Class of 2016 hopefuls: how are you doing?

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Escalla said:
Hi!!! I'm applying to WCVM too! As well as U of C and some American schools. Where are you for undergrad? The difference in the timeline between the Canadian and American schools is so huge...a calendar is my best friend lol. 🙂
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Yay for WCVM applicants! If you have any questions about the application or interview or anything, feel free to send me a message - I am part of the WCVM class of 2015 (BC resident here!) so I just went through the whole application process. Good luck with applying!! Hopefully I will see you both in Saskatoon next year! 🙂 (unless you are really hoping for U of C Escalla, in which case I hope you get in there!)
 
das257 said:
This is my third application cycle and, unfortunately, my third time tediously entering all of my info into VMCAS. As far as I can tell, no info from last year was saved.
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Well that's ****. This is the second year now they've said it'd save over and it didn't.

Luckily for you, rumor has it that third time is the charm.
 
Kylana said:
Yay for WCVM applicants! If you have any questions about the application or interview or anything, feel free to send me a message - I am part of the WCVM class of 2015 (BC resident here!) so I just went through the whole application process. Good luck with applying!! Hopefully I will see you both in Saskatoon next year! 🙂 (unless you are really hoping for U of C Escalla, in which case I hope you get in there!)
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Congrats on your acceptance!! I really hope to be joining you, but I've been looking into some other options outside of Canada just in case. May I ask how your grades were when you applied? That's the thing I'm most nervous about right now, since it's the main determinant of who gets interviewed. My goal this cycle is to at least get an interview! 😛
 
Kylana said:
Yay for WCVM applicants! If you have any questions about the application or interview or anything, feel free to send me a message - I am part of the WCVM class of 2015 (BC resident here!) so I just went through the whole application process. Good luck with applying!! Hopefully I will see you both in Saskatoon next year! 🙂 (unless you are really hoping for U of C Escalla, in which case I hope you get in there!)
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Cool thanks!!! 🙂 I'll definitely have some questions along the road! I'm hoping for U of C only because then I can live at home in Calgary -- but I would really like to attend WCVM since I always hear what a good school it is and all of the vets I know respect that program a lot more than U of C. What track are you interested in pursuing?
 
fishfinn said:
Congrats on your acceptance!! I really hope to be joining you, but I've been looking into some other options outside of Canada just in case. May I ask how your grades were when you applied? That's the thing I'm most nervous about right now, since it's the main determinant of who gets interviewed. My goal this cycle is to at least get an interview! 😛
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I had a 91 average, but someone else on sdn said they heard of someone getting in from UBC with an 80% average, so I think as long as your grades are somewhere in the 80's, you'll have a shot! they also do two sets of interviews for some reason, some were invited for interviews in March, others in April/May so don't despair if you don't hear anything right away!

And Escalla, not sure yet what area I want to pursue. I am really interested in emergency med, but also am really interested in dairy or public health so...who knows. I really like working with wildlife, but I have a feeling there aren't a heck of a lot of jobs so I plan on making wildlife rehab more of a volunteer hobby type thing 🙂
 
I finally finished entering everything into VMCAS today., and I had 2 of 3 eLOR writers agree to write my letter. The third is taking FOREVER to get back to me, but she's normally pretty slow, so I'm not too worried about it. Now to just keep plugging away at my PS. I'm hoping to have everything done and submitted by the time fall semester starts at the end of August, so I think I'm on track!

How's everyone else doing?
 
I am at about the same spot you are soopernova and am planning the same 🙂. I am on the 5th draft of my PS. Tried to start over fresh with it to get a new spin to incorporate into mine, but I just keep writing the same thing again. So, I think I'll just work with my current draft and shorten it up some and revise a few of the paragraphs and call it done 🙂. Time is flying by, seems like just yesterday VMCAS opened!

