c/o 2018 applicants

[wildchild210]

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Ugh... I would get a cold the day I take the GRE 🙁 Bummer!!!

 

[ChittyBang]

Ugh... I would get a cold the day I take the GRE 🙁 Bummer!!!

Ugh. But how'd it go? Easier or harder than expected? You must be tired 🙁

 

[wildchild210]

Ugh. But how'd it go? Easier or harder than expected? You must be tired 🙁

Tbh I didn't study as much as I'd like to. Some questions I knew exactly what to do but towards the end I was like EFF THIS... At least I didnt run out of time! Def have to retake tho. Got scores in the 140s 👎

 

[Iluvlabs90]

Tbh I didn't study as much as I'd like to. Some questions I knew exactly what to do but towards the end I was like EFF THIS... At least I didnt run out of time! Def have to retake tho. Got scores in the 140s 👎

I'm taking it at the end of the month and I'm so nervous. I'm not the best a standardized test. Looking back was there anything that was really helpful or a complete waste of time (studying wise)?

 

[wildchild210]

I'm taking it at the end of the month and I'm so nervous. I'm not the best a standardized test. Looking back was there anything that was really helpful or a complete waste of time (studying wise)?

Practice, practice, practice! If you can get access to the books that was a life saver for me (kinda lol) and just run through problems. The more exposure the better. Some of the questions were almost identical to the practice ones. I'm sure other people on here have more/better advice. I also ate candy before the test, that was my teachers suggestion. Not entirely sure if it helped.

 

[EchoBravo13]

I take my GRE on Tuesday... I'm kicking myself now for not taking it during the past school year, so I have enough time to retake it if I need too. Too bad the nearest location to take it was a 4 hour drive from where I go to school.

 

[ChittyBang]

Tbh I didn't study as much as I'd like to. Some questions I knew exactly what to do but towards the end I was like EFF THIS... At least I didnt run out of time! Def have to retake tho. Got scores in the 140s 👎

I'm sure that not feeling well didn't help matters any. Get some rest and start studying hard for next time
😎

I'm taking it at the end of the month and I'm so nervous. I'm not the best a standardized test. Looking back was there anything that was really helpful or a complete waste of time (studying wise)?

I take it on Wednesday and have been taking a lot of free practice tests through the Kaplan and Princeton Review websites. After the test you can review the answers. Oh, and the ETS website has a program you can download, but i haven't even really looked at it yet. So far, my practice scores are in the high 150s to low 160s. I'm really hoping that the test I'm given Wednesday is comparable!

 

[equineconstant]

equineconstant, so did you have your evaluators write their letters to the committee and also write the letter on VMCAS? they have to do both, right?

I had 5 LORs + the committee letter too, with the committee letter listed as one letter. For the committee letter I had 2 or 3 professors write me recommendations (don't remember which), turned in a resume and my PS draft at that time, and did a mock interview. I'm not sure whether the initial LORs were sent along with the comprehensive committee letter, but either way it counted as just one eLOR, and I listed the chair of the committee for the contact on VMCAS. Like Minner said, it's something that's expected for med school applications; that's why my school wanted all pre-health people to do it. I just took advantage of it for one of my letters.

 

[485501]

Practice, practice, practice! If you can get access to the books that was a life saver for me (kinda lol) and just run through problems. The more exposure the better. Some of the questions were almost identical to the practice ones. I'm sure other people on here have more/better advice. I also ate candy before the test, that was my teachers suggestion. Not entirely sure if it helped.

I would say the single most helpful thing I did studying for the GRE was to take timed practice tests on a computer - even the ones that weren't on the ETS software. Just to practice with the time limits, and having to stare at a computer screen that long helped, because then when I took the test, the situation felt comfortable. I also practiced with "test room conditions" - that is, no water unless I left the room, no stuff with me, in an uncomfortable chair. Basically I tried to get as close to the real thing as possible.

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

I take my GRE on Tuesday... I'm kicking myself now for not taking it during the past school year, so I have enough time to retake it if I need too. Too bad the nearest location to take it was a 4 hour drive from where I go to school.

