"I came here a little less than three years agoand noticed there weren't many resources forpre-vet students on the shelves," she says. "We'vebeen updating since then."
But OCS does have its limitations, Michelsoncautions. "I don't think there are enoughresources for anything. Any college studentservices can use more resources-more start, biggerbuildings, etc., she says. "[But] I would love forthere to be another pre-vet group that would workwith me, and have alumni come and talk."
In any case, Michelson says that having theHarvard name helps. "It's unusual for vet schoolsto have a student from Harvard," Michelson says."So they notice."
Rebecca Russo, director of admissions at TuftsUniversity School of Veterinary Medicine, says heroffice receives four or five applicants fromHarvard each year. Russo says Harvard studentshave the same chances of admission as any otherapplicant but are aided by the Harvard reputation.
"Obviously, the committee knows that Harvardhas a strong [science] program," Russo says.
It's Never Too Late
Whether or not there is adequate counseling ora pre-vet club, however, Quincey R. Simon `92, nowa first-year student at Tufts' veterinary school,says it is never too late to decide to go toveterinary school. Simon, a former archaeologyconcentrator, graduated without knowing anyone whowas pre-vet and had only taken one pre-vetrequirement class.
"When I graduated, I didn't know what to do,and I took a job doing archaeological fieldwork ata laboratory in Los Alamos [New Mexico]," shesays.
During the first summer Simon was there, sheacquired a puppy who needed shots and began tovolunteer at the local veterinary hospital.Deciding she wanted to go to veterinary school,Simon switched from doing archaeological fieldworkto carrying out DNA sequencing for the HumanGenome Project, which was studied in the samelaboratory complex. Simon also completed herpre-vet requirements at the University of NewMexico and the Harvard Extension School.
"[After veterinary school] I'll probably get anMBA and go back into biotechnology," Simon says."There are a lot of veterinary pharmaceuticalsthat are starting up, I'd like to be a part ofthat. It seems to be a small field and prettylucrative."
A Popular Profession
Most pre-vets anticipate large veterinaryschool tuition debt, and with the average startingsalary around $29,000 for practicingveterinarians, aspiring pre-vets say they'recertainly not in it for the money. But none of thestudents interviewed say they have secondthoughts.
In fact, Glazer says the profession has manyrewards. "The animals are an instant bond," hesays. "I guess people love the people who takecare of their animal."
Gordan emphasizes the diverse and quirkyexperiences that a vet can have.
"You might find yourself in the company of apotbellied pig named "Lolita" or get called by ahysterical artist whose rottweiler got into hispurple paint," Gordan says. "As far as I'mconcerned veterinary medicine will take you veryinteresting places."