Any "older" students applying or accepted??

[jemappellejane]

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I'm a 27 year old with a BA in Bio and (almost) an MS in science education. Vet school has always been my desire, but I chickened out when I finished undergrad because I convinced myself I wouldn't get in. Now, I'm certified to teach middle/high school science and am a few classes and thesis away from my masters. Vet school has reentered my mind this past year with a fire. Am I too old to make such a change? Should I just stick to what I've got? Is anyone else on here an older applicant or student or DVM graduate? Thanks!

 

[alliecat44]

I'm a 27 year old with a BA in Bio and (almost) an MS in science education. Vet school has always been my desire, but I chickened out when I finished undergrad because I convinced myself I wouldn't get in. Now, I'm certified to teach middle/high school science and am a few classes and thesis away from my masters. Vet school has reentered my mind this past year with a fire. Am I too old to make such a change? Should I just stick to what I've got? Is anyone else on here an older applicant or student or DVM graduate? Thanks!

Welcome! 🙂

Your situation is actually a very, very common one. Use the "Search this forum" tool for threads about "non-trads" or "non-traditional students"--there is a TON of worthwhile info to sift through. 🙂 If you have any further questions, feel free to let us know!

 

[Armymutt25A]

You're definitely not too old. I'll be 36 when I start and I'm a youngster compared to some of the folks here. It's never too late to seek a better job - you just may not reap the benefits as long as the kids. On the other hand, no one is going to ask you when the doctor is coming in.

 

[jrwinsto]

You are never too old!! I am applying for the first time this year and I am 28. I always wanted to go to vet school too, but I "chickened out" myself when I graduated with my Bachelor's. You should definitely go for it!! Otherwise, you will spend the rest of your life wondering "what if?"!

 

[laitmanvet]

I'm 25 (26 later this year) and starting school in the fall!

 

[Tator17]

I'm 33 and starting vet school this fall. I had a career in marketing before this career change. So there's always a chance for people of all ages and all backgrounds. You are definitely not alone. DO IT!!!!! 😛

 

[LetItSnow]

I'm too old to respond to this thread without my glasses, a mug of caffeine, and a 20-minute nap to make up for the energy it took to type.

 

[Cautionary Tail]

28 years old and starting vet school this fall... you are definitely not too old! 🙂

 

[lostbunny]

I'm too old to respond to this thread without my glasses, a mug of caffeine, and a 20-minute nap to make up for the energy it took to type.

ahahahahhaaha you are awesome.

I'm 25 and applying this cycle

 

[lareinesoleil]

I'm too old to respond to this thread without my glasses, a mug of caffeine, and a 20-minute nap to make up for the energy it took to type.

👍

I'm 26 and starting this fall!

 

[jtom]

I am 25 and applying this cycle, you are not too old.

You are never too old to do the one thing you love.

 

[BuggerDoodle]

32 here and I'm starting this fall. I was like you, very nervous that I would be the only older student in a class of 22 year olds but have learned that I am definitely not alone and not the oldest. When I made the decision to go back to school, I figured that I could either keep working as an engineer and be miserable for another 35-40 years or go ahead and sacrifice to follow my dream.

 

[Armymutt25A]

You'll start feeling old when one of your classmates graduated HS with your baby sister who is 12 years younger than you.

 

[Hotfillyky]

I'm too old to respond to this thread without my glasses, a mug of caffeine, and a 20-minute nap to make up for the energy it took to type.

LMAO! I must need a nap too.

I am applying this cycle and I am 38 YO.

 

[LetItSnow]

You'll start feeling old when one of your classmates graduated HS with your baby sister who is 12 years younger than you.

Bah. I'm old enough that many of my classmates could potentially have graduated HS with my KIDS (had I started having them early enough).

 

[nyanko]

30 and just finished first year. It seems like in my class at UC Davis, for what it's worth, there's a pretty big cluster of us between 26-31 or so, and then a couple others who are older.

 

[jsp132]

LMAO! I must need a nap too.

I am applying this cycle and I am 38 YO.

im going to probably be that old when I apply for my first cycle 🙂

 

[Tambotie]

I am 39 years old and attending Glasgow this fall

 

[jemappellejane]

wow- awesome. thanks guys! to change the subject a bit-

Where are you all going/applying to? I tried for PEI, Western, and UC Davis but didn't get in this fall. Contemplating SGU or Ross... but island life scares me and my boyfriend would probably never find a job (IT) 🙁
How hard is it to get into the foreign schools like Dublin or Glasgow?

Sorry- lots of different stuff here, but I'd like to talk with people that are more or less in a similar position as me...