How many prereqs. do you have left to finish soopernova? I have just Micro, super excited 😀
 
sooprnova & squirrelsrule: :bow: :clap: WOW - 😱 You're awesome!! And overachievers - jeesh! 😉

Hope all of you 2016ers are still trucking along just fine - don't let these two intimidate you 😛

Random off-topic: Was looking at my notes on my ipod touch and found all of my lists from last summer concerning apps. Awww, the memories :biglove:

Just a reminder: I'd be more than happy to proof some drafts now that I'm self-motivating myself again 😀
 
squirrelsrule said:
I am at about the same spot you are soopernova and am planning the same 🙂. I am on the 5th draft of my PS. Tried to start over fresh with it to get a new spin to incorporate into mine, but I just keep writing the same thing again. So, I think I'll just work with my current draft and shorten it up some and revise a few of the paragraphs and call it done 🙂. Time is flying by, seems like just yesterday VMCAS opened!

How many prereqs. do you have left to finish soopernova? I have just Micro, super excited 😀
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I actually have quite a few prereqs to finish, but I'm only applying to Penn this cycle (hopefully this is the ONLY cycle I'll be applying! 😉), so I'm not scrambling to take Biochem, just focusing on getting through Organic this fall. Congrats on just having Micro to go! It was one of my favorite classes. I love gross stuff, so I was happy when we got into the mechanisms of some pretty nasty diseases.

Good luck on your PS. If you want to trade, just PM me or let me know here.
 
I'll let you know when I have my next draft done and then I'd love to trade PSs with you.

O. Chem was my all time favorite class, I loved it! I was actually hoping to work as a lab assistant for the O. Chem professor this year, but I got bumped up to full time at work and won't be able to 🙁. Don't let it intimidate you and you'll love it. I was all nervous at first and didn't like it and the first test took 4 and a half hours to complete and I was like 😱 what did I get myself into. Then we got them back and I had the second highest grade in the class, just one point under the best and I was like oh yeah, I can do this. After that I got the best in the class on nearly every test and didn't let the long tests scare me (we had one test that seriously took 6 and a half hours to complete!). It was nice to get used to that, though, because when I took the GRE it was like nothing. When it was over I was like really, that's all? So, it has it's advantages.

I thought about applying to Penn. but I haven't taken calculus and don't really plan on it, plus the tuition is expensive since I'd be out of state and I didn't feel like I'd have a really good shot there, so I decided against it. I am thinking I stand a good chance at Michigan, so I might apply there, but they're expensive too. I might hold off on applying there until next year if I don't get into Ohio or Wisconsin, which would both be like half the cost of Michigan.
 
EllieGirl89 said:
And, you know, M!CH!G@N sucks...😛
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LOL, hoping Ohio will take me 🙂. I'd love to go to Ohio State! I do like Wisconsin too though 🙂. I'd be happy at either and both aren't bad options money wise. Most nervous about not getting into Ohio State because of the interview. I tend to focus on the wrong things in interviews and have a bad feeling I will focus too much on rehabbing and make them think I want to be a rehabber and not a vet. Will have to do lots of practice questions and stuff beforehand. I don't want to mess up my chances!
 
Hello again everyone. I just finished most of my VMCAS info (minus the personal statement of course, I haven't even started that 😀). I am taking my GRE test on Monday which I must admit I am pretty nervous about. I really hope I do well.

I can't believe I am actually applying this cycle 😱
 
Good luck! Try and relax, it isn't that bad. It is awesome being able to see your score right away too, no waiting and getting nervous and worried about how you did.
 
