Class of 2016 hopefuls: how are you doing?

[twelvetigers]

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Remember, it's not a "who can tell the coolest story" competition... you would lose that one every time. There are a lot of stories out there. 😉

 

[Kmeid]

Quick random VMCAS question. (I couldn't find it asked anywhere else yet)

When you all wrote your personal statements did you put one or two spaces between sentences (sorry if this sounds silly!). When I was in grade school I was taught that you ALWAYS put two spaces after a period when typing a paper. But with a 5,000 character count cut off, I'm trying to get all the good stuff in that I can. Those extra spaces add up to a solid two extra sentences.

Thanks for you're help/advice!

 

[sunnex3]

Quick random VMCAS question. (I couldn't find it asked anywhere else yet)

When you all wrote your personal statements did you put one or two spaces between sentences (sorry if this sounds silly!). When I was in grade school I was taught that you ALWAYS put two spaces after a period when typing a paper. But with a 5,000 character count cut off, I'm trying to get all the good stuff in that I can. Those extra spaces add up to a solid two extra sentences.

Thanks for you're help/advice!

from what i've read on the forum, you can put just one space after sentences...seems to be a little trick everyone uses to increase the # of characters you can use for actual words.

 

[Kmeid]

from what i've read on the forum, you can put just one space after sentences...seems to be a little trick everyone uses to increase the # of characters you can use for actual words.

Great! Thanks. I've been staring at this paper too long I just realized I put *you're* instead of *your*. Slowly starting to lose brain cells the longer I work on this PS.

 

[kakurubird]

There is really no reason any more to use two spaces after a period. Most who do use two, do so out of habit. There are reasons behind this and some people feel quite strongly about the whole one vs. two debate: http://www.slate.com/id/2281146/. And, it really doesn't hurt reading comprehension at all. (If you haven't noticed that I've been alternating one space with two in this paragraph, well then, there's my point.)

 

[sunnex3]

Great! Thanks. I've been staring at this paper too long I just realized I put *you're* instead of *your*. Slowly starting to lose brain cells the longer I work on this PS.

trust me i lost a lot of my brain cells a long time ago

this application process will do that to you! while i'm so fraked out that it's all over in about 3 weeks, i think il'l be relieved when it's all over and done with.

good luck everyone

 

[squirrelsrule]

trust me i lost a lot of my brain cells a long time ago

this application process will do that to you! while i'm so fraked out that it's all over in about 3 weeks, i think il'l be relieved when it's all over and done with.

good luck everyone

If only it were all done and over with in 3 weeks after the VMCAS deadline. This is just the beginning of the process though, we still have a LONG ways to go before we actually find out if we got in or not.

 

[yann]

Just found out I have 2 exams next Monday. Turns out my O Chem professor made a mistake in the syllabus and put in the wrong date for the exam. Had I known that the test was next Monday, same day as my Calc test, I would have studied for it days ago. I am so pissed off. With the PS still in first draft, and working 8 hours for the next 4 days, I am officially starting to panic over every little aspect of my life. Plus my bf started a fight last night. Ugh.

I'm sorry, just had to rant to people who get it.

 

[sunnex3]

none of my LOR writers has finished lol...only 2 are marked as "in progress" and now i realized we have like 2.5 weeks left! 😱

 

[sunnex3]

If only it were all done and over with in 3 weeks after the VMCAS deadline. This is just the beginning of the process though, we still have a LONG ways to go before we actually find out if we got in or not.

well all that i can control will be done in 2.5 weeks 😉 after that it's all up to the admissions committee gods!

but really, i'm actually looking forward to the waiting period after VMCAS submission...call me weird, but i'm excited to go on interviews (that is, IF i get invited to any!!!!) 😛

 

[fromthebox]

Just found out I have 2 exams next Monday. Turns out my O Chem professor made a mistake in the syllabus and put in the wrong date for the exam. Had I known that the test was next Monday, same day as my Calc test, I would have studied for it days ago. I am so pissed off. With the PS still in first draft, and working 8 hours for the next 4 days, I am officially starting to panic over every little aspect of my life. Plus my bf started a fight last night. Ugh.

