deferring

[canis13]

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I was trying to find information on different vet school's deferment policies, and haven't had a ton of luck.
Tufts has a little blurb on their website that says: "Admitted applicants may request a one year deferral of their admission. Deferrals requests are reviewed on a case by case basis and may be granted for a unique employment opportunity, fellowship program, or family or medical emergency. Deferrals beyond one year are not allowed."

And I found this thread on deferring at Penn: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=606468 (which basically said that it's usually do-able, especially if they have an oversized class)

However, I could not find information about Colorado State, Cornell, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. I think a lot of schools have strict "must have a medical issue" deferral policy, but I wanted to get confirmation.

I'm mostly trying to decide whether I want to apply next fall or take an additional year off to go abroad, so the deferment option would be ideal.

 

[THEOSU2012]

Hi There,

So I don't know your situation, so I won't try comment to that. But to deferrment in general, I think it should be either for a family emergency, or for a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I knew a friend who got a fullbright and she got a deferrment. Her fullbright was to Australia, and honestly that seems about right.

If someone just wants to go abroad, for no special reason, then I don't think they should have a deferrment.

I don't know about these schools you are asking about, but I just wanted to comment on deferrment in general. People should be sure they want to do it, or else why did they apply to veterinary school in the first place that year?

Not trying to be contrary, but just finished a cardio exam. Off my soapbox and more studying for finals week!

 

[canis13]

Sorry I didn't elaborate on my plans more - it would probably be to do some kind of fellowship, or some sort of volunteer work.
It would be nice to get accepted and know I have a spot before going abroad, especially because it would be difficult to do interviews while living in a different country and having to fly back and forth perhaps several times.

I don't know, maybe I'm just used to undergrad, where a ton of people I know deferred for a year before starting.

 

[THEOSU2012]

Hi There,

I'm not sure that this is an acceptable deferrment anyway. Now you may get a school to defer you, I have no idea, but why would you want to? You can always practice abroad if you want to.

Honestly, this may sound harsh, but if you wanted to study abroad you should have done it during undergrad. I know there were plenty of opportunities and it just seems an abuse of the use of deferrment to get in and then defer just go abroad, so that you "know you have a spot".

Veterinary Medicine is a committment, a life long choice in my opinion. It's not just a career you can jump in and out of. The time, money and effort that go into this career and not something that should be held lightly.

Maybe I'm miss reading what you are saying, and if so, please correct me. However, this is not undergrad, we are not coming out with a four year degree to go work in business. We are going to be doctors with a lot of responsibility and to go defer just to travel abroad, seems like a waste.

Again, I hope I'm miss understanding you, but I take pride in helping students get into veterinary school. I know how hard it is, and I fight for my students everyday and hearing something like this just makes me concerned.

 

[canis13]

Maybe you missed the part where I said I was going to maybe apply for a fellowship or at the very least do volunteer work? How does that equate to "defer just to travel abroad"? Also, I did spend a semester abroad in undergrad.

I don't get how you take deferring to mean a lack of commitment towards the profession. It's 4 hard years, and after I graduate, I will have a ton of student debt to pay off (something I luckily won't have after I finish undergrad), and will be much more limited in my ability to do volunteer work.

You're right in that my guess is that a lot of vet schools will not want to grant deferrals, and if I do definitely decide to take the extra year off, and can't get a deferral, then I will just apply again the next year, which is fine.

Anyway, I didn't really come on here looking to have a debate on the merits of deferment. I just wanted to know if people knew of official policy.

 

[david594]

The issue is your applying to the class of 2015, but you arn't actually committed to attending that class if you get in.

Your level of commitment comes across like this:
"I'd love to attend your vet school if you let me in, unless I find something better to do, in which case I'll do that instead, but then maybe I'll come to your school!"

Then they compare that to the barrel of other equally qualified applicants willing to sell a limb to get into vet school. Who would pick up their life and move cross country 3 days before class starts when find out they got off a waitlist at the last minute.

They want applicants who are ready to start vet school.

 

[parietal]

I've heard that two people who got into Minnesota last year deferred until fall 2014, but I don't know their situations. So it seems like they do allow them at least.

