Hi, I’m Will. I am exceedingly talented in both sciences and arts, and am happiest when shadowing at a vets office or sculpting somethings awesome.
So, of course, I am looking for a school that offers both Pre-Veterinary studies and Fine Arts, because I would be incomplete without either of them. Please help!! I’m a senior in high school in about 3 weeks…
What state do you live in? What’s your academic record like? What can your family afford? Without knowing those things, it’s hard to give advice. That said, you’d probably find what you’re looking for at large state schools, especially in the midwest and south. Pre-vet (as opposed to pre-med) is not that common at private schools, though Cornell might be an option if you have the stats for it. But my guess is that a large state school would be your best bet.
This source comes recommended and offers information for high school students:
http://www.aavmc.org/Students-Applicants-and-Advisors.aspx
Your college choices will be wider if you think in terms of obtaining your veterinary field experience during the summer and winter breaks. During the academic year, you could then focus on studio arts (in which you could major) and your pre-veterinary course requirements.
Where do you have residency (in what state) right now? Tuition for vet school typically depends upon your state of residence. If you don’t have a state sponsored vet school you should have access to a school where your state has reciprocity/exchange. Be sure you know what your options are for “in state” tuition.
While it is important to think about your undergrad experience, where you will be happy and thrive, keep in mind that you will either 1) need to retain residency in your current state if you like your vet school or 2) become a resident of the state that interests you for vet school. There are many great undergrad options for vet school, mostly you need to do well academically and keep up your GPA while demonstrating interest in the veterinary profession through internships or research etc. Ultimately, however, don’t blow your residency situation because it determines your tuition once accepted.
Generally speaking, vet schools love students with different backgrounds. If you are drawn to the arts definitely pursue it in college. As long as you take your prereqs and prove your competency in the sciences you will have a well rounded background to offer the vet profession. So don’t hesitate to pursue the arts in undergrad just make sure you can keep your GPA up and your debt load down.
I’d be interested to know your preferences before making specific undergrad recommendations- size of school that interests you, geographic area, strength of transcript, financial need, all that important stuff.
I’d say most of the schools that have pre-vet programs also have some type of art program but that the opposite isn’t true. Colorado State has a full range of art programs and classes, RISD probably offers no pre-vet courses.
Look at the 30 or so pre-vet programs and figure out which ones you can get into, and which offer art programs you like. It really will be a very short list.
I don’t agree. You do not need a "pre-vet"program to apply to vet school. What you need is to satisfy the prerequisites, have a competitive transcript with your GPA and standardized test scores (GRE/MCAT/VCAT or whatever is required) and have experience that shows you are interested in pursuing the profession. There is no such thing as a pre-vet program necessary to get into vet school. Vets schools welcome students with different backgrounds and academic experiences. If you want to pursue the arts by all means do so… just make sure you have good grades in the prerequisite classes and make sure you have enough experience volunteering/working/interning to show you are aware of different aspects of the profession. And in the end pay attention to residency because of the impact it has on tuition.