I made my college decision late last month. I didn’t choose my first choice college. In fact, I didn’t even choose a school with an agriculture program. I’m not referring to a community college. I’m rather referring to Campbellsville University. I decided to attend Campbellsville University because they’re in my hometown and they aren’t going to cause me great financial hardship in the future. As I’ve stated before on College Confidential, I wanted to major in animal science, which is a program Campbellsville doesn’t have. I’m still not entirely sure I want to major in animal science since I couldn’t find many jobs in the field which required such a degree, but if I later decide animal science is the major for me, I’d have to transfer. I have considered this as a future possibiltiy and thus researched how much transferring would cost if I so choose to do so. I was amazed to find how much financial aid is available to transfer students. I couldn’t find a single college in my state with an animal science program who awards transfer scholarships over $4,000 to in-state students. The least expensive college in the state with an animal science program costs over $18,000 a year and their highest transfer scholarship is $3,000. With a $3,000 scholarship, it would still cost me over $15,000 a year. My parents’ income is too high for me to qualify for any federal assistance, but they’re also unwilling to help me pay for college, and so I’m afraid I’d be in extreme debt if I later decide to transfer. I know there are many people who transfer in the United States every year, and I’m sure there are many transfer students here on College Confidential, but I can’t see how anyone could ever afford to transfer without their parents paying for it. How do you pay for transferring?
Do you need to start college this year? Can you take a gap year and apply for fall 2019? What are your grades and test scores like? Do you qualify for any of the full rides described in the thread on automatic scholarships in the Financial Aid Forum. Check those. Some might still be accepting applicants for the fall, and some surely must offer animal science course if not animal science majors.
A gap year isn’t an option for me. I’d have nothing to do. I wouldn’t be able to go anywhere because I can’t drive, and I would 't be able to get a job either because I have a visual impairment and no local business has wanted to hire me because of that. My grade point average is over 3.9, and my ACT composite score is 33. I can’t apply to anymore colleges because I have already commited to Campbellsville University. Even if I applied to the universities listed in the Financial Aid forum, none are in Kentucky.
Why do you have to go to college in Kentucky? Your parents aren’t paying for college, so you can go wherever it is that you can get in and can afford.
Yes, you sure can apply other places. It would be like getting off a wait list. If you would get in, you’d just let Campbell know your plans have changed, and you would lose your deposit there.
What did you think you wanted to do with an animal science degree? Will a bio degree from Campbellsville U work? I found that my animal science degree opened doors in animal related industries (like animal feed and pharmaceuticals) but also vet assistant/vet tech, pet industries. I have friends that worked in municipal and state level animal control, in the research labs at Yale, in the meatpacking industry, animal behavior and more. I ended up working in pet industry retail and owned my own store for 15 years.
I am wondering whether your best bet is to stay at Campbellsville University for four years and major in biology. I see that they do appear to have a pretty good biology program, and have a pre-vet option within their biology major.
On the one hand jobs for students with a Bachelor’s in Animal Science don’t seem to be particularly lucrative, so you probably want to avoid debt as much as you can. Also, I would think that a Bachelor’s in Biology would get you into most of the same places as a Bachelor’s in Animal Science, as well as a few more.
@happymomof1
I prefer to stay in Kentucky due to my disability. As I stated earlier, I can’t drive due to having a visual impairment. It would be difficult to live away from home without having access to transportation. I would also have to deal with higher costs. Rejecting Campbellsville University is no longer an option either. My enrollment fee has been paid and my courses have been scheduled. Changing my decision this late would be disrespectful to the university and myself.
@cnp55
I’d like to enter farm management. I’m not sure whether or not a biology degree would hold the same value as an animal science to an employer, which is why I wonder if I made the wrong choice. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture reccomended pre-veterinary medicine, animal science, or biology. I’d hate to earn a degree in biology and be denied a position because I didn’t major in animal science.
@DadTwoGirls
I’m not sure if biology would have the same value as an animal science degree to employers. I’m afraid they would see biology as too broad. Another possible downside is the experience. Most animal science majors will work with the animals at their university in order to gain the tangible experience which couldn’t be found in a textbook or lecture. The same practice is present in biology programs as well, but with one exception. Biology majors earn their experience in a lab, and it is rare for them to work with any animals, Would having lab experience rather than farm experience harm my employability?
