Application Strength

[drwildlife]

---

Members do not see this ad.

First time user of this forum...so...here it goes.

I will be applying Fall of 2012 for (mainly) LSU, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tuskegee, and Florida. Not to say there won't be others thrown in of course.

My GPA is alright at the moment with the promise of being way stronger over the next few semesters. My GRE score is over average for LSU.

I am hoping my experience is what pulls me in.

Currently:

• Two Years of Experience in a Veterinary Clinic
• Year experience (with more by the time of application) with African Elephants doing blood draws, husbandry, and reproduction studies (some veterinary, some not.)
• Year experience working with breeding African Penguins and caring for a tropical bird collection at a zoo.
• Research at my University studying genetics/scaley leg mite disorder in captured White-Throated Sparrows.
• Going to New Zealand for a month for a field study on the effects of humans on local flora and fauna.

Is this a strong enough pool of experience? I know there's no such thing as too much experience but, I was just curious as to where I stand now. Also wondering where everyone else's experience was when they were applying.

Thanks!

 

[GellaBella]

Well you didn't post your stats (GRE and GPA) but if those are in order then your experience looks pretty good. You have good diversity.

Unfortunately it all depends on who you are up against and the crazy whims of the adcoms.

Try taking a look at the 2014 Accepted Students Stats page that will give you an idea of where you stand. Some people get in with terrible GPAs or GREs and great experiences. Some people get in with perfect GPAs/GREs and minimal experiences. and others just happen to get magically chosen.

 

[drwildlife]

Thanks Bella!

I didn't even see that thread even though I searched around before posting. It helps a lot.

It's nice to know that experience can help pull you through in some instances.

 

[tuwest2011]

Thanks Bella!

I didn't even see that thread even though I searched around before posting. It helps a lot.

It's nice to know that experience can help pull you through in some instances.

Well you ask the SDNer's to look at you and make an assessmnet which will be difficult without numerical stats were only here to help. We dont know you so be brave and let it all hang out you'll get some really good advice alot of us are going through this process now so join the family and trust that we will embrace you. The numbers dont say it all because the adcom has the final word but you stats may be similar to some of us getting interviews WinK like me and my GPA is no where stellar !

 

[drwildlife]

My GPA is a 3.00 right now. My family suffered some tough times my first two undergrad years (multiple cases of cancer) and my GPA suffered from that. I still have three semesters left so there's plenty of time to bring it up.

My GRE is currently a 1300. I do great in the verbal (80%) but lower in quantitative (can't remember the exact).

 

[tuwest2011]

My GPA is a 3.00 right now. My family suffered some tough times my first two undergrad years (multiple cases of cancer) and my GPA suffered from that. I still have three semesters left so there's plenty of time to bring it up.

My GRE is currently a 1300. I do great in the verbal (80%) but lower in quantitative (can't remember the exact).

Well let me b the first to tell you that your still in the running my GPA is going to be quite interesting and Im going to share all of that as well as my GRE scores which were but thats a later story let me b the first to tell you that I have suffered a great deal of pains and much adversity but many ADCOMS love resilience as I am proof. Ihave great animal experiences that help solidify my weak areas. My personal statement was sweet and I know it help alot because that the first thing they mentioned to me so if you have any questions feel free!!! I would 😍 love to answer them.

 

[GellaBella]

My GPA is a 3.00 right now. My family suffered some tough times my first two undergrad years (multiple cases of cancer) and my GPA suffered from that. I still have three semesters left so there's plenty of time to bring it up.

My GRE is currently a 1300. I do great in the verbal (80%) but lower in quantitative (can't remember the exact).

Your GPA is similar to my undergrad GPA and our GREs are similar (1330 or 1320...I can't remember now, and I always do better in verbal than quantitative percentage wise - 630V 690Q or something like that)

your experiences are MUCH MUCH better than mine so that can definitely help.

I got in on my first application round. I applied to 7 schools (Tufts, Penn, Cornell, CSU, UC-Davis, UFl, NCSU) and was accepted to Tufts (IS) and Penn (OOS) and waitlisted at NCSU. Rejected without interview at the rest.

Like i said i did not have a ton of veterinary experience but I did have extensive research experience (I have a PhD in microbiology and Molecular genetics) and even though my graduate GPA was good, I think the low undergrad GPA is really what threw me out of the running at the other schools.

So. kick ass in the rest of your classes and I think you'll be in a very good position. nothing is guaranteed but if you can raise your GPA well, that never hurts.

Good luck 🙂

 

[drwildlife]

You guys are so helpful. It feels great knowing that other people have been in the same boat I am in right now. What I lack in early GPA, I've gained in experience if that makes sense). I'm hoping that my diversity of experience shows that I'm willing to be a hard worker in the profession.

I know I can do well in all my other classes. I'm finally to the classes that are actually interesting. These past two years have been the core classes but, this spring semester I start taking Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Neuroethology. I also plan on taking Endocrinology, Parasitology, and a few other serious classes in the Fall. I heard from an LSU representative that it really helps to have a school see classes like that on your transcript. Hopefully he was right!

 

[tuwest2011]

You guys are so helpful. It feels great knowing that other people have been in the same boat I am in right now. What I lack in early GPA, I've gained in experience if that makes sense). I'm hoping that my diversity of experience shows that I'm willing to be a hard worker in the profession.

I know I can do well in all my other classes. I'm finally to the classes that are actually interesting. These past two years have been the core classes but, this spring semester I start taking Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Neuroethology. I also plan on taking Endocrinology, Parasitology, and a few other serious classes in the Fall. I heard from an LSU representative that it really helps to have a school see classes like that on your transcript. Hopefully he was right!

This is so true I a living proof I never thought I could get an interview with my decent GPA and gloomy GRE scores but I have so much animal exoerience I guess it made me 😀😀😀 a potential vet student. I'll keep ya posted!

 

[drwildlife]

I'm guessing you got an interview with Tuskegee (looks like your instate)?

Despite what school, best of luck, tuwest!

 

[twelvetigers]

Alabama has two vet schools - Tusk and Auburn - but I think tuwest has an interview with Western. Am I correct?

And, since I never thought of it before... Alabama residents have two shots at IS tuition?

 

[drwildlife]

Alabama has two vet schools - Tusk and Auburn - but I think tuwest has an interview with Western. Am I correct?

And, since I never thought of it before... Alabama residents have two shots at IS tuition?

Oops, I guess I only think of Tuskegee because they're the one who has a contract spot with Arkansas.

And Lucky dogs! They get two shots...Arkansas gets none!

 

[twelvetigers]

Hey, come on now... you get that one seat at Oklahoma. Surely that covers you?

 

[drwildlife]

If we all starve ourselves to be able to sneak in together or somehow learn to shape shift into one person, than sure it does! 😀 actually, one of my roommate's friends said that oklahoma would be the only place she applies to next year. I guess she's really, REALLY hopeful?

We still have Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri though. Which adds up to abouttttttt a total of (drumroll) 12 spots!

 

[tuwest2011]

Uhh that is correcto munodo Twelve tigers I am sure I will get an interview @ Tuskegee Considering thats my home institution and that I practically live over there in my spare time LOL! I am originally from NJ doe 😀