Any one else applying to Texas A&M c/o 2015

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Howdy! You are I are kindred spirits. Though, I've decided to go ahead and get an MPH/VPH prior to vet school. I really want to go the epidemiology route. I've applied to both the VPH at Texas A&M (very small program!) and the MPH at UT Houston. If you have any questions about the application process or anything, feel free to PM me. The MPH application process is through SOPHAS, but the VPH is through ApplyTexas, which is a super easy application...unlike SOPHAS.

Good luck to the y'all! I'm living vicariously through you! :luck:

Which faculty members are you looking at working with at A&M?
 
If I were you I would just have my mail forwarded for the week! Save the gas!
 
Which faculty members are you looking at working with at A&M?

I'm going to do the non-thesis M.S. in VPH (concentration in epidemiology--there's 3 concentrations within the program), so I don't believe a faculty adviser is needed. I've already met with Dr. Leon Russell and he has really encouraged me to apply, as not many vets-to-be want to enter the public health sector. However, the program is very, very small. They generally accept 10-20 students. I did not get the impression that it's a very competitive program, but Dr. Russell is a kind of...a vague man, lol. He blatantly told me to go to UT Houston for the MPH program if I got in to that. He said it would give me a much better foundation in the field. Either way, I'm excited to start a public health program! I've already contacted the veterinarians at the CDC, so that I could get in early for my internship/practicum. The doctor I talked to was super nice and helpful! 👍 It seems vets are very much needed in the public health field. Good luck! Let me know if you'd like to know anything else. 🙂
 
Y'all are completely leaving out Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health!

I have almost finished up my MPH there and loved it. The program is smaller than UT SPH but you really get to know the faculty members very well and getting recommendation letters from them isn't difficult at all.

A&M has five different concentrations: epi, biostats, social and behavioral health, environmental and occupational health, and health policy and mangement.

It really is a wonderful program and gives you a great foundation in public health.

If any of y'all want to know more about it feel free to ask!
 
Y'all are completely leaving out Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health!

I have almost finished up my MPH there and loved it. The program is smaller than UT SPH but you really get to know the faculty members very well and getting recommendation letters from them isn't difficult at all.

A&M has five different concentrations: epi, biostats, social and behavioral health, environmental and occupational health, and health policy and mangement.

It really is a wonderful program and gives you a great foundation in public health.

If any of y'all want to know more about it feel free to ask!

I've been looking at the MPH degree at TAMU and the VPH program over at the vet school, but overall I am undecided. My areas of interest are animal shelter medicine and veterinary behavior and I know some of the animal shelter residency programs have the option of residents getting an MPH so I thought it might be good to go ahead and get one if I don't get in this round.

Currently I've been thinking that epidemiology might be a really good way to go. I'm feeling motivated by the fact that my local shelter currently has a distemper outbreak and doesn't seem to be doing anything about it much less inform the city. I've been there and seen first hand that their sanitation procedures suck and they seem to be doing very little to control the spread of diseases from one animal to the next. Then I see the heartbreak of the owners and vet staff as the adopters of the animals from the shelter bring the dogs to the clinic where I work only to be able to do nothing as their dog dies from distemper. Anyway, so I'm back to looking at the MPH program. I'm just not sure, given what I want to do if it's the right fit for me. Also, I am a bit concerned about doing a program that is human focused. Have you found that you've been able to integrate your interest in vet med with your studies there? Also do you have any recommendations for someone I could talk to about the program.
 
I've been looking at the MPH degree at TAMU and the VPH program over at the vet school, but overall I am undecided. My areas of interest are animal shelter medicine and veterinary behavior and I know some of the animal shelter residency programs have the option of residents getting an MPH so I thought it might be good to go ahead and get one if I don't get in this round.

Haha, are we the same person?? :laugh:
 
I thought you all might like to hear the latest news that's going around. The selection committee had a loooooong meeting today (my neuro prof was late for class). He did say that there will be 135 students in the class of 2015.

