future exotics vet...?

[icygirl]

I need advice badly. I don't think there are any vets on this forum (I could be wrong!) but I have decided to switch my major and try to go to vet school in a few years and become an exotics vet. This is an extremely difficult decision for me since, while there are plenty of vet school hopefuls, they are all going the "typical road" while I am sort of going about this differently. My parents are not animal people either and I don't really have a lot of support.

I doubt anyone here knows much about vet school (again, could be wrong) but I guess I'm just looking for support, or honesty. Even though I've researched it thoroughly, sometimes I think I should go back to trying to be an engineer. The difference is that if I can graduate engineering school I am almost guaranteed a good job, whereas if I graduate as a bio major, I am in NO WAY guaranteed to get into vet school and, even if I do get in, will be in debt for years to come.

On the other hand, I then remember why I made this decision. That is because my one true interest is learning about herps and all animals really, and I have volunteered at a vet's office and could definitely see myself as an exotics vet. And I know that once you graduate vet school you can make a decent living being a vet. Plus, there aren't many exotics vets around, so I could definitely set up a practice... or do research or teach if I wanted.

If I turn back it has to be in the next few weeks. Otherwise I have to go the distance from here, right now.

HELP... my brain is just so fogged up over all this mess. I wish I knew what to do.

[wolfy-hound]

Use the Search function here, and there's a thread started really recently that had a lot of good advice on exactly this.
Tailoring more to your exact circumstances(since the other thread was more about future planning), if you think that's what you WANT to do, and that you are CAPABLE of doing all the biology and all that's required in the schooling, then I don't see why you wouldn't go for it.
Exotics are becoming more big business every year. There always seems to be a shortage of exotic vets too. Reading up on this forum alone will show you lots of people who have to travel hours to get to a exotic vet to have a snake seen.
That said, vet schools are crowded, and hard to qualify for sometimes. The available slots fill quickly. In Gainesville Fl, there's a great university with a great vet program. The vet school sees a LOT of animals, including quite a few exotics. Santa Fe Teaching Zoo is also here.
But.. you need great grades in several courses to get in, or write up some really awesome essays or something. Courses are limited, and usually full according to my family that work there. Vet studants also burn out a lot, when they find that it's not all "cuddling puppies" to be a vet.
I hope this helped you, what section of the country are you looking at attending?

[icygirl]

Hey, thanks for the reply I will definitely do a search for that thread. I really appreciate the support.

I'm up in the Northeast US, and I would *ideally* go to Tufts. I would also be applying to the closest schools to me - which includes Cornell, UPenn, U of Illinois, and possibly some Canadian schools as well.

I'm not bragging, but I usually get close to straight A's even in harder science courses. And the an-sci advisers I have talked to have all warned me not to go into it "for love of animals" or "for love of cuddling puppies." I'm fully aware of the fact that a DVM is close enough to an M.D. I'm willing to work extremely hard for this. After all, I used to be an engineering student and I'm used to a heavy workload.

It's so FRUSTRATING to do this without support or herp-appreciating people behind me. I've had reactions like "People actually bring their lizards to a vet?" and "Wow. You're going to make a lot of five-year-old boys very happy."

Edit: I'm having trouble finding that thread. Can someone send me a link?

[starmom]

Hi there!~
I'm wondering if you are in college yet or just doing the applications process? Your first 2 years of college are more liberal arts, so you can see what you like and what you are drawn to. You then spend the last 2 years 'zeroing in' on the requirements for your declared major. If I'm not mistaken, engineering is still a 4-year degree, while biology, zoology, veterinary med all requires at the very least a master's, usually a PhD, and for vet med, much more.

Student loans and loan debt is no big deal. This is your education that will lead to your career that you will ideally have for your adult life. This is your chosen field of expertise and, because it is your choice, and your debt, you ought to be happy with your choice; student loan debt has no voice.

An example: My son (in 10th grade and taking all AP classes) has always wanted to be a zoologist. He has now zeroed in on wildlife biology and is eyeing the Univ of Montana as his first choice. We live in Oregon and so out-of-state tuition will kill us. He'll go for scholarships, etc., but....YIKES!
However, if this is where he chooses to go for the best education that he can get in his chosen field, then he will do this with our support and a ton of student loan debt. The debt is really secondary to the dream and goal. The length of time in school (for him, he'll need a PhD) is irrelevant. I have always taught him to discover his passion and nurture it.

For you, I would wish nothing less: Discover your passion. When you do, you will feel it and will joyfully nurture it to fruition. I wish you luck, clarity and bliss as you walk your path to your future.

[mischevious21]

If thats what you want to do- then go for it. It alot of money and time, but if thats where your passion is then do it. I am, and my goal is to specialize in exotics. I will be going to Michigan State- and I'm so excited!! And if your worried bout becomeing a vet and not getting a job- I wouldent worry. Vets are ALWAYS needed!!

Good luck to you!!

[icygirl]

Starmom and Mischevious - Thank you for the very supportive posts!! It's really good to hear people backing me up like that because I honestly don't get too much support, so it's easy to get nervous.

You asked whether I am in college, and I am currently a sophomore undergraduate pursuing a degree in biology at the U of MA.

A friend of mine asked me, "If grad school were free, would you be having this debate?" The answer is, no, I wouldn't. I'd just do it because this is what I want to do. When you said "Student loans and loan debt is no big deal" that was a bit surprising to hear, probably because money issues are always on my mind. I don't care about being really rich when I get older, but I would like to be comfortable and able to support a family. I don't know how student loans work exactly - I am in school right now on a scholarship - but I hear they are pretty awful and haunt you for a long time.

[mischevious21]

Nah, loans really arnt that bad- and if your going to be a vet, then no problem!! Theres payment plans to where once your out of school you only have to pay back $50 a month. And if your a vet, making between $100,000 and $200,000 a year- I think that $50- or even more- a month isnt too much to ask. lol.

As for not having much support- wow, I'm sorry to hear that. My family, friends, boyfriend- their all estatic!! So even if the people around you arnt, then we are Thats an awsome thing to want to do in life, and dont let anyone get you down or make you think otherwise.

[starmom]

I raised my kids (youngest is the 10th grader) and will be very active in raising 2 of my grandkids (my daughter has leukemia). I chose it to be my time to finally realize my goal of going to college. I graduated with a BS from UOregon. I am now in graduate school. I have student loans out the whazoo!! Worried? Nope. It is my passion and my goal and I refuse to let money dictate my dreams. How sad would that be????!

Grab your dreams and give them a deadline; now you have your goal. Go for it. Do it. Live your bliss. Don't let the turkeys get you down!!!

[mischevious21]

I also agree strongly with what Starmom says too- dont let anything stand in fornt of your goals and passions- and dont let anything bring you down!

[janeothejungle]

Hey there,

As a biochem grad who just finished applying to vet school, I think you should absolutely go for it. I started out heading for med school and then realized I liked animals better than people, so I took a few extra years and am finishing a masters in ecology this semester before heading off to UC Davis. There are always going to be obstacles and you just have to decide whether the end result makes it all worthwhile.

My advice would be.... get excellent grades in your science classes (even O Chem), don't sweat the GE classes (I have a proud 2.0 in my liberal arts classes because I spent all my time studying for chem). A's get praise, but C's get degrees and that is really all it's about. Get a degree in something science related (bio, eco, chem, physics) and start racking up volunteer experience with a local vet. Getting into vet school is all about having to put in a LOT of hours doing the grunt work and learning the ropes. Good Luck With It!!! Drop me a line if you ever want to chat.

Cheers,
Kat