I feel your pain (although mine's not that far! that sucks!), I'm so upset with myself for not taking it earlier. I'm scheduled for next week and I can't seem to improve my practice scores so I've basically given up on studying and switched to obsessively worrying that my low 150s won't be good enough. 🙁

 

[equineconstant]

I would say the single most helpful thing I did studying for the GRE was to take timed practice tests on a computer - even the ones that weren't on the ETS software. Just to practice with the time limits, and having to stare at a computer screen that long helped, because then when I took the test, the situation felt comfortable. I also practiced with "test room conditions" - that is, no water unless I left the room, no stuff with me, in an uncomfortable chair. Basically I tried to get as close to the real thing as possible.

I did a Kaplan course, and what I got out of it was 1) improving my writing score a lot by finding out the differences between the prompts (not that it matters) and 2) taking FIFTY BAJILLION practice tests, all on the computer, and getting really sick of them. Then when I did the actual thing it was no stress at all.

 

[allykd]

I've pretty much just started filling out my experiences section (the more I read this thread the more I realize how much I've been slacking... so many of you are finished with your VMCAS already!) and I'm confused about how to enter one of my vet experiences.

I work at a monthly free vaccination clinic that is always supervised by a vet, but it's usually a different vet every month. What am I supposed to list in the "Name of Veterinarian" section? Should I just choose one and then note in the description section that different vets come each month? Should I note the name of the organization that runs the clinic in the vet section instead?

Thanks!

 

[kakurubird]

I work at a monthly free vaccination clinic that is always supervised by a vet, but it's usually a different vet every month. What am I supposed to list in the "Name of Veterinarian" section? Should I just choose one and then note in the description section that different vets come each month? Should I note the name of the organization that runs the clinic in the vet section instead?

I volunteered at a spay/neuter feral cat clinic that was all volunteer vets, so a similar situation. I just listed the organization in the name of clinic or whatever it's called section and then listed a name of one of the vets who is there most frequently, then added a note in the description that that was what I did and the vets were all volunteers and not all attended every month.
Two other places there were multiple vets, so I just listed the owner/head vet and named the others in the description.

Never had any problems. In these situations, honestly, I think generally if you just go with provide as much information so that it comes across as legit and that you got something quality out of it and make it all as clear and well-presented/professional as possible, you should be generally okay.

 

[boilermaker713]

I've pretty much just started filling out my experiences section (the more I read this thread the more I realize how much I've been slacking... so many of you are finished with your VMCAS already!)

I think I started my app later than this. No worries, you're still an early bird 🙂 Plus, it helps to enter everything then just let it sit for a while. You never know what experience you're suddenly going to remember that you forgot to list!

 

[WulfpackChica]

I've pretty much just started filling out my experiences section (the more I read this thread the more I realize how much I've been slacking... so many of you are finished with your VMCAS already!)

I started it in June because I thought that I was going to have a full time internship this summer, so I was not sure how much time I was going to have to do it 😉 I still have to do my personal statement and take my GRE... so you are not slacking 😀

**Addendum... I just scheduled my GRE for the end of this month. Figured that will get me more motivated to study 😉

 

[WulfpackChica]

For those that are still studying for the GRE or have not taken it... there is a groupon for the BenchPrep software for $25. I have been using it and it has been helpful along with my books: http://www.groupon.com/deals/benchprep-com-52-washington-dc

The one I linked it for is from DC, but you can still buy it no matter where you live. They all work the same since it is for a website.

 

[Iluvlabs90]

I've pretty much just started filling out my experiences section (the more I read this thread the more I realize how much I've been slacking... so many of you are finished with your VMCAS already!) and I'm confused about how to enter one of my vet experiences.

I know exactly how you feel. I just filled in all my grades so far Now I regret taking this summer class.

 

[Frozenshades]

I know exactly how you feel. I just filled in all my grades so far Now I regret taking this summer class.

Dude, I took classes all of last summer, did my applications, and studied for and took the GRE. If I can do it anyone can 😛

You got time, no fretting here.

