth looking into.