c/o 2018 applicants

[cs5910]

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So, I have contacted a couple of the schools that I am applying to about how to classify my experiences (per advice of VMCAS). According to many of the schools, my time at the CRO doing animals studies/handling/necropsy will now be classified as Research (which I guess is a good thing now) and my time at the public health lab doing rabies testing on animal samples will be classified as Animal Experience.

This kind of bums me out and makes me worry a little because I want to do Public Health or Lab Animal. I am not sure what schools are going to say when I address this in the personal statement 🙁 Plus I have to go move everything around in my application and the "Vet Experience" part looks kind of pitiful now, since I will only have one place listen in there. Granted I worked there Part Time and Full Time for about 4 years so I have about 4,000hrs, but now I feel like I have less diversity

Make your diversity stand out in your interviews. That's where it matters the most anyway. You're VMCAS is just the starting point. Your personal statement and especially your interview, will be more important. It wouldn't be weird to say you want to get involved in public health since you worked at a public health lab.

 

[that redhead]

It is what it is. You have general diversity with the public health and research work, which is a plus. Certain schools want you to show experience in your intended field, but others may not care so much because there are plenty of people that come in thinking they want to do one thing and end up changing their minds. If you can get more varied vet experience before applying it wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't beat yourself up over it.

 

[Lab Vet]

So, I have contacted a couple of the schools that I am applying to about how to classify my experiences (per advice of VMCAS). According to many of the schools, my time at the CRO doing animals studies/handling/necropsy will now be classified as Research (which I guess is a good thing now) and my time at the public health lab doing rabies testing on animal samples will be classified as Animal Experience.

This kind of bums me out and makes me worry a little because I want to do Public Health or Lab Animal. I am not sure what schools are going to say when I address this in the personal statement 🙁 Plus I have to go move everything around in my application and the "Vet Experience" part looks kind of pitiful now, since I will only have one place listen in there. Granted I worked there Part Time and Full Time for about 4 years so I have about 4,000hrs, but now I feel like I have less diversity

To be honest, I think that the 'categorization,' according to VMCAS, means very little when it comes to individual vet schools making admissions decisions. At the end of the day, a category label is just that- a label. It's what you did in the particular job/volunteer role that is important. I contacted the four veterinary schools to which I am applying this week to ask admissions representatives what exactly they were looking to see in the 'Description of Research' section of the VMCAS application. There are two ways to approach this section: A) a description of duties (as with the veterinary section of the VMCAS application) or B) a description of the hypothesis that was investigated, etc. Each approach to the question gets at a different type of knowledge, a different skill set. Different schools had different answers, which makes completing the VMCAS application a bit of a balancing act- somewhat tough to meet each school's competing demands.

One thing I did glean from these conversations, however, is that vet school admissions committees look at everything on the VMCAS application. Admissions committees appear to be less concerned with the categorization of the experience (i.e. the VMCAS label) and far more concerned with how you, as the applicant, describe your experience. It's up to you to sell yourself as an applicant and present a case for your candidacy. If you're interested in public health and laboratory animal medicine, make a case in your application that you're a good fit for these niche specialties based upon the exposure that you've gained to each of them in the experiences you've had- no matter how VMCAS classifies them. Your presentation of your background is up to you.

Keep in mind that the research section of the VMCAS form is new with this year's cycle. My guess is that applicants and admissions committee members alike will be 'getting their feet wet' and adjusting to this transition with our 'class.' I wouldn't be so caught up with the classification (it's somewhat ironic that this statement is coming from me given that I was originally the individual who made such a big deal about this issue to begin with), but I would be concerned with presenting a cohesive, convincing argument for your candidacy as a veterinary student.

Just my two cents.

 

[Iluvlabs90]

Hi!

I have a quick question for you guys. In the experience section of the application.... Are you guys listing (bullet style) in the "Description of duties" section or does this need to be in paragraph form. I started writing them all in paragraphs, but second guessed myself midway.

Thanks😀

 

[cs5910]

Hi!

I have a quick question for you guys. In the experience section of the application.... Are you guys listing (bullet style) in the "Description of duties" section or does this need to be in paragraph form. I started writing them all in paragraphs, but second guessed myself midway.

Thanks😀

I wrote mine in bullet form last year so it would be easier for the adcoms to skin through. But I am sure people do it both methods to be honest!

 

[Filly Bay]

Hi!

