Life Story? Yeah, kinda.

[Espeonage]

I found this site a few days ago and I've been looking over the different threads, and I've got to admit, it's getting me even more excited about this profession.

I did my "entry hello" in the new user page, but I figure this will be my home, since I've wanted to do this since I could speak and understand what a Veterinarian really was, so I've got to give all of you the real hello.

I'd like some opinions of yours, and I'd like to do it in as few words as possible, but I'm kind of long-winded, so if you want to stop reading, I completely understand. Here goes..

I started off at Kent State and did poorly, opting to follow in the stereotypical freshman college student route and ended up leaving there for a semester to do the "real world" thing and work on a trucking dock, loading trucks for ten hours a day. I quickly realized how depressing that environment was and how much I truly missed school, the people, the studying, the learning, and re-enrolled at the University of Akron. Now after a year, I'm balancing a 3.7 and the only class this semester giving me any trouble is my math. I may have to take that again, but otherwise, it's A's across the board. There's my first question, somewhere in that ramble; will my leaving KSU due to poor grades effect my entry into a Vet program even if I finish out UA with much more stellar marks? Or will they look at my progress as a good thing?

Now, I'm still considered a Freshman by college standards, though I remind myself daily that if I wasn't such a ***** when it all started that I would be a Junior now. But I'm starting to stress now about the experience side of the equation. I work right now as a Pet Care Specialist at Petsmart, though how much that will do for me, I have no idea, but I'm also looking into an internship this summer at the Cleveland Zoo for Animal Care which they require college students in some type of Biology degree program. I'm also looking to volunteer at the local Humane Society. I realized after I started at Petsmart how much I was missing by not jumping into a part-time job that involved animals before now. I love going into work and taking care of them. It just kind of cements into my head exactly why I chose this field to pursue. So I want to do more. The spring semester ends just as quickly as it begins, and I want to be out there working with animals and people that love them. What are some things you did? I'd love to hear about it for some ideas.

And lastly, what suggestions would you give me about this line of schooling in general? It doesn't have to be anything specific, maybe just some things to watch out for?

Any and all answers would be very appreciated. You're all probably my favorite people in the world and I don't even know you.

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[RockStarKDub]

I dropped out of college in 2000 with a poor GPA due to personal problems and started back as a bio major after 5 years in the real world. I'm still pre-vet, but despite transcripts from my first 2 colleges showing a cumulative GPA of about 1.0, I have already have one interview at an OOS school (Kansas State.) In other words, at least one school gives a more holistic look at your application and I think you'll find that's true of other schools as well. (At least I sure hope so!)

I have a 4.0 at my current school, and I used the explanation portion of the application to discuss my previous poor performance.

HTH at least a little!

 

[Espeonage]

Well that takes a load off my back! I guess even a system that rides on excellence can take into account people growing up and getting their act together. That's good to know at the very least.

 

[lailanni]

I highly suggest working/volunteering in an actual animal hospital. It will give you the best feel of what a vet's job is really like. And not just a little time there, spend several hundreds of hours there. Seriously, hundreds.

The humane society is (at least around here, and also from what I've heard elsewhere) not really going to expose you to veterinary medicine. They have staff in place to take care of the medical aspect, so volunteers don't see much medical action.

The Zoo program is probably pretty dang cool. But again, if you have a chance you'll really want to work in a clinic too. The majority of vets don't work at zoos, so you'll probably want a clinical viewpoint as well.

I volunteer at a few shelters (humane, wildlife, and animal specific), and work at a clinic during holidays/summers. Currently I'm assisting with research in cat genetics.

There's plenty out there to do for experience. Just watch out and make sure you're not overloading yourself so you can keep your grades up. Good luck!

 

[Angelo84]

You should try to get some direct veterinary experience. Either shadowing or working or some combination there of. Most schools like to see more than one type of experience (ie small animal and large animal).

 

[lailanni]

Ah, I forgot to add -- to apply to vet school you need at least one letter of recomendation from an actual vet. So you're going to have to get some clinical experience somehow...unless one of your profs or program supervisors happens to be a DVM...

 

[Espeonage]

Ah, yeah, the shadowing goes without saying. Ohio State requires 80 hours I think? And that's my first choice. So I'm at least aiming for that.

There are a few clinics around here for large and small animals, mainly because my town is in the midway between a decent size city and a rural community. So I might be able to find a bit of both. And I'm also looking into an Avian/Exotic vet in the Cleveland area as that's the area I'm leaning toward most as of right now. Thanks for the replies!

 

[ri23]

I would definitely aim for a lot more than 80 hours. Ohio State requires 80 hours with a veterinarian, but most competitive applicants have a lot more than that. OSU not only likes to see depth of experience, but also breadth of experience - so get as varied an experience resume as you can.

Ah, yeah, the shadowing goes without saying. Ohio State requires 80 hours I think? And that's my first choice. So I'm at least aiming for that.

There are a few clinics around here for large and small animals, mainly because my town is in the midway between a decent size city and a rural community. So I might be able to find a bit of both. And I'm also looking into an Avian/Exotic vet in the Cleveland area as that's the area I'm leaning toward most as of right now. Thanks for the replies!

 

[Espeonage]

I guess my first step then is to look up a vet around here that I can work with and soon. The experience would be fascinating either way, so I might as well do it sooner than later.

 

[fargeese]

Have you asked at the Banfield clinic inside the PetSmart? I know that Banfield has a bad rep with private vets, but they pay better than petsmart and you'll have lots of experience with vets (though they will probably be young vets). I have been working at a Banfield for about a month now, and I have learned lots of new things even though I have worked for two other vets before.

And our clinic has hired people that worked at petsmart before, so working there now might give you an edge in getting hired.

 

[Espeonage]

I know, that sounded like such a good idea. But my Petsmart doesn't have a Banfield in it. The closest one is a good 45 minutes away. So I'm looking more at the offices nearby.

 

[polo vet]

this was already mentioned, but i want to reiterate: Get lots of vet experience in a few areas. I have over 1500 hours in small animal clinics, mixed animal practices, and food animal research with a large animal vet at the FDA + neuroendocrine research credits at my school... and when I talked to the admission lady at penn (Mrs. Herpen) she said that my academics were stronger than my expereince. That's just to put the importance of vet experience in perspective.