Can I take time between my undergrad/vet school? Help please

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I know I have 5 years to take the GRE and submit it, I was thinking of taking a year off and relocating to the state I want to attend in.

Just a year, but I was wondering if I'll be skipped over because I don't jump right in... or is that smarter?? A year to study for the test and get all my letters and everything together.

Any advice would help. Has anyone taken a year off before going to vet school??

I took off a year, only because I did not get in my first cycle. I've enjoyed it by the fact that I've made some money, but I am also really tired of my job and ready to start vet school in the fall. Guess I just don't have too much advice. Sorry!

Thank you very much (:

As long as you're using your year (not so much a "year off" as a "year out of school"), there shouldn't be anything wrong with taking some time between undergrad and vet school. If you use the time well, it will probably make you a more competitive applicant, or allow you to try something else and conclude that there's nothing you'd rather do than vet med (or maybe you would), or...or anything.

I got into vet school right after undergrad, but I'm wondering if I should have taken a year off to do something else. I've also heard from a couple of older vets that they were really glad they took a year between undergrad and vet school.

Originally Posted by equineconstant

As long as you're using your year (not so much a "year off" as a "year out of school"), there shouldn't be anything wrong with taking some time between undergrad and vet school. If you use the time well, it will probably make you a more competitive applicant, or allow you to try something else and conclude that there's nothing you'd rather do than vet med (or maybe you would), or...or anything.

I got into vet school right after undergrad, but I'm wondering if I should have taken a year off to do something else. I've also heard from a couple of older vets that they were really glad they took a year between undergrad and vet school.

I really want my number one school to see that I'm dedicated to them, hence the relocation and the year to study for the GRE and get everything together. I just know myself, I'm going to rush and stress and I won't get accepted because I'll be trying to do everything at once. So maybe it is smarter to do that. And congrats on getting accepted right out like that!!

May I ask, did you have a high GPA or what all did you have??
I know all the things taken into consideration, but I know some people make it in with a "mediocre" GPA and a lot of experience or a high score on the GRE. What was it for you??

I agree with EC. 3 years of UG and heading straight to vet school, in some ways it would have been nice to take it a littler slower, maybe get a chance to try more things for fun, but so be it.

But yeah, a year out of school shouldn't be a big deal, but you should stay busy. A year off with no school or work/volunteer/shadow/research/etc experience, or something to strengthen your application won't look good.

Originally Posted by Frozenshades

I agree with EC. 3 years of UG and heading straight to vet school, in some ways it would have been nice to take it a littler slower, maybe get a chance to try more things for fun, but so be it.

But yeah, a year out of school shouldn't be a big deal, but you should stay busy. A year off with no school or work/volunteer/shadow/research/etc experience, or something to strengthen your application won't look good.

I am planning on relocating, studying for my GRE and taking it at least 2 times before the big one, and volunteering/working at an office. I will stay busy, I've wanted to be a vet since I was 2 years old, but I just finished my first year in college so I have some time. Thank you for your input!!

Originally Posted by superheroGEE

I am planning on relocating, studying for my GRE and taking it at least 2 times before the big one, and volunteering/working at an office. I will stay busy, I've wanted to be a vet since I was 2 years old, but I just finished my first year in college so I have some time. Thank you for your input!!

No problem. Do you what you need to do to get a decent score, but I wouldn't plan on that many GRE attempts; retake it only if you must (save time and money, ya know?) It's really not that bad; I studied a moderate amount and just took it once.

Originally Posted by superheroGEE

I am planning on relocating, studying for my GRE and taking it at least 2 times before the big one, and volunteering/working at an office. I will stay busy, I've wanted to be a vet since I was 2 years old, but I just finished my first year in college so I have some time. Thank you for your input!!

unless you like really have to, I wouldn't plan on taking the GRE THREE times. it's like $160 and 4 hours each time.
I mean, sure, if you take it and want to score better, take it again, but for such a pricy and long test, it seems kind of silly to me to go into the test center already planning on taking it again.

and I graduated 2 years ago, hadn't been thinking vet school until right around graduation time, and was accepted first cycle this year. I'm glad I had time off.

Originally Posted by kakurubird

unless you like really have to, I wouldn't plan on taking the GRE THREE times. it's like $160 and 4 hours each time.
I mean, sure, if you take it and want to score better, take it again, but for such a pricy and long test, it seems kind of silly to me to go into the test center already planning on taking it again.

and I graduated 2 years ago, hadn't been thinking vet school until right around graduation time, and was accepted first cycle this year. I'm glad I had time off.

oh wow, expensive.
Thanks for the heads up! I think a year would be appropriate for me, I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't get screwed over because the time would be used for studying and gaining more experience.

Thank you (:

Originally Posted by Frozenshades

No problem. Do you what you need to do to get a decent score, but I wouldn't plan on that many GRE attempts; retake it only if you must (save time and money, ya know?) It's really not that bad; I studied a moderate amount and just took it once.

Definitely!!
I think a year will be enough to study, gain some more experience, and make myself look better to the schools I want.

Originally Posted by superheroGEE

I know I have 5 years to take the GRE and submit it, I was thinking of taking a year off and relocating to the state I want to attend in.

Just a year, but I was wondering if I'll be skipped over because I don't jump right in... or is that smarter?? A year to study for the test and get all my letters and everything together.

Any advice would help. Has anyone taken a year off before going to vet school??

