Apply this fall, or wait?

[Silvane]

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Hey everyone!

I'm thinking about applying this fall; I've read through A LOT of the threads (some of which give me hope, others which make me feel like crap 😛), and they've all been very helpful!

My dilemma is this: I only have this summer to get some LORs. I started a little late in the game, and had trouble finding places where I could actually STAY at and get to know the doctors better. This summer, I'm working with 3-4 different vets (depending on how my scheduling goes), but I'm not sure if 4 months is enough to get a good LOR.

Any advice??

Here are my stats:

Cum. GPA: 3.15
Last 45 hours: ~3.5
Science GPA: haven't calculated (not sure which classes to include or not)
Experience:
- 200+ hours of small animal (and getting more)
- 40 hours large animal
- 200 hours wildlife
- ~200 animal experience

I got some Cs in calculus (always been bad in math, ugh) and some of the general science classes (chem, bio, physics), but significantly improved after my sophomore year and with the upper div sciences. I intend to study like crazy for the GRE!

Thanks!

 

[Jamr0ckin]

I imagine stats would help us help you. 🙂

 

[Minnerbelle]

I imagine stats would help us help you. 🙂

Also, do you have other employer LORs and professor LORs lined up? most places only let you have 3 LORs, so unless you're applying to Ohio State, then you really only need to get one GOOD ONE from a vet.

This came up multiple times last year, and I think the general consensus was that if you have everything else ready, then go for it! Just remember that vet school isn't rolling admissions, so there's no advantage (other than your sanity) to submitting early. So the best thing to do might be to let your vets know that you might like a letter from them at the end of the summer, and just maybe a month before the deadline give them specific directions and ask formally. You want to use all the time you can to get them to know you.

If you're working really hard and have lots of contact with the vets, 4 months is plenty of time for them to get to know you enough to talk about your character and potential to become a vet.

 

[GellaBella]

I think 4 months is certainly long enough for a vet to write you a letter of recommendation...if you put the time in and really spend a decent amount of time with that vet.

I think as long as you can give them enough time to write you a good letter (don't just spring it on them last minute) that should be fine.

But do you have enough veterinary experience otherwise?? If you are getting it all in this summer it may look a little "fishy" to adcoms...'if this person is so into vet med, why are they only getting experience now'...etc etc.

You can certainly try! And I think if your stats are solid then you certainly should try. It can't hurt (except for maybe your wallet). Good luck!

 

[Silvane]

Posted some stats. Let me know if more would be helpful!

 

[nyanko]

This summer, I'm working with 3-4 different vets (depending on how my scheduling goes), but I'm not sure if 4 months is enough to get a good LOR.

Honestly this jumps out at me as a bit of a red flag. Does this mean 3-4 different vets as the same practice or 3-4 different practices or what? I don't really know that fragmenting your time between so many different people will help you get a LOR that will stand out.

 

[chordy4]

In my opinion, I might wait another year...or perhaps just apply to your in-state to get a feel for it etc.

Since your overall GPA is a bit on the low side, and probably with some C's in required science courses by most schools, your science GPA will be a bit lower too, I think it can only help to get some more experience under your belt.

Not sure quite what the situation is with your veterinary rec, since it seems you already have had some experience. From what you're saying though, it sounds like you would be planning on getting a rec from one of the vets you're working with this summer. While there may be 4 months before the application is actually due, keep in mind that you'll want to ask them to write you a rec a few months before...I like to say at least two months notice to be on the safe side. If it's a newer situation working with these vets, would you feel comfortable asking them for a rec having known them for a month or two?? This is probably dependent on what exactly you're doing with them, how many hours you're spending with them etc.

Coming from someone who had a bit of a lower GPA, I definitely think my diverse experiences and hours I had accumulated helped me to get in (the second time around 🙄).

 

[Silvane]

Honestly this jumps out at me as a bit of a red flag. Does this mean 3-4 different vets as the same practice or 3-4 different practices or what? I don't really know that fragmenting your time between so many different people will help you get a LOR that will stand out.

These are vets from different places. I'm not sure that it'll help, either, but they are my only shot at this point.... hence my dilemma.

 

[Silvane]

In my opinion, I might wait another year...or perhaps just apply to your in-state to get a feel for it etc.

Since your overall GPA is a bit on the low side, and probably with some C's in required science courses by most schools, your science GPA will be a bit lower too, I think it can only help to get some more experience under your belt.

Not sure quite what the situation is with your veterinary rec, since it seems you already have had some experience. From what you're saying though, it sounds like you would be planning on getting a rec from one of the vets you're working with this summer. While there may be 4 months before the application is actually due, keep in mind that you'll want to ask them to write you a rec a few months before...I like to say at least two months notice to be on the safe side. If it's a newer situation working with these vets, would you feel comfortable asking them for a rec having known them for a month or two?? This is probably dependent on what exactly you're doing with them, how many hours you're spending with them etc.

Coming from someone who had a bit of a lower GPA, I definitely think my diverse experiences and hours I had accumulated helped me to get in (the second time around 🙄).

Yes, I'm planning to get recs from the vets I'm working with this summer. The places I've worked at in the past didn't work out in the long-term for various reasons. Only one of these vets is new; the other I've been working with for a few months, and while another is new, I had worked at the center for a while last summer.

