Class of 2016 hopefuls: how are you doing?

[ylrebmik]

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Just take it one step at a time. You aren't in school now, right? You'll start in the fall? If that's the case, I'd start shadowing/volunteering with a vet at a shelter or small animal clinic, or whatever you are most interested in and get as many hours as possible.

I'm taking my basic math, before I can get into calculus and chem and everything. And I'm taking a few general education requirements, so all I'll have left for those are 2 for next year to complete.

I have called around and a few places said they would get back to me because they have to check with vets/managers/etc. but I'm trying.

I'm amazed and quite impressed by all of your stats, guys. Good luck to you all!

 

[kaydubs]

This thread is incredibly intimidating. 😛

To have almost a 3.7 and get REJECTED! EEK!

All of you have sooo many hours of experience! I can't imagine how I'm going to get that many by the time I apply!

I totally sympathize & empathize (I can do that, right? 😉) I am attempting a 3.7 or more (my grades were boo hiss but I busted my butt this semester with 21 credits and got a 3.95 - I almost died when I saw my grades!) I applied with a 3.65 (dunno what my science gpa was....I'll calculate it if anyone asks). I also am low on the hours (a little over 100 as far as shadowing, and only with SA), but I'm shadowing a LA guy now and will bring that up in my interview at Tufts (only one so far...*sigh*).

The best advice I can give while being in my 1st cycle - try and do something besides pray your GPA will grow if you water it. I'm looking into internships (sorta) and to save $, I will most likely work full-time this summer & shadow at a SA place near my home. I am definitely considering applying for something in the fall if I have to re-apply (it's a killer whale research internship - aquatics people stand up!) Unless I'd get a paid internship from the sky, making some money is as important to me as gaining experience.

That's what I'm worried about as well. My GPA and GRE are pretty decent, but I'm definitely lacking in experience. I probably have around 300 hours right now--only in small animal (+ specialties + shelter) and another few hundred in research. I CANNOT for the life of me find an equine vet near me that will take me on. It's really discouraging after making cold call after cold call (too far for me to drive and drop in without knowing one way or the other).

Not to scare you all, but I was talking to a girl from my undergrad who is now in the class of 2014 at a vet school and she applied to >20 schools, ended up waitlisted at one and eventually was called off the WL. That freaks me out to no end. I'm not sure of her stats though. I'm applying to 14 schools, and I thought that was a lot!

Don't stress too much, NStarz! I sort of regret not having loads of hours, but I did get 1 invite so far & am wait-listed at another (I'd have to double-check my stats but I had fewer hours than you when I applied). I only applied to 4 - I'm lacking in the funds dept. but next cycle, I'm thinking of applying to....5? I'm kinda picky as far as living. I know many people say go with your IS (which is UPenn and tuition is virtually the same) but I looked at programs & location (meaning, where could I see myself spending a decent chunk of my life?)

But, my outlook is similar to everyone here as far as trying til I get in. I'm a trad student, so I figure I can go at least 3 times before I seriously consider another career plan. Stay positive, everyone!! 👍👍

If anyone has questions, feel free to ask!

 

[ylrebmik]

I totally sympathize & empathize (I can do that, right? 😉) I am attempting a 3.7 or more (my grades were boo hiss but I busted my butt this semester with 21 credits and got a 3.95 - I almost died when I saw my grades!) I applied with a 3.65 (dunno what my science gpa was....I'll calculate it if anyone asks). I also am low on the hours (a little over 100 as far as shadowing, and only with SA), but I'm shadowing a LA guy now and will bring that up in my interview at Tufts (only one so far...*sigh*).

The best advice I can give while being in my 1st cycle - try and do something besides pray your GPA will grow if you water it. I'm looking into internships (sorta) and to save $, I will most likely work full-time this summer & shadow at a SA place near my home. I am definitely considering applying for something in the fall if I have to re-apply (it's a killer whale research internship - aquatics people stand up!) 👍👍

If anyone has questions, feel free to ask!

Killer whale research internship??? That's AMAZING! I don't think I would end up in aquatics.. but that would be SUCH a great experience, resume or not.

 

[squirrelsrule]

WOW! I LOVE killer whales! My original dream in life was to work with the killer whales at sea world 😍. After rehabbing, I realized I don't want to work with captive animals, but I still love killer whales. What will you be researching?

I hope you get into vet school (you have just 100 hours vet experience and got an interview, possibly 2?) this time, but if not, looks like you have an awesome backup plan for how to spend the next year!

