What are my chances of being accepted to vet school?

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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I am a junior animal science major. My current GPA is a 3.34 and I received a 1200 (520/verbal 680/quantative 5/analytical writing) on the GRE (Re-taking end of August). I have various animal experience including two and a half years at an animal hospital, 6 months at a spay/neuter clinic, extensive livestock experience, and certification in A.I. I feel that since my GPA isn't very competitive my GRE scores should have been higher. I was just interested in getting some honest opinions and advice as to where I stand. I will be applying to a few different schools, with my main choice being Tufts as it's IS.

Mel.
 
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What OOS schools are you looking at? Can't really comment on Tufts specifically since I didn't apply there, although your experiences sound good so perhaps they can help you overcome your GPA (along with a higher quantitive GRE score).
 
The best thing to do is apply and see what happens. There really is no rhyme or reason to how people are accepted, so it's hard to say whether someone will or will not get in. But I CAN tell you that I think you have a good shot. 🙂
 
You definitely have a shot, you've got better stats than I did and I got in.
 
I think you have a good shot at getting in. Your GPA is below average, but it isn't terrible, your experiences are good and your GRE scores are pretty good. I would say that your GPA is your weakest point, but if you look at the stats listed on the Successful Applicants thread, you can see that people got in with lower GPAs than yours.
 
I don't mean to be rude and i'm not sure where to post this really because it goes out to everyone who has ever posted a thread like this. Why do all of these people think they can receive their own thread about their own personal stats? i mean, we have a ton of successful stat threads so you can easily look up the info. I can kind of understand if someone has a 3.0 or lower, but with avg stats?? The answer will always be the same...there is no guarantee and it depends on the rest of the application (eLORs, experience, PS). Anyway, like i said before, not trying to be mean...im just tired of people asking questions where there is no real answer (and i think everyone secretly knows this, but they want to hear things like "yea u have a chance" anyway) So yes, you have a chance! good luck applying this year!
 
You didn't "receive" that on your GRE. You earned it. 😉

And I agree with the Pennwe above me. And I'm going to add that you'll never get in and you should apply for podiatry school instead. SO there.
 
BlacKAT33 said:
I don't mean to be rude and i'm not sure where to post this really because it goes out to everyone who has ever posted a thread like this. Why do all of these people think they can receive their own thread about their own personal stats? i mean, we have a ton of successful stat threads so you can easily look up the info. I can kind of understand if someone has a 3.0 or lower, but with avg stats?? The answer will always be the same...there is no guarantee and it depends on the rest of the application (eLORs, experience, PS). Anyway, like i said before, not trying to be mean...im just tired of people asking questions where there is no real answer (and i think everyone secretly knows this, but they want to hear things like "yea u have a chance" anyway) So yes, you have a chance! good luck applying this year!
Click to expand...

This. Thank you for saying what I was thinking, BlacKAT.

Apply. If you get in, awesome! If you don't, get a file review, see how you can improve, and try, try again. It's what a lot of us do. We post to gain perspective and support each other in our collective dream to be veterinarians, not to post stats and get feedback about getting into vet school or not. We ALL have a shot of getting in, it's what you DO to get in that makes the difference. So, do something different. Make yourself stand out. Separate yourself from the thousands of other students with stats just like yours.
 
Actually I would say don't get your hopes up. You have average to below average academic stats and Tufts is highly competitive instate.
Most people on here try to be encouraging and will say you have a shot; I prefer to be realistic and say you don't. But, hey, it is a free-ish country.

There might be some other school out there somewhere that will accept you, but as a Junior you will be competing with much better rounded candidates.

Still, I hope you apply to Penn as well, they could use the extra revenue from your application to help lower my tuition.

Otherwise I agree with B-33 and Nyanko.
 
StartingoverVet said:
I hope you apply to Penn as well, they could use the extra revenue from your application to help lower my tuition.
Click to expand...

:laugh: Your threads never fail to make me laugh.

