If the descriptions were avid, it sounds like you'll be able to remember them easily. You've got this.
C/O 2017 Applicants!
- Thread starter wildcatj
- Start date
If the descriptions were avid, it sounds like you'll be able to remember them easily. You've got this.
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2011
- Messages
- 7,873
- Reaction score
- 11
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,166
- Reaction score
- 3
If the descriptions were avid, it sounds like you'll be able to remember them easily. You've got this.
Thanks! I mean, its not that hard to remember or learn, just a LOT of info at one time. Luckily, this workshop isn't graded, but I still want to get something out of it, ya know.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,166
- Reaction score
- 3
Okay so TAMU offers a summer anatomy workshop for those of us who were never exposed to animal anatomy before vet school. They've noticed that the kids who struggle the most in anatomy during the first year are those of us who have no prior background in it. My undergrad didn't offer animal anatomy so I got into this course. Its a six-week workshop that is fairly similar to their undergrad version. So basically, its a way for me to get some experience and have some idea of what's going on with anatomy before I start school.
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2011
- Messages
- 7,873
- Reaction score
- 11
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,166
- Reaction score
- 3
Yep! Its structured like an actual class, so I have both lecture and lab components. We even have "exams" to help us figure out if our study habits are working, or if our procrastinating is getting the better of us 😳. Either way, its been a godsend so far. I can't imagine how much stress I would be under if I hadn't taken this course
.
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2011
- Messages
- 20,109
- Reaction score
- 20,915
If the descriptions were avid, it sounds like you'll be able to remember them easily. You've got this.
I have no idea what an 'avid description' is. Did I miss something in anatomy class? (It's entirely possible ...)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2011
- Messages
- 20,109
- Reaction score
- 20,915
Yep! Its structured like an actual class, so I have both lecture and lab components. We even have "exams" to help us figure out if our study habits are working, or if our procrastinating is getting the better of us 😳. Either way, its been a godsend so far. I can't imagine how much stress I would be under if I hadn't taken this course
That's really cool of them to provide that course. I don't think it's all that necessary (I did just fine in anatomy without any serious background in it), but I think it'd alleviate a crapton of anxiety and give you a running start.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,166
- Reaction score
- 3
Agreed. I'm enjoying it so far and I'm definitely learning A LOT. Plus it keeps me in that "study" mode so I won't be too lax going into the first semester.
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2011
- Messages
- 3,010
- Reaction score
- 213
So I sort of have a dilemma. I asked my reproductive physiology professor for a letter of recommendation because at the time I was planning on applying to Tufts and needed a second letter from a professor. But now I'm not applying to Tufts and don't really need the letter from her. In comparison to my others I know it's not going to be as strong just because she and I don't have as much of a rapport. I already am going to have 3 letters from vets and one from my advisor/professor. So basically I would hate to have her waste her time writing the letter if I don't need it, but it would probably be really insulting for me to tell her not to bother, right?
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
Eeeee. Yeah that's a tough one. Can you have it be the fourth?
- Joined
- May 2, 2012
- Messages
- 219
- Reaction score
- 14
Wildcatj, as long as you've got the others that are really strong, I think the LOR from your repro professor would probably just be icing on the cake. It can't hurt you, and it might end up helping. If the schools you're applying to don't need it, they probably will just skim over it anyway. I'd say go for it.
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2011
- Messages
- 3,010
- Reaction score
- 213
I'm definitely keeping the other 4. I mean I guess I could just have 5 and it's not that big of a deal. I just hate to waste her time...
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
Ah. I was thinking you only had three others. But I still have the same position. I don't think it will hurt you
- Joined
- May 16, 2012
- Messages
- 393
- Reaction score
- 0
I say keep her as a letter writer, but if she doesn't get the job done, don't remind her! If she hasn't submitted the letter by, say, September, then shoot her an email saying something recognizing that she hasn't submitted a letter and that while you still completely appreciate her offer to write one for you, you have already fulfilled the minimum requirement and no longer require her to write one for you. This way you can give her the option to backout herself. But if she has it in early, then she's on top of her stuff and it'll probably be a good one!
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2012
- Messages
- 24
- Reaction score
- 0
This will be my 4th year applying. I'm applying to Tennessee, VMRCVM, Mississippi State, Auburn, University of Illinois, and University of Wisconsin. I've applied to all but Auburn, Illinois, and Wisconsin in the past, so if anyone has any tips, that would be awesome.
