Worries about vet school....

[Forum Administrator]

So after taking a year off from college I have returned to finish my education.

For those of you who don't know, I am a pre-veterinary student, majoring in Biology. This year I am a sophomore. I am attended Northern Arizona University my freshman year, but had to return to St. Louis due to money issues. I am now attending my local community college here in St. Louis. This December I will applying to the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. I plan to finish my undergraduate degree there and then I will be applying to Colorado State University (in Fort Collins, CO) for Vet School.

As a vet I plan to specialize in ferrets (I am considering specializing in ALL "exotics" but I don't know how much of an interest I have in reptile or avian medicine). I also want to focus on integrative medicne (combining Holistic medication with allopathic, or "western" medicine) Of course, nutrition will play a key role in my discussion with clients.

The American Veterinary Medical Association is not exactly "raw diet supportive" nor do they have an "official" position on "alternative/holistic" therapies. (They are currently "looking into" what their "official position" will be)

Getting into vet school is a pretty competitive process. There are only 28 vet schools in the United States. 75% of the students attending are women. Currently the average acceptance rate for vet school is only 43%. Its not uncommon to have to apply multiple times before getting into vet school.

Now being a vet is something I feel like I was "born to do" I didnt "hear my calling" until my freshman year of college, unlike some applicants to vet school who claim they wanted to be a vet while were still in the womb.

I'm TERRIBLE at math (In high school I had to take remedial algebra. I STILL don't get algebra), and as a result I have trouble sometimes with Chemsitry (because of the math related things). PLUS I have to take CALCULUS (I can't even do algebra, remember?) as an undergraduate course. Despite struggling with some subjects I am determined to become a vet.

I am worried though. I run Holistic Ferret, I help people switch their ferrets to a natural diet, and I help people explore integrative therapies for their ferrets. I am also a woman, which means I am in the majority when it comes to vet school students. There are thousands of other women applying to vet school. I guess part of me worries that I won't get in I worry that because I want to pursue a natural diet and holistic medicine that the vet schools will label me as "not what they are looking for".

It scares me because I MUST become a vet. There are so many people and ferrets that I need to help, and honestly, I don't feel that my life would have the same meaning (to me) if I took up a career in a less competitive field.

In my Chem class there is another pre-vet major (also female) I heard her talking to another classmate about how she started working in a vet clinic cleaning kennels and now she assists during surgery. It worried me because I know how important clinical experience is. I tried applying to multiple vet clinics in my area, but no one would hire me (I followed up both applications religiously. One clinic sounded annoyed that I was following up and the other clinic never returned my phone calls. Not once).

I also have to work while attending school, so I can't take a packed courseload to show the vet school how "serious" i am about my studies. I can only take 12 credits a semester because I also have to work to support myself and then I have animals to care for and ppl to help on holistic ferret.

*Sigh* I guess I am just in panic mode because I have that other pre-vet major in my Chem class. I try not to psyche myself up because I know it wont help anything. I just needed to vent because I think I am driving my b/f crazy with my paniced rants. Thanks for listening guys.

Note: I have tried to contact my ferret vet to see if I can shadow (ie follow) him around the clinic 1 day a week for a few hours. He is an exotics vet and I'd love to see him in action and get some clinical experience. I emailed him a few days ago, but I havent hear back. Hopefully he'll let me follow him around

[suds]

I admire you for your strong will and determination to go to vet school as well as continue to help so many others , for such a young age you are very mature and should be proud !, There will be set backs and disapointments but I believe every is done for a reason and it all will work out for the best in the end , just remember when 1 door closes normaly several others open if you look hard enough I will keep my fingers crossed and good thoughts for you in your new found adventure's

BTW I was (and still) terrible in math too but with lots of extra study and help from friends I managed to get through 5 years of mechanical engineer's cources which happens to be about 90% math so it can be done

[charmantpapillon]

Giuli i feel like i was born to be a vet too =x but my bachelors in sicence will be a BSN. so if i dont get into vet school right away (i live 15 min from MSU reallt good vet school) i'll be able to support myself and the previous knowledge of medicine MIGHT give you and edge. Also olunteering at animal shelters the smaller shelters actually let the volunteers give vaccinatins (i know because i have given multiple vacinations XD) So that might give you an edge as well ... did you even CONSIDER a BSN? just asking because it could get you a stable job with benifits and good pay after you graduate because EVERYONE is looking for RN's.