I have a quick question for you guys. In the experience section of the application.... Are you guys listing (bullet style) in the "Description of duties" section or does this need to be in paragraph form. I started writing them all in paragraphs, but second guessed myself midway.

Thanks😀

I listed mine in paragraph form separated by commas. You can do it whichever way is easier for you or you're more comfortable with.

 

[ChittyBang]

I tentatively wrote mine paragraph style. There's a VMCAS webinar tomorrow so I'll try to ask then.

Edit: Nevermind. I posted at the same time as they did ^ 🙂 Webinar should still be worth checking out.

 

[ChittyBang]

^ https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/856568126

 

[Lab Vet]

Hi!

I have a quick question for you guys. In the experience section of the application.... Are you guys listing (bullet style) in the "Description of duties" section or does this need to be in paragraph form. I started writing them all in paragraphs, but second guessed myself midway.

Thanks😀

I wrote mine in the form of a bulleted list. Ad coms probably get a good mix of both formats when reviewing applications. I'd go with whatever style you feel more comfortable. Personally, I feel that a list gets right to the point, and that a narrative description is unnecessary. That being said, a narrative description is perfectly fine as well. Your call.

 

[KSU2015]

Does anyone know if there will be another webinar this summer?

 

[ChittyBang]

Does anyone know if there will be another webinar this summer?

Not sure. I found out about today's via their Facebook page.

 

[WulfpackChica]

Thanks for the feed back and love everyone 😍 I was having a really crappy day and it just added to my frustrations. Hindsight, it is not a big deal, like you guys said I just have to sell myself 🙂

I have a quick question for you guys. In the experience section of the application.... Are you guys listing (bullet style) in the "Description of duties" section or does this need to be in paragraph form. I started writing them all in paragraphs, but second guessed myself midway.

I did mine in a bullet list because it made it easier to transfer and edit things from my resume. Like everyone else said, they are probably going to get a mix so do whatever is easiest for you.

 

[EchoBravo13]

So.. Has anyone else essentially finished their application, but will continue to rewrite every section until September 1st? Not to mention sending eLOR reminders. . . 🙄

 

[ChittyBang]

So.. Has anyone else essentially finished their application, but will continue to rewrite every section until September 1st? Not to mention sending eLOR reminders. . . 🙄

Yes. I also thought of a few things to add that I had forgotten about! I have one completed eLOR and 3 of 4 transcripts in... 😱 It's becoming more real everyday!

 

[KSU2015]

When should we send reminders to our eLors? I am hoping to submit my app in Aug and don't want them to forget! But obviously don't want to bother them either 😳

 

[WulfpackChica]

When should we send reminders to our eLors? I am hoping to submit my app in Aug and don't want them to forget! But obviously don't want to bother them either 😳

I am thinking it depends on how well you know them and if you know that they super busy or vacationing. I am going to be bugging the hell out of one of my eLORs because he is a slacker and I have a pretty good relationship with him... so I can 😉 There other two are very busy people and I don't want to bother them too much, so I am going to send them reminders in July since I asked them in the beginning of June (right before VMCAS opened).

Just send them a friendly email or give them a call letting them know that you know that they are busy but just wanted to check on the status of the LOR.

 

[EchoBravo13]

When should we send reminders to our eLors? I am hoping to submit my app in Aug and don't want them to forget! But obviously don't want to bother them either 😳

I've decided on a reminder every three weeks or so.. And the references that I'm closest to, such as my advisor, I'll just text. My vet references will get a formal email!

 

[ChittyBang]

There's a "resend email" option on VMCAS...isn't that for reminders? Since I've decided to apply to Tufts I have to remind some of them twice. Ugh.

 

[WulfpackChica]

I did have to remind a couple of them several times the last time I applied. One got it in the very last day before VMCAS closed... I wanted to go over there and kill him (he is the one I will be bugging constantly). It is not like he really has to rewrite the letter at all, he has one done already for me 😉

 

[Iluvlabs90]

Thanks for all the answers!!!

 

[Frozenshades]

I did have to remind a couple of them several times the last time I applied. One got it in the very last day before VMCAS closed... I wanted to go over there and kill him (he is the one I will be bugging constantly). It is not like he really has to rewrite the letter at all, he has one done already for me 😉

One of mine submitted his eLOR the day the VMCAS was due. The deadline was noon or 9am or whatever it was and he submitted it at like 4:30am that morning. When I saw it still hadn't been done the night before (he assured me he would do it though) I was like 😱

I felt your pain Chitty, since A&M uses the TMDSAS I had to get two letters from each of my recommenders too. They'll understand though, and it shouldn't be too much extra effort.

