Pre-vet students have a lot to stress over, such as getting enough shadowing hours or maintaining good grades. There are only 30 accredited colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, and of the 30 only around 100 applicants are accepted out 1500 plus. Pre-vet students have A LOT of stress on their shoulders, so these ten things drive them absolutely bonkers!
1. Can you tell me what is wrong with my animal?
No, I cannot diagnose your animal. If I have seen something similar in my shadowing/experience hours or through a Cody Creelman vlog, I can tell you that it might be this, but ultimately, I will tell you that you should go see your veterinarian :)
2. Why do you study so much?
I study a lot because accredited schools of veterinary medicine are extremely competitive and they base admittance off of things such as GPA and experience hours. NO ROOM FOR SLACKING!
3. You love animals, so that means you support PETA!
WRONG! We love animals, but we also love taking care of animals and helping others learn how to take care of their animals, whether it be a companion animal owner or a livestock animal owner. We support people loving their animals and taking preventative measures to protect their animals. And of course, we do not support cases of animal abuse or neglect.
4. Do you want to be like The Incredible Doctor Pol?
We want the DVM, but we want to practice better sanitation and anesthetic practices. Doctor Pol is entertaining in terms of television, but any pre-vet student with enough shadowing hours under their belt can point out some serious flaws. Actually, we would like to be like the Cody Creelman, the cow vet vlogger! #PalpationNation
5. Why don't you want to come out tonight? Studying can wait.
Actually, no it cannot. Have a great time, but studying cannot wait on me now or ever. Refer back to point #2; vet-school is not easy to get into!!
6. Can I study with you later?
We do not have any issues studying with others, but we do have issues when people try to study with us and do not take it seriously. Especially the night before a big exam...
7. "I was pre-vet once, but this class ruined it for me!"
Okay, I am really sorry that a class ruined your ultimate goal, but I am willing to do absolutely anything to get into vet school. Yeah, chemistry sucks! But not getting into vet school will suck more!
8. "Am I going to get a discount once you're a practicing veterinarian?"
My first few years out of vet-school, I will be working under a practicing veterinarian. I will not be able to determine the cost of procedures. Plus a lot of other factors that play into a vet bill that I cannot control. Sorry!!
9. Eight years is a long time!
I know, eight more years spent in school after completing k-12 sounds miserable, but the eight years are going to pass anyway, and I would rather spend the next eight years working towards my ultimate goal than taking the short/easy way out!
10. You are going to be rich!
HAHAHAHA, have you ever looked into the starting wages for veterinarians? $60k a year, while paying on $200k+ student loan debt. We are so far from being rich.
Ultimately, we are stressed out all of the time, but it is totally worth it in the end! Keep studying hard!