Just a thought.. and dont sweat the math. i havent taken calculus but i am a whiz at algebra and would love to give you a hand if you want. I'll get you my number and you can call me at 3 in the morning "HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM~~~~~~" also most colleges ave a Math lab where you can get a free tutor.

[Jaycee]

I am an Occupational Therapist. There are only two schools in my state that I could attend to become an OT. The one closest to my home only allowed 50 students per year to enter the program. Needless to say, I didn't make it in the first try. I was devistated, and thought I needed to change my major. So, three weeks into the semester, I get a phone call from the head of the OT program. Someone had dropped out of the class, and he was allowing two to come in her place. I was number 51 in a class of "50"....and several years later I graduated. Just because you don't make it the first time, doesn't mean it won't happen. Besides, you do have experience. YOU have a forum. YOU are already performing a public service. How many of your other classmates can say the same? Have faith. You will get there. I know you will.

[hales]

Haha oh, Giuli... calm down!


I'll be honest, I had my own nervous breakdown a little under a year ago about this same thing. I, much like you, am AWFUL at math and even WORSE at chemistry! I was working 30 hours a week (at two different jobs), and just couldn't cut it in my chemistry class. I ended up getting a 1.5 in the class, and I was trying to decide whether or not I wanted to take a year off or retake the class or WHAT the hell I was going to do...

Then I took a step back....took a deep breath...and thought, "Hey....I know what I want to do....I just have to work on getting there."

You definitely do need to get some clinical experience.... I know MSU's policy is to have anywhere from 80-500 hours for vet tech school. And it's not just about the amount of hours, but more like how you spend them.... If you're getting hands on experience, or if you're standing back and watching.

The only reason I got my job at an animal hospital was because I bothered and pestered them to no end. I'd never done that after an interview before... And I guess they realized that I REALLY wanted that job, and I finally got it.
Just like the girl in your class, I started out cleaning kennels, and now I assist in surgery.

From reading your posts, I know there are a few vets near you (although you don't really care for all of them.) This is not the time to be picky - Experience is experience. Apply everywhere. Start at Petco or Petsmart if you have to.... then that experience may lead to being hired at a clinic.


But remember to start small...take what you can get. If you have to clean kennels and pick up poop in the beginning, then so be it! It was SO completely worth it to go through that job to get where I am now. You just can't give up! I know what it's like to work all the time, go to school, take care of pets, and worry constantly about your future....

Take things in stride. Don't pass up good opportunities (such as shadowing), and ask your classmate where she works. Maybe she can talk to her boss and put in a good word for you.

Things are never as bad as they seem. If you ever need help with anything, feel free to message me.... Our situations are very similar, so maybe it'll help to have me around!


P.S. You should probably just move to East Lansing and apply to MSU. We can be, like, super best ferret friends! lol

[Forum Administrator]

So how exactly do you progress from kennel cleaning to assisting in surgery? Like do you have to say "hey I want to assist in surgery" or do they go and TELL you that you will be assisting in surgery?

[buzzonesbirdie]

I am getting my degree in Special Ed specializing in visually impaired students. I am going to a small state school and they only accept like 40 students each year into the program. When you graduate you have your masters which i love that i wont have to go back to school for it . I was not the best student and i was surprised when i got in but i was told that part of it was because of my passion. Take a breath and know that it will all work out. I have had many set backs in my schooling but somehow it always seems to work out. I have a good feeling that it will work out for you too.

[hales]

Sept 7, 2008 13:53:49 GMT -5 Forum Administrator said:

So how exactly do you progress from kennel cleaning to assisting in surgery? Like do you have to say "hey I want to assist in surgery" or do they go and TELL you that you will be assisting in surgery?

Well..it actually happened like this..