 

[Iluvlabs90]

Dude, I took classes all of last summer, did my applications, and studied for and took the GRE. If I can do it anyone can 😛

You got time, no fretting here.

I know :/. I'm just stressing myself out way to much. The new deadline isn't helping either.

Speaking of which.....The application is basically due on 9/1. So what's the point of keeping the 10/1 deadline?

 

[that redhead]

I know :/. I'm just stressing myself out way to much. The new deadline isn't helping either.

Speaking of which.....The application is basically due on 9/1. So what's the point of keeping the 10/1 deadline?

Probably so people don't freak out as much at a clearly labeled one month lessening of the application period😉

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

I know :/. I'm just stressing myself out way to much. The new deadline isn't helping either.

Speaking of which.....The application is basically due on 9/1. So what's the point of keeping the 10/1 deadline?

Probably so people don't freak out as much at a clearly labeled one month lessening of the application period😉

Correct me if I'm wrong. But *technically* can't you still submit till 10/1, and the schools will get it (perhaps not immediately of course). I think VMCAS is trying to bully people into doing it by 9/1 so that they don't have a mass of transcripts to verify at the last moment and they can keep the timely manner with which they're used to giving applications to schools...

Or at least that's how I interpreted this mess.

(ETA: Of course better safe than sorry, so I will be aiming for 9/1. I just don't think not making that will hurt you.)

 

[EchoBravo13]

Woo! Just finished with my GRE! I got scores that I'm happy with, so at least that's out of the way!

 

[cadisestrama]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But *technically* can't you still submit till 10/1, and the schools will get it (perhaps not immediately of course). I think VMCAS is trying to bully people into doing it by 9/1 so that they don't have a mass of transcripts to verify at the last moment and they can keep the timely manner with which they're used to giving applications to schools...

Or at least that's how I interpreted this mess.

(ETA: Of course better safe than sorry, so I will be aiming for 9/1. I just don't think not making that will hurt you.)

I thought that for them to do the transcript verification, you have to do a couple of things before they will: http://aavmc.org/transcriptver.aspx

Submitted your app, AT LEAST ONE submitted eLOR, the VMCAS payment, and all official transcripts

so basically the deadline IS Sep 1st, and only 1 eLOR has to be submitted by Sep 1. But all your eLORs can be submitted by Oct 2nd.

 

[sheepurtle]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But *technically* can't you still submit till 10/1, and the schools will get it (perhaps not immediately of course). I think VMCAS is trying to bully people into doing it by 9/1 so that they don't have a mass of transcripts to verify at the last moment and they can keep the timely manner with which they're used to giving applications to schools...

Or at least that's how I interpreted this mess.

(ETA: Of course better safe than sorry, so I will be aiming for 9/1. I just don't think not making that will hurt you.)

I'm curious about what will happen if a transcript doesn't make it by 9/1, or if you submit after 9/1. So I was poking around on the VMCAS website and found this snippet:
"VMCAS Applicants will understand...they are at a great disadvantage in the admissions process if their application is not verified by the October 2nd deadline;" (From the Applicant responsibilities section, emphasis on "verified" my own). So if you e-submit on Sept 15th, but don't get verified until Oct 15th, they do suggest some disadvantage...of what, I don't know.

 

[ChittyBang]

I'm curious about what will happen if a transcript doesn't make it by 9/1, or if you submit after 9/1. So I was poking around on the VMCAS website and found this snippet:
"VMCAS Applicants will understand...they are at a great disadvantage in the admissions process if their application is not verified by the October 2nd deadline;" (From the Applicant responsibilities section, emphasis on "verified" my own). So if you e-submit on Sept 15th, but don't get verified until Oct 15th, they do suggest some disadvantage...of what, I don't know.

There's a thread in here (begun by VMCAS) that, if I'm remembering correctly, stated that schools may not get apps submitted after 9/1, which I think is ridiculous. I, too, plan to have mine in before 9/1, but it's still ridiculous.

Woo! Just finished with my GRE! I got scores that I'm happy with, so at least that's out of the way!

