Apply this ap cycle, or wait?

[willbeavet]

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Hey guys,
I was looking for some help to see if it was worthwhile for me to apply to vet school this application cycle, or wait until next. I had applied a few years ago, and was rejected. So I've been working towards my masters and having fun with research since then. I won't have my degree until next June/July, but I'll be 24 this year and want to start vet school soon.


Here are my stats:
New York Resident

B.S. in Biology, 3.1 GPA. Undergraduate rat neuro research. Several honor societies. Lots of e.c. (Newspaper, student government, bio club)


1240 GRE 5.0 writing. Forgot the breakdown because I took it years ago, but better verbal than math. Will retake.


8000+ hours working in a small animal hospital, 500 hours working in a zoo, 350 hours volunteering on a farm. I also volunteered for an animal rights group for a year.


Working towards an M.S. in Biology, 3.5 GPA. My thesis work is on burrowing insect behavior. However, I did transfer from my first graduate school after being unhappy with the institution.


TA'd three undergraduate courses (Anatomy, Genetics, and Ecology).

Other random things of note: Wrote for a major newspaper for 6 months, Full time job in an insurance agency for a year

So, do you think I'll have a shot at getting in this year if I improve my GRE score? Or should I get my masters first?

 

[twelvetigers]

If you would be happy going places other than Cornell, then I would definitely apply. You have some really intresting experiences, your GRE scores aren't exactly bad (but if you think you can do better, it couldn't hurt), and the lower undergrad GPA is helped by the higher M.S. GPA. I'm sure that TAing courses looks great on apps, especially those courses, and 8k hours of experience is exemplary.

Just make sure that you have all your ducks in a row... all required courses are completed, classwork is recent enough, people are in place to write letters of recommendation for you... that's really about it. Just start looking at schools. And, I didn't mean that you have no chance of Cornell - I just think that it might not be worth it if you aren't willing to move and attend another school if you are accepted elsewhere. I guess I'm just recommending that you apply to more than one school. But, your choice.

In short, yeah, I think you have a chance. But, you could also wait one more year and get the master's, and you'll have a chance next year as well. There's no rush, so it's all just what feels right to you.

 

[Moonpaw]

And, I didn't mean that you have no chance of Cornell - I just think that it might not be worth it if you aren't willing to move and attend another school if you are accepted elsewhere. I guess I'm just recommending that you apply to more than one school. But, your choice.

Also, Cornell is really ridiculous about admissions. I'm a NY state resident and didn't get accepted there, but got accepted to another OOS school (maybe just a little sour grapes🙄). I mean, come on...they're calling OOS students who they initially rejected with offers!

So my point is, don't take what twelvetigers said offensively. Cornell also tends to accept a lower percentage of in-state students as compared to other schools (about 60% of the class is IS, versus anywhere from 70-90% for most other schools), and it's ranked fairly high by the US News and World Reports, so more people apply there, making it even more difficult for NY residents.

But I also second twelvetigers' advice, and that if you are willing to apply OOS, then go for it this year. The way I see it, you have nothing to lose but the application fees.

 

[runnerDC]

So, do you think I'll have a shot at getting in this year if I improve my GRE score? Or should I get my masters first?

So, would you drop out of your master's program (after having spent time and money in it)? In my opinion, I would finish what you started there before jumping ship to apply to vet school. Part of what certain vet schools may want to see is your ability to stick with a rigorous academic program and excel in it. Your seeing your master's through may show them that.
I also see that you switched grad programs before landing in the one you're in; I worry that adcoms may see that and your willingness to leave your current master's midway through as a lack of ability to commit, or some other such negative interpretation, whether true or not. I don't mean to be an alarmist about these things, but having been part of an adcom and numerous hiring committees in my previous career, these things do come up in candidate discussions.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[VAgirl]

I read the OP's statement as wondering whether (s)he needed to finish his/her masters program before beginning to apply, but that (s)he would be done with the program by the time Fall 2009 began. In which case I don't think there is any need to wait on applying, if you (OP) feel you are ready.

 

[jkq202]

.

 

[Moonpaw]

i know some ny residents that got rejected from there but accepted elsewhere...

Talking about anyone in particular there? 😉

BTW, this is Aparna. Hi! 😀

 

[nyanko]

As long as you mean you plan on finishing your masters before matriculation either way, it certainly can't hurt you to apply this year.