Bonnie
Is biology the right choice?
I am currently in community college to complete my prerequisites for a biology major. I want to transfer to UC Davis or Cal Poly Pomona because I want to become a veterinary technician and then later on advance into a veterinarian. However, I am finding chemistry to be a really difficult prerequisite to get over. I know that it'll get harder as I go on, but I'm already finding myself with no motivation and I just want to know, is biology the proper field for me if I want to be a veterinary technician? Will it be more helpful once I go back to school to complete my education to become a veterinarian? #biology #veterinarian #veterinary #animal-health #college-transfer #veterinary-technician
3 answers
Maya Ibelaidene
Maya’s Answer
As a Biology major myself, I can tell you that you will see more chemistry as you go on throughout your undergraduate experience, however, the work load is definitely not impossible. If you decide to continue in Biology I would recommend not scheduling other hard classes with your chemistry classes that way you can focus more of your time to your chemistry classes. Like I said, you will see more chemistry but it will not be all of your courses for Biology so if you can stick it out and structure your semesters/ quarters so that you can spend the time necessary to focus in chemistry, you will be more equipped to handle the chemistry classes. Hope this helped!
Courtney Riel
Courtney’s Answer
Maybe it's different in your state but in Texas, we can become a Vet Tech with a 2 year AAS program through our junior colleges, which only requires 1 biology class. Most of the classes are Vet Tech classes. But of the classes we take to become a Vet Tech don't apply towards a DVM degree or a bachelor's degree so becoming a vet tech first, will just slow you down and cost you more money on classes. To become a DVM you spend 4 years getting your Bachelor's Degree then 4 more years in Vet school so why would you want to add 2 more years on top of that becoming to become a Vet Tech first, when the Vet Tech classes mostly likely won't apply towards your bachelor's degree? There are many other ways to get experience working with animals while you're getting your bachelor's degree. You can work as a kennel technician at a vet clinic; do an internship at a vet clinic or zoo, etc.
Courtney recommends the following next steps:
Nanette Leto
Nanette’s Answer
Chemistry is a very difficult subject. Just get through it as best as possible. A grade of a C is still passing. I would focus on going to vet school and skip the tech program. It isn't going to help you much. Biology, Zoology, Animal Science are all good undergrad degrees that will cover the pre-requisites for vet school.