Yeah I loved that part! My friend took the lsat and she was in agony waiting for 3 weeks. I got to know right away, so I didn't have to agonize. 😀
 
I'm a 2016 hopeful- I've chosen schools to apply to and chosen a wide range too- 6 total! This is my third time applying sooo I'm pretty disheartened thus far. Also, all of my friends are 4th years in vet school doing clinicals and they are the people I hang out with all the time. Ha! Sometimes I just get so jealous and I'm certainly ready for my turn. To give you an idea, I wouldn't say I'm a terrible applicant:
cGPA: 3.4
last 45: 3.75
current MS of physiology and microbiology student with 3.0
veterinary:
7000+ Small animal including about 2000 in emergency
600 in large animal at UPenn's New Bolton Center
100-exotic veterinary tiger rescue

currently doing a thesis so several 100 hours in research
Animal:
internship 200h- at a tiger rescue and volunteer
pre- vet club
whale stranding
gosh- I don't even know- I have a lot though
animal shelter volunteer

Clubs/activities:
pre-vet club
marine mammal stranding network
equine rescue league
Alpha Xi Delta
Order of Omega academic honor fraternity

awards:
Leadership excellence x 2
Dean's List
Gamma Sigma Alpha honor for academic excellence

So we shall see. I'm hopeful but humble. I think if I interview that would greatly help my application- I am a strong interviewer. I'm sure of myself and my capabilities and I certainly know what I want to do. :0) Good luck to us all.
 
PreVetBeaver said:
Hello again everyone. I just finished most of my VMCAS info (minus the personal statement of course, I haven't even started that 😀). I am taking my GRE test on Monday which I must admit I am pretty nervous about. I really hope I do well.

I can't believe I am actually applying this cycle 😱
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Good luck!
I'm retaking it on Monday too!
 
nawrlin57 said:
I'm a 2016 hopeful- I've chosen schools to apply to and chosen a wide range too- 6 total! This is my third time applying sooo I'm pretty disheartened thus far. Also, all of my friends are 4th years in vet school doing clinicals and they are the people I hang out with all the time. Ha! Sometimes I just get so jealous and I'm certainly ready for my turn. To give you an idea, I wouldn't say I'm a terrible applicant:
cGPA: 3.4
last 45: 3.75
current MS of physiology and microbiology student with 3.0
veterinary:
7000+ Small animal including about 2000 in emergency
600 in large animal at UPenn's New Bolton Center
100-exotic veterinary tiger rescue

currently doing a thesis so several 100 hours in research
Animal:
internship 200h- at a tiger rescue and volunteer
pre- vet club
whale stranding
gosh- I don't even know- I have a lot though
animal shelter volunteer

Clubs/activities:
pre-vet club
marine mammal stranding network
equine rescue league
Alpha Xi Delta
Order of Omega academic honor fraternity

awards:
Leadership excellence x 2
Dean's List
Gamma Sigma Alpha honor for academic excellence

So we shall see. I'm hopeful but humble. I think if I interview that would greatly help my application- I am a strong interviewer. I'm sure of myself and my capabilities and I certainly know what I want to do. :0) Good luck to us all.
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I am surprised you haven't gotten an interview with your stats. What did you get on the GRE?

What have you done over the last year to improve your app? Are the large animal hours new? Maybe diversifying your vet experience (adding large animal and research) will help your application?

Have you had people look over your personal statement? With your unique experiences as a stranded whale rescuer, I would think that would help out with making your PS and app stand out from the others.

Good luck this year, what schools are you applying to?
 
nawrlin57 said:
I'm a 2016 hopeful- I've chosen schools to apply to and chosen a wide range too- 6 total! This is my third time applying sooo I'm pretty disheartened thus far.
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When you've contacted the schools the last two years to discuss why you didn't get in, as I'm sure you've done, what did they say? And what have you done to address their concerns?
 
squirrelsrule said:
LOL, hoping Ohio will take me 🙂. I'd love to go to Ohio State! I do like Wisconsin too though 🙂. I'd be happy at either and both aren't bad options money wise. Most nervous about not getting into Ohio State because of the interview. I tend to focus on the wrong things in interviews and have a bad feeling I will focus too much on rehabbing and make them think I want to be a rehabber and not a vet. Will have to do lots of practice questions and stuff beforehand. I don't want to mess up my chances!
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Ohio was my easiest interview, the interviewees were very friendly and welcoming. It was more like a conversation than anything. So that should ease your fears a bit. 🙂
 
