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[runfreetobelieve]

Hi guys,

I'm honestly so glad that I have found this website. I feel like this will be really helpful. I am currently in Grade 10 (so high school) in Toronto, Ontario, and am planning to be a vet in the future. I've heard that Guelph is probably one of the best places to get your DVM, but obviously, that won't be for awhile. I have been checking out numerous universities about their science programs, and everyone seems to be saying something different about the major of your undergrad. I've heard some people say zoology, some say animal biology, some say biomed... etc. So far, I am leaning towards biomed because if I don't get into vet school, I guess I could always go to medical school too (it's my second choice).

I dunno though, I feel like I'm planning super far into the future... some of my friends have no idea what they want to do with their lives! Next year, in Grade 11, I will be taking English, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Stats, and Adv. Functions. In Grade 12, I'll be taking English, Writer's Craft, the 3 sciences again, Calc&Vectors, and possibly an e-learning course in Environmental Science or Astronomy.

As well, I've heard that it's good to get animal experience. Last summer, I worked for a week at my barn helping with the camp. I also have a rabbit (and have had numerous other pets), but I know that pet ownership doesn't count. Does anyone have any advice on getting more experience? I've looked into some vet practices in my area, most of them don't seem to need any volunteers/youth workers. And the Toronto Humane Society is shut down until further notice. I did get a lot of my community service hours wordking at CARD (card.ca) with disabled youth/adults and horses, but that's really it. I think I might be volunteering at the pet shop after March, but I am not sure about that.

So really, what I'm asking is... a) what major to take (probably at Guelph as well) for pre-vet, and b) advice on getting animal experience.

Thank you!

[camcam]

Seems like your doing a lot better then me when I was in grade 10, as for your high school courses you seem to be doing the right things.

You might get more volunteer/paid oppurtunities as you coutinue and have that diploma. I am going back for mine. and I feel that i will take the animal care college program at sheridan and apply to all the colleges that have it.

Toronto humane society is open I volunteer there and particiate on the feline welfare comittee, you might want to try the other humane societies, brampton, mississauga, etobicoke, and animal services.

I learned that the VEC needs foster homes for thier cats who are blood donors. and also alot of cat rescue need volunteers, and the cat shows as well, and I am going to check out medival times to see if they need help.

Your major can be anything from what I am hearing from vet colleges, some will take humanities as thier major and minor in what is needed for vet school.

[Tarnia]

I did my undergrad and master's at Guelph and am doing vet school abroad (Scotland).

I would recommend taking any science major really. If you look on the OVC website, under admissions, you can find the list of prerequisite courses. You can do any program you like as long as you cover those prereq courses. Besides those ones there are some additional courses that vet students will say are useful to have for vet school, but that is a long way down the road for you! I WOULD recommend taking organic chem even though Guelph doesn't require it because most other vet schools do. I personally did the animal bio major and loved it, BUT it might not be as useful for med school, so if you are considering both you might be better off with a biomed or a biosci degree. It is a balancing act of what you think you can do well at academically (because a big part of entry is your admission average!), what you are interested in, and what will help you in your possible future careers.

I agree you are definitely planning ahead which is great but a lot can change. Sounds like you are taking a broad base of courses that should stand you in good stead for just about any major, particularly a science one.

It definitely is good to get animal experience. You need to have 2 references from vets with your application to OVC. I know it is hard to get into a clinic-definitely been there!-but keep trying and in the meantime I agree try for humane societies, wildlife rehabs, etc. Sometimes you can 'work your way up' to working with a vet in one of those centers. By animal experience, the admissions team wants to see that you worked WITH (handled and cared for) the animals (not necessarily the campers/students). Unfortunately horses are not considered large animals (they really mean food animals) or small animals (cats/dogs) so it can be hard to see where they fit as far as experience goes! Also, if you can, try and get a breadth of experience with different species. But it definitely sounds like you are off to a great start! Does your school offer co-op? If so maybe you could do your placement in a clinic? I know the clinic I used to work at took co-op students.

Good luck!

[jax]

Jan 27, 2011 8:46:09 GMT -5 Tarnia said:

I would recommend taking any science major really. If you look on the OVC website, under admissions, you can find the list of prerequisite courses. You can do any program you like as long as you cover those prereq courses.

I would mostly just second the above. Aside from the prereqs, there is a lot of flexibility with regards to what major you take. Obviously, the more science background the better.
Also, the same is generally true for med school as well. Many of my friends from university have gone into medicine and we were not in a pure science program.
My best advice is to just enjoy high school, get involved, have fun and keep an eye open for opportunities. When you choose your university program, pick the one that not only paves that pathway to your future, but one that also sparks your interest. My program was not the obvious choice for someone who wants to go to vet school, but I loved every minute of it. And it will still (hopefully! haha) get me there in the end.

As for experience... With the way the economy has been, I too have found vets aren't looking for many extra hands right now. But there are lots of rescue centres and humane societies always looking for help. Perhaps even the Toronto Wildlife Centre?
Good luck!

[andrew]

Welcome Jax,

I can't help with your questions more than the camcam and Tarnia already have. I'm currently completing my final year of a medical science degree and hope to get into Guelph also.

You should really consider using this time you have to get work experience at different veterinary clinics. This will allow you to really figure out if this is the career path for you.

I also wanted to be a vet ... and then a doctor ... and now I want to be a vet again. Having worked in both fields, both employed and volunteer, I was able to make a solid decision about which one I preferred, and thus target my learning for which one I preferred. Best of luck with your study!