<p>Hi all,
It is my dream to go to Cornell Vet school ( or UC Davis) and I would appreciate any advice on getting there. I am fully committed and will be attending UCLA as a biochemistry major in the fall. A bit about myself:
I currently work at a vet clinic, helping in the kennels and shadowing. Even though I got a late start with the whole required animal experience ( this is my first time working in an actual vet clinic) I plan to continue throughout college at a vet clinic closer to UCLA (I am from the Bay Area).
In high school, I maintained a 4.0, took my school's hardest AP and honors classes and also earned my school's science award.
I participated in an internship at UCSF working in a diabetes center lab.
During college I plan to join the swim club/ team, possibly be involved in student government, join the honors program, a fraternity ( I will leave it if my grades drop, but UCLA frats are very good for networking) and a science related club. I also plan to volunteer/work year round at a vet clinic or hospital.
This is my dream and passion. I've been a vegetarian since I was 9, and am now a vegan. I've also owned every pet from rabbits and chinchillas, to a variety of birds, to cats and dogs. Any help will be appreciated.</p>
<p>I don’t think you need much advice - you are off to a great start. Science - Math - life experience - grades , you have all the elements already in place! Keep up the good work - best of luck ~</p>
<p>p.s. I’ve been a vegetarian since around the same age as you :)</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your encouragement! It’s great to meet someone positive on here for a change.</p>
<p>Looks like you’re on the right track! I’m starting vet school in a few months; if you have any more questions, feel free to shoot me a message. 
Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m going to be a junior as an Animal Science major at Cornell this fall. It’s not necessary to go to Cornell to get into their vet school, but I think it would be a good stepping stone. Have you ever thought of transferring to Cornell?</p>
<p>I purposely didn’t apply to Cornell because I wanted to go to a different undergraduate college than the one I go to for vet school. Also, Princeton and Brown gave me terrible aid; another reason why I chose UCLA. Are you planning to go to vet school?</p>
<p>If anything, I think you’re ahead of most folks! Just keep it up! My only piece of advice is not to discount other, less “prestigious” vet schools. Really, you can spend a lot less and get pretty much the same education.</p>
<p>I was just giving a suggestion, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions. If you got terrible aid, then I can see the reason why you chose UCLA. Vet school is expensive and the less debt you are in the better. And yes, I am planning to go to vet school.</p>
<p>Oh awesome. Which schools are you looking at and what have you done so far ( extracurriculars, internships, etc) in your undergrad years? If you don’t mind me asking</p>
<p>Either Cornell or Upenn. I want to live up north so I thought that an education up north would suffice. I’ve been in school for two years. I still need to work on my extracurriculars with animals. So far I have interned with a small animal vet, volunteered at the animal shelter, and the wildlife center. Out of the animal area, I have been a certified tutor for two years and student desk assistant. I was president of PTK honor society for one year and participated in activities such as habitat for humanity, homeless coalition, etc. At Cornell, I plan to join more clubs and get involved with research, on top of having a part time job. Over the summer, I am going to study abroad and do something with animals. How about you? If anything I NEED more animal experience.</p>
<p>I need lots more animal experience too. In high school i was a merit scholar, participated in three internships (UCSF, Stanford and zoo) and was an officer in three school clubs. As far as animal experience goes, I only have the zoo internship and now a job in the kennels at a vet clinic for the summer. I want to get some kind of shadowing experience and also an internship at a vet hospital. I also want to get some unique animal experience (maybe chinchilla rescue, or intern with an exotic animal veterinarian). I’m sure you’ve visited the vet school on campus; what’s been your impression so far?</p>
<p>l like Cornell vet school, it’s nice. Upenn is okay. My goal is to just get accepted to at least one vet school, preferably in the northern area.</p>
<p>Definitely my plan too. I love california but I need to see what else is out there. Preferably back East</p>
<p>Do you think going to a “ranked” undergrad school like Iowa State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, or University of New Hampshire sets you up better to get into vet school than going to a school like Oregon State University or University of Maine (both considered third tier). Both Oregon State and Univ. of ME have good animal sciences and biology programs with prevet emphasis. They also have Honors Programs. My daughter is smart with a weighted GPA in high school over 4.2 and a 32 on her ACT, but she likes the state schools for the location and cost.</p>
<p>I know you posted almost a month ago, so hopefully you’re still following this thread. I’m not quite sure what you are referring to. “Ranked” by who? I have heard that those rankings in magazines like Newsweek are mostly a lot of BS. Or are you talking about some other rankings that are more specific to science or vet med? Anyway, I don’t think the school where you did your undergrad is much of a factor in your vet school admission (maybe at some schools it is?). If your state school has a good animal science or biology program, I wouldn’t hesitate to go there.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation as your daughter (great grades and scores, could’ve gone pretty much anywhere). I chose a public, in-state school for proximity to friends and family and for cost savings. The fact that they had a veterinary science program was a big factor as well. Of course, I admit that I was also following my boyfriend there, which I wouldn’t recommend unless you know that you will be happy at the school even if you break up (which I would have been, but he is now my husband, so I didn’t have to deal with that)! I am very happy with my decision to go in-state for both undergrad and vet school–I saved myself over $150,000. Of course, others who went to private schools or out-of-state may tell you that they were glad to have done that as well, and it was worth the extra cost. Maybe it’s not a big deal to some people, but I just can’t imagine an over $250,000 tuition bill (not including living expenses)! The only way I could’ve justified it is if another school that I liked had given me a big scholarship. It’s a big decision to make, and I wish you luck!</p>