Class of 2016 hopefuls: how are you doing?

[Alhazred]

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Personally, I would stick with the shelter work, I would be afraid of getting stuck without two good vet eLORs. It looks like you're building a pretty solid application, though, just focus on getting your hours up 👍

 

[twelvetigers]

Woman, you only give it 27 minutes before it warrants a 'bump'?? Geez!

I would try very hard to get a paid position at a SA clinic or shelter. Pester some folks, walk into places with your resume and a cover letter... sell yourself and try hard to get that position, because it will get you the most hours (and a paycheck).

Volunteer to get some LA hours at some point. Don't go crazy if it's not your area of interest - 100 hours is a good goal.

Also, have to tried any research? Don't discount it completely, but since you're interested in shelter medicine or behavior (right?) you would do well at a SA clinic of some sort.

ETA: But kudos on that GPA/GRE combo. Got a good thing going there! The experience is the easy part, once you get your foot in the door and have a chance to make a good impression. Be persistent!

 

[AngSchmange]

Thought I'd check in and see if anyone could offer any advice as to where to go from here 🙂

I'm really not sure what I should be doing this summer to get ready for my application (I'm taking a gap year so I will technically be looking for something to do from June 2011-July/August 2012).

GPA: 3.75, GRE 1300
Vet Exp (so far!):
~200 SA GP shadowing
~120 hours internship at EM/specialty hospital
~40 hours shelter med (definitely continuing)
~20 hours shadowing vet behaviorist (SA) (also continuing)

Unfortunately, my zoo internship didn't work out (I wasn't qualified--yet they offered me an interview...and then recanted?? So confused).

I definitely need some kind of LA/equine, but I'm not really sure what to do with the rest of my time. I could try to get a SA tech job, I could continue volunteering at the shelter (and do it full time--negative side would be the lack of money making, which I can do if necessary), or something else? I am still, unfortunately, on the hunt for people to write me LORs. I was going to use the first guy I shadowed, but I feel like he doesn't really know me well and he didn't really want to get to know me either (he was a friend of my dad's so he was helping me out more as a favor than anything else). I don't think I would enjoy being a tech there because I absolutely hate the tech staff (all catty and immature and I frankly question their ethics sometimes).

I can probably get a LOR from the shelter vet, and possibly the behaviorist if I keep going (it's hard to say because I don't know either of them a ton yet). I need 2 vet LORs because I am applying to Ohio.

Does anyone have any advice? What would you do in my position? I really enjoy the shelter work, but I'm not sure if I should be doing that full time (especially for free. A job may open up sometime, but there is no guarantee). If you have any thoughts, I would really appreciate it 😀😀😀

I don't want to be a deby downer here, but you definitely need at least a few hundred more hours of experience to even apply to some vet schools. Some schools REQUIRE 400 hours in 3 different areas, Vet, Animal, and one other...(watching tv right now and can't really think). So spend a lot of time at a vet office or a local zoo. You don't HAVE to work with the vet at a zoo, I got about 250 hours at my local zoo with the zookeepers and I think that really helped my app. Also might want to work with more than 1 vet office to see how different clinics are ran. Another option would be a local equine vet, you want hours and variation.

But for sure, since your GPA and GRE are fantastic (my gpa was a 3.15 at app, now a 3.3, a little around 1200 on my GRE and I got in), you def need to add up some experience. And experience is the best part, it's fun to work with vets and zookeepers!! This way also, you can get a LOR from a vet and/or a zookeeper from recent experiences with them. I wasn't paid for almost all of my experience...the only one was a few months that I worked at my local zoo before going to my undergrad, but the rest was unpaid (and a lot of gas money for sure!).

 

[NStarz]

Woman, you only give it 27 minutes before it warrants a 'bump'?? Geez!

I would try very hard to get a paid position at a SA clinic or shelter. Pester some folks, walk into places with your resume and a cover letter... sell yourself and try hard to get that position, because it will get you the most hours (and a paycheck).

Volunteer to get some LA hours at some point. Don't go crazy if it's not your area of interest - 100 hours is a good goal.

Also, have to tried any research? Don't discount it completely, but since you're interested in shelter medicine or behavior (right?) you would do well at a SA clinic of some sort.

ETA: But kudos on that GPA/GRE combo. Got a good thing going there! The experience is the easy part, once you get your foot in the door and have a chance to make a good impression. Be persistent!

Haha, I'm actually really stressed about this, hence the 27 minute bump 🙂

Now that you mention it, I totally forgot about my research counting as vet exp (says the girl who is working on figures for her thesis). Probably around 1000 hours with that (including five poster presentations at regional conferences, one oral talk at a regional conference, and a cumulative thesis). Possibly more hours including all the lit searches and the hours I've spent writing/revising/running trials/presenting. I'm going to ask my PI to give me an estimate so I'm not overshooting (or undershooting).


