What did he win?!Sampson won!!
a free bag of food (that we dont actually need...) and major bragging rights
That was horrible.
Haha yay, go Sampson!a free bag of food (that we dont actually need...) and major bragging rights
Yay! He's adorable!Sampson won!!
I was terrified to ask for mine too...but it's kind of like ripping off a bandaid and it will feel sooooo nice once you've done it and the ball is in their court. The sooner, the better.
-silence- Oh....ok....wait...seriously?
I sent emails requesting to meet to discuss because I think if I had asked in person first I would have actually dropped dead.I was terrified to ask for mine too...but it's kind of like ripping off a bandaid and it will feel sooooo nice once you've done it and the ball is in their court. The sooner, the better.
My exchange with the main veterinarian I shadowed during undergrad:
Allie: Dr. Big and Scary, I really value all the time you've taken to teach me things and let me observe you in your clinic. I was wondering if you would be willing to write me an outstanding letter of recommen--
Dr: NO
Allie:
Dr: No, just kidding. Of course.
Many laughs were had, unfortunately at my expense. They say the look on my face was priceless.
That's what I thought, and was the advice my adviser gave. That way I'm prepared, they're prepared, I don't pass out from anxiety (probably), etc
I was terrified to ask for mine too...but it's kind of like ripping off a bandaid and it will feel sooooo nice once you've done it and the ball is in their court. The sooner, the better.
My exchange with the main veterinarian I shadowed during undergrad:
Allie: Dr. Big and Scary, I really value all the time you've taken to teach me things and let me observe you in your clinic. I was wondering if you would be willing to write me an outstanding letter of recommen--
Dr: NO
Allie:
Dr: No, just kidding. Of course.
Many laughs were had, unfortunately at my expense. They say the look on my face was priceless.
My mom basically asked the vet I worked with for me. It was embarrassing. I had been freaking out about needing to ask, then my mom & I ran into the vet at Target, and I was like, "Oh hey vet, this is my mom," and the vet was like "I just love working with your daughter, (or whatever)," and then my mom went "Has she asked you for a recommendation letter yet?" And I turned bright red. And was still incredibly nervous when I actually formally asked her for it later... to the point where one of the techs basically shouted across the room that I had something to ask her, so I couldn't keep avoiding it. And she didn't even starting working on recommendation letters until like 3 days before they were due... she had the time blocked out on her daily schedule.
See these are the kinds of situations where I would have passed out/died. High pressure situations tend to reveal my social anxiety
I was really nervous to ask for them too. My conversation when something like:
I made the mistake of not getting to know my science professors, but I'm one of only a handful of people that did really well in my biochem lab and I got compliments from my professor on all of my lab reports and other assignments so I asked him.I was really nervous to ask for them too. My conversation when something like:
Me: (Really nervous) I'm applying to vet school this cycle, blah blah... Would you be willing to write--
Vets: (big smile) Of course!
Email does help. I was really nervous asking a professor for a letter, because I'm at a big school and made the mistake of not getting to know my professors, so I expected they would say no. It was easier to ask over email and they said yes anyway.
Also, I asked around this month, if not earlier, last year. I just told people that VMCAS wouldn't open until June, and then I emailed the link to VMCAS in June along with a nice reminder and a thank you. My evaluators were happy with the way I handled it and said they appreciated having plenty of time to do it.
Good luck!
I think I asked two of my LORs in person...I asked most of mine over the phone, actually...I was in Ireland the summer I was applying, so in-person wasn't really an option.
Oh god phone would have been worse. I cannot handle phones. Something about the immediacy of a conversation without the facial and body language cues just throws me off.I think I asked two of my LORs in person...I asked most of mine over the phone, actually...I was in Ireland the summer I was applying, so in-person wasn't really an option.
I'm the same way. Anxiety's a pain in the butt. People just don't get it, and don't understand why I can't just "get over it," and that the way I feel about these situations is not just the same way that everybody feels about these things. And it sucks because it get's in the way of your ability to do the things you want and be successful.See these are the kinds of situations where I would have passed out/died. High pressure situations tend to reveal my social anxiety
I have found it's gotten easier since I've been in school, though. When I was in undergrad, I couldn't even call a vet to ask to shadow... which is why it took me two years longer to apply to vet school.
This exactly. I don't know how I would have done anything if email didn't exist. The vet I've worked with for two years is the medical director at the shelter I volunteer at here, so I was able to ask the volunteer coordinator about volunteering in the clinic and then work from there. But even then when I actually asked the vet about shadowing it was through email.I'm the same way. Anxiety's a pain in the butt. People just don't get it, and don't understand why I can't just "get over it," and that the way I feel about these situations is not just the same way that everybody feels about these things. And it sucks because it get's in the way of your ability to do the things you want and be successful.
I always get really self-conscious about my body language. I liked the phone interview for a potential summer job better, too--I can fiddle with my bracelet as much as I want and they'll never "be distracted."
