Dick vet chances?

[LondonBliss]

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I'd love to go to Edinburgh, but my GPA is low at almost a 3.0, but I have a ton of vet experience (over 5000 hours) and I have worked in the research field for 2 years. What would be my chances? I just read on here that someone got in with a lower than 3.4 into the 5 year program. I also went back and took a full year of o-chem last year and got a very respectable B+ and B- (hardest class I ever took) while working my full time research position. I have been trying to show vet schools that i am more than my crappy grades starting from 12 years ago (i'm 30 now). Unfortunately no matter how many classes I go back and take I am have so many already that it doesn't barely bring my GPA up. 2 years in a row CSU has turned me down even with my very eloquent letter of explanation as to why my grades were low (i worked a consistent 40+ hours a week through college). So much for a holistic application process.

 

[jpeterman13]

For what it's worth, I got into the GEP program at Edinburgh with a 3.26. I had far less vet experience than you and only about a year more research experience.

 

[chii chan]

I got into the GEP program as well, and at the time of applying, I had a 3.36 cGPA. I think I only had about 2500 hours of experience.

It's worth giving it a shot! The worst that will happen is a rejection letter, which don't get me wrong, does suck. I think they may take people with lower GPAs into the 5 year program. I'm not exactly sure how it works.

 

[SoBeVet]

Take the chance! My GPA was a 3.2 and I got accepted to the 5 year. Whether its 4 year or 5 year, in the end you still become a vet so I am more than happy!😀

 

[LondonBliss]

Thanks for the input! I am also waiting to hear from Ross. It's been 8 weeks, and I finally called them and the nice lady told me that I caught them a an odd time when they were getting the May class figured out and then they went on a 3 week break. I should know in 2 weeks! Of course now I keep second guessing myself and wonder if i do get in should i go or hold out for something else. I'm not getting any younger and i do love that the international schools provide so much hands on learning over the stateside schools. 😱

 

[jpeterman13]

Thanks for the input! I am also waiting to hear from Ross. It's been 8 weeks, and I finally called them and the nice lady told me that I caught them a an odd time when they were getting the May class figured out and then they went on a 3 week break. I should know in 2 weeks! Of course now I keep second guessing myself and wonder if i do get in should i go or hold out for something else. I'm not getting any younger and i do love that the international schools provide so much hands on learning over the stateside schools. 😱

Not trying to overstep my bounds...but coming from someone who was very close to going to Ross and knows a lot of people who are down there--I'd try for Edinburgh first. I have a lot of friends (one VERY VERY close friend) that is down there, and they are very unhappy. They are great about letting you defer (that's what I did and am thankful every day that I did), so if you are concerned about the accreditation problem, deferring and trying for Edinburgh would possibly be a great option. BTW, I am still a huge advocate for Ross. The education is great and the classes are very comprehensive, there are apparently 3 people in the May class that TRANSFERRED from Western, so it's a great school. But the island is a total bummer after about a week for some people,which makes the rigor of vet school even more rigorous. I guess it's so hot that putting your shampoo and toothpaste in the refrigerator is the only way to keep it the right consistency. If that's where you get in though, go! 🙂

EDIT: It's shocking on 2nd thought because I was in an almost identical position last year (you could probably dig up my first post). PM me if you have any more specific questions.

 

[chii chan]

I know one of the people at Ross who just transferred from Western! He's loving so far.


Don't forget that there are other international schools you can try for as well besides Edinburgh. There are like 3 schools in Australia (Murdoch is AVMA accredited). Massey in New Zealand, Dublin (Ireland), Glasgow (Scotland), and RVC (London) are all AVMA accredited. If you don't want to cross any ponds, I think Ontario and UPEI are AVMA accredited as well. For non-AVMA accredited schools in the UK, there's also Bristol, Liverpool, and Cambridge.

 

[LondonBliss]

Not trying to overstep my bounds...but coming from someone who was very close to going to Ross and knows a lot of people who are down there--I'd try for Edinburgh first. I have a lot of friends (one VERY VERY close friend) that is down there, and they are very unhappy. They are great about letting you defer (that's what I did and am thankful every day that I did), so if you are concerned about the accreditation problem, deferring and trying for Edinburgh would possibly be a great option. BTW, I am still a huge advocate for Ross. The education is great and the classes are very comprehensive, there are apparently 3 people in the May class that TRANSFERRED from Western, so it's a great school. But the island is a total bummer after about a week for some people,which makes the rigor of vet school even more rigorous. I guess it's so hot that putting your shampoo and toothpaste in the refrigerator is the only way to keep it the right consistency. If that's where you get in though, go! 🙂

EDIT: It's shocking on 2nd thought because I was in an almost identical position last year (you could probably dig up my first post). PM me if you have any more specific questions.

