Class of 2023 Hopefuls

[MixedAnimals77]

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Regarding the whole cheaper schooling discussion, there is great representation from WSU students and other students who side with going for cheaper tuition, which are ALL wonderfully valid points that I am so grateful for!
But Since this is the general thread, I really wonder what other MWU applicants who plan to/will attend MWU or MWU CVM students have to say about this conversation! Just wanted to put that out there. I would love to hear that side as well! ️


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@bryndiana.jones

 

[vetmedhead]

I can give the perspective of a friend of mine. He chose the school that he thought would be the best for what he wanted to do with his career, and the one that he felt the best about when he interviewed, and all those other things that we tell people to consider after the cost of attendance. I'm glad he did because he's my best friend now. However, and he will give this caveat to anyone he asks about it, he is in a position where he does not have to take out loans. That is the only reason he made that choice, and that is the only reason he is even going into this field, because he would not have done it if he was going to be in debt, due to the nature of the career he wants.

But the perspective you actually need if you want to talk to someone who chose a more expensive school and did have to take out loans, is the perspective of a veterinarian who is now paying off those loans, not a current or future student. It's the person who is dealing with that debt now that you want to ask if it was worth it.

Was going to say, I know a few people who chose to go to the more expensive school but they also had the fortune of being in the position where finances did not have to be a consideration in that decision.

 

[Trilt]

Go

To

The

Cheapest

School

 

[Trilt]

There is no curriculum variation that is worth 40k. Take your breaks and do RAVs trips or just hang out with a local shelter or vet. Schedule a humane alliance externship as a fourth year. Do the UF shelter program with money you saved.

We had maybe 5-8 total surgeries in my school curriculum? I graduated with well over 100. Opportunities are out there, just take them.

Seriously, don't put yourself in extra debt for any opportunities in a curriculum - surgery or elsewise. Debt sucks balls. Take it from the people paying loans off; not a single vet I know on the forum recommends anything other than going to the cheapest school. It's for a reason. I pay almost a grand a month in loans and graduated with half the normal debt.

 

[battie]

I couldn't imagine the burn out. Also I read something about they would accept a large amount and cut after year 1 like take the top 20%, plus the tuition they were proposing was rediculously cheap so we shall see what happens

At one point weren’t they trying to do a model more like the UK/Ireland schools where you start a program right after high school?

I believe they also had plans to recruit students straight out of high school for their program

Ah yeah that does sound familiar. I know there's a thread around here somewhere where we discussed it. But it looks like that's not the plan anymore anyway, they've walked it back so instead they're just talking about not requiring a bachelor's as long as the prereqs are completed.

They were originally going to do a 5 year program starting with high schoolers modeled after the European schools. The first year was going to be a massive amount of students doing prerequisites. Then there was some cut off point where the chosen few would go onto the vet med portion and the others would continue prerequisites to be able to apply again to them, and to other schools. That was axed their first attempt at accreditation when they were aiming for a class of 2020.

Then they moved onto a thing similar to Mizzou where it's year round, but with only one clinical year. Apparently that wasnt the COE's cup of tea cause they've still been denied accreditation.

 

[Trilt]

Not to harp, but, eh, to harp... because I thought about this thread again this morning; some real numbers...

I graduated with 72k in loans. Reasonable, right? I'm two years out and have paid right around $900/month on them since my grace period was over.

I checked my loan provider and I've paid right around 20k. More than my new car is worth. 12k has actually gone to the principal. In TWO YEARS of almost a grand a month out of my cheque. Now double that loan (on average) so the interest is even higher and consider what school variability could POSSIBLY be worth years of paying off your loans.

I understand at this point it all just sounds like big numbers and what's a couple grand here and there... But take it from the other side. It's real dollars that really suck to pay off.

 

[SkiOtter]

Go t ok the cheapest school. Right ski?

Go to the cheapest school. Right ski?

Yes, but for students who are not going to the cheapest school (by choice), I would like to see that side of the story.


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It's just a joke between me and ski related back to another thread. I also want to know their side.

