1st time applicant

[misshayyy]

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Hi all! I’m 25F applying to vet school 🙂 First time applicant

Overall GPA: 2.9 (ik just still help plzz)


Degree:
B.S in Animal Science: Poultry and Veterinary Sciences

Veterinary Experience:
~50 hours in a private emergency clinic: mostly shadowing
~250+ hours in a gp/ acted as a vet tech under the title "student intern" @ Banfield

Animal Experience (no vet):
~2000+ hours in the classroom (I teach Veterinary Medical Applications to HS students; we have animals in the school, which I demonstrate on.
- 50 hours, pocket animal/hamster (roommate lol)
- 2 hours, volunteer set up with goat farm (should this be moved?)
- 3 hours: dairy farm
- 4 dogs ( I don't know exactly how many hours count towards this)

Research Experience:
Attended a VSCP symposium with TAMU

Awards:
NHSS - High school
Extracurriculars:
Pre-vet club
Volunteer - SL Animal Shelter
Dog walker
Volunteer - Mo Animal Shelter

Employment (not animal):
Full-time Teacher - Veterinary Medicine (2 years)
Health Care Aid - 8 years

Scholarships:
Pell Grant recipient
OES scholarship

Concerns:
An obvious low GPA, and I am working on hours now. I did get to start my master's program but had to put it on hold due to financial difficulties at the time. Will any schools even look at my application? or is back to the drawing board.

 

[JaynaAli]

I think if I were you, I’d wait another cycle and improve your app some more before spending the money to apply. Right now, you’re on the very low side for both hours and GPA. What are your other GPAs like science, last 45, etc.? Knowing that may help people give you better recommendations. People with low GPAs can get accepted and people with low hours can get accepted, but if you’ve got both low hours and a low GPA I worry your chances are pretty low right now. However, I think there are things you can do to improve! If you can get quite a few more hours of experience (especially if it’s in a variety of types of vet med) I think you’ll be in a more competitive place, though to be quite honest your GPA may hold you back unless you can improve that too. Your experience as a teacher is neat.

You could certainly try to apply with what you’ve got here…I mean on one hand, you can’t get in if you don’t apply. But especially if finances are tight like you mention at the very end, I’d probably not waste money applying quite yet and save your money to apply when your app stats are in a more competitive place. The apps get expensive fast! I’m not trying to dissuade you from the dream at all, just saying to be critical and not waste money. If you do apply, be sure to look at the schools you’re interested in and know exactly how they choose applicants and if they have hard GPA cutoffs for cumulative GPA, science GPA, etc. If you’re below and of the cutoffs, you’re needlessly donating them your application fees. Apply where you realistically have a chance with your stats. Spend some time reading old posts on SDN to see advice given to the lower GPA applicants and what their outcomes were to give yourself a frame of reference.

Good luck!

 

[spiane]

As far as I'm aware, most schools in the States require a 3.0 minimum. If you haven't already, I recommend looking at the "Low GPA/Non-Traditional Pre-vet and Vet Students" FB page

 

[CeeGee14]

I would recommend waiting until later to apply. Like other commentators have said, most schools do require a 3.0 mininum GPA. If it's possible, try retaking prereqs that you did poorly in. Some schools will allow you to replace a bad grade with a better one. People have most certainly gotten in with low vet hours, but most schools do require at least 1 rec letter from a vet. Are you confident that the vet you approach for a rec letter knows you well enough to write you a strong one?

Once your GPA and vet hours have improved a bit, research the schools you want to apply to and apply strategically. Schools like Illinois have a GPA cut-off and you probably won't make it past their phase 1. Apply to schools that place more emphasis on your last 45 credits or let you replace grades for certain classes. You can absolutely make things work; you just have to be smart about it.

Also, I don't think personal pets count towards animal hours.

Good luck!

 

[pp9]

+1 on waiting to reapply until you can get your GPA and hours up. There are people that get accepted with <3.0's, but it's very rare. Typically they are an exceptional candidate in other ways, and I'm not sure what you've written here would get you an acceptance.

Also, how are you teaching 2000+ hours of 'veterinary medical applications' to high school kids when you have only two months' worth of veterinary experience yourself?

 

[misshayyy]

+1 on waiting to reapply until you can get your GPA and hours up. There are people that get accepted with <3.0's, but it's very rare. Typically they are an exceptional candidate in other ways, and I'm not sure what you've written here would get you an acceptance.

Also, how are you teaching 2000+ hours of 'veterinary medical applications' to high school kids when you have only two months' worth of veterinary experience yourself?

In a few words, there is a Teacher shortage, but learning continues. Vet techs and vet assistants step in to support me whenever needed.

 

[vampyrica]

Also, how are you teaching 2000+ hours of 'veterinary medical applications' to high school kids when you have only two months' worth of veterinary experience yourself?

