C/O 2017 Applicants!

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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kakurubird said:
I'd imagine you could if you leave the window open--don't know if the page would time out, though? But, really, if you have an idea in mind about why VMRCVM, it should like like 15 minutes. There's space for about a sentence or two on why VMRCVM, details on research not under vet or animal experience (but you get about 60 characters for each), and a few yes/no questions. Super simple.
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Oh. Thanks, kakurubird. That's a relief! I thought it involved some serious essay writing. I think I can manage to string a few sentences together while I'm online. 😛
 
My personal statement is almost done and doesn't suck so hardcore. I'm SO EXCITED! I seriously think personal statements are just supposed to make us cry.
 
Abney said:
My computer crashed last night. With the second half of my PS on it........
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Oh no!! 🙁 I hope you can remember most of how you said things?

Not that I do this myself, but every time I lose something, I tell myself I'm going to write in GoogleDocs or at least copy to there very frequently. Or something like DropBox if that works similarly? Don't know about how it works.
 
kakurubird said:
Oh no!! 🙁 I hope you can remember most of how you said things?

Not that I do this myself, but every time I lose something, I tell myself I'm going to write in GoogleDocs or at least copy to there very frequently. Or something like DropBox if that works similarly? Don't know about how it works.
Click to expand...

I've been printing out my copies for my parents to edit, so I just file them away because worst case scenario at least I have those to read and type back into a word doc.
 
Abney said:
I almost threw up. I need to get my butt in gear.....
Click to expand...


Me too:barf:I still have soooo much to do. VMCAS is done as are 3 of 5 supps. I still need to order transcripts and finish the last 2 supps. I retake the GRE on Wednesday and that alone makes me want to hurl. Let's not even get into the $ aspect of applying. That's my big delay...oh, and the teenager is killing my food budget!:annoyed:
 
irrelephant23 said:
:barf: I'm not ready to talk about this yet.
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Yeah, me neither :uhno: but unless powerball comes through:help:, I am probably going to have to weed my list AGAIN so I can at least apply and not have to bail for the whole cycle.:beat: Some days I feel like this is all I do :bang:
 
Abney said:
My computer crashed last night. With the second half of my PS on it........
Click to expand...

Usually documents are saved for a brief period of time even when the computer crashes... I know Microsoft word will do this occasionally and if you know how to go through a backup assistance (on the computer not through word necessarily), sometimes it can find lost documents. You have to do it rather quickly though..

/end computer geek.
 
Hotfillyky said:
Me too:barf:I still have soooo much to do. VMCAS is done as are 3 of 5 supps. I still need to order transcripts and finish the last 2 supps. I retake the GRE on Wednesday and that alone makes me want to hurl. Let's not even get into the $ aspect of applying. That's my big delay...oh, and the teenager is killing my food budget!:annoyed:
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You are way ahead of where I was last year... I hadn't even started my personal statement... :whistle:

You will be fine and good luck on the GRE!! Don't stress!

I understand the $ issue, I applied three years in a row and put all the application stuff on my credit card, I am just glad that I kept getting regular increases to my credit card limit otherwise I would have never been able to apply. Oh and the $ issues will continue once school starts too. I am using student loans to pay off my credit cards... :smack:
 
DVMDream said:
You are way ahead of where I was last year... I hadn't even started my personal statement... :whistle:
Click to expand...

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem..I've written and scrapped two paragraphs so far.. I'm super stressed about it. I think a huge issue for me and the PS is writing about Me... Don't know what to say, don't want to sound like a snob, don't want to look like an avg. applicant. Ahhhhh 😱 :scared:
 
For all of you applying and stressing out, its okay. We feel your pain. Just keep going and know that y'all can do this. We have faith in you! 😀

Oh and I completely understand about the $ issue. I'm currently taking out loans for my tuition and using whatever's left that I don't need to start paying off my loans from undergrad, which were about 40K. And, when I applied, I had to limit the number of schools I applied to since I couldn't afford the apps, plus the GRE and everything else on too many schools. It's scary, I'll admit...
 
Kpowell14 said:
I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem..I've written and scrapped two paragraphs so far.. I'm super stressed about it. I think a huge issue for me and the PS is writing about Me... Don't know what to say, don't want to sound like a snob, don't want to look like an avg. applicant. Ahhhhh 😱 :scared:
Click to expand...

After months of working on my PS here is what finally worked for me:
- Make a list of why you're going to be a good veterinarian - what characteristics do you have that make you well suited for the profession?
- Make a list of the experiences you want to highlight - think about the different places you've worked, shadowed, etc. in or out of a vet capacity.
- Try to connect your first list with your second. Choose specific anecdotes that highlight your characteristics. Think of which paragraphs are going to flow nicely into each other.
- Pick some sort of hook and only make it a sentence or two. I wasted a lot of space on my first couple drafts trying to catch the reader's attention. There is no space for that!
- In your intro, don't forget to actually summarize what you're going to talk about.
- Make sure you have strong topic and transition sentences.