It may be a joke to you, but IT SHOULDNT BE. Think of what an extra forty thousand dollars of debt does. You are that much further in the hole TO START. That’s not including interest that just builds and builds and builds that you will NEVER touch the principle on. You’ll just keep paying part of that interest on and never touching the actual money you took out.
Even if you are independently wealthy, you should be going wherever is cheapest. Even if your parents or distant rich uncle are paying for school, you should be going wherever’s cheapest. SOMEONE is paying that money, even if it may not be you. Going into that much extra debt or having someone else pay that much extra money for you means that ONE OF YOU has that much less money. That could mean the difference of retiring earlier, getting a new car that was needed, having a child or having to hold off on a family, buying a house.
Going into an extra 50k+ of debt just because you have some fantasy of your “dream school” IS NOT WORTH IT and no one should be willingly choosing that option.

 

[Caiter92]

https://www.midwestern.edu/Documents/Financial Aid documents/COA Forms/2018-19 AZ/Vet Med_AZ 1819final.pdf

I think you need to look at the difference in numbers again between WSU and MWU, even assuming you’ll get WICHE. MWU puts their “thrifty” total COA at 370k. If you were to take out full loans at WSU as a WICHE, you’d be at $170k. So even with 30k/year from WICHE, MWU would be 250k. It’s not a 40k difference between the two, it’s $80k+ difference, which will be more like a $160k difference once it’s all paid back.

 

[deleted955608]

It may be a joke to you, but IT SHOULDNT BE. Think of what an extra forty thousand dollars of debt does. You are that much further in the hole TO START. That’s not including interest that just builds and builds and builds that you will NEVER touch the principle on. You’ll just keep paying part of that interest on and never touching the actual money you took out.
Even if you are independently wealthy, you should be going wherever is cheapest. Even if your parents or distant rich uncle are paying for school, you should be going wherever’s cheapest. SOMEONE is paying that money, even if it may not be you. Going into that much extra debt or having someone else pay that much extra money for you means that ONE OF YOU has that much less money. That could mean the difference of retiring earlier, getting a new car that was needed, having a child or having to hold off on a family, buying a house.
Going into an extra 50k+ of debt just because you have some fantasy of your “dream school” IS NOT WORTH IT and no one should be willingly choosing that option.

It's not a joke to me. I was just referring to your signature. Plus I agree with you. 100%.

 

[DVMDream]

I doesn't realize a private school could accept state funds via WICHE... how much per year is the state funding at Midwestern since tuition is the same for everyone? I wouldn't accept unless it brings your cost down to similar or very close (within $5k total) of the other WICHE schools.

 

[battie]

I doesn't realize a private school could accept state funds via WICHE... how much per year is the state funding at Midwestern since tuition is the same for everyone? I wouldn't accept unless it brings your cost down to similar or very close (within $5k total) of the other WICHE schools.

I was wondering this too. If it's a private school, why does it get public money?

 

[SkiOtter]

It's not a joke to me. I was just referring to your signature. Plus I agree with you. 100%.

My signature isn’t a joke though. My signature is me getting tired of people having this same argument. That it’s either a school that’s “ranked higher” (which, btw, DO NOT MATTER) or it’s their “dream school” and they are asking everyone on here about going there even though it’s so much more expensive. No. Go to the cheapest school you can. You don’t know what a school is like until you are actually there and taking classes as a student. There are ALWAYS opportunities for more experience in whatever way you’re looking for, IF YOU LOOK FOR IT. It’s not worth going into extra debt just because you like the area better (its FOUR FREAKING YEARS, YOU CAN MOVE AFTER) or you’ve heard how good xyz program is (you can always do externships to get that experience) or it’s ranked number 10 in the country and the other school is ranked at the bottom (some schools refuse to participate in the rankings. They get put at the bottom. Oh? You didn’t know that the admissions office staff are the ones filling out the surveys about other schools? Yeah well they usually are. They are not DVMs themselves. And yet are doing the ranking surveys. That’s why they mean NOTHING). What you CAN’T really do is lower your debt significantly after enrolling at your “dream school.” You're stuck with that debt for life.

