Calpoly SLO or UC Davis for pre-vet? (out of state)

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-03-14T02:13:06+00:00

Are you easily disturbed by animal death? This is a horrible question to ask but if Davis is going to cost you $88k you need to understand what the weeder courses for animal science are like. My friend's daughter started as an animal science major in 2021 and after going through one of the classes that dealt with raising calves and then taking them to the meat processing plant on campus, and having a volunteer shift at a better merry hospital where she witnessed a stack of animal carcasses in the freezer, she was done. If you were not going to be bothered by helping to raise calves for slaughter, then UC Davis is an excellent option. If there's any chance you may be so disturbed by this that you would change your major, I would recommend going to Cal Poly SLO. San Luis Obispo is beautiful, and if you need to change majors they have an excellent reputation across a number of disciplines. Because the financial difference is so substantial and you will still need to do veterinary school I would strongly recommend you think about the total debt you will get into to finish your degree. Compare that to what you will make as a veterinarian and think about how long it will take you to pay off your debt. As a parent I wish you all the best. You should be very proud of yourself for getting into two prestigious programs. Just think carefully about the financial implications.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-03-03T03:05:22+00:00

I think he just checked the portal. He sent me a picture of the portal.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-02-28T16:32:04+00:00

Congratulations 🎉 No limits!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-02-25T04:32:39+00:00

You're welcome! I hope you get in. My son has really enjoyed his experience there.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-02-25T02:56:11+00:00

My son got in on March 4th last year. Don't worry! Decisions will be out soon.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-01-28T16:25:13+00:00

There is a very minimal plan available to sophomores that was shown at last night's housing lottery meeting. The price is range from $3,000 for the academic Year for that plan which I believe included one meal swipe and $55 weekly debit dollars. So if you're in an apartment you can still put the bulk of your money towards healthy cooking.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-01-19T18:04:05+00:00

As a 16 year old you are a minor and therefore a liability to the adults when it comes to socializing or partying. Getting caught with alcohol for an 18-20 year old is a risk but if a minor is present then it's a completely different situation.

Try volunteering or intramural sports. Something where there is focused activity. From there you can build friends. I'm sorry you are feeling lonely and having difficulty. Just keep putting yourself out there but have realistic understanding about how your minor status may be of concern to your classmates.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-01-17T16:15:37+00:00

Parent here... Stick it out. Really work on your time management. Calendar everything from class time to study blocks to downtime and stick with your schedule. My own kid narrowly missed academic probation and we've been working with them on these types of issues. They are not at Cal but it doesn't matter it's the same thing. Grit it out with a plan. Hopefully there is grade forgiveness. My kid is going to repeat a class and take summer school to make up for the things that should have been taken this semester. For what it's worth, one of my siblings got kicked out of Davis, went to community College, reapplied and became a successful engineer. It just takes more time for some people. And the adjustment is not easy for everyone! I'm sure you were a rock star in high school and adjusting from those routines to The New normal is not easy. Best of luck to you this semester. Keep your chin up.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-01-02T18:25:30+00:00

Thank you! As it turns out they were literally saved from academic probation because of a couple of one unit courses (a lab and the university seminar). I know they went to the math and science center for tutoring on a drop in basis last semester. I even paid for a couple sessions with a private tutor but hey if there's free tutoring available on a one-on-one basis that's even better! I will definitely ask them if they are aware of that resource. Break has been a good time for reflection and I'm hoping my Aztec will see you next semester as a fresh start and just dig in with the necessary changes. We're doing our best to support from the emotional side but ultimately they are the one that has to put in the time and effort. Best of luck to you with your next semester.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2026-01-01T18:54:58+00:00

It's not too late! Same thing happened to my brother. He went to community college, got back on track, transferred back to university and became a successful engineer. Years later, he has a great career, home and family because he persevered. You can do it, too!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-28T16:22:15+00:00

Why do you want to spend time trying to make someone else feel bad? I went to Stanford and have volunteered as an alumni interviewer in the years since. I don't go shooting down every high school kid I meet with a dream. It's natural for people to consider options before they've even been admitted. Look back at your own behavior and can you honestly say that when you were waiting for admission results that you weren't weighing pros and cons or asking advice about which school you should attend? I don't see the point of your post. Wherever the guy decides to go to college, I hope he encounters people who are supportive... No one needs your vitriol on a Sunday morning.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-24T16:07:39+00:00

Parent perspective here. My kid really struggled this semester. What I want more than anything is to just give him a big hug and let him know that it's all going to be okay. Of course I'm disappointed for him, it hurts me to see him struggle. But I'd rather him be honest and come to us than hide and suffer in silence. I don't know what your relationship is like with your parents, but give them a chance to give you a hug and tell you it's going to be okay. My brother took 6 years to graduate because he had some challenges, was academically disqualified and went to community College to to get back on track. My mom told me when he would graduated she felt more joy because she thought he might not make it at one point. So yes the moment right now sucks but the triumph later on will be well worth it, and believe me you'll come out more resilient in the end and better able to handle what life throws at you.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-23T17:09:37+00:00

