A lurker finally stepping out of the shadows

[Philliab]

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For some reason lately, I've been feeling guilty about all the lurking I do on this forum. Could be that I'm obsessed with watching all the WW threads and want to be able to play in an upcoming one (aka. Harry Potter). Or it could be that I'm starting to feel a bit like a stalker since I know way too much about everyone. 😛

So let me introduce myself so I can start joining in all the fun on this forum. I'm a 28 year old, non-trad female pre-vet student. I've been talking my prereqs part-time since 2009 and will finally finish my last class this summer. My undergrad degree in Archaeology did not really prepare me for this! 😀 I'm known mostly as an obsessed horse person with the goal of becoming a equine vet (duh!), specializing in repro and rehab work.

Ok...enough about myself. Let me just say that I have learned so much from this forum. Your optimism (usually) and realistic view of the application process has kept me going even when I questioned my sanity. So a huge THANK YOU! Can't wait to apply this fall! It feels like I've been on this journey forever.

So hello SDN Pre-Vet Forum! Now that I've introduced myself, may I please come out and play WW?!

 

[Katie8]

For some reason lately, I've been feeling guilty about all the lurking I do on this forum. Could be that I'm obsessed with watching all the WW threads and want to be able to play in an upcoming one (aka. Harry Potter). Or it could be that I'm starting to feel a bit like a stalker since I know way too much about everyone. 😛

So let me introduce myself so I can start joining in all the fun on this forum. I'm a 28 year old, non-trad female pre-vet student. I've been talking my prereqs part-time since 2009 and will finally finish my last class this summer. My undergrad degree in Archaeology did not really prepare me for this! 😀 I'm known mostly as an obsessed horse person with the goal of becoming a equine vet (duh!), specializing in repro and rehab work.

Ok...enough about myself. Let me just say that I have learned so much from this forum. Your optimism (usually) and realistic view of the application process has kept me going even when I questioned my sanity. So a huge THANK YOU! Can't wait to apply this fall! It feels like I've been on this journey forever.

So hello SDN Pre-Vet Forum! Now that I've introduced myself, may I please come out and play WW?!

Welcome 🙂 And YES!!!!! It's so addicting so watch out 🙂

 

[Philliab]

Thank you so very much! I figure I'm already addicted so I might as well get credit for it. 😉

 

[Emiloo4]

Welcome! Thanks for coming out of the lurker shadows! 😉
Where have you thought about applying this fall? Where is your IS?
My friend got a master's in equine reproduction before she went onto vet school. Congrats on knowing what you want to do already 😛 and come join the next WW game! 😀

 

[Philliab]

Thank you! I'm a born and raised Virginian so my IS is VMRCVM. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll apply anywhere else this year as I (unfortunately) have to factor in my husband's career as well. haha

I'm quite jealous of your friend. Mind if I ask where she did her MS in Equine Repro? I actually started one myself, but the program was such a train wreck that I left after 3 semesters. <Long story>

Anyway..thanks for the warm welcome!

 

[Packen]

Welcome from another non-trad 😀 I had a non-science (Business) bachelors, so I know how you feel. We just recently had a few lectures on equine repro. The best part was after the prof showed us all these videos on proper semen collection there is a shot of him from younger days carrying the artificial vagina in one hand and holding the sample up in the air with the other. He has the cheesiest, biggest smile like it was his own. The whole class lost it.

Good luck!! Definitely have to play the next WW...it is very addictive!

 

[Packen]

Just saw you are a fellow Virginian. I am from VA too. My hubby is actually still there while I go to school here (Scotland)

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Just saw you are a fellow Virginian. I am from VA too.

Me too. I actually went to VMRCVM 🙂

 

[Emiloo4]

Thank you! I'm a born and raised Virginian so my IS is VMRCVM. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll apply anywhere else this year as I (unfortunately) have to factor in my husband's career as well. haha

I'm quite jealous of your friend. Mind if I ask where she did her MS in Equine Repro? I actually started one myself, but the program was such a train wreck that I left after 3 semesters. <Long story>

Anyway..thanks for the warm welcome!

Yep, hubbies definitely factor in. 😀 My friend did her masters at the University of Florida and loved it! VMRCVM is a great school, please don't hesitate to ask around here for any help with the process. We've all been in your shoes! 👍

 

[Philliab]

Welcome from another non-trad I had a non-science (Business) bachelors, so I know how you feel. We just recently had a few lectures on equine repro. The best part was after the prof showed us all these videos on proper semen collection there is a shot of him from younger days carrying the artificial vagina in one hand and holding the sample up in the air with the other. He has the cheesiest, biggest smile like it was his own. The whole class lost it.