I think you all should clarify and post on the front page some personal requests for posting on the pre-vet threads. For example:
1. Please do not start a new thread with your stats asking if you can get in. We are not the adcoms and even though we wish we had some control over it, we don't. Please research the schools and the successful applicants thread to see where you fit in first and then post on a current thread.
2. Before you start a new thread, search to see if the information you are posting has already been posted. If you can't find it, ask twelvetigers to make sure.
 
StartingoverVet said:
Still, I hope you apply to Penn as well, they could use the extra revenue from your application to help lower my tuition
Click to expand...

haha I only see vet school tuition going one way. HINT: It's not down. 😛

And just throwing out an idea, we could do something like the pre-allo kids do and have a "*****What are my chances?***** thread....or not.
 
I vote moderators make a sticky about what rileydog said. Even if we had a "what are my chances" thread, there is still no true answer. we could say you have a 50% chance, or we could say there is no way in hell...but then there are always those rare people who get in with a 2.8 GPA (as recently shown on the new post of the successful app thread) so who knows!
 
Based on my careful calculations and consultation with an esteemed expert, your chance of getting into vet school is exactly:

answer.jpg
 
I think that's everyone's chances of getting in.

Also: the adcom's preferred method of selection. Magic 8 Balls are statistically way more accurate than the stairs. Must be the magic.
 
while I agree that the idea of a "what are my chances" thread is slightly ridiculous and get annoyed at each individual who starts one of these posts, let's not let out our furies at the poor original poster here. address our concerns to the moderators instead.

Mel: I hope you are still able to find the sdn forums an open venue for your prevet questions/comments. you should try to meet with the admissions people at your IS and do a pre-application review.
 
der2002 said:
while I agree that the idea of a "what are my chances" thread is slightly ridiculous and get annoyed at each individual who starts one of these posts, let's not let out our furies at the poor original poster here. address our concerns to the moderators instead.

Mel: I hope you are still able to find the sdn forums an open venue for your prevet questions/comments. you should try to meet with the admissions people at your IS and do a pre-application review.
Click to expand...

This is true, i didnt realize my original post would start a new topic. Like i said before, this wasnt meant for this OP only but more of a rant for everyone who does this. So sorry to point only you out OP!! just a general comment and i hope all other newbies see this and realize their chances of getting in are also "who freakin knows"
 
To the OP: You still have time especially if you're a rising junior and have another year to raise your gpa, retake gre, etc... Definitely do a file review with Tufts. Go over there, make a positive impression and make a plan of attack with the admission staff there. I think especially if you have average stats, it might be a good idea to have that meeting and establish your weeknesses and how you want to address those. You might even get kudo points for actually following through and doing those things, even if your application is sub-stellar when you finally apply.

When I had my file review with them, and upon seeing my stats (3.6 gpa, 590 verbal, 760 quant) I was told my verbal was a smidge too low. That it shouldn't be a prob since I was IS, but had I been OOS... it could have been a prob. I was like holy crap... that's like 85th percentile too...

and don't worry about it at all if you get in OOS but not at Tufts... cause the tuition's the same anyway!
 
StartingoverVet said:
Actually I would say don't get your hopes up. You have average to below average academic stats and Tufts is highly competitive instate.
Most people on here try to be encouraging and will say you have a shot; I prefer to be realistic and say you don't. But, hey, it is a free-ish country.

There might be some other school out there somewhere that will accept you, but as a Junior you will be competing with much better rounded candidates.

Still, I hope you apply to Penn as well, they could use the extra revenue from your application to help lower my tuition.

Otherwise I agree with B-33 and Nyanko.
Click to expand...

Can I refer to you as Mr. Negative from now on?
 
Man I got a 490 on my verbal and got in OOS! I'm so glad it wasn't too much of a problem 🙂 I guess that really goes to show that you never know if your stats will get you in and what the adcoms really want until you apply. I'd say go for it! No one can say if you'll get in or not, you just have to try!
 