👍 I take mine tomorrow morning! Wish me luck 😀

 

[ChittyBang]

I'm on my phone so hopefully this link works: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=991263

 

[Kpowell14]

There's a thread in here (begun by VMCAS) that, if I'm remembering correctly, stated that schools may not get apps submitted after 9/1, which I think is ridiculous. I, too, plan to have mine in before 9/1, but it's still ridiculous.









👍 I take mine tomorrow morning! Wish me luck 😀

See comment # 53-55 on the thread you posted... VMCAS STAFF states that as long as everything is submitted by the October deadline, it will be sent to the schools you choose.... However, if you wait too long you app may be sent later than others and will be looked at by the schools later than earlier applications. Which is a "disadvantage" .... ( I personally think it isn't an advantage or disadvantage because each school should be evaluating each applicant the same way regardless of when the app is received)

 

[ChittyBang]

Yep, so if you submit on 10/2, the verification might not get your app to your school until November. I can see that being a "disadvantage" maybe for interview offers?

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

( I personally think it isn't an advantage or disadvantage because each school should be evaluating each applicant the same way regardless of when the app is received)

That's how I saw it as well, vet school doesn't have rolling admissions so as long as they get your app. it shouldn't matter.

 

[iheartdogs]

i asked a veterinarian that i have been shadowing/volunteering with if she would write me a recommendation letter and she said let's do this u write one and i will add on and sign....am i being irrational? but i can barely write a personal statement let alone write a letter to make it look like it was written by a veterinarian..also i can't speak in her words because i don't know exactly what she thinks of me..and also i feel like the schools will be able to tell...HELP!!

 

[EchoBravo13]

i asked a veterinarian that i have been shadowing/volunteering with if she would write me a recommendation letter and she said let's do this u write one and i will add on and sign....am i being irrational? but i can barely write a personal statement let alone write a letter to make it look like it was written by a veterinarian..also i can't speak in her words because i don't know exactly what she thinks of me..and also i feel like the schools will be able to tell...HELP!!

The very nature of the eLOR's kinda prevents that... I mean, you'll have to send it directly to her email address. I'd simply provide her with a few 'queues' (different points or traits that you want her to focus on) and ask her to write the letter built around them. It sounds like she just doesn't want to do the thinking? 🙄

 

[EchoBravo13]

👍 I take mine tomorrow morning! Wish me luck 😀

You'll do great!

 

[cloverbug]

Hey everyone, I'm working on my essay for my supplemental application for U of I and I'm trying to think of the different ways veterinarians contribute to population control beyond the private sector. I know they play a big role in shelter med and then the work I did with VIDA in Central America, but are there any other areas I'm forgetting? Also, should I bug the people in the PS readers thread when I'm done to read mine? The I did last year I guess wasn't very good so I'm trying to make it better this year.

 

[ChittyBang]

Bombed the Quant section of the GRE today which really sucks cause every practice test I took predicted a decent to good score. Bleh. $@&! Going to register for another for the end of August now... 🙁

...Registered for an afternoon this time. Hopefully that will make a difference (I realized that my practice tests were always taken in the afternoon/evening). Suggestions for a higher score would appreciated!!!!!!!

 

[HowIMetYourPet]

So, are you guys putting anything down for your explanation section? I have a semester of Withdraws because I changed my major at the beginning of the semester, the classes were not going to transfer to any other credit (I was a nursing major and they were all nursing classes)...they were supposed to just be dropped so they wouldn't appear, but the paper work wasn't filed on time and now my transcript shows a giant semester full of Ws.......I feel like I should address it, but my brother said don't, they may see it once when they look at my transcript, but don't remind them of it....I also don't want to seem like Im trying to push the blame onto someone else....Opinions?

 

[DVMDream]

So, are you guys putting anything down for your explanation section? I have a semester of Withdraws because I changed my major at the beginning of the semester, the classes were not going to transfer to any other credit (I was a nursing major and they were all nursing classes)...they were supposed to just be dropped so they wouldn't appear, but the paper work wasn't filed on time and now my transcript shows a giant semester full of Ws.......I feel like I should address it, but my brother said don't, they may see it once when they look at my transcript, but don't remind them of it....I also don't want to seem like Im trying to push the blame onto someone else....Opinions?

