<p>Hello, I was hoping for some advice on picking a school.</p>
<p>I have always loved animals for my entire life and have wanted to be a vet. Sadly, however, my science skills are sub-par which is proving troubling for my freshman year of community college. (I will probably still get an A in the biology class.. But only because the professor is EASY). I honestly cannot see myself fairing well in these classes, but do have enough money to meet with a science tutor once a week (I am not sure if that would help or if those even exist?) I am thinking that the best choice would be to stick it out as best as I can and then graduate school will be focused more on what I love. If this all fails, I will probably become a psychologist because it's the only other thing that interests me.</p>
<p>Now the main problem I'm having is deciding what school to go to. I live in Virginia, and have a contract to be accepted at Virginia Tech for 2011 Fall as a sophomore (as a psychologist, but I'm sure that will be easy to change). Also, I already have over 3,000 hours of working with animals at a barn, and plan on doing an internship this summer at the animal hospital, so I would have that part down.</p>
<p>The main problems I am facing:</p>
<ol>
<li>I am not good at studying, and am worried VT (especially a science career) will be too difficult for me.</li>
<li>I would not be able to take my beloved pet (a fennec fox) because they are illegal there! :(</li>
<li>I hate the cold weather, and want to move to Florida very badly (where fennec foxes are also legal and there are some easier schools I know I could get into.. But if I end up taking science classes there, I doubt my grades would be good enough to make it into UF's vet school!)</li>
<li>If I do not end up being "good enough" for a science major, VT doesnt have a very strong psychology school</li>
<li>On the other hand, if I end up sticking with being a vet VT is the best place to go because I can get into grad school easier there too.</li>
<li>I will be very far away from my family and boyfriend if I go to Florida. VT I am still about 5-6 hours away, but at least I can drive whereas Florida I would have to fly.</li>
<li>Florida I would have to pay OOS tuition, and VT I would pay IS tuition meaning more money for graduate school. I am using the GI bill to pay for college, but I believe it has an 80k limit. (You can use GI bill for graduate school right?)</li>
</ol>
<p>What is more worth it? My goals and dreams and happiness now, or possibly in the future? :( I can't decide!</p>
<p>I have ADD, but even with medicine I am a poor studier (so I think it’s more than just that). I just can’t seem to grasp what exactly I should be doing and then retain the information. But my focusing issues are the hardest part, I’ll stare at something and get up and walk away. Or rewrite it to help understand it, but not even focus on what I’m writing as I think about something else. </p>
<p>I much preferred when classes gave out homework to help students study. Never thought I’d say I miss homework! I got mostly As in high school with no studying.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have a reasonable grasp on your weaknesses. And your interests too. Maybe it is time to focus on strengths.</p>
<p>Please research the career outlooks from the US bureau of Labor. My impression is that you have almost no chance in a reputable Vet school if you are not a very top student. And that the job market may be saturated. But your interest and committment may make a difference for you.</p>
<p>There is very little job market for Psych undergrad except entry level business job. So you have to be very very competitive for grad school. You are not a psychologist after getting a undergrad degree in this major.</p>
<p>Be very careful and frugal with money. Leave distance from family and boyfriend be second to education, though, unless you have needs. Air is often quicker than driving. Sounds like research and facts will be your friends. A good school like VTech is nothing to sneeze at, if you can maintain good grades.</p>
<p>If you aren’t strong in sciences and aren’t good at studying, your dream of becoming a vet may not happen.</p>
<p>Becoming a vet involves a lot more than just loving animals. It requires a lot of knowledge gained by studying. If you’re only getting an a in bio because the prof is easy, then that tells me that sciences aren’t your strengths…and to be a vet, you must be STRONG in sciences. </p>
<p>To be quite frank…I think you need to choose a major that you can excel at and have a good career. Your love for animals can still be fulfilled by volunteering at a vet clinic or at an animal shelter.</p>
<p>Your situation is quite common. Many students who love animals have an initial interest in becoming vets…then the reality of hard science courses becomes the reality check. You’ve had your reality check. Don’t waste your time and your limited resources (and your GPA) taking courses that you won’t likely do well in.</p>
<p>What other careers interest you? Psychology? others??</p>
<p>What kind of scores did you get on the SAT or ACT?</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids, you have some very good advice but I must respectfully disagree with you. I have a huge passion for animals, and I believe that I can make it through four years of undergrad to achieve my dreams of working with them. I know it will be difficult, I know I wont enjoy it, and I know that there will probably be times when I wished that I had taken a different major, but this is truly something I want with all of my heart. </p>
<p>My SAT scores were not that good, I believe 1,100 out of 1,600 (or something around that point) but my ACT scores were decent (a 28). A huge issue I had with SAT scores was my poor vocab skills (which SAT focuses a lot of time on and ACT ignores), so I did significantly better on that portion in the ACT (a 33 out of 36).</p>
<p>Also, in addition I believe I can make up for some of my science weaknesses with experience. I already have over 3,000 hours of experience working with large animals, and will be volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center this spring. Someone in my family got into a great vet school with a 3.9 GPA and little experience, while her BF got in with a lot of experience but a 3.2 GPA.</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids, you have some very good advice but I must respectfully disagree with you. I have a huge passion for animals, and I believe that I can make it through four years of undergrad to achieve my dreams of working with them.</p>
