Applying For Internships

[SSLove]

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Hey, I'm a third year vet student. I've always been set on doing an internship and specializing some day when I finished school. I know applying for internships is very competitive. I know grades are important when it comes to internships, but how important? What's the average grade they all usually look for? If I don't meet that criteria should I basically give up any hope of specializing and start figuring something else out?

 

[StealthDog]

My advisors always recommended aiming for 3.5 GPA or higher and/or staying in the top third of your class, but I had classmates who fit those criteria and didn't match, and classmates who didn't fit those criteria and did. More important than your numbers are your letters of recommendation from clinicians who work with you during your rotation year. If you want an internship but don't know if you'd meet the grade requirements, just make sure you rock your clinical rotations 🙂

 

[JumpHigherLivie]

So, we actually just had a meeting about this at school where some of our clinicians who are also on the committee for our internship/residency program came in to talk about internships and this was the jist.

GPA not important, RANK is ... because some schools are known for inflating their grades, so they care more about rank. Top 10% is ideal, and if you're in the bottom 50% you better be abso-freaking-lutely amazing in some other aspect, because they don't even look at a lot of the people in the bottom 50% past that fact.

letters are important (if you make it past the rank step) and you should make sure that you get GOOD QUALITY letters where the people talk about you personally. Watch yourself on clinics -- if you're cut throat, your clinicians will know it and they will probably speak of it negatively or pass it along. You also never know who knows who and will make a phone call. And, don't be the slacker whose never willing to take the last case of the day ... all of these things will come around.

Finally your letter of intent. Be personal but don't be weird (we were given an example, which I probably can't post here, but it was amusing). Add some things that will make the adcom think that you're a neat person they'd like to get to know as a colleague but not so oddly personal that they end up wondering wtf and get distracted.

IT's better to just jump right in and do it, because if you wait and decide to go back it's harder to get in. They figure that when you come straight from vet school they have a good idea what you know and don't know ... but if you've been out they don't know what you know, what you've forgotten and what bad habits you might have picked up.

Anyways, these aren't my opnions, just waht we were told!

 

[Bill59]

I agree with all that. With a 3.5 you're generally in the first cut. Lower than that, and it's still possible but gets harder. Letters and recommendations are also extremely important.

So for now, try to do you're best with grades and when you get to clinics work as hard as you can on every block. Read on your cases, pay attention to detail, be on time if not early, and get along with everyone.

 

[SSLove]

Thank you all for your help! 🙂

 

[sumstorm]

Don't forget networking. a known and liked applicant, even if a little less shiny on GPA, is likely to be given a bit more consideration (especially if you meet the numeric minimums.) My GPA is lacking, and I don't even know if I will go for an internship, but I am doing my externships at my preferred (private practice) internship places. That might be more important in some specialites than others (I know it was highly stressed for our lab animal and zoo med students.)

Also, be sure your application goes beyond the 'I love animals, but let me say that in a different way' message. I know that sounds obvious, but it is a complaint we keep hearing from our clinicians about internship applications.

We were also told on clinics to always put your best foot forward, even if you think its an area you could care less about because it isn't unheard of for a reviewer to contact the people they know at your school, rather than just the ones you list.

 

[elefante7]

Don't forget networking. a known and liked applicant, even if a little less shiny on GPA, is likely to be given a bit more consideration (especially if you meet the numeric minimums.) My GPA is lacking, and I don't even know if I will go for an internship, but I am doing my externships at my preferred (private practice) internship places. That might be more important in some specialites than others (I know it was highly stressed for our lab animal and zoo med students.)

Also, be sure your application goes beyond the 'I love animals, but let me say that in a different way' message. I know that sounds obvious, but it is a complaint we keep hearing from our clinicians about internship applications.

We were also told on clinics to always put your best foot forward, even if you think its an area you could care less about because it isn't unheard of for a reviewer to contact the people they know at your school, rather than just the ones you list.

For zoo med folks, did they say to do "internship prep" externships over doing externships at zoos or in addition to them?? Just wondering. Thanks!

 

[Ben and Me]

Bill, I know that equine private practice internships are a whole nuther ball game, but is there an accepted GPA range for them as well?

 

[wolfpack87]

I too want to pursue internship/residency and am aware of the 3.5 minimum. However, at this point in time, I'm not sure that it will happen for me. I haven't given up or anything...but realistically, I don't think I'll get much beyond a 3.2 or 3.3 at this rate. I'm hoping to do well in clinics and have stellar letters of rec. I'm just really worried about everything. I'm trying not to stress too much about because I'm only a first year...but it's a bit discouraging at times.

 

[sumstorm]

For zoo med folks, did they say to do "internship prep" externships over doing externships at zoos or in addition to them?? Just wondering. Thanks!

in addition. I hate to say it, but I spend my summers doing externships, and spend my shorter breaks working with vets that do high volume of a skill that I really want to feel confident with going out. IE a solid week of constant ultrasound, or a constant week of therio in large animal. I am saving my internship preps for 4th year.

 

[aretoo]

Bill, I know that equine private practice internships are a whole nuther ball game, but is there an accepted GPA range for them as well?

