animal science universities

[knabe]

Dont really see the political connection with my comments on animal science.

It's a fact that ansci is one of the most transferred out of majors.

It's also a fact that people change their majors at least 3 if not 4 times before they graduate.

It's also a fact that almost 50% of students don't finish their degree.

Therefore, it's important that more people enter college with a little information about reality.

It's also a fact there is no reason to take gen ed at a university. A complete waste of money.  Fine if you have a scholarship.

As for this website and most others that gone over the same threads multiple times, they all tend to devolve into politics, just like the local coffee shop.  I started many threads specifically about cattle and also did pedigree searches for the recent shorthorn defect and another one that connected some people. I think you criticism jumped the shark a little bit. If you don't like it, start new threads about cattle and show us how its done.  Yes I post about politics but have refrained lately.

 

[katie_k]

I am by no means nieve. I am well aware that animal science is limited but I have thought about what I wanted to do with my life and have had a plan since freshman year.  I just graduated high school and I am a junior. I have gotten accepted at a local college to do my gen eds for way less. I have been on an excelled path since junior high in order to graduate early.  I am well aware of reality. I didn't need a lecture on all this I simply wanted a little bit of advice on programs and colleges. I am aware of what I'm doing I only asked for advice. 

 

[obie105]

Iowa state has a good program. There are many different directions to go with animal science. Set your goals which it sounds like you have. I have several friends that have done livestock judging and meats judging there plus students that have worked at the farm. Have you visited anywhere?  I know from personal experience I wanted to go to a certain school all thru hs and I went to visit and it wasn't what I wanted. I also know that the university of Illinois has nice facilities. 

 

[katie_k]

I have visited Iowa state and north Dakota state

 

[farmboy]

Advice from ASci student ... Don't do it unless you're going to be a vet or MD. Theres not a lot out there for us.
I'm switching to Biology(Medical) this fall

 

[katie_k]

A lot of people don't think there are oppertunities in the animal science feild. Is this true? Even with genetic or nutrition specalization. Or anything in the research feild.

 

[cornish]

A lot of people don't think there are oppertunities in the animal science feild. Is this true? Even with genetic or nutrition specalization. Or anything in the research feild.

yup- I graduated about 15 months ago-- switched out of AnSi my first semester at the U.  Realized nothings out there for AnSi students, and it was pointless to be in those classes.  Ended up getting 2 majors and 2 minors-- and that set me far enough apart to land a good job with the USDA> 

Most people who are hiring want an Ag business student-- more well rounded-- and more 'profit' oriented.  business is about profit- in nearly every field. 

If you know what you want to do- then you need to specialize in that field in college, not get lumped together with everyone else.

Most of those I attended AnSi classes with at the U-- are now back home farming, working for someone as a herdsman, or are selling seed corn---  three jobs that didn't even require going to college- so why waste your time. 

Most often when someone asks what's my degrees in-- I struggle to even tell them I have an AnSi one- just makes me look like a moron, beer drinking, extended stay, ex-college student.

 

[RidinHeifer]

As a Kansas state class of 2016 member I gotta say give us a look! My visits have been filled with great people and it has a great small community feel...

Scholarships are great, but look at the total cost of all the schools after any scholarships.  It is cheaper, by around $5000,for me(in Illinois) to go to Kansas state.  It doesn't matter if one school gives you $5000 in scholarships if they are still $10000 more per year than the others. 

I was very disappointed by Oklahoma state when I visited there...the people were not helpful at all, told me nothing I hadnt already known, and a few were very rude! Let alone the fact they were the highest tuition of everywhere I applied and was accepted.  Iowa state has great scholarships if you have a stronger hs curriculum...especially 3 or 4 years of a foreign language.

Please apply for tons of outside scholarships! There are plenty! 

 

[knabe]

if i'm not mistaken, lectures are given at universities.

as far as ansci goes, it's more of a way to meet the opposite sex and advance one's career that way as opposed to actual skills learned.

too often people seem more focused on seeking those who will tell them what they want to hear, rather than challenging them.

if you want to learn genetics, ansci is the last place i would look as the only thing that major teaches anyone about genetics is simple recessives.

they give test questions identifying breeds and won't even acknowledge weed control by overgrazing as a technique.

all majors have problems.  bottom line, no way is ansci a serious study regarding genetics.

if you want to do genetics, get into the genetics department.  you will learn far more about genetics.

if you are interested in genetics, watch the following.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/evolution/darwin-never-knew.html

if that doesn't' interest you, continue to look things up.  there are so many interesting things out that besides telling some commercial cattleman that they have a recessive gene in their herd.

this is probably the most exciting time since the 50's to be involved in genetics as the industry is exploding.  as such, i would plan on being lectured to about all the opportunities out there.

