Do I still have a chance? / How to handle the rejection letters?

[Virginger]

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I know I am not the best applicant but I have working towards this for years. I held off on applying the last two years because I didnt feel competitive enough.

This year I retook Physics over the summer to replace my C+'s to A's. Schools approach retakes differently, so I have multiple GPAs, (A) = Averages, (R) = Replaces the grades. I am taking more courses this Fall and look forward to continuing the upward trend.

I tried to be very strategic about my application by looking at OOS acceptance rates/seats available and their average GPAs. Also, I feel confident that my personal statement and other essays were strong (I had them reviewed by many people in and out of the veterinary field).

Unfortunately, This past week I received 3 rejection letters.
KSU - specified that they had a calculation that used my GRE scores and Science GPA which resulted in the termination of my application (I thought KSU was supposed to be an open minded university when it comes to applicants)
Illinois - specified that the average OOS GPA for interviews was 3.68 (Overall GPA) and 3.61 (Science GPA)
Purdue - just said I was no longer in consideration

I dont even think they bothered to read any of my application from the way things were stated in a couple of the letters. I feel like a number... "Am I missing a Bigger Picture?!" 😕
Should I expect anything different from the other universities?



First time applicant, 22 years old, female, VA resident
BS in Animal Science from Michigan State University

Applied: VMRCVM, Tufts (A), Penn (A), Oregon State (R), Purdue (A), Kansas State (R), Iowa State (A), Auburn (A), Minnesota (A), Florida (A), Illinois (A)

Rejected: Purdue, KSU, Illinois

Cum GPA @ time of application:
MSU 3.19, (A) 3.24, (R) 3.29
this month it should increase to be about 3.29-3.33

(Possible) Undergraduate Science GPA:
(it depends on what they incorporate into the science, like zoology courses, specific animal science courses, independent study for zoology)
MSU 3.13, (A) 3.22, (R) 3.32,
this month it should increase to be about 3.2-3.3

Last 45 Credit hr GPA:
MSU 3.31, (A) 3.41, (R) 3.49
this month it should increase to be about 3.5-3.65

GRE: 570q, 540v, 3.5a
(I know they are low, I continuously struggle with testing anxiety which does not reflect well in these standardized tests)

Employment: Veterinary Experience (most recent first):
3500 hrs - Veterinary Assistant
360 hrs - Equine OR Assistant

Volunteer: Veterinary Experience (most recent first):
650 hrs - Research Assistant: Canine Oncology
95 hrs - Career Intern at Equine Hospital/Foal Watcher
400 hrs - Small Animal Day-practice

Employment: Animal Experience (most recent first)
126 hrs - Animal Caretaker at Exotic Bird Producer/Distributer

Extracurricular/Community Activities:
25 hrs - TA for Saturday Morning Art Program
80 hrs - Volunteer at Stable
30 hrs - Shadowing Veterinary Oncology
60 hrs - Shadowing Veterinary Small Animal Internal Medicine
135 hrs - Parasitology Research

eLORS:
Prof at MSU
Prof at MSU (advisor for one of the research projects)
Asoc. Prof in MSU vet school
DVM from Sm animal
DVM from Sm animal

Awards and Honors:
Published as coauthor in peer reviewed journal for parasitology
Presented at undergraduate research forum on my oncology research
(I dont know if i would call them awards, but maybe accomplishments)

 

[Cypress]

I'm heading to bed - 4th if my 5 finals tomorrow - but saw your posted and wanted to send you a quick note....

Hang in there!!! I'm a third time applicant and received my first interview from purdue yesterday. I have some suggestions based on my own experiences I'll write more later. I just wanted to give you some quick words of encouragement - this is a huge uphill battle for those of us that are not natural students - you are headed in the right direction so don't give up hope. Rejection letters are awful! No real good way to deal with them except time and action.

Main point if my post - you're not alone! Hang in there!!

 

[Cypress]

And to answer your question - YES you definitely still have a chance!

 

[LetItSnow]

Should I expect anything different from the other universities?

[...]

