c/o 2018 applicants

[tromboneplayer1]

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[tromboneplayer1]

Just a little tid bit... Cornell is 4 hours from NYC, Penn is less than 2. Just throwing that out there if distance is your reason. Also, Tufts is the same distance as Cornell. 👍

Haha, I responded to that comment saying almost the EXACT same thing... I should have read all the comments to make sure that wasn't already addressed 🙂

 

[gugoodoll]

You should probably apply to Penn as well if you want to be as close to NYC as possible. I'm from NYC and Penn is a little less than 2hrs away while Cornell is about 4.5hrs away =/ . Tufts is also closer to NYC than Cornell.

Like I said, I don't really care to live in Philly (plus it's >$300K) and I went to undergrad at Cornell so I wouldn't mind going back. I'm on the fence about Tufts. We'll see 😳)

 

[gugoodoll]

Mind sharing a few of the highlights of what you learned? I'm interested! 🙂

Sorry I didn't see this until just now! Most of the stuff that I plan to add or change is animal experience I simply forgot or didn't think about- stuff like hands-on animal experience I got during my Animal Science courses (as a TA for my Horses class, during Animal Nutrition labs, etc) or doing really small stuff like Foal Watch for a night. Even though a lot of the stuff is less than 10 hours I figure it won't hurt to include it. I also decided to split some of my SPCA hours between Animal and Veterinary experiences instead of simply putting all of them as Animal experience.

Basically I'm just going to be as thorough as possible in listing my experiences, even if it's a small amount.

 

[dyachei]

If my microbiology counts for cellular biology then I possibly could but the community college doesn't have that course and it's too expensive to go to the university for one class. When I took organic chem over the summer it cost like 3k a semester.

it does not - I had this exact conversation with them. But you can take cell bio at a CC or even online for cheaper than 3k

 

[psilovethomas]

cloverbug- check out the cell bio class offered by UC Berkeley extension. It is under $900. I know a few people who took it and said it was really easy. I would check with schools first to see if they accept it.

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

Basically I'm just going to be as thorough as possible in listing my experiences, even if it's a small amount.

Thanks! It's good advice 😀
I actually just remembered a week or two ago that I can count the hundred or so TA hours with chickens as animal experience (which I have very little of, so this is *great*)

 

[macita183]

Looks like I might be joining you guys for the next cycle (which the OCD part of me is ok with because I'll graduate on an even number 🙄)

I hate even numbers. High school, undergrad, and now vet school will all be odd numbers! I mentioned that even number thing to my boyfriend when I was panicking about having to re-apply next year and he looked at me like "huh"? Glad there are others out there that have feelings about types of numbers🙂

 

[cloverbug]

I hate even numbers. High school, undergrad, and now vet school will all be odd numbers! I mentioned that even number thing to my boyfriend when I was panicking about having to re-apply next year and he looked at me like "huh"? Glad there are others out there that have feelings about types of numbers🙂

That's interesting. I haven't met someone who actually prefers odd numbers before. Do you have a reason for it or does it just feel more calming to have odd numbers? I always feel the latter for even.

 

[macita183]

No reason for the love of the odds, I just have preferred odd numbers for as long as I can remember. I remember being a kid and being upset that hotels didn't have a 13 floor since I thought 13 was lucky. I'm a little backwards I guess.

 

[KCgophervet]

I hate even numbers. High school, undergrad, and now vet school will all be odd numbers! I mentioned that even number thing to my boyfriend when I was panicking about having to re-apply next year and he looked at me like "huh"? Glad there are others out there that have feelings about types of numbers🙂

That's interesting. I haven't met someone who actually prefers odd numbers before. Do you have a reason for it or does it just feel more calming to have odd numbers? I always feel the latter for even.

I am definitely an odd-numbers person as well 🙂 9 is clearly the best number in the world, followed by 5 and 7 😛

Don't know why, but that's my take on it.

