WSU vs. UMN vs. MSU (if accepted)

[pyrmom89]

Hey everyone!

I honestly am so excited, lucky, and blessed to even be able to post in this thread (I didn't even think I would get to post in successful applicants so this feels crazy). I have been accepted to quite a few vet schools, and I've managed to pretty much narrow it down to 3 (unless someone gives me a great scholarship which is not likely lol). I will be 20 years old when starting, and I am a Michigan native, who really wants to move with her crazy pyr. If anyone has any advice to give me on any of these schools or just in general I would great appreciate it, as I am the first in my family to go to vet school. I have an interest in mixed animal and emergency med.

Washington State:
Pros: I really like that they are pass/fail for everything. They give in state tutition after 1 year if you get a Washington drivers license (from whay I understand). They honestly just seem like a great school from what I've seen. They would be my second cheapest option (only by like 10-12 thousand dollars though)

Cons: It is really far from my family and hometown

Minnesota:
Pros: Also seems like a geniuenly great program. It is much closer to home for me.

Cons: wayyyyy more expensive then WSU or MSU since I cannot establish residency

Michigan State (tenative - interview coming up):
Pros: would be my cheapest choice since I'm in state by like 10-12 thousand dollars. Obviously very close to family and I know the campus well

Cons: I would have to go one more year of undergrad and start in the fall of 2026 since I applied through vet scholars and cannot have my application moved to the regular applicant pool due to not have 2 prereqs complete before application, which would cost me more money and delay me a year of paying of my loans and stuff (basically I'm paying rent money and stuff to "save money"). I am also worried about their cirriculum and NAVLE pass rates, which have been on a downward trend.

Any advice helps! Also I would love to hear any opinions about Minneapolis or Pullman (I know EL pretty well by now haha)

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[JaynaAli]

I would just take the spot at Washington State, if you’re up for a move and don’t need the close, in person familial support. I normally am a big advocate for going to your cheapest option, but a 10-12k difference between your two cheapest isn’t really isn’t that significant, and when you factor in the lost opportunity cost of having to wait another year to start at Michigan State (so you have to pay living expenses that year PLUS it delays your earning potential of a vet salary for a year), WSU is probably the better financial decision overall. Minnesota is a good school too, but it’s not worth the added expenses over WSU or Michigan State, imo. The NAVLE trends at Michigan State definitely need monitored, but are right now still in the approved/acceptable range. I definitely understand the concern though and it’s a fair thing to consider in the grand scheme of things.