 

[deleted955608]

My signature isn’t a joke though. My signature is me getting tired of people having this same argument. That it’s either a school that’s “ranked higher” (which, btw, DO NOT MATTER) or it’s their “dream school” and they are asking everyone on here about going there even though it’s so much more expensive. No. Go to the cheapest school you can. You don’t know what a school is like until you are actually there and taking classes as a student. There are ALWAYS opportunities for more experience in whatever way you’re looking for, IF YOU LOOK FOR IT. It’s not worth going into extra debt just because you like the area better (its FOUR FREAKING YEARS, YOU CAN MOVE AFTER) or you’ve heard how good xyz program is (you can always do externships to get that experience) or it’s ranked number 10 in the country and the other school is ranked at the bottom (some schools refuse to participate in the rankings. They get put at the bottom. Oh? You didn’t know that the admissions office staff are the ones filling out the surveys about other schools? Yeah well they usually are. They are not DVMs themselves. And yet are doing the ranking surveys. That’s why they mean NOTHING). What you CAN’T really do is lower your debt significantly after enrolling at your “dream school.” You're stuck with that debt for life.

You are very passionate about this topic and I respect that. I also am saying I agree with you. I didn't mean to imply your signature was a joke. I was just trying to poke fun at our earlier argument where I was wrong and you were right. I'm sorry if that didn't come across very well. It's hard to do in text.

 

[hiellen]

So does anyone know how grades for this fall are taken into account on apps? I know it’s going to be different dependent on the school since some interviews and acceptance letters have already been sent out.

I guess my concern is if it will make or break an app, I have a 79 right now in a class which I’m talking to the professor about because I don’t think that’s correct, but will a C be super detrimental? My instate is UGA and they request transcripts by Feb 1, but letters will be sent out a couple weeks after (and of course no interviews). Just continuing the theme of high anxiety and freaking out until then

 

[WildZoo]

So does anyone know how grades for this fall are taken into account on apps? I know it’s going to be different dependent on the school since some interviews and acceptance letters have already been sent out.

I guess my concern is if it will make or break an app, I have a 79 right now in a class which I’m talking to the professor about because I don’t think that’s correct, but will a C be super detrimental? My instate is UGA and they request transcripts by Feb 1, but letters will be sent out a couple weeks after (and of course no interviews). Just continuing the theme of high anxiety and freaking out until then

Kind of what you already said, it is highly dependent on the school, and the class that you get the lower grade in, and I would hesitate to give you any definitive answer because if decisions go out after they receive your fall transcripts then they may very well take them into account to make a final decision. I'd say it matters more if it is a pre-req or a science class, less if it's something like a literature class. Usually one C is not going to make or break you app though.

 

[sheltermed]

Question for repeat applicants -- have you ever interviewed at more than one school (2+) in any given cycle?

 

[LyraGardenia]

Question for repeat applicants -- have you ever interviewed at more than one school (2+) in any given cycle?

My second try I had interviews at Mizzou and Illinois, got rejected from Mizzou and waitlisted at Illinois. Mizzou interviews all qualified IS applicants, and I didn't apply to Illinois my first time, so I don't know if that's really meaningful. On my third try I only interviewed at K-State, but there was the whole snafu with my late LOR that disqualified me for Mizzou and Illinois (and I did have an interview scheduled with SGU that I canceled once I got my acceptance here).

 

[desmodus]

Question for repeat applicants -- have you ever interviewed at more than one school (2+) in any given cycle?

Last cycle was my second try, and interviewed at Illinois, Tufts, and Michigan State-- waitlisted at all three, but I was really close according to file reviews. Hoping for better luck this time!

 

[sheltermed]

Last cycle was my second try, and interviewed at Illinois, Tufts, and Michigan State-- waitlisted at all three, but I was really close according to file reviews. Hoping for better luck this time!

That must have been really devastating, though. So far I have 2 interviews scheduled. I really can't imagine putting in all that effort and then not getting in. I'm not sure I'd have it in me to do another cycle after something like that, so major props to you.

 

[desmodus]

That must have been really devastating, though. So far I have 2 interviews scheduled. I really can't imagine putting in all that effort and then not getting in. I'm not sure I'd have it in me to do another cycle after something like that, so major props to you.