Seems like I should work on getting into a SA clinic, and keep volunteering on the side (LA and shelter). I was worried about getting a job in May and then asking for a letter for October, if that makes sense. Like all of a sudden getting hired and then turning around and asking for a letter before they know me. Which is why I'm really focusing on my work at the shelter especially, because the vet there understands me so well and I feel like we're building a good relationship. But, alas, Ohio haunts my dreams!

 

[NStarz]

I don't want to be a deby downer here, but you definitely need at least a few hundred more hours of experience to even apply to some vet schools. Some schools REQUIRE 400 hours in 3 different areas, Vet, Animal, and one other...(watching tv right now and can't really think). So spend a lot of time at a vet office or a local zoo. You don't HAVE to work with the vet at a zoo, I got about 250 hours at my local zoo with the zookeepers and I think that really helped my app. Also might want to work with more than 1 vet office to see how different clinics are ran. Another option would be a local equine vet, you want hours and variation.

But for sure, since your GPA and GRE are fantastic (my gpa was a 3.15 at app, now a 3.3, a little around 1200 on my GRE and I got in), you def need to add up some experience. And experience is the best part, it's fun to work with vets and zookeepers!! This way also, you can get a LOR from a vet and/or a zookeeper from recent experiences with them. I wasn't paid for almost all of my experience...the only one was a few months that I worked at my local zoo before going to my undergrad, but the rest was unpaid (and a lot of gas money for sure!).

Thanks for all the input! I actually have a ton of experience that can be classified as "animal," but I didn't want to make the post any longer than it was, including a year and a half employment at an aquarium, two years as an adoption counselor/dog trainer, wildlife rehab, CART work, etc. And I know that veterinary experience is much more important than animal, and that's what I'm really lacking right now. Hence the emphasis on increasing my competitiveness in that area.

 

[twelvetigers]

I think May - October is plenty of time to get a great eLOR. Perfectly reasonable. 🙂

With the research (that DOES count as vet experience), you are in pretty good shape. Just try your best to get that eLOR lined up... the first step is becoming a permanent fixture at a clinic. Shadow until you can get that job. 😉

 

[AngSchmange]

Oh good!! Yea, I had a lot of veterinary because I shadowed 2 vets since I was 11, but then I added more animal experience with AVM (Tufts summer program) and the zoo, so those were my experiences. Had like 20 hours horse too lol. Def could've gotten some more large animal, but there are just more wineries around here than that sort of thing hahaha. And animal experience is more like husbandry, which is just as important as veterinary, considering you'll be handling and learning how to take care of animals and pass that onto patients. So both are important! I think it's just good to find a clinic that actually wants to teach you, and once you find that stick with it. They'll give you a great LOR. My fav vet in the world recently retired so I had to jump through hoops to contact her, but it was totally worth it because she taught me so much...even let me do a dental when I was younger haha. A good teacher is key.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Wahooo, another Ohio applicant 😀, welcome 🙂.

Your stats are pretty similar to mine, except I have no research experience that counts as vet experience 🙁. I am working on my vet experience though, since I now have a job as a vet tech at a small animal emergency clinic 😀, just broke 100 hours 👍.

Anyways, for Ohio, you can have an academic LOR and 2 vet LORs. Since you have so much research experience, I'd get one from the vet that was the overseer of your research and then get one from wherever you get your experience over the summer at. If you like shelter med. I'd keep volunteering there and try to get a letter of recommendation from the vet there. However, if it is unpaid I would not volunteer full time, I'd try to get a paid job (possibly work part time at the clinic you don't care for as much) and then volunteer at the shelter on the side.

Oh, and I see you are a fellow wildlife rehabber 😍, seems like there are quite a few pre-vet people that rehab. or have rehabbed in the past at least. Rehabbing is my number one love in life, it is what has driven me to become a vet and I love it more than I can even say 😍, rehabbing is what I live for.

 

[bee83]

just broke 100 hours 👍.

Woo hoo! I hope you are celebrating this weekend! 😀

 

[NStarz]

Wahooo, another Ohio applicant 😀, welcome 🙂.

Your stats are pretty similar to mine, except I have no research experience that counts as vet experience 🙁. I am working on my vet experience though, since I now have a job as a vet tech at a small animal emergency clinic 😀, just broke 100 hours 👍.

Anyways, for Ohio, you can have an academic LOR and 2 vet LORs. Since you have so much research experience, I'd get one from the vet that was the overseer of your research and then get one from wherever you get your experience over the summer at. If you like shelter med. I'd keep volunteering there and try to get a letter of recommendation from the vet there. However, if it is unpaid I would not volunteer full time, I'd try to get a paid job (possibly work part time at the clinic you don't care for as much) and then volunteer at the shelter on the side.

Oh, and I see you are a fellow wildlife rehabber 😍, seems like there are quite a few pre-vet people that rehab. or have rehabbed in the past at least. Rehabbing is my number one love in life, it is what has driven me to become a vet and I love it more than I can even say 😍, rehabbing is what I live for.