I will also mention that the first 4 drafts of my PS SUCKED. So take all this with a grain of salt. But at least when I felt like I had someplace to start it made it a lot easier. I am also not an outline maker, but found myself using several for this.
 
DVMDream said:
You are way ahead of where I was last year... I hadn't even started my personal statement... :whistle:

You will be fine and good luck on the GRE!! Don't stress!

I understand the $ issue, I applied three years in a row and put all the application stuff on my credit card, I am just glad that I kept getting regular increases to my credit card limit otherwise I would have never been able to apply. Oh and the $ issues will continue once school starts too. I am using student loans to pay off my credit cards... :smack:
Click to expand...


Aww, thanks DVMD! I am on my 3rd app cycle so I REALLY need to be successful here :xf:. Plus I'm not getting any younger and while I know age isn't a big factor, I do have chitlins to raise.:claps:Be easier if we had credit cards but we don't 🙁.

As to the GRE, this will be the 4th time to take it (but 1st with revised). I am just so over it.....

Thanks for your thoughts!😀
 
wildcatj said:
After months of working on my PS here is what finally worked for me:
- Make a list of why you're going to be a good veterinarian - what characteristics do you have that make you well suited for the profession?
- Make a list of the experiences you want to highlight - think about the different places you've worked, shadowed, etc. in or out of a vet capacity.
- Try to connect your first list with your second. Choose specific anecdotes that highlight your characteristics. Think of which paragraphs are going to flow nicely into each other.
- Pick some sort of hook and only make it a sentence or two. I wasted a lot of space on my first couple drafts trying to catch the reader's attention. There is no space for that!
- In your intro, don't forget to actually summarize what you're going to talk about.
- Make sure you have strong topic and transition sentences.

I will also mention that the first 4 drafts of my PS SUCKED. So take all this with a grain of salt. But at least when I felt like I had someplace to start it made it a lot easier. I am also not an outline maker, but found myself using several for this.
Click to expand...



If it makes you feel any better, I wrote my PS over the course of a year and a half. Many ppl read it and I have made alterations to it every cycle until I finally have it how I want it and I am NOT changing it again!
 
Hotfillyky said:
If it makes you feel any better, I wrote my PS over the course of a year and a half. Many ppl read it and I have made alterations to it every cycle until I finally have it how I want it and I am NOT changing it again!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've been working on mine since January... I finally think it doesn't suck which is nice. I'm starting to send it to a whole bunch of people and get some final opinions before I call it completed. But I think I'm pretty darn close at this point. And that's a nice feeling.
 
wildcatj said:
After months of working on my PS here is what finally worked for me:
- Make a list of why you're going to be a good veterinarian - what characteristics do you have that make you well suited for the profession?
- Make a list of the experiences you want to highlight - think about the different places you've worked, shadowed, etc. in or out of a vet capacity.
- Try to connect your first list with your second. Choose specific anecdotes that highlight your characteristics. Think of which paragraphs are going to flow nicely into each other.
- Pick some sort of hook and only make it a sentence or two. I wasted a lot of space on my first couple drafts trying to catch the reader's attention. There is no space for that!
- In your intro, don't forget to actually summarize what you're going to talk about.
- Make sure you have strong topic and transition sentences.

.
Click to expand...

👍👍👍 Awesome awesome advice!!!
 
DVMDream said:
Usually documents are saved for a brief period of time even when the computer crashes... I know Microsoft word will do this occasionally and if you know how to go through a backup assistance (on the computer not through word necessarily), sometimes it can find lost documents. You have to do it rather quickly though..

/end computer geek.
Click to expand...

It was saved already. I have to wait for the hold on a check I deposited to come off before I can take it in actually. Sigh
 
Holy crapoly!!! I tried to turn on my puter on the off chance it would work since it's been a couple days. It turned on!!! I swiftly saved my PS to my thumb drive!!!!!! :soexcited:!!!
 
abney said:
holy crapoly!!! I tried to turn on my puter on the off chance it would work since it's been a couple days. It turned on!!! I swiftly saved my ps to my thumb drive!!!!!! :soexcited:!!!
Click to expand...

yay!!!
 
Abney said:
Holy crapoly!!! I tried to turn on my puter on the off chance it would work since it's been a couple days. It turned on!!! I swiftly saved my PS to my thumb drive!!!!!! :soexcited:!!!
Click to expand...

Yay! Now, don't question why it suddenly worked...just roll with it.
 