Oh, I was realllllllllllly bummed, but I also realized that all the panic and stress of 'when will I hear?? How many spots has the waitlist moved??' was unnecessary and exhausting. It feels good to indulge in, but it doesn't help. This cycle I've been much less neurotic and I'm just enjoying everything vet school won't offer (a steady paycheck, free time, etc). You can never really predict how you will measure up. All you can do is improve your app as much as possible, be strategic, and keep trying!

 

[picklegurl]

Oh, I was realllllllllllly bummed, but I also realized that all the panic and stress of 'when will I hear?? How many spots has the waitlist moved??' was unnecessary and exhausting. It feels good to indulge in, but it doesn't help. This cycle I've been much less neurotic and I'm just enjoying everything vet school won't offer (a steady paycheck, free time, etc). You can never really predict how you will measure up. All you can do is improve your app as much as possible, be strategic, and keep trying!

This is a very admirable post, and I hope you get in this year! I think this is great for everyone to read. Good luck! 🙂

 

[desmodus]

This is a very admirable post, and I hope you get in this year! I think this is great for everyone to read. Good luck! 🙂

Thanks! I have one acceptance and a few interview invites so far (thank goodness), but I'm crossing my fingers for that IS pricetag, haha. Good luck to you as well!~

 

[vetmedhead]

Oh, I was realllllllllllly bummed, but I also realized that all the panic and stress of 'when will I hear?? How many spots has the waitlist moved??' was unnecessary and exhausting. It feels good to indulge in, but it doesn't help. This cycle I've been much less neurotic and I'm just enjoying everything vet school won't offer (a steady paycheck, free time, etc). You can never really predict how you will measure up. All you can do is improve your app as much as possible, be strategic, and keep trying!

This is a really positive and healthy attitude to have. It's a good mindset to cultivate for many things in life beyond admissions as well. Best of luck this cycle

 

[WildZoo]

Oh, I was realllllllllllly bummed, but I also realized that all the panic and stress of 'when will I hear?? How many spots has the waitlist moved??' was unnecessary and exhausting. It feels good to indulge in, but it doesn't help. This cycle I've been much less neurotic and I'm just enjoying everything vet school won't offer (a steady paycheck, free time, etc). You can never really predict how you will measure up. All you can do is improve your app as much as possible, be strategic, and keep trying!

Bless this poast

Good luck, hope you get that IS acceptance!

 

[SkiOtter]

Oh, I was realllllllllllly bummed, but I also realized that all the panic and stress of 'when will I hear?? How many spots has the waitlist moved??' was unnecessary and exhausting. It feels good to indulge in, but it doesn't help. This cycle I've been much less neurotic and I'm just enjoying everything vet school won't offer (a steady paycheck, free time, etc). You can never really predict how you will measure up. All you can do is improve your app as much as possible, be strategic, and keep trying!

And start improving your app BEFORE you get the final decisions of waitlist or rejection. That way you’re already three months ahead of the game and will have that much extra experience to put on next cycles app if you have to apply again, and if not, you’ll just have that much more extra experience before vet school!

 

[SkiOtter]

Question for repeat applicants -- have you ever interviewed at more than one school (2+) in any given cycle?

I interviewed at 3 schools my first cycle and then two of the same schools my second (didn’t reapply to that third school)

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Question for repeat applicants -- have you ever interviewed at more than one school (2+) in any given cycle?

I applied to 2 schools my first time and was not granted an interview at either. I applied to 3 schools my second time and was interviewed/waitlisted at all 3.

 

[Old-Country-Vet-Tech]

Just rejected at IS ( UF) and waitlisted at VM-CVM which is to me a delayed rejection. Im just feeling bad about my last four..

 

[WildZoo]

Just rejected at IS ( UF) and waitlisted at VM-CVM which is to me a delayed rejection. Im just feeling bad about my last four..

Chin up! UF didn't want me either (or several of my classmates).
I don't know how much VM-CVM's wait list moves, so can't say with that, just try not to feel to dejected before you know what's gonna happen. What other schools are you waiting on?