That sounds like a better chance of a "yes" than the professor I asked. I had taken three science classes from him (all fairly large classes), but I never went to office hours because I generally worked or had another class, and I never had questions so I never had a reason to make an appointment outside of office hours. I'm surprised he was able to write more than "she listens to lectures, only falls asleep occasionally, and gets good grades. Obviously that will make her a good vet".I made the mistake of not getting to know my science professors, but I'm one of only a handful of people that did really well in my biochem lab and I got compliments from my professor on all of my lab reports and other assignments so I asked him.
I also asked a lit professor who I've had 4 different classes with because he would be able to give a more personal recommendation than anyone else. If the science classes were as small as my writing and lit classes I wouldn't have such troubles haha.
And then I have the two vets who I've spent the most time working with, so I think I'm pretty solid.
Glad I'm not alone in the early asking thing. Sometimes it is really inconvenient to live 800 miles away from where I go to school.
And thanks!
I hear only falling asleep occasionally is a super important trait to haveThat sounds like a better chance of a "yes" than the professor I asked. I had taken three science classes from him (all fairly large classes), but I never went to office hours because I generally worked or had another class, and I never had questions so I never had a reason to make an appointment outside of office hours. I'm surprised he was able to write more than "she listens to lectures, only falls asleep occasionally, and gets good grades. Obviously that will make her a good vet".
The never having questions is what always got me too. I know when people talk about getting to know your professors they say you have to try to think of questions or make an effort to think of something you want to know more about, but it seemed like it would just be fake and awkward to me 
Much easier with my lit professor - smaller classes, I sit up front, we talk about movies, tv, and video games.
I'm hoping it's a little better in vet school. I know I can come up with lots of questions related to physiology and other stuff that I would love to discuss with a professor, but I would have been faking interest in some of my undergrad stuff, and I felt bad taking up a professor's time to ask about something that I really didn't want to know more about.I hear only falling asleep occasionally is a super important trait to have
Wowz!! That would be REALLY tough but exciting! Well that makes me feel better. I'm really excited about it, but I know there are relationships I have to let go of, and people I might never (or very rarely) see again. That's the hard part :/ growing up is hard XD
I'm definitely getting those mixed feelings. I have never lived out of state before and it's scary to think about moving far away from my friends and family. Thank god I have my husband moving with me though so it shouldn't be that bad for me.
Yeah that is the same with me. I've always wanted to move states, but now that it is becoming reality it is a little intimidating! You are so lucky that you have a supportive partner who will follow you! I'm still looking for that one who would follow me.. I'll be ending a relationship to go to school. Trying to tell myself that anyone worth it would have followed me... But it's hard.
and she is amazing because she puts in just as much effort, and has even offered to road trip with me to move me into my new home at the end of summer! That should help make me feel more at home initially.
Yes, my horses will be my life savers as well as my rats! Unfortunately I'll have to leave my 2 dogs behind because they are family pets
and my rabbit is so old that I think the drive would stress him to death. I'm glad to hear that everyone is so supportive in vet school!
Thank you for your kind words nyanko! I actually spoke with my coach on Friday and talked to her about some of my options. I went into her office with decision that I would no longer play, but left with the option of taking a year to redshirt and taking the harder classes during this upcoming year. She gave me the weekend to think about it, and I have decided that I will be choosing the redshirt option. It's gonna kill me to not compete in tournaments, but I think it'll be well worth the extra year of scholarship and opportunity. I would also like to thank everyone that has taken their time to reply and offer encouragement! I believe I have made the right decision for my future, though it may delay the process.
Yeah I can see how that would be tough. I already have those kinds of issues in undergrad! It is hard for someone not in school to not take it personally when you can't see them regularly.
Ah sorry! Yes I didn't mean to offend. Really what I meant was if your SO is willing to stick with you whether that be coming with you physically OR having a long distance relationship I admire that and think it is great. My situation will be neither of those unfortunately. I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes distance= relationship over. For those who choose the other alternative I admire and envy very much. Basically I think it's awesome that some SOs will stick with their partner regardless of distance or scheduling conflicts.I know you don't mean to offend, but there are a handful of us on here in LDR for vet school and we believe our SOs are "worth it" even though they didn't follow us; I know my husband is more than 100% worth it and I am so lucky to have such a patient guy waiting for me to come home. Believe me, I was freaking out when he told me he wasn't going to come up with me but like BD said, I think it's a good thing he isn't here because school requires so much time, energy and emotion that I feel as though I would have to half-ass either school or my relationship. People make it work and I admire them so much, but I'm glad I don't have to juggle that in school.
I moved to another country too and it's scary at first, but you'll settle in fine
Wow sorry to hear that
I had not thought of it that way at all!
Wow sorry to hear that
Wow a whole new perspective... I'm starting to think that the single life might be the easy way to go in the long run now lol. And I do have my handsome gelding Adelaar (the grey in my avatar) to be my sweetheart when I get time for him on some weekends.