 

[kaydubs]

WOW! I LOVE killer whales! My original dream in life was to work with the killer whales at sea world 😍. After rehabbing, I realized I don't want to work with captive animals, but I still love killer whales. What will you be researching?

I hope you get into vet school (you have just 100 hours vet experience and got an interview, possibly 2?) this time, but if not, looks like you have an awesome backup plan for how to spend the next year!

If you're uber interested, I'd send the link along. I just received an acceptance letter (so, of my 4 I'm accepted at Oregon, interviewing at Tufts, waitlisted at UFL, and not a peep from UPenn 😛) And I'm more unsure of what to do next year than I was before.....AHHHHHHHH!

 

[squirrelsrule]

If you're uber interested, I'd send the link along. I just received an acceptance letter (so, of my 4 I'm accepted at Oregon, interviewing at Tufts, waitlisted at UFL, and not a peep from UPenn 😛) And I'm more unsure of what to do next year than I was before.....AHHHHHHHH!

CONGRATS! 👍

I'd love to see the link for the killer whale research!

I guess you still have the year to do something if you want, I forgot about the gap between acceptance and actually starting! I think I'd take it easy 🙂.

 

[kaydubs]

CONGRATS! 👍

I'd love to see the link for the killer whale research!

I guess you still have the year to do something if you want, I forgot about the gap between acceptance and actually starting! I think I'd take it easy 🙂.

Thanks, squirrels!! Well, I'd have little time actually. If I get in this cycle (say, March) I'll start classes September/August. Best wishes with your application! I would love to help you & the rest of the 2016 hopefuls in any way that I can!! 😀

Here's the stuff from the email:
Get off-campus and study wild orcas for 10 weeks next spring! Apply now to conduct your own research with the Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School.

Beam Reach is for you if you want to:
-- study endangered orcas in the wild
-- explore their ecosystem from phytoplankton to salmon
-- use advanced bioacoustic tools in your own research project
-- network with experts in marine conservation
-- learn to sail a biodiesel-electric catamaran
-- voyage through the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest
-- earn 18 credits from the University of Washington

Check it out at: http://beamreach.org

We are still accepting applications for the spring 2011 program (Mar 28 - Jun 03) and the fall 2011 program (Aug 22 – Oct 28). But hurry, the next monthly review date is January 3, 2011. Apply now:http://www.beamreach.org/apply

To apply you should have completed your first year of college, be interested in the marine environment, and want to spend 10 weeks off-campus in an intensive field research experience.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Amazing! That would be so much fun! Did you check out the price though 😱. Your info. says your from PA, do you go to Washington State or would you be applying for the program and traveling out there for it? Super expensive, but what an amazing opportunity! I have always wanted to see killer whales in the wild, particularly Vancouver Island where they come up to the beach to rub on the rocks.

 

[squirrelsrule]

I think I have found a backup plan in case I don't get in the first try. It would allow me to rehab AND get vet experience 🙂: It is an internship with Wildlife Rescue and rehabilitation in Kendalia Texas. I have never been there, but it looks like a dream wildlife center. They take in not only wildlife but also confiscated exotics, retired research monkeys, and abused and or neglected domestics. They take everything farm animals, dogs and cats, monkeys, big cats, and wildlife. They have a vet tech internship that works with the vet and assists with exams, handling, surgeries, etc. It is a one year commitment though.

Plus, the huge plus is that housing is provided and you get $100 a month for food. I am sure it is super competitive to get into the program, but what an opportunity! I could get TONS of experience hours AND be working with wildlife. They are also currently looking for a veterinarian, so opportunities do exist for my dream job (being a vet at a wildlife center). Here's the link if anyone else is interested: http://www.wildlife-rescue.org/involved/intvettech.php They also have positions available in animal care and animal care internships.

 

[bee83]

I think I have found a backup plan in case I don't get in the first try. It would allow me to rehab AND get vet experience 🙂: It is an internship with Wildlife Rescue and rehabilitation in Kendalia Texas. I have never been there, but it looks like a dream wildlife center. They take in not only wildlife but also confiscated exotics, retired research monkeys, and abused and or neglected domestics. They take everything farm animals, dogs and cats, monkeys, big cats, and wildlife. They have a vet tech internship that works with the vet and assists with exams, handling, surgeries, etc. It is a one year commitment though.