I'm sorry, just had to rant to people who get it.

I sympathize. My BF is living with me and my roommates right now while he settles into a new job and I finish the VMCAS. He and one of my housemates are grating so bad on each other's nerves that he gets frustrated and it ends up on my shoulders. I keep telling him how many times I've kept my mouth shut to help him get through something, and can he PLEASE let this drop until Oct. 3rd and I promise if he does he can give her a piece of his mind ad we'll start looking for our own place, but right now I don't have the time or resources to apartment hunt, and the extra stress will really hurt my chances of getting VMCAS done right.

Also sorry to thread jack. Just wishing that significant others would understand.

 

[LetItSnow]

well all that i can control will be done in 2.5 weeks 😉 after that it's all up to the admissions committee gods!

but really, i'm actually looking forward to the waiting period after VMCAS submission...call me weird, but i'm excited to go on interviews (that is, IF i get invited to any!!!!) 😛

Personally, I thought that I would spend the entire waiting period anxious and worried, and I ended up for the most part enjoying it. It helped that the only school to which I applied was very clear about when you'd receive the next update; so I wasn't checking my mail every day. For quite a while I just went on with life and felt really good because I didn't have application stuff hanging over my head. And then all at once - earlier than expected - the school dropped some good news email on me.

So. I guess that's a long-winded way of saying that if I can manage to enjoy the waiting period (I'm a total anxiety type), my hope for you 2016ers is that you can, too. Do something fun. Keep volunteering/shadowing/working. But relax and be hopeful. 🙂

 

[thaowey]

just curious...if you ordered additional score reports from ETS, how long did it REALLY take for your schools to receive the official GRE scores??

because on the actual website it says:
"Score reports for currently available scores will be mailed approximately 5 business days after you submit your order."
and
"Allow 7 - 10 days for delivery of mail within the continental United States and more time for delivery to other areas. Institutions that receive score reports on CD-ROM are sent reports approximately twice a month."

 

[sunnex3]

argh application stress!!!! t-17 days everyone!!! 😱

 

[cnb23]

I haven't even asked for my LORs yet.. 🙁
I know, I know

 

[Minnerbelle]

I haven't even asked for my LORs yet.. 🙁
I know, I know

I didn't even start most of my supplemental essays until the day they were due... but even I've got to say, that's pretty hard core.

 

[sooprnova]

None of my evaluators have done their letter yet. I wanted to wait until they were finished to submit, but I'm so ready to just dive into the classes I'm taking now that I'm thinking about submitting and then just keeping an eye on the letters. I don't think I'm going to have anything to add in the next two weeks....but I'm super-dee-duper Type-A and I feel like submitting without the letters in is taking away any and all control I might have over my application!

 

[jrwinsto]

Just submitted VMCAS!! Now onto the supplementals..ugh. But at least it's the homestretch now!

 

[cnb23]

I got 2 to say they were willing to evaluate me today! Now to just get them in on time.. But definitely an improvement

 

[PreVetBeaver]

I am having a ton of trouble filling out Oregon State's supplemental. First it wouldn't allow me to save so I had to contact the school so that they could email me a different form. Then after I got it to save it deleted a lot of my information and started to change the formatting. It's driving me bonkers! Hopefully I can get everything figured out soon because there isn't much time left.

I hope things are going better for everyone else.

 

[tkan86]

I def. feel weight slowly lifting off my shoulders! My 2nd evaluator's done with his letter, and I've just posted my final draft of my ps onto vmcas! I contacted my 3rd evaluator and he says he's nearly finished so at least I know he hasn't forgotten about me

I'm just waiting for WSU to respond back to me to see if they're going to automatically disqualify me for not having an academic evaluator. If they are, sucks that I already paid the supplemental fee but I can at least take them off my VMCAS list before submitting. Hopefully they make exceptions for a non-trad who's been out of school for 3 years 🙄

 

[PreVetBeaver]

The Oregon State supplemental is fixed 🙂 Everything is right with the world again!