Extracurricular/Community Activities:
25 hrs - TA for Saturday Morning Art Program
80 hrs - Volunteer at Stable
30 hrs - Shadowing Veterinary Oncology
60 hrs - Shadowing Veterinary Small Animal Internal Medicine
135 hrs - Parasitology Research

Expect? Not necessarily - you never know what to expect. But yes, you absolutely should be hopeful. And if you don't get in, you need to take that step back and see the big picture: you're young, you haven't done anything to cripple your chances, so you just use the next 9 months or so to build more experience and/or correct whatever the schools didn't like as best you can. It would be disappointing, to be sure, but keep perspective: it's just one application cycle.

Quick comment on your extracurriculars... is there a reason you didn't list that shadowing time under vet experience?

Good luck with the other schools!!

 

[squirrelsrule]

Stay positive! You're grades and GRE aren't the best, but they're also not the worst. You have a good deal of vet experience which shows your interest in the field and if you wrote a strong PS showing that as well as got good ELORS, then I think if you make it past the initial screening you definitely stand a chance. Your in state school is probably more likely to look at your entire application, so I think you'd stand a decent chance there. This waiting game is torture, but it will all be worth it in the end, so just hang in there and keep working on strengthening your application in case you have to make another go round with applying next year. Many people do not get in their first try. Once all is said and done if you haven't been accepted, I'd go around to any and all schools that offer a review of your application to get tips for how to improve for next year. Illinois and KSU obviously think you need to improve your grades and GRE. So, maybe study up on vocab and/or math whatever you need to and then retake the GRE to try for a better score. Good luck, hoping you get better news soon!

 

[katryn]

First off, definitely hang in there, and do not give up hope. Even some of us with really really good stats are multiple time applicants.

I agree that doing file reviews is definitely the best way to find out what's holding you back, but don't stop working on your application just because there's X number of months before file reviews roll around.

As far as feeling like a number goes, don't let it get you down too much, and learn to use the system to your advantage. It's important to remember that a lot of schools use algorithms based on GPA/GRE score/number of credit hours taken/etc to sort through all of the applicants, and don't look at the rest of the application until interviews. Since grades and scores seem to be your weakest flank, see if they will give you a hand out detailing how they calculate that initial ranking, and if they will tell you where you stand in relation to the cut off point (were you 10 points away or 100 points away). This will give you a much more specific way to figure out how much you need to improve for each school to be considered, and may give you a better idea of which schools to not bother with.

 

[Virginger]

Expect? Not necessarily - you never know what to expect. But yes, you absolutely should be hopeful. And if you don't get in, you need to take that step back and see the big picture: you're young, you haven't done anything to cripple your chances, so you just use the next 9 months or so to build more experience and/or correct whatever the schools didn't like as best you can. It would be disappointing, to be sure, but keep perspective: it's just one application cycle.

Quick comment on your extracurriculars... is there a reason you didn't list that shadowing time under vet experience?

Good luck with the other schools!!

Oops. Oh yeah, I meant to put those in veterinary! I know I didnt do that on my application at least 😳

 

[Virginger]

Thanks for all the support 🙂 I needed it. I hope apps go well for the all of you too!
I never thought the stress of waiting would get this bad. I guess it is just a matter of surviving the algorithms.

I do think I have a decent shot at my IS school (60% VA residents will be interviewed), but they dont do anything w my retake of physics/science GPA.

Also, I am visiting some family in Oregon next week. So, I am also planning to visit OSU because the staff said on the phone they will have faculty meet me/give me a tour and then put it into my application ( I guess they like it if you come visit since they dont do interviews for OOS). ,,,De-facto interview? I got a suit for it because I want to make the best impression.

 

[Bisbee]

Hey...some of us have heard nothing yet (rejections, interviews, acceptances...no feedback whatsoever) which can be frustrating, too. I have just told myself to put it all on the back burner until after the 1st of the year. Don't worry...you can make this thing happen, if not this year then another year. Just keep working toward it. (And enjoy the holiday season. It really does get your mind off of things).

 

[DrKsomeday]

Oh the stories I could tell ya. 🙄

This is not for the faint of heart and it will push you past your breaking point as far as doubting your own talents. Remember WHY you started down this road.

