I think it matters more to the vet school that you have the prerequisites and experience necessary to get into vet school rather than whether you matriculated from their undergraduate program. Regardless of whether you went to UC Davis as an animal science major there is a certain set of course requirements for each vet school. The animal science major course requirements may or may not necessarily fulfill every single course requirement needed for vet school. This is something you must research. You typically must fulfill these requirements in order to be considered for the vet program.

My advice to you:
1) Make sure you do well in all of these course requirements!
2) Work or volunteer with animals as much as possible. Make sure to keep record of all of these hours and note who your supervisor was. You'll need this information when you apply and you'll likely seek recommendations from these people. Also seek a wide range of experiences. Look for volunteer experiences at zoos, wildlife centers, laboratories as well as traditional vet clinics.

It might actually be easier in Santa Barbara to find a job at a vet clinic than in Davis where there are a ton of pre-vets all trying to get the same positions. Note that if you are not a California resident it is difficult to get into UC Davis' vet program. More space is allotted for residents than non-residents at most vet schools, so keep that in mind! Also you could probably email an advisor at UC Davis that could put you in touch with vet students there to give you more information and advice. Good luck!!

Well I am an earth scientist not a biologist although I do love canines especially wolfs, coyotes, and dogs.

In general I would say this: the most important aspect is having the desire to accomplish the goal of getting into VET school. I think that you could be at UCSB and earn a 4.0 GPA and you will then get in probably almost anywhere!!! Certainly Davis has a great animal science thing going.... but if you really like UCSB and if you can apply yourself I think you can do anything!!!

Remember the story of Malcolm X??? He was a teenage delinquent who could not read nor write and was leading a life of crime. In jail he had an epiphany... that is he had a life changing experience... he realized that he was headed nowhere and that his life had no meaning... he wanted to change the world and help others in his situation,,,, so he changed himself... he realized he had to become literate so the first thing he did was READ the WEBSTER DICIONARY and copy it VERBATIM!!! He taught himself how to read and write IN PRISON under dire circumstances. HE HAD THE WILL TO ACCOMPLISH something meaningful with his life and he DID in fact do that...but it took a very strong desire.

So perhaps my answer or comment here is over the top.... but I hope the point does make sense. UCSB has a great academic program. if you hit the books hard , get involved with your biology and chemistry profs ( and take some paleontology from us folks in EARTH SCIENCE) and get involved with some research as soon as you can, even if it means cleaning up the labs at first, then trust me YOU WILL SUCCEED!!!

Anyway that's my two pesos worth of advice. Make an appointment and go and talk to an academic advisor in biology at UCSB and ask some questions.

Or read their web sites and find a professor that does research in the areas you are interested in and send them email!!! Its free!!!GOOD LUCK

UCSB has an excellent biology and pre-med program. UC Davis is the bestgraduate school for veterinary services. UCSB has no graduate program inmedicine of any kind, animal or human. So, if you love UCSB I wouldrecommend that you come here for undergraduate school, and then apply toUC Davis for their graduate veterinary medical program. At UCSB, major inbiology and be pre-med; get involved in a biomedical research group -maybe talk to Professor Miriam Polne-Fuller, as she is very knowledgeableand always assists undergrads and high school students to get involved inresearch.

Maybe even apply to the College of Creative Studies, as I believe theyhave the best biology program anywhere.

Then, while you are here, get involved in volunteering with a local vet. Myvet is actually in Carpinteria. I know that he takes on students who want training, and he is the best vet in this area. So, maybeyou could work there a couple of times/week to get experience. It is verydifficult to get into medical school, and they look for ways in which thecandidate has done volunteer work! (I know this, from having writtenletters of recommendation for many students for medical school!)

The biggest veterinary medical clinic that is close to UCSB is in Ventura:
the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG). They also may have atraining/internship program, and I know that many interns from UC Daviscome to the VMSG for internships. I have first-hand experience with two ofmy dogs who had terminal patient care at the VMSG.