 

[PppermintTwist]

Finally done with the first draft of my PS!

now i have to pretty much cut it down from ~8000 characters to ~5000 characters. yippee 🙄

every day is one step closer to being done with VMCAS!

Mine is too long too! I have done two drafts so far... Good luck 🙂

 

[PppermintTwist]

i'm having the same problem too with my csu unique essay...wahhh 🙁

My boyfriends advice to me was this. Oh...well that may not seem unique to you, but its not something I everyone has done so it is unique.

Think about something that you have spent a lot of time doing, a hobby, a skill, a job...etc. It may be old news to you but actually an interesting topic. What ever you pick just make sure it reflects who you are and a way you'll use that experience to your advantage.

I applied for CSU too! I already submitted the supplementary app, now to finish up my PS and hopefully convince my eLors to submit their part on time...

Good luck!

 

[fromthebox]

*freaks*
Just noticed the big yellow button for e-submitting appeared on my VMCAS... and had the urge to push it for all of 2 seconds. Scaary seconds.

 

[greyhound326]

Hey guys. I finally finished my VMCAS and pushed the submit button two days ago! It feels so good until you realize the piles of supplemental applications awaiting you.

I have submitted 5/11 supplemental applications colorado st. (dvm/mph), VT, University of Tenn, Purdue, and University of Minnesota and am about to finish Iowa St.

So much for school work... 🙁 This can't end soon enough

 

[PreVetBeaver]

I just pushed the e-submit button! Now time to sit back and wait

 

[LetItSnow]

I have submitted 5/11 supplemental applications colorado st. (dvm/mph), VT, University of Tenn, Purdue, and University of Minnesota and am about to finish Iowa St.

UMN has a supplemental now???

 

[fromthebox]

UMN has a supplemental now???

Nope, just an $80 fee this year. It's on my checklist for "supplementals" too so probably just a mental accounting of having paid.

 

[greyhound326]

Nope, just an $80 fee this year. It's on my checklist for "supplementals" too so probably just a mental accounting of having paid.

Haha yea. Sorry. Purdue doesn't either which was really nice. I just made a giant list and am trying to plug through it.

 

[LetItSnow]

Nope, just an $80 fee this year. It's on my checklist for "supplementals" too so probably just a mental accounting of having paid.

Ok, that makes sense. I asked because a) I was surprised, and b) I wanted it clarified in case some applicant were to read it and start panicking over 'missing' a (non-existent) supplemental. 🙂

Good luck with all those schools!

 

[sunnex3]

2 eLOR writers submitted so far and 2 more in progress, with 1 left to start! and 2/3 of my ETS PPI people for CSU have either started or completed it 🙂 things are going well!

 

[krrobin]

Ahh! I have finished my supplemental essay, now I'm only afraid to submit anything...

Also, I'm wanting to say all in one sentence in my PS that I worked with bovine, ovine, equine and...... pigs. Is it correct to use porcine or swine?

 

[EllieGirl89]

Ahh! I have finished my supplemental essay, now I'm only afraid to submit anything...

Also, I'm wanting to say all in one sentence in my PS that I worked with bovine, ovine, equine and...... pigs. Is it correct to use porcine or swine?

Bovine, equine, ovine, and porcine are all adjectives, not nouns, though people use them that way sometimes. For instance, people call horses equines, but horses are not equines, they ARE equine. So I would say that you worked with cattle, sheep, horses, and swine.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Bovine, equine, ovine, and porcine are all adjectives, not nouns, though people use them that way sometimes. For instance, people call horses equines, but horses are not equines, they ARE equine. So I would say that you worked with cattle, sheep, horses, and swine.

equids would work too, esp if it included donkeys and mules as well as horses.