My in-state is Davis... I think it's a bit of a long-shot. 😛

 

[twelvetigers]

Silvane, I think what nyanko meant was... if all these vets are in separate places, how are you spending enough time with any one of them to get that excellent LOR? Maybe you could pick the clinic you feel the best with and focus on it.

 

[bonaparte]

If you are already planning on volunteering this summer (regardless of if you are applying or not) I honestly don't see how applying could hurt. :/

 

[HoneySmucks]

My first reaction was to tell you to wait to apply, because with a GPA like yours I think having more experience balances it out a bit. But I had a counselor tell me not to apply, I applied, and I got in (you can find my stats on the Successful Applicant thread).

My suggestion would be, start an application, take the GRE, and wing it from there. See how you do on the GRE and how things go this summer with your volunteering and LORs, and if you submit your application, be prepared that you may not get in. At least if you start to fill out the VMCAS application, you can apply if you decide to, or you will just have had a chance to mess with VMCAS for next year. Worst case scenario: you spent $50 (or whatever it was) to apply to your IS and didn't get in, or you spent some time filling out an application you decided not to submit this year (but prepared you for next year). Best case scenario: the mysterious admissions panels accepts you!

 

[moosenanny]

I applied and was accepted to Davis (IS) this year. Something that really helped me was meeting with a Director of Admissions last summer as I was filling out the application. This meeting gave me a lot more confidence and helped me with decisions on who to use for LORs, tips for my personal statement, what to include under VMCAS experiences, etc. Your meeting could do the same, or perhaps let you know that waiting would be more prudent. If you are at all in the area or can swing a trip, I definitely would!

 

[Silvane]

Silvane, I think what nyanko meant was... if all these vets are in separate places, how are you spending enough time with any one of them to get that excellent LOR? Maybe you could pick the clinic you feel the best with and focus on it.

Oh, I see. The thing is, I need LORs from all of these places. I don't have others to go to...

HoneySmucks, moosenanny -- Thanks. That's what I figure too; can't hurt, right? I've already started filling out my app, picked out some schools to apply to, written my PS, etc. It's just the idea of spending another year not in vet school that I don't like, but I know I'll have a stronger application. 😛

 

[nyanko]

Oh, I see. The thing is, I need LORs from all of these places. I don't have others to go to...

HoneySmucks, moosenanny -- Thanks. That's what I figure too; can't hurt, right? I've already started filling out my app, picked out some schools to apply to, written my PS, etc. It's just the idea of spending another year not in vet school that I don't like, but I know I'll have a stronger application. 😛

That is what I meant.

If all of your rec letters are coming from people who've known you for less than 4 months that probably isn't a good thing. You do know you only need one LOR from a vet, right? You can get them from professors/advisors too....

edit: I reread some posts you made - it sounds like two of the vets will have known you less than a year and the other intermittently. It still to me doesn't seem like a productive thing to do. It is a really emotionally draining process even if you don't "expect" to get in, trust me.

In the long run, spending another year is really not that big of a deal.

By the way applying to one school this cycle is $155, not $50. 😉

 

[twelvetigers]

Yeah, is there not an adviser or professor that knows you well? An employer? Only one has to be from a vet, and that's what I was kinda getting at - pick a vet and shadow there a LOT so that you can make the most out of the next three months.

Waiting to apply isn't a huge deal, but going ahead and applying isn't either, if you have the $155 and the $150 for the GRE (plus $ for a few other possible odds and ends).

Meeting with admissions about your app would probably be an excellent way to see if you would be a viable candidate. 🙂

 

[monkeybsns]

We are in similar situations, however I won't be applying for the first time until next fall. Still, I will be scrambling like a maniac all year to get all of my hours, eLORs, and GRE/GPA things straightened out.

The first time I apply I am most likely only going to be applying to my state school and maybe one other that I have a fairly good chance of getting into because my GPA and such will still be somewhat borderline for most other schools. I'm not going to waste money applying to schools I know I won't have a chance in hell with. If I get in, awesome. If I don't, I will finish my degree, fix what needs to be fixed, and try again with much a much better chance.

Applying to vet school is expensive and huge time commitment, so if you're having doubts about getting in this time around, you may want to consider only applying to a few schools. On the other hand, you could apply to all of them, spend a ton of money, and maybe have a pretty good chance of getting in.

 

[philomycus]

I was in the same position when I started this 4 years ago. I decided in June I'd apply. I had very similar stats and less experience than you do and got an itnerview my first year (alothough I didn't get in). But it got my name in the hat. Persistence matters to some schools. And if you get an itnerview and don't get in, what did you lose other than money?? What did you gain? Interview experience that will help you in the next cycle. You've got nothing to lose. Why not?

 

[Silvane]

I'll continue working on my app this summer and do my best to get those LORs... and just see how it goes. I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot, at least for my in-state and possibly some OOS, since my parents are willing to help me foot the bill (mainly because they want me to get into vet school ASAP; this is where a lot of the pressure is coming from!).

Thanks for the responses, everyone! It definitely helps to hear all your opinions, and to know I'm not the only one in this boat. 😛 This has helped calm me down a lot.