 

[goldengirl90]

I've been calculating all my final GPA's and such (just so I can obsess over my chances while I wait for VMCAS to open haha) and I have a question. One of the schools I'm applying to requires just 1 semester of organic chem. I took two semesters of orgo and got a better grade in the 2nd semester. In calculating my "required coursework GPA", can I choose to list Orgo II as my one semester of orgo instead of orgo I? Anybody know?

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

I've been calculating all my final GPA's and such (just so I can obsess over my chances while I wait for VMCAS to open haha) and I have a question. One of the schools I'm applying to requires just 1 semester of organic chem. I took two semesters of orgo and got a better grade in the 2nd semester. In calculating my "required coursework GPA", can I choose to list Orgo II as my one semester of orgo instead of orgo I? Anybody know?

I'm not sure where you're applying, but I've asked a couple of schools this question (NC State, Ohio State) about different courses, and they both told me I can choose to place my highest grade there. Call/email your specific school and they should be happy to help 🙂

And I've been doing the same thing in lieu of studying for my physics final 🙄

 

[epivetlove]

I've been calculating all my final GPA's and such (just so I can obsess over my chances while I wait for VMCAS to open haha)

And I've been doing the same thing in lieu of studying for my physics final 🙄

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one doing this! I've actually made Excel spreadsheets for all the different schools I'm applying to, since they're all a little different. 😳

 

[goldengirl90]

I'm not sure where you're applying, but I've asked a couple of schools this question (NC State, Ohio State) about different courses, and they both told me I can choose to place my highest grade there. Call/email your specific school and they should be happy to help 🙂

And I've been doing the same thing in lieu of studying for my physics final 🙄

Thanks for the help! 🙂 I was specifically wondering about Wisconsin, so I'll call and check with them!

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one doing this! I've actually made Excel spreadsheets for all the different schools I'm applying to, since they're all a little different. 😳

Me toooo. Let the obsessing begin 😀

 

[WulfpackChica]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one doing this! I've actually made Excel spreadsheets for all the different schools I'm applying to, since they're all a little different. 😳

I am doing this too... Glad to hear I am in good company!

 

[Scooter157]

I'm guilty of having a few spreadsheets dedicated to vet school too 😳

 

[Squeaksmom]

Another spreadsheeter here. And I have a page for each year's timetable in there as well.

 

[remi4301]

Yep, I've got a spreadsheet going as well, ha! I had a really hard time studying for my biochem final because I was working on my spreadsheet.

 

[roblaur]

How are you all deciding which schools to apply to? I know I want apply to 5 or 6 schools and one will obviously be Penn, my IS. I would like to do mixed medicine and have been looking at some midwest schools but I don't know how to choose!

 

[Rainheart]

I mostly narrowed down my schools that I had the pre-reqs to. Also, I had to cut a few schools out that required the GRE before August and also some schools did not like having any online pre-req classes. Lastly, I looked at number of OOS students that are accepted each year and applied based on those with a lot (40 or more).

I'd also encourage you to look and see what your strengths are in your application (cGPA, Last 45 GPA, GRE, etc). Apply to those schools who where you have your best shot!

 

[Frozenshades]

I mostly narrowed down my schools that I had the pre-reqs to. Also, I had to cut a few schools out that required the GRE before August and also some schools did not like having any online pre-req classes. Lastly, I looked at number of OOS students that are accepted each year and applied based on those with a lot (40 or more).

I'd also encourage you to look and see what your strengths are in your application (cGPA, Last 45 GPA, GRE, etc). Apply to those schools who where you have your best shot!

Definitely a good way to narrow down the list. Look at price in addition to admissions stats, and consider places you'd be happy living. From there, what specifically you want in a school is up to you.

 

[Scooter157]

Pre-reqs are my largest limiting factor. After that, schools with decent equine caseloads, places I wouldn't mind living in for four years, as well as schools that have a decent OOS admission rate factor heavily into my decision on where to apply. If I get the privilege of having to choose between two places, price tag will be the biggest consideration.

That being said - I still have 8 or 9 schools I'm mulling over applying to...

 

[Frozenshades]

For the sake of time and money I think you'll thank yourself later if you narrow that down to 5, maybe 6.