To those taking the GRE today...good luck!! Let us know how it goes.
 
teatime said:
Ohio was my easiest interview, the interviewees were very friendly and welcoming. It was more like a conversation than anything. So that should ease your fears a bit. 🙂
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Ohio must have gotten friendlier than. The vets that I have shadowed (4 of them) said that Ohio's interview was brutal and they were sure to ask you stuff you had no clue about and it was to see how you handle it when you don't know the answer. None of the vets were recent graduates though (I think most recent grad graduated 15 years ago).
 
squirrelsrule said:
Ohio must have gotten friendlier than. The vets that I have shadowed (4 of them) said that Ohio's interview was brutal and they were sure to ask you stuff you had no clue about and it was to see how you handle it when you don't know the answer. None of the vets were recent graduates though (I think most recent grad graduated 15 years ago).
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No, I agree with teatime. Ohio was a very friendly interview. My interviewers were really nice and, while they did ask me lots of questions, they were genuinely interested in me and seemed happy to be part of the process. If I hadn't been so nervous it would have been fun.
 
goldnretrivrgrl said:
No, I agree with teatime. Ohio was a very friendly interview. My interviewers were really nice and, while they did ask me lots of questions, they were genuinely interested in me and seemed happy to be part of the process. If I hadn't been so nervous it would have been fun.
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Agreed. They seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me. And right off the bat told me how great of a candidate I was, so that boosted the confidence in the beginning. They asked only one technical question which I didn't know the
answer to, and it doesn't seem to have mattered because the rest went well and I got in.
 
I am leaving for the middle of nowhere in 7 days... so I'm trying to wrap up my app now. It's a little intimidating! I try to make myself feel better by finding cool internships for a second gap year, but I would really love to be accepted this time 🙂. I completely redid my personal statement last week and it is 10000x better than before! I got some fantastic feedback from SDN on my last draft... and it made me realize that I needed a complete redo. The new draft makes me feel as though I might actually have a shot. I had our career counseling office & an english professor review it, so I feel rather prepared. Colorado's supplemental application really does not highlight my strengths, so I think that might just be a total loss. I worked very part-time and volunteered a little during the semester, spending most of my time on hobbies & clubs... so that section of the app looks very empty. Nothing I can change now, though! I would be thrilled to attend Colorado, but I would be equally happy at any vet school (minus the awesome mountains).

The only good part about not having internet access? I can't obsessively check my application status! I set up a proxy with access to all of my info in case my app hits any snags in processing... but I hope it all flows smoothly until interview season.

Good luck to all of the other 2016ers!!!
 
Yay Curryspice! ookay if I remember correctly.... you're going to... ecuador first? then here and there, and then NZ?

Happy travels- and keep a travel journal- even if you don't journal! It will be worth writing even a few lines in it each day 🙂
 
Have an awesome time CurrySpice! Must feel good to have everything squared away. Should keep your mind off the application too and when you get back hopefully you'll have some interviews to go to!
 
teatime said:
Agreed. They seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me. And right off the bat told me how great of a candidate I was, so that boosted the confidence in the beginning. They asked only one technical question which I didn't know the
answer to, and it doesn't seem to have mattered because the rest went well and I got in.
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I agree with pretty much every statement here, as it pretty much describes my experience to a T. It was like the most pleasant interview ever. Started off with something along the lines of "We've been really looking forward to meeting you. You are one very accomplished young woman." They were so so sweet, and after talking about a few "interview quiz" type of questions which were kind of hard, they just really wanted to talk to me about me. They also told me a lot of great things about their program as it pertained to my interests, and it was great that both parties involved were trying to sell themselves to the other. In the end, we went over chatting and laughing about my douchebag ex. And on my way out I was told I'd been offered a seat. I left feeling really impressed with everything about the school. If I were choosing vet school based entirely on how I felt about the program from my visit there, I probably would have chosen OSU. Great case load, such a fuzzy warm atmosphere (both students and staff), and absolutely beautiful facilities.
 