Congrats on that awesome milestone! Also, congrats on getting a job! That sounds like amazing experience 😀

I would definitely get a LOR from my PI (research supervisor), except she's a PhD and not a DVM. Both are considered veterinary experience, but Ohio probably wouldn't accept her as a LOR. Although, I may email them and check, since she's technically supervising a "veterinary experience."

Thanks for all your advice! I'm a semi-new rehabber, and I can't take much because I'm going to be busy a lot this summer. Mostly squirrels and possibly bunnies. I'm vaccinated for raccoons, but I'm a bit afraid because I have a fourteen year old dog at home and I've heard that raccoons can carry distemper.

Blergh, maybe I could find another vet clinic to work at. The one I shadowed is actually pretty far and there are a bunch that are closer to me. I'm also going to look into getting a job at the large EM/specialty hospital I interned at, but they're really strict in their requirements for hiring. Like they'll only hire someone as a tech if they've had 4+ years of experience. I fit the requirements for a vet assistant, but there aren't many openings.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Woo hoo! I hope you are celebrating this weekend! 😀

Lol, nope, have to work from 8 PM to 4 AM tomorrow and Sunday from 6 PM to 2 AM. This week was spring break from the class I HATE so that was a nice celebration time 🙂. Just had O. Chem this week, which I LOVE! That class is in the top 5 of my favorite classes ever. The professor is awesome and so are my classmates, plus I find O. Chem to be way more interesting that Gen. Chem. and Physics were.

 

[NStarz]

Lol, nope, have to work from 8 PM to 4 AM tomorrow and Sunday from 6 PM to 2 AM. This week was spring break from the class I HATE so that was a nice celebration time 🙂. Just had O. Chem this week, which I LOVE! That class is in the top 5 of my favorite classes ever. The professor is awesome and so are my classmates, plus I find O. Chem to be way more interesting that Gen. Chem. and Physics were.

Kudos to you for liking ochem! I thought it was the spawn of the devil

 

[squirrelsrule]

Congrats on that awesome milestone! Also, congrats on getting a job! That sounds like amazing experience 😀

I would definitely get a LOR from my PI (research supervisor), except she's a PhD and not a DVM. Both are considered veterinary experience, but Ohio probably wouldn't accept her as a LOR. Although, I may email them and check, since she's technically supervising a "veterinary experience."

Thanks for all your advice! I'm a semi-new rehabber, and I can't take much because I'm going to be busy a lot this summer. Mostly squirrels and possibly bunnies. I'm vaccinated for raccoons, but I'm a bit afraid because I have a fourteen year old dog at home and I've heard that raccoons can carry distemper.

Blergh, maybe I could find another vet clinic to work at. The one I shadowed is actually pretty far and there are a bunch that are closer to me. I'm also going to look into getting a job at the large EM/specialty hospital I interned at, but they're really strict in their requirements for hiring. Like they'll only hire someone as a tech if they've had 4+ years of experience. I fit the requirements for a vet assistant, but there aren't many openings.

I'd check with OSU, they might allow it. They are pretty strict about the vet experience stuff though. I found out that NONE of my wildlife experience counts as vet experience, even the times when a vet has advised me about animals. The only thing that counts is shadowing or working for a vet. The research is vet experience though, so maybe they also allow the overseer to count as a vet LOR, I don't know.

A lot of the places around me require you to be a registered vet tech to be hired, but the emergency clinic will train 🙂. It is really hard to find somewhere though, and I know if I hadn't been already shadowing with them, I wouldn't have gotten the job. You have to get your foot in the door with shadowing and then go for a job when it opens up.

 

[bee83]

Lol, nope, have to work from 8 PM to 4 AM tomorrow and Sunday from 6 PM to 2 AM. This week was spring break from the class I HATE so that was a nice celebration time 🙂. Just had O. Chem this week, which I LOVE! That class is in the top 5 of my favorite classes ever. The professor is awesome and so are my classmates, plus I find O. Chem to be way more interesting that Gen. Chem. and Physics were.

Okay, well, celebrate by accumulating more hours then 🙂

 

[NStarz]

Hmmm, I have a bit of a conundrum (albeit a good one). With my stats above ^^^ do you think it is absolutely necessary to find a job in a clinic if I can get good LORs from the vets I already know? I am taking a year off so I don't want to appear that I'm not serious about the profession, but a guaranteed part time job (3x/week, mornings only) presented itself this morning to me. I can definitely see how it would help in the veterinary profession (it involves kids--dogs have the brain of a 2-year old!, and their parents (the kids' owners?? LOL), and I could do a lot with it creatively). I could get money this way, and still volunteer at least two days a week (could do up to 4 full days since we're open on the weekends) at the shelter and 2x/week with the behaviorist. I would also look for LA shadowing experience.

