20130334

Hello, I am a new member to this site and I need advice on what to look for in a pre vet school. I just finished my junior year at a public high school in Ct, and I wan to be a vet, but I cannot find any clear advice about what school to go to for pre vet (or advice that is not given by a specific school). I have heard that its a good idea to go to a state school to save money and to get a higher GPA. Is it true that the classes at state schools and most private schools are the same/ similar? Is it true that your GPA counts more than where you went to college (but I know it is important to take hard classes)? Does animal/ vet experience more important than grades? Just as important?

I am strongly considering the University of Vermont for many reasons. First, I think that I could get a lot of scholarship money there. My sister got a lot of money there and I have better grades and test scores than she did (She was a very good student too). They also have a program with Tufts where you can apply to their vet school in your sophomore.
Department of Animal Science (ASCI) : University of Vermont
I have/ will take college credit/ AP courses and the credits will transfer. UVM also has a dairy farm and horse farm, which would give me experience with animals. My final reason that I really like UVM is because they have a horse- Barn co-op. I started riding when I was 3 and have never stopped. My horse helps me relax and forget about the stress of school. UVM has a barn that students can keep their horses. The students help care for them (another thing that I love doing). The horse barn has probably affected my opinion, more that I would like to admit.

More Information about me:
GPA: 4.29 (weighted)
I dont know what my unweighed GPA is, but my lowest grade has been an A- in basic foods(1 semester) , and AP English 3 (2 semesters).
Classes:
10th: H Bio
H Global Studies/ Civics
H Algebra 2
H English 2
Latin 2
Intro to AP Chemistry
Gym
11th
AP Eng
AP US Hist- UNCONN
AP Chemistry- UCONN
H Anatomy- Eastern CT U
H Latin 3
H Pre Calc
Into to AP Physics
12th (Next year)
AP Physic UCONN
AP Eng UCONN
AP Psychology
AP Calc AB Eastern ct u
AP Latin uconn

I am a member of the 4H and US Pony Club (C2 rating, I hope to pass c3 before i go to college, I don't know if it makes a difference.) I am active in both.
I'm in the national honor society and the science national honor society.
I have been a member of the xc,indoor and outdoor track teams for 3 years. I have gotten my letter 1 time in each season (all in different years).
SAT scores: I have taken the SAT one time and did not study. Hopeful my scores will improve/ be more consistent when I take them in the fall. If I apply for to Tufts @ UVM, they will use my SAT scores, not a graduate test, so I assume that my math score needs to be very high.
CR: 710
M: 660
W: 580
Subject tests: Chemistry: 690
Math 2: 610
ACT: 30
Thank You!!!

Pennylane2011

Hi, my DD is pre-vet too, and we have also heard different advice- one is that you can go anywhere for pre-vet and take the required classes and the other is to go to a state school that offers animal science.
It sounds like you have found a school you are happy with, and it seems like a good choice. From everything I have heard- there is no one way to get into Vet school but a combination of grades, scores, animal experience, and letters of recommendation. It looks like you have an excellent high school record and meet the criteria for merit aid at Vermont as well.

btledfo

A pre-vet program that incorporates animal science is very helpful. It also helps if the school in question has access to plenty of farms and animal research facilities - it helps add to your experience with animals which is very important for vet school.

Grades are definitely a big deal, especially in the required pre-reqs such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, etc. However, you can have a 4.0 GPA and still not get accepted into vet school the first time around. It is a combination of your experience, your academic success, and the overall impression you make.

I suggest going to state school for saving money! If you are planning on going to vet school, you will need to save up for four more years of education.

vetstu2016

Keep in mind that most veterinary schools include academic rigor in their consideration for acceptance into their school so don't pick a school or major because you think you could make a higher GPA there because classes would be easier. I am in veterinary school and went to an undergraduate school that doesn't really have a strong prevet component (didn't offer animal science or animal nutrition that I had to take as prereqs) but I was a biology major and was taking 12-15 hours of tough biology courses a semester (filling in the rest of my hours with english, history, government, other miscellaneous requirements). Honestly I would pick a school more based on where you will be happy doing your undergrad, no necessarily how perfect it fits into your prevet plans. I was accepted to do undergrad at A&M (which is where I currently attend vet school) but went somewhere else because I didn't really want to be in the same place for 8 years. I did, however, choose to stay in state for undergrad and vet school because of cost: most people in vet school are going to be in school about 8 years including their undergrad and that is a lot of tuition.

rcnewyork96

I am a junior now in high school and these are the classes I'm taking now:
AP Physics B
Intro to College 101
Italian 4 Honors
Math 12 Honors (Pre Calc)
AP Chemistry
Gym
U.S. History Reg
AP English Language and Composition
I am doubling up on sciences this year because I know you need a strong science backround to be a vet...
I am thinking about my schedule for next year and this is what I thought...
AP Biology
Marine Studies (I don't have to take this class, just though it would be a good idea, any other suggestions?)
AP Calculus
AP English Literature and Composition
Italian 5 College
Baking (1/2 year) and Honors Econonmics (1/2 year)
Gym (1/2 year) and Social Issues (1/2 year)
I though about taking Marine Studies because I love all animals, but marine mammals are my passion. But if there is another class that is better to take, I'm open to ideas!
Also, what colleges offer a great pre-vet program?? Which ones have a high acceptance rate into vet school? The ones that I have found don't seem to meet my interests... I want to be in a warm area, near some kind of city, and have an amazing education! It would also be nice if its near the water/beach, since I love marine mammals

jennex2

The University of Findlay has a terrific pre-vet program. From the start you get hands on experience with large animals. The program is rigorous and set up for students to qualify for Vet school based on the requiremens of Ohio State, Purdue and Michigan State. Nearly 80 percent of the students from Findlay who apply to vet school are accepted, compared to about 30 percent nationally.