Experience versus GPA?

[that redhead]

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Hello everyone! This is my first time posting here, although I've been lurking for a week or two. I'm a pre-vet student like many of you, intending to apply officially for my first time this fall. I have a miserable GPA of 2.83 and I'm painfully aware of how uncompetitive this makes me. The one thing I do have going for me is that I have boatloads of experience in virtually every "category", although some experience is more limited than others.

I've recently decided to take classes full-time again after two semesters with a less-than-full course-load to bump my GPA up as much as possible. This means taking classes over the summer, since veterinary schools won't see my final GPA unless they request fall/spring transcripts.

Anyway, I just got an email advertising the opportunity for an amazing summer internship working at an AALAC accredited facility in a really hands-on atmosphere. A lot of the work seems like it will be with large animals, which is the one category that I lack experience in as well as the field I want to pursue whenever I finally become a veterinarian.

My question to you all is: assuming I can only do the internship OR take summer classes to boost my GPA (however much I can), which do you think is best for me to pursue? Is it worth asking this same question to the admissions contacts at my "target schools"?

Thank you for hanging in there and reading all of this! 🙂

 

[gilch]

I'd say take classes to boost that GPA. If you have more than 100 credits, it won't help too much for cGPA, but it could really help your sGPA and rGPA, which some schools weigh more heavily than cGPA. I'd also advise you to start looking around at different vet schools, because there are several that I am aware of to which you would be ineligible to apply simply based on your GPA. Some others have a base line of something like 3.0 cGPA or 3.4 rGPA. I wish you the best of luck, but this is going to be a hard path for you. If I were you, I'd start planning on making the application be competitive for class of 2016.

Asking your 'target schools' is a good idea. Just make sure you are an eligible applicant first.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I think your gpa is low enough that it should be the one thing u spend time to focus on. At least raise it up to a 3.0 . If you are young, i would also consider applying to a masters program. Opinions vary a lot on whether it should be thesis based or not. If you do thesis based then this also gives you research experience (which they love). however, it also takes more time. But i don't think your chances are very good until you prove to them that you can get good grades and that vet school courses won't be a problem for you.

 

[smilin1590]

Yep focus on gpa. While you're at it if you decide to take classes instead of the internship maybe you can look for nearby experiences during the summer, this way you can still be focusing on the gpa but still adding a little bit more experience wise. Just a thought. But if you are really worried about your gpa then deal with that first and foremost since you say you already have plenty experience. Good luck! I'll be rooting for you 🙂

 

[twelvetigers]

Do you have an in state school? Is there anywhere specific you're wanting to apply? Have you ever taken the GRE?

 

[that redhead]

Do you have an in state school? Is there anywhere specific you're wanting to apply? Have you ever taken the GRE?

Yes, VMRCVM is my "in state" school (I'm from Maryland). Took the GRE once and scored 1020 after misreading half the verbal section wrong. Math was 540, writing was 4.5. Definitely taking them again, and I feel sure I can score better just by actually reading the questions. VMRCVM is where I'd like to go, although to be honest, I can't afford to be picky.

 

[that redhead]

I'd say take classes to boost that GPA. If you have more than 100 credits, it won't help too much for cGPA, but it could really help your sGPA and rGPA, which some schools weigh more heavily than cGPA. I'd also advise you to start looking around at different vet schools, because there are several that I am aware of to which you would be ineligible to apply simply based on your GPA. Some others have a base line of something like 3.0 cGPA or 3.4 rGPA. I wish you the best of luck, but this is going to be a hard path for you. If I were you, I'd start planning on making the application be competitive for class of 2016.

Asking your 'target schools' is a good idea. Just make sure you are an eligible applicant first.

Yep, already gone through all of the AVMA accredited schools to find out which I am even eligible for applying to. Because I'm already just over 100 credits I believe the best I can do is a 3.1 overall (although last 45 could be high), so it's going to be rough. Thanks!

