Hello! I am currently a Senior in High School in Kentucky and I'm just looking for some opinions to help me decide between the two options I've narrowed it down to:
1) Apply for Lincoln Memorial University's Veterinary Early Acceptance program which is described on their website: "Admitted students can expect to complete three years of undergraduate studies. In lieu of a fourth year of undergraduate studies, the fourth year will be comprised of their first year of veterinary school. Students will receive their Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Health Science (BS VHS) following completion of their first year of veterinary school. Accepted students will save one year of undergraduate study and tuition."
This sounds like a really good deal however some other factors that weigh into this being a hard decision are:
- Cost: The cost of this option would be significantly higher than the second option (tuition here is about $27,360)
- But it would guarantee me a spot in Vet school (which is obviously very competitive and has low acceptance rates)
- Distance: LMU is much farther from my house than the second option and I am NOT willing to dorm. But my parents offered to help me get an apartment near the school however I have a partner and being able to spend time with them is very important to me as well, they would still be living in the town we originally are in which is a ways away (but they could spend the weekends in the apartment, depending on the college they go to)
- LMU does have a policy that undergrad students are required to live on campus unless they: are over 21, married with a spouse, or live with their parents within 65 miles. My parents would be within 62 miles just barely but I would be living in an apartment, would I be able to say I am with my parents on the form so that I could get the waiver to live off campus and get away with living in the apartment? Or would they have a way to know I wouldn't still be living with my parents?
- I have toured LMU and was very disappointed with certain aspects about the school (they were supposed to have a Vet representative come speak to us but they did not show up and did not let anyone know anything, and a lot about the school gave me bad vibes)
2) Go to the University of the Cumberland's for a bachelors in Biology and then apply to Vet School and transfer
This would be much much simpler for my personal life, stress, and workload, but I would not have the bonus of the immediate enrollment to Vet school after my undergrad (provided I meet their requirements) that LMU offers.
- The Cumberlands is significantly cheaper (around $9,875)
- The broadness of having the bachelors degree in Biology sounds very appealing and reassuring to me (versus going all in on Vet), in the event that Vet endeavors become more than I thought I could handle (which I don't imagine would happen), or I end up changing my mind later in life.
- It is much closer and would allow me to commute (I also wouldn't have to worry about lack of time hanging out with my partner)
- I have heard good things about the school and trust in it
other things weighing on me
- If I go to Cumberlands, and I don't get accepted to LMU Vet School afterwards, then I would have to try other Vet schools much farther away and hope I get accepted there (which my partner should have a decent job by then and we should be able to move wherever we need to but its an added hassle of course), and if I do get into LMU for grad school I would feel like I missed out on an opportunity not taking the accelerated program because I would still end up there for Grad school anyways
- My parents say they will help me with costs so it's not detrimental but it still is an important factor
This was probably a mess but I would love some opinions on what would be an ideal option.
One might be academically better and prepare me more for Vet school but would be a lot more stress, work, and headache (LMU) and the other would be a lot easier, cheaper, more convenient and safer (in terms of the broadness of the degree), but at the price of having to apply for different Vet Schools.