4th time applicant, feeling lost and broke

[PlumPoppy]

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27 y/o F, non-traditional, TX resident

Another year, another WAMC thread 😳 Long time poster here, and looking for advice primarily as I know my chances are meh. I'm still retaking courses, so while my GPAs here haven't moved much, my prerequisite GPAs for different schools are a lot better!

I'm currently worried about standing out to comittees as it's been 2 years since I left my pathology assistant job. I've been working as a vet tech since then, but I recently took a mental health break from it. Mainly due to typical burnout, less-than-desireable pay, and to really decide if this is the course I want to pursue. Answer is a resounding YES! I'm currently only working part-time as a barista (my side job as being a vet tech isn't enough pay-wise.) I don't think this will look well on applications.

Applied: UMN (rejected), K-State (interview alternate)
Considering next year?: Iowa, VMCVM, Michigan, LMU, tOSU

Cumulative GPA: 3.31
Graduate GPA: 3.66
Science GPA: 3.18
Last 45 GPA: 3.32
(Last 45 going down as I progress semesters with that C+ in physics I...)

Degrees:
B.S., Wildlife Ecology; Minor in Sociology

Veterinary Experience: (7000+ hrs)
- Mixed animal (SA/exotics/avian) Vet Asst: 2200 hrs
- Lab Research Associate 3: 1000 hrs
- Lab RA 1/Necropsy Tech: 2400 hrs
- Small animal Vet Tech: 1300 hrs
- Overnight ER tech: 100 hrs
- Wildlife Sanctuary w/ Vet: 5 hrs

Animal Hours: (800-ish hrs)
- Fostering neonate kittens and elderly cats: 70 hrs
- Kennel Tech: 200 hrs
- Cat Rescue: 50 hrs
- Wildlife Sanctuary: 90 hrs
- Raptor Rehab: 8 hrs
- Exotic Pet Rescues: 40 hrs
- Police Horse Clean-up: 5 hrs
- Pet-Setting: 200 hrs
- Pilling Sick Personal Pets: 65 hrs (Separated because I've had ill pocket pets that needed daily medication for months, palliative care)

Non-Animal Volunteer Experience: (~200 hrs)
- Planting trees around university campus for Earth Day: 3 hrs
- Hospital shadowing program: 120hrs
- Renovating the local library's YA section Committee member: 40hrs
- Various local marathons for a cause: 18hrs
- Shadowing an OBGYN: 6hrs
- Local "get healthy" fair set-up and face-painting: 5hrs

Honors/Awards:
- Dean's List (2 semesters)
- HS AP Scholar Award (2 yrs)
- HS First Chair Flute/Piccolo (1 yr)
- HS 3rd Place District English III (1 yr)
- HS Highest Average Award in Honors Biology, Art I, and Talented Art IV

Certifications: Food Safety, Fear Free, Safe Space, Forklift operation (for vet school disposals!)

Extracurriculars:
- LGBTQ+ Faculty Caucus: 1 yr
- Local Cactus & Succulents club: 3 yrs
- Pre-Vet Club member: 2 yrs
- Wildlife Club member: 3 yrs
- Wildlife Club Treasurer: 1 yr
- Exotic Animal Club member: 2 yrs
- LGBTQ+ undergrad club: 4 yrs
- PreMed Honor Society: 1 semester
- HS Key Club Treasurer: 1 yr
- HS Beta Club member: 2 yrs
- HS Student Council Treasurer: 1 yr
- HS Anime Club : 2 yrs

Employment: (~2600 hrs)
- Environmental/GIS Analyst: 1 yr
- Ag Chemistry Lab Assistant: 3 years
- Student worker: 1 yr
- Barista: 2 yr
- Cashier: 2 yrs

eLORs: 2 small animal/exotic vets, professor/academic advisor of my B.S., veterinary pathologist I worked with (4 total)

 

[WazooMaster]

Why did you choose the schools you did? What schools have you tried in the past?

 

[PlumPoppy]

Why did you choose the schools you did? What schools have you tried in the past?

My choices have mainly been based on meeting prerequisites, holistic admissions, grade replacement/taking highest grade, and not weighing cumulative GPA heavily. I've applied to LSU (my previous IS), Ohio, UW-Madison, and Colorado in the past.

