<p>I am in 8th grade and next year we have to start taking college classes. So I need to know what classes in need to take that will help me become a vetrinarian. I want to either go to OSU College of Vetrinary Medicine or CSU College of Vetrinary Medicine. I am taking college prep pre-algebra this year but what about next year. Acorrding to the school I have to take some form of Science, Math, History, English and Lunch but that leaves me with 5 extra class periods. Im Going to take spanish so now I only have 4 left. Some body please help me!</p>
<p>biology, AP biology, chemistry, AP chemistry, calculus, AP calculus</p>
<p>and volunteer at an animal hospital or animal shelter</p>
<p>vetErinarian</p>
<p>Biology and Chemistry are the typical recommended science classes for freshman and sophomores. Which sequence you do it in depends on your school. </p>
<p>Upperclassmen usually take either Physics, AP Bio, AP Chem, or some sort of Environmental Science. Any two of the above would be fine for your last two years (having 4 total science credits would be a good idea).</p>
<p>Take whichever English and History you want. In math, I'd suggest going at least up to pre-calc by your senior year (although going all the way to calculus would be best).</p>
<p>You are in 8th grade. You have not even reached freshman year of high school yet. You do not need to worry about what you are going to do for the rest of your life. I guarantee you a year from now you will not want to be a veterinarian. Your interests should and will change. Do not worry about specialties in high school. You do not major in anything in high school. In high school, your education will be very liberal. You will take everything from history, science, English, math, et cetera. You need to figure out what you like before you even make a decision as to what you want to major in. When I was your age, I had this fascination that I wanted to do advanced, hard sciences like physics and chemistry, but when it came time for me to take and study these courses, I found out that those are not my strong points. I am a humanities kind of guy. You are young. Don't let some preconceived notions of what you think you want to do with your life settle in right now. You have so many years ahead of you. Remember this, take the best course load possible for you. Take AP classes in subjects you are really interested. That is how you should do it.</p>
<p>What you need to do is go to the websites of several different universities that have vet schools. Check out the post-high school academic requirements for admission to vet school -- generally a year of bio, a year of general chem, a year of organic chem, a year of physics, maybe biochem, genetics etc. Then, put that aside and worry about your high school program. Think heavy science and getting to AP level in bio and chem if possible. You'll probably also need calculus.</p>
<p>Another part of vet school admissions is your practical background. That's where you can start racking up some hours (paid and volunteer) with vets, pet shops, dairy farms, horse farms, etc. I think it is very important to spend some time working for a vet in as many aspects of the practice as you can manage. Nothing else will help you figure out if that's really what you want to do with your life.</p>
<p>I see a lot of kids that think they want to be a vet. What they really want to do is work with animals. My advice, unless you are stuck on <em>medicine</em> is to look at some other animal related careers as well.</p>
<p>Do not tell somebody that what they want to do is a fraud. If she wants to be a vet, she wants to be a damn vet. Leave her alone. I wanted to be a medical researcher when I was her age, and it's still on my to-do list.</p>
<p>As a freshman, it's only important to take a science class. If you think you can handle them, take honors or AP classes, too.</p>
<p>Lots of Bio classes, and Oceanography and Anatomy if you have it</p>
<p>A good liberal arts education is the best for someone her age. After she goes through all sorts of courses, sampling a platter of courses from all of the disciplines, will she be able to make an informed decision as to how she wants to spend the rest of her life. Notice the emphasis on the word informed please. Certainly you know or have taken courses in philosophy and psychology that dictate that the mind is no where near the level of mature development at 12 or 13 to determine what one wants to do for the next 50 years!</p>
<p>Before I right my advice, I strongly what to give you a piece of advice. Please, leave the forum. I know that sounds crazy, but I came on here before my freshman year, and soon almost had an anziety attack. You are surronded by the top scholars and you find out what they did and how they didn't even get into top schools. It starts to eventually affect you. I have worried so much about school. Have fun in high school. Yes, getting into a good school is important. Yet, please have fun! Don't worry that much.</p>
<p>Biology, Math, Chemistry, Physics, and even environmental science would be good bets.</p>
<p>When I was a freshman I really wanted to be a veterinarian, and my dream school was Colorado State because I wanted to continue with rodeo there. I had my whole life planned out. After freshman year, I realized that any school offering rodeo is probably too conservative and rural for my taste. </p>
<p>My new dream school was Cornell, where I could still study animal science and go to vet school. About a quarter of the way through sophomore year, when my classes actually got challenging, I realized how much I hated science (thanks honors chem teacher :) )</p>
<p>I then realized that I wanted to major in something within the humanities or social sciences so I was going to just look for a school that fit me. Well guess what???? I am now a Junior graduating a year early with my top two choices being Brown and Macalester. Im seriously considering a major in linguistics, but Im not sure.</p>
<p>Moral of the story is: You are young and you will most likely change your mind. </p>
<p>P.S. After realizing that I'm likely to change my mind again, I've decided to apply undecided to all of my schools.</p>
<p>Twirlonwater is 1000% right. Leave this forum now. This place is actually really stressful, although we older kids keep coming back anyway. You need to learn to enjoy high school right now. I found out about this place the summer after my sophomore year; that was probably too early. I really wish fate would have brought me here the upcoming summer (summer after junior year.) There should definitely be a warning before you come on to this website. WARNING - You must 17 or older to view website! Seriously, leave this forum and don't come back for at least two years, three at best.</p>