A&m

[ElsieCat]

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So my impatience will show in this post...

I was checking the A&M website to get a better estimate of when final letters will be sent. For some reason Feb 25th and early March both stick out in my head...Anyone know?

Also, did anyone else notice that the selections webpage changed ever so slightly. I am a little worried about this phrase in particular "Once the interviews are completed, the weight of the different criteria may be altered to give more weight to criteria that show the applicant is prepared for the rigorous professional curriculum (rigor) and to criteria that can be assessed only by the interview."

I feel like this translates into: if you said something really stupid during your interview (which I don't think it went as smoothly as I had hoped) we can reject you despite doing well in the other categories.

Am I reading too much into this? I mean, I can't really complain since essentially the adcoms can reject you at any point during the process. The ambiguity just scares me a little. Somehow I felt like it was directed just towards me! What do you all think?!?!

 

[dyachei]

I feel like this translates into: if you said something really stupid during your interview (which I don't think it went as smoothly as I had hoped) we can reject you despite doing well in the other categories.

Am I reading too much into this? I mean, I can't really complain since essentially the adcoms can reject you at any point during the process. The ambiguity just scares me a little. Somehow I felt like it was directed just towards me! What do you all think?!?!

I don't know about A&M but I'm pretty sure thats what interviews are for. To decide if you want that person as a student. If any school thinks you will crack, they don't have to accept you.

 

[m&ossyducks]

WOW, they have really changed the way they look at applicants now post interview. It is kinda wierd they decided to do it in the middle of this application cycle. It is probably a good thing for the non traditional student.

 

[clawsbeatskin]

This is pretty crazy, guys!!! Did anyone else notice that academic rigor changed from 12 to 24 points? The interview used to be 30 points, right? So now it's definitely more subjective.

Mossy, what makes you think non trads will be more successful with this new scheme?

 

[clawsbeatskin]

I was checking the A&M website to get a better estimate of when final letters will be sent. For some reason Feb 25th and early March both stick out in my head...Anyone know?

I was told by my interviewers that letters will be sent out around Spring Break.

 

[m&ossyducks]

This is pretty crazy, guys!!! Did anyone else notice that academic rigor changed from 12 to 24 points? The interview used to be 30 points, right? So now it's definitely more subjective.

Mossy, what makes you think non trads will be more successful with this new scheme?

I don't know, I just thought since they can be more subjective it may benefit not trad. students. Everyone has to meet a minimum just to get an interview anyways so that really hasn't changed.

Do ya'll think this will be a good thing?

 

[clawsbeatskin]

I don't really know...I had heard a rumor that they were considering making it a more subjective process, but never thought it would happen right in the middle of an application cycle.

I'm a little confused about the new wording...do they mean if you had a good interview, then they will adjust the points to reflect the areas you're strongest in? If they did that, then what would distinguish applicants from each other?

If it is a move toward more subjectivity in the process, then I think it will be a good change. TAMU has always been very rigid in their selections. I always wondered what kind of applicants they were leaving out without considering the whole package. There is still a lot of weight placed on GPA and GRE scores. I just don't understand their choice in placing more emphasis on program rigor than experience. That seems a little backwards.

 

[Tiraka]

I think I can help clarify...they had an unusually large number of people drop out of first year in 2006-2007. This really worried the admissions committee and made them start looking closer at their process. One thing they wanted to cut down on was taking minimal course loads with the harder pre-reqs (o-chem, physics...) at community colleges. Some people who did so came in with great GPAs but couldn't handle the course load in vet school - hence the change. However, when I heard about this, they said that they would be giving more consideration to people that they thought could stick it out this year, but wouldn't officially be changing the admissions process yet. I'm guessing that the info got updated for the next application cycle

As for when they're notifying, they said at my interview that it would be after spring break. The calendar on their website says the same thing - March 17 (yeah, sure, make me a nervous wreck who can't enjoy my break)

http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/dcvm/calendar.asp

 

[m&ossyducks]

Thanks for posting Tiraka, that is very interesting about the 06-07 class...

 

[clawsbeatskin]

Noticed we have more A&M folks lately...any one want to add any info?

 

[HopefulAg]

Just that March 17th was what was quoted. If you look in the acceptances thread Polo vet (OOS) got accepted already.

My envy is through the roof. 😀 See? Green and everything.