 

[HowIMetYourPet]

How are you all deciding which schools to apply to? I know I want apply to 5 or 6 schools and one will obviously be Penn, my IS. I would like to do mixed medicine and have been looking at some midwest schools but I don't know how to choose!

I did a four step process.

Step 1:
I went through the VMCAS school prereq list and made a spread sheet of all the shcools I have the prereqs for

Step 2: I gathered info on those schools (all 14 of them) including tuition, cost of attendance, % of OOS seats, avg GPAs(cum, sci, last 45), avg GRE, and Avg hrs of experience (where I could find it)

Step 3: I narrowed down the schools whose GPA ranges were significantly higher than mine (3.4) and that super small numbers of OOS students.

Step 4: I took out the schools that were places I didn't want to be (i.e. REALLY COLD) or were too expensive.

These steps brought be down to 4 schools, the 4 I plan on applying to.

Hope that helps!!

 

[TheComfyCat]

Hello! This is going to be my first year applying. I'm 27, and a non-traditional student with a cGPA of 3.49. Like many of you, I'm going through the process of narrowing down schools. I'm alternatively very excited and very nervous.

The part of the process I'm most anxious about is asking for letters of recommendation. I'm also a bit nervous about asking a couple vets if I can shadow them. One is a veterinary oncologist, and the other is a small animal/ exotics vet who sees my guinea pigs (her practice mostly sees cats, dogs, birds, and pocket pets).

I still have to take the GREs, which I'm not really looking forward to. I am looking forward to writing my personal statement, though.

Good luck, everyone 🙂

 

[cloverbug]

Hello! This is going to be my first year applying. I'm 27, and a non-traditional student with a cGPA of 3.49. Like many of you, I'm going through the process of narrowing down schools. I'm alternatively very excited and very nervous.

The part of the process I'm most anxious about is asking for letters of recommendation. I'm also a bit nervous about asking a couple vets if I can shadow them. One is a veterinary oncologist, and the other is a small animal/ exotics vet who sees my guinea pigs (her practice mostly sees cats, dogs, birds, and pocket pets).

I still have to take the GREs, which I'm not really looking forward to. I am looking forward to writing my personal statement, though.

Good luck, everyone 🙂

It'll be ok, stay calm! If the vets say no, then that's the worse that can happen. Your GPA isn't bad but definitely try to score well on the GRE. I went through the practice they had on the website and went to vocabulary.com to work on new words because they ask similar questions as the GRE does. I found it super helpful so it might be something for you to consider too.

 

[WulfpackChica]

Pre-reqs are my largest limiting factor...

Ugh, this is my limiting factor also. I am weeding through schools right now that have a time limit on required courses. I think that I have it narrowed down to about 5 or 6 right now. Going to try to narrow down to 4 dues to financial situation (unless I can convince my family and boyfriend to help me out 😉)

Nothing like spending a Saturday night weeding through websites, making notes and making spreadsheets.

 

[WulfpackChica]

I still have to take the GREs, which I'm not really looking forward to.

I am in the boat with you ComfyCat 🙁 I really have to crack down on studying all this week...

 

[TheComfyCat]

Thanks, cloverbug, you're right. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and the worst than can happen is they say no. Also, I'll look into the sites you recommended.

Good luck with studying, WulfpackChica. I won't be able to focus on the GRE until June when this quarter is over.

 

[Scooter157]

Nothing like spending a Saturday night weeding through websites, making notes and making spreadsheets.

Haha that sounds like a pretty good Saturday night to me!!!

 

[cloverbug]

Thanks, cloverbug, you're right. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and the worst than can happen is they say no. Also, I'll look into the sites you recommended.

Good luck with studying, WulfpackChica. I won't be able to focus on the GRE until June when this quarter is over.

Good luck and I hope you find them helpful!

 

[TheComfyCat]

I'm in the process of narrowing down schools. This is my current list:

Colorado State University
Iowa State University
Kansas State University
Ohio State University
Tufts University
University of California - Davis (IS)
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri
University of Pennsylvania
Virginia - Maryland Regional College
Western University (my first choice)

If I take nutrition online, I can also add Purdue and Oklahoma State.

