<p>My D. informed me last night that she thinks she needs an additional undergrad degree in order to pursue what she "thinks" she may want in graduate school. She is entering senior year at a small LAC and will graduate with a degree in equine science. She is flirting with vet school (will take many more hours of prereqs), masters in bio (needs an undergrad bio degree), or perhaps master's in animal science (again depending on program may need more basic sciences). She "thinks" she may want to pick up an undergrad in bio, but my question is does anyone know how schools treat an undergrad degree holding student? Can they just take courses towards the major or would she have to start over with all the core/divisional classes just like an incoming freshman. It's hard to find this answer on websites. She has emailed a couple of schools, but hasn't heard back yet. She does not want to stay at present school and delay graduation as she feels she would get stronger classes somewhere else and her school is so small that classes often aren't offered every semester or there is only one section that conflicts with another class.</p>
<p>Anybody with experience with this situation?</p>
<p>Since she would not be able to get financial aid for the second degree outside of loans, I would suggest that she contact the schools whose grad programs interest her. Sometimes she can be admitted to the grad program and will just have to take extra credits to fulfill the courses that she is lacking. The second degree route especially at another school means that she will have to fulfill a residency requirement which could mean a lot more credits and a lot more money.</p>
<p>Instead of doing a second degree, I would recommend having D look for a post bac pre-med program where they also offer courses geared toward pre-vet so that she can take the courses that she needs.</p>
<p>Usually, you have to fulfill all of the standard requirements for a degree no matter what your previous educational background is (even if your bachelor degree was completed at the same school). So, she would probably have to repeat classes and take all of the normal general requirements. Each school has their own policy, but that's usually the case (although there probably are schools that will work with her).</p>
<p>I know of a number of people who took post-bac courses in order to qualify for a graduate program, without actually getting a second bachelor's degree. Not just for med school (where there are any number of programs) -- the most recent one was a kid who had a degree in computer science but wanted to go to grad school in applied math, and he didn't really have a strong enough math background.</p>
<p>I can't imagine that a second bachelor's degree would actually be required by any graduate program -- it's not logical at all. I second the suggestion that she immediately start contacting graduate programs, as well as talking to her advisor. Probably if she starts now, she could complete her current BA and satisfy the requirements for the grad programs with at most an extra semester (if she can't satisfy the extra requirements from within the grad program).</p>
<p>It may make sense -- I don't know -- to "forget" to take some requirement this fall so as to preserve her ability to take the extra courses in her current institution and apply from there. My sister did something like that (not on purpose), but in her last three (of nine) college semesters she supplemented her Spanish BA with enough courses in finance, accounting, and business that she could get a job as a stock researcher, which has provided her with an increasingly lucrative career for 25 years.</p>
<p>There is a difference between a dual degree and dual major program. The dual major can usually be accomplished without increasing the time obtaining the degree or significantly increasing the credits needed for graduation. </p>
<p>I would suggest that your daughter defer graduation and take the necessary courses to complete a dual major which should be able to be completed in no more than 2 semesters, perhaps one if her equine science major required a number of bio courses.</p>
<p>A significant number of students graduate with dual majors while relatively few graduate with dual degrees. Too bad you daughter decided on her post graduate plans so late in the game.</p>
<p>PS Edit- I just read JHS's post and his advice is correct. Many grad programs do not require a BS degree though extra course work would be necessary to complete the MS degree in most cases.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I know of a number of people who took post-bac courses in order to qualify for a graduate program, without actually getting a second bachelor's degree.<< </p>
</blockquote>
<br>
<p>That's what I did. My undergrad degree was in Zoology, but I eventually decided I wanted to be an immunologist. Instead of going back and getting a second BS in Immunology or Microbiology, I applied directly to the Immunology PhD programs and took courses to fill in the gaps along the way and continued taking missing courses along side my grad school courses once I enrolled. The schools seemed quite flexible on that point.</p>
<p>Seems to me that there is enough overlap between the Equine Science and Biology majors that your daughter could do something similar. With a well thought-out plan, going back for a second BS should not be necessary.</p>