To add onto this; one of my friends in undergrad majored in "Agriculture and Extension Education" and has no interest in the vet med world. However, she teaches at an AG Highschool and she teaches courses such as "Veterinary Medicine" and "Animal Science". I am not sure what the requirements are to teach these courses to highschoolers, but I know she had no veterinary experience.

 

[pp9]

In a few words, there is a Teacher shortage, but learning continues. Vet techs and vet assistants step in to support me whenever needed.

I’m also questioning the number of hours relative to your age, although the lack of experience was a question too. Is this a full time teaching position? Are you counting the actual hours spent teaching this specific class, or your time spent as a teacher as a whole?

 

[misshayyy]

I’m also questioning the number of hours relative to your age, although the lack of experience was a question too. Is this a full time teaching position? Are you counting the actual hours spent teaching this specific class, or your time spent as a teacher as a whole?

Love the questions! This is a full-time teaching position, and I got the job right out of college. I’m counting the time spent as a whole, including both my teaching hours and time dedicated to preparing students for their CVA.

 

[misshayyy]

To add onto this; one of my friends in undergrad majored in "Agriculture and Extension Education" and has no interest in the vet med world. However, she teaches at an AG Highschool and she teaches courses such as "Veterinary Medicine" and "Animal Science". I am not sure what the requirements are to teach these courses to highschoolers, but I know she had no veterinary experience.

Exactly! Each district has its own requirements. However, the basic qualification for teaching a course like Veterinary Medicine is having the proper certification.

 

[spiane]

To add onto this; one of my friends in undergrad majored in "Agriculture and Extension Education" and has no interest in the vet med world. However, she teaches at an AG Highschool and she teaches courses such as "Veterinary Medicine" and "Animal Science". I am not sure what the requirements are to teach these courses to highschoolers, but I know she had no veterinary experience.

I took classes like that in high school taught by an AG lady, too. She knew what she was talking about but that's because she had decades of experience with horses and livestock, and was personal friends with the local equine vet. It was funny when I met him the first time, he immediately asked me where I went to high school and if I knew her lol. In other words, the requirements seem to be minimal. Not sure it will hold much weight in an application for that reason.

 

[pp9]

Love the questions! This is a full-time teaching position, and I got the job right out of college. I’m counting the time spent as a whole, including both my teaching hours and time dedicated to preparing students for their CVA.

Then I'd argue that only your time spent actually interacting with animals in some form should be counted as animal hours, not your entire full time hours spent as a teacher that happens to teach this class for x hours/week. It's similar to a cashier at PetSmart, who might clean cages once a week for example, listing their full # of worked hours as animal experience when really they might have 1 hour/week qualify as animal experience, and the rest would fall under general employment. Accurately counting pet ownership as animal hours is another similar discussion.

Some people might disagree with me here because VMCAS ' description of what counts as animal experience is exceptionally vague, but plenty of people break up their experiences for this exact reason. Would be worth emailing VMCAS about it when it does come time for you to apply. I just want to point out that it caught my eye immediately as something that seemed questionable, so it would probably do the same for someone on an adcom.

 

[indysadventures]

Then I'd argue that only your time spent actually interacting with animals in some form should be counted as animal hours, not your entire full time hours spent as a teacher that happens to teach this class for x hours/week. It's similar to a cashier at PetSmart, who might clean cages once a week for example, listing their full # of worked hours as animal experience when really they might have 1 hour/week qualify as animal experience, and the rest would fall under general employment. Accurately counting pet ownership as animal hours is another similar discussion.

Some people might disagree with me here because VMCAS ' description of what counts as animal experience is exceptionally vague, but plenty of people break up their experiences for this exact reason. Would be worth emailing VMCAS about it when it does come time for you to apply. I just want to point out that it caught my eye immediately as something that seemed questionable, so it would probably do the same for someone on an adcom.

Honestly, too, I don’t think counting as full-time employment would hurt OP, because I even had an admissions person advise me to place some of my work that was with animals or animal-themed into a “more relevant” category to make sure it got attention, as well. They said often the animal experience section isn’t taken as seriously, which I know will vary from school to school, but still, I think this is really good advice for OP.

Due to this admissions officer’s advice, I had therapy dog work in schools over five years that I placed in volunteer work, and animal-adjacent full-time employment that went into full-time work.

 

[misshayyy]

Then I'd argue that only your time spent actually interacting with animals in some form should be counted as animal hours, not your entire full time hours spent as a teacher that happens to teach this class for x hours/week. It's similar to a cashier at PetSmart, who might clean cages once a week for example, listing their full # of worked hours as animal experience when really they might have 1 hour/week qualify as animal experience, and the rest would fall under general employment. Accurately counting pet ownership as animal hours is another similar discussion.

Some people might disagree with me here because VMCAS ' description of what counts as animal experience is exceptionally vague, but plenty of people break up their experiences for this exact reason. Would be worth emailing VMCAS about it when it does come time for you to apply. I just want to point out that it caught my eye immediately as something that seemed questionable, so it would probably do the same for someone on an adcom.

