meowgnificent
Full Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2025
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- Pre-Veterinary
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I'm currently on the waitlist for Florida, but I'm posting now so I can make a quick decision in the event that I'm moved off of the waitlist. I understand I might not come off of the waitlist.
I’m a non-trad and was accepted to Washington which is my in-state school. I am extremely grateful to have this option, however my career has been in animal sheltering and the reason I went back to school was to become a shelter vet. Many of the doctors I currently work with have told me I need to go to Florida if I get in. The cost difference is about $60k (I’m only looking at tuition, as I will only potentially need loans for tuition).
I have been overwhelmed by this, so I'm looking for some honest feedback. I understand the “go to the cheapest school” feedback and I’ve declined my seat at more expensive schools, but my hesitancy is based on the DVMs who have been telling me it needs to be FL and on my QOL in Pullman, as someone who has not been having a great time living in WA the last few years.
I made a pro/con for WA that I was hoping some students might help me address. I don’t really have a list for FL, so I’d love any input on that as well (good or bad).
WSU Pros:
-P/F curriculum
-Recorded lectures. I have chronic back pain that is triggered by sitting for long periods of time, and this is a great accommodation if I’m in a flare up.
-I have heard nothing but good things from everyone who goes there, including from the DVMs I work with who are WSU grads.
-Proximity to spouse. They'll still be 6 hours away, though, and the rest of my support system is in the south.
WSU Cons:
-No tracking. I don't like that it's a mixed animal curriculum, even though I appreciate it's good for the NAVLE. I am sad to miss out on shelter medicine courses and opportunities.
-No clinicals until 4th year. I'm a very hands-on learner, and when I was visiting I had some current students tell me they don't touch an animal until year 4.
-Pullman. This is the big one, because I did not like Pullman when visiting. I understand I'll be busy, but during the application process we're constantly asked how we're going to make time for our own hobbies/interests. Then I read over and over again that there's nothing to do in Pullman, so I’m curious about how people are staying sane? I’m worried about depression from the isolation and weather. I've also done some light apartment hunting and most of the places I've seen don't accept pets (I have cats that will have to come with me) or have things like A/C. It just seems rough out there... 😭
I don’t have a list for UF right now other than:
-Incredible shelter medicine program
-Clinicals start sooner
-Way better location & weather, for mental health purposes
-Fixed tuition
-More opportunities for cool/unique experiences with wildlife or aquatic animals that I won’t get again after school (per my interviewer)
-Con: 6 hour flight from spouse, compared to 6 hour dive
-The other downside is I need to sign up for one more class required for FL, but without knowing my spot on the waitlist it could be a waste
I’d love some feedback beyond going to the cheaper school for the sake of debt. I’m trying not to look at UF with rose-colored glasses or be super anxious about WSU. I’ll be nearly 40 when I graduate, so I’m trying to set myself up for the best case scenario.
I’m a non-trad and was accepted to Washington which is my in-state school. I am extremely grateful to have this option, however my career has been in animal sheltering and the reason I went back to school was to become a shelter vet. Many of the doctors I currently work with have told me I need to go to Florida if I get in. The cost difference is about $60k (I’m only looking at tuition, as I will only potentially need loans for tuition).
I have been overwhelmed by this, so I'm looking for some honest feedback. I understand the “go to the cheapest school” feedback and I’ve declined my seat at more expensive schools, but my hesitancy is based on the DVMs who have been telling me it needs to be FL and on my QOL in Pullman, as someone who has not been having a great time living in WA the last few years.
I made a pro/con for WA that I was hoping some students might help me address. I don’t really have a list for FL, so I’d love any input on that as well (good or bad).
WSU Pros:
-P/F curriculum
-Recorded lectures. I have chronic back pain that is triggered by sitting for long periods of time, and this is a great accommodation if I’m in a flare up.
-I have heard nothing but good things from everyone who goes there, including from the DVMs I work with who are WSU grads.
-Proximity to spouse. They'll still be 6 hours away, though, and the rest of my support system is in the south.
WSU Cons:
-No tracking. I don't like that it's a mixed animal curriculum, even though I appreciate it's good for the NAVLE. I am sad to miss out on shelter medicine courses and opportunities.
-No clinicals until 4th year. I'm a very hands-on learner, and when I was visiting I had some current students tell me they don't touch an animal until year 4.
-Pullman. This is the big one, because I did not like Pullman when visiting. I understand I'll be busy, but during the application process we're constantly asked how we're going to make time for our own hobbies/interests. Then I read over and over again that there's nothing to do in Pullman, so I’m curious about how people are staying sane? I’m worried about depression from the isolation and weather. I've also done some light apartment hunting and most of the places I've seen don't accept pets (I have cats that will have to come with me) or have things like A/C. It just seems rough out there... 😭
I don’t have a list for UF right now other than:
-Incredible shelter medicine program
-Clinicals start sooner
-Way better location & weather, for mental health purposes
-Fixed tuition
-More opportunities for cool/unique experiences with wildlife or aquatic animals that I won’t get again after school (per my interviewer)
-Con: 6 hour flight from spouse, compared to 6 hour dive
-The other downside is I need to sign up for one more class required for FL, but without knowing my spot on the waitlist it could be a waste
I’d love some feedback beyond going to the cheaper school for the sake of debt. I’m trying not to look at UF with rose-colored glasses or be super anxious about WSU. I’ll be nearly 40 when I graduate, so I’m trying to set myself up for the best case scenario.