I agree that vet school deferment should be for something major like a serious illness in the family or something, especially if you don't let the school know as soon as you send in your deposit. You may be costing someone else a chance at your seat: Minnesota expected to have a freshman class of 99 this year and only has 97, supposedly due to the deferments.

 

[canis13]

david594 - I think that's definitely a fair assessment, and that makes a lot of sense from an admission's committee's standpoint.

If I do have solid plans to do a fellowship abroad figured out before next application cycle, then I won't apply that year with the hope of being able to defer. I'm just thinking in the case of applying, getting in, and then realizing that I'd rather pursue this volunteer opportunity first. And if they say I can't defer, then that's tough **** for me, and I will apply again the next year.

I'm not trying to abuse the system, just trying to figure out what the official policies are.

 

[Caninerepro]

Minnesota's two deferrments WERE emergencies. I will not elaborate, but they were not "I got a fellowship/volunteer/externship" type deals. True, a Fullbright is different, but I can pretty much guarantee you that at least at MN, volunteering will not be good enough. Sorry, but as a vet student I will have to agree with my fellows, your commitment is in serious doubt right now, and ad coms DO monitor these sites.

 

[canis13]

Minnesota's two deferrments WERE emergencies. I will not elaborate, but they were not "I got a fellowship/volunteer/externship" type deals. True, a Fullbright is different, but I can pretty much guarantee you that at least at MN, volunteering will not be good enough. Sorry, but as a vet student I will have to agree with my fellows, your commitment is in serious doubt right now, and ad coms DO monitor these sites.

wow, i had no idea deferring was such an admissions faux pas, especially after reading the thread about deferrals at Penn that I linked to above (where people were easily granted deferrals for the purposes of establishing in-state residency. granted, they had a class that was too large that year, but still.)
also, i had no idea that admissions committees actually were paying attention to who i am, or that this post somehow signaled that my "commitment is in serious doubt". again, where did you get the impression that i am a big flake who is planning to get every unfair advantage possible and am just applying to vet school on a whim?

 

[rileyroo]

Hi Canis,

I think that if you're interested in going abroad prior to vet school or possibly take part in a volunteer opportunity, you should definitely do that before applying to vet school. Otherwise if you were to apply next year, get accepted somewhere, then be denied deferment, it might hinder your chance in the future. I don't think I'd want to risk that. I decided to wait a year before applying to be able to take part in a research opportunity and will be going to Egypt in the Spring for another research experience. If it's something you're interested in doing before going to vet school, I think it's a great thing to do. Also, you could then add that experience to your application, talk about it in your personal statement, or discuss it in interviews. It might help your application. Just my thoughts on the subject. 🙂

 

[cwazy cat lady]

wow, i had no idea deferring was such an admissions faux pas, especially after reading the thread about deferrals at Penn that I linked to above (where people were easily granted deferrals for the purposes of establishing in-state residency. granted, they had a class that was too large that year, but still.)
also, i had no idea that admissions committees actually were paying attention to who i am, or that this post somehow signaled that my "commitment is in serious doubt". again, where did you get the impression that i am a big flake who is planning to get every unfair advantage possible and am just applying to vet school on a whim?

Canis, I am with you. I was really surprised at the responses you got. I personally don't see any issue for asking to defer (it's situational). The worst is that they say 'no' and you decide to just forego other opportunities and attend on schedule.

How does asking a question about possibility to defer imply that someone is not committed to going to veterinary school? I just don't see how that can be assumed. I can think of more than one WORTHY reason why I or anyone else would perhaps want to postpone enrollment for one year.

Canis, I think it's something you discuss once you've been accepted. Before then, I could easily see why it might hurt your chances during a given cycle. After all, the schools are accepting people to fill the upcoming class, not a class two years away... With how competitive it is, I can see that being almost a disqualifier. But if you inquired after an acceptance? They reserve the right to say 'no.' In that case, it's still your decision in the end to take it or leave it...