 

[Cowsrcool]

If UMN is continuing the process they did this year I’d take it off for next year. The internal GPA cutoff was pretty high and the “holistic” part came after meeting that GPA requirement so not very helpful for a “lower GPA” candidate. Id keep KSU and I’d recommend adding LMU for sure, as they’ve proved very holistic in their process. Same w Michigan if you can finish their prerequisites before applying. Iowa is also a great addition for you. I see you are a TX resident. Can you apply to the TX schools next cycle? I don’t know much about their process/ requirements but Ik they lean IS heavy! If you have old coursework you want to get rid of in your GPAs , Illinois could be a good option as they have a chance to delete off your records coursework from 6 yrs ago.

 

[PlumPoppy]

I see you are a TX resident. Can you apply to the TX schools next cycle? I don’t know much about their process/ requirements but Ik they lean IS heavy!

Yeah this is A&M's "formula," so I worry about wasting money with them. I think if my last 45 were better, I'd feel better applying there. I'd also have to enroll in a 4-year university just to fulfill their Animal Feed/Nutrition requirement.

If UMN is continuing the process they did this year I’d take it off for next year. The internal GPA cutoff was pretty high and the “holistic” part came after meeting that GPA requirement so not very helpful for a “lower GPA” candidate.

I'm definitely considering this. They use last 45 and their prereq GPA, which for me was a 3.58, and I didn't even make it past the academic review. Which really sucks!

 

[vampyrica]

How do you feel about LSU and UAZ? 🤔I feel your stats fit the accepted student profile! Both are super holistic and starting 2 cycles ago, LSU stopped considering Last 45 and Pre-Req GPA and only uses cGPA for "administrative purposes".

 

[PlumPoppy]

How do you feel about LSU and UAZ? 🤔I feel your stats fit the accepted student profile! Both are super holistic and starting 2 cycles ago, LSU stopped considering Last 45 and Pre-Req GPA and only uses cGPA for "administrative purposes".

I've applied to LSU in the past as it used to be my IS school. I've heard it's a LOT harder to get in as OOS, which is why I've been hesitant to apply there.

UAZ I'd need to look into. They wouldn't accept my Ochem and Biochem credits 2 cycles ago since they're technically survey courses. I went to LSU where they had a College of Sci version and a College of Ag/"everyone else" version, which I took. I had to take OChem lab separately, which most schools are fine with. Ik for Iowa, I have to retake or take Ochem II instead.

 

[JaynaAli]

Yeah this is A&M's "formula," so I worry about wasting money with them. I think if my last 45 were better, I'd feel better applying there. I'd also have to enroll in a 4-year university just to fulfill their Animal Feed/Nutrition requirement.
View attachment 397963

I'm definitely considering this. They use last 45 and their prereq GPA, which for me was a 3.58, and I didn't even make it past the academic review. Which really sucks!

Don’t forget there two schools in Texas now and Texas Tech supposedly doesn’t look at grades past meeting a 2.9 minimum GPA requirement. So you may have a better chance at Tech than A&M.

 

[PlumPoppy]

Don’t forget there two schools in Texas now and Texas Tech supposedly doesn’t look at grades past meeting a 2.9 minimum GPA requirement. So you may have a better chance at Tech than A&M.

Thanks for the reminder! I'll have to look into that! Though I've heard rumors in the past that they prioritize applicants interested in LA and rural medicine?

 

[JaynaAli]

Thanks for the reminder! I'll have to look into that! Though I've heard rumors in the past that they prioritize applicants interested in LA and rural medicine?

They do but I don’t see why one wouldn’t apply if they’re a Texas resident, especially if you have lower than average stats compared to OOS trends elsewhere. They only accept people from Texas and a small number from New Mexico. Statistically you’re way more likely to get accepted there than OOS (just based on applicants per seat). I think they have said recently they had like 1,000 applicants for 100 seats compared to places which might 2,000+ apps and only taking like 30-50 OOS students.

 

[Cowsrcool]

They do but I don’t see why one wouldn’t apply if they’re a Texas resident, especially if you have lower than average stats compared to OOS trends elsewhere. They only accept people from Texas and a small number from New Mexico. Statistically you’re way more likely to get accepted there than OOS (just based on applicants per seat). I think they have said recently they had like 1,000 applicants for 100 seats compared to places which might 2,000+ apps and only taking like 30-50 OOS students.

Fully agree w this you should 100% apply to both TX IS schools, for both increased chances and DECREASED STUDENT DEBT

 

[PlumPoppy]

My next question is (and if y'all have any input that would be amazing @Cowsrcool @JaynaAli ) should I bother reapplying this cycle with these GPAs or wait until next year?:
cGPA: 3.34
sGPA: 3.22
Last 45: 3.46
Last 30 (tOSU): 3.66

This would be BEST case scenario if I made all A's with the classes I could realistically take before apps were due that would factor into GPA. I wouldn't make Michigan's deadline, but all other schools would be on the table.