Congrats on figuring everything out so early in the game curryspice! That must feel really great (or at least I'm sure you will once you board that plane).

P.S. I really miss that capybara avatar you used to have... that was you right? (and holy crap! capybara got snagged on spell check... and the replacement recommendation was carapace!!! wtf!? you'd think capybara is more common...)
 
LittleWiz said:
To those taking the GRE today...good luck!! Let us know how it goes.
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480 V
690 Q
And I don't think I'll be able to take the revised version to increase my verbal. I tried really hard to raise it, but it didn't help. I tried to memorize all of the vocab and use the vocab, but I think I need a kaplan course for a competitive score...who knows how badly I would have done if I hadn't studied so much :/
 
Aw, you guys are so nice! I hope we all get in...we're obsessive enough to be on SDN, so that ought to count for something!!!

Minnerbelle: the capybara was me, but I thought I should change it up. I do love those beasties though, reminds me of my guinea pig on steroids.

Howister: Do you have a copy of the VMSAR? The GRE chart is very interesting and there are a fair number of schools that count it as relatively unimportant. (note: my stats are from the 2011 version)

480V means that you're above average for... Mississippi, Oklahoma, Purdue, Tuskegee, and Western

690Q means that you're above average for... Auburn, Colorado, Florado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas, Tuskegee, and Western.

Chin up!!!
 
I've been a little pessimistic about applying this year since my gpa isn't great and I don't have thousands of hours of experience but I took the gre today and am feeling a lot better about my chances.
 
Hey all! I've mostly been a lurker, but now that I'm applying I figured I would start posting more. Slightly non-trad as I received a MS in Finance before deciding on vet school and have been working on pre-reqs since then. I'm applying to UF(IS), Auburn, Minnesota, LSU, Kansas, Oklahoma, and RVC. My pre-req GPA and last 45 are MUCH higher than my cumulative so I tried to find some schools that would look at those as well 🙂
 
CurrySpice said:
Howister: Do you have a copy of the VMSAR? The GRE chart is very interesting and there are a fair number of schools that count it as relatively unimportant. (note: my stats are from the 2011 version)

480V means that you're above average for... Mississippi, Oklahoma, Purdue, Tuskegee, and Western

690Q means that you're above average for... Auburn, Colorado, Florado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas, Tuskegee, and Western.

Chin up!!!
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Aw thanks!
I have the VMSAR, but I let my mom borrow it so that she could refer to it whenever I bring up schools. I'll take a look at it.
Colorado and Missouri are on my favorites list (I recently discovered that Missouri is amazing). I am mostly focused on Davis, which is my in state and top school, but any school that accepts me will do! :xf:
My gpa is on the lower range(3.0-3.2 :/), as the school I transferred to is pretty darn hard, but I'm taking a summer class and doing really well 🙂.
 
I'm re-applying to AVC (for the 2nd time) this Fall. I'm feeling really good about the improvements I am making to my application and I'm writing the new GRE in September (couldn't resist the 50% off deal).

So hopefully, this will be my year.:xf: Any other AVC applicants?
 
I get bummed when I think about applying because I am only applying to one school - WCVM in Saskatchewan. I just can't justify even thinking of going anywhere else when tuition is just over $7000/year there for me ... it would be better off in the long run if go there. Debt would be MUCH LESS MASSIVE.

However, it seems almost EVERYONE going there has a 4.0. Seriously. I doubt I'll even get an interview (and my GPA is 3.6-3.8 depending on how you look at it), and on top of that I'll probably only have about 200 vet hours (emergency) and ~1300 animal hours (research almost all of it, but a variety of animals including pigs, sheep, mice, rats ... etc.)

I just don't feel like that makes me competitive. But I'm taking the GRE anyway in August in case I ever do apply to US schools (maybe next year?)