<p>mkm, my D will graduate this year with two separate degrees - a B.S. in biochemisty, and a B.A. in Art History, and with four minors. Her financial aid has covered everything, but, since it's all been merit money plus some athletic, and the two degrees have progressed in tandem so I'm not sure how this answers the true question of financial aid, or your original question.</p>
<p>If she were in the situation your D is in, I would recommend going the route of post bacc. D's university has an entire separate department specifically for post bacc students, so, maybe there is a way to search for schools with just that category?</p>
<p>It could also be that many of the classes your daughter has already completed will also count for a second undergrad degree already - has she done a calculation to see how many might count, or how many another college might accept?</p>
<p>I'm dubious of the value of the second undergrad degree though - seems like it might be best, from a growth as well as a financial perspective, to do post bacc, then master's.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies and advice. We will check into above link and some other individual schools. I also think the post bacc sounds like least time consuming and expensive. She did hear back this am from one state U. that will work with her either towards a 2nd degree with credit from previous classes or post bacc. I am going to encourage her to look at this school as it is instate and she could perhaps get a job at the U. in the Vet school with her equine degree and go part-time classes (while seeing if vet school is really what she wants).</p>
<p>We have been talking to her for 2 years about making future plans....oh well, you can lead a horse to water....</p>
<p>Thanks for the info again and I will link the page to her.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We have been talking to her for 2 years about making future plans....<<</p>
</blockquote>
<br>
<p>Think of the glass as half full. At least she IS making a plan. Many a parent has had a college educated kid come back home with nary a career plan in sight. I just hope I'm not one of those parents--but worry that I might become one...D is half way through college with a long list of things that she DOESN'T want to do, and nothing on the list of things she wants to do.</p>
<p>I echo the thoughts of those who have posted. A second bachelors degree doesn't generally make sense. </p>
<p>I know of one person who did it, but he went to get a degree in engineering from a second school (got a BA in liberal arts from his first) because he was an Olympic level runner looking to stay occupied away from training while Nike was paying him to run. In other words, it made sense because he could pick up a useful degree in a slightly more relaxed undegrad (vs grad) environment while he was a full time competitive athlete. I can't imagine this circumstance is replicated often.</p>
<p>Columbia University offers a "second major" program to those who already have undergraduate degrees. Obviously, completing a second major is sometimes essential for pursuing one's goal or getting into a grad school. That is why the Columbia programs exists and is thriving.</p>
<p>Instead of asking parents, why not contact the "Second Major" program at Columbia and ask them about the utility of such a course.</p>
<p>There are a number of premed programs for those who have an undergraduate degree. They focus on the courses needed for med/vet school.<br>
It's not at all unusual to go back to school for extra courses. If they are in the same subject, you may be able to get a certificate. I know of folks with a liberal arts degree and a certificate in business, for instance.</p>
<p>First, although I am sure that this is not what you want to hear - YOU should not be figuring this out, your DAUGHTER should be. I am currently struggling with the question of getting a post-bacc or a 2nd degree. The process of searching for information in an education in itself. In addition, I am contacting schools, making connections and discovering for myself what my options are. (This is some great life experience!) NO 22-year-old should have his/her parent looking for information about college.</p>
<p>With that being said, I have found MANY schools that are willing to let me take only major courses (and no Gen Eds) to obtain a 2nd undergrad degree. I have also found MANY schools that will not even enroll me for a 2nd undergrad. The only way to find this out is to ask the schools. (Your daughter - NOT YOU!) Plus, she could make connections at the school which will be essential to her if she wants to go to grad school. Also, I’m sure she doesn’t appreciate your value of her opinions and dreams. “in order to pursue what she “thinks” she may want in graduate school.” If she “thinks” she wants something, then she wants it. How else can you want something other than thinking you want it? We can never know for sure what we want in this life. Perhaps she will change her mind when she starts the program. Oh well! She learned something - even if only what she does NOT want to do with her life. (HER life - not yours) Be supportive, be a parent who is there with advice and suggestions, but don’t make her decisions for her or do her research for her. The only thing that will give you is a daughter who is incapable of making her own decisions and doing her own research (kiss grad school goodbye). Do you really want that?</p>