 

[nohika]

Canis, I am with you. I was really surprised at the responses you got. I personally don't see any issue for asking to defer (it's situational). The worst is that they say 'no' and you decide to just forego other opportunities and attend on schedule.

How does asking a question about possibility to defer imply that someone is not committed to going to veterinary school? I just don't see how that can be assumed. I can think of more than one WORTHY reason why I or anyone else would perhaps want to postpone enrollment for one year.

Canis, I think it's something you discuss once you've been accepted. Before then, I could easily see why it might hurt your chances during a given cycle. After all, the schools are accepting people to fill the upcoming class, not a class two years away... With how competitive it is, I can see that being almost a disqualifier. But if you inquired after an acceptance? They reserve the right to say 'no.' In that case, it's still your decision in the end to take it or leave it...

I can kind of see the other's points, though. It's like: "Oh, I got in to vet school! But I want to do this cool thing first, see. I'll come back to that (vet school) later." when you've got hundreds of other applicants ready to charge straight for the throat and start RIGHT THIS MINUTE. 🙄

So while I think it'd be cool to take the year off, I think you might not want to apply this coming year if you get something set up.

 

[sofficat]

uh... not quite sure what is going on in this thread as far as some of the negative comments, but as far as I know deferment is usually for emergency type things and are seriously reviewed on a case by case situation and not taken lightly. So from glancing at your situation I'd say wait to apply and do your overseas things first, plus it would look super cool on an application!

 

[DVMDream]

Canis,

I too would LOVE to volunteer abroad. I have been looking at volunteer opportunities in Africa and Australia. BUT, those opportunities are SECOND to vet school (they are currently options if I do not get in). Currently, I would do ANYTHING to get into vet school. At this point, if someone told me you can pick between vet school or a free, all-expense paid volunteer opportunity to anywhere; I would pick vet school. I think what people are trying to say, is when you apply to vet school, you should be committed to go if you get accepted and you should not depend on a deferment if something exciting or fun does come up. It is not fair to those who would literally jump off a cliff to get in. I am also fairly certain that most of the school policies for deferment are only if there is a major family or medical emergency.

If going abroad is something you really want to do; then do it before you apply. It would look amazing on the applications and who knows maybe you can start off your personal statement about how you were nearly attacked by a hippo?? IMO, when you apply for vet school you should be 100% committed to going if and when you are accepted.

And if this seems rude or negative in anyway…I am not meaning it to come across that way; tone is hard to pick up over the internet. Whatever you do decide to do….Good Luck!!!

 

[PicklePie]

Canis, I think it's something you discuss once you've been accepted. Before then, I could easily see why it might hurt your chances during a given cycle. After all, the schools are accepting people to fill the upcoming class, not a class two years away... With how competitive it is, I can see that being almost a disqualifier. But if you inquired after an acceptance? They reserve the right to say 'no.' In that case, it's still your decision in the end to take it or leave it...

That just seems disingenuous to me. If you are applying, the school is going to assume that you are chomping at the bit to be admitted for that cycle. Going through the entire process and making some poor person stress on a waitlist because you didn't want to "hurt your chances" is self-centered. Be up front, if it actually hurts your chances you are not going to look any better springing it on the school later on.

Canis, I would talk to an admissions advisor at each of the schools you are considering. Be honest about the whole thing and get your information from the source.

 

[david594]

wow, i had no idea deferring was such an admissions faux pas, especially after reading the thread about deferrals at Penn that I linked to above (where people were easily granted deferrals for the purposes of establishing in-state residency. granted, they had a class that was too large that year, but still.)

The faux pas is not deferring, the faux pas is applying with the intent of deferring if you get in.

And its a totally different ballgame if the school offers you the defferal, as opposed to asking for it.

Canis, I think it's something you discuss once you've been accepted. Before then, I could easily see why it might hurt your chances during a given cycle. After all, the schools are accepting people to fill the upcoming class, not a class two years away... With how competitive it is, I can see that being almost a disqualifier. But if you inquired after an acceptance? They reserve the right to say 'no.' In that case, it's still your decision in the end to take it or leave it...

