I’ve wanted to be a vet since I was seven years old. This seems pretty typical if I’m to believe all the smarmy stories my vet friends tell of their first pets, first jobs, first loves, etc. (I tell those smarmy stories too).
Most of us were simultaneously encouraged by our families and goaded by life’s bystanders who told horrible stories about their children having to enter medical school when veterinary schools would not accept them. These are not sad stories to most, but to us it seemed like the end of the world, the potential end of our dreams, should such a tragedy befall us. It made us work harder to conquer those windmills in our paths.
But most of us still doubted. We studied hard, some of us even as early as grade school, to achieve the Impossible Dream of working with animals.
We dreamed of saving tigers from extinction with our knowledge of molecular biology, armed with an artificial insemination pipette. We dreamed of helping cows live better lives in their confinement, finally ending the slavery that is vealdom. We had visions of cats and dogs, looking into our eyes and knowing we were trying to help them.
These dreams, corny as they sound, mark the idealism most vets still cherish as our guiding principles.
Yes, of course, I know more than a few vets that have apparently become disillusioned and now see their work as a means to an end, their retirement never far from their field of vision (or the nearest golf course). But most of us still toil in the world of possibilities for helping animals and enjoying a pleasant life as guardians of their health and well-being.
Yes, of course it’s a worthwhile career we’re lucky to practice, especially in 2006, now that the concept of pets as family, animal rights, and saving the environment are making inroads into how we treat animals. The level of veterinary care has never been higher and so for those of us who truly love science and animals, our career is heaven.
Of course, many people’s first response when they learn I’m a vet is: You must be really smart. It’s impossible to get into vet school! Yet getting into vet school is not as hard as people make it out to be. The number of US programs is in the mid twenties. Each school accepts only about 100, but this still means that over 2,500 students make it into US schools each year—not to mention the many exceptional overseas programs that accept many qualified US students each year.
And these numbers are going up. New schools are being established. Programs across the country are growing. We need more good vets! And I believe the best recruitment stock is YOU, the devoted pet lovers who are mature enough to know what they want in life.
The best small animal vets were vet techs first. Consider technician certification coursework if you have commitment-phobia, or just want to see what life is really like in vet medicine. It’s a great place to begin your career. So many techs love their jobs so much they never feel the need to move on to vetdom.
But I worry: How many students are not preparing, not applying, for fear they won’t make the cut? You studied art in school and now want to become a vet? I majored in art history and I’m a vet. You can’t handle blood and guts? Everyone gets used to it. You have serious allergies to cats? No problem, lots of programs will accommodate non-clinical students. Your grades sucked? Oh well, go back and re-take your chemistry and biology. You’re too old? That’s the worst excuse of all. Unless you’re too old to sit in a chair for ten hours of lecture and study a day for four years this is not an excuse. You can’t afford it? Now that’s beginning to sound like a more realistic excuse…if you’re nearing retirement age.
I believe that all the cautionary tales and horror stories about getting into vet school are overblown and dangerous to the profession. It’s not the quixotic quest you might think it is. The reality is that we need more qualified, well-rounded individuals to join our ranks. Therefore, I strongly encourage anyone who loves the concept of a career in veterinary medicine (no matter their age) to work hard, get that basic coursework done, and APPLY!
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How encouraging to read! I'm a senior in college who recently decided that a career in veterinary medicine is my passion...the problem? My grades sucked! I failed organic chemistry twice, and my other zoology grades were mediocre, mostly due to a lack of effort and direction. I've decided to transfer to another university and switch my focus to microbiology, and I'm hoping to prove to the admissions committe not only that I'm smart and capable, but also that my past mistakes have made me wiser and more motivated to excel. For now, I'm doing kennel work in a small animal practice, getting wonderful hands-on experience, and reading blogs like yours (while reviewing "O-Chem for Dummies", of course!). So, thanks for encouraging words, and thanks for your wonderful blogging!
anna October 12th, 2006 03:20:00 AM
I got a D in my first go-round in genetics. And a C in organic. I took them both over again during summer break and brought my GPA up to a 3.5 by the end of all my coursework. Nasty grades can be mitigated with persistence. The admissions committee likes to see that you really want to reach your goals--in spite of bumps along the way.
Dr. Patty Khuly October 12th, 2006 06:21:00 AM
This is great to hear from a Veterinarian. I have been taking evening classes for the last couple of years to get into Vet school. I have been a graphic artist for 15 years, but grew up wanting to be a Vet. Unfortunately, my father attended Vet school and said it would be too difficult and stressful when I was younger. Now I am being told by an instructor at our local Veterinary college (U.C.Davis) that they do not accept students over the age of 40 because it is too much training to put into a person who will not be in the field very long. I've decided to ignore the "talk" up to now, and I'm glad I did!