 

[Old-Country-Vet-Tech]

Chin up! UF didn't want me either (or several of my classmates).
I don't know how much VM-CVM's wait list moves, so can't say with that, just try not to feel to dejected before you know what's gonna happen. What other schools are you waiting on?

Iowa, MSU, and UW-CVM...LMU but I dont feel confident on that one because I've heard nothing with one interview wave left.

 

[Old-Country-Vet-Tech]

Im OOS with Iowa but their stats are close to mine same for msu and UW besides undergrad gpa due to hardships I explained heavily.

 

[WildZoo]

Iowa, MSU, and UW-CVM...LMU but I dont feel confident on that one because I've heard nothing with one interview wave left.

Good luck 🙂 not over til it's over. I found it helpful while I was waiting to look at what I could do to start improving things in my application in case I did have to apply again.

 

[Old-Country-Vet-Tech]

Good luck 🙂 not over til it's over. I found it helpful while I was waiting to look at what I could do to start improving things in my application in case I did have to apply again.

Really for me I can do nothing about my undergrad and I cant take more courses besides retaking maybe Orgo 2. Its upping more experience and maybe just becoming in state at a school I have a chance at. NC is hiring animal science masters for extension and so is Georgia.

I retook 8 science courses but UF averages grades so what looks good at Iowa is horrid at UF.

 

[SkiOtter]

Its upping more experience and maybe just becoming in state at a school I have a chance at. NC is hiring animal science masters for extension and so is Georgia.

I retook 8 science courses but UF averages grades so what looks good at Iowa is horrid at UF.

Make sure you check their average in state accepted student stats and make sure yours would match up or exceed them to give yourself the best chance. Yeah, there would still be a chance as long as you met minimums, but the probability is lower. I’m pretty sure at least for OOS they are more academic focused? And also check there about the retake policies.

 

[WildZoo]

Make sure you check their average in state accepted student stats and make sure yours would match up or exceed them to give yourself the best chance. Yeah, there would still be a chance as long as you met minimums, but the probability is lower. I’m pretty sure at least for OOS they are more academic focused? And also check there about the retake policies.

NCSU - 3.0 cum, pre-req, and last 45 GPA for residents, with potential "alternative eligibility," their means are in the 3.6-3.7s though. Not sure about UGA.

 

[Old-Country-Vet-Tech]

NCSU - 3.0 cum, pre-req, and last 45 GPA for residents, with potential "alternative eligibility," their means are in the 3.6-3.7s though. Not sure about UGA.

With My retakes I was doing pretty well. Im hoping still for good news this cycle. My original classes that were bad are over the 7-10 yr rule almost

 

[emlady09]

I

With My retakes I was doing pretty well. Im hoping still for good news this cycle. My original classes that were bad are over the 7-10 yr rule almost

I feel like we have the same story line regarding undergrad GPA scores lol.

 

[Old-Country-Vet-Tech]

I

I feel like we have the same story line regarding undergrad GPA scores lol.

They say explaining helps but mine are old and so am I. I proved with an MS in a program with animal research that I can handle grad loads and have matured. I just feel ill never get in because I messed up 8 years + ago

 

[DVMDream]

Question for repeat applicants -- have you ever interviewed at more than one school (2+) in any given cycle?

I would look up specifics but my computer is being a damn ****ing dingus and won't load pages well today. This laptop has been dying since I purchased it.

Anyway, all 3 years I applied I interviewed at at least 2 schools. Was waitlisted at at least one school every year.

 

[Coopah]

They say explaining helps but mine are old and so am I. I proved with an MS in a program with animal research that I can handle grad loads and have matured. I just feel ill never get in because I messed up 8 years + ago

Have you tried Davis? Just curious I know basically nothing about your situation but they only care about last 45 and science GPA. It allowed me to get in even with an abysmal undergrad.

 

[Old-Country-Vet-Tech]

Have you tried Davis? Just curious I know basically nothing about your situation but they only care about last 45 and science GPA. It allowed me to get in even with an abysmal undergrad.

My GRE quant is low ( 148) and my math isnt that great. I would very much apply to them but I heard they were heavily math focused.

 

[Coopah]

My GRE quant is low ( 148) and my math isnt that great. I would very much apply to them but I heard they were heavily math focused.