Minnerbelle said:
When I had my file review with them, and upon seeing my stats (3.6 gpa, 590 verbal, 760 quant) I was told my verbal was a smidge too low. That it shouldn't be a prob since I was IS, but had I been OOS... it could have been a prob. I was like holy crap... that's like 85th percentile too...
Click to expand...

To compliment Minnerbelle's tidbit and lend more support to the "who freakin' knows" camp... I got into Tufts OOS with a 510 verbal (3.8 gpa, 780 quant)... so it just goes to show you: who freakin' knows. good luck applying!
 
oh sorry, didn't want to make it sound like a doom and gloom. that was actually in the context of being told that given what I said about my stats/experiences/presence (indicator for interview), and given that nothing unexpectedly funky happens with my apps, she couldn't find an obvious reason why I would be rejected. followed by the statement that if anything, my gre verbal was a smidge low.
 
It sounds like you are a competitive applicant with okay stats. This will probably put you on the bubble pretty much everywhere. Improving your GRE score will probably be very helpful. Getting excellent grades this fall will boost your last 45 GPA and if you've only completed 90 or so credits it may make a noticeable impact on your cGPA as well. If you apply to several schools that accept a lot of at-large candidates, and if your personal statement and letters of recommendation are excellent, then you probably have a fairly good shot to get at least one acceptance for the fall, even if it is off a waiting list. And if you don't get in this time, the hard work you put in will give you a head start for the next cycle. Realistically, it wouldn't be surprising to see someone with your stats either accepted, rejected, or waitlisted. To me, what this means is give it your best shot and be prepared for any possible outcome.
 
Thank you all for your opinions and advice. I apologize for posting a personal and repetitive thread. I'm new to this site and did not realize I was being an obnoxious newb. I realize that no one can tell me whether I will get in or not, but I was just hoping to get some general advice and ideas based on others experiences. I am, as I'm sure are most of you, extremely nervous about this application process and of course was hopeful for some reassurance. Of course I understand that in reality no one really knows (unless someone here is on the admission staff and if so feel free to pm me lol 🙂) what my chances are.I know my stats are borderline and I guess I just was hoping to here some advice from ppl that might have been in similar situations that were accepted. Regardless, I will be applying this fall and continue to apply until I get in! Good luck to all!

And to StartingOverVet-I will make sure to apply to Penn with the hope of getting in so as to help lower your tuition 😉
 
To the OP, there's nothing about your stats (to me) that would automatically disqualify you or make you a long shot. You're definitely in the running, so I'd go ahead and apply. At the very least, you get a feel for the application process, go through a post mortem review, and strengthen your app for next time.

As far as the "personal postings" go, there's an entire thread in the pre-med forum titled "What are my chances?" and it's stickied to the top. Maybe we can create a similar thread for all queries such as this one?
 
I have a friend with nearly identical stats including the AI couse while she was at Umass. I think tufts cares a lot about GPA especially for in state people. My advice would be to apply to some OOS schools to maximize your chances unless you refuse to leave new England. There are a bunch of schools that would be cheaper for you even with OOS tuition.
 
MBB89 said:
I am a junior animal science major. My current GPA is a 3.34 and I received a 1200 (520/verbal 680/quantative 5/analytical writing) on the GRE (Re-taking end of August). I have various animal experience including two and a half years at an animal hospital, 6 months at a spay/neuter clinic, extensive livestock experience, and certification in A.I. I feel that since my GPA isn't very competitive my GRE scores should have been higher. I was just interested in getting some honest opinions and advice as to where I stand. I will be applying to a few different schools, with my main choice being Tufts as it's IS.

Mel.
Click to expand...

I got in with a lower GRE and about the same GPA. It took me 3 times... but you never give up if it's what you truly want. I don't think your stats are that bad... just be persistent.
 