Thank you! And I totally understand your professor! The first time I collected a stallion, my husband's reaction was dead silence on the phone. He really doesn't get why I love repro work so much, but then again, he's chosen to work with bugs (entomology), and I don't get that. 😉

Just saw you are a fellow Virginian. I am from VA too. My hubby is actually still there while I go to school here (Scotland)

I honestly don't know how you married vet students do it! I think I would go crazy without my hubby support system. I have serious respect for your sacrifice.

 

[Philliab]

Yep, hubbies definitely factor in. 😀 My friend did her masters at the University of Florida and loved it! VMRCVM is a great school, please don't hesitate to ask around here for any help with the process. We've all been in your shoes! 👍

Ahhh! I've been tossing around the idea of applying to UF as my backup plan should I not get in vet school this year. I heard through the grapevine that they have a good equine repro program, but am so glad to hear it confirmed by an actual graduate. Thank you!

 

[Philliab]

Me too. I actually went to VMRCVM 🙂

WTF, is it too creppy to admit that I know that? 😳 Your posts have both scared and excited me about the idea of going to VMRCVM. Thank you!

 

[Packen]

I honestly don't know how you married vet students do it! I think I would go crazy without my hubby support system. I have serious respect for your sacrifice.

It's obviously not the ideal situation, but regardless of where I went, we would have to do long distance. He works in DC and has a job he worked hard to get and doesn't want to leave. I do miss him like crazy 🙁. He is still my main support system but with the added benefit of not having to feel guilty when I study 12 hours a day (like these past few days)

 

[Philliab]

It's obviously not the ideal situation, but regardless of where I went, we would have to do long distance. He works in DC and has a job he worked hard to get and doesn't want to leave. I do miss him like crazy 🙁. He is still my main support system but with the added benefit of not having to feel guilty when I study 12 hours a day (like these past few days)

Well..I have serious respect for this. It's hard for both people to have a career without someone having to sacrifice.

 

[Fireflysushi]

Philliab I have two friends who are currently doing the equine reproduction Masters program offered here at CSU and they love it. One came here after an equine related undergraduate degree from Penn State, and the other is going to vet school with me in the fall! Welcome to SDN and good luck with the application process!

 

[NStarz]

 

[Philliab]

Philliab I have two friends who are currently doing the equine reproduction Masters program offered here at CSU and they love it. One came here after an equine related undergraduate degree from Penn State, and the other is going to vet school with me in the fall! Welcome to SDN and good luck with the application process!

Umm...does the person from Penn have a first name that starts with K? If so, I know her! That is by far the best equine repro program in the country, and I've dreamed of going there. Too bad hubby is pulled out his one veto on Colorado. 😎

Oh and thank you!

 

[Philliab]

Thanks, NStarz! And love your avatar!

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

WTF, is it too creppy to admit that I know that? 😳 Your posts have both scared and excited me about the idea of going to VMRCVM. Thank you!

😱 STALKER!

I hope my posts about the whole veterinary student loan business haven't scared you too much. I can get passionate about it, but you know, am ultimately glad I went this path.

 

[Fireflysushi]

Umm...does the person from Penn have a first name that starts with K? If so, I know her! That is by far the best equine repro program in the country, and I've dreamed of going there. Too bad hubby is pulled out his one veto on Colorado. 😎

Oh and thank you!

Why yes it does start with a K hehe. She is such a sweetie. How do you know her? I think Colorado is pretty great, but I guess I'm kind of biased😛

 

[lostbunny]

welcome!!

Uughh! I so want to do a HP WW, but I don't know if it would work out with me because of the huge time zone difference- while I was asleep, you guys would all make like 50 pages of a thread and I'd have to go back and read everything and then probably be dead in one of those 50 pages.

anyways welcome non-lurker SDNer! 🙂

 

[Fireflysushi]

Oh and I know all about the SO veto: I was only allowed to apply to states that had oceans, weren't considered "Southern", or had Mountains. "Flat" states were out!

 

[Fireflysushi]

Though I should say that he changed his mind about Kansas last minute because his aunt lives there and loves it. I added Kansas to my application 3 hours before it was due lol.

 

[that redhead]

And I totally understand your professor! The first time I collected a stallion, my husband's reaction was dead silence on the phone.