 

[cloverbug]

Hey everyone, this is slightly off topic but I just found out a couple days ago that my cousin, who is a junior in high school, wants to be a vet too! I find this very exciting and I want to "give" (aka bombard) her information on the field and what she needs to do to try to avoid applying more than once (like me...boo). Her grades in middle and high school are crazy good (she's at a college prep school) and she does amazing on standardized tests. She actually scored the highest out of all the students in 7th and 8th grade, at her school or in the district I can't remember, on the AIMS so I don't think that'll be an issue. She's also doing some volunteering at the local humane society, which she's been doing for like 2 years, and has been playing soccer since middle school. I plan on showing her the article about our current crisis, though it'll probably be way different by the time she's in our shoes, and telling her to diversify her animal/vet experience as much as possible. I feel like I'm missing stuff though. Help me make my cousin annoyed at me!

 

[ChittyBang]

If I could go back in time to talk to my 16-y/o-self I would *super* stress taking undergrad more seriously, saving money! (start investing/planning early!), taking time to travel more and would start my personal statement now hahahaha 😀

 

[cloverbug]

If I could go back in time to talk to my 16-y/o-self I would *super* stress taking undergrad more seriously, saving money! (start investing/planning early!), taking time to travel more and would start my personal statement now hahahaha 😀

Oh yea, money! How I could forget about that point? Lol I'll be sure to bug her about that too.

 

[cs5910]

There's a "resend email" option on VMCAS...isn't that for reminders? Since I've decided to apply to Tufts I have to remind some of them twice. Ugh.

I feel your pain Chitty, I had to remind all my LOR's too because I applied to Tufts and through VMCAS.... I felt like I was annoying them the whole time haha Oh well!

 

[cadisestrama]

-

 

[ChittyBang]

Does anyone know if there will be another webinar this summer?

Here's the webinar schedule as per the website (http://aavmc.org/webinars.aspx):

"Talk to VMCAS"
Application support for VMCAS 2014 applicants

June 27th, 2013 - 3:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern Time
August 8th, 2013 - 3:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern Time
September 12th, 2013 - 3:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern Time


"Advising the Veterinary Applicant"
Application help for pre-Vet / pre-Health advisors

July 25th, 2013 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern Time
September 4th, 2013 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern Time


"Preparing to Apply to Vet School"
Freshman & Sophomore Undergraduates

October 16, 2013 - 3:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern Time


** If your pre-vet club / society would like to schedule a webinar for your group, please contact:
Tony Wynne: [email protected]**

 

[ChittyBang]

Okay I feel kind of stupid about this but I asked a professor (whom I didn't really get to know very well) for a eLOR. He said that he remembered me and that I did well in his class but didn't get to know me personally, which is why he would like my PS/other info. However, if I don't feel like he would be able to write anything diff than what I'd write in my PS... is it possible to "un-ask' for a eLOR? If so, how would I go about phrasing the email when I just asked him a couple hours ago for one?

A professor of mine that I got to know pretty well (I took 4 of her classes) asked to see my PS. I think she just wanted to see what I was putting out there so that she had something to base her tone on. That said, I would share your PS with him (good chance for an opinion too!), but also ask him if he'd be willing to sit with you for a few minutes to ask questions, etc. I gave that opportunity even to the people I asked that know me very well.

And thanks, pain feelers! 🙂 I spoke to people who chose not to apply to non-VMCAS schools b/c of the extra work, but I don't think it's that big of an issue (?).

 

[Kpowell14]

This had been brought up in the Missouri thread so I figured it would be good to just plop it down in here as well...

While doing your school research- make sure you take a look at if a school has a dress code or not.. Just for the matter of knowing what your getting yourself into.. Schools have dress codes that go from Business professional from day one, and zero dress code on the opposite spectrum.

Whether or not this is important to you - well that is up to you lol

Just a friendly PSA lol

 

[DVM882029]

This had been brought up in the Missouri thread so I figured it would be good to just plop it down in here as well...

While doing your school research- make sure you take a look at if a school has a dress code or not.. Just for the matter of knowing what your getting yourself into.. Schools have dress codes that go from Business professional from day one, and zero dress code on the opposite spectrum.

