Does it matter how long your reference has known you?

[mpang]

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Hi,
I just realized that in the vet reference form (for WCVM) asks references "how long you have known the applicant." I scored a reputable vet reference who I have shadowed may be 30 hours, which is on the low end of the duration. Would they hold that against me? Thanks

 

[beatles1964]

Hi,
I just realized that in the vet reference form (for WCVM) asks references "how long you have known the applicant." I scored a reputable vet reference who I have shadowed may be 30 hours, which is on the low end of the duration. Would they hold that against me? Thanks

I would say 30 hours is enough time if you actually spent the majority of those hours directly next to him/her during exams and/or surgeries. Of course, there are applicants who have known vets for years and worked or shadowed them for hundreds of hours, so in comparison, you are taking a bit of a risk. However, if you have known this vet for longer than those 30 hours hopefully they mentioned that somewhere in your LOR. The 2 vets who wrote LORs for me have only known on the veterinary side of things for a few yrs, but my family had used both to treat our pets since I was really young so they mentioned they had known me longer on the evaluation.


I'm hoping you were able to get another vet to write you a second LOR as well because that would definitely make you a stronger applicant and show that you have diverse and committed experience with more than one vet. The other thing you need to think about is the contact information the vet lists on their eLOR. The schools you applied to may call your recommenders and they need to be able to vouch for what they know about you. If the vet you shadowed for 30 hrs can give a school a solid verbal recommendation when asked over the phone or via email, then I would say you don't have much to worry about.

 

[LetItSnow]

Hi,
I just realized that in the vet reference form (for WCVM) asks references "how long you have known the applicant." I scored a reputable vet reference who I have shadowed may be 30 hours, which is on the low end of the duration. Would they hold that against me? Thanks

I don't think so. I think intuitively longer seems obviously better, but 30 hours is plenty of time to form a solid opinion of someone. If I read that reference I'd take it seriously.

 

[twelvetigers]

If the letter is good, then the letter is good. So just make sure the letter is good. 30 seems reasonable.

 

[shortnsweet]

Quality over quantity.

As long as you feel they know you well, it doesn't matter.

 

[Spoonage]

Hi mpang,
I actually just went to the WCVM admissions talk last night presented by the dean of admission, Dr. Grahn. Questions about the reference letters came up and he said that the letters do not even factor into the admissions equation (have no weight in the applicant ranking) because basically everyone gets stellar references. He also noted that the number of hours is not critical because they understand that students are busy with classes, and spending time trying to get the marks to get in. But, while the total number of hours won't make or break an application, he said to aim for breadth and depth of experience because that will come up in the interview which accounts for 40% of the final applicant ranking.
So it's important that the reference is good, but it's the quality of hours, not the number that is vital.

 

[mpang]

Hi mpang,
I actually just went to the WCVM admissions talk last night presented by the dean of admission, Dr. Grahn. Questions about the reference letters came up and he said that the letters do not even factor into the admissions equation (have no weight in the applicant ranking) because basically everyone gets stellar references. He also noted that the number of hours is not critical because they understand that students are busy with classes, and spending time trying to get the marks to get in. But, while the total number of hours won't make or break an application, he said to aim for breadth and depth of experience because that will come up in the interview which accounts for 40% of the final applicant ranking.
So it's important that the reference is good, but it's the quality of hours, not the number that is vital.

Thanks for the reply Spoonage! But I am thinking may be your reference would play a role on whether you get an interview?

 

[Spoonage]

Dr. Grahn didn't say it did. I mean, obviously if you had received a very poor one you might get flagged. But he said they interview the top 50% from each applicant pool based on marks alone.

 

[Escalla]

Dr. Grahn didn't say it did. I mean, obviously if you had received a very poor one you might get flagged. But he said they interview the top 50% from each applicant pool based on marks alone.

👍

Grades get you the interview. Both grades and interview get you admission (animal/vet/leadership experience is largely evaluated in the interview). I was told the references are worth next to nothing as well.

I think 30 hrs spent with a vet is a good enough amount of time for them to develop an opinion of you, like others have said. But don't stress too much since it's not where WCVM's focus will be.

 

[LetItSnow]

Dr. Grahn didn't say it did. I mean, obviously if you had received a very poor one you might get flagged. But he said they interview the top 50% from each applicant pool based on marks alone.

I'd be super cautious about taking that and assuming that it's the same at all/most/some other schools.

 

[ChittyBang]

I'd be super cautious about taking that and assuming that it's the same at all/most/some other schools.

👍

I've been told by adcoms at other schools that eLORs can essentially "make or break" an application.

I have written evaluations for people, and (usually) the longer I've known them, the stronger the evaluation. Get strong ones from vets/professors/etc who know you well.

 

[Escalla]

I'd be super cautious about taking that and assuming that it's the same at all/most/some other schools.

👍

I've been told by adcoms at other schools that eLORs can essentially "make or break" an application.

I have written evaluations for people, and (usually) the longer I've known them, the stronger the evaluation. Get strong ones from vets/professors/etc who know you well.

Yeah, unfortunately we're just lucky in western Canada that neither of our schools remotely care.

Sorry for not clarifying....for others looking at applying outside of just WCVM or UCVM, references are way more important. My advice is only relevant to those applying to these schools (which generally is your only option if you live in western Canada unless you apply internationally).