<p>D2 is a HS jr who enjoys riding horses (but has no interest in competition). She spent some time in the west and is now interested in majoring in equine sciences (not equine business) in a mountain state. I have mixed feelings about an equine science major. She says she is interested in vet school but this will be an uphill battle as she is a B student. Never say never, tho, and I am not about to discourage her from the only academic pursuit she is interested in. </p>
<p>While both mountain states and animal sciences are URMs on CC, I am posting anyway to get your opinions re equine science as a major, and schools in particular. My limited research suggests Colorado State, U Wyoming, Montana State, Washington State and UVM as good choices.</p>
<p>I'm providing the link because the page does include a link to a pdf file which shows the recommended course breakdown per quarter; this may give you and your daughter some perspective on what she's facing in terms of coursework. I quailed a bit when I saw the schedule; it's definitely not for the faint-of-heart (or someone like me who is a "humanities person" through and through).</p>
<p>What does your daughter want to <em>do</em> with an equine science major? If I had to do it over (animal science major/ equine concentration) I might have tried to get into the Thoroughbred breeding or racing end of things. </p>
<p>Other horse-related fields might be working in communications for equine publications or manufacturers, working in sales for equine related products, product development ... etc. I don't recommend thinking you'll run a stable or teach riding -- it's really hard on the bod and doesn't pay that well.</p>
<p>Vet school is pretty tough -- she needs to be interested in <em>medicine</em> as well as the animals. I agree with you about encouragement -- it never hurts to try -- but I think I might limit my pre-vet support to a year. If she can't pull a 3.5 in the first year (bio, general chem, physics) getting into vet school is going to be a long shot. Have her look at the requirements for applying to vet school and see if it's something she thinks she can do.</p>
<p>I'm hoping if she is in a good program she will get good advising re her chances and aptitude, and will be informed re alternatives if vet school is not an option. Hence my query here.</p>
<p>Colorado State University in Fort Collins has a well respected equine science program. CSU is also home to a really good vet school--so your D could get exposed to that field there too. Large animal vet practice is a really underserved field and many areas of the west are in sore need of horse and cattle docs. </p>
<p>(BTW, where you do live? If you live in the Mountain West region--your D could be eligible for WUE--the Western Undergraduate Exchange.)</p>
<p>However, I've been told by a couple of friends who are veterinarians that right now it's harder to get into Vet School than Med School. (Fewer slots nationwide)</p>
<p>I actually don't think there is a lot of difference between at least three of the schools you list with. </p>
<p>CSU has a great vet school and is well respected but is having funding problems and OOS is expensive. Fort Collins is a nice college town.</p>
<p>Wyo is very affordable, even for out of state, and is very well funded right now. The campus is full of new buildings and a huge new library addition. The state is experiencing big surplus after big surplus. The school is at 7200 feet and the winters are long. Wyo will have the smallest class sizes and caps many of the freshman classes at LAC size.</p>
<p>Montana State is nice but underfunded. Bozeman is a great college town. A lot of my sons friends went there and if she likes to ski this is a great place. For very outdoors types.</p>
<p>I wish I could help more with program specifics but I have never looked into those programs. I am a Wyo alumni and have spent time at the other schools. have you visited yet?</p>
<p>Another horse lover yet. I also considered equine science when I was in high school. Eventually wimped out but no regrets, especially after I saw the coursework!</p>
<p>While it is important that she majors in something that she truly loves, she does need a strong liberal arts-type of background to prepare her for any field that she enters afterwards. It's a tough business to get in an equine industry unless she has very good connections. She needs to get SUPER involved, even if it means going to the competitions, perhaps just as a groomer, in order to meet different people. It's a very hands-on experience.</p>
<p>The other thing I can think of is that she should also look at some of the excellent schools on the East Coast. Yes, the attitude is very different (much more... clique-y and snobbish) but the quality is also there. Look at University of Findlay, Ohio State (I think), and yes, UVM. Cornell and Morrisville State have similar programs.</p>
<p>She should definitely find a program that emphasizes hands-on so she can see what kind of options she can pursue with that degree after college. It's hard to do it when you've been riding at a stable for your whole life! :)</p>
<p>I second CSU and while out west you may want to check out Carroll College in Helena Mt. Carroll</a> College - Helena, Montana -- Welcome They have a fantastic record as a bio-science school and a pre vet advising program. There is also a human animal bonding program offered through the psych dept where students work closely ie hands on with horses or dogs...student' choice. It is the oly program like it in the US</p>
<p>I just wanted to chime in on CSU -- it is a great school, particularly for animal science -- but it is not in the mountains (but it is in a mountain state). Yes, you can see the mountains from Fort Collins (and the elevation is high -- 5000 feet) but you are a good couple of hours from actually being in the mountains. Lots of kids take weekend trips to ski, camp and hike (and visit Denver) -- but it isn't something you could easily do in an afternoon.</p>
<p>The vet school at Washington State is superb, and I know that the equine portion of it is a main part of it. I’m not sure how involved you can get with the program as an undergraduate, so that would certainly be something to research. Getting accepted into the vet school is really hard these days, it is as selective as getting into some medical schools. If you have any questions be sure to give the college a call. I have found that the folks at WSU, and probably most colleges in general, are happy to talk to people about their programs. </p>
<p>I can give you plenty of information about WSU in general, but I don’t know a great deal about the vet school specifically. The focus on the vet school is very high, and you can count on it being supported very well.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if this link will post, but they do publish a quarterly Equine Newsletter:</p>