I really love the role of a veterinarian, but I honestly don't enjoy being a technician. I love the high amounts of client and patient interaction and of course the science involved, but I don't really enjoy the day-to-day at a GP. And that is really the only position available for someone of my limited experience (as opposed to a specialty or EM/CC hospital, for instance). I know I'm being a bit naive and seemingly unwilling to make sacrifice (like doing something I don't enjoy in order to do something I will later enjoy), but with this opportunity staring me in the face, I don't know how to pass it up! I may still be able to fit in a part time job at a clinic, but I don't know if they'll be able to work around this kind of schedule, so it wouldn't be definite.

Tl;dr. If I have a guaranteed job in a non-veterinary field and could continue volunteering in the field and gaining relevant experience (and good LORs), would it be okay to take a part time non-vet job, do you think?

 

[AngSchmange]

Oh man, I TOTALLY agree with what you just said, NStarz. I worked at 2 vet clinics and quit both because I was just over the fact that I was doing so much for a clinic (my fist job I was the only kennel assistant during my shift, had to do everything and anything) and getting not nearly enough out of it or for it (minimum wage, being looked at as low on the totum pole and everyone telling me to do their dirty work w/o respect), but I wanted that job for experience and hoped it would look great on an application. For the last 3 years I worked as a waitress, way more money, way more people to interact with and MUCH more fun, and honestly I think it worked out. I talked about my job in my 2nd interview and it was a really good way to address behavioral questions. I have multiple responsibilities and get to see a LOT of different people everyday. I think of it as getting to develop clientele communication skills that I'll have to nail when I'm a vet in practice. Make sense? Like, the more that I can react to a client/someone who comes to my restaurant, the happier they are and more willing to come back (or in the restaurant case, request me as their server and tip more!). Def don't feel like you HAVE to have a job as a tech or kennel assistant or something in the animal field just because that's what you want to do. Other jobs will get you the personal skills that you may miss out on being a loner working in the back of a clinic, or that's what I was doing haha. There are a lot of skills and experiences that vet schools will look for besides just working for a vet, and in addition, you will learn a lot of personal skills and communicability in a more personal job, which sounds like the job that you were offered. I say go for the job, you could always shadow a vet at night or days off 🙂

 

[nuevaburra]

Ok, another anxious pre-vet question here.

I have the choice between extending my masters program another year and getting a certificate in global health (on top of BS and MS in microbiology), or finishing my MS early and trying to find a job.

Pros of longer MS: more coursework relevent to medicine, more flexible schedule for shadowing, probably can get a job as a TA
Cons: less $$$, stress of classes

Pros of a job: $$$, obviously, and might be able to get a job at a biotech firm in town genotyping bull semen or at a medical research clinic, so not entirely unrelated to veterinary stuff, also maybe less hours/week total than school
Cons: probably boring, no flexibility for shadowing, eventually would have to start paying back student loans 🙁

I am leaning towards coursework because I am so low on vet experience hours, but maybe a job could count, though it is a gamble that I would be able to get something related to veterinary stuff, or even anything at all in this economy.

So, what do you think would be better for my application? Any pros or cons I missed?

 

[squirrelsrule]

I think I'd go with the coursework and shadowing, unless you can get a job that would be vet experience.

If your job counted as vet experience I would make the choice based on your GPA and vet experience hours so far. If your GPA is bad, I'd stick with school to try to boost my GPA and show I can handle the academics of vet school, especially since the first round is based mostly on GPA. If your GPA is decent and your vet experience hours are low, you definitely want to do everything you can to boost that up, so try for a job that would get you vet experience.

If you have decent vet experience and GPA, I'd go for the job where you will get more money and can start paying off your loans and would try to get more vet experience whenever I could.

Sounds like the school option is the better one overall, though. Will give you a chance to continue learning and get vet experience in. Are you sure you will have time for the vet experience though if you are in school and working part time? Seems like a lot going on to also get vet experience in.

 

[nuevaburra]

Well right now I am in school with a full graduate course load, working part time on research, and shadowing multiple vets plus volunteering, so I know I can handle it all timewise. Not much free time, but so far I've made it work. My GPA is good (3.7) and I always had a heavy load of science course as an undergrad so no need to show I can handle the coursework. But I only have about 50 hours of shadowing so far, plus a few thousand in research, but vet experience/shadowing is definitely the one thing I need to work on.

There are science/animal related jobs that I could apply for, but no guarantee I'd get them. I'm really afraid of not being able to find a job, since I have little savings and a couple of horses and cats to support.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Well right now I am in school with a full graduate course load, working part time on research, and shadowing multiple vets plus volunteering, so I know I can handle it all timewise. Not much free time, but so far I've made it work. My GPA is good (3.7) and I always had a heavy load of science course as an undergrad so no need to show I can handle the coursework. But I only have about 50 hours of shadowing so far, plus a few thousand in research, but vet experience/shadowing is definitely the one thing I need to work on.