I would assume that if they know a number, they must be almost done selecting students for next year's class. My guess is that you all will hear by the end of next week at the latest. However, this is only a GUESS! So please don't get angry if I'm wrong.
 
Y'all are completely leaving out Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health!

I have almost finished up my MPH there and loved it. The program is smaller than UT SPH but you really get to know the faculty members very well and getting recommendation letters from them isn't difficult at all.

A&M has five different concentrations: epi, biostats, social and behavioral health, environmental and occupational health, and health policy and mangement.

It really is a wonderful program and gives you a great foundation in public health.

If any of y'all want to know more about it feel free to ask!

I didn't leave it out, I promise! 🙂 I did look into it (I'm interested in either epi or health policy). I'll definitely get back with you about any questions if I decide to apply. Thanks so much for the offer!
 
I thought you all might like to hear the latest news that's going around. The selection committee had a loooooong meeting today (my neuro prof was late for class). He did say that there will be 135 students in the class of 2015.

I would assume that if they know a number, they must be almost done selecting students for next year's class. My guess is that you all will hear by the end of next week at the latest. However, this is only a GUESS! So please don't get angry if I'm wrong.

AH THANK YOU SO MUCH WE FINALLY GET AN UPDATE!!! isnt that a lot more spots than usual??
 
AH THANK YOU SO MUCH WE FINALLY GET AN UPDATE!!! isnt that a lot more spots than usual??

I think about 10 of those are OOS and the rest are IS, so I think that is about normal. I am so excited to hear something! Hopefully we will all hear good news soon! Good luck everyone!!!
 
Well you guys should hear soon, I got my OOS rejection yesterday. I'm pretty much devastated, since it seemed like if you're OOS and got an interview you had a good shot. I got accepted a couple other places though so oh well, but I think I'll go cry now lol. Good luck everyone else!!
 
heads up.... a friend of mine recieved an in-state rejection today 🙁
 
Boooo! So sorry to hear about the rejections, guys. 🙁

Just knowing that there are rejection letters in the mail makes me want to barf.
 
I got in! Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! 😀😀😀

Big envelope! I hope you guys get good news today, too!!!:xf:
 
Oh dear. My mail man hasn't come yet...I think I'm just going to wait by the mail boxes and pounce on him when he gets here.

EEK :scared:
 
YAY!!!! congrats!! You live in Austin?
Yep, I'm in Austin. The letter was dated and postmarked yesterday, so folks farther from CS might have to wait until Monday.

Crossing my fingers for all of you! :luck:
 
Yep, I'm in Austin. The letter was dated and postmarked yesterday, so folks farther from CS might have to wait until Monday.

Crossing my fingers for all of you! :luck:

I live in Austin and havent gotten anything in the mail 🙁 I wonder why? I guess I will just have to wait till monday
 
If you live in Houston you should be getting your letter too cause I just got my acceptance 😀
Thanks for the awesome thread guys! It's helped a lot through this whole process.
 
Letter came to Houston today. The Daughter is IN! WHOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!
 
Congratulations to all our new and future Class of 2015 members!


If you didn't make the cut this time, do the exit interview, re-apply, and make it next time. It's worth it!
 
I GOT IN!!!!!!!!!!! drove to austin as soon as i read yalls posts and got a speeding ticket on the way but it was SO WORTH IT!!!! CLASSS OF 2015!!!
 
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I GOT IN TOO!!!! :soexcited:I can't believe it! Congrats to everyone else, and to those that didn't make it this time....don't give up! This was my second try, and it was totally worth all the stress and turmoil!

Question for those accepted and current vet students: I am kind of freaking out because I read that purple sheet (that talks about the conditions of the acceptance) and it mentions that you must "satisfactorily complete all of the courses undertaken between application and matriculation". I dropped one of my courses this semester, before I knew I was accepted. I called and asked admissions about it last week, but I was asking if dropping it would hurt me if I had to REAPPLY. She said no (because it is a master's level course that is definitely NOT a prerequisite), but then I read that on the purple sheet today and freaked out.