Thanks jpeterman for the advice (i will PM you too, as soon as i figure that out later). I'm totaly looking forward to Ross if i get in, but i'm so worried about the debt. I wonder why some people hate it down on the island, i've talked to so many that just loved it. I figure i would be so focused on studying that it wouldn't really matter what the island had to offer. Also i'm from Arizona, so heat is something i'm kinda used to even though it does suck. Can you defer Ross without paying the $500 deposit right away? i think they ask for it pretty fast after you get an acceptance letter.
So you all think Edinburgh may take a barely sub 3.0 girl with lots of experience? Guess it doesn't hurt to try.

 

[gone2dogs]

I'd love to go to Edinburgh, but my GPA is low at almost a 3.0, but I have a ton of vet experience (over 5000 hours) and I have worked in the research field for 2 years. What would be my chances? I just read on here that someone got in with a lower than 3.4 into the 5 year program. I also went back and took a full year of o-chem last year and got a very respectable B+ and B- (hardest class I ever took) while working my full time research position. I have been trying to show vet schools that i am more than my crappy grades starting from 12 years ago (i'm 30 now). Unfortunately no matter how many classes I go back and take I am have so many already that it doesn't barely bring my GPA up. 2 years in a row CSU has turned me down even with my very eloquent letter of explanation as to why my grades were low (i worked a consistent 40+ hours a week through college). So much for a holistic application process.

Hey, we can form a Colorado contingent at Edinburgh next year 😀! CSU has also said "no thanks" to me twice so I am looking to apply more broadly this year, and seriously considering applying to Edinburgh (in addition to probably 5-7 domestic schools). Seriously enough that I will likely start the rabies deal this winter with my 2 dogs.

I can't answer your question, but I thought I'd chime in and make sure that you have at least had a file review with CSU. They were pretty helpful both years, and I definitely got myself a lot closer to getting in the second round based on their advice after the first rejection. So if you haven't already, I'd definitely make an appointment or at least e-mail them.

 

[LondonBliss]

I definitely lost track of time when it comes to the file review. I just emailed admissions to see how I can set up a long distance appointment. But the truth of the matter is I am not getting any younger (almost 31) and when you are older and you have a life that does include a long term boyfriend, dogs, bird and cat you start to wonder if you can even leave, as much as you really want to. I really wish I had done things different in my early college days. Atleast Ross would only be 2 years 4 months down there than back to the states. We (my bf and I) have both prepared for this option. I'm starting to be thankful for other options. Just think if all we had were stateside schools, most of us would be screwed.

 

[ckd816]

I don't really have much advice to add, but I just wanted to say hello because I am from Arizona too and will be applying to Edinburgh this cycle as well! It's always good to have more company to endure the suffering with. 😉 Good luck to you!

 

[168135]

What's the tuition for Edinburgh?

I was also thinking of applying if I didn't get into AVC first time around, but saw that 3.4 and it scared me away from trying.

Another question that I'll tack on here: I just found out that when they calculate my GPA for my university, they do not count any courses that I failed. I failed a math class my first semester and I am NOT retaking it (AVC wouldn't look at my mark and I already have my stats and another elective which satisfies their requirement). Do schools that look at your total GPA (not your pre-req GPA like AVC) count any failed courses into your GPA?

Not sure why my university does it, or if any other universities do it.

 

[luplodw]

What's the tuition for Edinburgh?

I was also thinking of applying if I didn't get into AVC first time around, but saw that 3.4 and it scared me away from trying.

Another question that I'll tack on here: I just found out that when they calculate my GPA for my university, they do not count any courses that I failed. I failed a math class my first semester and I am NOT retaking it (AVC wouldn't look at my mark and I already have my stats and another elective which satisfies their requirement). Do schools that look at your total GPA (not your pre-req GPA like AVC) count any failed courses into your GPA?

Not sure why my university does it, or if any other universities do it.

I don't think that is fair! It's almost like penalizing those that did better in classes than an F but still had to retake it (like if you made a D, that D would still be calculated into your GPA therefore lowering it!) Those that did worse by getting an F should have to calculate that into their GPA too

 

[LondonBliss]

Good luck ckd816! Nice to meet someone else from Arizona wanting to go to vet school. In my 5 years at ASU-Main I never met another pre-vet student. The pre-vet club was way out on east campus and i could never make it out there. I have a friend that i met later after college from Arizona who is in his first year at Edinburgh. He loves it.

