Apply for vet schools: Guys vs. Gals

[EchoBravo13]

So I go to a small undergrad school where I've become very close with many of my classmates. As such, I have a really good relationship with the only other pre-vet student on my campus. We're competitive in a good way, but we're always explaining to each other why the other will be accepted. Recently, she said something that struck me as odd, and I'd never considered it. Basically, it was along the lines of "at least you're a guy! So many girls apply these days, you stick out and have a better chance!"

After giving it some though, I think that's total hogwash and she was just running out of ammo. Yes, far more women apply to vet schools... but far more women are accepted too!

So, I think it's silly, but does anyone around here think along the same lines? Does gender play any role whatsoever?

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[bbeventer]

So I go to a small undergrad school where I've become very close with many of my classmates. As such, I have a really good relationship with the only other pre-vet student on my campus. We're competitive in a good way, but we're always explaining to each other why the other will be accepted. Recently, she said something that struck me as odd, and I'd never considered it. Basically, it was along the lines of "at least you're a guy! So many girls apply these days, you stick out and have a better chance!"

After giving it some though, I think that's total hogwash and she was just running out of ammo. Yes, far more women apply to vet schools... but far more women are accepted too!

So, I think it's silly, but does anyone around here think along the same lines? Does gender play any role whatsoever?

Seems like you have your mind made up already, but one of our Dean's has said they do try to accept a "diversity" of students to the class.

 

[BlackDog17]

I think she's right that it would make you stand out more, since there definitely aren't as many men applying to and attending vet school as there are women these days. But other than being more likely to be remembered after your interview, I don't think it will help you much. I doubt anyone gets accepted with lower stats simply because they're male.

I think the AVMA has data on the percentage of male vs. female applicants. Might be an interesting thing to look at.

 

[StartingoverVet]

I think she's right that it would make you stand out more, since there definitely aren't as many men applying to and attending vet school as there are women these days. But other than being more likely to be remembered after your interview, I don't think it will help you much. I doubt anyone gets accepted with lower stats simply because they're male.

I think the AVMA has data on the percentage of male vs. female applicants. Might be an interesting thing to look at.

There is an old thread on this from a few years ago.

There is NO difference in acceptance rates for men vs women. End of discussion.

Diversity is usually a lot more than male/female... It encompasses many things.

The biggest issue about being a man in vet school is you will STAND OUT to classmates, administration, and professors etc... and you will be remembered a lot more easily than a white female student in her 20s.

 

[EchoBravo13]

There is an old thread on this from a few years ago.

There is NO difference in acceptance rates for men vs women. End of discussion.

Diversity is usually a lot more than male/female... It encompasses many things.

The biggest issue about being a man in vet school is you will STAND OUT to classmates, administration, and professors etc... and you will be remembered a lot more easily than a white female student in her 20s.

Yeah, see, I think of diversity in vet school as your background or your interests. Things like that.

And the way I see it, always standing out (once you're admitted, I s'pose) isn't always the best thing. I already know how many mistakes I'll make, haha. 🙄

 

[Angelus9]

I doubt anyone gets accepted with lower stats simply because they're male.

Ah, but what if stats are the same?

Lower stats, no, but due to the demand for slots, dozens (actually hundreds, at some schools) perfectly well-qualified candidates aren't accepted simply because there's no room in the class for them. So all qualifications being equal, don't you think that candidates who help to diversify a class will get picked? I think that's what the woman the OP talks about meant.

 

[Frozenshades]

Ah, but what if stats are the same?

Lower stats, no, but due to the demand for slots, dozens (actually hundreds, at some schools) perfectly well-qualified candidates aren't accepted simply because there's no room in the class for them. So all qualifications being equal, don't you think that candidates who help to diversify a class will get picked? I think that's what the woman the OP talks about meant.

I doubt it. I agree with SOV's post, diversity means a lot more than just gender.

But I'll be blunt, what does it matter? If you're going to apply to vet school, you're going to apply to vet school. If you get in, attribute it to what it is, the merits of your application and perhaps some luck, and call it a day. Regardless of any existing incongruities in admission statistics between genders (which I doubt there is), it's irrelevant to an applicant.

 

[BlackDog17]

I doubt it. I agree with SOV's post, diversity means a lot more than just gender.

But I'll be blunt, what does it matter? If you're going to apply to vet school, you're going to apply to vet school. If you get in, attribute it to what it is, the merits of your application and perhaps some luck, and call it a day. Regardless of any existing incongruities in admission statistics between genders (which I doubt there is), it's irrelevant to an applicant.

👍

Besides that, the chance of two applicants having exactly the same stats to the point of needing to choose based on gender is basically impossible. Even if they have the same grades and tests scores, their experiences, personal statements, and interviews are going to be very different. There's really no possible scenario where gender would be the sole deciding factor in choosing one applicant over another.