<p>What makes you think it ends after 4 years? You do realize that you learn that stuff for a reason, right? Not only will you have to suffer four years of undergraduate science courses to be a vet, you will also have to take 4 years of science courses as a vet student, go through a residency during which you will have to recall that information (another 3 years)…and then you will actually have to work as a vet in which you will have to remember that stuff. It’s not just playing with animals all day.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t bet on making up for your weaknesses in science course with experience. Most vet school hopefuls have experience since vet school admission is so competitive. But there are only 28 accredited vet schools in the U.S. with 2650 seats and there are almost 6,000 applicants for those seats (2007 numbers). The number of applicants has increased steadily while the number of places has remained largely the same. You are going to have to have strong scores in science classes in addition to the experience.</p>
<p>If you aren’t “good at studying,” why not take steps to correct that? You are in a CC now. Attend study-skills sessions or ask your science tutor (or your future one) for assistance in developing good science study skills. Studying is a skill that is learned, not something that comes naturally. If you want to do well in any kind of career - but especially one that requires science course with a lot of memorization - then you need to build your study skills. Work on it.</p>
<p>Also, although I think that things like the weather and being close to family are good secondary concerns to have when picking a college, your primary concern should be the education you’ll receive. In the end, it’s only 4 years (and in your case - maybe just 2 or 3). You can always move to Florida after you finish your undergraduate degree. You don’t have to live permanently in the place in which you go to undergrad and a lot of students don’t. You may even go to vet school in FL. And I know you love your pet, but most people leave pets behind temporarily while going to college.</p>
<p>Also, don’t assume that you can more easily get into a vet school if you go to the undergraduate college at a university. More simply put, unless the website says it gives preference to undergraduate VT students, don’t go to VT just because you think it’ll be easier to get into vet school there. Same goes for UF.</p>
<p>Vet school is difficult, and being a vet requires a certain number of continuing education hours a year–hours that will include lectures on things like biochemistry, nerve pathways, etc. You should be prepared to work if you make this your career of choice, and that will involve finding some way to study better despite your ADD.</p>
<p>You could always study something like Zoology or Wildlife Management as an alternative. If you love animals then look at other options you might have other then becoming a vet.</p>
<p>*Someone in my family got into a great vet school with a 3.9 GPA and little experience, while her BF got in with a lot of experience but a 3.2 GPA. *</p>
<p>That can be very misleading. We don’t know what VCAT score that 3.2 student got. </p>
<p>And… If his “science GPA” was strong, but he was weak in - say - English, US History, and/or fine arts, then the vet school isn’t going to care as much. Also…his GPA may have gotten dragged down by a poor start in college (for whatever reason), but then buckled down, retook courses, but his GPA is still negatively affected by the earlier poor performance. Just stating his GPA doesn’t tell us “the story.”</p>
<p>You should also look into the Wildlife Rehabilitation major at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC.
You would not have any trouble getting accepted, and it’s a wonderful program with a rehabilitation center on campus.<br>
It’s 3 hours from Blacksburg, if that gives you an idea of driving distances.</p>
<p>Being a vet is much more about being a scientist than it is working with animals. Essentially, you are trying to be a doctor to a creature that cannot talk to you! I would encourage you to look into other careers that allow you to work with animals. If you love psych, maybe you can look into becoming an animal behaviorist and working with animals that have behavior problems. Maybe you can learn about business and get involved with fundraising activities for animals. Maybe you can find out about becoming a vet-tech. Get involved in wildlife rehab. If you love animals, investigate other ways that you can work with them besides being a vet. I would strongly advise you to visit the career center at your community college and look at career options.</p>
<p>Again, I really am glad for all of this advice, but my mind will not be swayed. I have a huge passion for animals and want to be a vet more than anything. I really think I can do this. Thank you though, I know you guys are just being realistic. But if I don’t go for this, I will spend the rest of my life wishing I had at least tried.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone thinks that you shouldn’t “try” (so that you’ll always know), but be prepared that you may find the coursework harder than you thought.</p>
<p>Vet school is one of the hardest grad schools to get into- that’s why so many study in foreign countries. If it is your dream, of course try for it. But, be smart enough to have a solid back-up plan. In fact, wildlife mgt sounds great. Any solid program where you could be a professional working closely with animals and their welfare.
You have to be careful that your ADD is not causing you to focus so extremely on this one future career. I sincerely mean it. ADD takes many forms and one is hyper-focus- which means fixating on something. (This is a bit different than not being able to focus on the actual schoolwork in front of you.)<br>
There is study-related counseling for ADD- many kids and adults need to find the right learning styles. It can mean how you use your time, specific study tricks, etc. It can be amazing how this turns things around for you. The academic help center at your current school may be able to point you toward this resource. Be frank with them about your study issues. Good Luck.</p>