Class of 2016 hopefuls: how are you doing?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Hello 2016 hopefuls,

I noticed VMCAS opened today and I am so amazed that it has been a year since I began applying to veterinary school. I got accepted to Colorado State, VMRCVM, and UC Davis for the class starting this fall (C/O 2015) and took my seat at my home state institution of UC Davis this last March! I just wanted to wish all of you the best of luck with everything and to remind you just to hang in there. Applications are definitely a whirlwind, but they can be a lot of fun too. I'm here for questions (until I'm too busy with vet school to help any more). Ask away! Take it easy everybody and, again, good luck!
 
Last edited:
Lol! You'll be fine. 🙂

Other than the silly way you have to put each class in individually and click a few dozen times per course just to get one in .... I enjoyed filling out my app. It gave me the sense that I was actually making progress. So I know what you mean. 🙂

I'm kind of having fun filling mine out too 🙂!

The course designations are more confusing than they ought to be. I took a series of 5 classes through a department that is a mish-mash of philosophy/history/english/religion and I can't figure out how to designate them! My gut is to just label them all as "humanities" and directly contact the schools that have more specific requirements.
 
I'm enjoying working on mine as well 😀. Haven't clicked the coursework part yet, will feed the creatures first then focus on that. Super excited to get this process started.

Thought I had everything I needed from the vet, but I see we need addresses as well as phone numbers and emails 🙁. Will have to wait til I work with her again (hopefully this weekend 🙂 ) and get her info. Oh well, I did get one of the evaluators entered, have to call the other tomorrow 👍

I guess if I was really eager I could call the vet, I do have her number 🙂. I'll let it go for a while though, no rush. Calming myself back down 🙂.
 
So, I didn't 'think' I was going to start VMCAS today, buuutt...my summer class is an online course and I have so far not recieved any information, which is making my twitchy because I am usually over-prepared and classes started today and I have not IDEA WHAT TO DO! ACK /rant

So I decided to play the VMCAS game online (while I am at work) and have been getting more excited with every submit! I'm suprised by how many things I am able to complete without having any of my information in front of me. I cannot, of course, get all of my course work and experience/awards etc. while I'm not at home; but I put in a lot of info in 😀. Once I can sit down at my desk at home with my transcripts and resume I can really get cracking. That's what's going to take forever!
 
Already have a question I need to call about 🙁. Went to put in my course info. and don't know what to put my classes under. I went to college in high school and got credit for both high school and college, but I don't think I officially matriculated into college until my first year after high school, which was my senior year of college. So, I don't know if I count myself as a freshman, sophmore, and junior accordingly or non-matriculated for those classes 😕. I thought non-matriculated means non-degree seeking just taking a few classes, but it looks like the closest option.

Then if I count as a regular student, I don't know if I was a sophmore or junior for some classes and then junior or senior for some classes because I took over 18 credit hours per semester to graduate in 3 years.

So, yeah, the whole course thing is confusing for me 🙁
 
Already have a question I need to call about 🙁. Went to put in my course info. and don't know what to put my classes under. I went to college in high school and got credit for both high school and college, but I don't think I officially matriculated into college until my first year after high school, which was my senior year of college. So, I don't know if I count myself as a freshman, sophmore, and junior accordingly or non-matriculated for those classes 😕. I thought non-matriculated means non-degree seeking just taking a few classes, but it looks like the closest option.

Then if I count as a regular student, I don't know if I was a sophmore or junior for some classes and then junior or senior for some classes because I took over 18 credit hours per semester to graduate in 3 years.

So, yeah, the whole course thing is confusing for me 🙁

Does the VMCAS this year ask if you were a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior when you took these classes? Last year it just asked you for the class level, which was simple because 100 and 200 level classes were lower division and 300 and higher were upper division. It didn't matter what "grade" you were in when you took them, you just organized them by year and semester/quarter. Good luck getting it all worked out!
 
So, I don't know if I count myself as a freshman, sophmore, and junior accordingly or non-matriculated for those classes 😕. I thought non-matriculated means non-degree seeking just taking a few classes, but it looks like the closest option.