Since you are interested in farm management, you might want to consider a business management degree. Yes, there are aspects of farm management that are specific to that industry, but there are others that are the same as running any other business. If the farms you hope to work for are small, family farms, then preparation in small business management would be useful for you. But what is most important for you is that you find ways to get experience working in that industry. Have you spoken with the USDA county agent in your county? That person might be able to put you in touch with a local farmer who could use your help during the summer or school year.
If you have any interest in plants, a summer job with whoever is responsible for the landscaping at Campbellsville, or with the people who maintain any greenhouse there would also give you some ag-related experience.
Agriculture is getting more and more technical all the time. If you are thinking of Kentucky thoroughbred breeding farm management – I think the bio degree coupled with some business management coursework – either as a minor or a double major would be pretty acceptable. I think it would be great if you could get a course in animal genetics and reproduction, as well as animal nutrition – maybe there is an online option that you could combine with your bio. Maybe there are CC courses that would give you that background. Think creatively! Good luck.
Too late to edit … are you aware of the NARA program? https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/nara/about_us/index.aspx
Bluegrass Community College and the Racing Association combine to offer a program that prepares people to be part of the Thoroughbred racing industry. Lots of it is jockey school – but it’s also equine science and management and vet assistant. Some of their courses are offered online. Not suggesting you drop Campbellsville but there looks to be opportunities within their bio program for “independent study” and “seminars” that could maybe be used to get credit for online course work
(Apologies if you are thinking beef/dairy/sheep/goats/pigs/poultry and I am honing in on Thoroughbred race horses)
@cnp55
I have an interest in goat farming and the horse industry. I did know about Bluegrass Community and Technical College. I even applied there, but I soon learned it wouldn’t be an option for me. I can’t drive due to low vision, which is unfortunate because their campus is spread out. It would be almost impossible to go there without being able to drive, and while Lexington does have public transportation, their routes don’t cover every location. I would be fine with a biology if I knew it would sufficient, but I’m afraid an employer would see it as too broad. Animal science students learn about everything concerning animal production, and they work with animals on a consistant basis. Biology students learn about everything concerning life, and they work in a laboratory. I’m afraid the breadth would be too much. If you were a goat farmer looking for a herd manager, you would much rather hire someone who has deep knowledge about goats and little about everything else than someone who has a little knowledge about everything. I’m sure this isn’t every employer, but I’m afraid this is how most see animal science when compared to biology. Do you have any advice or anything to add?
The best route to gaining deep knowledge of goats, is to get a job at a goat farm. Have you looked for that? Often summer help and interns can live right on the property. That would solve your transportation issues.
Are there any colleges offering specific coursework in goats? My experience was that courses broke down into
horses | poultry | beef sheep swine | dairy. Goats would probably have fallen in with sheep (pr possibly dairy) but I don’t remember a single mention of goats in my coursework.
I’m not sure that you need an Animal Science BS to work on a goat farm. I’d get that Bio degree, try to add some online livestock management courses (a certificate level program maybe??) and add in some business management. The world is not made up of jobs requiring major fields of study – but you can study a variety of things and make it work.
Is Uber available in your area?
@happymomof1
I have already started to gain experience last year. I also have nine years experience with a local equine therapy center. My work has been voluntary thus far, but I have looked into some unique and prestigious internships in my area, but they require a bachelor’s degree in order to participate.
@cnp55
There are no colleges in Kentucky offering classes focused on goats. Murray State University has one class covering sheep and goats, but there is nothing beyond it. Western Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, and Berea College own small goat herds, but they aren’t used for educational purposes except for Kentucky State University’s research. Neither university is interesting to me. Western Kentucky University didn’t give me much financial aid and a professor from there has an issue with me. I don’t know what I did, but he doesn’t like me in the slightest degree. Kentucky State University has a terrible reputation among the people in the state and their campus culture is far from what I’d consider comfortable. Berea College is a nice school, but I can’t be admitted due to their financial need requirement for admission. Uber does not offer services within my area, and even if they did, there would be no way for me to pay them due to being unemployed. Does my college major matter? I’ve heard some people claim majors are irrelevant in the workforce, while others say majors will determine what I can and cannot do in the future for a career.