I think you all should clarify and post on the front page some personal requests for posting on the pre-vet threads. For example:
1. Please do not start a new thread with your stats asking if you can get in. We are not the adcoms and even though we wish we had some control over it, we don't. Please research the schools and the successful applicants thread to see where you fit in first and then post on a current thread.
2. Before you start a new thread, search to see if the information you are posting has already been posted. If you can't find it, ask twelvetigers to make sure.
Click to expand...

Addendum to Point #1 - "We are not the pre-Allo thread."

Apologies, however, to the OP as you didn't know 🙂.
 
there's an entire thread in the pre-med forum titled "What are my chances?"

It's tempting to go over there and say "better than getting into vet school". 😀

I saw some stats (a few years old though) that said there are 2 spots for every 5 pre-med applicants (40% chance) and 1 spot for every 14 pre-vet applicants (7% chance).
 
UFCVMhopeful said:
there's an entire thread in the pre-med forum titled "What are my chances?"

It's tempting to go over there and say "better than getting into vet school". 😀

I saw some stats (a few years old though) that said there are 2 spots for every 5 pre-med applicants (40% chance) and 1 spot for every 14 pre-vet applicants (7% chance).
Click to expand...

I don't care enough to look it up again, but in the past, when we've looked at the numbers (# of applicants/# of matriculants) it's been around the same.

The application process is just a little different. The following is speculation, but it seems a LOT harder to overcome a sub-par GPA or sub-par test scores when applying to med school vs. vet school. But the experience necessary to gain admission to vet school is much more brutal than that of med school.
 
UFCVMhopeful said:
there's an entire thread in the pre-med forum titled "What are my chances?"

It's tempting to go over there and say "better than getting into vet school". 😀

I saw some stats (a few years old though) that said there are 2 spots for every 5 pre-med applicants (40% chance) and 1 spot for every 14 pre-vet applicants (7% chance).
Click to expand...

I've looked it up multiple times in the past, but nationally based on percentages its a little bit harder to get into med school than vet school. For both med and vet the numbers are between 40 and 45% of applicants are accepted each year, it being a little lower for med. Just be grateful you don't have to take the MCAT like they do.
 
david594 said:
I've looked it up multiple times in the past, but nationally based on percentages its a little bit harder to get into med school than vet school. For both med and vet the numbers are between 40 and 45% of applicants are accepted each year, it being a little lower for med. Just be grateful you don't have to take the MCAT like they do.
Click to expand...

Do those numbers include DO schools? Just curious.
 
ogod we've had this convo so many times lol. ive never seen where it is harder to get into med school though. but sometimes it is about even and others it is harder for vet. it really depends on the school. and also OOS.
i like to think of it as....if you cant get into ANY med school what do you do? you apply to a DO school and get in easily, same price and also many option over the U.S. If you can't get into vet school anywhere the only option is Caribbean which has a whole list of negative things (not the schools, but the distance, $$, loans, etc)
 
Maybe it's about the same then, but there are less vet schools, so maybe it's more accurate to say that it is a lot harder to get into vet school on the first try?
 
Also I feel like pre-vets are weeded out sooner because of the amount of experience they need to get into vet school. I know a ton of people who after a long time of working decided it wasn't really what they wanted to do. Pre-med people usually don't get as much experience and are not as likely to drop out. Therefore, more people applying to vet school are more serious and in it for the long haul- so tougher competition (of course this isn't proven and yadda yadda but it is just my thought on the whole thing)
 
I believe Tufts is one of the schools that takes into account strength of undergrad program. Obviously it will depend on where you went to undergrad, recommendations, and the interview but I got in OOS with

720 Quant
510 Verbal
3.38 overall GPA
1000 hours companion
170 hours volunteer Zoo

Hope that gives you some idea of a baseline
 
There really seems no point in comparing the 2 but, I can't resist....

... I agree, much harder to get into Med school with a low GPA.

... But also, I think it is much easier to get into Med school directly from undergrad. Don't have any statistics in front of me, but my impression is that since experience is necessary there are far fewer non-trads %-wise in med school. Be curious to see the stats if anyone digs them up (if I ever finish unpacking I will do it myself).
 
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