Ellie, I thought VMCAS did ask? I distinctly remember having to try and figure it out, which was hard given my background. Or did it just ask when you put in each term (not the individual classes)?

In any case, I remember basically guestimating when I was a particular year. I don't think it's going to make or break anything, squirrel, if you just give it your best guess. Nobody ever gave me any hassle about it, anyway.

I would *not* put non-matriculated without first checking with VMCAS.

I found VMCAS to be pretty reachable via the phone. I called them a few times and they were quick to answer and offered useful assistance. Wouldn't hesitate to call them.
 
I called and the lady was very friendly 👍. She said most likely not to put non-matriculated because that is for if you aren't going for a degree. She said AP credits count as Freshman classes even though they weren't taken at the college, so she is guessing that mine count as freshman, sophmore, and junior classes like everyone else. She told me to verify with Lake Erie to make sure they see it that way as well and to see if it is possible to get a transcript that lists my status as freshman, sophmore, etc. for each semester. If not, I guess I'll have to check out how many credit hours are needed for each status and figure it out the best I can.

I was also adding my honors and activities. Do you really put a description for the things that are known, like made the dean's list (do you just put what the requirements to make the dean list are) and do you do one entry for all the times on the dean list or do you list them separately, and if separately do you just copy and past the description into all of them, or just put it for the first one on the list and it is self-explanatory that it is the same for all?
 
I was also adding my honors and activities. Do you really put a description for the things that are known, like made the dean's list (do you just put what the requirements to make the dean list are) and do you do one entry for all the times on the dean list or do you list them separately, and if separately do you just copy and past the description into all of them, or just put it for the first one on the list and it is self-explanatory that it is the same for all?

Yes. 🙂

I think in the end, it won't matter how you do it, so long as you're honest and doing your best to make it clear.

If it were me doing it again I'd put, for example, all of the dean's list entries from one school in one entry, and then note in the description which semesters. If you have multiple schools, I'd put an entry in for each.

I tried to put a description in for every entry, though some (like dean's list) are probably so self-explanatory you don't need to do that.
 
I called and the lady was very friendly 👍. She said most likely not to put non-matriculated because that is for if you aren't going for a degree. She said AP credits count as Freshman classes even though they weren't taken at the college, so she is guessing that mine count as freshman, sophmore, and junior classes like everyone else. She told me to verify with Lake Erie to make sure they see it that way as well and to see if it is possible to get a transcript that lists my status as freshman, sophmore, etc. for each semester. If not, I guess I'll have to check out how many credit hours are needed for each status and figure it out the best I can.

I was also adding my honors and activities. Do you really put a description for the things that are known, like made the dean's list (do you just put what the requirements to make the dean list are) and do you do one entry for all the times on the dean list or do you list them separately, and if separately do you just copy and past the description into all of them, or just put it for the first one on the list and it is self-explanatory that it is the same for all?

I did a file review last year after I was rejected to three schools. I'm not sure which school this was (Kansas, Iowa, or Minnesota)...but the woman I talked to said not to list everything separately because it makes it more difficult to read. I know she doesn't speak for every school, but I suppose she has a point.

I agree with LetItSnow though, as long as it's in there, it won't matter too much if your dean's list honors are listed together or separately. I'm going to make life easier for myself and list them together 🙂
 
When you fill out the awards section, do you include high school awards? Like Valedictorian, etc. I mean probably not every little thing you've gotten but the big stuff maybe? Or do you just include college awards?

Officially have two of my evaluator's info. in 😀. The third should call back tomorrow 👍. Hopefully since they have over 3 months to complete it, they'll put some time and thought into it 🙂. I think they are gonna be really good, I know the one will be!
 
When you fill out the awards section, do you include high school awards? Like Valedictorian, etc. I mean probably not every little thing you've gotten but the big stuff maybe? Or do you just include college awards?

Officially have two of my evaluator's info. in 😀. The third should call back tomorrow 👍. Hopefully since they have over 3 months to complete it, they'll put some time and thought into it 🙂. I think they are gonna be really good, I know the one will be!
I listed all of my high school awards- including valedictorian! It's a big deal to be the high school valedictorian. You should definitely list it!
 