(Non traditional student - I'm 27)
cGPA: 3.49
last 45: 3.6
Animal Hours: ~2,500 as an animal shelter employee, and ~2,000+ LA (working for a horseback riding instructor). Should I include fostering hours?
Vet Hours: only ~300-400 hours, at the animal shelter clinic. I'm also planning to shadow over the summer (at an exotics clinic and oncologist).

All my current research experience is in restoration ecology; I'm trying to find a biomedical lab to join for the summer through next year.

The strongest part of my application will be my personal statement. I love to write, and I've had some interesting experiences at both of my jobs. Any suggestions for schools I should cross off my list? I don't really have a min/ max number of schools, I'd just like to restrict my list to schools where I have a realistic chance.

 

[WulfpackChica]

My boyfriend walked in on me with papers everywhere and my nose about 4 inches from computer screen. He asked what I was up to... Told him I was making my list and he kind of nodded and walked away. He knows when to leave me 😉

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

My boyfriend walked in on me with papers everywhere and my nose about 4 inches from computer screen. He asked what I was up to... Told him I was making my list and he kind of nodded and walked away. He knows when to leave me 😉

My friends have learned a similar lesson, they groan every time I fb message them. And perhaps because my messages are always "But should I apply to Cornell?!? They don't have an interview? I don't know if that's good or bad. But what about Penn?" and so on. 😳

 

[Frozenshades]

Just an fyi for anyone who might be planning on applying to Texas A&M, I heard the rumors at school this year, but just learned the changes have been made. Animal nutrition is still required, but it appears they have removed the animal science requirement. They have also made statistics required; previously either calculus or stat was accepted for a math requirement. They have also added a new class requirement, intro to psychology.

http://vetmed.tamu.edu/dvm/future/prerequisites

 

[Easnadh]

Just an fyi for anyone who might be planning on applying to Texas A&M, I heard the rumors at school this year, but just learned the changes have been made. Animal nutrition is still required, but it appears they have removed the animal science requirement. They have also made statistics required; previously either calculus or stat was accepted for a math requirement. They have also added a new class requirement, intro to psychology.

http://vetmed.tamu.edu/dvm/future/prerequisites

Awesome, this is really cool to see actually. I wonder if other schools will soon follow suit.....

 

[ChittyBang]

Long time lurker turned new member here!

This cycle will be my first (and hopefully only) time applying and I'm all "eeeked" out these past few weeks anticipating June 5th...eeek! 😱

I narrowed my list down to 7 schools based on pre-reqs, $$$ and OOS acceptance rates: Cornell (IS), Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Is anyone else completely perturbed about losing an entire month to transcript verification??? I'm happy about not having to spend tons of money mailing official transcripts, but having only 3 months instead of 4 is a bit "eeeky", no? 😱

 

[TheComfyCat]

Long time lurker turned new member here!

This cycle will be my first (and hopefully only) time applying and I'm all "eeeked" out these past few weeks anticipating June 5th...eeek! 😱

I narrowed my list down to 7 schools based on pre-reqs, $$$ and OOS acceptance rates: Cornell (IS), Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Is anyone else completely perturbed about losing an entire month to transcript verification??? I'm happy about not having to spend tons of money mailing official transcripts, but having only 3 months instead of 4 is a bit "eeeky", no? 😱

Eeeky, indeed 😛 I'm sure I'll be stressed about waiting for letters of rec. And finishing up last minute experience hours.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[WulfpackChica]

VMCAS set to open next week... I am trying to motivate myself to either work on my Personal Statement or study for the GRE.

There has been no progress on either of these things. I am cleaning instead, which is kind of sad...

 

[Emiloo4]

As good as it is you all are working on things, don't stress out so much. It really is plenty of time. I didn't even decide to apply until mid July. That included needing to take the GRE by July 31st 🙄
Not recommending you do that, but if you are starting now, you're in good shape.

