Need advice for being a vet...

So, let me introduce myself. My name is Zack, and I am a junior in highschool starting in August. I have came to the conclusion that I want to be a vetinarian when I grow up and I don’t even know if I can. This is due to the fact that my 9th-10th grades were AWFUL. (10th not as bad) but I’m not kidding when I say this, my GPA is probably a 2.0 . I am really going to challenge myself these next two years in Highschool and get the best grades I can possibly acheive. My schedule is
COREPLUS 3A CP
COREPLUS 3B CP (College Prep)
Biology H
English 11CP
AP Psychology
AP US History

I haven’t taken my SAT yet, but I am planning on preparing for it all throughout this year.

I have been reading a lot on what classes what classes I should be taking if I want to make it into prevet. I’m not the best at math, so Calc DEFINITLEY is not an option for me in High School. I am really going to try hard in Biology this year so I can take AP Bio senior year. Also, I read that taking AP Chem would help, but I am probably not going to take AP Bio and Chem at the same time. If I do good in math this year, I might take Statistics senior year idk.

Overall, really need some advice for wanting to become a vetinarian. Anything will help. Thanks alot

Ok your GPA is low but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a veterinarian with hard work. Yes you aren’t going to get into a top tier pre-vet program but that is ok. You can still be a veterinarian. The key is two-fold first turn your grades around now and keep them up through your undergraduate degree, second work hard on the ACT/SAT to get as high a grade as possible. Then look into your state land-grant university and apply to be either an animal science or biology major. That will be your best chance of getting in unless you are in a state with one of the really difficult ones.

Next go shadow a veterinarian! This will tell you if you really want to be a vet. The first day my S had to make memorials for clients whose dogs had died that day. It was hard. He will start as a pre-vet this fall and is more sure than ever that this is what he wants to do. Go now and make a resume and take it personally to every vet in your area. If you know one even better. Then follow up after you go. Dress nicely when you go. Volunteer at an animal shelter or other animal related business. You need to make your ECs show you are truly interested in being a vet.

Not taking calc is ok honestly. My son took it but didn’t take the AP test, he got an A in the class but really didn’t get it. The college he is going to only requires college algebra. Most vet schools require stats so you can take that in hs or college. AP Bio is good. They say AP chem helps the most (S didn’t take it, chose AP Bio instead). If the school has an anatomy class that is helpful. Our school had an advanced animal science class so S took that.

Key thing is to get your grades up. Show an upward progression and this year will be your most important grade-wise. If you see your grades dropping a little get a tutor, get into a study group (even if it is with people you don’t normally hang out with), go to after-school tutorials, watch you-tube videos on what you don’t get. Just spend the year working on those grades. Good luck.

Hi. I am also in high school, and am working on studying for a vet degree. I won’t offer you any advice on your grades, as I am home-schooled so I can’t do AP classes. Most vet schools don’t even look at your high school transcript, but they do look at your grades on AP classes. If you look at Cornell’s Vet School, they typically don’t ask to see your high school transcript.

https://www2.vet.cornell.edu/education/doctor-veterinary-medicine/prospective-students/high-school-students/transcript

Animal and veterinarian experience is a must. Try to get experience with all kinds of species. If you live near a zoo, I hear that high schoolers get more internship opportunities than college students. For example, I volunteer at my local Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm, where they raise a herd of sheep, some cows, pigs, and chickens. I am also going to ask our vet if I could shadow her.

The livestock educator at the Extension Farm told me that taking a statistics course is really helpful. I am planning to take it during undergrad.

My plan is to go to a SUNY school for a basic AS degree, then transfer out to either a “stronger” school in the SUNY system, or CALS in Cornell for their Animal Science degree, then applying to Cornell’s vet school along with others. I talked to Cornell’s Admissions and they told me that you would want to take the prerequisite courses at an upper level. (300-400/Junior-Senior).

I hope this helps! I am sure if you want to be a veterinarian badly enough, you will work as hard as you need to achieve it. If you have any questions about preparing for vet school, I can try to answer them.

Hey @rescl thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it.



So, from what you said, you’re going to SUNY. I checked out the college and I am really considering going there. I live in Pennsylvania so it really isn’t that far. I also checked out the link you provdided, and the prerequisites for the college are AP Chem and AP Physics. I am willing to take those classes if I decide to go there.



But, I still have some questions. If you are willing to, can we trade social media? Preferably Snapchat/Instagram because that’s all I use for the most part. I want to talk to you on an easier basis rather than this website.



Thanks

What foreign language are you taking? I’d switch ap psychology for that if you’ve not completed level 2 (ideally, level 3).




What classes did you take and what year grades did you get so far - can you list them?




Will you be able to take precalculus or is that included in COREPLUS?




Between junior and senior year, will you have taken biology and chemistry (biology: check, but Chem?), anatomy and physiology, and one more science (AP Chem would be a must)?




Get involved : Volunteer at a zoo AND at a farm/ equestrian center. Be an enthusiastic member of 4H.




Most importantly, focus on your grades. Set up quiet study time each day, in a place with no access to electronics. When you get less than an A ask if extra credit is possible. When you hit a B or lower ask for a tutor. Be polite and gracious to teachers and classmates (and all adults at the school). Be the kind of person faculty respect for his/her hard work and exemplary attitude. All people love a good turn around story so make sure your guidance counselor only has good things to say about you.




Start working on the SAT (and PSAT) right now, using Khan academy. The PSAT’s three months from now and the more exposure to it you’ve had, the better you’ll do. A high score will mitigate your low GPA (not offset it totally but at least show upward trend and potential.)




If you failed /got a D in any class, retake them this summer and after class for grade repair. It’ll help your GPA and at the bare minimum show good will, motivation, and that you’ve actually mastered the subject finally.




You’re lucky to live in Pennsylvania: Penn State’s Ag school is terrific and they have lots of places for hands on experience with animals. However they’ll want at least a 3.5 weighted GPA. If you can’t reach that, they’ll likely offer you a branch campus. You can prepare for that by indicating you’re OK with summer session and choosing your favorite alternate campus (the three I’d recommend would be Erie/Behrend, Altoona, and Harrisburg).




Suny Morrisville, Delaware Valley U, and Harcum all offer animal science and are easy to get into BUT don’t meet need, meaning they’re expensive and your SAT/Act will make a big difference to your financial aid.




Also possible: UMaine Orono, Iowa State, SIU Carbondale, WVU, Mizzou would be within the realm of possibility IF you get good grades AND a good to excellent SAT/act score.




Run the NPC on all of these and talk about costs with your parents.