When you fill out the awards section, do you include high school awards? Like Valedictorian, etc. I mean probably not every little thing you've gotten but the big stuff maybe? Or do you just include college awards?

For awards, I believe you can include high school awards. I thought there was a little "?" to click on that said high school and up. Especially if its something as significant as Valedictorian.
 
I didn't do anything in high school worthy of receiving an award, but I did include my high school extracurriculars as part of my application. I definitely think these additions helped in accentuating my diversity as an applicant and my persisting commitment to lifelong community service. Had I received awards in high school, you can bet they would've been on there too. I vote for including them for sure.
 
Oh, god, I can barely even remember high school.

Well, look at it this way: Do you LOSE anything by adding high school stuff? I figure you don't.

I couldn't remember high school either (it gets tough once you hit the 40s), but my mom, ever the excellent mother, still had a file full of awards and things that I dutifully put into my application. Admittedly, I giggled at how silly it seemed.

Turned out keeping that file ended up having a purpose, I guess.
 
Called my college registrar and they told me I did NOT have freshman, sophmore, or junior status when I was in the PSEO program and have to put that all down as Non-matriculated 🙁. I was going for a degree though, I got my bachelor's degree the year after I graduated high school. I hope that it won't look bad with 3 years as a non-matriculated student (most of my pre-reqs. were completed then too 🙁).

Do you think this is something to add to the explanation statement? Or will they get that I was PSEO and it won't be a bad thing? I just hate that it makes it look like I was clueless for the first 2 years of college when really I had it all planned out and was on track the whole time to graduate in 3 years.
 
Definitely don't assume that anything will be inferred on your application if you think it is important. I would include an explanation if you feel one is needed or if it just makes you feel more comfortable, as this is what the explanation statement is there for. I believe it says something like "use this space to address anything from your application you feel needs explanation". I seriously wouldn't fret about the fact that those classes were non-matriculated. I mean come on now, you graduate with your Bachelor's a year after high school! How could they perceive THAT as being "off track". They just want to see that you have completed the coursework requirements and I believe the way you list them is not all that relevant. It seems to me that it's more for organizational purposes and to see how long you were at a certain level (i.e. were you a junior for three years failing classes and unable to advance to senior?, etc.). The way I listed my courses was hardly perfect and no one said a single word. You're fine. Relax!
 
It seems like, if you graduated a year after 'matriculating,' they would be able to see that you were actively pursuing a degree the whole time. Plus, they can see the classes you were taking.

But, I agree with DIP - just take a line or so from the explanation statement and clarify. No biggie.
 
Thanks guys. I don't have anything else for the explanation statement, so a short little statement about my classes certainly couldn't hurt. Thanks!
 
I don't remember it being so darn complicated! Maybe I was too in the zone last summer to realize... Anyway good luck 2016ers!! The real fun begins after you hit the submit button. 🙂
 
I am okay thanks 🙂
But my GPA went down this semester! It was already kinda low to begin with 🙁
HOPEFULLY my other activities will make up for it :/
😍 I LOVE THAT I AM FINALLY APPLYING TO VET SCHOOL! 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍
 
Ugh, adding VMCAS to my plate along with everything else this summer is going to be rough. But! I've already started it, got in a lot of my info and descriptions... Now all I need to do is retake the GRE and finish my personal statement....

It's finally happening though! Vet school, here we come!
 
Working away at my application and getting more and more excited about vet school by the day! I can't seem to get myself to work on my personal statement though. Anytime I have free time I waste it reading about vet school programs or looking for updates on here or other vet school application sites. Gotta get some serious work done on it!

And working on Ohio's supplemental application, it's not too bad, but asks what makes you well suited for OSU and says not to repeat your Personal statement. Good opportunity to tell more about yourself, but when you already struggle to talk about yourself, it just adds more to write 🙁. Wish I was good with that kind of thing.

So, how's it going for everyone else, it got kinda quiet in here, my guess is everyone is plugging along at their application 👍
 
Working away at my application and getting more and more excited about vet school by the day! I can't seem to get myself to work on my personal statement though. Anytime I have free time I waste it reading about vet school programs or looking for updates on here or other vet school application sites. Gotta get some serious work done on it!