 

[PippyPony]

The part of the process I'm most anxious about is asking for letters of recommendation. I'm also a bit nervous about asking a couple vets if I can shadow them.

ComfyCat, I'm in the same boat -- but worse! -- with recommendations & shadowing...what are you planning on doing?

I've been out of undergrad for >6 years (eek!) so I'm afraid my professors won't remember me too well! I was hoping to be able to ask one of the professors who will be teaching the post-bac pre-reqs that I still need to take (all of the science ones...double eek!), but wasn't sure if they do this or not.

Has anyone else had success with asking extension school profs for recommendations? I know some "formal" post-bac programs include this, but since UC Berkeley charges a premium for the program, I was going to try to go it alone.

I'm also having trouble finding opportunities to shadow or work very part-time, since in CA you need to be licensed to even be a vet assistant, and I work another full-time job. But, that part is less concerning to me than the recommendations since I don't mind losing some of my dignity and begging for shadowing time 🙂

 

[RetroUnicorn]

I'm also having trouble finding opportunities to shadow or work very part-time, since in CA you need to be licensed to even be a vet assistant, and I work another full-time job. But, that part is less concerning to me than the recommendations since I don't mind losing some of my dignity and begging for shadowing time 🙂

Not sure where you got your licensing fact, because lots of vet assistants in CA are unlicensed, but experienced. Since you mentioned Berkeley, I'm assuming you're in the Bay Area and there are A LOT of vet opportunities around here!

 

[gugoodoll]

You don't need a license to be a vet assistant but you do need to be certified to be a technician (often referred to as CVT or LVT).

 

[TheComfyCat]

ComfyCat, I'm in the same boat -- but worse! -- with recommendations & shadowing...what are you planning on doing?

I've been out of undergrad for >6 years (eek!) so I'm afraid my professors won't remember me too well! I was hoping to be able to ask one of the professors who will be teaching the post-bac pre-reqs that I still need to take (all of the science ones...double eek!), but wasn't sure if they do this or not.

Has anyone else had success with asking extension school profs for recommendations? I know some "formal" post-bac programs include this, but since UC Berkeley charges a premium for the program, I was going to try to go it alone.

I'm also having trouble finding opportunities to shadow or work very part-time, since in CA you need to be licensed to even be a vet assistant, and I work another full-time job. But, that part is less concerning to me than the recommendations since I don't mind losing some of my dignity and begging for shadowing time 🙂

Tomorrow during my guinea pig's vet appointment, I'm going to ask the vet if I can shadow her. I met a couple other vets in my pre-vet club who mentioned they were open to letting us shadow, so I'm planning to email a couple of them as well. I also volunteer at an animal shelter clinic. Do you have pets? Maybe you can ask your vet to shadow.

I'm doing well in a small upper-div class (there are only 11 students), so I'm going to ask the professor if she'd be willing to write me a LOR. I think you should go ahead and ask the extension professors for a LOR; after all, the worst that happens is they say no. That's what I keep telling myself, anyway

Also, I don't think all schools require letters from professors, a lot just suggest them.

If you're already working full time, it might be easier for you to shadow/ volunteer in a vet's office rather than work as a kennel attendant/ veterinary assistant. Maybe you can see if a local shelter will let you volunteer in their clinic, or at least watch the surgeries. There are definitely shadowing opportunities in CA (I'm in SoCal), you just need to ask around. There are also some old threads with good advice about finding shadowing opportunities/ LORs, if you search the forum.

 

[KSU2015]

One week people.. one week 😱

 

[PippyPony]

Thanks everyone! I've been asking the shelter where I volunteer if I can shadow the actual vet work (they have a big vet program), but haven't been able to make any progress going through the "regular" volunteer channels, so I'm planning to move on to asking the vets directly 🙂 And I will continue to stalk this forum for other shadowing suggestions, since everyone is so helpful!

I do have a pet (a pony) but he is sadly not able to help me charm his vet into letting me shadow her, because he's leased out to someone across the country (he's in MA, I'm in the Bay Area). I wish I could sneak something into my no-pets-allowed apartment!