They can reject you. It will hurt but they can't take this crazy dream from you until you're ready to hand it over for something else.

Best advice I ever received was don't try to beat the system. Follow it to the letter. Basically check and double check everything.

As for KSU... eh, it's a toss-up as to their reasoning. I've been down that road with them. I ended up making an excel spread sheet to track all my course work with repeats and sent it with my supplemental. Maybe it helped maybe they didn't even read it but at least I made interviews so for whatever reason something worked. Now will they let me in? That is the real question.

You must dust yourself off and try, try, try again! Also don't forget about file review!!!

 

[Cypress]

I know I am not the best applicant but I have working towards this for years. I held off on applying the last two years because I didnt feel competitive enough.

This year I retook Physics over the summer to replace my C+'s to A's. Schools approach retakes differently, so I have multiple GPAs, (A) = Averages, (R) = Replaces the grades. I am taking more courses this Fall and look forward to continuing the upward trend.

I tried to be very strategic about my application by looking at OOS acceptance rates/seats available and their average GPAs. Also, I feel confident that my personal statement and other essays were strong (I had them reviewed by many people in and out of the veterinary field).

Unfortunately, This past week I received 3 rejection letters.
KSU - specified that they had a calculation that used my GRE scores and Science GPA which resulted in the termination of my application (I thought KSU was supposed to be an open minded university when it comes to applicants)
Illinois - specified that the average OOS GPA for interviews was 3.68 (Overall GPA) and 3.61 (Science GPA)
Purdue - just said I was no longer in consideration

I dont even think they bothered to read any of my application from the way things were stated in a couple of the letters. I feel like a number... "Am I missing a Bigger Picture?!" 😕
Should I expect anything different from the other universities?

I wanted to follow up with a few suggestions for things you can try based on my own experiences.

I am on the lower end of the GPA scale - even lower than you - I'm on my third cycle and just got an interview with Purdue, rejection from Illinois, assumed rejection from Ohio and Missouri, waiting to hear from Minnesota, VMRVC, and Wisconsin.

Last year I took a real hard look at my application after my second rejection with no interview (only applied to Purdue last year). A friend of mine was accepted with a very similar GPA - so I know they take people at the lower end of the scale. I had to say to myself - what makes them look at the low GPA apps? Not all schools do basic math to make a cut off - otherwise people with 3.00-3.30 would never be interviewed and then accepted - so what makes those applications stand out.

I also had a great (and some what hard to hear) conversation with someone at Purdue last year - take home message was - we don't take people with lower GPAs because historically they don't do well in vet school - they want people who can handle the DVM curriculum successfully. So I needed to prove that I could.

Here are the improvements I made on my application over the last year:

Pre-professional Biology Masters degree - 1 year program - 30 credit hours in 2 semesters - very intensive graduate level biology classes - I didn't get a 4.00 but I performed well and received all As and Bs.

Worked part-time while in school - as a vet assistant and at a hippotheray horseback riding facility

Volunteer project - Acted as Chair of Volunteer planning committee for biggest fundraising event for our local shelter - huge leadership building experience and received the most amazing LOR from a woman who was on my committee (did this while in school and was asked back to be the chair again this year)

Updated LORs - added an additional vet (so 2 vets), 2 graduate course professors (one being the graduate department head), volunteer project committee member, and a personal/professional letter from a woman who I teach horseback riding lessons to her family.

Personal statement - I poured my heart and soul into my personal statement - worked on it for several months - had it critiqued (many times) by my grandmother that is an MD, teaches at local medical school, has written a book, and is very active in story telling, also my husband (anthropology graduate student).

I'm not sure what of these things tipped the scale in my favor - but I got an interview which is further than I've ever been - not sure if I'll get in - but I have the chance to prove myself in person not just on paper.

This is a tough road and will kick you when you're down over and over again - I think being able to pick yourself up after the disappointment of rejection and push ahead will make or break your chances. Take a hard look at your application, ask for feed back from the schools you applied to (be persistent in asking - I had to go through a few people to get someone who actually had advice for me), and take that advice and run with it. Be creative in your experience and always think about how your experiences can be applied to your future career - don't just do them to do them - take a lesson away from them.

