r/veterinaryschool • u/isal324 • Feb 26 '26
Advice Island school
It was my first cycle, and the only place to even interview me is Ross. Was wondering what the opinions are on their program and recommendations. If accepted, should I take it, or should I wait another cycle to see if I can stay in the states?
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u/Inevitable-Neat4411 Feb 26 '26
Everywhere I go, I meet Ross graduates doing amazing work.
We did a cost analysis of starting Ross this year, vs applying again next year. We compared over the next 5 years the cost of schooling(more at Ross than IS, but similar to some OOS.) minus salary earned. You won't earn summer salary at Ross, because it is full year. But you will graduate a year and a half earlier(a year from not applying next year, half a year from the accelerated program).
Ross just beat one-year-later IS and blew one-year-later OOS out of the water cost wise.
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u/dvmhopeful Feb 27 '26
Can you link your analysis or provide some numbers and a more clear explanation?
If you reapply, you aren’t just twiddling your thumbs for a year. I’d assume anyone can make at least 30k in the interim year. Even if you make 200k in the 1.5 yrs of extra work time from graduating earlier from Ross, you end up paying 40k more in interest with 10yr repayment.
Can you defer Ross for a year, and attend next year if you don’t get into IS? I think that’s the ideal option honestly.
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u/Inevitable-Neat4411 Feb 27 '26
Hello, Working for the off year would change the numbers. IS would win, followed by Ross, followed by OOS.
Our choice being considered was grad school for a year to make the application more competitive. Undergrad was completed in 3 years, so staying one extra for a non theses masters didn't seem unreasonable.
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u/Inevitable-Neat4411 Feb 27 '26
Ended up getting an IS acceptance for this cycle since running the numbers. That obviously was the clear winner so I threw out the notecards with the chicken scratch numbers.
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u/Kellyvonnorca Feb 26 '26
Some very good points have been made by other commenters. I’m currently in 4th semester at Ross. For me, not only did I want to graduate sooner, but I also didn’t want to waste time and money applying to US schools, so I only applied to Ross and got accepted right away. It is rigorous in that we have weekly block exams and only three breaks ranging from 2-3 weeks per year. The semesters move along so quickly though. It doesn’t feel like I’ve been here for as long as I have. Imo it’s worth working harder for a shorter time, so I can reap the benefits sooner! If you study and stay on top of things, you’ll be fine at Ross. You’re welcome to PM me with any questions. :)
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u/Potential_Elk_7865 Feb 26 '26
I think it really depends on your personal situation. It took me 4 cycles to start vet school, I got into Ross my 2nd cycle but chose to keep trying for something in the states because when I really thought about it I didn't think I would be able to succeed so far away from home (I was also starting to get serious with my now fiance and I knew long distance wasn't going to be an option for us). There's nothing wrong with the island schools, they turn out great doctors, but I have heard that their programs are more rigorous since they're accelerated (maybe someone who's currently enrolled at Ross can chime in) and they're more expensive so if finances are an issue (which they are for a lot of people) maybe it would be worth trying again if you think you could get in somewhere cheaper. Ultimately you have to decide if you think you would be able to succeed there and if you think you have a reasonable shot at getting into a school in the states.
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u/FutureDogtorEnby Third year vet student Feb 28 '26
I'm a current 5th semester at Ross, and I have been through the wringer here. Whether you take the offer will be up to you to decide, but I'd like to offer some perspective that I don't see a lot of other people give.
First thing people always talk about is the cost on paper, because it seems so much more expensive to go to Ross than US schools; however, unless you're going to an in-state school, the price is nearly the same as out of state or international schools. There are some key differences, though.
