Does this look like a good idea?

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

I've always wanted to be a vet/vet tech and am in my second year of school here in town. I want to start doing classes online, and this is the college I found that I'm VERY interested in. What do you think?

Everything is meant to be done in 4 semesters, but its at your own pace. They mail you the materials you need, and examinations are given at the end of every semster or 2 semsters (don't remember) and 9-week practicums at a vet clinic at the end of semsters 2 and 4.

Tuition is also a little less than what I'm paying now. For everything I need at Penn Foster, it's around $1400 a semester. Right now, I'm paying almost $2400 a semester.

Online classes means I can work more (I don't get much money to do things, considering I make $300 every two weeks with how little I'm working) and do things at my own pace. I'm really excited for something like this. What do you guys think, worth it or not?

http://www.pennfostercollege.edu/vettech/

[Cataholic]

Megan,
I didn't read the link. LOL. I will share with you that my personal experience is that online courses take a lot of dedication, kind of like working from home. I don't think everyone is cut out to do either. I have also 'heard', but, not lately, that some online programs aren't as widely recognized as your typical brick and mortar type courses.

I would stick where you are, and get finished. Just my $.02.

[emily_the_spoiled]

Hi Megan,

Here is the website for the Vet Tech association

http://www.navta.net/

I would say before making any decisions about changing programs I would check with the association to see about the recognition and accrediation of the Penn Foster program (like Johanna suggested).

[CathyBogart]

Also, check out the statistics for their students' pass rates on the board exams. I had two vet tech schools to choose from...one with a 65% pass rate on the state boards and one that has had a 100% pass rate for the last nine years. Guess which one I chose?

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Here's the link to the NAVTA accrediation page. Penn Foster is on the list. =]

http://www.avma.org/education/cvea/v...ms/arizona.asp

ETA: I did notice they have a provisional accrediation. Hmm. Comments?

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Also, this is straight from the Penn Foster website...

"Penn Foster College's Veterinary Technician Associate Degree is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as a program for educating veterinary technicians."

[emily_the_spoiled]

Here is the definition of provisional accreditation:

Provisional Accreditation – Provisional accreditation is granted to new programs in veterinary technology where students have not completed the entire curriculum and/or the programs have not produced sufficient numbers of graduates to adequately assess outcomes. Programs may remain on provisional accreditation for a period not to exceed five years. A classification of provisional accreditation is not punitive. Graduates of a provisionally accredited program are graduates of an AVMA-accredited program.

As CathyBogart suggested, check out their exam pass rates also.

But this is good to find out all this information before investing the time and money to enroll and then find out.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Forgot to mention that the school I'm at now doesn't offer a vet program. I'm merely here with the intentions of getting some basic classes done to help lead me into vet. medicine. If I want any type of degree in vet. medicine, I have to transfer.

[Karen]

Oh, okay - we didn't know your current school doesn't have a vet tech program. How does the school handle the in-person training a vet tech needs? Do they have vets that will do internships, etc? So much of being a vet tech is hands-on stuff, that's why I am asking!

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

At the end of semesters 2 and 4 you have to do a 9-week practicum at a veterinary hospital, in addition to proctored exams at the end of each semester.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Hey I just wanted to wish you good luck with whatever school you choose! I'm going to vet school to become a RVT at the moment... and I love it!

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

I'm excited. I've been reading quite a bit of good reviews about the school. I'm still researching though! =]

[jennielynn1970]

How many of the credit that you have now will be able to be transferred? Will you be losing many credits? It's an Associate's degree for the Vet Tech, so if you want to go on to be a Vet or something else associated with the vet field, Bachelor's or further, will those credits from this new school transfer?

The reason I say this is that I started out at a community college, and transferred a twice before I ended up at the college where I studied Library Science/Education. In the process I lost a lot of credits. It stunk. I just hate to see anyone work hard to get those credits and take those courses, only to have them not transfer. I didn't plan ahead, but figured basic courses would transfer. I think I lost about a semester's worth of credits all together.

Ask if there are any colleges that they are affiliated with that have advanced degrees and will accept all their credits/courses.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Now I'm just getting frustrated.

I talked to my dad about it. He said he doesn't really care, just to make sure its accredited, and he needs to find out if his insurance will still consider me a full-time student and I'll still be covered. He said he thinks I should go to UW-Steven's Point to get my degree, that way I'll get the "experience" of living in a dorm.

My mom thinks I'm making the wrong choice with Penn Foster. She just said "we need to talk," when I mentioned it to her briefly before school this morning.

Ughh. Nothing's easy, is it?

[Lillycat]

no, not easy trying to pick a good school.....UW is a nationally recognized good university.....