 

[krrobin]

Bovine, equine, ovine, and porcine are all adjectives, not nouns, though people use them that way sometimes. For instance, people call horses equines, but horses are not equines, they ARE equine. So I would say that you worked with cattle, sheep, horses, and swine.

I guess I should have mentioned that I did have the word "medicine" at the end of that list, so they should be adjectives, not nouns.

 

[Whyevernot55]

I am sort of sadly plugging along on my supplementals. I've got to finish Ohio's, and write the essay for Illinois. Everyone else's is done, apart from mailing UPenn's supp card in with the extra fee. (And Tuft's app of course, but that's not due for another month, bwahaha.)

My VMCAS is legit done. I haven't been able to bring myself to press the submit button yet. I'm waiting on two of my five elor writers, but three are in *hooray* 😀 I've ordered all my transcripts and all my GRE scores sent.

Now I'm just sort of waffling over the last essays and pressing the Important Button.

 

[sunnex3]

I am sort of sadly plugging along on my supplementals. I've got to finish Ohio's, and write the essay for Illinois. Everyone else's is done, apart from mailing UPenn's supp card in with the extra fee. (And Tuft's app of course, but that's not due for another month, bwahaha.)

My VMCAS is legit done. I haven't been able to bring myself to press the submit button yet. I'm waiting on two of my five elor writers, but three are in *hooray* 😀 I've ordered all my transcripts and all my GRE scores sent.

Now I'm just sort of waffling over the last essays and pressing the Important Button.

sort of along the similar lines as you whyevernot! i still have to VMRCVM's supp + CSU supp...my PS is nearly almost finished (finishing it up tonight) and i pretty much have everything else entered in VMCAS -- waiting on 2 LOR writers now! finished sending transcripts + GRE scores today (after I added Davis to my list)

i can't believe we have less than 2 weeks now till the deadline. WHOA! 😱

 

[kaydubs]

Keep at it 2016 hopefuls! You're end is getting close in sight!!! (No pressure 😛)

 

[DVMDream]

All 5 of my eLORS have submitted their letters!!! 😀
I have mailed off all transcripts and GRE scores.
All that is left is part of the Iowa supplemental, entering a couple things on VMCAS and finishing (ok starting) my PS.
I also have Mizzou's supplemental to finish but it isn't due until November 1st; so I have some time.
Have to get everything done today because I work the next 4 days in a row and then I am out of town until the deadline..so I need to crank out my PS and hit the submit button. 🙂

 

[Bisbee]

3 of my 4 elors have submitted, and the other one promises she's just "finishing up". I still have some touch-ups on the PS. I'm sure I will keep touching it up until the bitter end when I am forced to submit the application. Meanwhile, I'm trying not to stress this weekend (that will be next weekend)!

 

[bbeventer]

I am stressing out right now

 

[Minnerbelle]

I am stressing out right now

Well just know that no matter how stressed you are now, it'll all be over in a week, except for the few straggler supps/non-vmcas apps!

(at least that's what I tell myself when I procrastinate and start stressing out like mad the night before an exam)

 

[hedgiehog]

3/4 of my LORs are submitted and application esubmitted and IA supplemental done! Now all I have to worry about are my four prelims in this next week.

 

[LMMS]

Questioning my sanity in full...

VMCAS is completely done with the exception of my PS. I wrote what I felt to be a great one last cycle; but know full well that if I send out the same one that it will be frowned upon. I've been trying for two weeks to get it right; and every time I add/delete something it feels wrong. Oi! Add to this the nightmare of the OSU supplemental - trying to remember every tiny little thing I've done and the number of every species I've worked with over the past 15 years is making my hippocampus ache with frustration. The only thing I've made a concrete decision about is using a plus sign after certain numbers to show that I've worked with at least the number there. For instance: rats: 10,000+

Think I'll go take a nice long hot shower and hope it provides me with some clarity...