Can't you just say what you told us? That seems like a simple, straightforward explanation and you are not blaming anyone. That is what I think. Whether or not you address it in the explanation statement is up to you, but this is probably something that they will ask about in interview if you do not explain it. I had one W on my transcript and they asked why so I imagine a semester of W's would raise questions.

ETA: You could even simplify it further by just saying, "I changed my major during the semester and since the classes were not going to transfer any credits, I chose to drop them." I don't know if you got any money back or anything but, if you did, you can mention that it saved you money, or say that you choose to do whatever you did instead that semester.

 

[wildchild210]

Hey everyone, I'm working on my essay for my supplemental application for U of I and I'm trying to think of the different ways veterinarians contribute to population control beyond the private sector. I know they play a big role in shelter med and then the work I did with VIDA in Central America, but are there any other areas I'm forgetting? Also, should I bug the people in the PS readers thread when I'm done to read mine? The I did last year I guess wasn't very good so I'm trying to make it better this year.

Ugh, I'm also struggling with this one. 😡

 

[allykd]

I just listed the organization in the name of clinic or whatever it's called section and then listed a name of one of the vets who is there most frequently, then added a note in the description that that was what I did and the vets were all volunteers and not all attended every month.

Sweet, that's how I was planning on doing it, just wanted to check what the general consensus about that kind of thing was. 👍

Next question, how big of a deal is not listing a phone number for a particular experience? Some of my animal experience hours (e.g. shelter volunteering) are from high school and the numbers I have for my supervisors are probably out-of-date. I also have around 20 hours of shadowing a small animal vet when I was in high school who is now deceased and thus can't be contacted. I know that the likelihood of schools calling the vets I list are slim, but are they going to assume the experience was negative or made-up if I don't list a contact number?

Good luck to everyone taking their GREs! Relax, don't over-think things, and try not to second guess yourself. If you think you kind-of-maybe-might know the answer, you're probably 100% right; and if you're completely lost on something, don't hesitate to guess randomly and move on before you get too stressed out 🙂

 

[equineconstant]

Next question, how big of a deal is not listing a phone number for a particular experience? Some of my animal experience hours (e.g. shelter volunteering) are from high school and the numbers I have for my supervisors are probably out-of-date. I also have around 20 hours of shadowing a small animal vet when I was in high school who is now deceased and thus can't be contacted. I know that the likelihood of schools calling the vets I list are slim, but are they going to assume the experience was negative or made-up if I don't list a contact number?

I'm looking at my VMCAS from last year, and it doesn't look like there's even a spot for a phone number under animal experience, so I don't think it would be a problem for you to not have a phone number there. For the vet experience, though, I'm not sure. Maybe put the clinic's number and note in the text for that experience that the vet you worked with isn't there anymore? But that's the kind of thing I think you should ask VMCAS about--you're probably not the first one with that question, but I don't know the answer.

 

[Minnerbelle]

That's how I saw it as well, vet school doesn't have rolling admissions so as long as they get your app. it shouldn't matter.

Based on what VMCAS said, I don't think this is true anymore. It may be true for some schools, but not for others. So I would contact the schools you're applying to directly and ask what their policies are.

 

[gugoodoll]

Honestly, I wouldn't mind the schools doing rolling admissions. I hate the waiting process.

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

Based on what VMCAS said, I don't think this is true anymore. It may be true for some schools, but not for others. So I would contact the schools you're applying to directly and ask what their policies are.

I did'nt get that impression, but perhaps you are right. However I was just speculating, I'm too cautious to not submit before 9/1 anyways 😳

Honestly, I wouldn't mind the schools doing rolling admissions. I hate the waiting process.

👍 I could be amenable to faster decisions 😉

 

[that redhead]

So, are you guys putting anything down for your explanation section? I have a semester of Withdraws because I changed my major at the beginning of the semester, the classes were not going to transfer to any other credit (I was a nursing major and they were all nursing classes)...they were supposed to just be dropped so they wouldn't appear, but the paper work wasn't filed on time and now my transcript shows a giant semester full of Ws.......I feel like I should address it, but my brother said don't, they may see it once when they look at my transcript, but don't remind them of it....I also don't want to seem like Im trying to push the blame onto someone else....Opinions?

