vet school or med school?

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>Hey guys!</p>

<p>I'm about to enter my sophomore year at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and I need some advice on if I should continue to pursue veterinary medicine or switch to human medicine. I started out wanting to be a vet, I co-founded and am now the president of our Pre-Veterinary Association, and I have been working at a kennel since the beginning of the summer. If I were to become a vet, however, I would want to work with exotic animals in a zoo. But since working at the kennel, I'm worried that I don't love animals as much as I need to. Don't get me wrong, the dogs are awesome, but I cannot stop thinking about how it's almost selfish of me to help animals when I can help people, particularly children.
I know I would be making much more as a human doctor, which I will desperately need to pay off student loans, but afterwards I honestly don't know if I'll want to be making that much money; I've grown up with very little, and having that much somewhat scares me.
I've already invested a lot into becoming a vet, but I'm trying not to let that be a factor in my decision because I know that won't really matter in the long run.
My GPA is currently a 3.87, so grades shouldn't be an issue in what I decide (though I hear med school is easier to get into), and all the classes I've taken so far can go towards either career.
I know this is a decision that only I can ultimately make, so please do not tell me that, but any insight would be greatly appreciated. I do not know anyone in the same situation as me or anyone in either field that I can discuss this with.
Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>It is much more difficult to make ends meat as a vet than a human doctor. The student loans are nearly equivalent except human doctors are almost guaranteed a job and a six figure income. There are more vets out there and some rural vets may make as little as $50k though some urban vets with their own practices or specialty vets make almost as much as human doctors (six figures). </p>

<p>Ultimately I think it depends on your priorities. I think it is likely you will at least make ends meat and be able to pay your student loans back (though it may be a struggle the first 5-10 years after you graduate) as a vet though you are not guaranteed to do much better than the average accounting or finance major with just a BS. If you are looking for higher pay and job security then MD hands down.</p>

3

<p>Let’s separate out the issues:
“…I’m worried that I don’t love animals as much as I need to.”
Well, I think to make a career out of veterinary medicine, you need to have some significant level of dedication to animal health and welfare, or at least you need to find it an interesting and challenging way to use your knowledge and skills.</p>

<p>"…I cannot stop thinking about how it’s almost selfish of me to help animals when I can help people, particularly children."
Veterinary medicine plays a key role in protecting the health of humans, especially in the areas of infectious disease and in maintaining the health and safety of the human food supply. In addition, animal health has economic benefits for those who raise food animals and for a large segments of the economy. These public health and economic benefits are an area of national and international impact. Finally, several types of animals contribute to human welfare in other ways, e.g., police and military dogs, guide dogs, etc. So, it is a very worthwhile career. If you’re currently just working with companion animals, perhaps these considerations come into play and contribute to your conflicted feelings about this.</p>

<p>"…I would want to work with exotic animals in a zoo."
This is a worthwhile endeavor as it contributes to animal conservation as well as the enjoyment of the zoo patrons observing and, sometimes interacting, with animals. Since it seems to have less direct public health and economic benefits, perhaps that contributes to your conflicted feelings.</p>

<p>Of course, you may decide that you have greater concerns about human health and how you can impact it most directly, and that’s OK. </p>

<p>"…I honestly don’t know if I’ll want to be making that much money; I’ve grown up with very little, and having that much somewhat scares me."
Yes, you will have loans to pay back. Also, you will have expenses for professional insurance, equiping an office or clinic, continuing education, etc. You will find that your earnings are not as much as you think once you have these various expenses. Money is a tool; it gives you options. The best antidote to those feelings is to be a good steward of the money you earn—using it frugally, wisely, and responsibly, being charitable, etc. If you have kids, you’ll find they’re expensive, too. You will work hard and make sacrifices becoming professionally qualified and you’ll work hard in your career, so its not like you’d be undeserving of the money you earn. Whether as a vet or as an MD, you’ll have many opportunities to give back to individuals and community. Some of your feelings about money, you’ll have to work through yourself.</p>