<p>my point is just not to limit yourself to disease ecology programs. You can still wind up there from other, more readily available routes. I did a little googling and I see what disease ecology is about - sounds cool. If clinical medicine (either human or animal) isn’t critical to your goals then don’t bother with the clinical degree. In college, you’ll be able to expose yourself to scientists and physician scientists (and hopefully some DVM/PhDs) who will help you figure out what it is you really want to do (and even then it will still probably change).</p>