 

[Willowhand]

About how many hours do you mean when you say "boatloads" of experience? If you have well above average, this can certainly help balance out the GPA -but I think it would probably be a better idea to do the coursework this summer. Keep in mind that different schools have different ways of evaluating applications. Some rank the applicants for interviews by academic measures (GPA, GRE) first, and in that case it can be difficult to get to the next round (when they look at experience and other factors) with a very low GPA. Other schools look at the application as a whole from the start. Still others have "grade forgiveness" programs where you can ask them to only look at your GPA from a certain point onward (e.g. if you had a bad first year, they can calculate your GPA using your sophomore year onward provided all your required courses were taken within that period).

My advice is to look at each school's website for information on how they evaluate applicants, look at the stats of accepted students to get an idea where you stand, and call the schools you're interested in. An admissions counselor can give you ideas on how to improve your application based at that specific school's evaluation procedures. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy whatever you end up doing this summer 🙂

 

[that redhead]

I think your gpa is low enough that it should be the one thing u spend time to focus on. At least raise it up to a 3.0 . If you are young, i would also consider applying to a masters program. Opinions vary a lot on whether it should be thesis based or not. If you do thesis based then this also gives you research experience (which they love). however, it also takes more time. But i don't think your chances are very good until you prove to them that you can get good grades and that vet school courses won't be a problem for you.

I'm on the fence about applying to a Master's program, but in the end it may be my best chance. I already have 2 years and counting with research, so that isn't a huge persuading factor in my mind. Definitely worth considering though, thank you 🙂

 

[that redhead]

About how many hours do you mean when you say "boatloads" of experience? If you have well above average, this can certainly help balance out the GPA -but I think it would probably be a better idea to do the coursework this summer. Keep in mind that different schools have different ways of evaluating applications. Some rank the applicants for interviews by academic measures (GPA, GRE) first, and in that case it can be difficult to get to the next round (when they look at experience and other factors) with a very low GPA. Other schools look at the application as a whole from the start. Still others have "grade forgiveness" programs where you can ask them to only look at your GPA from a certain point onward (e.g. if you had a bad first year, they can calculate your GPA using your sophomore year onward provided all your required courses were taken within that period).

My advice is to look at each school's website for information on how they evaluate applicants, look at the stats of accepted students to get an idea where you stand, and call the schools you're interested in. An admissions counselor can give you ideas on how to improve your application based at that specific school's evaluation procedures. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy whatever you end up doing this summer 🙂

Off the top of my head (not all is under a vet)
Equine: can't even count the non-vet exp. spent ~400hr with an equine vet
Production animal: 50hr
SA: 2500+?
Research animals: ~2000 (still working with them now, so will increase)
Weird animals (bats, alligators): ~400
Wildlife: Will be at roughly 200hr by application time.

I think I will be contacting those advisors. Thanks 🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

Yes, VMRCVM is my "in state" school (I'm from Maryland). Took the GRE once and scored 1020 after misreading half the verbal section wrong. Math was 540, writing was 4.5. Definitely taking them again, and I feel sure I can score better just by actually reading the questions. VMRCVM is where I'd like to go, although to be honest, I can't afford to be picky.

I'd def apply to back up schools. vmrcvm puts a lot of focus on stats. I still need to get my post mortem back but im pretty sure i failed to get in because of the low point value i got from my stats. (the last info i heard from the admissions ppl there is stats count for 50%) i have personally known many people who have been rejected or waitlisted at VA as their IS but got into a ton of OOS schools that are ranked top 5. its really odd. The one experience that happened this yr was i knew this other girl who had almost no experience at all (animal or vet) but took a random shot at applying to VA. She didnt even want to go to VA but just did it for the hell of it. With her near perfect stats she was accepted to VA even though she lacked experience. crazy. and now she is debating if she even wants to go there or not cuz its not her dream school. and im thinking "omg u got in when you shouldnt have, stop being picky!" lol that is the only school she was accepted to though.

ive said this on other threads about low stats, but i recommend applying to penn and IL because i have low stats but i still got an interview there because i guess my experiences really stood out. if you scan other threads, other people have recommended schools that they applied to with low stats and got interviews. Some schools just put more/less focus into stats vs. experience so make sure you research all of the schools really well. and read up on all of SDN info!! check out all of the stat threads and see who has low states and where they received interviews


EDIt: sry my post took a while to write haha there are many other responses now. but i just wanted to emphasize again to try out penn because they love research experience and u have a good amount.