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

 

[heylodeb]

wow- awesome. thanks guys! to change the subject a bit-

Where are you all going/applying to? I tried for PEI, Western, and UC Davis but didn't get in this fall. Contemplating SGU or Ross... but island life scares me and my boyfriend would probably never find a job (IT) 🙁
How hard is it to get into the foreign schools like Dublin or Glasgow?

Sorry- lots of different stuff here, but I'd like to talk with people that are more or less in a similar position as me...

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

Have you done file reviews with the schools you didn't get into to find out what your weaknesses were from your application? I would not head overseas unless you are told by US schools that you aren't what they are looking for. It is EXPENSIVE to go to international schools! and it is common to apply 2 or three times here in the US before you gain admission. (improving your app each year...)


side note: someone will be able to give you more information but it is almost impossible to bring a SO with you because of visa issues.

OH - and if you have to choose between SGU and Ross: definitely Ross they are now accredited with the AVMA and it removes a lot of headaches!

 

[Raptorlovr88]

I'm too old to respond to this thread without my glasses, a mug of caffeine, and a 20-minute nap to make up for the energy it took to type.

👍 You must be describing me!

jemappellejane, here is the stats for UCD c/o 2015.

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/welcome/local-assets/pdfs/Application_Statistics_Class_2015.pdf

We have quite a bit of non-traditional students. I agree with heylodeb. It would be very helpful to request file reviews to improve your application for next year.

You're never too old to do what you love!

 

[jemappellejane]

Have you done file reviews with the schools you didn't get into to find out what your weaknesses were from your application? I would not head overseas unless you are told by US schools that you aren't what they are looking for. It is EXPENSIVE to go to international schools! and it is common to apply 2 or three times here in the US before you gain admission. (improving your app each year...)


side note: someone will be able to give you more information but it is almost impossible to bring a SO with you because of visa issues.

OH - and if you have to choose between SGU and Ross: definitely Ross they are now accredited with the AVMA and it removes a lot of headaches!

Well my undergrad bio grades are not very good and so I would have to retake a lot of classes and I'm not sure that is worth it... If I would be able to go to a foreign school easier, then I would rather do that... I know Ross is easier. What about other overseas schools?

 

[lostbunny]

Well my undergrad bio grades are not very good and so I would have to retake a lot of classes and I'm not sure that is worth it... If I would be able to go to a foreign school easier, then I would rather do that... I know Ross is easier. What about other overseas schools?

I think before jumping to conclusions about your grades, you should apply to your USA schools first. There have been sooo many posts about people getting in on 3.0 GPAs and others getting rejected on 4.0's.

Overseas schools are still very competitive and expect you to have decent grades and experience. One thing that attracts international schools is the dollar signs aspect!! 🙂 I've heard that at Murdoch they look for more well rounded students, but you still have to have decent grades; Melbourne is pretty much based on grades but if you have about a B+/75% average you're considered competitive, and on Sydney's website they say you need to have at least a 2.8 GPA, but expect you to have decent experience.

Definately doesn't hurt looking into ovearseas schools- not to mention the amazing life experience you'll have of living in another country (did I mention there are super hot aussie cowboys here?)- but don't underestimate yourself and jump to conclusions about your marks. APply to your USA schools as well if you want to go to school in America.

 

[Tonkamoo]

Well my undergrad bio grades are not very good and so I would have to retake a lot of classes and I'm not sure that is worth it... If I would be able to go to a foreign school easier, then I would rather do that... I know Ross is easier. What about other overseas schools?

I just wanted to add that overseas schools are not necessarily more expensive, depending what your IS school is. RVC (in London) is about $30k american a year, much less expensive than may of the OOS schools in the USA! The accredited ones are still not that easy to get into, but slightly easier than US schools.

I personally chose RVC over the 3 us schools I got into, partially because my husband coming with me is also in IT, and London is much more desirable city if you're bringing someone along! It also has a great curriculum, and seems to produce more well-rounded vets. (I'm starting this fall, so we'll see).
I'm also a non-trad, I am 28.

 

[GAgirl85]

I'm 25 and I still have some prerequisites to finish. I'll be completing my first application cycle at 27.

 

[lostbunny]

Hey sorry I didn't see your first post about you applying to PEI and USA schools.

I wanted to add, that I'm applying to all three accredited schools in Australia, and also probably to Dublin as well.

Also wanted to add, people keep writing stuff about visas and how its impossible to bring your S.O... I'm just putting it out there, and wondering- why can't you just get separate visas. In Australia for example, as long as you're not a criminal and fall under all the criteria, it shouldn't hurt for either of you to get a visa. Say you came under a student visa, and your SO came under one of the many working visas... I Don't see how thats a problem. Something to look into- you don't have to come together under the same or some partner visa, I don't think....

 

[libster06]

I'm too old to respond to this thread without my glasses, a mug of caffeine, and a 20-minute nap to make up for the energy it took to type.

Lolatron.