Everybody cross your fingers, toes, legs, arms, eyes...

**mygoat** · #1 08/31/13, 09:34 PM

I have officially applied to MSU, Wisconsin-Madison, and Texas A&M veterinary colleges.

I won't hear back for a while, but I can use all the help I can get.

LFRJ · #2 08/31/13, 09:48 PM

I don't think you'll need much finger crossing. Given your background and passion for livestock - combined with your zeal for research and stock pile of info you already have - I'd say you're a shoe-in. They'd be lucky to have you.

We are!

dozedotz · #3 08/31/13, 10:19 PM

Ditto! Ditto! How could they turn you down? You will be great. Remember, that it is very important that you set up your special dairy goat practice in Missouri...do not get that confused with Michigan!!!

Backfourty,MI. · #4 08/31/13, 10:25 PM

I'm keeping all mine crossed for you but I know your going to get in & probably all 3 will accept you then you won't know what to do!

BethW · #5 08/31/13, 10:52 PM

Sending you all the good vibes in the world, not that you need them!

aart · #6 09/01/13, 05:32 AM

Soooooo.... when all 3 accept you, which will you choose?

Your home state of Michigan?
Get away from home, but stay with the wonderfully similar climate in Wisconsin?
Or got to the Hades (meaning Hot as Hell) of the US - Texas?

Congratz on your decision to apply and best of luck in all your endeavors!

Edited the Hades comment per Alice's request...sorry, hot climates make me physically ill-I love the cold and snowy north...no offense was meant.

CJBegins · #7 09/01/13, 06:46 AM

I second coming to Missouri for your practice. You could also go to the Univ. of MO Vet School in Columbia. I understand they have a really good program.

Alice In TX/MO · #8 09/01/13, 06:57 AM

aart, that was totally out of line.

o&itw · #9 09/01/13, 09:57 AM

OK, I crossed all that stuff like you said, but then I tripped and fell and couldn't get my limbs untangled quick enough to catch myself.

Please give up the vet school and get into a good med school, preferably MU... I need help!

Doug Hodges · #10 09/01/13, 11:21 AM

Awesome. I'm trying to steer my son into being a vet.

Minelson · #11 09/01/13, 11:35 AM

Everything is crossed for you! This is so exciting I am happy for you

Two Tracks · #12 09/01/13, 12:22 PM

Congrat's, Stay in Michigan, we need good vet's that know small ruminant health!
What about your animals? Who will care for them while your away?
Do you need to place your Alpine's and Silver Fox rabbit's? I'd be interested in these

~Chris

**mygoat** · #13 09/01/13, 07:42 PM

Yes, I will be rehoming practically everything. We have some pet goats that aren't going anywhere. Dad will continue with the poultry for eggs at least - not sure if he'll be able to butcher the meat poultry alone if I head outta state! But the dairy and meat goats as well as the rabbitry will all be dispersed. As it is, I live most of the week in Lansing and drive home for every weekend. I do more technical management, like decide when/how to change diets for different life stages, breeding/AI/repro management, copper bolusing/BoSe, attend all kiddings, attend all emergencies etc. My dad just doesn't have the motivation or the know- how to keep the project going. He said he *would* keep the rabbitry going but he is not going to show or know how to select very well for type/quality, nor does he do the butchering on those either. He *could*, but the goal is to make his life easier, not harder.

As it is, I do all the marketing, breeding, selection, showing, and butchering of the rabbits when I come home on the weekends.

I'm thinking I ought to set him up with some easy hogs to raise for meat or possibly a couple meat steers... something with simple coaching he can't kill that easy or that any good vet would be able to give him good advice. He won't have to worry about reproduction because I can just get him set up with some nice calves/hogs every year and help when I can via phone. If I get into MSU, I could always come home for butchering events or other emergencies/handling needs... but if I'm away, it's a priority to make it as easy as possible for him, and he only needs to do what he wants to do.

So yes, keep an eye on here after I get into vet school. I haven't decided if I'm going to sell out immediately after I hear yes or no, or if I'm going to keep them until right before I leave for school. If I'm at MSU, my life doesn't need to change that much for a couple of years as I'll be taking almost like regular classes - but my life will get exponetially busier as my vet med career continues, so selling out is not an option, it's pretty much mandatory.

Pony · #14 09/01/13, 08:41 PM

Hoping for the absolute best placement for you, Dona!

IndyGardenGal · #15 09/01/13, 10:14 PM

Why not apply to Mizzou? They are one of the cheaper schools for out of state students (and allow you go to to in-state status after the first year). Don't be disappointed if A&M rejects you, they take very few (as in less than 20) out of state students every year.

Good luck!

d'vash · #16 09/02/13, 12:07 AM

Canada's vet tuitions are less expensive, and relatively easier to get into (not that you would have trouble getting in) than in the US. Just saying...

Not sure what the tuition fees are like where you are, but I remember when I was looking into studying in the US for vet - Florida's tuition was just under $30,000 for state residents and $45,000 per year for out-of-state students. Where as over here it's $12,000 per year! Major difference. Both tuitions are not including residence, BTW.

Of course, with your knowledge, you'lll probably get a full tuition scholarship!

o&itw · #17 09/02/13, 06:43 AM

Yep, we would all like to see you come to MU. Not only is it a good vet school, but is the health home of the Clydesdales

(Which is why they have such great facilities)

Pony · #18 09/02/13, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyGardenGal

Why not apply to Mizzou? They are one of the cheaper schools for out of state students (and allow you go to to in-state status after the first year). Don't be disappointed if A&M rejects you, they take very few (as in less than 20) out of state students every year.

Good luck!

And, if you go to Mizzou, you will have access to Zoo Life (student health/rec center), where the lead clinical massage therapist just happens to be... my darling daughter.

d'vash · #19 09/02/13, 09:25 AM

mygoat, are you on the Student Doctor Network? There's a thread of pros and cons of each veterinary college, from actual students. I thought it might be of interest to you, to keep in mind when you make your final decision of where to go. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=580221

**mygoat** · #20 09/03/13, 07:54 AM

Golden Affinity, that site is pretty cool. Each page takes FOREVER to load though - I read in about 3-4 pages though. Didn't see any reviews for Wisconsin or MSU in that time - a couple for Texas A&M.

I can add more universities to apply to if I want. Maybe I'll look into Missouri. Most vet colleges seem to admit very few out-of-staters, it seems. My grade is a 3.7 overall right now, which is average for admittance to MSU, and much higher than the averages elsewhere. My main weakness was lack of hours working with a veterinarian, as NOBODY wanted to take me on as a volunteer. In calling places, the response I got for volunteer hours was "we don't do that". Even after explaining I'm at MSU, pre-vet, need vet hours etc etc. As is inherent with raising goats, I don't have a regular vet that knows me very well and would take me on for 'vet hours'. I've always been employed elsewhere with pretty well paying jobs and couldn't afford to leave those jobs on the assumption I would find a hard-to-get vet job. I did apply a few places though, mostly small animal. I really liked the vet I got to do my letter of recommendation, though - she is now retired but is a wonderful lady. Thankfully my 'animal experience' is quite strong, lol.