Plus, the huge plus is that housing is provided and you get $100 a month for food. I am sure it is super competitive to get into the program, but what an opportunity! I could get TONS of experience hours AND be working with wildlife. They are also currently looking for a veterinarian, so opportunities do exist for my dream job (being a vet at a wildlife center). Here's the link if anyone else is interested: http://www.wildlife-rescue.org/involved/intvettech.php They also have positions available in animal care and animal care internships.

oohhh, that looks lovely! I don't have an animal science degree so I prob wouldn't be eligible for it, but it looks like a really great way to get some experience! One thing, you may already have a rabies vaccine, but I've heard they are pretty pricey to get.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Yep, I already got my rabies preexposure shots 🙂. Cost me $238 per shot (3 shots so $714 total). I needed to since I wanted to rehab rabies vector species (bats 😍).

The Texas center looks soooooooooooo nice, I wish we had somewhere like that here in Ohio. Texas is so hot, plus so far from home, but if I don't get in this year, I am going to seriously consider it.

I shadowed at the emergency clinic today and my total vet experience hours now stand at 57 hours 🙂.

 

[superkelpie]

I think I have found a backup plan in case I don't get in the first try. It would allow me to rehab AND get vet experience 🙂: It is an internship with Wildlife Rescue and rehabilitation in Kendalia Texas. I have never been there, but it looks like a dream wildlife center. They take in not only wildlife but also confiscated exotics, retired research monkeys, and abused and or neglected domestics. They take everything farm animals, dogs and cats, monkeys, big cats, and wildlife. They have a vet tech internship that works with the vet and assists with exams, handling, surgeries, etc. It is a one year commitment though.

Plus, the huge plus is that housing is provided and you get $100 a month for food. I am sure it is super competitive to get into the program, but what an opportunity! I could get TONS of experience hours AND be working with wildlife. They are also currently looking for a veterinarian, so opportunities do exist for my dream job (being a vet at a wildlife center). Here's the link if anyone else is interested: http://www.wildlife-rescue.org/involved/intvettech.php They also have positions available in animal care and animal care internships.

Awesome! I volunteer at their San Antonio location, and probably going to volunteer at their Kendalia location in the summer 👍

 

[bee83]

Yep, I already got my rabies preexposure shots 🙂. Cost me $238 per shot (3 shots so $714 total). I needed to since I wanted to rehab rabies vector species (bats 😍).

The Texas center looks soooooooooooo nice, I wish we had somewhere like that here in Ohio. Texas is so hot, plus so far from home, but if I don't get in this year, I am going to seriously consider it.

I shadowed at the emergency clinic today and my total vet experience hours now stand at 57 hours 🙂.

Awesome on racking up the experience hours; keep up the good work!
ps--I love bats too 😍

 

[squirrelsrule]

Is there center as awesome as it seems online superkelpie? I have always loved their website and think the founder started it for all the right reasons.

I thought of vet experience that I might have that I hadn't though of before, not sure if it counts, but I think it does. All the hours of classes I have taken at wildlife conferences (I go to at least one, usually 2 a year) taught by vets on topics such as fluid therapy, critical care, splinting, diarrhea causes and treatments, zoonotics, a 4 hour hands on lab on songbird care, everything from hatchling diet to sub q fluids to splinting and necropsies, and many many more. If these type classes count, I have at least 100 hours to add to my experience . I'd have to look through my notes from the conferences to see how many were taught by vets and how long the classes were but this could easilly add 100-150 hours to my vet experience time! It would officially add wildlife vet experience to my list too!

 

[superkelpie]

Is there center as awesome as it seems online superkelpie? I have always loved their website and think the founder started it for all the right reasons.

Honestly, I just started volunteering there so I don't have a well-informed opinion, but their Director of outreach was extremely passionate about wildlife conservation and they seem to have quite the volume of animals! So many 👍 and no 👎 so far.

 

[GizmoKitty]

Hi everyone,

I'm probably a year too early for this thread since I am not sure if I will be applying this year or wait until I have enough experience 😕

My B.S. was in Biochemistry
GPA 3.67
GRE 1300+ already expired 😱 so planning on retaking it

Animal/Vet Experience
1300+ hrs in animal shelter (training, cleaning, socializing...)
700+ hrs fostering bottle kittens for ASPCA
80 hrs equine (riding, stable work, therapy)
10 hrs shadowing SA clinical vet
25 hrs shadowing shelter vet


Also i have been volunteering at a humane society for a long time (~1500hrs) doing a lot of medical stuff like giving basic health exams, wound management, vaccination, giving SQ fluids .... etc. This is all done without direct supervision of the shelter vet. But the treatments are either prescribed by the vet or given according to the protocols written for the medical staffs. The vet is usually at the shelter, though, just busy doing stuff like surgeries... Can anyone tell me if this counts as animal experience or vet experience? Thanks!

