<p>Hello! I am currently a junior at a local community college. I am majoring in biology. I would like to become a veterinarian. I am really tied between two schools and I would like some input. I have over 500 hours of volunteer experience working directly with animals and expect to have at least 200 more by the time I transfer: 100 working in a cat shelter, 300+ working at a farm (donkeys, chickens, goats, rabbits), 100+ working at a zoo (local New England animals, birds, exotic animals, etc).</p>
<p>UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
Pros
* nationally recognized university
* wide range of classes
* $12-$15k per year
* offers graduate degrees
* higher percentage of internships
* guaranteed acceptance with my community college degree
* several dorm options</p>
<p>Cons
* negative reputation
* large class sizes
* large campus
* pre-veterinary curriculum is basically a biology major with a chemistry minor
* the biology and pre-veterinary studies majors both lack direct hands-on experience with animals</p>
<p>BECKER COLLEGE
Pros
* veterinary clinic on campus
* veterinary science (the offer a degree in this field) curriculum is based on working in the veterinary clinic as well as taking the prerequisites for veterinary school
* small campus
* small class size</p>
<p>Cons
* not nationally recognized
* very low six year graduation rate of 32% (I haven't quite figured out why yet. It could be because many people transfer out, the courses are too difficult, etc.)
* extremely old dorms that are outrageously priced
* 40k per year
* high acceptance rate with a low average high school gpa and sat scores</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Financially UMass is the best choice for me. I haven't heard back from scholarships/grants but the only way Becker is an option is if they write me a very, very generous check. Several people have told me it doesn't matter where you go for undergraduate school because every veterinary school takes into account your performance rather than where you went; however, if I wanted to travel to the west coast for veterinary school, I strongly feel UMass would leave a better impression than Becker College (where's that?).</p></li>
<li><p>Academically, I believe both schools are equally as fine. Both departments seem impressive and I have heard many good things from students and faculty at both universities. Becker College stands out to me more because of their veterinary clinic. UMass does not seem to offer the direct experience Becker College will, which may be a bonus in my veterinary school applications.</p></li>
<li><p>At Becker College, I will have direct access to, and will work under, five veterinarians over the course of my career there. I may be able to get this at UMass, but it will be through internships and things like that, which I may not be able to get. It is possible for me to graduate from UMass without ever speaking to a veterinarian.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>LONG STORY SHORT! Is 40k worth the hands on experience? Will the hands on experience, working directly with a veterinarian and taking classes like anesthesiology, developing basic surgical skills, and working with clients make an impact on my veterinary applications MORE THAN a biology major with a chemistry minor-type pre-veterinary curriculum at UMass?</p>
<p>Thank you for your time and input! </p>