Wendy October 16th, 2006 03:22:00 PM
Wendy, may I ask how old you are? Are you now in vet school? (I noticed your blog was written in 2006). Well, I hope your dream is coming true. The reason I ask is because I am 41 and I'm considering vet school....I have all the required classes (plus 3 college degrees) and I just need to brush up on things in order to take the MCAT or the GRE. I've worked since I was 14 years old and regret that I never went to vet school....ended up a federal agent instead (big mistake)! Anyway, I know I would be old enough to be my classmates' mother but...I feel I must give it a whirl. Am I being unrealistic?? Any comments/suggestions from anyone is greatly appreciated! Is it really true that schools won't accept people over the age of 40?! :o/ Thanks to all! Sydney (chilipax@yahoo.com) 2-20-09
Sydney February 20th, 2009 10:05:26 AM
sydney, i'm a 33 year old vet student, and there are individuals in my program who are in their 40's. I don't believe US schools are allowed to discriminate based on age. Most vet schools have websites with contact information for student services reps who can answer those sorts of (minimum requirements) questions. Besides 41 is NOT old ... you could still have a 20-plus year career... if you even think that you might regret not having given vet school a shot, then you should go for it! if it works out, great ... if it doesn't, at least you'll never have to wonder. good luck!
may March 16th, 2009 11:42:11 PM
I just found this blog while waiting for my next class to start. I'm a junior in college majoring in Advertising and Public Relations. I've wanted to be a vet since as long as I can remember, but I've never had the confidence in myself. That confidence was ruined when I was a sophomore in high school and my college counselor told me that I wasn't strong enough in math and chemistry to even try to take the classes required for vet school. So, when I got to college, I contemplated for two years. I went from wanting to be a vet, to wanting to be a poli sci major, to wanting to be a broadcast journalist. But the only thing I've ever wanted to do was be a vet. I just had to put my 14 month old kitten to sleep about a month ago. Going through that made me want to be a vet again. My problem is, I don't think I'm smart enough to take all those science classes. I will graduate in a year with a Bachelors in Journalism. I'm considering starting out my senior year by taking the first biology class required. I'm scared to death. Another problem: My boyfriend (who I will marry and who I have been with for 3 years) is finishing his first year of Law school. He just found out he got a job this summer working for the law firm he was a runner for and who he has always wanted to work with. Say, it takes me two years to get these science classes done. Say, I get into vet school ( I would go to Iowa State, I'm from Omaha, NE and ISU is only 2 1/2 hours away). Then what? I surely wouldn't make him move for me. The would mean that I would have to spend 4 years away from the love of my life and I wouldn't be done till I was 28 years old (He would be 30). I really wanted to have a least one kid by then, but I want to be a vet more. I am so stuck and literally have been for the past 2 years. Now I'm graduating with a major that I picked just because I had to pick one. Why didn't I pick Bio as a major? I didn't think I could do it. And I still don't. But this feeling of wanting to be a vet never goes away and just gets stronger and stronger. Oh, by the way, my Father who has a thriving business has basically handed it over to my brother and I if I want it. What and easy life that would be. It's kinda hard to choose between that and wasting so much money on something that I might not even attain. Any advice?
Laura March 27th, 2009 12:04:56 PM
Laura --- I am in a similar situation. I am going into my senior year as a Computer Science major, a major I picked because of money and job prospects. But my true passion is animals. I think the only way I would be happy with my career is if it directly benefitted animals and the environment. BUT, like you, I don't have any Bio courses, and it will take me like 6 years to finish, IF I get into Vet school --- and I've already switched majors like 4 times, so I'm turning 24 in September. My fiancee said if that's what I want, he would support me 100%, and I think your fiancee would do the same if you talked to him seriously about your wish. And if you don't get in to Vet school, you'll have your father's business to fall back on, and can reapply until you get in. You don't want to be on your death bed with regrets, and every second you waste on being unhappy --- whether it your career or something else --- you will never get back. Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!
Nikki May 18th, 2009 03:53:54 PM
May,
Thanks for the encouragement!
I am going to prepare for the GRE and attempt to turn my dreams into a reality.
It's great to know there are vet students in their 40s!
BTW...I used to work for a vet who QUIT being a vet at the age of 28. She said she hated it and that being a vet was never what she wanted to do. Perhaps older students have an advantage because by the time you're 40 years old you've had time to live and have had time to figure out what you REALLY want out of life.
Best wishes to all......
Sydney
Sydney July 23rd, 2009 10:38:46 AM
"Old" at age 40, really is only a concept you can appreciate if you only live to be 45. There are no guarantees in life; so if you're on the admissions board for a vet med program, and turning down applicants who are 40 or 50 because you assume they will only have 10 or 20 years to contribute to the profession so why bother, are you not then assuming that everyone in their 20's will automatically live to be 70 or 80 and contribute 40 or 50 years to the profession?
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