 

[sirbuckie]

I think I have found a backup plan in case I don't get in the first try. It would allow me to rehab AND get vet experience 🙂: It is an internship with Wildlife Rescue and rehabilitation in Kendalia Texas. I have never been there, but it looks like a dream wildlife center. They take in not only wildlife but also confiscated exotics, retired research monkeys, and abused and or neglected domestics. They take everything farm animals, dogs and cats, monkeys, big cats, and wildlife. They have a vet tech internship that works with the vet and assists with exams, handling, surgeries, etc. It is a one year commitment though.

Plus, the huge plus is that housing is provided and you get $100 a month for food. I am sure it is super competitive to get into the program, but what an opportunity! I could get TONS of experience hours AND be working with wildlife. They are also currently looking for a veterinarian, so opportunities do exist for my dream job (being a vet at a wildlife center). Here's the link if anyone else is interested: http://www.wildlife-rescue.org/involved/intvettech.php They also have positions available in animal care and animal care internships.

My advice to you-- email the current interns there to get a better perspective of how things are run at that rehab center. PM me if you want more details!

 

[squirrelsrule]

Hi everyone,

I'm probably a year too early for this thread since I am not sure if I will be applying this year or wait until I have enough experience 😕

My B.S. was in Biochemistry
GPA 3.67
GRE 1300+ already expired 😱 so planning on retaking it

Animal/Vet Experience
1300+ hrs in animal shelter (training, cleaning, socializing...)
700+ hrs fostering bottle kittens for ASPCA
80 hrs equine (riding, stable work, therapy)
10 hrs shadowing SA clinical vet
25 hrs shadowing shelter vet


Also i have been volunteering at a humane society for a long time (~1500hrs) doing a lot of medical stuff like giving basic health exams, wound management, vaccination, giving SQ fluids .... etc. This is all done without direct supervision of the shelter vet. But the treatments are either prescribed by the vet or given according to the protocols written for the medical staffs. The vet is usually at the shelter, though, just busy doing stuff like surgeries... Can anyone tell me if this counts as animal experience or vet experience? Thanks!

Sounds like you have pretty good stats. I have lots of experience doing basic medical stuff like you just in wildlife rehab, but unfortunately there was no vet on site so it didn't count. You will want to call your school (s) or get in touch with VMCAS to make sure, but I think your experience counts as vet experience since there was a vet present. You will want to get some more in because the experience wasn't the best (the goal is to get a feel for what a vet does on a day to day basis so the closer you work with the vet the better) but I think it counts. The lady at Ohio State told me that if a vet had been on site overseeing my work then my experience would have counted. So, you'll want to check, but my feeling is yes it counts.

 

[squirrelsrule]

My advice to you-- email the current interns there to get a better perspective of how things are run at that rehab center. PM me if you want more details!

Good plan. I will do that if I decide to go for it next year. This year I am finishing up prerecs. and then applying so will hopefully get in for next August and not need to get more experience, but if it doesn't work out, then I'll be looking for a way to get some serious vet experience in and this looks like an excellent way.

 

[GizmoKitty]

Thanks squirrel. I know am lacking in vet experience, that's why I am not sure if I will be ready to apply this year. Since I don't really want to waste a whole round of application process if I am unlikely to get accepted. Especially if I have to ask the evaluators so many times for the evaluations.... wish the VMCAS would just save the eLORs.

Anyway, the vet is usually in the building and pops into the lab a couple of times a day to check on animals that the medical staffs and volunteers wanted him to look at. I am planning to ask him to see if he will allow me to shadow him or observe him doing surgery sometimes. That will probably count as vet experience.

 

[squirrelsrule]

I am planning to ask him to see if he will allow me to shadow him or observe him doing surgery sometimes. That will probably count as vet experience.

That would definitely count!

