<p>So I have achild interested in attending Trinity U in San Antonio. We checked out the Science Faculty webpages and they seem to be heavier on the botanical side of things and less so in the zoological. The only animal type prof listed was into fiddler crabs. As D is considering pursuing pre-vet this is a concern. Anyone know anything about sciences in general there and pre-medical sciences in particular? Thanks in advance</p>
<p>If you are interested in vet science in Texas, then Texas A&M is king. Other possibilities are some of the west Texas colleges (Texas Tech, Sul Ross, Tarleton State) that are more into ranch management and provide animal science programs.</p>
<p>Thanks. I should have been more clear. She was attracted to TU because of its size and overall reputation. The website drew her in even more. She isn't set on going to school in TX, Trinity is the only non-west coast school she is looking at at this point. At home she is planning to apply to both UC Davis and Cal Poly SLO. They are attractive due to program choice but they are much bigger schools than she ideally would like to attend.</p>
<p>I know it sounds confusing but she is drawn to TU in spite of the fact that it doesn't neccessarily have the top pre-vet program. But we did want to know about specific professors in their science program. I do appreciate the information though :-)</p>
<p>My advice would be to talk to the school specifically about a pre vet (basically pre med) curriculum. Many schools can provide the course structure to prepare a student.</p>
<p>I think alot depends on how sure the student is about her choice.</p>
<p>My D ended up attending a university that has a good biology department, but as a smaller private school, doesn't have the breadth of offerings in her targeted area of interest (physiology/anatomy/physical therapy).<br>
Because of that she's had to work hard to patch together outside summer classes in order to meet prequisites for graduate school.</p>
<p>She has learned that other schools would have had much more to offer in this regard. That said, she likes her school and will graduate next May. But it's crossed her mind that another school might have been a better match upfront.</p>
<p>I don't know anything about pre-vet, but I'd make sure to consider this issue in the decision process. I think Opie has made a good suggestion above, but if your D were to attend a school with broad offerings in exactly what she likes, she will have many more mentor opportunities. The school my D attends offers the basic pre-med program as well, it's just that the faculty tend to specialize in other areas of biology. Similar to what you're saying about TU.</p>
<p>Thanks to all. Opie I know your D attends one of the west coast LACs my D is interested in. Is she finding that it is meeting her pre-vet needs? I will have my D contact Trinity directly to ask about what may be missing from their web page.</p>
<p>Curiouser is your D in a small community where it is harder to get internships? Do you think that by being San Antonio, mine could make up for a lack of animal centric profs by acquiring hands-on experience?</p>
<p>It's a conundrum because though both my girls would clearly have their academic needs filled by attending Cal Poly or Davis, the size of those two institutions is a bit daunting. They are coming from a small town where their public hs pop is under 500. Add to that they are both somewhat reticent about reaching out socially and it seems that for the whole kid their needs would best be met at a small LAC which offers pre-vet counseling.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on this...maybe I should start a new thread.</p>
<p>"Opie I know your D attends one of the west coast LACs my D is interested in. Is she finding that it is meeting her pre-vet needs? I will have my D contact Trinity directly to ask about what may be missing from their web page."</p>
<p>Yup, she's working her butt off ;) They have a pre-vet club with an advisor. Work with a local vet on the feral cat population. In fact they get to use the school classrooms to work with this vet as the school is very co-operative about the whole thing. So I think it is working out.</p>
<p>I guess I would ask lots of questions and check the schools clubs and organizations out to see if others share the same interests. Talk to the department professors/advisors to see how they handle (or can't handle) someone with an educational goal that might be different the normal routes offerred by the school. </p>
<p>Also in our case, having to do a bit of trailblazing (oregon trail?) in my opinion isn't that bad. At the end of the day, when all this is done, my D will own a business. She will have employees. It is good practice for her to learn how to get where and what she wants through her efforts compared to following a track. Sometimes having to learn to do it yourself is a better learning experience for reasons you won't know till later.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.aavmc.org/students_admissions/vet_schools.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.aavmc.org/students_admissions/vet_schools.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.aavmc.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.aavmc.org/</a></p>
<p>The above two links would be starting places for those interested in vet science and pre-vet curriculum. Oldest daughter used the pre-requisites stated in the various vet school programs to help narrow her choices for undergrad. Some vet schools require some specific animal science classes in order to apply, animal nutrition, animal reproduction. Some require 400+ hours of animal experience under the direct supervision of a vet and/or researcher.</p>
<p>Also be aware that there are different types of animal science degrees. Some (NC State) offer concentrations in animal science- pre-vet AND animal science-industry ( and both are VERY,VERY different). Some offer only animal science which is predominately animal science industry and those wanting the pre-vet just take more chem and physics. The concentration is not on vet med but on the industry of poultry, beef, dairy and so-on, however it is not always clearly designated as such.</p>
<p>The sizes of the 2 schools you have mentioned are larger than an LAC however within the animal science departments it is much more close-knit. Daughter's undergrad was 28,000+ and yet her department was rather small in numbers by comparison and very, very close and yet because it is a large research university with an attached vet school she had a plethora of classes to pick from, especially animal-oriented ones. So if one was interested in being a large or exotic animal vet the classes are offered for a more intense concentration. Same holds true for equine, large and small ruminants, swine, fisheries, and companion animals. Also the research opportunities were numerous and the variety of hands-on animal experience in a vet setting were extensive.</p>
<p>Vet school admissions are tough, really tough. The classes are just the beginning of the process. My suggestion would be to acquaint oneself with the possible vet schools (there are not many) and work your way backwards. If she can find a good fit for undergrad, that would as Opie said will help tremendously.</p>
<p>DD has also learned vets are employed in many capacities other than private practice. She has worked with an Army captain who does extensive work in Africa, a vet/horse trainer who breeds race horses, and a vet turned researcher for animal diseases. US Dept of Ag also hires vets as does our local state and county and many of the thouroughbred farms between Ocala FL, GA, TN, the Carolina's and Ky.</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter!!</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>hm, just to second what others have said -- your D should really try to discuss this issue with the school (the professors, not the admissions office) beforehand. Vet school admission is extremely difficult these days, and it is important to attend a school that understands the process. Having an active Pre-Med population is nice, but it's not the same. An active pre-vet club would be much more preferable. Good luck!</p>