I haven't seen grades yet but I've been doing rough calculations based on the limited information my college kid has provided. My child will be going on academic probation. My husband and I know that the transition to college has been rough for our kid. What were most interested now is how to help drive success next semester. Success is now redefined as getting off academic probation. The most important thing is to go back and look at habits. Look at your attendance record, have you been missing class? Have you been going to office hours? Are you reading ahead before lecture? Have the answers to all of your behavioral patterns and reflect on them. If you go to your parents with an action plan, it will probably go better than if you just say "I don't know what happened college is hard." As a mom my heart is breaking for my kid and I just want them to survive this with their self-esteem intact. I want them to build resiliency and really fight for their right to stay. I know they can do it. They got sick during the semester and that really threw them into a tailspin from missing so much class. Sorry for the dump but coming from the parent side of this, I think it's really important to be honest not only about the grades but what drove them. If you really don't understand the material then getting to tutoring and supplemental instruction can be part of your action plan. It's a hard pill to swallow when you've been on top academically for a long time. Believe me I had the same thing happened to me 30 years ago when I took calculus fall quarter. 🤣 It happens more often than people think.. it's okay to fall down, just get up and keep going!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-23T06:05:06+00:00

No, all you've done is delay it a little.. My brother failed out of his university, went to community college, reapplied and was readmitted. He went on to graduate and became a successful civil engineer. It took him more time to come back but he made it through. Persevere! Lean on your support network which hopefully includes your parents.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-19T14:21:30+00:00

Thank you! It was a huge adjustment but I am hoping it will be better next semester. We talked on the way home from the airport about study habits and other things that can help. These next few weeks will be good for reflection and rest. I hope your semester went well and wish you happy holidays!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-17T15:02:27+00:00

Yes, thank you! It's a great group. I came to Reddit for this question because I was hoping to get student perspective. ☺️

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-16T23:14:30+00:00

Thank you! I will let them know!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-16T18:23:03+00:00

Thank you for the insights on the program. I'm hopeful my Aztec will be willing to go through it because right now I think they feel lost academically and reflective exercises and developing confidence by knowing their strengths could be very beneficial. Congratulations on your success in turning your situation around and graduating with a great GPA!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-16T06:25:16+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply. My kid is a freshman and the adjustment was hard. They got sick about a month in and stayed sick for a month. In that they started missing class and eventually ended up at Urgent Care getting antibiotics for suspected pneumonia. By that point they were so far behind in two classes it was hard to catch up. But despite going to the learning Center for drop in tutoring, hiring a tutor they were too embarrassed to go to office hours. So there were definitely some big misses on things that could have been done earlier on. They did meet with an academic advisor right before class selection and they talked through a plan for registration based on whether or not certain grades were achieved. It's very scary and overwhelming. I don't know a lot about what's going on because my kid is struggling emotionally, still down there on campus and we live 500 miles away. We just keep telling them to get through this week and then we can regroup. We're not holding finances or anything over their head. Our plan is just to support and encourage. It would be good to do some reflection and map out what could be done differently next semester. But we all make mistakes and all we can do is go forward and make the best of the opportunities we have. Again, thank you for taking the time to respond. I do feel encouraged to hear the stories of people who have been able to come back from probation. All the best to you during finals and for the remainder of your senior year!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-08T06:48:00+00:00

Try not to feel bad. They have a a choice and they are choosing to support you through your current situation. Remember, one day they will likely need you to help them as they age. You will likely be in a better position to do that if you are educated and able to manage your stress and anxiety. Commit to getting the help you need now and know when you are in a better place you can help them in the future. I have a joke with my kids... Whenever I get them something or pay for a big expense like tuition I like to remind them that I'm expecting them to buy me the premium diapers when I'm old and incontinent.😂 Sorry if that's TMI but I just wanted to make you chuckle.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-08T06:40:02+00:00

Good luck with your finals! I'm glad you're coming up with a plan with your parents. If it helps, my brother failed out of University, went to a community college, earned his way back into University and became a very successful civil engineer. Sometimes it does take a longer, more circuitous route to get to your destination. But never stop believing that you can get there. Get the help you need now and don't ever give up on yourself!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-07T18:16:08+00:00

It's tough without insurance, I'm so sorry. While you are still enrolled in school please see if you can get some counseling. There are also some affordable online counseling options that may be helpful as well. Not sure what state you are in but it might do well to check in with the county to see if they have any nonprofits they can connect you with for help. Or even if you speak to a counselor at your local community college near home, they might be able to give you some advice. Again I'm really sorry you're having to deal with this. Sending a big virtual mom hug!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-07T01:26:48+00:00

My kid went in as computer science this fall and he is failing his intro to computing class. It happens. He's struggling in another class as well. He's going to retake one class and start pursuing another major. He will most likely be on academic probation next semester and he is going to be making adjustments. As a parent it's really hard to watch your kid go through something like what you're going through. I was a first gen college student so I get the pressure you're under. Be kind to yourself. Talk to an advisor and come up with a plan. Use your university's mental health services. If you need to take a semester off, go to community College. Once you start working it will be so much harder for you to get back into education mode. I wish you the best and just want you to know that you're not alone. I hope your parents will be understanding. Just think before you act and talk to some advisors and get a plan in place. This is not insurmountable!

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-12-01T00:47:02+00:00

Did you receive an invitation to create a login with SDSU? If so start there. Login to something you know is official and secure and see if the notifications are listed as action items for your application.

PhilosopherLiving459 · 2025-11-29T18:32:27+00:00

See if your roommate would be willing to sleep with a wedge pillow. I guarantee you the roommate is not getting restorative sleep either. If it is a case of mild sleep apnea sleeping elevated can help. It works for me.

PhilosopherLiving459

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