 

[Minnerbelle]

Is there center as awesome as it seems online superkelpie? I have always loved their website and think the founder started it for all the right reasons.

um, I know you were asking superkelpie, but PM me if you'd like more info. I interned there for 7 months full time. I love Lynn, the founder, and yes she definitely started the place for the right reasons... but there are maaaany things that go on there that are based purely on ideology (think PETA) that are not actually helpful for the animals in their care. I highly respect her for her determination and sheer genius when it comes to fundraising, but many of her beliefs are not compatible with vet med.

For some of their animals, the animal care standards are very very high... and for some others... well... let's just say I would NEVER put an animal through it if I could help it. I saw several interns fall apart with compassion fatigue because of this, to the point where they began becoming abusive towards the animals (slamming babies into buckets, just shooting milk down baby cottontails' throats even though they're aspirating big time, etc...). You might be tempted to demonize those interns... but I dunno, I think management had A LOT to do with it.

I spent a good 15 min on all the interviews I went on talking about these issues (not to mention abuse of interns), and had great discussions about them, and was accepted to all 3 schools... so I don't think this experience hurt my chances of vet school at all. Bottom line being that I really don't want to discourage you from going or anything, but I would think it out a bit before committing. I really think there are better ways to spend your time preparing for vet school (esp if you already have rehab experience). I swear, if you are already a good rehabber, you will not be happy with the way rehabbing is done here. Other than how NOT to run an animal rescue org, I dunno how much useful things I got out of the experience (maybe things like finding out that skunks love avocadoes... but I think I could have lived without that). If you have any questions, I'll try to answer with as many facts as possible and limit personal opinions.

One thing to be sure of before you commit: unless you do the vet tech internship, I don't think you'll be able to count much of it as vet experience. All of the hours I got there was animal experience.

Yes, definitely get in touch with a current intern too before you decide to do it. AND make sure that they've been there for at least 3 months (and talk to at least 2 of them). The newbies are all starry-eyed and think it's the best place ever, and I agree, in theory it is. There is definitely a lot of good going on there, but the unacceptable things really put a downer on things for me. Who knows though, things may have changed drastically in the last few years (tho it doesn't seem like it from what i've heard)

The good though, is that I lost 25 lbs (130 lbs - 105 lbs) in one summer thanks to their labor camp style management! I was in such good shape afterwards...

 

[squirrelsrule]

Thanks for your input Minnerbelle, I greatly appreciate it. I pmd you with a couple questions. It seems like many rehab centers are good in theory but not so much in practice. That's really sad.

 

[fvsu06]

Hey guys, I am also applying for the class of 2016. i am very nervous as I have not as much experience as you guys. And my gpa is only 3.6 🙁 I am giving my GRE in april and hopefully graduate in december. I am yet not sure where I am applying except UGA because i am from georgia. Do you guys know if Tuskegee in AL is a good school?

 

[twelvetigers]

A 3.6 is just fine. No freaking out. Actually, that should be an official forum rule: you are hereby NOT ALLOWED to freak out over your cumulative GPA unless it is below a 3.4, and even then, freaking out is not advised. 😉 Seriously, all sorts of combinations of stats have gotten folks into schools, so it's not GPA all-or-nothing. Think peaceful thoughts.

Here's the Tuskegee applicants thread for class of 2015:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=787227

 

[squirrelsrule]

Hey guys, I am also applying for the class of 2016. i am very nervous as I have not as much experience as you guys. And my gpa is only 3.6 🙁 I am giving my GRE in april and hopefully graduate in december. I am yet not sure where I am applying except UGA because i am from georgia. Do you guys know if Tuskegee in AL is a good school?

Welcome to our thread of hopefuls

3.6 is good, I wouldn't be too worried about that. If you are really low on vet experience hours (like me ) then that is something that you should try to improve, and the good thing is we have time. How many vet experience hours do you have? The target is 1000 or more 😱, my goal is to get at least 500 by the time I apply, that will be a miracle if I pull it off!

