How much hands on experience is there in the beginning and throughout the four years? What do they have specifically that is great at this school? Do they have a high case load and see SA, LA, exotics and wildlife?
Students I know have said that the first 2 years hardly see any hands-on work unless you join clubs or have your own connections during school breaks, and the last 2 years consist of rotations lasting several weeks, and you choose your rotation schedule (including classroom rotations and breaks), as long as you fulfill the requirements.
I'm aiming to go to this school because I like the location, the cost, the 2+2 system, and the fact that they don't push you to "track" your learning. In other words, you learn both large and small practice and need only choose a focus when you are choosing your rotations/externships. Since I'm interested in both and don't particularly want to choose, this seems like the right fit for me. And to answer your next question, they therefore do see lots of SA/LA and wildlife, but exotics (and others, like aquatics) can be limited. Caseload is high for SA/LA/wildlife since this is the only vet school in a state laden with both many pets and many small farms.
Late reply again (since I haven't been on SDN in forever), but I can answer some of these questions before I disappear at some point again. If you have specific questions, you can PM me, and I'll get a notification in my email even when I'm not on SDN (at least I have in the past).
Live-animal hands-on experience is limited your first year to one neuro lab and any club meetings that offer it (2nd year students run the clubs). While most time is spent in the classroom second year, you do get a decent amount of hands-on with live animals through your small animal, equine, and food animal labs.
Rotations (3rd and 4th year) range from 2-8 weeks. Most major rotations are 6 weeks (8 weeks if on over the holidays) especially during your 3rd year. The 3rd and 4th year schedules run from May-to-May, but you will have time off during the year (unless you're a dual-degree student). The breaks vary from student to student to make sure there are students on each rotation at any given time. Scheduling isn't always fair, but everyone can't get everything they want, otherwise there wouldn't be enough students around at all times. Almost all of your 3rd year is made up of required rotations unless you choose to pursue an elective or externship on your break. More than half of the required graduation credits during the 4th year curriculum are open for electives, advanced clinical rotations, externships, and independent study. You are permitted to fit up to 4 weeks of NAVLE study time into your schedule. There are guidelines that control the maximum credits of each category (and things are subject to change), but it gives you a lot of freedom. I'd say that's my favorite part of the program.
As far as exotics and wildlife, it's somewhat limited but also what you make of it. There are exotic animal labs scattered within the curriculum, and there is a special species course that everyone takes second year. Besides the labs, the exotics you get to see on rotations vary depending on what happens to show up at that time. I'd say the rotation that involves the most wildlife and exotic experience is a required externship at the referral center in Jackson during 4th year. Additionally, there is an aquatic health rotation elective and there have been plans for an exotic animal elective. That being said, the large amount of freedom in the curriculum allows you to pursue experience in these areas, and it's not hard to find it within the curriculum, you just have to know where to look.
If you are interested in aquatics or chickens specifically, there are many opportunities to get involved if you choose to pursue them. In fact, we have labs in different parts of MS that focus on these animals. Our school is huge into fish research (especially catfish - we are recognized by FAO as a Center for Knowledge on Aquatic Health). There is not a lot of focus on these animals in the curriculum itself, but it's really easy to find ways to get involved in either the fish or chicken health research. In fact, the faculty like it when there is interest and will gladly help you get involved.
So if I'm understanding correctly, you apply to the MS program after you get accepted as into the DVM program? Whereas, with the PhD dual degree, you apply simultaneously? Such a big decision! I'm into One Health and pathology (as you know) so this could be the smart way to go, but not sure if I'll change my mind! I'll have to do some digging on here for successful applicants to see the kind of stats they have.
You've got that mostly right. For the Masters, yes. For the PhD, you can apply either way. You should PM me if you are still considering MSU. I may be able to offer some advice for your specific questions.
but I'm here now and would like to introduce myself. I'm applying this cycle to Mississippi State (IS) and one other school in my "home state" (actually OOS, as I've changed residencies since starting undergrad in MS). I've only visited MS State a couple of times but I've met and talked to the Dean of Admissions, Dr. Meiring, a few times, and I know a handful of their students from 1st to 4th years due to my proximity to them and the fact that all 4 doctors at my workplace graduated from MS State (affectionately referred to as State).