 

[that redhead]

I'd def apply to back up schools. vmrcvm puts a lot of focus on stats. I still need to get my post mortem back but im pretty sure i failed to get in because of the low point value i got from my stats. (the last info i heard from the admissions ppl there is stats count for 50%) i have personally known many people who have been rejected or waitlisted at VA as their IS but got into a ton of OOS schools that are ranked top 5. its really odd. The one experience that happened this yr was i knew this other girl who had almost no experience at all (animal or vet) but took a random shot at applying to VA. She didnt even want to go to VA but just did it for the hell of it. With her near perfect stats she was accepted to VA even though she lacked experience. crazy. and now she is debating if she even wants to go there or not cuz its not her dream school. and im thinking "omg u got in when you shouldnt have, stop being picky!" lol that is the only school she was accepted to though.

ive said this on other threads about low stats, but i recommend applying to penn and IL because i have low stats but i still got an interview there because i guess my experiences really stood out. if you scan other threads, other people have recommended schools that they applied to with low stats and got interviews. Some schools just put more/less focus into stats vs. experience so make sure you research all of the schools really well. and read up on all of SDN info!! check out all of the stat threads and see who has low states and where they received interviews

I'll definitely have to check through previous posts to find out which schools are best for me to apply to. I do have to keep in mind that I don't even meet some GPA minimum requirements yet, but fingers-crossed I can get past that. Thank you!

 

[GellaBella]

I'm just agreeing with everyone else. You have to get your GPA up and focus on that. You need to get As this summer and even that might not cut it.

I'm not saying its impossible, it's just going to be difficult. There are people who have gotten in with sub 3.0 GPAs from undergrad...hell, I'm one of them! But they need to see you can really handle the work that vet school is gonna throw at you. In my case I had a 2.99 undergrad cGPA. I'm "lucky" in that I had given up on potentially going to vet med, and went on to do a PhD where I had lots of upper level science course work and a ton of research experience in areas applicable to vet med. Once I decided to come back to vetmed I'm sure that helped me stand out as being different and my file review from CSU stated they were certain I was now capable of handling the course load.

Thats what you need to prove to them. So focus on GPA and GRE this summer. You need to bump up both your verbal and math scores. If you rock the GRE that will help them to be a little more forgiving of your cGPA as well.

Good luck!

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

i have personally known many people who have been rejected or waitlisted at VA as their IS but got into a ton of OOS schools that are ranked top 5. its really odd.

And again.....some poncy magazine's "rankings" don't mean crap, that's why, lol.

I don't think we (VaMd is my current school/almost-alma-mater)are more stats focused than any other institution...in fact, a lot less than some I know of.

But we're talking a 2.8. Not a 3.3 or a 3.5, a 2.8 is low for *any*school. (and OP I am not insulting your intelligence at all, you are talking to someone with mediocre grades right here so don't feel bad! 🙂 ) And sucks about the GRE too, I have misread stuff before as well.

Unfortunately academisc are just as important as experience because guess what the first three years are - yep ALL academics! So they want to make sure people can handle to insane workload, etc....I would agree with focusing on GRE as well, GRE scores can offset the GPA a little if we're talking low 3s....I highly doubt it would offset a 2.8 though 🙁

So extra classes may be in order. You have more than enough experience IMO. Forgo the internship is my opinion, as cool as it sounds, you need that GRE and GPA bump - it will actually look better to adcoms - look I spent a whole summer working hard to improve my academics - it shows you are improving and they like that. And yes, Va-Md LOVES applicants with desire to do research or research experience if you are thinking masters route.