 

[ferretmom]

Hello all,
2010 hopeful here...really hopeful. I was feeling pretty good about myself - but like I've always though, the competitions stiff. I don't think anybody shoots for Vet school if they've got crappy stats. Lol
My GPA is about 3.6, Science GPA is a little higher, almost a 3.8. I take the GRE end of this month, my practice one had me at about 1200ish.
I am currently enrolled in Biochem, which is my last official prereq. I graduate in the Fall with a BS in Physiology and Neurobiology - I'll have taken Immunology, Endocrinology, some Pathogenisis class, maybe a Cancer class, and possibly a Virology class as well. Really trying to pound a lot of medical/health related courses.
I don't know how many hours of Vet experience I have.
I spent my formative years (age 9-18) living on a ranch in CA - goats, donkey, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, horses, pigs, etc... My mother and I were involved in all of their "Veterinary" care (immunizations, dewormings, husbandry, birthing assistance, minor surgeries, etc...) and I was solely responsible for their day to day care - so I'm hoping that gets me some browny poinst, cuz it was a lot and it was amazing! I also worked at a boarding facility for several months - lots of animal experience there. I own a cat and 3 ferrets, currently. I have volunteered (~15 hours) with a PreVet club at my last university - we did free spay/clinics for feral felines. The students, after training, would actually perform all of the male castrations. I volunteered for about 1 month at a local Veterinary Hospital, at the end of my month they hired me. I've been working there for about 6 months now - part time during the semester and full time during the summer and winter. I have learned so much its amazing!!! Personally, I have no idea how I am ever supposed to come up with hour approximations for all of that.
I'm applying to VMRCVM definately - haven't decided on my others yet. Probably Ohio.... I really want to get in my first cycle, but the more I read your guys' posts the more I worry!
I have 2 W's on my transcript, they were both dropped because I found out I didn't need them (the first was a math class which was not required at all by my major - I was mislead by a counselor; and the second was something I had transfer credit for - it took me forever to get the school to get it transferred though). So hopefully those wont affect me too terribly badly.
I don't have any research experience, but I have been an officer in a club and I'm a member of Tau Sigma - its an honors fraturnity for transfer students.
Well...what's everybody think? I'm starting to get nervous again... Lol

 

[squirrelsrule]

You are a 2011 hopeful right? 2010 is already gone and if you haven't figured out your hours for the VMCAS app. I am guessing you didn't apply 😕.

Welcome to our thread either way 🙂. I think your stats are awesome. Sounds like you have a ton of animal experience and vet experience plus decent grades. Very nice. I am currently trying to get a job as a vet tech at an animal emergency clinic. I put in my application, but haven't heard anything. Not sure, they might have already hired someone because when I was there this past weekend they were talking about how they didn't like the new girl working there. My problem is that I can't volunteer actually doing anything, all I can do is shadow. And this emergency clinic is the only place besides possibly being an assistant to a horse vet that hires nonregisterd vet techs. Everywhere else you have to be a registered vet tech to work at their vet clinic. It's frustrating, but I'm hoping the emergency clinic job or assistant to the horse vet job will work out. I need something because my vet experience hours are definetely lacking.

My O. Chem class was canceled for this evening (I had to go to biochem this morning though and work 😡) so I plan to try and finish up my personal statement! It will just be a very rough draft, but I want to get something down so I can start trying to work on revising it. I am having a really tough time working everything in and not rambling or sounding like I should be a rehabber and not a vet. I love wildlife rehab and it has led me to vet med. and I want to make it clear that that is the case. It is kinda hard for me to really talk about any vet experience in my personal statement right now too (I want to include a little piece of a memorable case or something) because I have so few hours. Working on it though, and hoping to have a decent rough draft that at least outlines what I want to say and I can add in more details as I get experience. How is yours coming along Bee, did you finish your draft and want to trade?

 

[kaydubs]

Hope OChem is going well, squirrelsrule!! And biochem! Honestly, if you'd like an extra pair of eyes to run through your ps, I'd be more than happy to give it a whirl!

This offer is up for anyone who is drafting their personal statement!! 😍

My O. Chem class was canceled for this evening (I had to go to biochem this morning though and work 😡) so I plan to try and finish up my personal statement! It will just be a very rough draft, but I want to get something down so I can start trying to work on revising it. I am having a really tough time working everything in and not rambling or sounding like I should be a rehabber and not a vet. I love wildlife rehab and it has led me to vet med. and I want to make it clear that that is the case. It is kinda hard for me to really talk about any vet experience in my personal statement right now too (I want to include a little piece of a memorable case or something) because I have so few hours. Working on it though, and hoping to have a decent rough draft that at least outlines what I want to say and I can add in more details as I get experience. How is yours coming along Bee, did you finish your draft and want to trade?