And working on Ohio's supplemental application, it's not too bad, but asks what makes you well suited for OSU and says not to repeat your Personal statement. Good opportunity to tell more about yourself, but when you already struggle to talk about yourself, it just adds more to write 🙁. Wish I was good with that kind of thing.

So, how's it going for everyone else, it got kinda quiet in here, my guess is everyone is plugging along at their application 👍


Ohio's supplemental was the longest and most difficult for me to do. I was still working on editing those essays the night before VMCAS was due! Good luck, I know it seems daunting right now. 👍
 
So, how's it going for everyone else, it got kinda quiet in here, my guess is everyone is plugging along at their application 👍

I'm perpetually curious about everything, and I would love to see the raw application data at VMCAS.....

..... but if I were a betting man, I'd say there's a bunch of people who get their apps in early, then it falls off to a steady trickle, and then a huge flurry within the last week 'n a half before close. 🙂

So probably the early birds like you are just already in autopilot mode. 😉
 
Summer classes started for me the same day as the application became available. I don't think I've even been on SDN since! My summer class is an online class, which consumes a lot of time: reading/outlining chapters, listening to lectures and answering discussion questions. Plus, I have a full-time job and trying to fit in some last minute GRE prep. Also shadowing/working with an exotics vet on my day off (but since he's a solid LOR, this is actually going towards my app)!

I did manage to get in touch with one of my LOR writers who I needed her contact info (she no longer works in my department), but she came into the lab last week and I flagged her down! I love that it will let you know once they completed it on VMCAS. I would have been very antsy to know if they complete the letter in time!

Hoping to get in most (if not all) of that tedious coursework entered over the next two days. Until summer school is over, my posting on SDN will be sparse!

Good luck all! :xf:
 
I thought this would be the best threat to introduce myself. Hi! I just joined this a little while ago and am still getting used to it - you know, spying and reading messages without posting! 😉

Anyway, I'm a 2016 hopeful and am knee-deep in the VMCAS and supplemental applications. I hope everyone's doing well thus far, and I look forward to getting to know you all better!
 
Hi, welcome to our thread!

What schools are you applying to? Is this your first application cycle?

Good luck!

I am plugging along, my PS is coming along pretty well and I have the VMCAS almost finished 😀. Have started the Ohio Supplemental, but haven't decided on a third school to apply to yet (Applying to Ohio and Wisconsin for sure and the third I am thinking Michigan, Tufts, or Tennessee).
 
Hello 2016 hopefuls,

I noticed VMCAS opened today and I am so amazed that it has been a year since I began applying to veterinary school. I got accepted to Colorado State, VMRCVM, and UC Davis for the class starting this fall (C/O 2015) and took my seat at my home state institution of UC Davis this last March! I just wanted to wish all of you the best of luck with everything and to remind you just to hang in there. Applications are definitely a whirlwind, but they can be a lot of fun too. I'm here for questions (until I'm too busy with vet school to help any more). Ask away! Take it easy everybody and, again, good luck!

Congrats! I'm applying to VMRCVM this year, kinda nervous. How was the interview there? I know they do the Multiple Mini Interviews. What did you think of the process?

Thanks!
 
Hi! I'll introduce myself here as well. I'm a 2016 hopeful, applying to WCVM. I've been stressing every day about getting good grades to get my GPA up, and running around trying to get as much experience as I can before I fill in my application. These threads have helped me a lot, but I feel as if the application process for WCVM is quite a bit different from all these US schools.... ie. no GRE, no actual "letters" of recomendation etc.

Anyways, I'll probably be hanging around here lots as applications near!
 
