<p>I’m really interested in this research opportunity that involves working with the metabolism of insects. Is this a good pre-vet experience? It sounds interesting but I don’t know if entomology could really count as being “pre-vet experience?”</p>
<p>It depends on the vet school you plan to apply to (preferably the one in your state). NC State makes a distinction between “veterinary” and “animal” experience, whereas Cornell lumps them together. I’d go for the entomology research if it interests you (this comes from someone who loves sea slugs, though). I worked at an animal hospital this past summer and loved it; you can easily get a lot of hours over the summer (most vet schools require ~300-400), and it’s a lot of fun. It’s important to have experience in an actual clinical setting, especially if you’re not entirely sure about becoming a vet. It’s one thing to like dogs, but it’s another thing entirely to see a golden retriever with maggots on his backside (I saw this twice), or to have to express a dog’s anal glands (ewwwww).</p>