 

[squirrelsrule]

Thanks Kaydubs, I'll definetely take you up on that. Keep in mind that what I send is a ROUGH draft, it's pretty rough! I need to work in a lot more about my vet experience (I took a long drawn out way to get to it) and need to make my one little cottontail story more concise, but everytime I tried to shorten it it got choppy. It doesn't sound very vet like how it is currently though 🙁. Plus I need to add in more about what I want to do in the veterinary field and why I choose vet medicine. But its a start 😀. I'll PM it to you since I don't know how to message attachments, but if you want me to email it to you as an attachment, which would probably be easier to read, just PM me your email address and I'll email it to you.

Thanks so much for being willing to read it!


Oh, and O. Chem is awesome! I love that class more and more each day. I actually missed it over winter break. Our professor is awesome and my classmates are the greatest, I have never had class with a better group of people. We are so diverse in backgrounds, age, and personality, but we all get along and can ask anyone anything. We joke around a lot, but we are serious too. It is just great! I have learned soooooooooooooooo much too, and it has been enjoyable, I have wanted to study and read and prepare for class. It's been great!

Then there is biochem 😡. Our professor is horrible. She does these little dances about phospholipid bilayers and hydrogen bonding, it's so stupid. I just keep thinking come on get serious, we aren't in kindergarten anymore! She asks questions in such a way that you have no idea what she is asking too, which makes me worried about the tests . I mean her favorite type questions are what is the most important ______. I HATE those type questions! Like she asks what's the most important element. You could argue for many things! But no, she has a specific answer (oxygen) and if you don't have her answer she gets upset, even if you can explain why you think your answer was good (carbon was mine). Stuff like that. It is reminding me more and more of an English class where it isn't based on facts and logic, but on figuring out what she thinks and then telling it back to her on the test 🙁

 

[bee83]

I will be putting a conclusion on my personal statement rough draft this weekend, so yeah I will get it out to you, squirrelsrule, and anyone else who would be so kind as to read over it for me!

 

[bee83]

On second thought, I have a quick question...exactly how long is the personal statement supposed to be? I have seen some people say 3000 characters, I have seen others say 5000, or 1.5 pages, or 800 words...I just want to know if mine is getting to be waaaayyy too long (which is likely).

 

[EllieGirl89]

On second thought, I have a quick question...exactly how long is the personal statement supposed to be? I have seen some people say 3000 characters, I have seen others say 5000, or 1.5 pages, or 800 words...I just want to know if mine is getting to be waaaayyy too long (which is likely).

If they don't change anything on the VMCAS for this upcoming cycle, it's 5000 characters. It's quite a challenge but you will learn how to say a lot in fewer words and you will have a much better essay than a long ramble-y one.

I am also willing to look over anybody's PS and might be willing to share mine if you're a frequent contributer on SDN. Right now school is kind of crazy, but next quarter and especially over the summer there I'll have lots of time.

 

[kaydubs]

If they don't change anything on the VMCAS for this upcoming cycle, it's 5000 characters.

I am also willing to look over anybody's PS and might be willing to share mine if you're a frequent contributer on SDN. Right now school is kind of crazy, but next quarter and especially over the summer there I'll have lots of time.

Seconded! I said it before & will keep saying I love looking over PS. I offered to do the same for pre-med friends and they chuckled, probably thinking "You're a pre-vet....bah..." But, do post other places on SDN (you'll meet countless awesome people & make great contacts in a occupational field where we will one day be colleagues-wait, we already are😀) I will share mine as well - but I shan't hand it out like candy. You must earn it😉

I will be putting a conclusion on my personal statement rough draft this weekend, so yeah I will get it out to you, squirrelsrule, and anyone else who would be so kind as to read over it for me!

Don't rush the process! Take your time (make it something worth another person's time to read - proof grammar & such!) and if it's over 5000, you can always cut down. In fact, as advice for everyone, make your PS long. Just free-write everything you'd want to include & then tweak. Even if it's 5 pages long! You'll have more material to work with and it's better to have much than too little! (As taken from a 4 year liberal arts education...and also advice from the pre-med advisor who's an English prof!)

 

[squirrelsrule]

I too am willing to exchange with anyone willing to look mine over.

 

[tuckervet]

I'm also happy to help with personal statements

 

[nyanko]

Yall are ridic early, but I will probably extend the offer to help people with statements during the summer (with my usual limitations) when the thread inevitably rolls around.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Yall are ridic early, but I will probably extend the offer to help people with statements during the summer (with my usual limitations) when the thread inevitably rolls around.

It's never to early to start! I want to have a halfway decent personal statement by summer because my summer is gonna be really busy!