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing!! I've heard mention of marks being a factor, in fact I don't even think I've heard of them asking for a transcript?? Most don't go through the match.

 

[Tonkamoo]

Does anyone know if there is any stigma associated with graduates of foreign vet schools, if they are AVMA- accredited, when applying to internships or residency programs?

Is it similar, that as long as you're in the top of your class with good letters, we should be fine, or would one be judged harder since its not a US school.

 

[VeganSoprano]

Grades matter, but letters of recommendation and interviews are at least as important. When it comes to internships, especially in private practice, they're looking for people who will be good doctors and co-workers. It is *very* possible to match into a SA rotating internship with even less that a 3.0, if your clinical and interpersonal skills are top notch. As far as residencies, it depends on the specialty but I do know of people who have gotten residencies with less than a 3.0.

I have never heard of any program discriminating against foreign AVMA-accredited grads. Even though the grading system may be different, they still have access to class rank so they can know where you stand academically. As far as non-accredited schools, some care but many are more than willing to consider FVGs.

 

[Bill59]

Bill, I know that equine private practice internships are a whole nuther ball game, but is there an accepted GPA range for them as well?

Sorry, I don't know much about the private practice ones. The academic equine internships are pretty similar though.

 

[Bill59]

I too want too want to pursue internship/residency and am aware of the 3.5 minimum. However, at this point in time, I'm not sure that it will happen for me. I haven't given up or anything...but realistically, I don't think I'll get much beyond a 3.2 or 3.3 at this rate.

3.3 is still pretty good. With good LORs you would have a shot.

 

[KittenKiller]

Bill, I know that equine private practice internships are a whole nuther ball game, but is there an accepted GPA range for them as well?

Most dont ask for transcripts, but a few do. In equine private practice, personal relations are 10,000 times more important than grades. The vast majority want you to have visited their practice for at least 2 weeks prior to applying. Several of the practices I visited had externs there who had visited 2-3 times before and maybe even had worked at the practice for a summer.

I think the best approach to landing a private practice equine internship is visiting a bunch of practices in the first couple summers then revisiting the ones in the summer/fall of 4th year that you really want to have a good chance at (yea...lots of time and money).

Also, get to know the doctors there so they remember you personally AND find out who from your school they know and get those people to write you letters of rec...if you dont get letters of rec from those people, at the very least, make sure you talk to them about where you're applying and try to make a good impression on them, because the places youre applying WILL call their colleagues/friends at your school - it's a small world.

Its a very competitive process and there really is no foolproof way to land a private practice internship. Many of the places I applied said they got 40+ applications for a couple spots. The process can be frustrating and stressful, but try to stay positive and remember, the world is a big place and there are lots of cool things to do out there that maybe werent part of your original plan, so keep an open mind. Good luck!

Also...after the internship circus is all over, there are always a few practices that may not have filled their position, or had people drop out at the last minute.

 

[Ben and Me]

Thank you so much, KittenKiller! 🙂

 

[lunazzurra]

For you who are saying 3.5 minimum, does your vet school give +/- grades? Illinois does not, and by the end of our first two years we will have gotten a total of 6 letter grades due to the new integrated curriculum. I've ended up with more than one grade of 89.5 for a course and they don't round up, either...so that's only worth 3.0 GPA points, leaving you with the same letter grade for a course as someone who got an 80.0. As you can imagine, a LOT of us have the exact same GPA. Consequently they will be ranking us based on our numerical scores, not GPAs -- so, rank must be more important.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

When it comes to internships, especially in private practice, they're looking for people who will be good doctors and co-workers.

^^^^ THIS

As far as residencies, it depends on the specialty but I do know of people who have gotten residencies with less than a 3.0.

2.9.

It is possible 😉. However, my specialty-related jobs during school and every break I could find, research, recommendation letters, networking, electives, etc were what overcame it. It's possible, but you need a damn strong backup in all other areas of your application.

 

[wolfpack87]

At Auburn, we do not do the +/- system so I know exactly how you feel on the 89.5 thing. As far as the 3.5 minimum gpa....that's just what I have heard.

For you who are saying 3.5 minimum, does your vet school give +/- grades? Illinois does not, and by the end of our first two years we will have gotten a total of 6 letter grades due to the new integrated curriculum. I've ended up with more than one grade of 89.5 for a course and they don't round up, either...so that's only worth 3.0 GPA points, leaving you with the same letter grade for a course as someone who got an 80.0. As you can imagine, a LOT of us have the exact same GPA. Consequently they will be ranking us based on our numerical scores, not GPAs -- so, rank must be more important.

 

[wolfpack87]

3.3 is still pretty good. With good LORs you would have a shot.

Thanks Bill, at this point in time that's what I'm banking on (LOR's). In fact, I've already started to get to know clinicians with the hope that it'll help for them to remember me in the classroom/clinics.

 

[deleted387118]

What about large animal internships/residencies. Does anyone have any experience with these?

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Jess

Networking is everything with LA. Unfortunately in many areas, a lot of old-timers are reluctant to take on recent grads as associates. In terms of internships etc, meet as many people as you can via conferences, internet, in person, everything.