Should I go to veterinary school?

We have a jelly here who was thinking about doing the same (very similar situation). I will forward this question to her.

I say, go for it!

From what you say, I’m not sure it’s a great idea.

You say being a vet isn’t your dream, you don’t like school, and you admit science isn’t your thing. I think loving animals is a quality good vets have, but it’s not the only important thing. It’s like saying you want to be a teacher because you love kids, or a restaurant owner because you like food.
Try spending some time with a vet and asking them real questions about what their job involves.

The fact that you’ll be 40 when you’re done with schooling shouldn’t matter though. You’ll be 40 eventually whether or not you become a vet. If you decide to change careers, don’t let age be a determining factor.

It is never too late to go for your dream. You could have 25–30 years to practice. I say go for it, but be realistic about the math and science that you will need. make sure you have the stick-to-it-iveness to handle those classes.

STRONG math and science, Vet grad school is tough to get into. Daughter had double major with honors and could not get into the first six choices for Vet school. She was told it was harder to get into than Med School ( for humans).

You shouldn’t let the consideration of your age affect your decision. While most vet students are quite young, it’s not unusual to see older students.

The bigger consideration is the application process. Vet school is incredibly competitive, and good grades are a must. if you’re testing the waters at this point, maybe taking some undergraduate science courses will give you more information about what to do about your future. If you don’t like and don’t do well in the science courses, then you know that vet school is not for you.

And unless you have some sort of funding in place, you should be aware that most vet students graduate with more than $100,000 in debt.

Be aware that vet school isn’t necessarily your best choice if you love animals. Vets have to do some pretty awful things to animals, and, every day, vets are faced with people who want them to kill their animals. Vets don’t just get to care for sick puppies all day long; they have to deal with some pretty rotten people. They also have to deal with people who can’t afford the treatment that their animals need.

You might want to consider a career that is more directly beneficial to animals but takes less schooling- like dog training, or shelter management.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterinary_technician

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterinary_assistant

Sorry, Milo was making it hard to type.

There are both veterinary technicians and assistants. My vet’s practice has several of both and they do a lot of hands-on work with the small animals.

If being a Vet were a dream long deferred for you I’d say go for it.

But it would take a high level of dedication and passion for this profession to enable you to slog through the required science and math and persevere.

But you need to do a realistic appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses.

Perhaps while working at the shelter you could explore all the various career options for working with animals which you may find equally satisfying.

I’m not saying that you couldn’t succeed in becoming a vet and age has little to do with it.

But as someone who also isn’t strong in math and science, I can relate. If it’s not your area of strength or even interest and yet is so integral to the field, that’s not a minor consideration.

I’ve been friends for over 15 years with the woman who was the adoption counselor at the shelter where I got one of my cats and she recently decided to go back to school to be a vet.

But she has such an overwhelming passion to be a vet offering affordable care in a woefully underserved inner city area. She was inspired by the work of one of the vets who worked with the shelters low cost spay/neuter program. She plans to intern with her after graduation. But this is like a calling for her. She feels it so strongly that I don’t think any obstacle would be able to stop her and she’s older than you are.

But I just don’t get the impression from you that being a vet is that much for you.

But only you can make that decision. But before you do, I would suggest exploring ALL of your options with a skilled job counselor, perhaps even some testing.

It may be the best investment you make in yourself. No one should have to spend their life in a job they don’t like.

But just take a good long look before you leap. Then you can leap with confidence. Vet school will be both arduous and expensive. If you eventually decide it’s best then great.

But at least take a little time and get input from a skilled professional to explore ALL of your options before making such a commitment.

I wish you good fortune in whatever you decide.

Keep us posted and let us know. This could be a wonderful time of change for you.

If you don’t do it, you’ll always wonder.

Have you ever read “All Creatures Great and Small?”

Do whatever you can and always follow your dreams!

Start by doing volunteer work in a humane society.

@YARNLADY

The OP did say “I love animals, and in the mean time will be volunteering at a shelter.”

@crisw I need to start reading the words more closely

I think that if you love animals you totally should ! but just remember that sometimes you might have to put animals down and that is upsetting to some people. My cat got put down yesturday, i love all animals and i would love to help any type of animal out when they need help but i would definately not be able to put pets down ): But if it’s your dream job i think you should go for it and presue your dreams !

people, it’s not the OP’s dream.