Always remember - they DO interview and ACCEPT people with lower GPAs - you just have to figure out how to get them to see your application as more than your GPA

On a more practical note - I would recommend retaking the GREs - yours scores aren't terrible but your quantitative is below average for many schools - boosting that score will help get you past the lower GPA hump.

Most vets take an average of 2-3 times to get into vet school. I work for a vet that didn't get in until his 3rd try and he is one of the most amazing doctors I've ever met. Browse SDN - there are many threads with inspiration about not getting in on your first try.

Hang in there!!! Believe that this is what you want, keep working your ass off and you can do it!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[LetItSnow]

Always remember - they DO interview and ACCEPT people with lower GPAs - you just have to figure out how to get them to see your application as more than your GPA

Schools have a tightrope to walk .... there are two sometimes competing goals in play. First, they need people who will pass the program academically. You can't get around that. Second, they want people who will succeed as vets.

You have to present to them an application that addresses both of those. All the "I know I'll be a great vet" in the world won't help if you can't give them a reason to believe you'll succeed academically.

I like Cypress's approach with the 1-yr program. I think if your weakness is primarily academics it's not a bad way to go. The two biggest downsides are cost and time. But if you're really sub-par academically, there may be no way around that sort of approach.

 

[bunnity]

Schools have a tightrope to walk .... there are two sometimes competing goals in play. First, they need people who will pass the program academically. You can't get around that. Second, they want people who will succeed as vets.

You have to present to them an application that addresses both of those. All the "I know I'll be a great vet" in the world won't help if you can't give them a reason to believe you'll succeed academically.

I like Cypress's approach with the 1-yr program. I think if your weakness is primarily academics it's not a bad way to go. The two biggest downsides are cost and time. But if you're really sub-par academically, there may be no way around that sort of approach.

This is a really, really good post. I feel like there have been so many times I've wanted to say this but not been able to articulate it. Vet school is extremely challenging academically and - beyond proving yourself to schools - you (in general not just the OP) need to figure out how you're going to meet that challenge once you get to vet school.

 

[Cypress]

I like Cypress's approach with the 1-yr program. I think if your weakness is primarily academics it's not a bad way to go. The two biggest downsides are cost and time. But if you're really sub-par academically, there may be no way around that sort of approach.

Very good point LetItSnow - it is expensive and it's taken a year of my life to do this - a very focused stressful year. Also, this program doesn't give me any research experience so it's not setting me up very strongly for the type of jobs people usually look for after getting their masters. Its all about weighing the options and figuring out what works for your situation. I know vet school is what I want to do - I know I can succeed academically - I just needed to figure out how to get my application to show that since my undergraduate work was less than stellar (I'm a returning student) and that I'm at a stage in my life that I am serious and ready for this big step.

 

[Cypress]

Vet school is extremely challenging academically and - beyond proving yourself to schools - you (in general not just the OP) need to figure out how you're going to meet that challenge once you get to vet school.

Well said!

 

[psilovethomas]

Hello, fellow Virginian Animal Science Spartan 😉.
Have you looked at the UK schools or Caribbean schools? They are great schools and you will get the same quality of education as you would in the states, it will just be a bit expensive. These schools also tend to have a more holistic approach to admissions and will see you as more than a number. Don't give up hope! 🙂

 

[kaydubs]

Vet school is about jumping through hoops. We jump through the hoops, through fire hoops and backwards through those same hoops blindfolded. At some point, we might begin to wonder....what am I doing this for? My good friend told me this story. She amazes and inspires me. She guided me back to vet school. Her, and countless others (many who I've never met but frequent SDN) lit the way for me. I'm proud to share this app cycle with her.

I'm working on strengthening my balance, patience and endurance this year away. Like LIS said, tightropes are essential to vet school. They might even ask you to walk across blind. You get to decide whether you want to take that chance.

I forgot why I wanted to go to vet school. The burn-out hit bad after I graduated and spent my summer unemployed "on break" before vet school. Now, I'm at a dead-end job, eager to go where I (hope)/know that I want to be: vet school.

 

[Virginger]

I have been thinking about plan B's ... and they do all lead me back to going for vet school.