And if you decide to leave it, you are going to have to explain that every time you apply again in the future. The app requires you to list every school you applied to in the past, and any previous acceptances.

 

[Minnerbelle]

If going abroad/volunteering is something you REALLY want to do before vet school, and you want to do it regardless of whether you get accepted to vet school or not, then why are you going to bother applying to vet school until you've already done that?

Think about how annoying it would be if it was the general consensus that you can apply to vet school, and hold onto that acceptance until you felt like going...?

 

[parietal]

The faux pas is not deferring, the faux pas is applying with the intent of deferring if you get in.

Completely agree. You should not apply until you are absolutely sure you are ready to start. Not only is it a faux pas, your personal statement will not reflect your commitment until you are truly ready, and I have to believe adcoms closely peruse our applications to look for this sort of thing. Waiting a year is infinitely cheaper and less painful than a year full of rejections.

I don't mean to be negative, because I'm speaking from personal experience. I could have applied last fall but didn't because I had some personal opportunities develop and wanted to make absolutely sure vet school was the right path for me.

Although I'm terribly jealous of my first-year friends 🙂, I absolutely know that waiting was the right decision for me. I'd highly recommend the OP wait. Do the volunteering and exploring BEFORE you apply.

 

[BlacKAT33]

im shocked at this post. but instead of giving a whole paragraph (because everyone else already said what i was thinking) i will just tell you what i did.

I have known i wanted to apply to vet school since i was young. i prepared my whole life for it but when i graduated college, i realized i really wanted to try some solid research first, just to see what it was like (and it would help my application in the future) So i took 2 yrs off for a fellowship and its been great. I applied this yr and am ready to jump in! IF i had applied before i did my fellowship, i would literally have jumped into vet school with tears of excitement!! If you dont have this same feeling...are you sure you want to do vet school? If the fellowship still seems more impt then do that first and wait to apply until you have "that" feeling.

 

[ckgilabert]

I read most of the posts here, and even though they sound 'negative' they are true.

and there ARE adcoms that read this site.

i would do everything i could and then apply to vet school. i did make plans if i didnt get into vet school....then i heard from CSU in march...and i was FREAKIN EXCITED.


if i were you...i would go on my study abroad trip and maybe you'll get an awesome experience that you can write about in your personal statement.


when i was thinking about applying for my masters, my advisor knew that i wanted to go to vet school and told me that it might be difficult for me to get into their masters program because they knew i really wanted to go to vet school and they didnt want me to be there for a year and then leave if i got accepted.

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[dgm]

Not really a response to the original topic, but just my view of deferment: I can see why people who come to school and have to leave for whatever reason are allowed to come back the following year, but otherwise, I feel that if you were accepted and don't at least come for Day 1 you should just have to take your chances with next year's applicant pool. The deferring to get residency thing seems more like a way to cheat the system, to me, because the whole point of the in-state/out-of-state concept is to make sure that state residents, who would be living there even if not for the school, get state money. Moving to a different state before you apply to get residency, increase your odds of admission, and decrease tuition can be a smart way to go, but I think it should be a gamble. Knowing that you're already in but just have to go bide your time in the state to get cheaper tuition seems... I don't know, sketchy I guess.

 

[twelvetigers]

So, long story short, you can ask once accepted, but you should in no way count on it, and be just as prepared to go ahead and start class in August. If the time abroad is very important to you, do it first just to be safe. 🙂

 

[cwazy cat lady]

😴😴😴

I am still struggling with some of the responses on here. The least helpful, IMO, are the ones that seem to suggest how another should feel and think in the year they are applying to veterinary school. It seems rather narrow-minded to offer "I always knew I wanted to go to vet school" or "I would sacrifice my right arm to be admitted this year" as evidence of a person's (superior) motivation or worthiness.

The bottom line is this: It is your responsibility to put in the best application you can at the time you choose to apply. Let the vet schools decide who they want to admit. If they admit someone and then choose to allow him or her to defer, that is the business of the school and the student who requested to postpone entry.