The repro guy here is freaking HILARIOUS and ridiculously passionate about what he does. I feel like all of the repro people I know are crazy about their work. You'll be in good hands wherever you go, I'm sure 😛

 

[Philliab]

😱 STALKER!

I hope my posts about the whole veterinary student loan business haven't scared you too much. I can get passionate about it, but you know, am ultimately glad I went this path.

I know it's totally creepy. I literally know way too much about everyone on here. And let's just say that the loan business is the scariest part of this whole business; so I'm not sure your posts could scare me any more. And it's actually really refreshing to hear that you're glad you did it. I asked my personal vet (ok...that sounded creepy. I mean the vet for my horses. ) if he would do the vet thing all over again if given the choice, and he said no way. He's not the first vet to tell me that, which makes me feel even crazier about the financial sacrifice sometimes.

Why yes it does start with a K hehe. She is such a sweetie. How do you know her?

Ummm yeah she is super awesome! I met her through a Virginia Tech equine program when I was a grad student and am constantly jealous of her amazing opportunity at CSU. Thou she is little, she can manhandle some foals!

Oh and I know all about the SO veto: I was only allowed to apply to states that had oceans, weren't considered "Southern", or had Mountains. "Flat" states were out!

That is hilarious. I got the "no cold weather" veto...and the "I don't understand why you don't want to take a billion more prereqs to move to sunny Florida!"

And yes, please to the HP WW!

Thanks again all for making me feel welcome. 🙂

 

[Emiloo4]

"I don't understand why you don't want to take a billion more prereqs to move to sunny Florida!"

I only had to take Animal Nutrition (which a lot of schools require) and Animal Science for Florida, both of which can be done the summer before matriculation so you won't even need to necessarily take them unless you get in... just a thought.

 

[CanHardlyWait]

Thank you! I'm a born and raised Virginian so my IS is VMRCVM.

Hello and welcome! I was a long time lurker before coming out of the shadows while I was waiting to hear from VMRCVM after my interview. I just accepted the offer for the class of 2016! I am also married and a non traditional student. Hope to see you next year at interviews! Let me know if I can help you out in anyway. Good Luck!

 

[Philliab]

Thank you so much! And congrats on your acceptance! I'm hoping to be in those same shoes this time next year. 🙂

 

[squirrelsrule]

Definitely join in the WW games, they are super addicting though!

 

[Philliab]

Thank you, squirrelsrule! You can count on it! Just wanting for the Vet School WW game to end so I can join the next one.

 

[squirrelsrule]

I'm waiting for the vet school game to end and the next one to start too. Just want to win one game! I've played in every game in the pre-vet forum and never made it to the end. I keep saying every game will be my last because creatures will be coming, but should have time for maybe just one more 🙂. I am hopelessly addicted 😀.

Are you applying to vet school this year?

 

[Philliab]

Yes..finally! I feel like I'm in the last minute crunch to make my application awesome before October. I can't even imagine how good it feels to know you are in and going to vet school. So I want to take part in a WW game before I have no more free time.

PS. Congrats on your Ohio acceptance!

 

[squirrelsrule]

Thanks!

If you've been following on here, I'm sure you know what it takes to be an awesome applicant and how much experience is good, so you should be prepared.

If you need PS help, feel free to send it my way, I've only gotten a couple so far so I have time for more 🙂. That was the most helpful thing for me last year because I was so clueless as to what to put in mine. Several people on here took the time to look it over and give me the strengths and weaknesses in it and helped me make it the awesomest PS it could be. I feel like it really showed my heart and soul and why I want to be a vet so bad. I'm looking forward to being able to help class of 2017 like everyone helped me last year.

Try and enjoy this time before October because after that the waiting game begins and that for me was by far the hardest part of the admissions process! The waiting game continues after acceptance too, but it's different then because you know where you're going and can start planning. Can't wait to get started.

 

[Philliab]

Thank you for the offer! I've actually outlined the important points and ideas for my personal statement, but I can't seem to write the first word yet. May is GRE taking and PS writing month so I'm not too worried yet. But any suggestions for getting started would be much appreciated. 🙂

I've read the Successful Stats Thread for the last few years, and the one thing I've learned is there is no way to predict if your stats are good enough. That has actually helped me remain grounded up to this point, because this really is a scary, intense process. I figure I've done the best I can to present an application that I am proud to say represents who I really am and why I will be an awesome vet. Do I wish I had applied myself to a few more undergrad class instead of spending that time at the barn? Maybe, but only for the higher GPA. I definitely had more fun with the horses.