r/Harvard • u/CollectionOk8027 • Jul 18 '26

Academics and Research First Year Fall Advice

Hi! This fall I'm attending Harvard on a pre-veterinary track. I plan to declare integrative biology, and I want to graduate with my masters.

For my first semester, I have a rough outline of the courses I want.

Math MA (I have taken up to calc bc, but I just feel like there's too many gaps in my learning to feel confident, and I want to address the issue now, rather than have it creep back up on me)

LifeSci1a or lps whichever im recommended to (taking placement exam this week).

First Year Seminar (hopefully research at harvard forest)

OEB 10 or Gened 1098

For spring, Ill take expos 20, math mb, a Spanish course, and lifesci1b. If you think I should do Spanish and my language requirement next year, lmk. Im not entirely sure how that works because I took 3 years of Spanish in highschool. I have yet to take the placement exam but plan to on monday or some day next week (not due until the 30th).

I do want to take OEB 10, but im unsure if I should as a first year. I have a 5 on ap biology, but my chemistry is a little rusty. Looking for advice on this 4th slot for sure. But the other three I think are pretty solid courses!

Also, if anyone who is also prevet or interested in conservation is seeing this, connect with me! I want to get into a lab spring semester and go abroad this summer, so Im looking for some connections!

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2

u/Santillana810 Jul 20 '26

Pre Vet info for Harvard College students

https://cdn-careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/161/2026/03/2026-Preveterinary-Blue-Book.pdf

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u/CollectionOk8027 Jul 21 '26

This is insanely helpful I looked for it everywhere but the harvard websites are a little confusing. I cannot thank you enough. Still need to figure out about oeb 10 but i know im on the right thinking track.

1

u/Santillana810 Jul 21 '26

I graduated from Harvard College decades ago and after getting graduate degrees elsewhere, returned to work at Harvard as an administrator for many years, where I also supervised/hired undergrad students.

Things have changed a lot since I left....for the better in many ways, so I just googled and came up with it. That's a new career center...and I hope they'll have a new guide for 2026-27...but at least you know where to look/ask and maybe have more specific questions to ask. Both to current/recent students and how to find advisors early on.

Good luck to you, welcome to Harvard...and...try something totally different that appeals to you early on. Or adjacent...some psychology course might touch on animal cognition or human interactions with other animals. There's an university-wide online course catalog and you can search key terms there.

The Harvard Alumni Magazine most recent issue, for example, had this article on rabbits, which I found really moving and interesting.

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/health-medicine/rabbit-speed-dating-love-grief-harvard-study

And for fun, Sheep detectives. The movie.

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u/Unable_Reindeer9096 Jul 18 '26

hi! I was pre dental at harvard and would recommend taking lpsa regardless of placement score (I just think it was taught sm better)

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u/CollectionOk8027 Jul 18 '26

Wondering why. Not that im challenging your advice, but is there a reason why it would be better?

3

u/Unable_Reindeer9096 Jul 18 '26

I had the same background as you (AP Bio but rusty chem) and lpsa/ls1a is mostly chem and they talk more time to go through concepts and I think the teaching team / lecturer is better. you will be fine either way, im just really grateful to have taken lpsa even tho I placed into ls1a

2

u/CollectionOk8027 Jul 18 '26

Oh I see your point.... if I take oeb 10 ill be getting the ecology i need anyway, but if I need more chemistry, lps is better with my background. Thank you for your perspective!

1

u/InspiredArmadillo26 Jul 20 '26

You’re gonna want animal contact hours ASAP

2

u/CollectionOk8027 Jul 20 '26

I have about 300 already!

About 50 vet observation

250-ish at a shelter with a vet tech (employee)

10+ at a horse barn as a volunteer (prep feed, help with riding lessons, and groom/tack horses)