 

[squirt71]

I am a South Dakota State alum, I majored in Animal Science and minored in Ag Business, Ag Marketing, and Business.  My sister, her boyfriend, my sister-in-law, and my cousin also went there and graduated with Animal Science majors.  I currently work for a cattle management software program, my sister works at a large animal drug research facility as the quality control manager and also is involved in the tests, her boyfriend manages a large feedlot near Winner, South Dakota, my sister-in-law works at a small and large animal research facility and will be going to vet school in the fall for large animals, and my cousin came back to run his club calf/farm operation. 

I had a great experience at SDSU.  I really enjoyed all my classes and I didn't feel any of them were a waste of time, campus was small enough that it didn't feel overwhelming but big enough to get the college experience.  My advisor and other an sci professors took an interest in helping us find jobs after college, in fact they still will call/email to ask if I am happy where I'm at currently and let me know if there's other opportunities available.

I was able to get a couple good scholarships from SDSU.  I was a Nebraska native, and SDSU was around $3,000 cheaper than UNL even with the out of state tuition. There's several clubs/groups to get involved in: Block & Bridle, Little International, Rodeo Team, Collegiate FFA & 4-H, judging teams, along with several ag. related sororities and frats. You can pm me if you have any specifics you want to ask about.

 

[knabe]

I would call Jerry Taylor at univ of Missouri and dr Beever about genetics and your pathway.

They would be more up to date on emerging fields for job opportunities and who they would recommend talking to if they didn't have what you are looking for.

 

[obie105]

If you are wanting to pursue animal science don't be afraid to go after a masters or a doctorate. Looking at some of the jobs right now many companies are looking for people with masters. If you are wanting to go into genetics this might be your best path. I do agree with one of the other posts look at what gets you the best bang for your buck and do the math to see what school os the better deal. Almost all schools have the same extra curricular activities and most college towns are all similar. Go with what feels right.

 

[JSchroeder]

Give serious thought to an undergrad in something else.

Look at the backgrounds of the people doing what I assume it is you are trying to do and you will notice a lot of non-animal science undergraduate degrees.  In fact MATH, BICH, etc. undergraduate degrees seem to be more common for that level of expert than animal science.

You're not going to learn enough in any undergraduate animal science program to be called anything resembling an expert in genetics (at least based on education which is what people in that field tend to care about).  It's the next two degrees where you'll earn the level of respect you'll need to earn a living doing it.

 

[dknupp]

I had a great experience at Western Illinois University with an Animal Science major.  I graduated in 1998 so not sure what has changed since then.  Animal Science degree has treated me well, of course I followed that up with a MBA.  Animal Science was the only thing I was interested in when I graduated high school.  So, thats what I did.  It was a good choice for me. 

At the end of the day, if thats what you are passionate about then do it.  You will succeed.  Don't just pick a major because someone tells you there are more job opportunities.  There are plenty of Animal Science job opportunities for those that are motivated and talented.  Just like anything else.

 

[chambero]

I'll chime in here:

In reference to your original question, if you want to study animal science - I assume you mean cattle production - you need to pick a school that teaches to the environment you will be raising cattle in.  There is very little difference in quality amongst schools, but there are some difference in emphasis and expertise on the part of professors.  As much as I might prefer Texas A&M, it would make little sense for you if you are raising cattle in the midwest.

Individual professors can make "it work" for you.  You need to develop some relationships with professors before you ever get there.  My sons (13 and 10) are already going to every function possible at Texas A&M.  Some of the primary Animal Science professors already recognize them.  I'm also sending my oldest one to livestock judging camp at OSU in Stillwater this summer so he can start getting to know them.  If you haven't already been doing things like this, you are behind the curve before you even start.  If you have, go to college at those places you've already had contact with.

As much as I love cattle and as much as my young sons do, I will do everything possible to encourage them to major in something besides animal science.  Everything others have posted about limited opportunities is correct.  I explain it this way - if you major in something with "Ag" in the name of the degree, it is very unusual for a non-ag company to give your resume a second look.  However, you can get jobs with ag companies easily with degrees that don't have the name "Ag" in them.  For example, you can get a job with big-time Ag Company (i.e. Cargill) with a B.S. in Marketing.  Big-time advertising company won't hardly touch anyone with a B.S. in Agricultural Marketing with a ten foot pole.  You are unlikely to ever get to the interview process.

 

[chambero]

The vast majority of Agriculture-based businesses are very labor intensive.  Most of their employees are in the general labor category.  Not degreed.  Most of the degreed people working in those businesses are the people that own them.

Agriculture degrees can work out for the following:
1.  Someone who comes from a family that already owns land or a business (i.e. a feed mill) and you are going in to the family business.
2.  Someone that is very passionate about a specific field (i.e. veterinary medicine or animal nutrition) and is willing to become an expert in that field via a Ph.D. or Doctorate.
3.  If you have some kind of personal contact with an ag business that can "get you in the door".