I know it's only hypothetical, but I don't want to waste even more money on applications if this improvement isn't enough to be worth it.

 

[Cowsrcool]

My next question is (and if y'all have any input that would be amazing @Cowsrcool @JaynaAli ) should I bother reapplying this cycle with these GPAs or wait until next year?:
cGPA: 3.34
sGPA: 3.22
Last 45: 3.46
Last 30 (tOSU): 3.66

This would be BEST case scenario if I made all A's with the classes I could realistically take before apps were due that would factor into GPA. I wouldn't make Michigan's deadline, but all other schools would be on the table.

I know it's only hypothetical, but I don't want to waste even more money on applications if this improvement isn't enough to be worth it.

Tbh it’s so hard to say if and when it would be “worth it” I think if you could spend more extra time building those GPAs and experiences you will absolutely increase your chances but also I understand not wanting to wait!!

 

[rhinolovergirl]

My honest opinion is that if you are not open to going to a Caribbean school, give yourself a year to re-take as many pre-reqs as you can, get A's in all of them, and then re-apply to the schools that let you replace grades and emphasize your last 45 hours. Each year, what is considered a competitive GPA continues to move up, so it is really hard to base your feedback from past cycles on how well you will do in the upcoming cycle. The nutrition course for A&M is very easy, its lower division undergraduate level and I did it through KSU years ago. Regardless of whether you apply this upcoming cycle or take a year off, schedule advising meetings now (just email the schools asking if they have the option and most of the time they will have an assistant schedule it or send you a calendly link). I did this for many schools and really learned about exactly which schools care about what for the application and which ones were basically throwing money away. This is a very tough process to put yourself through for four, going on five years (mentally, physically, financially). I am not sure if you have been doing it 4 years in a row or took time off, but you want to do well in the courses you are paying to re-take and you want them all to be calculated into your GPA, which means you only have now-end of summer. (Iowa will count your fall grades in your GPA once your submit transcripts after the VMCAS closes, but I do not know of any other schools that do this). It may be nice to be able to just focus on the courses and not re-doing the apps for a year. I agree playing to TX residency is a good idea, however, I have heard A&M is partial to Texas applicants that grew up there and did their undergrad in Texas, not sure what your case is so just wanted to add that! 🙂 It will certainly still be advantageous to be considered a resident regardless of your history, but I have heard a lot of talk about them noticing how long that residency has been. They historically have not loved people trying to take away from "true" Texans getting those seats haha! I am not sure if this is the same for texas tech but you will definitely want some significant large animal experience if you want a decent application for them, otherwise I would consider it a waste of money.
Sorry for the long post but feel free to message me if you have questions about anything I have mentioned. It is very commendable that you have been so dedicated thus far and I truly hope the best for you!

 

[DVM882029]

You should absolutely apply to TAMU if you havent as a TX resident, they take 90% of the class from in state. Why did you not? Sorry if I missed it

 

[pp9]

the “holistic” part came after meeting that GPA requirement

This might hold true for the majority of schools. It's great when you have thousands of hours, well rounded experiences, whatever...you still have to make their initial rout of cuts before your experience is even looked at. Verrrry few schools openly state that they do a full app review as a first step.

My next question is (and if y'all have any input that would be amazing @Cowsrcool @JaynaAli ) should I bother reapplying this cycle with these GPAs or wait until next year?:
cGPA: 3.34
sGPA: 3.22
Last 45: 3.46
Last 30 (tOSU): 3.66

This would be BEST case scenario if I made all A's with the classes I could realistically take before apps were due that would factor into GPA. I wouldn't make Michigan's deadline, but all other schools would be on the table.

I know it's only hypothetical, but I don't want to waste even more money on applications if this improvement isn't enough to be worth it.

Do you actually think you'll be getting all A's, though? The decrease in your last 45 is going to be a red flag for the schools that look at it.

 

[PlumPoppy]

You should absolutely apply to TAMU if you havent as a TX resident, they take 90% of the class from in state. Why did you not? Sorry if I missed it

I wouldn't have completed the prerequisites in time, and I was hesitant given how GPA focused they are.
Also does the TMDSAS factor math into the science GPA? I made a D+ in Calculus, so this would make my GPA even lower for them.

Do you actually think you'll be getting all A's, though? The decrease in your last 45 is going to be a red flag for the schools that look at it.

Not really given I still need to take OChem II and retake Physics I for most schools. That's why I was wondering if it was even worth it given the BEST case. However, I'm going to hold a year despite how scary it feels to wait especially with everything going on politically.