I'm a resident of West Virginia, so I'm applying to all of the contract schools. I will be taking the animal nutrition class through Purdue this fall to fulfill the Auburn requirement.
I am working on my GRE score, but for some reason I cannot increase it, which is very frustrating. Ugh. The last two times I have received the exact same score.
I have tons of small animal experience and will be getting more over the next year. I am also finally getting large animal experience (mostly equine) for this application cycle, so I'm hoping that will help. 🙂
I'm a resident of West Virginia, so I'm applying to all of the contract schools. I will be taking the animal nutrition class through Purdue this fall to fulfill the Auburn requirement.
I am working on my GRE score, but for some reason I cannot increase it, which is very frustrating. Ugh. The last two times I have received the exact same score.
I have tons of small animal experience and will be getting more over the next year. I am also finally getting large animal experience (mostly equine) for this application cycle, so I'm hoping that will help. 🙂
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2011
- Messages
- 7,873
- Reaction score
- 11
Have you thought about applying at schools with more OOS spots, i.e. Ohio State, Kansas State, OK state? Or are you only sticking with WV contract states?
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2012
- Messages
- 24
- Reaction score
- 0
Well, I have thought about that. That is one reason I'm applying to Illinois and Wisconsin this year. They seem to accept a fair amount of OOS applicants. I'm applying to all the contract seats for WV because I feel I stand a better chance at those. This will be my first year actually applying to all of them. And I'm applying to Tennessee because I would really like to go there.
I have applied to Ohio the past three years. I'm having a difficult time getting them to even notice me, so I've decided to not apply there this time.
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2011
- Messages
- 7,873
- Reaction score
- 11
Have you done file reviews anywhere in the past?!
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2012
- Messages
- 24
- Reaction score
- 0
Yes.
I have done over the phone file reviews at Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia-Maryland.
Each one of them told me to increase my GRE and my GPA. I've been working on increasing my GPA. I graduated with my BS degree in 2010, so it is difficult to take classes because I can no longer receive financial aid. So, I'm taking classes when I can afford them. My GPA is slowly, but surely creeping up. I also asked about going to grad school and each school said they didn't recommend it. They recommended taking undergrad classes.
Now, for my GRE score. I have taken it numerous times and my score won't increase. I'm studying my butt off for it every time. I know that I know the material. This test just kicks my butt, and I can't figure out why. Some schools recommended a test prep class, but those are pretty expensive. One school also told me that I should probably be tested for a learning disability. So.. yeah.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2011
- Messages
- 7,873
- Reaction score
- 11
Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble with the GRE. Sometimes it's all in your head and you have to learn to reduce testing anxiety to do well. Not sure how to help you with that, I also suffer from it.
Have you taken the new GRE? One nice thing for anxious testers like us is that you can skip over questions and go back if you need to. I don't know about you, but that was the worst part for me in the old test. The classes are good for people who can't motivate themselves to get through a prep-course book, but otherwise they are pretty much teaching you the same material. So yeah, I wouldn't spend my money on them. Learning disability... not touchin that one 😳
I'm surprised about the grad school thing. I guess I don't really know one way or the other but many people have been successful that route. But if that's what the schools told you directly then listen to them! 🙂
What are you doing exactly to study for the GRE?
Sorry I'm asking so many questions but I am finally bored for the first time in a week and want to help you anyway I can. Maybe some of us can suggest ways of altering your study that will be beneficial to you.
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2012
- Messages
- 252
- Reaction score
- 0
One of my LORs is in already! definitely was not expecting it to be in so soon since my professor that wrote it told me I would need to remind him periodically. Guess not! lol so happy! Still have a lot to do with my application, but it does feel like I'm finally getting somewhere 🙂
Yay! It's a good feeling, when a LOR shows up. 🙂 (Rather, it was for me the first time I stopped freaking out that VMCAS was emailing me and actually read the message. 🙄)
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
Listen you guys. This is serious. When I see the Oklahoma thread I can only think "We're OK!!" 😀
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2006
- Messages
- 9,262
- Reaction score
- 3,969
That's interesting. Have you considered talking to some sort of educational specialist about this possibility?