Even if you are going to be a vet, you are better off with a different degree program that is more hard science intensive than Animal Science.  If you really want to raise cattle, you learn the cow part by trial and error (experience).  What you need to learn is how to manage land.  There are other degree programs (i.e. Range Science, Botany, etc) that do a better job teaching you those issues and have a little more marketability if Plan A falls through.

I spent plenty of time in college and came out the back end with an M.S.  I never dreamed even half-way through college I'd be doing what I do now.  You do not want to tie your hands behind your back on Day 1.  Life is very unpredictable.  Universities are some of the biggest scam artists out there when they make it so easyfor kids to get "Fluffy" bachelors degrees that don't teach you anything.  I love history, but what's the point of a history degree if you don't want to teach.  Exactly what does one do with a Philosophy or Sociology degree?  Or even an English degree?  Do you think that other degrees don't teach you how to read and write?  I see so many kids getting degrees in these areas because they are easy.  Some ag programs can fall into the same category.  If you want to major in ag, you better come out the back end as a true scientist or if you ever do get a job in the field, it is very likely to be with something that pays in the same catetory as general labor. 

 

[farmboy]

Protip : be friends with your teachers.

 

[KSUwildcat2009]

Obviously I'm going to tell you K-State is the best. 

In all seriousness though, I went to K-State because it felt right.  I walked on to campus, met with a few of the Animal Science professors, got a tour of campus, drove around town and it just felt right.  If you find a place where you have that experience you can be almost guaranteed that you will be happy with your decision.  All of the schools mentioned are good schools, but they also excel at different things.

Something to remember though is this:  Make as many contacts as possible while getting your degree(s).  This can be done by attending multiple schools.  Some people do this by attending a junior college, then a university.  Others do this by attending different universities for their BS, MS and PhD.  Still others only attend one school, but participate in many activities and become active not only within their chosen department or specific college, but at the university level too.  I went to K-State knowing that I would probably end up back at the U of I for grad school, because that is what worked for me.  While I was there I participated in extra curricular activities to a) have something to do and b) to meet people.

Many people still have the mindset that Pre-Vet is the only option when you are an AnSci major.  This is not the case anymore.  Almost every program I know of has specialized options or concentrations such as business, production, and biotechnology as well as the pre-vet route.  The funny thing about AnSci majors is we don't have a specific job when we get done.  Education majors become teachers, engineering students become engineers but animal science and most other ag majors don't have a set job they are getting trained for.  There are plenty of options, but you have to prepare yourself in the right way!

If you like ag and animal science, go for it.  I learned plenty and have used a lot of it not just at home, but talking to people who don't know a darn thing about production agriculture, animals or even crops.  If you are anything like me, you are going to want to learn about cows, sows and plows and if you decide you want to get a more "diverse" degree that will put you on the right track to go to grad school (biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and others) you may very well hate it.  There is nothing wrong with that!  75% of the battle in college is finishing it.  If it wasn't for my core of agricultural classes I would have hated the school part of college.  That being said, keep your options open too.  Add a business or ag econ or communications minor.  Something that interests you but you're not sure it's really something you want to fully pursue.  I got an ag econ minor, will probably never use it, but it was interesting, it kept me from taking too many basket weaving classes, and if I got a semester into grad school and decided I hated it and genetics I had a little something to spice up my resume to make me appealing to employers.

Lastly, college isn't just about your major and the classes you take.  It's about the growing up, the finding yourself, the succeeding, the failing, and all the other life experiences.  I learned just as much from the people I met and the experiences I had (good and bad) as I did in the classes I took.  I would venture to say that most people feel the same. 

 

[stick]

KSUwildcat2009, excellent post my hat goes off to you  (clapping)

 

[Mark H]

I agree with what Chambero and Knabe have to say about the worth of an Animal Science degree in the marketplace.  No need to review their statements here.
If you want to work in traditional animal breeding areas such as quantitative genetics be prepared for a small marketplace where your skills can be sold.  Most agricultural research universities are getting out of areas with little corporate support like quantitative genetics or applied areas like crossbreeding systems.  Areas like gene manipulation are more promising because they get more funding.  But be warned:  Some of the big drug companies have had some drugs go off patent causing big layoffs (i.e. Amgen).
A BS will let you be a sales rep, if you want to be involved in the technical side of things get a MS or even better a PhD.  In any event its not a hot ticket.
If you want a practical ranch education and a rigorous first 2 years of college along with being male; look at Deep Springs College:  http://www.deepsprings.edu/about.  It is free and after you have worked the cattle bug out of your system you can transfer to a good nationally  ranked university.