For many jobs, work experience is more important than the major. The college courses sort of polish up and expeand on what you have mastered on the job. One goal for now would be to move from volunteer to paid at the equine therapy canter and/or to take on increasing responsibility there for animal care. To help flesh out what you have learned so far on your own, you should take advantage of any animal care trainings and workshops that you learn about theough your current network. If you can’t land a paid job, perhaps as an important volunteer the equine center can cover the costs of your attending such training.
What kind of goats? Are you interested in dairy management and cheesemaking? Again, there should be state, if not local, producers’ organizations that can help you form comtacts and find internships.
@happymomof1
The therapy center doesn’t have paid positions. They are a non-profit organization, and the little money the owners make goes toward the horses. The owners are also looking to start a six fogure project to build a new arena, whicn would drain their funding even more however, I’m fine working for free. No volunteer has a higher position than another, but we can do more. I helped train the miniature horse once last year, and it appears the lead instructor will let me work with her two newest mares. My work will remain to be barn work for the most part, but any experience is appreicated. I may even be allowed to lead this season. I was allowed to exercise their eldest horse on Tuesday, a responsibility I’ve never been given before, and the lead instructor was impressed.
Although it is difficult for me to find work in the industry, I work with meat goats. The farm I work with is focused on providing breeding stock for other farmers. Because goat farming is still a young industry in Kentucky, there isn’t a strong network for goat farmers in the state. We do have a local group operating from the extension office a county over, but only a few farms participate. I have tried to find consistant work, but the farms in my area aren’t large enough to need my help on a regular basis.
The therapy center doesn’t have paid positions. They are a non-profit organization, and their income is used for the horses. No volunteer is more important than the other. We all perform similar tasks and play a vital role in therapy however, I tend to do more than most volunteers. I help with barn work, and I may be able to help train the two newest mares this season.
Although finding work in the goat industry is difficult, I work with a meat goat farm. We produce Boer goat breeding stock for other farms. Because goat farming is such a young industry in Kentucky, there isn’t a strong network for goat farmers in the state. There is a small group operating from the extension office a county over, but few farms participate. I can’t seem to find consistent work in the goat industry though. The farms in my area are too small to need my help.
It looks to me like you do have good contacts for the time being. Have any of those people been able to suggest ways to develop your skills and improve your chances fo finding a permanent position one day? Since goat farming is relatively new, you actually might be in a favorable situation to grow along with the industry as it continues to develop.
You have a visual disability, correct?
Why aren’t you working with your disabled student services at any of your future schools?
I don’t know if you understand that the services don’t just serve non-ambulatory students.
You aren’t singled out; they can provide transportation at the sites you want to go to. Sometimes that’s a golf cart, sometimes its a car or van. They point is that they don’t want to limit you and you may be eligible for some funding at most universities.
I have former students that attended UC Davis. They provided notetakers, laptops and rides in golf-cart rides/shared bike rides to their students at that huge university. It has a huge vet program. My dd’s dorm was next door to the dairy (yes cows).
If you have a disability, you need to let the universities know!
With your freshman stats you’d be able to get full rides at schools that offer agribusiness/farm management as well as animal science.
Biology is VERY different from these fieds.
In addition, since you’re visually impaired, you are entitled to various accomodations so that you are not blocked due to your disability.
All in all, transfers get lousy aid. With a 33 act you should be able to find universities that offer the majors you’re interested in and offer sufficient financial aid - it’s more likely for a freshman than for a transfer.
Depending on where you live, UCincinnati may be closer than Lexington. And there has to be ag schools somewhere that’d be glad to have such a strong student.
If you’re worried about getting there due to not being able to drive either you could take a bus or if you need help you could request for accomodations to take the bus to the university and have someone from Disability Services welcome you at the bus terminal to drive you to campus.
There’s no issue with not enrolling at the university where you put your deposit. It’s so so common it even has a name in college parlance, “summer melt”. They actually plan for it and sit more students than will come.
Did you get a full tuition scholarship at Campbellsville?
Have your parents told you why they expect you to pay for college on your own? Did they expect you to get full ride scholarships or did they not realize the cost or do they want to teach you some sort of lesson?