Abney said:
Holy crapoly!!! I tried to turn on my puter on the off chance it would work since it's been a couple days. It turned on!!! I swiftly saved my PS to my thumb drive!!!!!! :soexcited:!!!
Click to expand...

Awesome news, Abney! And just another little nudge from the universe telling you that you are meant to go to vet school. 🙂

Remember everyone...crashes happen. Save often!
 
abney said:
holy crapoly!!! I tried to turn on my puter on the off chance it would work since it's been a couple days. It turned on!!! I swiftly saved my ps to my thumb drive!!!!!! :soexcited:!!!
Click to expand...

horrayyy!!!!!
 
I emailed a professor who's writing me a LOR a one-month-until-the-deadline reminder and he emails me back, "a month?! a month is a lifetime!"
Not to my nerves it isn't!

Abney said:
Holy crapoly!!! I tried to turn on my puter on the off chance it would work since it's been a couple days. It turned on!!! I swiftly saved my PS to my thumb drive!!!!!! :soexcited:!!!
Click to expand...

Yay!!! Glad everything is saved now!
 
wildcatj said:
After months of working on my PS here is what finally worked for me:
- Make a list of why you're going to be a good veterinarian - what characteristics do you have that make you well suited for the profession?
- Make a list of the experiences you want to highlight - think about the different places you've worked, shadowed, etc. in or out of a vet capacity.
- Try to connect your first list with your second. Choose specific anecdotes that highlight your characteristics. Think of which paragraphs are going to flow nicely into each other.
- Pick some sort of hook and only make it a sentence or two. I wasted a lot of space on my first couple drafts trying to catch the reader's attention. There is no space for that!
- In your intro, don't forget to actually summarize what you're going to talk about.
- Make sure you have strong topic and transition sentences.

I will also mention that the first 4 drafts of my PS SUCKED. So take all this with a grain of salt. But at least when I felt like I had someplace to start it made it a lot easier. I am also not an outline maker, but found myself using several for this.
Click to expand...

All of this is Great advice!! Thanks so much! 😀 👍
 
Hey guys! So I'm new to this website and kinda looking for guidance and support this year. Last year I applied, and being the stubborn person I am I tried doing it without help and out of the 5 schools I applied to, had interviews at 2, and ended up waitlisted for one of them. I was told about this website by another interviewee and could have smacked myself for not thinking about finding this place last year!

So, I would like to know if I'm really this incredibly far behind on my VMCAS! I thought I was making good timing because everything's done but my personal statement and LORs, and I have yet to start on supplemental apps (still debating if I want to add a 4th school to apply to at this point!) After reading through this thread and finding out people have been working on this stuff since May is making me freak out a little :scared:
 
vickers said:
Hey guys! So I'm new to this website and kinda looking for guidance and support this year. Last year I applied, and being the stubborn person I am I tried doing it without help and out of the 5 schools I applied to, had interviews at 2, and ended up waitlisted for one of them. I was told about this website by another interviewee and could have smacked myself for not thinking about finding this place last year!

So, I would like to know if I'm really this incredibly far behind on my VMCAS! I thought I was making good timing because everything's done but my personal statement and LORs, and I have yet to start on supplemental apps (still debating if I want to add a 4th school to apply to at this point!) After reading through this thread and finding out people have been working on this stuff since May is making me freak out a little :scared:
Click to expand...

My first year I didn't make a VMCAS ID till Sept 1st. ( I took the GRE Aug 24)

The next year I made an account in July and whittled away at it. Was still working on supps right up to the deadline. I got interviews both years (blew that part 1st time around, it wasn't my app)

So what I'm saying is you need to find what works for you time wise. Not everyone starts in may and the app didn't open till June anyway. Keep track of time and what you have left to do, e-mail reminders to your LOR writers - they're always terrible about deadlines, and try not to get too stressed out.

You're on track and doing fine. If they wanted us to start in may the app would close Sept 1 😀

And GOOD LUCK! :luck: :xf: :luck:
 
Thank you for making me a little less stressed! I finish my internship at the vet clinic this week, so that will give me 2 extra days a week to finally be able to get stuff done. And I have a massive checklist next to my computer of what I need this year! Have yet to send in my GRE scores and transcripts since I'm still debating about adding another school to send my application to, but hoping to figure it out within the next week. Right now I'm sending it to OSU and VMRCVM (had interviews at both last year), and UPenn since it's my IS school. Was thinking about adding University of Illinois because after looking at their website it seems pretty appealing, but at the same time debating if I really want to apply to UPenn. There really isn't much there that appeals to me other than that it's IS, but even that doesn't really matter because the IS tuition is still pretty high compared to other schools. Anyone have any thoughts/advice on this?
 