 

[polo vet]

I wish I had more information for yall. I just got an acceptance voice mail last week in which the doctor said the acceptance package was in the mail. Whether they mailed it to my mailing or home address, I do not know because I have not recieved it yet. (i will probably call if it does not show up tomorrow). I was surprised and super excited because I was not expecting to hear from Texas A&M until at least the end of Feb. My tour guide mentioned they do OOS acceptances generally by the end of Feb. You in-state folks should be hearing early march, good luck!!

I know Texas A&M is a fabulous vet school and people seem really devoted to it. I have quite a few Texan friends that have given me glowing reports of the Aggie community/spirit. It sounds like so much fun! However, I just got a brief impression of the school/community over Christmas break (hence no students). I was wondering if any of you could give me specifics on what you think makes Texas A&M unique. And what the vet school community and living in Colege Station is like?

Thanks for all the support and good luck to all!

 

[HopefulAg]

Well I'm an undergrad here at A&M (Junior by year, Senior by hours) so I'll give you my best:

I was wondering if any of you could give me specifics on what you think makes Texas A&M unique.

Traditions. Unfortunately they aren't done near as much as "Old army" used to take part in them but they're still there. The campus is rich in history and tradition and that's my favorite part (turned down a $30,000 scholarship to LSU because I liked A&M so much).

Also a friendly community and students who are very active in the community. Plus football (football games are a blast, go to them, good study break) even though we're not exactly tops (give us time, give us time...)

And what the vet school community and living in Colege Station is like?

You'll get differing opinions here. Personally I like College Station and it's huge to me because I'm from a small town, but friends from Houston and Dallas are always complaining about how there's nothing to do. We have a bar scene, and parties. If that's not your thing we have hiking trails, many parks, movie theaters, and a mall (and more of course). My home town had NONE of that (sans the sad excuse of a mall we had). And if you ride a motorcycle, we have a good road or two around here. So it's a matter of perspective.

Not sure what you mean by the vet school community. From what I've seen the student base there is just as friendly as the under grad base.

 

[Tiraka]

At least for undergrad, A&M seems to be a school that people either love or hate (most undergrads here really love the culture). As HopefulAg mentioned, it's a school that prides itself on its traditions and is absolutely rabid about football. I don't enjoy watching sports at all, but even I have fun at the games, which regularly pack 80,000 people into the stadium. Other sporting events are fairly well attended too. I suspect, as with many grad programs, that the vet students are more distanced from the culture of the school, but there's opportunity to enjoy it if that's your sort of thing.

The town itself doesn't offer much beyond what the previous poster mentioned. Country bars and dancing are quite popular, and there are a handful of other music/dance places as well as the bars along Northgate. The 40,000 college students here still find plenty of ways to entertain themselves. I really enjoy outdoor activities (hiking, backpacking, caving, etc) and have the opportunities here to be sorely lacking (if you're into those things). Houston is 1.5 hours away, and Austin is 2. Both have plenty to offer for a weekend trip if you ever feel the need to leave CS. You probably already know that it's a very conservative town/college.

Also, we have an active polo club, which grad students are welcome to join (though they can't compete on the team)

 

[polo vet]

Thanks for all the insider information. I actually do not play polo, i just like ralph lauren. i know, i'm weird.

another quesiton i have is, are there a lot of other graduate students (any other professional schools) and do the grad/professional school interact (i know at penn they have mixers btw the grad schools)? Also when i went to college station for my interview, i only saw like two bars, are there more on another main drag (maybe i just missed the college town part, bc i was on outskirts looking for the vet school.)? Also i know most of the vet students are from texas obviously. Do a larger porportion come from Texas A&M undergrad, UT, or small liberal arts? Final question (i promise) is during the tour I could not get a definite answer as to which of their small animal clinical departments they were really strongest in/ known for. I'm intrested in small animal internal medicine, behavior & neurology, and endocrinology & reproduction. Do either of yall know?...Just curious

thanks again and i appreciate your help. good luck, hope good news comes soon for yall

 

[HopefulAg]

another quesiton i have is, are there a lot of other graduate students (any other professional schools) and do the grad/professional school interact (i know at penn they have mixers btw the grad schools)?

I don't know. I know the vet school has socials almost constantly (I think their latest one was Cadillac Ranch or something like that) but with other graduate schools? (like Mays, the business one) I don't know.

