I've been struggling for a long time trying to figure out what I wanted to be, I kept jumping career choices. Eventually my mind settled on not knowing what I wanted to do for my future. It wasn't until couple months ago my mom asked me, "Cassie, you used to want to be a vet for the longest time when you were a kid, what made you stop?" It occured to me that there was no reason I didn't want to become a vet. Since then it grew on me that it was the only occupation that I can see myself in.

I want to become a Veterinarian for house pets in a clinic. I would like some advice on how to reach my dream such as which majors I should tackle and which schools are good for me at my level to get in.

I'm not a straight-A student so I have to work really hard, and I'm already a senior. I thought about attending UC Davis since it's the nearest Veterinary college from where I live and I heard it's an excellent school.

Even if I don't get into UC Davis, am I still able to transfer after getting a bachelor's degree from a different school?

GPA: 3.5 - 3.75
SAT1: CR[460], Math[480], Writing[510] yes, i know, I have average scores.
I have also taken the SAT Subject Tests.
I haven't taken any AP science classes because I don't feel ready.
I'm Key Club president at my school starting my Senior year.

Advice on where to go from here? =/

Wow, I'm in pretty much the same situation you're in! Throughout high school, I've never really known what I wanted my future career to be, but I did have that childhood dream of becoming a vet. I'm actually more of an artsy person and I would abhor dealing with any kind of science/math as a future career except for veterinary medicine, but my parents don't want me to be a starving artist, so in order to appease both my parents and myself, I've recently decided to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Ugh, what sucks though is that vet school is the most competitive school to get into (only 28 schools in the US)...a lot of people even give up and pursue med school instead.
You're applying to undergrad school though right? There are pre-vet bachelor degrees, which are super competitive and rare as well, so I'm actually planning on undergrad majoring in biology, which is an alternative route that many undergrads aspiring to be vets take as well. I'm not saying that you should do that too, but if you find it difficult to apply for pre-vet (considering it's a fiercely competitive degree), then bio is another option. You can then apply for veterinary medicine in grad school (UC Davis if you want) with that degree.
UC Davis has a REALLY good vet department, but I heard it's harder to get into than Harvard med school, so I don't want to be a downer, but with your stats, you might want to try undergrad majoring in bio first? JUST A SUGGESTION THOUGH!
By the way, do you have any extracurriculars that show you're passionate for animals/vet school? Vet schools look for a lot of interest, skill and ability, and if you don't have any extracurriculars that show that, it might be kind of difficult to get into. Like I said, majoring in bio for undergrad is another route.
Also, if you haven't taken them yet, AP Bio, AP Chem and AP Calculus are classes that colleges like to see on aspiring vet student transcripts.
Good luck!

^ thanks frutti!
i knew that it's extremely competitive to become a vet but I didn't just how difficult it may be for a person with my test scores. thank you! I'll definitely consider going into biology, although I did some research and there are a couple other majors that vets took to get into veterinary school such as biochemistry, anatomy and chemistry.

I wonder what I should do from here besides taking physiology and physics for my senior year. I haven't taken physics yet and I think that I should, I'm not ready for AP bio or AP chem, either way it's late for me to sign up anyway. =/
What does anybody think about hanging around at a local clinic for some "experience"?

I've also heard of stories where english and history majors got into vet school (although it's pretty rare). Yay! I'm glad to find people like me who want to be veterinarians!

The clinic idea is awesome and something I would do to get more experience but I already volunteer at an animal shelter. But what vet schools really like to see is experience with farm animals such as cows, pigs, etc. It's tough because I'm from the suburbs not from the country.

^same here. although, i can move to Elk Grove, a place where there are tons of horses and what-not but I can't just change schools, the school im attending is..better than the schools in Elk Grove.

as a back up career ive thought about going into dental school.
opinions?

There must have been a reason for you to want to be a vet, and I'm guessing it was a love of animals. I just don't think teeth to be as lovable.

^i love animals..i really do.
I find teeth interesting rather than something I love. hehe.

I talked to some of my friends about it and they stated that they don't want to be a vet because they would have to put animals to sleep. It was a put-down for me because it made me feel bad, but then I thought "So, you're saying totally okay with putting a person to sleep and not an animal?" Yeah, it's sad but that's why it's a vet's duty to help them find peace after death and I want to be one of those very few people who can do that.
Sadly, I don't think passion alone can cut it. I do realize that I have to proove it by being active and having some experience. I plan to volunteer at a nearby clinic, I hope they will let me, I'm only 17.

Psh, don't let your friends influence you. I had this one guy who asked me if I thought it was ethical to test products on humans because I didn't think it was ethical to do on animals. The ignorance in people can really be surprising. (Not that your friends are ignorant but in my case, yes very ignorant.) I find that not many of my friends are supportive and just pass off the profession as, "Oh, cool." It sucks but being surrounded by animal people at the shelter helps bring out the positives.

Do you know what schools you're going to apply to undergrad? And what grade are you in?

My grades won't cut it for me to get into any great school, so I may have to go into SJSU and go for a biology or chemistry. I'm a senior btw, school starts in 2 weeks.

I'm a senior too! Well, I heard it's easier to get into vet school if you go to a college with a vet school. Only 28 of those in the U.S. D:

^yes, that would be wonderful but with my grades i dont think i can make it. so i'd probably have to get a degree in bio or chem and then go into a vet school.

Hey there!
I am currently a student at UCDavis, majoring in Animal Biology.
I just wanted to let you know that getting into the veterinary program here is REALLY competitive.
Being an undergraduate at this school DOES NOT guarantee your admittance to the veterinary school.
I recommend getting as much hands-on animal experience as possible. You could volunteer at your local animal shelter or a veterinary office.
Make sure that vet school is the way you want to go. It's a long and costly investment.

Also, you don't have to have a science-related major to get into vet school. You just need to take the right classes. Make sure to look over the requirements for the schools you would like to get into. There is also another veterinary school in Southern California at the Western University of Health Sciences. It just isn't ranked as high as Davis is.


I hope this was helpful.