Also, the common argument seems to imply that other people are losing out on an opportunity. Who is to say that the schools don't then call someone on the waiting list and offer the next in line a spot in the upcoming class? Perhaps their decision to allow someone to defer is influenced by the number of people who agreed to take them up on their offer of admission? Could classmates not be benefitting had the response to admissions offers been greater than expected?

 

[PicklePie]

The bottom line is this: It is your responsibility to put in the best application you can at the time you choose to apply. Let the vet schools decide who they want to admit. If they admit someone and then choose to allow him or her to defer, that is the business of the school and the student who requested to postpone entry.

The main thing that I have a problem with is that you are suggesting that it be hidden until after they are accepted. Putting forward the best application you can should not include being dishonest. And yes I consider omitting the intent to defer to be dishonest.

Like I said, she should be frank and talk to the school about the whole thing ahead of time. I'm sure they would appreciate being up front about it, and it will save a ton of money and effort on application stuff that might be wasted.

 

[sumstorm]

I am not going to debate the merits or such of deferring. I am going to tell you what I was told for my school.

The allow deferrments of unusual opportunities that aren't repeatable or for emergencies or for family issues (ie pregnancy but mostly because of lab issues in first year.)

So, a fullbright or watson fellowship would likely be allowed, while peace corp or volunteering probably wouldn't.

I ran into an obstacle when I was admitted to med school in 2000. I planned to deferr for my fellowship, however, I was unable to retunr in time for the required orientations. So essentially my deferrment was blocked by the timing of my fellowship. They wouldn't let me skip orientation, nor would they allow a second year of deferral.

I personally think it is fine to apply, then discuss deferrment once you are accepted. You won't be blocking out a space in the class (if you defer they will admit someone else in that space for that year.) Some fellowships are once in a lifetime opportunities. I do not know that I wouldn't discuss it until I had an offer in hand both from a vet school and a fellowship, until then it is a moot point.

Vet schools know they have exceptional individuals coming in....and that exceptional individuals may have exceptional, once in a lifetime, opportunities that will improve their ability to succeed as a DVM.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I do not know that I wouldn't discuss it until I had an offer in hand both from a vet school and a fellowship, until then it is a moot point. VM.

sidenote- i love the word moot. i dont hear it often, its awesome!!

 

[canis13]

Like I said, she should be frank and talk to the school about the whole thing ahead of time.

Although there aren't as many of us, I am in fact a guy.

I would respond more, but I think my plans are very much up in the air as to what I want to do at this point, and the negativity in some of the comments doesn't really make me feel like discussing much further.

Thanks to those of you who responded non-judgmentally and helpfully. Shanomong - Penn is my in-state school, so I'm glad to know that Penn is probably the most defer-friendly vet school.

 

[PicklePie]

Although there aren't as many of us, I am in fact a guy.

I would respond more, but I think my plans are very much up in the air as to what I want to do at this point, and the negativity in some of the comments doesn't really make me feel like discussing much further.

Thanks to those of you who responded non-judgmentally and helpfully. Shanomong - Penn is my in-state school, so I'm glad to know that Penn is probably the most defer-friendly vet school.

Dang! Sorry about that, you're the second guy I've done that to 😳

 

[sumstorm]

The main thing that I have a problem with is that you are suggesting that it be hidden until after they are accepted. Putting forward the best application you can should not include being dishonest. And yes I consider omitting the intent to defer to be dishonest.

Like I said, she should be frank and talk to the school about the whole thing ahead of time. I'm sure they would appreciate being up front about it, and it will save a ton of money and effort on application stuff that might be wasted.

I don't see how it is dishonest. Applying to vet school and fellowships occur in the same period of time, and the notifications happen at the same time. Why would an individual not apply to the programs that best match their interests, whether those are vet schools or fellowships? And why would anyone bring it up until they had knowledge of the option? To me, that is the same thing as applying to vet school and a post bac at the same time, or to different vet schools at the same time, or to various jobs at the same time. There isn't a reason to discuss the options before you until they are real options.