There are science/animal related jobs that I could apply for, but no guarantee I'd get them. I'm really afraid of not being able to find a job, since I have little savings and a couple of horses and cats to support.

hmmm.... I think you need to do whatever it takes to really try to boost up your vet experience hours. I know research counts, and if you want to go into research, then you are probably OK, but it certainly couldn't hurt to get more hours in with typical vet experience shadowing or working as a vet assistant, etc. I'd start calling around now to see if you can get in as a vet assistant somewhere. Even a receptionist or something like that would be good. The pay isn't good, but you'd be being paid to get experience you need 👍

 

[kaydubs]

...since I know pre-vets are starting to panic. It's that time of year I guess? Spring begins as does panic about VMCAS/application cycle?

(I'm just kidding, everyone). NS & NB: DEEP BREATHS.

NS: I do not think you need a job in a clinic honestly. If you would rather not, pass it up. Get a part-time job you'll enjoy rather than something looks good on your resume. You may end up regretting it (or not). That was a sort of question I was asked (why are all of your animal/vet experiences unpaid?). PM if you have more questions 🙂

With my stats above ^^^ do you think it is absolutely necessary to find a job in a clinic if I can get good LORs from the vets I already know? I could get money this way, and still volunteer at least two days a week (could do up to 4 full days since we're open on the weekends) at the shelter and 2x/week with the behaviorist. I would also look for LA shadowing experience.

NB: Do you need money or can you afford another year of staying with your masters program? A job might count for vet experience as would research. It might be a good idea to take a job unless you REALLY want that certificate. Just my opinion though 🙂

I have the choice between extending my masters program another year and getting a certificate in global health (on top of BS and MS in microbiology), or finishing my MS early and trying to find a job.

I am leaning towards coursework because I am so low on vet experience hours, but maybe a job could count, though it is a gamble that I would be able to get something related to veterinary stuff, or even anything at all in this economy.

So, what do you think would be better for my application? Any pros or cons I missed?

 

[LetItSnow]

So, what do you think would be better for my application? Any pros or cons I missed?

I think you already identified it when you said "low on vet experience hours" - you should pick the route that will allow to shore up that part of your application.

I suspect more school won't help your app. You've already got the pre-requisites done, you've already got one master's degree; from an academic perspective, you're probably already quite high on the applicant list. I think I saw elsewhere a pretty small number of veterinary hours (50?): that definitely should be your focus of attention.

 

[CGH1989]

Ok so since I'm a hopeful I thought I'd post on here as well! I'm 21 and a senior animal science major at OkSU. My gpa is ok(3.4) and my science gpa is fair(3.3) not as high as I'd like but that's life. I am taking the gre at the endo of the month but my practice scores are about a 1250. As for experience I have about 9-10000 small/ large animal and some feline only. I grew up on a fair size cattle farm so I don't know if that counts as animal experience. I also have 3 really good eLors lined up and I'm starting my personal statement this week. I have 4 pre reqs left( biochem ochem micro and physics 2). I plan on applying to OkSu, CSU, ISU, mizzou, k state and maybe Ross. I really want to get in first cycle obviously lol. What does everyone think? OkSu is my top choice so that's kinda what I'm aiming for!!! Give me your honest opinions!!!🙂

 

[LetItSnow]

I grew up on a fair size cattle farm so I don't know if that counts as animal experience.

Absolutely.

If you have 9000-10000 (!) hours of animal experience, that's impressive.

The only thing you didn't mention was veterinary experience. Most schools view that as pretty critical. Everything else you mentioned was impressive. Puts my stats to shame, anyway.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Yes, the important thing is how much of your experience is vet experience. The goal is to have roughly 1000 hours of vet experience in so the adcoms know you have a feel for what it takes to be a vet and that you have some knowledge of the profession. So, that is very important.

Your stats look pretty good though 👍.

 

[CGH1989]

Ok stupid question...what us considered vet experience as opposed to work experience? All of those hours are at vet clinics... I was the head assistant/ kennel manager for three years so I did all of the surgical prep/help as well as vaccination stuff and then on top of that I was the on call emergency assistant 2 times a week so I got to go up and assist in all of the emergency calls, surgeries etc... I'm interning at my clinic this summer as a small animal medicine and surgery intern as well where does all of that go lol!

 

[LetItSnow]

Ok stupid question...what us considered vet experience as opposed to work experience? All of those hours are at vet clinics... I was the head assistant/ kennel manager for three years so I did all of the surgical prep/help as well as vaccination stuff and then on top of that I was the on call emergency assistant 2 times a week so I got to go up and assist in all of the emergency calls, surgeries etc... I'm interning at my clinic this summer as a small animal medicine and surgery intern as well where does all of that go lol!

Generally, if you were supervised by a vet it's veterinary experience. It's not *quite* that black and white (I put all my rehab hours at the teaching hospital as veterinary experience even though my supervisor was a CVT), but that's the general idea.

VMCAS has guidance for deciding how to classify your time. But from what you described, I would think that's all veterinary hours.

 

[flyinggoat]

I grew up on a fair size cattle farm so I don't know if that counts as animal experience.