I also think you need to apply smarter. Michigan State takes a lot of OOS maybe, but they also highly value GRE/GPA and don't do interviews.
What are the strengths in your application?
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2012
- Messages
- 655
- Reaction score
- 2
... not true.
It's not the end of the world to tell the professor that you no longer need the rec IF you can figure out how to do so professionally and politely. Far better than having a mediocre letter in your application. Why water down the awesomeness of the letters you already have?
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2011
- Messages
- 3,010
- Reaction score
- 213
See, this is more so what I was thinking. It's not that I don't think she'd write me a good LOR, it's just that she doesn't know me personally like my other recommendors do, and I think that is going to be pretty apparent in comparison.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
LOL I am sure that may seem like a duh to some, but I'm not sure if I made a mistake last year.
I had an internship on my school's farm last fall, and it is a large number of animal experience hours. I listed it as a class but then also listed it as animal experience. The reason I am hesitant to do this again is because one of my interviewer at K-state raised his eyebrows like I was an idiot when I was asked about it. That was the only school that it seemed to be a problem but I don't want to make a misstep. (Just so you know, I am CERTAIN, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that that guy did not like me)
And now I have my internship/sheep management class from Spring semester that I would love to list as animal experience as well. But it's also listed on my transcripts and must be listed as coursework.
😕😕
I had an internship on my school's farm last fall, and it is a large number of animal experience hours. I listed it as a class but then also listed it as animal experience. The reason I am hesitant to do this again is because one of my interviewer at K-state raised his eyebrows like I was an idiot when I was asked about it. That was the only school that it seemed to be a problem but I don't want to make a misstep. (Just so you know, I am CERTAIN, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that that guy did not like me)
And now I have my internship/sheep management class from Spring semester that I would love to list as animal experience as well. But it's also listed on my transcripts and must be listed as coursework.
😕😕
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2012
- Messages
- 14,629
- Reaction score
- 19,556
Yikes!! I have the same problem then! I have a few animal science courses, but I was including them under animal experience as well because you can't tell from the course description that I also went hands on with the animals, not just a lecture. Hmmmm.
- Joined
- May 16, 2012
- Messages
- 2,833
- Reaction score
- 154
Two of my letters are in now, apparently! And one of them I requested only a couple of days ago and was supposed to take 3 weeks (committee letter).
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2011
- Messages
- 6,348
- Reaction score
- 2,219
Maybe a little delayed but Wisconsin takes like 10 OOS applicants a year and you have to be a pretty standout applicant. Average OOS accepted GPA for c/o 2016 is like a 3.8. Same for required. They also want pretty awesome GRE scores. Not to burst your bubble or anything, but I noticed you mentioned having a little difficulty with your GRE and GPA, so I just wanted you to know some stats. I'm not saying to not go for it or anything like that, but they are one of the harder schools to get into as an OOS applicant.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
I know I'm usually messing around but if someone could pleas please please please please please help me wif mah question I would love you to the grave
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,166
- Reaction score
- 3
Abney, I had the same problem last year with a lab animal science lab. We actually handled lab animals under the supervision of certified lab techs and I listed it as animal experience, especially since it was something unique. My advisor (who was also my prof) told me to list it under both for sure.
So as long as you actually worked with animals hands on, then you shouldn't have a problem with listing it as both. Yes, you have to list it under coursework since its on your transcript, but you should be able to list it under animal experience as well. I would also only report the number of hours you actually spent working with the animals, not just the amount of time in class.
Hope that helps!
- Joined
- May 16, 2012
- Messages
- 393
- Reaction score
- 0
I didn't quire understand your other statement/question... but I'll try to hep you out! So from what I understood, you had a transcripted course that you counted as animal experience and got some flack for it? WHO CARES! I ta'ed a course teaching sheep management/handling that I received 1 transcripted credit hour for but I still listed it as animal experience for like 60 hours. If you describe it, just make sure that you say you received credit for the experience/course and blah blah blah, you know. Then again, I wasn't exactly successful this time around.... 😛
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
Thanks guys! I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought but for that one interviewer. He really made me feel like an idiot. But not just for that 🙁
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2008
- Messages
- 2,155
- Reaction score
- 39
Some schools don't want you to list experience gained during a class as animal experience; I know Iowa State doesn't. From my understanding many schools will "move" your experiences and such to whichever section they will count it in. So if I were applying, I'd just list the experience under courses, make sure that you list contact hours and skills/etc. learned in the description, and let the school decide if they'll count it as animal experience. But you're going to hear a lot of opinions on this (like the ones above)!
