Future College Athlete Planning On Attending Vet School Afterwards
Hello! I'm currently going into my junior year of high school, and I'm wanting to get some reassurance on my future plans. When in college, I plan to major in Biology to meet the pre-requisites needed. I'll skip a complete background on my athletics, but this upcoming September, NCAA allows college coaches to officially offer me. With the schools that are interested having good financial program resources, demand for my position, etc, the chances favor me getting a full scholarship. If not, it will be extremely close to one, and my parents have no problem with paying the difference. All that to say, I will be in a good position financially with no loans going into vet school, so money is not something I'm choosing to factor in right now. The programs that are interested, and I want to attend, are division 1-power 4 programs with 20 hour in-season practice weeks. I'm not insanely naturally smart, but I've never had problem with putting time into studying. I've read a lot about how important maintaining a 3.6+ GPA is for entry into vet school. I've maintained a 4.0 GPA fairly easily throughout high school, but I'm aware college won't be the same. Let's say I maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout college, will I not be able to get into vet school? With managing my sport and school, I just don't see myself averaging a much higher GPA.
Another topic to talk on is hours volunteering at a vet clinic. Right now is an insanely busy time just because I'm finishing up the recruiting process, but after this fall, I'll have enough free time to volunteer. I do school online so my hours are flexible. These next 2 years before I go to college, I will try to rack up as many hours as I can. When in college, summers will be the only available time for me. I believe these windows will be enough time to stack enough hours. I know I can easily volunteer at our local animal shelter. I'm not quite sure where to start for vet clinics. Do most clinics even have volunteer positions? I'll do more research on this topic myself in the near-future, but if anyone has some insight on this, it'd be appreciated.
I'm just scared to waste my time getting a bio degree, and then not making the cut. I remember being a young child and watching the vet shows on animal planet religiously. Its always kind of been what I've known I wanted to do. Although at the same time, I'm not dead set on it because my sport comes first. It's what I've spent the good portion of my life working towards. I am under no impression that managing all of this will be easy, and I'm okay with that, but I'm more wondering if it's something out of reach. Again any insight is appreciated, thanks in advance!