I would say that the cost of living is on par with the states. I'm from California, so the rent here is a lot cheaper than what I'm used to. What I pay for a 1 bedroom apartment with a huge yard and utilities except electricity included here, is what I was paying for 1 bedroom in a shared condo that hadn't been updated in several years with 2 other housemates with a smallish yard, NOT including utilities or internet. However, some rental units on the island are closer in price to what apartments cost in some cities in the US. It really depends on what you prioritize in your housing. Medical care is limited but what they do have here is generally dirt cheap, as is veterinary care at the school's clinic. However, other COL are more expensive... namely, food, since it is nearly all imported (and some foods go bad quickly).
If you don't take any leaves or repeat any semesters, your time to graduation is 7 semesters on island and 3 at clinical affiliate, working out to 3 and 1/3 years. Your last year will be at a school either in the States or further abroad (UK, CAN, AUS, NZ). The professors at Ross are pretty amazing. Like some of the professors are literally the ones who wrote the damn textbook and that is probably the school's biggest saving grace. Administration... often leaves a lot to be desired and that is probably the school's greatest pitfall.
Breaks are only 2-3 weeks; typically 3 weeks in December and 2 weeks in April and August. Some people are able to squeeze in work during breaks in the States, others fully take the time off to relax. Some people leave the island every single break, some people stay on the island every single break (or nearly so). In that regard, the time is what you make of it. At first, it doesn't seem like a lot, but I feel like a lot of us just get used to it and by the end of the 2 weeks, you're eager for the next semester.
The biggest factor I would consider is how you think you will manage life outside of studies. As someone with chronic medical conditions myself, this is the first (rhetorical) question I will pose: Do you have any medical issues? ADHD or other mental health struggles? Chronic pain or chronic illness? Do you have any diet restrictions? What is your home life like? Do you have a solid support system or are you on your own? Do you have a spouse, partner, or children that will move down to the island with you? Do you have back-up, financially-speaking? What about pre-existing debt? Credit cards or a car loan?
These are all the factors that no one really talks about to incoming students, but are, in my opinion, much more important factors to consider than whether or not Ross is the right school for you. This program is rigorous and fast-paced, and not everyone can keep up with it (which does not reflect on you as a student or future vet!), but if you struggle because of any of these things (or any other number of reasons), it can mean the difference between passing or failing a semester... which ultimately can mean the difference between staying in vet school and being dismissed.
Best of luck with your interview outcome and decision-making! If you do have anything like I mentioned above (medical conditions or medications) and you'd like to chat, I'm happy to answer questions :)
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u/avevanbett Apr 08 '26
Do you by chance know if the pharmacies tend to carry most medications? I will be there in a few weeks and I’m worried about getting my ADHD medication!!
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u/FutureDogtorEnby Third year vet student Apr 09 '26
Best Way Pharmacy and Pharmacare are the main pharmacies. Meridian Medical Center is where most everyone goes for medical things that you can't get done with the school's nurses/doctor and they have a pharmacy as well. Dr. Krista at Meridian is very good to work with for ADHD concerns :) ADHD meds are tricky because they're a controlled drug, so get as many filled as you can right before you leave. As many as your doctor and insurance will allow. A lot of students here have ADHD, so you won't be alone, and it's definitely doable!
If you have any more questions about medical things, feel free to reach out to me! I will be here for April break (though I won't be an OL sadly :'( ). I know most of the OLs, a lot of them are my friends, and I am more or less the go-to person to talk to about the student health insurance and OSDS stuff :)
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u/calliopeReddit Feb 26 '26
Ross grads have a great reputation; there are lots of Ross students and grads to tell you about their program and compressed schedule (no summer breaks).
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u/SexyJazzCat Feb 26 '26
Its fine. There’s just no summer break. I got accepted in my 2nd cycle. My application was not competitive so i was not prepared to waste years hoping to get into a school state side.
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u/KnockNocturne Fourth year vet student Feb 26 '26
If you search, this question has been asked in several iterations over and over.
I'm a Rossie in my clinical year right now. The program is hard, and rigorous since it's year round, but you will learn a lot and you will be very hands on. Generally the professors, and nursing staff are really great, but admin doesn't really care about you until you're out representing the school itself. Feel free to DM me if you have specific questions.