Also... good luck with your applications, guys 🙂
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
Lol crap. Maybe that's why that guy didn't like it. Though I doubt he liked any of my answers
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,166
- Reaction score
- 3
Cuit has a valid point, so I guess if you're really worried, call up the schools and ask to be on the safe side.
And to hopefully make you feel better, I also had one interviewer at KSU that made feel stupid. He kept questioning why I wanted to start my own clinic sometime. No matter what answer I gave him, he was like "and couldn't you do that as an associate vet or working under someone?" Like no, its a personal goal/dream of mine and something I want to achieve eventually so I can't really own a clinic while working for someone else...😕 He then kept raising eyebrows at my answers the rest of the interview. Point being, I didn't feel good after that interview...
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2012
- Messages
- 14,629
- Reaction score
- 19,556
There's always one person out there whose sole purpose is to get your goat.
I'm just happy that the odds of landing one of those people in an interview seems to be on the lower percentage side than what is encountered in everyday life, or at least from what I've gathered from all of you who are wonderful enough to post your experiences!
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
There's always one person out there whose sole purpose is to get your goat.
Yeah. He was a poo nugget
- Joined
- May 16, 2012
- Messages
- 393
- Reaction score
- 0
Was he like semi balding with short light brown/blonde hair? I can't quite remember what the guy I interviewed with looked like exactly, but there was one guy that didn't really talk but when he did he acted like he thought i was a four year old.
i know I'm young and naive, but if i'm applying for vet med wouldn't you think I know what I'm getting into? geesh! oh well, jokes on him! I'll get em next time! 
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
- Messages
- 22,065
- Reaction score
- 9,351
Was he like semi balding with short light brown/blonde hair? I can't quite remember what the guy I interviewed with looked like exactly, but there was one guy that didn't really talk but when he did he acted like he thought i was a four year old.
I honestly don't really remember too much what he looked like (and forget asking me what the names of ANY of my interviewers were, I was scared stiff in all of them) I just remember he didn't even work for the university.
Somebody please make me stop submitting supplementals. I submitted Mizzou's today, and paid the fee for Minnesota, and while it's very satisfying to cross things off my giant application to do list, a) it freaks me out, b) it means I'm not studying biochem and nutrition like I should be , and c) I'm not studying biochem like I should be. (That one bears repeating because I have an exam on 5 chapters of material on Monday and I've read, you know, none of those chapters yet.)
b) it means I'm not studying biochem and nutrition like I should be , and c) I'm not studying biochem like I should be. (That one bears repeating because I have an exam on 5 chapters of material on Monday and I've read, you know, none of those chapters yet.) 
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2009
- Messages
- 1,680
- Reaction score
- 0
Just got the description of my current job to exactly 480 characters! Success!
Have all experiences entered and descriptions described.
Just have PS, GRE, LORs left. (yay acronyms?)
Oh, and supplementals..
Looking forward to the being done and waiting part at this point, but I know October 3rd, I really won't agree with that anymore.
Have all experiences entered and descriptions described.
Just have PS, GRE, LORs left. (yay acronyms?)
Oh, and supplementals..
Looking forward to the being done and waiting part at this point, but I know October 3rd, I really won't agree with that anymore.
Woo hoo! You're nearly there! Just a bunch of things left to do.
(I'm laughing with you. This process feels like there will always be more things to do.) I'm looking forward to being done, but not to waiting. I'm just glad I decided to apply to some schools that start notifications in the fall, so I won't be waiting until February to hear from everywhere. I made that mistake when I was applying to college (no rolling admission schools) and didn't find out until April. Not again!
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2011
- Messages
- 3,721
- Reaction score
- 35
Me too kakuru! I take the GRE this week.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,166
- Reaction score
- 3
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2009
- Messages
- 1,680
- Reaction score
- 0
Not taking it myself until mid-August.
Plan for tomorrow is to find GRE books at the library so that I actually get some studying done for it.
Good luck this week! You'll do awesome!
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2011
- Messages
- 7,873
- Reaction score
- 11
Just out of curiosity, was he a ginger poo nugget? Cuz he has something against putting a little pink in people too.