That's good to hear about the professor recs -- I think I just needed some reassurance on that front. And, good to know I can probably have some of my corporate contacts to write LORs to fall back on.

Good luck to all of you who are waiting for the new applications to open up!

 

[TheComfyCat]

@PippyPony Good idea about asking the vet staff. I asked the vet staff directly if I could volunteer in the clinic, because they don't typically take volunteers.

So during my guinea pig's appointment today, the vet decided she wants to remove the small growth on my piggy's third eyelid, and she said I could observe the surgery. I told her I'm planning to apply to vet school, and she was suddenly much more enthusiastic and friendly. She wished me luck and asked if I was looking for a job in a vet's office. I told her I was looking to shadow rather than work.

After I left, I realized she might have been indirectly asking if I was interested in working there? I'm not sure. I thought I'd ask her about it on Monday when I bring in my piggy. Getting experience at a small animal/ exotic vet's office seems like a good idea, since I want to work with cats, dogs, and "pocket pets," but I'm not sure if it's better to try and shadow or work. I already have 2,500 hours experience as an animal shelter kennel attendant, but if it's a job as a vet assistant, it might be worth it? Would that be more valuable experience than shadowing, where I can observe the vet during surgeries?

 

[Frozenshades]

@PippyPony Good idea about asking the vet staff. I asked the vet staff directly if I could volunteer in the clinic, because they don't typically take volunteers.

So during my guinea pig's appointment today, the vet decided she wants to remove the small growth on my piggy's third eyelid, and she said I could observe the surgery. I told her I'm planning to apply to vet school, and she was suddenly much more enthusiastic and friendly. She wished me luck and asked if I was looking for a job in a vet's office. I told her I was looking to shadow rather than work.

After I left, I realized she might have been indirectly asking if I was interested in working there? I'm not sure. I thought I'd ask her about it on Monday when I bring in my piggy. Getting experience at a small animal/ exotic vet's office seems like a good idea, since I want to work with cats, dogs, and "pocket pets," but I'm not sure if it's better to try and shadow or work. I already have 2,500 hours experience as an animal shelter kennel attendant, but if it's a job as a vet assistant, it might be worth it? Would that be more valuable experience than shadowing, where I can observe the vet during surgeries?

Maybe, maybe not. I think that depends more on what you'd rather do. A lot of clinics won't let shadows do much of anything (for liability and insurance issues normally) so a job might give you more hands on experience. If it was the case that the vet was subtly hinting at a job offer, perhaps you could work out a part time gig, and shadow surgeries on days off from paid work? Though, at any clinic I've ever been at they've always had a tech or assistant monitor vitals and help during surgeries, so depending on your job description you could still be involved in the things you want.

 

[Kpowell14]

@PippyPony Good idea about asking the vet staff. I asked the vet staff directly if I could volunteer in the clinic, because they don't typically take volunteers.

So during my guinea pig's appointment today, the vet decided she wants to remove the small growth on my piggy's third eyelid, and she said I could observe the surgery. I told her I'm planning to apply to vet school, and she was suddenly much more enthusiastic and friendly. She wished me luck and asked if I was looking for a job in a vet's office. I told her I was looking to shadow rather than work.

After I left, I realized she might have been indirectly asking if I was interested in working there? I'm not sure. I thought I'd ask her about it on Monday when I bring in my piggy. Getting experience at a small animal/ exotic vet's office seems like a good idea, since I want to work with cats, dogs, and "pocket pets," but I'm not sure if it's better to try and shadow or work. I already have 2,500 hours experience as an animal shelter kennel attendant, but if it's a job as a vet assistant, it might be worth it? Would that be more valuable experience than shadowing, where I can observe the vet during surgeries?

IMO- working as a vet assistant is better than shadowing. Not only are you gaining experience, but you are getting paid for it!! Also, shadows are normally just that- a shadow... Just watching not much hands on except maybe reading fecals & restraining when no one else can.. The Assistant position will benefit you much more as far as hands on experience goes.