 

[ri23]

I applied after my second year of undergrad with the possible intention of deferring. I was not positive that I wanted to go to vet school after 3 years of undergrad, and I wasn't positive that I didn't. You apply so early compared to when you matriculate, that I don't think that it's unheard of for people to have doubts about whether or not they are ready to attend a year and a half later. I really don't think it shows a lack of commitment, nor do most of the people that are commenting have actual insight into the admissions process.

As has been said, I think Penn may be the only school that offers deferments no questions asked so to say. I believe most schools do require an emergency/unique opportunity. That being said, it is my opinion that if you got in and decided to pursue another opportunity and were unable to defer, you would probably have no problem reapplying and getting in the next year.

 

[cwazy cat lady]

The main thing that I have a problem with is that you are suggesting that it be hidden until after they are accepted. Putting forward the best application you can should not include being dishonest. And yes I consider omitting the intent to defer to be dishonest.

The we have to agree to disagree! I don't see it as dishonest. Think of how many things are NOT INCLUDED in your application? Does that make you dishonest? An application is simply a brief (!) summary of information solicited by schools that you then submit by a certain deadline in order to be eligible for a spot in a class... nothing more!

 

[BlacKAT33]

The we have to agree to disagree! I don't see it as dishonest. Think of how many things are NOT INCLUDED in your application? Does that make you dishonest? An application is simply a brief (!) summary of information solicited by schools that you then submit by a certain deadline in order to be eligible for a spot in a class... nothing more!

I think whats pushing people's buttons isnt just that they want to apply to 2 things at once, but that they would (and already know) that they would push vet school away to do the other program. whether it be anything... volunteer, fellowship, postbac etc. I know people that have applied to vet school and something else at the same time (which is wise in case you are not accepted), but of course, vet school is always their top choice. If you know you will not do vet school right away, what is the point in applying? I think you should spend more of your time, MONEY!!!!, and brain energy focusing on applying to multiple fellowships/volunteer or w/e you want to do. If you apply to 10 diff fellowships overseas, i'm sure you'll be accepted. Then apply again when you're ready to go to vet school. it just seems more logical to me.

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[BlacKAT33]

But it's not like they're choosing one over the other; they're finding a way to make room for both. Just because you can be equally as passionate about something else as you are about veterinary medicine doesn't mean you're not just as qualified and excited about it as those who don't have other interests. There is at least 1 older student in my class who always knew he wanted to be a vet, but also loved another field and wanted to make that a part of his life. So he went to school, went on to this other career for many years (he's in his 40s), and then came back and went to vet school as planned. I think that shows a fantastic amount of commitment, holding on to it for all that time and proceeding with the plan to make it his second career.

I personally plan to pursue an education in astronomy later in life, while continuing in the veterinary field. Just because I came to vet school first doesn't mean I'm not equally enthusiastic about astronomy. It's just the sequence of events that made the most sense for me.

Did you read my post slowly? because im wondering if you skimmed thru it fast and missunderstood what i said. I didnt say that they dont love vet med just because they wouldnt choose it over another program. I said that if they know they dont want to do vet med right away then apply for multiple programs they want to (like the overseas fellowship) and apply for vet school later. thats pretty much exactly what i said in short.

 

[PicklePie]

The we have to agree to disagree! I don't see it as dishonest. Think of how many things are NOT INCLUDED in your application? Does that make you dishonest?

If I left off something specifically because it would hurt my chances, yes it would. I can't think of anything that I didn't include that would hold me back if I had told them. There are things that I left off, for space, but not anything like that.

I don't see how it is dishonest. Applying to vet school and fellowships occur in the same period of time, and the notifications happen at the same time.

Woops, I should have been more specific. I was referring to his vague volunteer idea, applying for a fellowship is a whole different animal.

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Haha, yea about that. Pretty much exactly what I did. (where's the blushing emoticon when you need it??) Sorry there were posts above where people were claiming if you don't run head on into vet-med then you just don't love it enough... I saw the part about "vet school top choice" followed by all caps and exclamation points in your post and got all fired up and responded (un)accordingly. Just re-read, mostly I agree unless the OP isn't sure what they want to do, and wants to have the vet school option like ri23 was saying.

no problem 🙂

to be fair, i had a much earlier post where i inserted more emotion. but then when people started taking the emotion stuff the wrong way i posted again. i feel like that second post was really what was bothering me.