Hi! Another 2016 hopeful here! I'm almost done filling everything out on VMCAS (the coursework section took FOREVER since I've taken what seems like a billion classes at 8 different schools). The only thing I'm super stressed about now is one of my LOR writers. He told me he was going on sabbatical to Antarctica for six months starting in mid-July but he would DEFINITELY write me a letter before then. It's now mid-July and so far he's ignored all my e-mails and phone calls. Should I start panicking yet? lol :scared:
 
Hi! Another 2016 hopeful here! I'm almost done filling everything out on VMCAS (the coursework section took FOREVER since I've taken what seems like a billion classes at 8 different schools). The only thing I'm super stressed about now is one of my LOR writers. He told me he was going on sabbatical to Antarctica for six months starting in mid-July but he would DEFINITELY write me a letter before then. It's now mid-July and so far he's ignored all my e-mails and phone calls. Should I start panicking yet? lol :scared:

Do you have a backup just in case? I don't want you to freak out, but at this point it probably isn't a bad idea to find a replacement LOR writer just in case Dr. Antarctica doesn't come through.

Speaking of freaking out, I still haven't asked 2 of my LOR writers if they'll actually WRITE the letters. I'm 99.9995% positive they'll be able to write excellent letters but for some reason I've been dragging my feet about it. Tomorrow, though, I'll track them down on campus and get the a-okay so I can close out that section of VMCAS. Yep, definitely tomorrow!
 
HiHe told me he was going on sabbatical to Antarctica for six months starting in mid-July but he would DEFINITELY write me a letter before then. It's now mid-July and so far he's ignored all my e-mails and phone calls. Should I start panicking yet? lol :scared:

Mid-July? You can actually get to Antarctica in the middle of winter? I didn't realize that... I thought there was some period of time where there wasn't much transportation in/out. Very cool.

Anyway, back on topic.... I'd give someone at least 3 weeks to respond to email/whatever before I worried too much, especially if you know they're in the middle of a big deal like that. But at the same time, starting to consider alternatives might be smart.
 
Do you have a backup just in case?

I have a couple of backups, but they don't know me as well. Oh well, I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best! :xf:

LetItSnow: I didn't even think of that! Hmmm...he's been there a bunch of times before though so hopefully he knows what he's doing. lol
 
Hi! I'll introduce myself here as well. I'm a 2016 hopeful, applying to WCVM. I've been stressing every day about getting good grades to get my GPA up, and running around trying to get as much experience as I can before I fill in my application. These threads have helped me a lot, but I feel as if the application process for WCVM is quite a bit different from all these US schools.... ie. no GRE, no actual "letters" of recomendation etc.

Anyways, I'll probably be hanging around here lots as applications near!

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. 🙂
 
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. 🙂

I'm from BC. It's the most competitive in BC and Alberta - lucky us. 😳 I'm really struggling with the fact that there are less options for vet school in Canada. The chances are so slim with only 20 spots for BC residents and the competitiveness... But I really want to go to WCVM!! I rather not apply abroad mainly because of the cost. I don't see myself being anything other than a vet, but I can't help but think that it won't happen in Canada. Sorry for being so depressing, but this is stressing me out so much! Like I've read in another post, reading these threads is probably going to cause me to develop ulcers haha
 
I'm from BC. It's the most competitive in BC and Alberta - lucky us. 😳 I'm really struggling with the fact that there are less options for vet school in Canada. The chances are so slim with only 20 spots for BC residents and the competitiveness... But I really want to go to WCVM!! I rather not apply abroad mainly because of the cost. I don't see myself being anything other than a vet, but I can't help but think that it won't happen in Canada. Sorry for being so depressing, but this is stressing me out so much! Like I've read in another post, reading these threads is probably going to cause me to develop ulcers haha

I hear you!!! The stress and panic is overwhelming....but I totally agree with your viewpoint on chances in Canada. I went to U of Calgary for two years, figured out how slim the chances really are and transferred to the U.S. But yeah, the cost of it is out of this world....

I'm working for the U of Minnesota this summer and my boss got an email encouraging eligible Americans to apply to OVC since they still had open spots for international students for THIS FALL!!!! I couldn't believe it. Here we are in western Canada with such a huge demand and so little seats and they aren't opening up any late openings to within the country (or even Ontario for that matter). I really don't like our system of requirement of residency to apply.
 
Howdy!
First time applicant and have my first draft of my personal statement written out and have started on the courses part of the VMCAS. Trying to get my eLORs organized, which honestly is the part that makes me the most nervous... I'm also preparing to take the GREs again at the end of this month, so hopefully that will go well. I'm putting a lot of effort into getting everything done as soon as I possibly can... I'm alternating between stress and excitement (feeling more stress than excitement right now because there's so much to get done). Good luck everyone!
 
