Anticipated experience on VMCAS

[neocia]

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Hi, feel free to point me in the right direction if there has already been a thread like this (couldn't find one) but wondering how to put a planned or anticipated experience on VMCAS -- or if that's even an option. Maybe it's just a good topic to discuss if you get an interview?

I was admitted for a position at a primate rescue sanctuary performing vet tech/assistant work for 6 weeks *next* winter. I'll have already submitted my VMCAS by then, but I am curious how to let vet schools know I am doing this really cool vet-med specific internship (though it'll begin about 1.5 months after VMCAS submissions).

Thanks!

 

[HowIMetYourPet]

VMCAS was pretty specific in saying do not put planned experience down, only what's been completed...which sucks cause that sounds like cool experience!!!

 

[TheComfyCat]

Perhaps you could work it into your personal statement, or maybe you could ask the schools you apply to if they accept updates on your experiences after VMCAS closes (I imagine most wouldn't, though). Wisconsin is the only school I applied to that specifically asked for an update in their supplemental application.

 

[pp9]

There is also an explanation statement. I think it's intended to explain any red flags you might have on your application, but you could discuss with your schools whether or not they feel that using that space for anticipated experiences would be appropriate.

 

[wolfpackprevet]

I've heard from multiple ad com members that explanation statements are okay to use to line out your plan -- as long as it's pretty concrete. I certainly did.

 

[kittyy]

I used the explanation statement to discuss my planned experiences

 

[frogzer]

You have to remember that the people reading your application will be just that: other human beings. Think about your application as if YOU are an ad com member. If you wrote out, even at the end of the application in the explanation statement, what your plans are, do you really think the ad coms will say, "OMG this person is an automatic rejection! Can't believe they mentioned that and thought it would help! What a mistake!"

Of course they won't. That goes for really anything you include anywhere in your application that you think may supplement your credentials. After all, vet schools are unique in that you can call up most admissions offices if you are rejected to ask for a file review. Think about this: think about everything you are putting on your application. Can you imagine calling for a file review and having something additional/supplemental that you mentioned be grounds in any way for immediate rejection? If the answer is no, PUT IT SOMEWHERE IN YOUR APP! Don't listen to people who tell you what you can and cannot put on your app, especially on these forums. Do WHATEVER you can to make your application stand out from all the other similar apps (and yes, most applications look fairly identical, so do anything to be different to give the ad coms something to talk/think more about than your grades or that you were a vet tech). Remember that NOBODY on this forum is making admissions decisions!!