Also when i went to college station for my interview, i only saw like two bars, are there more on another main drag (maybe i just missed the college town part, bc i was on outskirts looking for the vet school.)?

Most of our bars are on Northgate. They're lined up in a row pretty much.

There's The Corner, Zapatos, Mad Hatters, O'Bannons, The Dixie Chicken, Bar 315, The Dry Bean, Hurricane Harries, Duddley's Draw, V bar, Fitzwillies, and The Library.

I think that's it. Probably missed one or two. But there's country bars (like The Chicken) and more modern type bars (like V Bar).

Do a larger porportion come from Texas A&M undergrad, UT, or small liberal arts?

I don't know. I'd reckon a large portion comes from A&M just because if you want to do vet med and live in Texas you probably already go here anyways. But we certainly get people from around the state.

Final question (i promise) is during the tour I could not get a definite answer as to which of their small animal clinical departments they were really strongest in/ known for. I'm intrested in small animal internal medicine, behavior & neurology, and endocrinology & reproduction. Do either of yall know?...Just curious

I don't know. Was kind of wondering that myself. I can't think of any one field that stands out above the others here.

 

[Tiraka]

Actually, you probably did drive by most of it. College Station's "night life" is pretty much concentrated on two blocks just down the road from the vet school. Outside of Northgate, the only places I can think of are the Texas Hall of Fame (popular country dancing venue and bar), Margarita Rocks (has salsa dancing once a week), The Tap (piano bar), and Revolutions (artsy cafe/bar).

I'm not sure about interaction with other grad students, although Penn's mixers sound like a nice idea. Vet students have a tunnel that goes to the medical science library, so you'll probably run into med students while studying (yee haw). There are a lot of graduate students in sciences and engineering.

I've heard a bit of bragging about the school having 2 board certified behaviorists, but don't know much about the school's teaching strengths in those areas. There's a lot of information about faculty members and courses on the school's website, so you could try emailing a professor in your area of interest to get an opinion.

 

[polo vet]

Thanks, yall are so helpful! I promised to keep you informed when I recieved the official acceptance in the mail. It was mailed to my home address so my mom had to read it to me over the phone (so check your home address mailbox once you commence compulsive mailbox checking). Basically i was accepted early OOS (so IS and other OOS don't have to start mailbox stalking yet), and they offered me a merit scholarship which qualifies me for IS tuition!!!!!!!! I definitely never expected anything like that! So I very well may become an Aggie next year.... Thanks again for all the insights. Good luck to you all... I'm sure good news will be coming your way soon.

 

[HopefulAg]

So I very well may become an Aggie next year.... Thanks again for all the insights.

Not a problem. I hope you decide to come here (and that I'll see you in classes lol). It's a growing town and traffic is sometimes a bitch but it's still a great place to live (what little you may see of it while studying for classes lol) and I'm glad I came here for undergrad vs LSU, UT (Tennessee...), and OSU.


Also if you want to learn about the traditions and the like I believe they do some kind of orientation for new Aggies called T-Camp (transfer camp) so you might look into that if you'd like. I think it's mostly undergrad coming from other schools (like A&M Galveston or Kingsville) though.

 

[pressmom]

Basically i was accepted early OOS (so IS and other OOS don't have to start mailbox stalking yet), and they offered me a merit scholarship which qualifies me for IS tuition!!!!!!!!

CONGRATS!!!

 

[shuvball1]

That's awesome Polovet!! Hopefully we will all see you there in August!!! 🙂

 

[Tiraka]

Heard through the grapevine that they've made their admissions decisions...but not to expect the letter early

 

[shuvball1]

Oh that's awful. Nothing like knowing the decision is made but that we have to wait for another 3 weeks. 🙁 I can't wait until this process is over!!!!

Good luck everybody!

 

[clawsbeatskin]

. That's all I have to say.

 

[HopefulAg]

Hrrk....

I hate being stressed about something I have no control over.

 

[Steelmagghia]

Oh man. Today is the two week mark, and now I really am going crazy. 😱
Anyone else counting the days until letters are sent?

 

[shuvball1]

I've been counting the weeks since January

 

[Steelmagghia]

Heh, I've been trying really hard not to. Twenty hours of classes and two jobs has helped with that, but I can't look at a calendar too long or I go nuts.