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VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Resources | Solutions for the Profession Veterinary Student Essay Competition

October 31, 2019 In Veterinary resources, Veterinary students By VIN Foundation

VIN Foundation Announces 4th Annual Solutions for the Profession Competition

Fourth annual essay competition asks veterinary students to suggest ideas to improve their veterinary education experience

The VIN Foundation is excited to announce its fourth annual Solutions for the Profession Competition. This year’s competition asks veterinary students whether their veterinary school education is effective, efficient, and relevant to their career goals. The topic encourages them to assess their veterinary school experience — how their time and money are spent, and suggest ways to improve the education provided by their veterinary school.

Each year the competition looks to students for innovative answers to issues in the veterinary profession. The first annual competition challenged students to provide solutions to problems they see facing the veterinary profession. The second annual competition asked students to share what they wish they knew before applying to veterinary school. And the third annual competition requested veterinary students to share their views on the impact of practice consolidation on the profession.

VIN Foundation Board President, Dr. Richard Headley, stated “I am excited the VIN Foundation is able to provide veterinary students with an opportunity to share areas in which their veterinary education can be improved to help support a healthy veterinary profession.”

Three entrants will win cash scholarships to help support tuition and education-related expenses:
•    First place: $3,000
•    Second place: $1,500
•    Third place: $1,000

The VIN Foundation Solutions for the Profession Committee will select the top entries in the first round of judging. These essays will be assessed by experts in the topic area, who will pass the top choices to three well-known leaders in the veterinary profession. These final judges will determine the winners.

Learn more about this essay competition and please share with veterinary students!

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Blog | I am a veterinarian because

October 28, 2019 In I am a veterinarian because, Veterinary videos By VIN Foundation

I am a Veterinarian Because with Dr. Carol Hillhouse

What drives a veterinarian to do what they do? After all, veterinary medicine has its fair share of challenges — physical, mental, and emotional. What keeps dedicated veterinarians passionate about their careers and professions? Learn their stories and share your own in this VIN Foundation video series.

The I am a Veterinarian Because video series has launched featuring VIN Foundation team members. The first video in this series is of VIN Foundation board member, Dr. Carol Hillhouse:

Do you have an I am a Veterinarian Because story to share? Share your story!

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Blog | Apply Smarter Q&A: Veterinary School Application Questions

September 3, 2019 In Apply Smarter, Veterinary pre-vets, Veterinary questions & answers, Veterinary resources, Veterinary student debt, Veterinary student loans, Webinars By Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA

Apply Smarter Q&A: Application Questions

Here are some questions and detailed answers about APPLICATION asked during the 2019 Apply Smarter webinar. We also covered questions and answers about veterinary student loans and veterinary income.

“If you are from a state that does not have a veterinary school, is it possible to get in-state tuition in a different state?”

Yes. There are three ways to receive in-state tuition to veterinary school:

September 2, 2019 In Apply Smarter, Veterinary pre-vets, Veterinary questions & answers, Veterinary resources, Veterinary school, Veterinary student debt, Veterinary student loans, Webinars By Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA

Apply Smarter Q&A: Student Loans and Financial Aid

Here are some questions and detailed answers about Student Loans and Financial Aid asked during the 2019 Apply Smarter webinar. We also covered questions and answers about veterinary school application and veterinary income.

“What is a “standard” amount of financial aid offered by vet schools? I know it varies a lot, but would you say it’s easy to get some aid?”

“Can Dept of Education Stafford loans cover the entire veterinary program? Are there options for anyone unable to secure a co-signer?”

The “standard” amount of financial aid offered for your veterinary education is defined by the Cost of Attendance (COA) published by each school. The COA includes Tuition & Fees as well as living expenses.

August 30, 2019 In Apply Smarter, Veterinary pre-vets, Veterinary questions & answers, Veterinary resources, Veterinary school, Veterinary student debt, Webinars By Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA

Apply Smarter Q&A: Veterinary Income

Here are some questions and detailed answers about Veterinary Income asked during the 2019 Apply Smarter webinar. We also covered questions and answers about veterinary school application and veterinary student loans.

“How does the type of animals you treat (small/large/exotic) factor into how much money you’ll make a year in veterinary medicine?”

“What is the difference between starting salary and earning potential 5, 10, 20, or 30 years into your career?”

Type of practice, experience, and location are major factors in a veterinarian’s income.

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Blog | Aspiring Veterinarians Apply Smarter

July 29, 2019 In Apply Smarter, Veterinary resources, Veterinary school, Veterinary student debt By Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA

For the Aspiring Veterinarian – Apply Smarter!

Veterinary medicine is experiencing a student debt crisis. Yes, many higher education graduates experience loan repayment hardship; however the magnitude affecting recent veterinary graduates is unique. Every day I counsel pending and recent graduates through the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and via VIN Foundation who report student debt balances in excess of $200,000, $300,000 and $400,000 with incomes between $70,000 and $90,000 depending on where they choose to live and what type of veterinary medicine they are pursuing.

While we can help veterinarians navigate these repayment challenges, the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is a significant part of the solution. A key driver of the crisis is the decreasing availability of discounted tuition seats for veterinary school; those seats that allow you to pay an in-state or otherwise discounted tuition rate.

