Which to choose??!!!

[Els9547]

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Ok, so I have to make a choice academically and I am looking for some advice!!! I can do one of two things, and I am wondering what will look better come application time!

I will be finishing up my undergrad degree in May of next year. I just discovered that I am able to double major, in Biology and Marine Biology, as well as minor in Chemistry. In order to do that I will have to take a few classes this summer, nothing major just finishing up the required english credits that some vet schools require. This means that I will not be able to work on my veterinary hours during the summer, maybe one day a week at most. I have about 600-700 hours already and a TON of animal and volunteer experience, but I am wondering which would present a stronger application.

Will it be more impressive to have fewer hours but a double major and a minor? Or should I work more toward the hours and just get one degree? Also, is it going to matter that I got most of the hours very early (freshman and sophmore undergrad) and got fewer hours later on or are hours simply hours? I have gotten mixed advice on the subject, some say go for the academics and others say most schools want to see real world experience. What do you guys think?? Currently I have a GPA in the 3.5-3.7 range and adding the extra classes won't overload my schedule very much at all.

Thanks for reading! Any and all advice is appreciated!!!

 

[twelvetigers]

I don't think the double major will do much to improve your application, though it might look interesting and provide a bit more grounds for an intended area of specialty. Then again, 600-700 vet hours is pretty good. So, I think the real question here is... which one do YOU want? I don't think either one will hurt you as long as you do well. Just remember that adcoms are looking for variety in experience, so if all your hours are at a SA clinic you might seek some LA hours too, etc.

I'm not sure if not having recent hours will look bad. I think you could squeeze by if you explain it well, or if you can get at least a few over the summer.

 

[Skillet9886]

This is probably less than helpful, but I think it's six in one half dozen in the other. I would just go with whichever is more fun for you. I don't necessarily think a double major will give you a big edge, but it couldn't hurt. I personally would go with more work experience, just because I like it better than more courses.

Also, is it going to matter that I got most of the hours very early (freshman and sophmore undergrad) and got fewer hours later on or are hours simply hours?

I think the point of the hours is to make sure you have a general understanding of veterinary medicine and what you're getting yourself into. I don't think that it's a good idea to get all your experience 10 years before applying and then not doing anything vet- or animal-related since, but I doubt 1-2 years will make much of a difference.

 

[meadow36]

I think the double major (and the chance to pull up your GPA even higher w/ good grades this summer) is definitely the winner over a few extra hours. You have a decent amount of hours already and it's not like you were going to be doing anything different like zoo med or farm animal.