This.

I have no idea how to quantify my animal experience hours. From age 10-16 I probably averaged 20 hours a week at the stable. I now co-own a goat farm with my husband. How the heck do I count this in hours?

I just asked my bio teacher today if I can call him on our exam day this week so I can take the lab exam in another section if necessary b/c we're on 24hour kidding watch! lol.

Not as concerned about SA clinic hours because that's a job where I have hours- much easier to figure out!

 

[LetItSnow]

I have no idea how to quantify my animal experience hours. From age 10-16 I probably averaged 20 hours a week at the stable. I now co-own a goat farm with my husband. How the heck do I count this in hours?

I wouldn't overthink it. If you are as honest as possible and can defend/support your numbers if someone in the application process raises the issue, then you should be fine.

For the first, I'd say your hours are 7 (years) x 20 (hrs/week) X N (weeks/year). Just estimate how many weeks you put in each year as best you can.

For the second, I think I'd do roughly the same thing: figure out about how many hours you spend a week working with the goats and multiply it out.

I had a few situations like that on mine where I just had to do my best to estimate. I have to think that's a common situation.

 

[pupsNponies]

This.

I have no idea how to quantify my animal experience hours. From age 10-16 I probably averaged 20 hours a week at the stable. I now co-own a goat farm with my husband. How the heck do I count this in hours?

I have the same issue.. worked on a farm for 4 years (actually working, but i was at the farm a steady 5-15 hrs a week for several years before I actually started working!) So I have noooo clue how to calculate this!
*edit, i somehow skipped over the post before mine! What I get for multitasking. That's about what I've been trying to do, but I come up with a pretty big number.. exceeding 4,000.. will they think I'm lying? lol

Also, I am as well a 2016 hopeful.. will be applying several places in the fall.. I'm thinking Tufts, Iowa, UF (I'm in state for UF.. but may not have all the prereqs yet) probably Purdue, and Tuskeegee... I'm not going to get my hopes up just yet though, as I'm behind in experience!

I have a 3.65 right now, taking the GRE in April/May and again in August, I have a ton of animal experience, but not a whole lot of vet experience yet.. but I am working with a vet who will give me as many hours as possible, and also possibly starting volunteering at a canine rehab center. 🙂
Also, what sort of staff recommendation letters are you all getting? I'm so worried about this!! Does it have to be a science teacher? 😕

Another question.. if I will finish my prereqs in spring following my application, can I still apply to the school that needs those classes?? This is my main concern!

 

[squirrelsrule]

I have the same issue.. worked on a farm for 4 years (actually working, but i was at the farm a steady 5-15 hrs a week for several years before I actually started working!) So I have noooo clue how to calculate this!
*edit, i somehow skipped over the post before mine! What I get for multitasking. That's about what I've been trying to do, but I come up with a pretty big number.. exceeding 4,000.. will they think I'm lying? lol

Also, I am as well a 2016 hopeful.. will be applying several places in the fall.. I'm thinking Tufts, Iowa, UF (I'm in state for UF.. but may not have all the prereqs yet) probably Purdue, and Tuskeegee... I'm not going to get my hopes up just yet though, as I'm behind in experience!

I have a 3.65 right now, taking the GRE in April/May and again in August, I have a ton of animal experience, but not a whole lot of vet experience yet.. but I am working with a vet who will give me as many hours as possible, and also possibly starting volunteering at a canine rehab center. 🙂
Also, what sort of staff recommendation letters are you all getting? I'm so worried about this!! Does it have to be a science teacher? 😕

Another question.. if I will finish my prereqs in spring following my application, can I still apply to the school that needs those classes?? This is my main concern!

Hi and welcome! I don't think 4,000 hours sounds unreasonable, I have 6000 and that is a low estimate for wildlife rehabilitation and I am going to proudly list that! As long as you can back up your statement (for me I take in 150 animals a year plus volunteer once a week at a wildlife center).

The LORs you need depends on the school. In Ohio you need 2 from vets and one from someone not related to you, so that one is pretty open. I think even if you need an academic LOR it could be from any teacher or adviser. A science professor would probably be best, but if another professor or your adviser knows you better, I'd go with it! You will have to look into what the schools you are applying to require.

The time the prerecs. can be completed also depends on the school. At Ohio State, you have to have no more than one prerec. course left to be taken in the Spring semester, but other schools don't care when you finish as long as you have them all done by the time you start vet school. Some allow summer courses even whereas others have the cutoff for the spring semester. You will have to look into your school's requirements.

 

[that redhead]

I have the same issue.. worked on a farm for 4 years (actually working, but i was at the farm a steady 5-15 hrs a week for several years before I actually started working!) So I have noooo clue how to calculate this!

Also, what sort of staff recommendation letters are you all getting? I'm so worried about this!! Does it have to be a science teacher? 😕

I think this may be a bit like pet owning (when you weren't actually working there), and the general consensus is not to include it. Definitely include the hours when you started working though! (This is my opinion - you may want to call specific schools and ask.)