We’re knocking on the door of another veterinary school application cycle. The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) for the veterinary class starting in Fall 2020 is now open. As you apply for veterinary school this year or beyond, Apply Smarter!

Did you miss the recent Apply Smarter?

Visit the Apply Smarter page on the VIN Foundation Vet School Bound website for the webinar recording and additional Apply Smarter resources.

What is “Apply Smarter”?

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Blog | You Want to be a veterinarian? Apply Smarter!

July 28, 2019 In Apply Smarter, Press releases, Veterinary pre-vets, Veterinary school, Veterinary student debt, Webinars By VIN Foundation

Apply Smarter Webinar in Collaboration with SDN and APVMA

VIN Foundation announces pre-veterinary school webinar in collaboration with Student Doctor Network and the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association

Free webinar helps hopeful pre-veterinary students apply smarter to veterinary school, improve their chances and save thousands in student debt

Davis, CA: The VIN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing tools and resources to support veterinary students and veterinarians throughout their careers, is excited to announce an educational webinar on strategies for applying to veterinary school and minimizing student debt for pre-veterinary students. In collaboration with the Student Doctor Network (SDN) and the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA), the webinar will be held Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 5pm PT / 8pm ET. Interested attendees can register using the Apply Smarter registration link.

A veterinary degree can cost as much as or more than a medical school degree and more than the average U.S. home mortgage. However, starting veterinary salaries are about ½ to ⅓ of what a new physician can earn.

In an effort to save future veterinarians years of heartache and financial stress, the Apply Smarter webinar will help pre-veterinary students narrow their target list of schools to those where they have the best odds of acceptance and also save them hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt.

“Educating pre-veterinary students on the wide range of veterinary school costs and student loan impacts prior to applications is vital to helping them make educated decisions and reducing the financial stress we see with many new graduate veterinarians,” said student debt educator and VIN Foundation board member Tony Bartels, DMV, MBA. “By collaborating with SDN and APVMA we are bringing together organizations on the forefront of educating pre-veterinary students and the future of the veterinary profession.”

“Student Doctor Network is excited to partner with VIN Foundation and the APVMA,” said Student Doctor Executive Director, Laura Turner. “We share their passion for helping pre-veterinary students with free resources to aid in their application process.”

“APVMA is excited to partner with the VIN Foundation and Student Doctor Network,” stated APVMA Vice President Ian Brown. “We’re looking forward to informing future veterinary students on smart ways on applying to veterinary school and how to save an extra penny in the process!”

Those who register for the Apply Smarter Webinar will be kept up to date on student debt and application information for veterinary school. They will also receive a recording of the webinar and the ability to ask further veterinary school application and student debt questions.

About the VIN Foundation

The VIN Foundation was created by members of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) in 2005. VIN is an online community of veterinarians and veterinary students with over 70,000 members worldwide. Learn more about the VIN Foundation and its resources at https://VINFoundation.org. The VIN Foundation, a platinum level nonprofit, is made possible through generous gifts by individual donors and grants; all gifts made to the VIN Foundation are tax deductible.

About Student Doctor Network

Student Doctor Network (SDN) brings together thousands of current and future healthcare students and professionals into one community where they can share information, offer guidance, and provide encouragement to their peers and those coming up behind them. Whether considering a gap year, struggling with the intensity of their classes, or navigating the Match, members can find someone who understands what they’re facing.

About American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association

The American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA) is a national organization of students. Our goal is to promote and stimulate interest in the field of veterinary medicine, provide open communication between pre-veterinary clubs and organizations nationally, provide resources to students on pursuing the field of veterinary medicine, and hold the annual national APVMA symposium.

July 24, 2019 In Veterinary resources, Veterinary student debt, Veterinary student loans By Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA

How Income-Driven Repayment Works: The Rules

“I was looking at the income-driven repayment plans, and the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) option seems like it will cost me the least amount of money. However, everything I read online says that the income-driven repayment plans cost you more money because although they lower your monthly payment, you ultimately pay more interest in the long run. I was wondering if you could break this down for me? I don’t understand how it will cost me the least amount of money if I never hit the principal balance and pay more interest?”

This question, asked by a 2019 veterinary graduate who attended the recent new graduate webinar we presented on student debt, is one of the most confounding aspects of income-driven repayment (IDR). Unfortunately, this confusion often prevents veterinarians from accepting the student loan repayment relief and other benefits provided by an income-driven repayment strategy.

July 23, 2019 In Veterinary resources, Veterinary student debt, Veterinary student loans By Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA

How Income-Driven Repayment Works: The Math

“I was looking at the income-driven repayment plans, and the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) option seems like it will cost me the least amount of money. However, everything I read online says that the income-driven repayment plans cost you more money because although they lower your monthly payment, you ultimately pay more interest in the long run. I was wondering if you could break this down for me? I don’t understand how it will cost me the least amount of money if I never hit the principal balance and pay more interest?”

We covered how income-driven repayment (IDR) works and broke down the conceptual aspect of this question in How Income-Driven Repayment Works post. Now we’re going to put those concepts into practice.