I would absolutely write an explanation statement for a semester of Ws. Keep it simple - "I changed my major at the beginning of the semester, the classes were not going to transfer to any other credit (I was a nursing major and they were all nursing classes)" Ultimately I assume it was up to you to have the paperwork filed on time so that they didn't appear as Ws, so maybe mention that you have learned from your mistake to be more timely with things (I personally learned that lesson earlier this semester - painful, I know!)

 

[sheepurtle]

Just a heads up--it seems that VMCAS has changed the course classifications from when they first opened the app in early June, specifically the Biology and Other Life Science Categories. For example, genetics is now in the Biology category. I'm still baffled as to why Physiology (especially animal physiology) is in the other life science category. Why not Biology?

 

[Lab Vet]

Just a heads up--it seems that VMCAS has changed the course classifications from when they first opened the app in early June, specifically the Biology and Other Life Science Categories. For example, genetics is now in the Biology category. I'm still baffled as to why Physiology (especially animal physiology) is in the other life science category. Why not Biology?

Thanks for the heads up, Sheepurtle. I would not have known this. I'll now need to go through my courses to make sure that all of the categorizations are current. I'm assuming that VMCAS updated the PDF that listed the categorizations. Is this correct? Thank you!

 

[sheepurtle]

Thanks for the heads up, Sheepurtle. I would not have known this. I'll now need to go through my courses to make sure that all of the categorizations are current. I'm assuming that VMCAS updated the PDF that listed the categorizations. Is this correct? Thank you!

Yes to the updated PDF. That is how I found out. I had entered my undergrad classes last month, and was working on my graduate classes last night when I noticed that the categories seemed different.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Just a heads up--it seems that VMCAS has changed the course classifications from when they first opened the app in early June, specifically the Biology and Other Life Science Categories. For example, genetics is now in the Biology category. I'm still baffled as to why Physiology (especially animal physiology) is in the other life science category. Why not Biology?

wtf is the diff between biology and life science?????

 

[DVM882029]

this might be out of place and so not okay to say, but i just ventured to the premed forums and some of the GPAs and stuff and they've gotten accepted is shocking, and shows just how difficult it is to get into vedmet. yikes! sometimes i feel defeated but then i look at the successful applicants threads and i feel hope even without a 4.0 😀

 

[sheepurtle]

wtf is the diff between biology and life science?????

No clue...except that this is how VMCAS expects you to classify your courses this year. See attached PDF.

 

[lso5013]

Hey all,

I'm not too big with online forums, but I figured this one would be pretty helpful. It's good to get a sense of where people are at and to get feedback from those already enrolled.

I'm applying to 8 schools: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio State, Iowa State, NC State, Glasgow (UK), and Tennessee

I'm a Tennessee resident, but would much rather go OOS (I'm at Penn State for undergrad - graduating this December)

Here's my some of stats I guess:
Gender - Male
Age - 22
Major - Animal Science
Minor - Spanish (had the chance to study abroad in Mexico - it was awesome)
Cumulative GPA - 3.80
GPA from this past year's classes - 3.73
Pre-Req GPA - 3.64 (roughly - I used Wisconsin's system to calculate it)

I feel I have lots of veterinary, animal, and research experience (with animals). Just a matter of adding up all I've done...I've had pretty heavy involvement in community volunteering, extracurriculars, and leadership opportunities (somewhat) pretty much my whole life.

I had my personal statement revised A LOT, but I think it's finally where I want it to be. I'll have 4 LORs (two from professors who have DVMs, one from a professor / research vet, and one from a vet I've researched with this summer).

I think the main thing I'm concerned about is the GRE. Not a fan of standardized tests AT ALL...but I'm aiming for mid to high (preferably high) 150s range? I'll be taking it in little over a month...

Any feedback would be appreciated. All the best to fellow c/o 2018 applicants!