Anyone know if this is a big deal???? I would think the lady I talked to last week would have mentioned it, because she knew I was a current applicant....
 
#1 on the alternate list... I guess if I had to be waitlisted this is the best place to be. I'm in state.
 
I GOT IN TOO!!!! :soexcited:I can't believe it! Congrats to everyone else, and to those that didn't make it this time....don't give up! This was my second try, and it was totally worth all the stress and turmoil!

Question for those accepted and current vet students: I am kind of freaking out because I read that purple sheet (that talks about the conditions of the acceptance) and it mentions that you must "satisfactorily complete all of the courses undertaken between application and matriculation". I dropped one of my courses this semester, before I knew I was accepted. I called and asked admissions about it last week, but I was asking if dropping it would hurt me if I had to REAPPLY. She said no (because it is a master's level course that is definitely NOT a prerequisite), but then I read that on the purple sheet today and freaked out.

Anyone know if this is a big deal???? I would think the lady I talked to last week would have mentioned it, because she knew I was a current applicant....

i think theyre probably only referring to the pre-requisite courses!!! dont stress it!! 😀 congrats to you!! were going to be classmates 🙂🙂
 
#1 on the alternate list... I guess if I had to be waitlisted this is the best place to be. I'm in state.
It's a bummer that you will have to wait to know for sure, but I feel certain you'll be hearing good news soon! :luck:

Raider - I would be SHOCKED if they cared about a dropped class. Go celebrate and don't stress! Congrats everyone! 😀
 
should i be worried if nothing came in the mail today? :scared: it should have come to austin....ahh im so nervous...any thoughts? congrats to all who have heard good news!!!
 
I'm in, too! I was at the rodeo all day, and when I got home I logged onto SDN. As soon as I read this thread, I RAN down the stairs to check the mail. I'm so excited to meet you guys! :soexcited:
 
Yep, I'm in Austin. The letter was dated and postmarked yesterday, so folks farther from CS might have to wait until Monday.

Crossing my fingers for all of you! :luck:

YAY!!! I got in too! I was wondering if you are a fellow UT alum?
 
I'm in, too! I was at the rodeo all day, and when I got home I logged onto SDN. As soon as I read this thread, I RAN down the stairs to check the mail. I'm so excited to meet you guys! :soexcited:

Excited to meet you too!!!!!! YAY!!
 
Wahooo I got in! I was going out of my mind while I was volunteering today after yall posted! I'm so happy for everyone who got in- I'm looking forward to meeting everybody! Hang in there waitlisters!
 
The note about classes only refers to prereqs. So don't worry about it! As far as the people who haven't received letters, don't worry! They send out all of the letters at once. The arrival time is totally dependent upon the mailman. So try not to be too mean to him/her when you have to wait till Monday or Tuesday to get your letter!

I almost forgot, Congrats everyone!!!
 
Does anyone know anything about the whole waitlist process? Has anyone here been waitlisted in the past? Given that I'm alternate #1 I feel that I should be optimistic about getting called off the list :xf: Does anyone know if there has been a year where they haven't called anyone of the waitlist?
 
They usually go up to the low double digits on the wait list.

I'd dare to say that if you're #1 on the wait list, that's pretty much as good as an acceptance.
 
Does anyone know anything about the whole waitlist process? Has anyone here been waitlisted in the past? Given that I'm alternate #1 I feel that I should be optimistic about getting called off the list :xf: Does anyone know if there has been a year where they haven't called anyone of the waitlist?
They went through 10 people on the wait list last year. I was on the wait list last year (at number 11 which was just as awful as you'd think) so I understand the frustration at not knowing. I'd say at #1 though you're pretty much in. I've never heard of them going through nobody.
 
They usually go up to the low double digits on the wait list.