Anyone else in Canada thinking of going stateside or are we all stuck on lower tuition up here? =P
 
kermit123 said:
I get bummed when I think about applying because I am only applying to one school - WCVM in Saskatchewan. I just can't justify even thinking of going anywhere else when tuition is just over $7000/year there for me ... it would be better off in the long run if go there. Debt would be MUCH LESS MASSIVE.

However, it seems almost EVERYONE going there has a 4.0. Seriously. I doubt I'll even get an interview (and my GPA is 3.6-3.8 depending on how you look at it), and on top of that I'll probably only have about 200 vet hours (emergency) and ~1300 animal hours (research almost all of it, but a variety of animals including pigs, sheep, mice, rats ... etc.)

I just don't feel like that makes me competitive. But I'm taking the GRE anyway in August in case I ever do apply to US schools (maybe next year?)

Anyone else in Canada thinking of going stateside or are we all stuck on lower tuition up here? =P
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Ughhh yeah, Saskatchewan....I don't hold much hope for either of the Canadian schools I'm applying to and basically just going through the motions because my parents demand it. I wish you the best of luck though! 🙂 You never know! This girl I knew from last summer where I was working was studying Animal Science at U of A and got in after her second year, not sure what her stats were...but it's possible to get in 👍

I transferred to the states after two years in Canada to have more opportunities for vet schools down here with such limited chance at home. I really wish things were different up there in terms of seats! 🙁
 
How am I doing.. just a little sad and disheartened, I tried so hard to raise my GRE and nothing... it doesn't help that my cGPA stinks... But I'm trying to keep my head up and keep plugging along.

PS first draft is done, all about how I love animals and kittens mostly. 😉 Just kidding.. VMCAS is 2/3rds done waiting to ask for my last LOR, and just put in an explanation statement. I have to choose which schools I want to apply to and start on their supplementals..!

This is my third time, and everyone tells me that I have never been more prepared so lets see what these schools think!
 
Raimes-don't get down. This will be round 4 for me. I forked out for the Kaplan class and that was money well spent (so far) so I'm hoping that I get accepted rather than waitlisted this year. Chin up! This is the year of the underdog, I think.😀
 
I'm a little curious...have the majority of the applicants on this thread already asked at least one of their LORs? I feel like I'm the only one who hasn't asked any yet. I feel like I'm in one of those bad dreams where you wake up and find out you have a final for a class you've never attended....

Anyhow, I'm attending a Back to School Conference for techs/assistants at UC Davis Vet School this weekend and it is so wonderful 😍. Vet School Teaching Hospitals just seem like such the perfect world. I really can't wait for vet school!!!
 
I feel behind - I've asked my LOR writers, and one has completed his for VMCAS but is not answering my emails about whether he got the one from Tufts. (Arg.) I've got most of the space-filler standard questions filled out, but I need to update all my essays, animal and vet experiences, and start writing essays. I'm currently debating whether to scrap my old PS entirely and start fresh, or try to edit heavily. And I'm so busy trying to study for ochem and finish my animal nutrition course online and ride my horse and work and oh god I'm moving in 3 weeks! that I haven't had time.

New plan: Ignore applications until we've moved, because then my ochem class at least will be finished, and I won't feel like my head is so full of chemical bonds and mechanisms that looking at a blank Word document makes me want to vomit. Hopefully.

This is round three of applications for me. This week was so awful that I'm feeling incredibly discouraged.
 
Whyevernot55 said:
New plan: Ignore applications until we've moved, because then my ochem class at least will be finished, and I won't feel like my head is so full of chemical bonds and mechanisms that looking at a blank Word document makes me want to vomit. Hopefully.

This is round three of applications for me. This week was so awful that I'm feeling incredibly discouraged.
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I think that's a great plan, actually. I know moving is really stressful for me and if I had to worry about orgo and applications I think I'd crawl into bed and hide for as long as necessary! Anyway, good luck and hopefully you get a more happy week this coming week.
 
I'm behind too. I'm planning to ask for my LORs tomorrow. Still nervous about it though. Idk if my profs will remember me
 
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