 

[sumstorm]

Did you read my post slowly? because im wondering if you skimmed thru it fast and missunderstood what i said. I didnt say that they dont love vet med just because they wouldnt choose it over another program. I said that if they know they dont want to do vet med right away then apply for multiple programs they want to (like the overseas fellowship) and apply for vet school later. thats pretty much exactly what i said in short.

Part of the issue is that some of these fellowships are as or more competitive than vet school, and some are limited to a single opportunity to apply. So, by your logic, I should have only applied for my Watson Fellowship in my senior year, and if I didn't get it, I should have not had any other plans. Or I should have found other fellowships that enable me to do the exact same thing (and as far as I know, there aren't any others like the Watson, and I have looked.) Also, many of these fellowships have multiple layers to the application process. As in you compete at one step of the process to get into the next step process, then the next, then the next. And then you find out if you get in....well after school apps are also due. Now if step 1 was Oct 1st, and I didn't get into step 2 (announced Nov 1st), I have given up all my other options...and I will never be able to apply for the Watson again.

By that logic, it seems like vet students should only apply to one school, the one they most want to get into, because if they applied to more than one, they aren't that committed to their top choice. I am not saying that is how it is, but to me that is very similar logic.

I don't see why having an interest in a fellowship that is extremly competitive should keep me from having another plan for my life if I don't receive the fellowship...or if I do and cannot accept it for whatever reasons (there were concerns with my native status that visa's might be an issue for my Watson.)

 

[StayingHopeful]

I would recommend carefully thinking through what you will do if you get into both, have to decline the offer from the vet school for the other opportunity, and then a year later you want to re-apply. I don't remember who it was, but when I was applying last year there was somebody who shared their story like that from the previous year. They then re-applied assuming that they would get in bc they were the same candidate + more experiences (seems logical), but they got rejected.
Not that this is the norm, but it can hurt your future chances.

 

[twelvetigers]

pupsforseeing

 

[sumstorm]

I would recommend carefully thinking through what you will do if you get into both, have to decline the offer from the vet school for the other opportunity, and then a year later you want to re-apply. I don't remember who it was, but when I was applying last year there was somebody who shared their story like that from the previous year. They then re-applied assuming that they would get in bc they were the same candidate + more experiences (seems logical), but they got rejected.
Not that this is the norm, but it can hurt your future chances.

I think that is why the OP was asking about deferring and what schools were ok with that for various reasons. I agree; never assume you will get in a second time.

 

[flyhi]

pupsforseeing

Exactly....

where IS she??? did she survive the swine flu and attend Penn?

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[flyhi]

There's one girl who maybe kinda fits the description someone gave (really tall skinny blond) but idk her name and idk if she works with seeing eye dogs. She sits behind me in Histo though, and I feel creepy asking haha. I'll see if I can't figure it out. Any other identifying info??

i don't know about her physical appearance at all, but you know she took a year off to go to Mexico to work/volunteer? Maybe you can bring up Mexico somehow?? 😕 She hasn't been on the board in a really long time.

 

[twelvetigers]

She worked with deaf children I think. Anyone in your class know sign language?

 

[flyhi]

Anyone in your class know sign language?

NICE 👍

 

[lalzi22]

There's one girl who maybe kinda fits the description someone gave (really tall skinny blond) but idk her name and idk if she works with seeing eye dogs. She sits behind me in Histo though, and I feel creepy asking haha. I'll see if I can't figure it out. Any other identifying info??

This is gonna sound weird, but does she have super duper long arms? cuz if she does I know her 🙂 we called her spidey at work cuz of her long arms, haha. I liked her a lot

 

[twelvetigers]

NICE 👍

Okay, we're gonna lay this one out once and for all, because I am hella curious about this girl.

Here's what's up:

This section has been deleted by twelvetigers for privacy reasons.

/stalker, this is all from old posts. Now, find her! And tell her I said, "Pbbbbt!" for her leaving and making us all wonder.