I'd dare to say that if you're #1 on the wait list, that's pretty much as good as an acceptance.

:claps: Thanks for the information. I'm saving official celebrating for when I'm actually called off the list, but I'm pretty optimistic at this point.
 
Me too! When one of the interviewers found out I was a longhorn, he went "Oh no! I hope you can wear maroon!"

are you in pre-vet association??? whats ur name!! that is awesome 🙂 i know two other girls who got in from UT too! 🙂 oh - ps my name is jennifer!
 
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are you in pre-vet association??? whats ur name!! that is awesome 🙂 i know two other girls who got in from UT too! 🙂 oh - ps my name is jennifer moon!

Nope, I get the emails but I never make it out 😳 My name is Suzanne, I'll try to make it out to the next one!
 
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Super sad... I got my letter. I am #15 on the waitlist. I saw someone's post a couple of weeks ago- about them going up to like #10 on the waitlist. I sure hope they go up 5 more numbers this time. 🙁
 
I've been looking at the MPH degree at TAMU and the VPH program over at the vet school, but overall I am undecided. My areas of interest are animal shelter medicine and veterinary behavior and I know some of the animal shelter residency programs have the option of residents getting an MPH so I thought it might be good to go ahead and get one if I don't get in this round.

Currently I've been thinking that epidemiology might be a really good way to go. I'm feeling motivated by the fact that my local shelter currently has a distemper outbreak and doesn't seem to be doing anything about it much less inform the city. I've been there and seen first hand that their sanitation procedures suck and they seem to be doing very little to control the spread of diseases from one animal to the next. Then I see the heartbreak of the owners and vet staff as the adopters of the animals from the shelter bring the dogs to the clinic where I work only to be able to do nothing as their dog dies from distemper. Anyway, so I'm back to looking at the MPH program. I'm just not sure, given what I want to do if it's the right fit for me. Also, I am a bit concerned about doing a program that is human focused. Have you found that you've been able to integrate your interest in vet med with your studies there? Also do you have any recommendations for someone I could talk to about the program.

Sorry it took me a while to respond. I just got finished with my COMPS 😀

Epi is great for people that like to do the detective work to look for the problem. There are also people that are really into assessing interventions (i.e. in that case an intervention could be putting hand santizer outside of every cage and then comparing infection rates before and after etc.). Then there is always research. Epi can be a great tool for helping more people/animals than you could help being the typical general practice vet.

Grad school is a lot more flexible than undergrad in my experience. With an MPH in epi you will have two epi electives and two electives that you can take from any department. You can also be co-enrolled at A&M and take a few classes from them. So it shouldn't be that difficult to make your education more animal focused. Also there are a lot of projects and papers where you pick the topic or at least the focus. Profs are completely fine with going the animal route on those.

I would contact Josie Sandlin for more info. She is the assistant coordinator for admissions and should be able to answer any questions you have or direct you to someone who can. Her email is [email protected]
 
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i'm alternate #4 for tamu cvm.....anyone know if i have a chance still ???
 
i'm alternate #4 for tamu cvm.....anyone know if i have a chance still ???

I was talking to one of the vets I work with about the alternate list and he was #4 when he applied and he got in. If you look at last year's tamu thread, they were on alternate #6 by April 22 last year. I'm sure it varies from year to year, but I would say you have a really good shot.
 
Does anybody know what the highest number on the waitlist was last year? I found someone who was #13 on the waitlist last year that got in. Anything higher than that?
 
Does anybody know what the highest number on the waitlist was last year? I found someone who was #13 on the waitlist last year that got in. Anything higher than that?

I'm not sure but I'm sure you could call them and ask. I would call and ask how many people they've pulled off the waitlist each year for the past five years. that way you can get a feel for what's typical although I'm sure it varies from year to year.
 
I don't know about last year but, the first time I applied I was wait listed and they called up to number 9 that year and the last person called off was notified a few weeks before school started.
 
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