Thank you! I will definitely reach out to see where it would fall under experiences.

I took classes like that in high school taught by an AG lady, too. She knew what she was talking about but that's because she had decades of experience with horses and livestock, and was personal friends with the local equine vet. It was funny when I met him the first time, he immediately asked me where I went to high school and if I knew her lol. In other words, the requirements seem to be minimal. Not sure it will hold much weight in an application for that reason.

Yeah, I get that. I definitely don’t expect teaching to be the strongest part of my application, but I do think it’s helped me develop communication skills and a deeper understanding of some concepts. I’ve been trying to get more hands-on experience too just balancing it with teaching has been tricky.

 

[misshayyy]

Then I'd argue that only your time spent actually interacting with animals in some form should be counted as animal hours, not your entire full time hours spent as a teacher that happens to teach this class for x hours/week. It's similar to a cashier at PetSmart, who might clean cages once a week for example, listing their full # of worked hours as animal experience when really they might have 1 hour/week qualify as animal experience, and the rest would fall under general employment. Accurately counting pet ownership as animal hours is another similar discussion.

Some people might disagree with me here because VMCAS ' description of what counts as animal experience is exceptionally vague, but plenty of people break up their experiences for this exact reason. Would be worth emailing VMCAS about it when it does come time for you to apply. I just want to point out that it caught my eye immediately as something that seemed questionable, so it would probably do the same for someone on an adcom.

That makes sense, and I wouldn’t want to misrepresent anything. But I do think teaching vet-related subjects and working directly with students on animal-based skills is different from something like a cashier at PetSmart. Still, I get why this could raise questions, so I’ll definitely check with VMCAS to be sure. 🙂

 

[spiane]

Thank you! I will definitely reach out to see where it would fall under experiences.

Yeah, I get that. I definitely don’t expect teaching to be the strongest part of my application, but I do think it’s helped me develop communication skills and a deeper understanding of some concepts. I’ve been trying to get more hands-on experience too just balancing it with teaching has been tricky.

That's something you could definitely mention in your essay. It's very valuable experience in regards to making you well-rounded.

 

[indysadventures]

Thank you! I will definitely reach out to see where it would fall under experiences.

Yeah, I get that. I definitely don’t expect teaching to be the strongest part of my application, but I do think it’s helped me develop communication skills and a deeper understanding of some concepts. I’ve been trying to get more hands-on experience too just balancing it with teaching has been tricky.

Having worked in education, I can say the experience was actually one of the STRONGEST aspects of my application! Talk about it in your essays and how this experience will make you a better clinician. It also helped me really connect with interviewers, they were all interested.

 

[indysadventures]

That makes sense, and I wouldn’t want to misrepresent anything. But I do think teaching vet-related subjects and working directly with students on animal-based skills is different from something like a cashier at PetSmart. Still, I get why this could raise questions, so I’ll definitely check with VMCAS to be sure. 🙂

What I think we are all trying to say, though, is that it’s not animal experience, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be extremely valuable for your application! And honestly, leaning into the teaching aspects of it (versus the animal) I think will benefit you more. I was a non-traditional applicant this cycle, and I’ll be starting this fall, if you have more questions, happy to help! Just PM me.

 

[pp9]

That makes sense, and I wouldn’t want to misrepresent anything. But I do think teaching vet-related subjects and working directly with students on animal-based skills is different from something like a cashier at PetSmart. Still, I get why this could raise questions, so I’ll definitely check with VMCAS to be sure. 🙂

What I think we are all trying to say, though, is that it’s not animal experience, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be extremely valuable for your application! And honestly, leaning into the teaching aspects of it (versus the animal) I think will benefit you more. I was a non-traditional applicant this cycle, and I’ll be starting this fall, if you have more questions, happy to help! Just PM me.

Yep, basically this. I'm just pointing out that you don't have 2000+ animal hours here unless you are actually interacting with the animals in some form on a full time basis. So, again, cue the PetSmart cashier comparison. I'm not saying your job is like that of a cashier.

At the end of the day, this is opinion/experience-based advice. You can still list your experiences however you choose! Animal experiences are no where near as crucial as veterinary experience and academic stats, so I don't think overrepresenting animal hours is going to help you make up for the concerns in those two areas. Being more realistic with the hours will help put into perspective the improvement you need on your app, though

 

[misshayyy]

What I think we are all trying to say, though, is that it’s not animal experience, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be extremely valuable for your application! And honestly, leaning into the teaching aspects of it (versus the animal) I think will benefit you more. I was a non-traditional applicant this cycle, and I’ll be starting this fall, if you have more questions, happy to help! Just PM me.

Congratulations on starting this fall! I’ll reach out if I have more questions. Thanks again for offering to help!