Plan B.1:

• Continue taking courses that are going to positively impact my science GPA/overall GPA (specifically bio, phsyio, and etc. courses) this spring.
• Retake Biochem over then summer.
• Move to Oregon and establish residency because outside of VT that is the other program I want to go to (for academic/personal reasons I want to move out there). I think I can get away with doing that because its one year to matriculation (I think that is considered the start of the academic year) that I have to move/work in the state.

Plan B.2:
If applications dont work out next year, have applications ready to masters programs in public health, parasitology, toxicology, and/or biotech to continue with my education while better preparing me for future applications. By that point too, I should be able to apply instate if I choose to move.

Plan B.3:
Also include international schools (though I am a little hesitant going out of country).

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Side note: This year I did apply to Western but my application died. They had on "a" link posted that their physiology req was to be "upper-level." It wasnt listed on the application forms with the other criteria that was with the other "do or die" selection rules. When they did address that, I brought up that they had approved 200 level course work for universities and community colleges for that req (I am attending a community college currently and so I dont have the option of taking a higher level course) but never addressed my points in response. Additionally I cant enroll in a local university because I am balancing working/community college/undergrad OOS loans are coming due. --- Did anyone else have a problem like that, or was it really obvious and I totally missed it?

Later Western re-approached me about having enrolled for a course that would actually fill the req a few business day before sending invites... and I had to tell them I couldnt do it. I think they were considering me for an invite.... that is a downer.

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I think every once has made very valid points about working to build up my grades and looking at alternate schools. I think I for sure could use more community service, too.


For those who applied to VT, I think there is a good chance they will get back to us next week (VT is def my best shot). My co-worker who is there now heard back this time last year... Hope it goes well for everyone!!

 

[Virginger]

Hello, fellow Virginian Animal Science Spartan 😉.
Have you looked at the UK schools or Caribbean schools? They are great schools and you will get the same quality of education as you would in the states, it will just be a bit expensive. These schools also tend to have a more holistic approach to admissions and will see you as more than a number. Don't give up hope! 🙂

I have to do it,
GO GREEN! 😀

 

[Cypress]

I have been thinking about plan B's ... and they do all lead me back to going for vet school.

For those who applied to VT, I think there is a good chance they will get back to us next week (VT is def my best shot). My co-worker who is there now heard back this time last year... Hope it goes well for everyone!!

All your plan Bs sound great! The best thing you can do is just keep moving forward and doing what you can to improve your application. Being proactive is the best strategy and you are already on top of that!

Also - on VT - I am assuming you are talking about Virginia-Maryland? The thread for this years cycle says that they actually pushed their dates back this year and we won't hear from them till after the first of the year. They are doing interviews a little later this year so invites were going out a little later. So don't fret too much if you don't hear anything next week.

Good luck with everything!! And fingers crossed you hear back from one of the other schools with some awesome news!!

 

[Virginger]

All your plan Bs sound great! The best thing you can do is just keep moving forward and doing what you can to improve your application. Being proactive is the best strategy and you are already on top of that!

Also - on VT - I am assuming you are talking about Virginia-Maryland? The thread for this years cycle says that they actually pushed their dates back this year and we won't hear from them till after the first of the year. They are doing interviews a little later this year so invites were going out a little later. So don't fret too much if you don't hear anything next week.

Good luck with everything!! And fingers crossed you hear back from one of the other schools with some awesome news!!

Whew, and thanks for letting me know (and yeah VT = Virginia-Maryland) ... it leaves gives the holidays a break then, i think most applicants will appreciate that. I will be happy not to here back till after new years. lol.

 

[sunnex3]

Whew, and thanks for letting me know (and yeah VT = Virginia-Maryland) ... it leaves gives the holidays a break then, i think most applicants will appreciate that. I will be happy not to here back till after new years. lol.

this has nothing to do with your situation really, but i just wanted to say hello to a fellow northern virginia person

 

[Virginger]

this has nothing to do with your situation really, but i just wanted to say hello to a fellow northern virginia person

Woot Woot 😀
Thats awesome! If VT works out well , then we coordinate at interviews?!