Yeah they do like their quant GRE. Maybe work on that for next time if you don't get in this cycle (I hope you do!)

 

[spottedfeatherik]

Hello all! Hoping to get some advice (especially from senior members). I know that the #1 piece of advice about picking schools is “go to the cheapest school,” and I 100% agree with that sentiment. Unfortunately, however, my IS school doesn’t really have a reduced tuition for IS students, and basically everywhere I applied had about the same tuition. If I can’t base my decision mainly upon tuition, what can I base it upon? I know people often say “go where the campus feels at home and everyone is friendly and supportive” etc etc, but that’s been shot down a lot because you don’t know what a vet school is going to be like just from a tour and won’t know what it’s like until you’re actually in it. But then what am I left with to help me make a decision between schools (provided I am lucky enough to be given more than one offer)? Trying to look ahead because I have more than one interview offer so far, and I want to have things in mind to consider when I visit the schools.


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[MixedAnimals77]

Hello all! Hoping to get some advice (especially from senior members). I know that the #1 piece of advice about picking schools is “go to the cheapest school,” and I 100% agree with that sentiment. Unfortunately, however, my IS school doesn’t really have a reduced tuition for IS students, and basically everywhere I applied had about the same tuition. If I can’t base my decision mainly upon tuition, what can I base it upon? I know people often say “go where the campus feels at home and everyone is friendly and supportive” etc etc, but that’s been shot down a lot because you don’t know what a vet school is going to be like just from a tour and won’t know what it’s like until you’re actually in it. But then what am I left with to help me make a decision between schools (provided I am lucky enough to be given more than one offer)? Trying to look ahead because I have more than one interview offer so far, and I want to have things in mind to consider when I visit the schools.


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Cost of living.

 

[Old-Country-Vet-Tech]

Cost of living.

I second this as thats why I applied to ISU besides the scholarships offered and the programs offered. How expensive is it to commute..do they offer aid..can you do summer internships to make ends meet etc.

Take this with a grain of salt, I am still waiting on offers or denials from ISU/MSU/UW-Madison/LMU and was rejected to UF ( my IS) and wailisted at vmcvm ( delayed rejection but felt better than outright rejection)

 

[SkiOtter]

Also if you get in somewhere that allows you to switch residency after the first year. Or if they charge summer tuition for the summer you’re on clinics between 3rd and 4th year (not all do. Illinois doesn’t).

 

[Caiter92]

Cost of living.

Also if you get in somewhere that allows you to switch residency after the first year. Or if they charge summer tuition for the summer you’re on clinics between 3rd and 4th year (not all do. Illinois doesn’t).

@spottedfeatherik these.

It’s way better to compare total cost of attendance (schools should have something about that on their tuition page) than straight tuition. Because tuition can be very similar, but program fees, COL, extra semesters, etc can make a school far more expensive than another.

 

[spottedfeatherik]

Cost of living.

@spottedfeatherik these.

It’s way better to compare total cost of attendance (schools should have something about that on their tuition page) than straight tuition. Because tuition can be very similar, but program fees, COL, extra semesters, etc can make a school far more expensive than another.

Thanks so much, this was super helpful! If some of the schools I'm applying to don't have something about COL on their webpages, is asking current students about it the best thing to do? (I'm assuming it would be inappropriate to ask interviewers during the question/answer section)

Also, is there anything else significant I should be considering other than total cost of attendance?

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Thanks so much, this was super helpful! If some of the schools I'm applying to don't have something about COL on their webpages, is asking current students about it the best thing to do? (I'm assuming it would be inappropriate to ask interviewers during the question/answer section)

Also, is there anything else significant I should be considering other than total cost of attendance?

Most Q&A sessions during interviews you can ask current students. Make sure to ask about price ranges for things you want. Ex. If you want a washer and dryer. House vs apt. Dishwasher or no dishwasher. Roommates or not etc etc

You'll get a better feel once you interview as far as other things to consider!

 

[WildZoo]

There is also cost of attendance information on the VIN cost of education map, and I believe on the AAVMC cost comparison tool too. Might not be 100% accurate but it's a good place to start.