Howdy!
First time applicant and have my first draft of my personal statement written out and have started on the courses part of the VMCAS. Trying to get my eLORs organized, which honestly is the part that makes me the most nervous... I'm also preparing to take the GREs again at the end of this month, so hopefully that will go well. I'm putting a lot of effort into getting everything done as soon as I possibly can... I'm alternating between stress and excitement (feeling more stress than excitement right now because there's so much to get done). Good luck everyone!

I feel ya! I'm in the exact same boat. I take the GREs Saturday and I still haven't asked my LORs writers yet (I didn't realize I was behind in not doing that yet! oops).

So much to do, but hopefully it'll all be worth it. Goodluck as you work on finishing your application!
 
Thanks, and I completely understand. I always assumed that you waited to ask until the VMCAS was up, but a lot of people here seem to have done that well before.

Oh well. No time to mourn spoiled milk, I guess. Good luck with your GRE!

I feel ya! I'm in the exact same boat. I take the GREs Saturday and I still haven't asked my LORs writers yet (I didn't realize I was behind in not doing that yet! oops).

So much to do, but hopefully it'll all be worth it. Goodluck as you work on finishing your application!
 
I took the GRE for my second time about a week ago and did THE SAME as the first time, which was not good! How is this possible? I studied WAY more for this one and felt SO much better about it. I did slightly better on the Quant and WORSE on the verbal... Should I bother taking this AGAIN? Also, if both test scores are sent, will schools take the best of both?
 
I took the GRE for my second time about a week ago and did THE SAME as the first time, which was not good! How is this possible? I studied WAY more for this one and felt SO much better about it. I did slightly better on the Quant and WORSE on the verbal... Should I bother taking this AGAIN? Also, if both test scores are sent, will schools take the best of both?

I would actually say that's an improvement, because schools tend to value the quant section more than the verbal (and the quant percentage probably went up a bit even if the verbal went down slightly). I would say not to take it again unless you feel you can do significantly better. Can you point out any places where you went wrong during this past test? Can you significantly alter your study habits to improve your score? Things like that.

Also, each school has its own policies regarding retakes of GREs. Some schools take the best score from one test day, some take the best composite score, some take only the most recent test date. So your best bet is to research the schools you want to apply to and see what their specific policies are.
 
Thanks, and I completely understand. I always assumed that you waited to ask until the VMCAS was up, but a lot of people here seem to have done that well before.

Oh well. No time to mourn spoiled milk, I guess. Good luck with your GRE!

I don't think you are really behind, just some of use are ahead of schedule. I have been sooooooooooooooooooooooooo anxious about applying and I knew that the summer would be super busy since I rehab and work full time, so I tried to get as much stuff as I could done early. I took the GRE in December to get it done and in case I needed to take it again. Then I started working on my PS early in the year and asked my eLOR writers whenever I could. My one professor that I asked to write it is now retired, but I see him each spring on the morning bird walks I go on since he leads them so I asked him in April. Then one of my eLOR writers was leaving the clinic where I work, so I asked her in early June or maybe end of May. My last two I just asked last week, but I knew I was going to.

Now it is middle of July and I just have to shorten my PS to the 5000 characters and polish it up a little and continue getting as many vet experience hours as I can. GRE is done, classes are entered in VMCAS, most of my experience is entered, still have to do awards (kinda dreading that section because I didn't do many extracurriculars). I am hoping to submit it end of August and then finish up my supplementals and the long wait begins 😡. Oh, I also have to decide my third school to apply to. Ohio, Wisconsin and ???

So, I don't think you're behind really, but now is the time to get moving on all that stuff because there are only a couple months left and you don't want to wait until the last minute.
 
Any future 2016ers second (or third or what have you) time applicants? Did the VMCAS actually save the information this year? I think last year it was supposed to have done so and didn't, so was curious if it did this year.
 
Any future 2016ers second (or third or what have you) time applicants? Did the VMCAS actually save the information this year? I think last year it was supposed to have done so and didn't, so was curious if it did this year.

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.
 
Top