Look carefully at each school's LOR requirements. Some have fairly strict requirements about having an "academic" writer, a vet, etc. So you may have to get a science teacher, or at least a professor, to write one.

 

[LetItSnow]

*edit, i somehow skipped over the post before mine! What I get for multitasking. That's about what I've been trying to do, but I come up with a pretty big number.. exceeding 4,000.. will they think I'm lying? lol

No, they won't, because the application asks you to list the start/end dates along with duties. So you'll explain that you worked there, what you did, etc. Don't sweat it!

Another question.. if I will finish my prereqs in spring following my application, can I still apply to the school that needs those classes?? This is my main concern!

I believe that is true for most, if not all, of the U.S. schools. You'll want to check with the specific schools to which you're applying. On your application you will list classes currently in progress or planned to take in addition to completed. You'll then send an updated transcript to the school(s) later (I think most schools don't even want to see it until after you're accepted.).

 

[buckeye10]

I am currently a Junior Biology major and am also a hopeful for the class of 2016! Kentucky has an agreement with Auburn for 34-36 seats so that is primarily where I am focusing my attention. I have a 3.872 GPA with a 3.91 Organic/Physics GPA, and 3.83 Science GPA. My GRE is a 1150 (which isn't very good). I have over 10 years of small animal veterinary experience because my dad owns his own small animal/exotic practice. I do not have very much large animal experience however. I am very involved at my school with many organizations.
Anyone want to comment on my chances of getting in? I know it is very competitive!
I have yet to start the application or personal statement etc. What is some advice on the personal statement; length, content etc.

I look forward to getting to know you all! 🙂

 

[LetItSnow]

Anyone want to comment on my chances of getting in? I know it is very competitive!
I have yet to start the application or personal statement etc. What is some advice on the personal statement; length, content etc.

I look forward to getting to know you all! 🙂

Welcome. 🙂

Your GPA is quite good. Assuming you did time in your dad's clinic, you probably have plenty of hours of experience. So you're in good shape there. Even if you plan to go SA, I would take the time to go shadow a LA and/or equine doc for a week or two this summer. Not critical, but personally I think another 'line item' on your application beats tacking another 40 hours onto an already high-hours item.

The max length for the PS is 5000 characters, which sounds long and isn't. You'll likely use all of that.

You should speak to: why you want to be a vet, what uniquely qualifies you or what strengths you bring, insights/knowledge of the field, and professional goals. It's important to substantiate what you say: "I did X, demonstrating quality Y" as opposed to just random "I have quality Y" statements. There are threads all over the place here with advice on personal statements, so just start hunting. 🙂

 

[pupsNponies]

Thanks for your help guys!!

Buckeye, your gpa is great! And lucky you to have all that experience with your dad! I wish I had more advice to give others here, but I am still trying to figure everyhing out myself, and I would hate to give misleading advice!

Good news though!! I just got a call back from an animal hospital that specializes in animal rehab, and I'm starting to volunteer there next week!! 🙂

 

[kaydubs]

I never considered my stats incredibly competitive...but dang, this thread is a bit overwhelming with all the stats posting. Wow. Color me impressed.

Stats: GRE 799Q 798V 5.5 GPA 4.1 Vet hrs: 6.02 x 10^23 & Animal hours: 4500 (Just kidding, gang. I really am so impressed!) 😉

2016 application cycle is gonna be a good one 😀

 

[kaydubs]

pNp: UF is fine with you doing your courses by the summer. Most schools (at least UF and Tufts) are good with the coursework done til spring of application. UF is actually okay with til summer before you start. Let me know if you have specific questions about applying to UF & Tufts ( just PM or post here - I'll respond to a PM faster 😀)

GOOD LUCK 2016!!!

Thanks for your help guys!!

Buckeye, your gpa is great! And lucky you to have all that experience with your dad! I wish I had more advice to give others here, but I am still trying to figure everyhing out myself, and I would hate to give misleading advice!

Good news though!! I just got a call back from an animal hospital that specializes in animal rehab, and I'm starting to volunteer there next week!! 🙂

 

[pupsNponies]

Thanks kaydubs! I will definitely have more questions as I start working on my app, I'm praying for UF because it's pretty close to family and in state, but I have serious doubts. :/ one can hope! I'm thinking of starting my PS soon so I can rewrite it a thousand times.. But I don't even know where to start... Oye. Lol

 

[kaydubs]

Thanks kaydubs! I will definitely have more questions as I start working on my app, I'm praying for UF because it's pretty close to family and in state, but I have serious doubts. :/ one can hope! I'm thinking of starting my PS soon so I can rewrite it a thousand times.. But I don't even know where to start... Oye. Lol

With writing things like PS, just over-write at first. And then save each draft so in case you change your mind, you can always go back. I started editing some & enjoy editing PS. (I am not crazy 😉) I've just been in liberal arts for too long that I actually got decent at it 😀

But advice for PS: start whenever you have time and let it chill for a day or two before re-writing. Plus, you have the summer 😉 But, if you're gonna be busy (I had an internship at a zoo), think of how you want to work in the VMCAS app (DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE!). &

 

[Chinola]

pNp: UF is fine with you doing your courses by the summer. Most schools (at least UF and Tufts) are good with the coursework done til spring of application. UF is actually okay with til summer before you start. Let me know if you have specific questions about applying to UF & Tufts ( just PM or post here - I'll respond to a PM faster 😀)

GOOD LUCK 2016!!!

