well i know you have to go to that college to get your degree in biology

but in the first year you don't usually take classes that are specifically required for your major.

you usually take basic english, math, history and science courses and then a few "extras" of your choosing. then in year 2 or 3 you start taking courses that are required for whatever major you choose, in your case it's biology.

so that was why i suggested going to a school closer to you the first year to avoid the dorm situation and get your basic classes out of the way, then transfer those credits to the other college to start on your major.

obviously you would still want to find a good school and definitely talk to your parents and school advisors. but it may be an option

whatever you do good luck

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it!

no problem, i hope you can figure something out

You don't even know how bad I want Glideritis. I pray that something will work.

Good luck! If it is meant to be then it will happen. And if not then you could always get them after your first year is over and you can live on your own :-). I know it seems far away but the older you get the faster time goes by haha!

Good Luck!

Taking your basics close to home and then transfering makes good sense to me. Have you talked with your parents about this?

It would also, be less expensive for them.

Yes I have. My dad wants me out! He says I need to learn to be independent.

I dunno... He can be harsh sometimes...

I soooo want to take basic credits closer to home! My parents reallly want me to get to the university ASAP... Apparently the vet school is really hard to get into...

This to me sounds like a wonderful suggestion! Just because a glider is older and a "rescue" does not automatically mean they are less wonderful. Some of the sweetest gliders I've had come to my home have been older "rescues".

It also gives you "time" with owning/spoiling gliders to get to know more about gliders. Then when you do get "settled" and bring in some joeys, you might even want to have some breedable gliders. You will have already spent time "learning" the day to day and ins and outs and would be better prepared for breeding gliders IF that is what you chose to do. Or you may by then decide that you don't want to breed. Either way, you would be more educated about gliders and better informed.

I would certainly adopt older gliders! For sure! But I have yet to find some older gliders that aren't wild...

Aren't older gliders harder to bond with?

Not always. Sometimes the older gliders are already used to being around humans but for one reason or another, their owners just can't keep them.

Other times they are "true" rescues and just seem grateful to have good food and a good home and they show that gratitude to their new owners.

Yes, some can be harder to bond with. But if you work with a good rescuer, they will work to match up the right gliders with you.

NO glider is ever to old to bond. Yes, some can take more time and patience. But if you are willing to take on the responsibility of an animal that can live 15 years, then you should be able to give them the patience they need to learn to trust.

Makes sense. I'm not sure where to look... Any rescues in WA?

There is one place that claims to be but ivam not convinced they are. I will pm you.

Mkay. thnks you, Tracy! I don't know what I'd do without you!

Hi there Miss B. I just finished reading all the posts in this blog and I'll give you my two cents worth. I, too, wanted to go to vet school at your age, but alas, my mind was changed after being a volunteer at a vet clinic. I just don't think I could put a pet down! Anyway, I just graduated college in August. My sophomore year I was dying to get a dog, but my parents said no. I just HAD to have one, after all I was a Sophomore in college, lived in my own apartment and paid my own bills, but my parents kept saying wait. Well, I went behind their backs and got myself a Pomeranian puppy. About two weeks later, I found out I had been accepted to Study Abroad for four weeks in France. Naturally, I went to France, leaving my puppy in the care of my twin sister, who then gave her to my parents due to her nursing school schedule. Naturally, my parents fell in love with her and kept her, even after my return! So, feeling upset and alone, I got another puppy, my wonderful Boxer mix, Jake. He's really my baby. Then my senior year of college, my teacher had recommended me for another study abroad experience in France for an entire semester. I was accepted and was sent off, leaving Jake with my parents. Being as they are older, they don't do well with bigger dogs, so Jake had to become an outside dog. I was devastated, but knew he would be well taken care of. Anyway, that is my story of dying for a pet and having unforeseen circumstances jump out in front of you, albeit good circumstances.

However, I went to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where there is a "must live on campus as a freshman rule." One of my best friends got out of the rule because he wrote a note to the university saying he was going to save his money and live with his "uncle." And his "uncle" also wrote a note. His "uncle" was an older student from our high school, but the school didn't know that! Just have a friend in that area with an address to say you'll be living with them and they are your family. Trust me, there are ways around this rule, just be creative. Anyway, I think you would be a great mom to any furchild and I wish you all the luck in your pursuits. Explore all your options! I adopted an older suggie, Anna, and she loved me to pieces. And she lived out the rest of her life with me as a happy glider. In fact, she bonded with me quicker than my two boys I have now have!

Also, a biology degree is a great start, but see if WSU offers a degree in Animal Sciences. That way it won't be as boring as Bio, if you are obsessed with animal knowledge like I am. Or if you're like me, you'll start off as Bio with the intent of vet school and move to two totally different degrees, one in International Relations the other in French.

Sorry for the novel, but I hope I helped your decision in some way!

Thank you very much, Jordan! I appreciate the advice! My decision is under "considering gliders" in the Help, I'm New section.

nvm, I think you already made your decision

I had multiple pets while I attended college and made it work, my animals never lacked for anything I also went for biology, graduated in 2008. The first year I went I lived in a dorm and left my pets with my parents (but visited often!) and after that I rented a pet friendly apartment near campus. So it's possible to make it work, but there's a lot to think about. Only you can decide if you think it's something you'll be able to take on. Good luck!