Anyone out there to help?

[Sublemon]

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Hello everyone-
I am 26 years old with a finance degree and 3 years of working in New York under my belt. Over that time I volunteered and took classes that helped me to become closer to the animal world with the little amount of time that I had. Since I worked ridiculous hours I could not bring my dog with me to New York and subject her to that amount of stress- it was heartbreaking. After much soul searching I decided to quit my job and move back to pittsburgh to go post - bach to pitt and continue on a journey to get into vet school- something that had beeen in my heart all along and I just never listened.

Where I really need help is any advice anyone can give me as I am clueless really to what I should and shouldn't be doing. I just finished a semester of class with all a's and then went on to shadow surgical vets over the summer which turned into a full paid position until my grandma fell ill and I had to leave the job to help take care of her. I also took a class over the summer and received an a.

I start back to school again in the fall and am planning on applying next August 2007 for the matriculation of 2008. I need all the help I can get in directing me as to:

- how many classes I should be taking at one time to stay competitive? (I read somewhere that if you aren't full time they look less upon you - but is that the same for post bach? since the only courses you need to take are demanding science courses?)

-I have worked with small animals - cats and dogs over the summer with a surgical unit. Should I now focus on getting large animal experience over next summer or should I be searching for a research job? Also, what would be the best for large animal experience?

-If I visit the schools before i start this fall- who should I be meeting with and what should I be prepared to present to them?

-What can I do in this small amount of time that can help me to gain an edge over those who have been learning about the vet world since highschool?

I am in much need of a mentor and any guidance anyone can give to me would be much appreciated. Thank You for Listening!!

Courtney

 

[tygris]

Courtney - I'm going to try to answer as best I can the ones I know something about 🙂 The only question I wasn't quite sure how to answer (with my opinion of course) was the one about visiting schools, but I'm sure someon else will pick up the slack on that one for me.

- how many classes I should be taking at one time to stay competitive? (I read somewhere that if you aren't full time they look less upon you - but is that the same for post bach? since the only courses you need to take are demanding science courses?)

This is something that (and this advice has probably been given over and over and over on this board, so excuse the repetition) you should call the schools you want to apply to and ask the admissions folks about. Many schools do prefer full-time students and some ask on the application how many credit hours you were taking per semester, etc... so it's best to know for sure how each school you're interested in feels about it.

-I have worked with small animals - cats and dogs over the summer with a surgical unit. Should I now focus on getting large animal experience over next summer or should I be searching for a research job? Also, what would be the best for large animal experience?

You should absolutely try to get as large a range of experience as you can while still having each experience be meaningful. Sounds like you have quite a bit of small animal, so moving on to large animal and/or research would probably be your best bet. If it's possible to do both, I would say do both, since almost all schools like to know that you are comfortable working with large animals but having research experience will also add quite a bit to your application. If you *have* to choose one or the other, I would say that since your grades are extremely good you should go with the large animal experience. But if at all possible, do both 🙂

-What can I do in this small amount of time that can help me to gain an edge over those who have been learning about the vet world since highschool?

Haha, isn't this always the question... everyone wants to gain an edge of everyone else in the world of applying to vet school. You have a lot of "life experience" under your belt at the moment, and thus many schools will see you as someone who really *knows* vet school is what they want to do, since you basically changed your entire life around to get it. I can't be 100% positive on this, but from what I understand many schools really like to see that, assuming you still have the classes/grades/experience with animals to get in. So what I'm saying is you're already a unique applicant, and realistically there isn't a whole lot you can do to "gain an edge" other than get good grades, a large variety of experience, good GRE scores, write a killer personal statement, etc... and these are things everyone strives to do.

 

[Bill59]

Hello everyone-
- how many classes I should be taking at one time to stay competitive? (I read somewhere that if you aren't full time they look less upon you - but is that the same for post bach? since the only courses you need to take are demanding science courses?)

The precise way in which course load is scored varies from school to school. In general though, the points you get for course load (if any) are less than the points you get for GPA. So the general rule is to take as high a load as you can without compromising your grades.

Should I now focus on getting large animal experience over next summer or should I be searching for a research job? Also, what would be the best for large animal experience?

If it's one or the other, go with LA. Working with a LA vet or in an LA hospital would be best, but even non-veterinary LA (milking cows, for example) is better than no LA exposure.

If I visit the schools before i start this fall- who should I be meeting with and what should I be prepared to present to them?

Usually you'll see whoever meets with prospective students at that school. Use that to see the program and school and ask any questions. As for any presentation, the only thing that counts for getting accepted is your formal application.

What can I do in this small amount of time that can help me to gain an edge over those who have been learning about the vet world since highschool?

From what you've posted, I'd say keep your grades up, get some LA experience, and prepare for any required exams. As Tygris indicated, there aren't really any "tricks" to get in -- grades, test scores, and experience are the main factors that separate applicants.

 

[Sublemon]

Thanks so much to both of you. Your advice helps enormously - it is hard to switch worlds and try to figure out an entirely different environment and system. Thanks Again!!!

Courtney

 

[Sublemon]

Actually - one more quick question. I am thinking of visiting virginia-maryland regional school next week - should I contact admissions there to try to set up a meeting to figure out whether I would even be considered as a candidate (basically ask questions) or is that best left alone and I should visit campus myself?

Thanks again!
Courtney

 

[Bill59]

Always contact someone in the admissions office. They will usually have guided tours and may have specific times to meet prospective students.

Just going on your own is fine to see the area but you won't learn anything about the program and probably won't get to see much of the school, especially the hospitals where unknown people wandering around is discouraged.

 

[Sheltie]

I would also remind you, GRE scores are good for 5 years.

I think you should take a hard look at which schools you would like to apply to and become aware of their pre-req's as each school may differ slightly. Once you have made that determination, you can address your course load accordingly.

In deciding which schools to apply to, take a good look at their out of state admittance statistics. Since you are in Pennsylvania become familiar with Penn's criteria.

Good Luck