Also, I've lost a lot of confidence in my application after 3 cycles of just straight rejections (+KSU soft rejections). My "best" experiences were years ago atp, so I have this overwhelming feeling of inadequacy. 😅 Maybe I'm just overly critical of myself now, but I've been seeing so many amazing applicants with better stats than me getting turned down. It feels so difficult to stand out to these committees with record applications increasing every year. Although I tried the master's route, I didn't complete it because of cost and my heart wasn't in it. (Which also might not help my case academically.) I'm sorry for the ramble!

 

[DVM882029]

I wouldn't have completed the prerequisites in time, and I was hesitant given how GPA focused they are.
Also does the TMDSAS factor math into the science GPA? I made a D+ in Calculus, so this would make my GPA even lower for them.

They are not always GPA focused for non-trads and a little less so for TX residents (OOS yeah, you better be good). The stats of getting into the TX schools as an IS student make it crazy to not apply if you have your classes done. I would 100% focus on applying to TAMU +/- TTU (more expensive, no teaching hospital though) next cycle, TAMU is also incredibly cheap for tuition. What are you missing pre req wise?

Data Reports Go here. Click on: Veterinary application > Status: Accepted > Applicant type: Non-trad > Residency: TX Resident. You an also change the cycles 2023, 2024, etc. You can see the wide range of overall and science GPAs for non-trad TX residents that were accepted.

I was interviewed with a 3.09 cGPA, a 3.24 science GPA, and a 3.83 last 45. I was ultimately accepted, but those GPAs went up at the end of the fall semester. I do not have a Bachelors nor Associates at this time. I am a credentialed technician with a heck of a lot of experience, but my academic metrics were not stellar at the time of application.

 

[PlumPoppy]

What are you missing pre req wise?

I would have to retake OChem I (LSU had a College of Ag/Pre-Vet version that was packaged as 1 semester with lab). Then, I would need to take OChem II+Lab and Animal Nutrition. If the 10 year rule is strict, add in Gen Bio I and II with labs, Gen Chem II, and English if I wait another cycle. I would need to check if I could petition this with my Microbiology grad work.

I was interviewed with a 3.09 cGPA, a 3.24 science GPA, and a 3.83 last 45. I was ultimately accepted, but those GPAs went up at the end of the fall semester. I do not have a Bachelors nor Associates at this time. I am a credentialed technician with a heck of a lot of experience, but my academic metrics were not stellar at the time of application.

I've seen your posts throughout the cycle, and your success really inspires me! However, my application feels quite inferior with your substantial leadership and specialty experience. I'm in awe! 🥹

My BCPM would be 3.12 with math added, yikes! But seeing all the stats on TMDSAS makes me feel a bit better. I'll consider giving A&M a shot.

 

[DVM882029]

I would have to retake OChem I (LSU had a College of Ag/Pre-Vet version that was packaged as 1 semester with lab). Then, I would need to take OChem II+Lab and Animal Nutrition. If the 10 year rule is strict, add in Gen Bio I and II with labs, Gen Chem II, and English if I wait another cycle. I would need to check if I could petition this with my Microbiology grad work.

I've seen your posts throughout the cycle, and your success really inspires me! However, my application feels quite inferior with your substantial leadership and specialty experience. I'm in awe! 🥹

My BCPM would be 3.12 with math added, yikes! But seeing all the stats on TMDSAS makes me feel a bit better. I'll consider giving A&M a shot.

Aww, thank you! 🙂 I can't believe I did it honestly. Now I just need to pass my remaining pre reqs (amazing how that's stressful now).

I did have to retake just about all of my classes, except for Eng Comp. I was outside the 10 year mark for my gen chems. I actually looked at that as a pro because it gave me the opportunity to bump my GPA up! I took my courses at a local two year college which is an option for you, too (Where are you in TX? you can PM me if you want). My school is AMAZING and I love it, I genuinely believe my two year school is part of why I was so successful this past year.

Also, you can get the syllabus for your orgo 1 and send it to TAMU for course audit! Also, another pro is that (starting with the 2025-2026 application cycle) you no longer need physics 2 for TAMU. Every syllabus I've sent to TAMU's admissions team was reviewed promptly, FWIW. I sent many when I was trying to figure out my course mapping and what I needed to take still.

I just think with the insanely cheap IS tuition, the 90% IS acceptance rate, it's really wise to use your TX residency to try to get into TAMU in addition to other schools.

 

[applepie002233]

My best advice is to apply to more schools!! Luck is a factor in these applications, more schools applied to gives a better chance of an acceptance. Best of luck!