Well I took 4 years off between undergrad and vet school and so far, I think it was a good decision. Maybe a bit too long, but it gave me a chance to get some more varied experience, put some savings in the bank, and really decide that yes, this was the course I wanted to follow. I also had 3 years off between undergrad and taking the GRE and it was actually nice to have time when all I was doing was working and studying for the GRE. I just went to a half-priced book store and bought a used GRE prep book. That was seriously helpful - going through the material and doing the practice exams online was great prep and I ended up doing very well on the GRE.

Originally Posted by superheroGEE

I am planning on relocating, studying for my GRE and taking it at least 2 times before the big one, and volunteering/working at an office. I will stay busy, I've wanted to be a vet since I was 2 years old, but I just finished my first year in college so I have some time. Thank you for your input!!

Please don't take the actual GRE multiple times unless you need to improve your scores! There are online practice versions you can access with the purchase of some practice books - even used ones (the one I had you just had to input like the 5th word of the 8th chapter to get access to them).

Originally Posted by kcoughli

Well I took 4 years off between undergrad and vet school and so far, I think it was a good decision. Maybe a bit too long, but it gave me a chance to get some more varied experience, put some savings in the bank, and really decide that yes, this was the course I wanted to follow. I also had 3 years off between undergrad and taking the GRE and it was actually nice to have time when all I was doing was working and studying for the GRE. I just went to a half-priced book store and bought a used GRE prep book. That was seriously helpful - going through the material and doing the practice exams online was great prep and I ended up doing very well on the GRE.



Please don't take the actual GRE multiple times unless you need to improve your scores! There are online practice versions you can access with the purchase of some practice books - even used ones (the one I had you just had to input like the 5th word of the 8th chapter to get access to them).

Thank you so much for your input (: good luck in your career choice !

Originally Posted by superheroGEE

I really want my number one school to see that I'm dedicated to them, hence the relocation and the year to study for the GRE and get everything together. I just know myself, I'm going to rush and stress and I won't get accepted because I'll be trying to do everything at once. So maybe it is smarter to do that. And congrats on getting accepted right out like that!!

May I ask, did you have a high GPA or what all did you have??
I know all the things taken into consideration, but I know some people make it in with a "mediocre" GPA and a lot of experience or a high score on the GRE. What was it for you??

My stats are in the accepted students thread if you want to see them, but I did have a high GPA and basically looked really good on paper. I've been working towards this since I started undergrad (did I mention I haven't actually done anything else?).

Originally Posted by kakurubird

unless you like really have to, I wouldn't plan on taking the GRE THREE times. it's like $160 and 4 hours each time.
I mean, sure, if you take it and want to score better, take it again, but for such a pricy and long test, it seems kind of silly to me to go into the test center already planning on taking it again.

and I graduated 2 years ago, hadn't been thinking vet school until right around graduation time, and was accepted first cycle this year. I'm glad I had time off.

Not only is it expensive but depending on the school they can average the scores instead of taking the best score so unless you really dont do well it doesnt benefit you to re take.

Originally Posted by Museum Nerd

Not only is it expensive but depending on the school they can average the scores instead of taking the best score so unless you really dont do well it doesnt benefit you to re take.

yeah, but they started a score selection thing, so, that's not really going to matter anymore unless schools require you to send ALL scores (which I think at least one school had said something about I vaguely remember hearing).

http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_gener...ut/scoreselect

I graduated in Dec 2010 and am starting school this fall...didnt apply 2010 and didnt get in 2011 so partly choice and partly had too. This time off has been great for me. I retook and did much better on my GRE, worked in the veterinary field, and really investigated the schools and focus I wanted to pursue. Life experience can sometimes be more important than finishing everything as soon as possible.

I graduated in May of 2010 and I am just now finishing my first year of vet school. So, I had two years in between undergrad and vet school but it was due to not getting accepted and not really a choice thing. It really does not matter and one of the schools even recommended the taking a year off and moving as an option to increase chances of being accepted. I have found it a bit difficult to get back into the swing of being in classes though. Also, I got used to being on my feet all the time working and then going to sitting at a desk for 8+ hours per day is a bit of an adjustment as well. Just something else to keep in mind, but it is perfectly acceptable to take a year or two off just be sure that you are doing something in that year and not just sitting around doing nothing.

I took a year off between graduating and my first application cycle. It was the best desicion I have made, hands down. I was able to gain 1000s of hours shadowing and volunteering, do 6 more months of university research, as well as to have fun and get refreshed after my four years of undergrad. I highly, highly recommend it. I feel so refreshed and ready to start school this fall!

I second what everyone is saying, use that time wisely to build up your application. Don't sit around doing nothing!

Edit: I was accepted my first cycle, so the break was by choice, not because I wasn't accepted. I second other people making that choice to take a year and build up your app.

I also took a year off, by choice, and it was a good idea for me. Like everyone else said, just make sure you use that year wisely and you'll be fine. My GPA was pretty horrendous and I was accepted my first cycle so it's not a death sentence by any means if you need to take some time in between.

Def not a problem to take a year off. I took two years off to do research, and those two years made me a much more competitive applicant. In that time, i also had the opportunity to run a little cat shelter in an urban setting, and that gave me great leadership experience. Both of those things not only helped me get into vet schools, but helped land me
research opportunities once in vet school, and made me competitive for scholarships. So I'd say go for it! Seize the opportunity to do things you want to, because once you're in vet school you only have limited time to do extra things.

I took 3 years off and did nothing veterinary rated. I used to think that you had to apply right away, but we have tons of non traditionals in my class. Do what you need to do.