Thanks for listening!

 

[squirrelsrule]

Questioning my sanity in full...

VMCAS is completely done with the exception of my PS. I wrote what I felt to be a great one last cycle; but know full well that if I send out the same one that it will be frowned upon. I've been trying for two weeks to get it right; and every time I add/delete something it feels wrong. Oi! Add to this the nightmare of the OSU supplemental - trying to remember every tiny little thing I've done and the number of every species I've worked with over the past 15 years is making my hippocampus ache with frustration. The only thing I've made a concrete decision about is using a plus sign after certain numbers to show that I've worked with at least the number there. For instance: rats: 10,000+

Think I'll go take a nice long hot shower and hope it provides me with some clarity...

Thanks for listening!

I HATE Ohio's supplemental. I am having a horrible time with the essay. Got the chart done and just estimated to the best of my ability. The essay can be so long though, and I really don't know what to put. And the deadline is coming fast!

 

[Whyevernot55]

I HATE Ohio's supplemental. I am having a horrible time with the essay. Got the chart done and just estimated to the best of my ability. The essay can be so long though, and I really don't know what to put. And the deadline is coming fast!

Same boat here. A couple times a day I remember something and add it to the stupid huge "list everything ever" section. Again. 18 years working with horses. Please kill me. 👎

I have sort of started my supp essay. But I hate it and want to stab my eyes out with forks and I can't think of anything else to write about. 😡 Snarl. And I have this stupid horrible assignment for my epigenetics class that doesn't make any da*n sense.

 

[LMMS]

I HATE Ohio's supplemental. I am having a horrible time with the essay. Got the chart done and just estimated to the best of my ability.

Same boat here. A couple times a day I remember something and add it to the stupid huge "list everything ever" section. Again. 18 years working with horses. Please kill me. 👎

To be fair, it is better than last year's... Those essays were killers! My issue is coming down to that I don't want to miss anything on that dang list. After I submitted last year, I noticed that I left out an entire species (sheep) as well as several procedures that would count as 'handling'. Thus, I'm trying to reach deep into the recesses of my brain to get every last little detail in there.

The essay can be so long though, and I really don't know what to put. And the deadline is coming fast!

I have sort of started my supp essay. But I hate it and want to stab my eyes out with forks and I can't think of anything else to write about. 😡 Snarl.

So far all that's in my box is 'Because I rock the house.' I'm seriously considering leaving it that way and adding a photo of me wrangling a baboon. 😎

And I have this stupid horrible assignment for my epigenetics class that doesn't make any da*n sense.

Epigenetics? Eww. We touched a bit on it in one of my graduate neuro classes and I swear all I heard come out of the prof's mouth was that Charlie Brown trombone sound. You have my deepest sympathies.

 

[Whyevernot55]

To be fair, it is better than last year's... Those essays were killers! My issue is coming down to that I don't want to miss anything on that dang list. After I submitted last year, I noticed that I left out an entire species (sheep) as well as several procedures that would count as 'handling'. Thus, I'm trying to reach deep into the recesses of my brain to get every last little detail in there.

So far all that's in my box is 'Because I rock the house.' I'm seriously considering leaving it that way and adding a photo of me wrangling a baboon. 😎

Epigenetics? Eww. We touched a bit on it in one of my graduate neuro classes and I swear all I heard come out of the prof's mouth was that Charlie Brown trombone sound. You have my deepest sympathies.

Yeah, last year's Ohio supp was TRULY horrifying. I suppose I shouldn't be complaining too much, but the process of quantifying the number of animals and the number of hours just boggles the mind.

And yes. Epigenetics. What a mess. Oh. And I'm taking neuro. Hahahahahaha.

*dead*

 

[cowgirla]

So far all that's in my box is 'Because I rock the house.' I'm seriously considering leaving it that way and adding a photo of me wrangling a baboon. 😎

Please do!