If UPenn is the only school you got into this year, will you go? Or will you come on here and ask "I don't really want to go there... Will it be better to suck it up and go, or decline the offer and apply again?"

If you would go, then definitely apply. If the latter, don't.
 
You make a good point. I suppose I would still go if I got in. I've never been to Philly, so who knows if I'll even like the area, I guess I would have to find out if I go for an interview. If it was the only school I got into though, I most likely would go. Having to wait a year already is tough enough, I don't want to have to wait 2 years if I was given the opportunity to go.
 
Finally submitted my VMCAS. For some reason I hesitated so much to push that submit button. And all of the things you had to agree to before you submitted..just made me second guess myself. :scared: BUT its already done...so hoping for the best.

2 more supplementals and 2 separate applications to work on now. It's never ending! Hope it is going well for everyone else. 🙂
 
Taking the GRE tomorrow and just finished a practice test and my scores are worst than ever! :scared: not feeling so good about tomorrow 🙁
 
Daydreamer03710 said:
Taking the GRE tomorrow and just finished a practice test and my scores are worst than ever! :scared: not feeling so good about tomorrow 🙁
Click to expand...

I had my worst practice score right before the exam and did fine. Might happen to you too. Don't stress!
 
kakurubird said:
I emailed a professor who's writing me a LOR a one-month-until-the-deadline reminder and he emails me back, "a month?! a month is a lifetime!"
Not to my nerves it isn't!
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'll stop bugging my LOR writers when I get that email saying they've submitted the darn things! lol
 
tvo21 said:
Finally submitted my VMCAS. For some reason I hesitated so much to push that submit button.
Click to expand...

I submitted mine too! I also had a minor freak out moment afterward 😱 But I am excited that it is all coming together..Now on to finishing my supplemental apps :xf:
 
I'm still waiting for my ELOR's to be submitted. 🙁 all of them. Maybe if I resend the reminder email now, they'll have them done within a week? ... 🙄 come on letter writers. its crunch time
 
I'm feeling pretty good at this point about apps.
Just have to:
Have a few more people read my PS (but I think it's about ready to submit).
Do some better descriptions for my activities.
Write my essays for my supplementals. I've started a few of them, but that's it. But I've filled out all the actual applications.
And harass 3/4 eLOR writers.
That feels manageable at the moment!
 
I'm feeling pretty good at this point about apps. <br />
Just have to:<br />
Have a few more people read my PS (but I think it's about ready to submit).<br />
Do some better descriptions for my activities.<br />
Write my essays for my supplementals. I've started a few of them, but that's it. But I've filled out all the actual applications.<br />
And harass 3/4 eLOR writers.<br />
That feels manageable at the moment!
Click to expand...

Wildcat, I am kind of where you are at.
I have to edit all of my supplemental essays.
Reduce my PS a little more.
Harass 2 eLOR people.
Then just send it in.

Sent from my PC36100 using SDN Mobile
 
wldlfstdnt said:
Wildcat, I am kind of where you are at.
I have to edit all of my supplemental essays.
Reduce my PS a little more.
Harass 2 eLOR people.
Then just send it in.

Sent from my PC36100 using SDN Mobile
Click to expand...

Now I can check better descriptions off my list too! 😀
 
wildcatj said:
Now I can check better descriptions off my list too! 😀
Click to expand...

You are being productive! I reread my PS last night and have been playing the add/subtract words game. I have 48 characters to shave somewhere but I keep coming up with amazing sentences that NEED to be included. le sigh.

Oh and I also need to rewrite my florida and auburn essays... le crap.
 
I'm trying to get my application wrapped up this week. I just have to polish my supplementals and harass a LOR writer. And I just spent $48 sending off all my transcripts. I'm hoping all the schools still have my GRE on file from last year and I don't have to pay to resend those too.
 
hedgiehog said:
I'm hoping all the schools still have my GRE on file from last year and I don't have to pay to resend those too.
Click to expand...

Does anyone know how long schools keep GRE scores and transcripts?

I'm starting to worry that I sent my scores too early. I took the GRE in April, and sent my scores then. Do you guys think that's ok, or do you think I'll have to resend them?
 
washbucket said:
Does anyone know how long schools keep GRE scores and transcripts?

I'm starting to worry that I sent my scores too early. I took the GRE in April, and sent my scores then. Do you guys think that's ok, or do you think I'll have to resend them?
Click to expand...

It really depends on the school how long they keep things. But if you submitted your GRE scores after the last app cycle was over, I don't see why the school wouldn't have kept it... The best thing you can do is just give them a call and ask if they've received it and have it on file. Especially when it's still this far out from the deadline, they shouldn't mind you calling at all.
 
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