Whether or not this is important to you - well that is up to you lol

Just a friendly PSA lol

very true

 

[ChittyBang]

Thanks for the heads up! I never even thought of that, but I don't think a dress code (or lack thereof) would deter me from a school. Money would/did, however. My dream school could require me to wear burlap panties and I'd be happy for the chance 😀 OK, maybe not.

As someone mentioned in the MO thread (which is now painful for me to visit :cry: ) I can understand professional dress during clinical (uh...scrubs? every clinician I've ever worked with has worn scrubs), but in a classroom? I'm a hoodie/jeans/t-shirt kinda gal in the classroom. But, like I said, burlap panties would be fine as well 😛

 

[cs5910]

Auburn CVM has a very strict business professional dress code during your four years. I actually liked how professional everyone looked on campus during my interview! I loved the atmosphere! The students told us it wasn't that big of a deal to get used to dressing nice every day... But I suspect it would probably be a pain to look nice after all-nighters before exams! 😕

 

[ChittyBang]

...But I suspect it would probably be a pain to look nice after all-nighters before exams! 😕

👍

 

[EchoBravo13]

Hmm. I agree that certain dress codes would get old after awhile, but still nothing bad enough to deter me from attending.

Also, WOO! My first eLOR was submitted this morning! Now to work on the others. . .

 

[DVMDream]

Auburn CVM has a very strict business professional dress code during your four years. I actually liked how professional everyone looked on campus during my interview! I loved the atmosphere, if Auburn didn't have such a high price tag, I would have gone there in a heartbeat! The students told us it wasn't that big of a deal to get used to dressing nice every day... But I suspect it would probably be a pain to look nice after all-nighters before exams! 😕

Honestly, I would die if I had to dress professionally everyday. I would do it if I had been accepted to one of those schools, but it would be a huge pain in the arse. I also don't understand the concept of business professional for some areas of vet med... like large animal/farm animal (even small animal I have a hard time with, yes dress nice, look professional, but I think you can overdo it as well). I have been on the dairy farm for the past week and no matter how hard I have tried I have left with poop, mud or muck on me somewhere... farms are very dirty. Even the vets that I have seen come out to the farm, they throw on some water proofs, but the water proofs don't always provide complete protection.

 

[cs5910]

I definitely agree! I don't see the point of wearing dress pants and a blouse when you are going out to the farm or large animal barns... The equine vet I shadowed let us wear jeans, scrub top, barn boots. I loved it!

 

[wildchild210]

Have any of you guys taken the GRE already? I take it tomorrow EEEEE im nervous!

 

[ChittyBang]

Have any of you guys taken the GRE already? I take it tomorrow EEEEE im nervous!

No, but I take it Wednesday!!! 😱 Watch a movie or read fiction tonight to relax your mind and don't drink too much coffee in the morning 😉 Good luck!!! Let us know how it goes!

 

[wildchild210]

No, but I take it Wednesday!!! 😱 Watch a movie or read fiction tonight to relax your mind and don't drink too much coffee in the morning 😉 Good luck!!! Let us know how it goes!

Will do! Although I haven't studied as much as i'd liked to

 

[Brettz]

What do you guys think about sending a committee letter? I'm applying to Cornell. I thought it was preferred but then i heard from admitted students that it doesn't matter.

I had 3 of my evaluators write out their letters to the committee and then realized they need to write it for VMCAS as well and now I might have to ask them to write it again (i hope they have them saved) but I'm waiting to see if the committee will send the letters back to them. It's a whole mess. Any ideas? I'm thinking I'll just scratch the whole committee letter if I can?

 

[gugoodoll]

What the heck is a committee letter? O.O;;


The one good thing about being a 2nd time applicant: I've already taken the GRE

 

[Frozenshades]

Okay I feel kind of stupid about this but I asked a professor (whom I didn't really get to know very well) for a eLOR. He said that he remembered me and that I did well in his class but didn't get to know me personally, which is why he would like my PS/other info. However, if I don't feel like he would be able to write anything diff than what I'd write in my PS... is it possible to "un-ask' for a eLOR? If so, how would I go about phrasing the email when I just asked him a couple hours ago for one?

Like Chitty said, you can talk to the prof and let him get to really know you, or just tell him you found another letter writer. Apologize and thank him for offering to write one. I doubt he'd be too bothered. Also if it's any consolation I had to give up on an unreliable eLOR writer and in desperation because deadline was near asked a prof solely because I knew he knew who I was from a couple after class chats, and I got an A in his class. He barely knew me at all. Ironically, he was the one that K-state chose to call hah...but it didn't matter.

