Right now both schools are accepting applications without a GRE score because of covid so I am trying to apply quickly for that reason (I am absolutely horrible at standardized testing). I am not planning on completing my BS because it would take at least another year or two and Ross and SGU don't require you graduate as long as you have completed their required pre req classes. I will have completed all the required classes for Ross but SGU has more requirements that I wouldn't be able to complete in time.
Just in case you weren't already aware, the list of vet schools that are requiring the GRE is actually quite a lot shorter now than it has been in previous years. Many schools have either ditched the standardized testing entirely or have switched over to the CASPer exam (which I'll admit I know very little about, but from what I understand is more of a judgement test than anything else); at this point, only a small handful of schools are still requiring the GRE. It may be slightly out-of-date, so I would definitely advise that you navigate to the webpages of any schools you may be interested in to confirm, but there's a list of what schools are and are not requiring the GRE
in this thread.
Additionally, the overwhelming majority of vet schools do not actually require a degree for matriculation. It's not incredibly common, but applicants can and certainly have matriculated to U.S. vet schools without a BA/BS. That said, I personally don't know that it is the wisest idea to go in without a degree as a backup, especially if you're truly that intent on attending Ross. What happens if you never get into vet school? What if you fail out (vet school is extremely difficult and Ross has a
high attrition rate)? What if life circumstances change and, for whatever reason, you are not able to finish out your DVM and/or decide that you hate the profession? I don't ask these things to probe at you, but rather to remind you that life sometimes does not work out the way that we would like---and, trust me, it didn't in my case---so it's always good to keep alternative paths in mind.
I also like how Ross seems to put more value in your experiences than test scores.
Again, most schools have started to evaluate applications more holistically and are no longer so hyperfocused on the numbers. This is not unique to Ross. Ross does accept academically weaker candidates, yes, but as I mentioned in the previous point, there is a very real downside to that: Ross is kind of notorious in that they will admit a large number of students and lose a fair chunk of them, either because they fail out or they ultimately end up transferring back to a school in the states. This happens at SGU, too, but to a much lesser degree. Those who make it through are certainly capable doctors, but there is a somewhat significant element of risk there that warrants some consideration.
If you haven't yet, I'd recommend posting your stats in the
WAMC subforum to elicit some feedback. I see many people apply to Ross and SGU thinking that they're their only realistic options at getting into vet school, but rarely does that actually seem to be the case.
Money isn't too much of an issue for me because my family is going to help me pay.
This is wonderful, and I am glad that you are in a fortunate enough situation for this to be the case for you.
However, I would still highly suggest attending the least expensive school that you have available. If you're in a state with a vet school, then chances are good that that school is going to be not only the cheapest option but also offer your best chance of acceptance.
Wildlife medicine is
extremely competitive and difficult to break into; it seems like nearly everyone these days demonstrates an interest in it, which is awesome, but few of them actually end up making it their career. Pay is also generally quite poor in that sect of vet med. As harsh as it sounds, it's a terrible decision monetarily to attend an ultra-expensive vet school and take out $250k+ in loans with the intention of pursing wildlife medicine if you are not also at peace with the fact that you will, most likely, end up in small animal medicine because, frankly, that's where the jobs are. So, so many pre-vets go into vet school these days wanting to do zoo or wildlife; the sad reality is that exceedingly few will actually make it a full-time career. The few wildlife vets I do know largely do it on a part-time/volunteer basis as a side to their more lucrative small animal practices. That's not to discourage you if that's truly where your heart lies and I think you should absolutely still go for it, but just wanted to make you aware of this. Not to mention that many vet students' interests also just... change organically while in vet school. And, as I've already alluded to a couple of times, keep in mind that Ross has a much higher rate of attrition than other AVMA-accredited institutions, making that financial risk even more precipitous.
Yes, I realize that you said that you will have external help in funding your education, but this is just a simple matter of value. Even if you are accruing minimal or zero debt to do so, why spend so much more money for a DVM? So long as you're attending an AVMA-accredited school, you're going to receive an equivalent education no matter where you go, so why pay more than necessary? If you have an IS school, it's probably far wiser to consider applying there and, if accepted, taking the extra money that would have gone toward you attending Ross or SGU and putting it toward a down payment on a house or savings. Something actually tangible that will appreciate better than a DVM.
Think beyond the admissions process. Other than possibly an easier time getting in, what do SGU or Ross offer that make the intemperately much higher tuition costs worth it to you?
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