Best Next Step?

[CorynnMarie]

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This is going to be long, so I apologize in advance, but I could seriously use some words from someone who knows what they're talking about.

Hi, all. I'm fairly new to these forums and fairly new to the world of veterinary medicine in general. I've been busy going back through old threads and reading the advice given there, but in the mean time I'd like some opinions on my own situation.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a pre-veterinary concentration from OK State. I graduated after four years last May. I was in a somewhat unique situation in that I attended college on an athletic scholarship, so I more or less went to college because it's what you do after high school, and mine happened to be 100% paid.

So suffice it to say that I was unfocused and basically flitted through my degree. Point of the story is that now I AM focused, and I know exactly what I want to do, and I feel like it's to late to correct my stupid undergrad experience.

I had basically zero advisement, so I completed what I needed for graduation and that was that. I clepped out of most of my freshman courses with AP scores, including BIO, so I don't know if I would need to retake those before applying to vet school or not?

In any case, I currently have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. I never dropped an "important course", and never scored below a C in any course. I just didn't make a lot of A's. It's not a matter of capability - to be 100% honest, I just never really tried.

I haven't taken the GRE yet - I'm studying. I tend to test fabulously (which is probably how I made it through college at all), so I'm hoping that a stellar GRE score will help me out.

I'm full-time at a small animal hospital and have been there for 4 months. That's my only in-clinic experience. I have over 10 years of horseback riding experience, and was what you might call a "starter" (though we didn't call it that) on OK State's NCAA Equestrian team. So I think I have large animal fairly covered.

So I feel very borderline. I have borderline grades and borderline experience, and a hopefully good GRE score. I don't know what to do next.

Should I enroll in some additional science, physics, and chemistry courses? And actually make the A's I'm capable of this time? Would that be helpful?

Should I get a second clinic job in a large animal clinic, surgery center, or something like that?

Should I just go to grad school and try in two years?

I've been toying with the idea of getting a vet tech certification before I try applying. I already have half the classes taken - I think I could complete it in a year. Would that help or hurt me on my vet school apps?

I know that Oklahoma State VetMed would probably be my best bet because I have my undergrad from there, was an athlete, and I still live in the state.

But I really, really don't want to spend another 4 years in Stillwater. And I've pretty much convinced myself that I don't stand a chance at Cornell, UCDavis, or Auburn. That makes Colo State my next choice. If that matters.

Be brutal, seriously. I need someone to tell me what my options are, and what my best move is going to be because lords knows I'm a lost as it gets.

 

[kat13271]

On VMCAs there are places for Ap credit etc. So I am pretty sure they count. You can call VMCAS to be sure. Sorry I can't be more helpful on that front.

I would say any animal and Veterinary experience would be great for you right now, as well as taking more classes to prove your capabilities. If you could do both at once, work part time in research or a small animal clinic while taking a few classes you could get the best of both worlds.

From past discussions and experiences, I am under the impression that vet schools tend to look down on becoming a tech and then switching to DVM. The theory was that the person shouldn't have taken up a space for someone who actually wanted to be a technician, when they knew they actually wanted a DVM. However, this may be school bias, and not be true of the general consensus.

Finally, don't give up. I am also a borderline grades/experience person. I definitely would have lost hope long ago if not for the encouragement of all the vets and vet students I work with. While there are many people with vast experience and perfect grades, I have found many of the most dedicated, top of their field, vets had borderline undergrad grades, special circumstances and difficulties on their path to becoming a vet. I know a vet who got in his first try with a 3.0 and a vet who tried five times with a 3.2.
The bottom line is, if you want it you can achieve it! Don't give up. If you get rejected one year work to improve and reapply. It may be disheartening and difficult, but the results are worth it, in the end. Good Luck!!!

😀

 

[ri23]

First of all, I don't think that the reason some schools don't like techs is because they took a spot from another tech, rather because some techs already have an ingrained way of thinking about a practice. I don't really think that becoming a tech first would help you. I would take some more upper level bio classes to try and raise your GPA a little (it is at the minimum for most schools). If you have a fantastic GRE that will help a little, but because your GPA is so low you will really have to be fantastic in every other area of your application. Get a lot of experience with many different types of vets/animals.

As for AP credit, that is something that the schools control, not VMCAS. Usually the school website will say whether or not they accept AP, but usually if your undergrad accepts it, vet schools will too.

 

[david594]

Have you considered/looked into a 5th year masters program? You could apply now( like immediately!) an depending on the deadlines start in january, apply to vet school next fall and be done with the masters before you were off to vet school(assuming you get in first shot). Give you a chance to show more of your potential and help bring up your grades.

 

[CorynnMarie]

Have you considered/looked into a 5th year masters program? You could apply now( like immediately!) an depending on the deadlines start in january, apply to vet school next fall and be done with the masters before you were off to vet school(assuming you get in first shot). Give you a chance to show more of your potential and help bring up your grades.

Considering I have yet to take the GRE, would I be eligible for grad school admission in January?

And provided I am, and actually get in, and then find a way to pay for it...what would be the best thing in which to pursue a masters? I'm focused on equine surgery and sports medicine, so I think if I spent my money on grad school, I'd want to be able to use the education.

And also, random question. Do vet schools only admit for the fall semester? Or can you start your first semester in the spring? That would change my planning, I s'pose.

 

[ShelterGirl]

Unfortunately, vet schools in the US only admit for fall. If you go international, some of those schools admit for winter as well.

BTW, I also think you should take some advanced biology courses - whether or not it is with a masters is up to you. It would be good to show a trend of improvement in your grades. Strong GRE scores will help too. Good luck!

 

[Angelo84]

My advice would be to go through the VMCAS site and check what schools you want to apply allow you to use AP credit--I think most schools require you to take all of your pre req courses in college (ie do not accept APs). In your case this would be a good thing as taking general bio, chemistry, organic in college could boost your GPA assuming you do well in them. Doing a post bacc to raise your GPA is not a bad idea take higher level bio classes. I don't think the vet tech thing would help you very much as far as admittance. As far as experience get as much variety as you can but do each for a decend number of hours. What I did was show loyalty and dedication to one aspect (small animal 3000 hours) and then taste test other areas--zoo, large animal, alternative medicine, behavior, research all 100 to 250 hours each. That said you do not need 3000 hours in anything I just happened to work at the local vet since high school. Also make sure you are getting really great letters of recommendation as this may help shore up your lowish GPA. In choosing schools to apply to look and see if they have cut offs for GPA and what their average GPA is for the last few years.

Good luck!

 

[david594]

Considering I have yet to take the GRE, would I be eligible for grad school admission in January?

Most of my assumptions would have been that you would do the masters at the same school you did your undergrad which can allow you to avoid the GRE's in some cases. Although if you went to a private school(expensive) or one that wasnt local then that would probabily blow that idea out of the water.

Just going back and taking courses through continuing ed will usually allow you to bypass the entire admissions process and is an option. Downside being you will get last pic for any courses, pay a good amount for it, and may not count towards a masters degree later on. (This is actually what I am currently doing to finish my vet requirements)

 

[rexosaurus]

like the others said, upper division biology courses and a stellar GRE will definately help you. But I think a diversity of experience will do a lot for you as well. Not just small and large animal, but exotic, research, shelter, etc. I understand where your passion lies, and you have the experience to back that up, but the admissions committees like to see a diverse background that shows you know that vet medicine is not just horses, puppies, and kitties. also, don't be afraid to fail. there's no advice like the adcoms after you've been denied once. they tend to tell you exactly where you need to improve, and they are brutally honest. good luck to you!

 

[bakaduin]

UF for sure is ok with AP credits