Where would you get your pre-reqs?

[Moira]

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I have a bachelors in a different discipline, and am looking to complete my pre-reqs at one of two colleges in my area.

One is a private women's college and one is a large state university. I've corresponded with both, and the private college has been attentive, answered all my questions, and the information I've gotten from different parties (biology department, admissions) has been consistent.

The large state university has either not replied to me, given me disparate information, and been reluctant to correspond with me via email, which concerns me because I like to have things in writing. I have gotten disparate information from the Office of Pre-Professional Advising, the Admissions department, and the Biology department. As a state school, I know they're dealing with a larger volume of people demanding of their time and they are probably understaffed with the way the economy is at the moment. I can't really get anywhere with them right now because one my questions concerns how I should apply, to which I've received no straight answer (one told me to apply as a freshman and send my high school transcripts and ACT scores even though I already have a BA from an accredited institution; another told me to apply as a transfer; another told me to apply as a non-degree seeking student; these responses have come from people in the same department). My husband attends as a graduate student in philosophy, and while he loves his professors he finds the lack of organization infuriating.

However, while the private college has been incredibly great at communicating with me, they are significantly more expensive. Do I just slug through the great communications mess that is the state school to save money or do I make the investment with the people who seem to have it together? I know that veterinary school won't be cheap.

I already have loans from my previous degree in the humanities which I intended to use to pursue graduate school, and in the practical-minded place I live in I'm having trouble finding work with it. Do I just take the loan bullet and come out the other end with a paying credential and live off of rice and beans for the rest of my days? I've considered becoming a tech because it would be less of a financial investment, but I sometimes wonder if I would be happy there. It might be the circuitous route, but maybe becoming a tech would allow me to pay down the debt I already have and then I could pursue my pre-reqs and a DVM. (I currently work for minimum wage, so yes, becoming a tech would be a financial gain for me, and the program here is relatively inexpensive and there is a great need for techs in my area).

Anyway, that is very, very long, but I was wondering what the input might be. Thanks again everyone.

 

[twelvetigers]

I would go with the cheaper option, even if it means you have to plan things out yourself and deal with a lot of confusion. I mean, how much is your time worth? Sure, it's worth something, but maybe not as much as the tuition difference, right? Visiting in person, if possible, might help get things rolling for you...

 

[Psorophoraferox]

I agree with twelvetigers -- you'll need to evaluate whether money or time is more important to you, and only you can make that decision.

Me, I went with the cheaper option, and like you have gotten a lot of headaches dealing with the inefficiency. But, with planning and patience, I've been able to get everything done, and my wallet is much happier for it.

I also agree that an in-person visit to both campuses would be valuable. I would have never gone to my current school if I'd only dealt with the idiots, uh, I mean overworked employees in the registrar's office, but I really love the academics and community of the school itself.

 

[Marsala]

I'll have to third the cheaper option. I go to a very large state school, and it's all about learning how the game works and nagging the crap out of people. Although once you do figure it out, the system is a well-oiled bureaucratic machine. Very efficient, and a lot cheaper than private.

 

[chickenlittle]

Yet another vote for the cheaper option. I decided midway through college that I didn't want to go to vet school.... so while I still graduated with a Zoology major, I missed a couple of the pre-reqs. I went back and took them at a different state school as a non-degree-seeking student about two years later. There were some slight headaches getting "into the system," but once that was taken care of, it was no problem.

If you're unsure whether to be a vet or a tech, though, that makes me wonder whether you're currently working a vet clinic? My reason for asking is that although the two jobs are in the same setting, they are VERY different as far as responsibility, day-to-day stresses, etc. I wouldn't start going back to school for pre-reqs until you've spent a good bit of time working in a veterinary clinic, really getting a feel for what it entails and determining whether it would be a worthwhile investment for you.

 

[Bisbee]

Yes...go with the cheaper one. I'm sure it's not hard to just look in their course catalog and find the courses you need and plan it all out yourself. You don't need some staff member to look up the same information you could look up yourself.

 

[CurrySpice]

Are the universities equal in other respects? This shouldn't be your deciding factor... Private colleges and state universities are very different. Anyone who tells you otherwise is kidding themselves. You are likely to get a quality education at either school but that doesn't mean you will have identical experiences.

And if organization is your deciding factor? Go with the state school.