Thanks for the offer tuckervet, I am gonna make some changes based on Bees review then it will be coming your way 🙂.

 

[bee83]

Same here, I really want to get something solid down while I'm not super busy. If I could start on my application now I'd probably be doing that too 🙂

 

[squirrelsrule]

It would be awesome to be able to start the application now wouldn't it? I know I'd be working on mine if I could. Right now I am busy with class and work and getting experience, but summers are CRAZY, I never have any extra time, if I did, I'd take in more animals.

 

[kaydubs]

Although the typing might take a while, if you gather all of your information right now, you could just type everything up to enter it into the app and have it take a short time rather than wait till the app. is released. I can even PM you the format of last year's if you want 🙂

It would be awesome to be able to start the application now wouldn't it? I know I'd be working on mine if I could. Right now I am busy with class and work and getting experience, but summers are CRAZY, I never have any extra time, if I did, I'd take in more animals.

Same here, I really want to get something solid down while I'm not super busy. If I could start on my application now I'd probably be doing that too 🙂

 

[NStarz]

There's also a sample application on the VMCAS website.

 

[lareinesoleil]

The part that takes the longest (other than the PS), which unfortunately you can't start in advance, is entering your f***ing classes. Seriously...that took me hours...


It's not *hard*, though. Just time-consuming. Especially if you're a non-trad, you just have that much more to enter!

 

[kaydubs]

The part that takes the longest (other than the PS), which unfortunately you can't start in advance, is entering your f***ing classes. Seriously...that took me hours...


It's not *hard*, though. Just time-consuming. Especially if you're a non-trad, you just have that much more to enter!

On the bright side, looking at your user info, it was worth it 😀😀

 

[drwildlife]

I'm finding myself swamped with everything this month.

Three tests in one week, preparing to take the GRE in March, scholarship applications to so many different places, and getting ready for my study abroad research trip.

Plus, I'd like to start thinking about my PS. Just so it's extra awesome and not all rushed considering in the Summer I will be in New Zealand for a month, at the Smithsonian for a month, then taking Cell Biology during a summer semester. Ahhhhh

 

[bee83]

The part that takes the longest (other than the PS), which unfortunately you can't start in advance, is entering your f***ing classes. Seriously...that took me hours...


It's not *hard*, though. Just time-consuming. Especially if you're a non-trad, you just have that much more to enter!

Seriously. I have over 200 classes so far.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Seriously. I have over 200 classes so far.

Seriously, you have that many! I only have 43 (a total of 144 semester hours) and I got a bachelors of science degree. How in the world did you get so many, did you do your BA and then do a bachelors of science? Or are fine art classes worth less credits so you have to take more of them to get a bachelors degree. You are gonna be super busy entering all that stuff in!

 

[kaydubs]

Call me 'impressed!'

Seriously. I have over 200 classes so far.

 

[twelvetigers]

Classes, or credit hours? I have 200 credit hours, and that's two degrees over a 7 year period of time (and 18 hours this semester). I can't imagine 200 classes... I'm probably approaching 50 and that's quite a few I think.

For those of you all up on the PS and VMCAS.... chiiiiiiillll! It's cool. There's time. You can type up a PS now and you probably won't like it by the time June hits... haha. Make an outline, at most. The forum will be crawling with folks willing to read and to trade statements by June, and that still gives you four months to work on things before the deadline.

So, seriously guys... no rush. Deep breaths. 🙂

 

[kaydubs]

For those of you all up on the PS and VMCAS.... chiiiiiiillll! It's cool. There's time. You can type up a PS now and you probably won't like it by the time June hits... haha. Make an outline, at most. The forum will be crawling with folks willing to read and to trade statements by June, and that still gives you four months to work on things before the deadline.

So, seriously guys... no rush. Deep breaths. 🙂

👍 Agreed. I worry as much as any crazed pre-vet-er but I didn't start my stuff til summer. TT has an excellent point with PS: I read mine now and think I would seriously tweak it and I wrote it over the summer. My offer is still on the table of course if you're going to have a busy summer and you want to get your stuff done stat (I had an internship at the Phila. Zoo and ended up with enough downtime to prep for the GRE & work on VMCAS). So really, lots of deep breaths. You'll be wanting them when you starting getting those interview invites 🙂

More importantly: work on those eLORs. I know I started asking beginning of spring and still ended up waiting for one with bated breath come the end of September when everything was done except for that measly letter 😉