They knew that I wanted to go to school to be a vet tech, and that I wanted as much experience as possible. So, knowing that, they would ask me to help whenever they needed something...such as assisting in rooms, helping the tech to intubate, etc etc.

I kept stressing the fact that I really enjoyed doing these things, and that I would like it if they would pull me up front as often as possible. Eventually, I started getting trained as an assistant....and now it's my official position.

Once you're IN the clinic, it's a piece of cake. They know what you're there for, you just have to prove that you WANT it, and don't let them forget it.

Hell, I even asked for a raise two weeks ago . Just try and get to know the vet(s) there, and explain your passion and all that jazz. There's no way they can say no to an incredibly intelligent, beautiful young woman with a passion for animals!!

[Forum Administrator]

Thank you Hales

The only issue I am facing right now is that my current school schedule is11am-5pm. Most vets offices close fairly early. So I applied to the two vet hospitals in St. Louis that are open late (one is 24 hours and 1 is open until 2 am). Unfourtunately that didnt work out. Next semester I am going to try and take courses later in the evening so I will be able to apply to a vets office and work during the day. I hope it works out. I a.) really need the clinical experience and b.) am tired of working for companies like target or resteraunts. I want to work in an enviorment where I am happy.

I called my vet today to see if he got my email about shadowing. I HOPE that if I can get into the clinic and get started shadowing him that I can FINALLY get in touch with the hospital admin (the one that NEVER returned any of the FIVE phone messages I left with her to follow up my application). and HOPEFULLY I can get a position there.

[hales]

So what's the story?? Any news?

[Forum Administrator]

Well I called up a bunch of vet hospitals locally. Like I said the problem is that I have a really sucky school schedule at the moment.

Well I haven't found a clinc that has said "We are hiring! and we'll take you even with your schedule!"

I might have to work part time, but I'm trying to figure something out. There is this one clinic I will be applying at tommorow. I dont even know if they are hiring, but hopefully they are. I told them I would me SO willing to be flexible with my schedule availability (basically if I wasnt in class, I could and would be at the clinic if asked). We'll see how that goes. Hopefully my enthusiasm will win out over my somewhat limited availability.

My ferret vet contacted me and is going to talk to the medical director and hospital admin to see if there will be any issues with me shadowing him. He agreed that a recptionist position might be a "foot in the door" but you really dont get much hands on experience. I am hoping I can get my foot in the door with shadowing my vet, then try and get a kennel tech position, then work up to vet assistant. We'll see. I'm trying, but this class schedule SUCKS.

Thanks so much everyone for your help and advice. I'll keep you all posted.

[charmantpapillon]

Good luck! i wish you the best! and if all else fails.. bug the crap out of any and all vets like hales did the squeaky wheel gets the grease you know. not to mention hales is right no one can say no to an an incredibly intelligent, beautiful young woman with a passion for animals

[hales]

Hey, a receptionist position is pretty darn good..

Receptionist and vet assistant go hand-in-hand at my work, anyway. We pretty much share duties, and there's a lot of hands on stuff even as a receptionist.

Don't give up! And have you thought about also volunteering at a shelter??

[pear2apple]

I have another idea, I just started volunteering at a cat and dog adoption center. I know, not ferrets, but still. I'm cleaning the cat kennels, however when I filled out my application I could have said I wanted to work during vet night. When they vet came in to look over all the animals, give shots, etc. So you could apply to a shelter and ask to work with the vet. You would get hands on experience, whether or not you could actually give the shots is another story, but you would witness a lot and possibly get a great recommendation for a vet assistant somewhere else. Try out all the options before you stop.

Also, instead of calling and following up, show up. Find out when they are least busy and just show up to talk with someone. See if you can find out when the director is in, and talk directly to that person. Be available to wait an hour or so just for a 15mins talk if thats all they will give you. It would help if you knew what the director looked like. At my vet's she just walks around and we even had a 20mins conversation one day back in March when Apple was super sick (the first time). She really cared about him and stopped to get to know me. Don't be afraid to walk up to her and just start asking questions.

Good luck! Oh, one of my friends went to that vet school in CO. I saw her first surgery on Facebook. It was awesome, she neutered a puppy.

[hales]

Give us an update!!