UF is only okay with you completing Animal Science and Animal Nutrition the summer before you start. All other courses have to be completed during the spring term.

 

[pupsNponies]

Good advice, Kaydubs! And if you really like editing.. I would be more than happy to fulfill your dreams letting you edit my PS! lmao 😉

UF is only okay with you completing Animal Science and Animal Nutrition the summer before you start. All other courses have to be completed during the spring term.

That's good to know, I SHOULD have all the other prereqs done (including animal sci and nutrition) by spring, so that should be ok.. but definately good do keep in mind in case something doesn't go as planned, thanks! 🙂

I'm planning on taking animal sci and nutrition online as they are not offered at my university, have any of you done/are doing this?

 

[Chinola]

I'm planning on taking animal sci and nutrition online as they are not offered at my university, have any of you done/are doing this?

Animal Science nor Animal Nutrition are offered anywhere in the area that I live in either. I'm currently taking Animal Nutrition through Oklahoma State University though distance learning. I have to sign up for Animal Science asap since I need to complete it by the end of this summer for UF! You have a full year to complete each course through OK State. I think the course was about $900. (Though I could be wrong, I signed up for it back in July!)

 

[pupsNponies]

^^ Congrats on your UF acceptance!! I can only hope and pray that I will be there soon as well.. lol

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of experience hrs did you have when you applied??

 

[Chinola]

^^ Congrats on your UF acceptance!! I can only hope and pray that I will be there soon as well.. lol

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of experience hrs did you have when you applied??

If you check out the Successful Applicant Stats thread I posted all my juicy info on there. It's post #120 on page 3. Approximation... ~2400 hours vet experience, ~1100 animal experience, ~280 hours research experience

Hopefully I will see ya there next year when I'm a first year and you're interviewing!

 

[Lab Rat83]

Looks like I'm now a c/o 2016 hopeful, according to my rejection letter😳

This fall will be my second time applying to the AVC (NB resident). I'm exploring different opportunities (Master's or work?) between now and then. Re taking the GRE is step one 🙂 and juicing up my extra curriculars and veterinary experience is step two.

Any other AVC'ers out there?

 

[flyinggoat]

I think this may be a bit like pet owning (when you weren't actually working there), and the general consensus is not to include it. Definitely include the hours when you started working though! (This is my opinion - you may want to call specific schools and ask.)

Really, though? I owned a horse for about 15 years. I don't feel like that's the same thing as owning a cat....

 

[EllieGirl89]

Really, though? I owned a horse for about 15 years. I don't feel like that's the same thing as owning a cat....

Did you do something with your horse, like 4-H or showing or taking riding lessons? The general consensus is that if you were participating in "learning" activities with a pet, then it's okay to include it. This would include things like breeding, training, showing, etc. I included about 5000 hours of horse ownership because I did 4-H with my three horses for 8 years. I've owned the horses longer than that but I just put in those hours.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I would definitely get a LOR from my PI (research supervisor), except she's a PhD and not a DVM. Both are considered veterinary experience, but Ohio probably wouldn't accept her as a LOR. Although, I may email them and check, since she's technically supervising a "veterinary experience."

They will absolutely accept her as a LOR, just not the DVM LOR. My MD PI was probably one of my most influential LORs! And it def counted as veterinary experience. She just couldn't speak for me as a fellow DVM to adcoms.

 

[that redhead]

Did you do something with your horse, like 4-H or showing or taking riding lessons? The general consensus is that if you were participating in "learning" activities with a pet, then it's okay to include it. This would include things like breeding, training, showing, etc. I included about 5000 hours of horse ownership because I did 4-H with my three horses for 8 years. I've owned the horses longer than that but I just put in those hours.

I agree with EllieG. It doesn't feel the same as owning a cat but essentially the duties are the same (just ownership, not showing/breeding/training, what have you) and even then if one boarded their horse at a full-care facility the care put in by oneself was likely even lower than owning a cat - someone to hold for vet/farrier, someone to feed and turn out, etc. Feeding/cleaning/vet appointments and even certain levels of medical treatment don't necessarily "count" for a pet (or at least seems to be the general consensus). Ifyou were engaged in other activities with your horse (those mentioned by EllieG) it would count, though, just as it would count if you were involved in breeding/showing/training a more "common" pet like a dog or a cat.