As for the GPA thing. I am pretty sure CSU wanted EVERYTHING calculated, which irritated me because i thought, 'what was the point of retaking a course?' I managed to get a D in Animal Physiology, but retook it for a much better grade. Needless to say I had to factor in the D. Sucks. Every school is different. Some don't look at the GPA per say, but your individual grades and some have GPA cutoffs.

 

[168135]

I have one year left and I have to cram 4 biology courses, 2 chemistry courses and 2 electives. I did bad in general chem. AVC won't look at my mark if I retake it so I'll be taking 2 upper level chemistry courses instead. I could slightly raise the mark of my math elective. Once again, I can't take the one I flunked over again because AVC won't look at it. I was thinking of taking upper level stats instead.

If I don't get into AVC, am I setting myself up to be rejected from schools that look at overall GPA? 😛 I guess the rigor of my degree is quite high... instead of taking "easy" courses for my electives (economics, business folklore, easy math), like most people do, I've taken biomedical ethics, psych courses, additional chem courses, physics 😛 eh, we'll see I guess.

Haha, should this be a separate thread? 😛

I don't think that is fair! It's almost like penalizing those that did better in classes than an F but still had to retake it (like if you made a D, that D would still be calculated into your GPA therefore lowering it!) Those that did worse by getting an F should have to calculate that into their GPA too

Yeah, I kind of think it's unfair. My friend failed at least 2 courses and because the school doesn't count them, she has an average high enough to do honours. She still has to meet with the dean though and get approved.

Despite failing math my first year, I made up for it. I have the 6 credits I need to graduate with 😛

 

[LondonBliss]

Wow sounds like you have it made in Canada. Sounds like if you do well in these other classes you will be sitting pretty sweet. Scotland would be more of a viable option for you than me. By the way it is just over $32,000/yr or $125,000 for the 4 years paid at once. Much better than most schools unless you are lucky to be instate.

 

[gone2dogs]

I definitely lost track of time when it comes to the file review. I just emailed admissions to see how I can set up a long distance appointment. But the truth of the matter is I am not getting any younger (almost 31) and when you are older and you have a life that does include a long term boyfriend, dogs, bird and cat you start to wonder if you can even leave, as much as you really want to.

I hope you can get some helpful advice from CSU... their advice could be applicable no matter where else you apply.

I see now (didn't notice it before) that you are in San Diego... so I wonder what your attachment is with CSU? Just curious. It is not the easiest school to get into OOS...

Also, I am several years older than you, and although everyone's situations are different, I understand the extra challenges that come along with this process! Good luck to you, and hopefully Ross wil come through for you and be a good option for you!

 

[chii chan]

I'm not sure what the tuition will be for the next year's class, but for this year's starting students, tuition is fixed at 22,200 pounds for all 4 years.

Oh, and the nice thing is that CSU and Edinburgh have a contract. So you could potentially "study abroad" at CSU.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/vet/about/new-ground

 

[168135]

I'm not sure what the tuition will be for the next year's class, but for this year's starting students, tuition is fixed at 22,200 pounds for all 4 years.

Oh, and the nice thing is that CSU and Edinburgh have a contract. So you could potentially "study abroad" at CSU.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/vet/about/new-ground

So that's like $68 000 for all 4 years? That's not too bad... a little cheaper than the carib schools... hmmm...

 

[HopefulAg]

No, more of $140,000 for tuition. (22,000 x 1.6 x 4)

Off their spreadsheet deal it's about $230,000 for all four years.

 

[168135]

Ewwww.... if I don't get into AVC, I'm going to have to start thinking about another career. I can't afford any of the international/carib schools 🙁

 

[LondonBliss]

I hope you can get some helpful advice from CSU... their advice could be applicable no matter where else you apply.

I see now (didn't notice it before) that you are in San Diego... so I wonder what your attachment is with CSU? Just curious. It is not the easiest school to get into OOS...

Also, I am several years older than you, and although everyone's situations are different, I understand the extra challenges that come along with this process! Good luck to you, and hopefully Ross wil come through for you and be a good option for you!

My attachment to CSU is definitely waning. It was one of the few schools i applied to besides Western because I don't have a full year of o-chem. I only took the condensed course (1 semester) with lab in college. So last year when i was working a research job that paid for school, i went back and took the full year of lectures with the plan to follow up with the labs. My research job at the time was just too demanding so i couldn't take them at the same time. So of course i got laid off right after the recession hit and couldn't afford to go take the labs. That was all in Arizona, so now i live in San Diego where the research jobs are plentiful, but i'm out of state still. I'm in a dead zone. it kinda sucks. that's why my options are few and why Ross is a big consideration for me right now. Of course now that my either acceptance or denial is in the mail from Ross at the moment, i am wondering if i should really take a little longer to better myself. I just don't know. 😕 I'm so confused!!!!