No, but I take it Wednesday!!! 😱 Watch a movie or read fiction tonight to relax your mind and don't drink too much coffee in the morning 😉 Good luck!!! Let us know how it goes!

Pace yourself too. And use your breaks to refresh your mind. I might have done better that way. My train of thought was pretty much "feck you GRE, I don't need your charity. You can suck your 1 minute break because I'm going to finish faster so I can go home and take a nap."

 

[equineconstant]

What do you guys think about sending a committee letter? I'm applying to Cornell. I thought it was preferred but then i heard from admitted students that it doesn't matter.

I had 3 of my evaluators write out their letters to the committee and then realized they need to write it for VMCAS as well and now I might have to ask them to write it again (i hope they have them saved) but I'm waiting to see if the committee will send the letters back to them. It's a whole mess. Any ideas? I'm thinking I'll just scratch the whole committee letter if I can?

I had a committee letter (my school had a health professions committee that interviews all pre-health students anyway) and got accepted to Cornell, though I never heard that they or any school "require" or "prefer" it.

 

[wildchild210]

Pace yourself too. And use your breaks to refresh your mind. I might have done better that way. My train of thought was pretty much "feck you GRE, I don't need your charity. You can suck your 1 minute break because I'm going to finish faster so I can go home and take a nap."

Thanks for the advice 🙂

 

[cadisestrama]

Like Chitty said, you can talk to the prof and let him get to really know you, or just tell him you found another letter writer. Apologize and thank him for offering to write one. I doubt he'd be too bothered. Also if it's any consolation I had to give up on an unreliable eLOR writer and in desperation because deadline was near asked a prof solely because I knew he knew who I was from a couple after class chats, and I got an A in his class. He barely knew me at all. Ironically, he was the one that K-state chose to call hah...but it didn't matter.

Thanks Frozenshades. 🙂

 

[DVM882029]

Have any of you guys taken the GRE already? I take it tomorrow EEEEE im nervous!

good luck!

 

[wildcatj]

What do you guys think about sending a committee letter? I'm applying to Cornell. I thought it was preferred but then i heard from admitted students that it doesn't matter.

I had 3 of my evaluators write out their letters to the committee and then realized they need to write it for VMCAS as well and now I might have to ask them to write it again (i hope they have them saved) but I'm waiting to see if the committee will send the letters back to them. It's a whole mess. Any ideas? I'm thinking I'll just scratch the whole committee letter if I can?

If I remember correctly there are some schools that won't accept them and VMCAS recommend not doing them because it makes it difficult to fill out the eLORS. So I would check on that before you go ahead with it. My understanding is that it's actually less impressive than an individual's recommendations because it can be so much more personal to the person writing for you.

 

[Brettz]

I had a committee letter (my school had a health professions committee that interviews all pre-health students anyway) and got accepted to Cornell, though I never heard that they or any school "require" or "prefer" it.

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?

 

[Minnerbelle]

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?

That's what I did. I had something like 5 letters & committee letter sent by the advisory board in paper as one big composite letter. I listed that as 1 LOR on the VMCAS. Then i think I had 2 vets + 1 prof submit elors (same letters as in the composite letter). Dunno if the effort was worth it or made a diff. I heard some schools like committee letters and others just throw them directly into the round file. But yeah, if you're going to send it, you probs also need to do separate elors since most schools require elors.

 

[Minnerbelle]

My understanding is that it's actually less impressive than an individual's recommendations because it can be so much more personal to the person writing for you.

I don't know what you're trying to say about it not being personal, but this is how it worked at least at my undergrad. My committee letter was a letter written by a committee advisor and endorsed by the committee head for the first page, which was followed by scanned in copies of individual LORs to make one big composite letter. That first page essentially was a comprehensive evaluation of me as an applicant from the committee's perspective (tied together LORs, academic performance, and resume) and was more of an introduction to the however many LORs were to follow in the package. This whole process is more geared towards med schools where it's pretty much expected of you, and vet schools generally don't care.


I don't think it's something anyone needs to have by any means. But the committee head knew the peeps in admissions for a handful of vet schools, and recent applicants to vet schools from my ug had a great streak in terms of getting into vet school, so I figured it couldn't hurt.