 

[gilch]

Yep, Virginia looks a lot at GPA--25%, and GRE--also 25%. They also like variety of experience and research, so I think you are okay on those fronts. I think if you can raise your cGPA and your rGPA is awesome you might have a shot w/o a grad program first. I'd also say that you should be realistic about your chances (it sounds like you are) and realize that it might take a few times to get into vet school. I don't know if V-M has any kind of grade forgiveness program, but it would be worth asking. I'd say you need to rock the GRE too--like upper 80 percentile or higher. Good luck!

 

[nyanko]

EDIt: sry my post took a while to write haha there are many other responses now. but i just wanted to emphasize again to try out penn because they love research experience and u have a good amount.

Yeah, I'm going to disagree with you here and say that applying to Penn with a 2.9 GPA (without a PhD like my hero GellaBella!) and a subpar GRE would be a huge waste of money and time.

edit: applying to Penn with a 3.2 GPA, a well above average GRE, an MS and a ton of research experience and stated interest in research and academia was a huge waste of money and time. 😉

 

[BlacKAT33]

i have personally known many people who have been rejected or waitlisted at VA as their IS but got into a ton of OOS schools that are ranked top 5. its really odd.

And again.....some poncy magazine's "rankings" don't mean crap, that's why, lol.

I don't think we (VaMd is my current school/almost-alma-mater)are more stats focused than any other institution...in fact, a lot less than some I know of.

But we're talking a 2.8. Not a 3.3 or a 3.5, a 2.8 is low for *any*school. (and OP I am not insulting your intelligence at all, you are talking to someone with mediocre grades right here so don't feel bad! 🙂 ) And sucks about the GRE too, I have misread stuff before as well.

Unfortunately academisc are just as important as experience because guess what the first three years are - yep ALL academics! So they want to make sure people can handle to insane workload, etc....I would agree with focusing on GRE as well, GRE scores can offset the GPA a little if we're talking low 3s....I highly doubt it would offset a 2.8 though 🙁

So extra classes may be in order. You have more than enough experience IMO. Forgo the internship is my opinion, as cool as it sounds, you need that GRE and GPA bump - it will actually look better to adcoms - look I spent a whole summer working hard to improve my academics - it shows you are improving and they like that. And yes, Va-Md LOVES applicants with desire to do research or research experience if you are thinking masters route.

yes ranking doesnt mean much in vet school, but im just talking about schools that have higher avg. stats that are more of a "reach".

VA does base stats on 50%, whether that is the same as others or not...i just meant for the OP to pick others where half of it isnt based on stats.

and my gpa was a 3.4 and i was waitlisted so its not like i had a super super low gpa.

anywoo, i dont mean to argue i just dont want the OP to think VA is easy (since it is IS) because i know a lot of people who apply to VA but end up going to an OOS school

With VA's new interview style....there was never a time i could even talk about my research. boo and I wasn't asked about it in any of the stations.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Yeah, I'm going to disagree with you here and say that applying to Penn with a 2.9 GPA (without a PhD like my hero GellaBella!) and a subpar GRE would be a huge waste of money and time.

edit: applying to Penn with a 3.2 GPA, a well above average GRE, an MS and a ton of research experience and stated interest in research and academia was a huge waste of money and time. 😉

oh no no i mean after the OP raises their grades. i dont think the OP should apply at all without raising their GPA

i'm sry about penn nyanko it doesnt make sense u are an amazing candidate!! hopefully UCD knows better 🙂

 

[GellaBella]

( like my hero GellaBella!)

aww! 😀

stop making me really wish UC-Davis had sent me that interview invite!
I hope this is your year nyanko. 🙂

 

[sumstorm]

Something to think about for the OP: getting your GPA up is important, but you may still have to prove your mettle by being able to perform well with a heavy courseload. IE, ad coms may look at it and say 'well, based on the PT course work, the applicant would be great if we had a part time program.' Unfortunatly, part of the reason for considering GPA is to evaluate the applicant's ability to make it through vet school.

I vote w/everyone else, GPA first.

 

[Willowhand]

Something to think about for the OP: getting your GPA up is important, but you may still have to prove your mettle by being able to perform well with a heavy courseload. IE, ad coms may look at it and say 'well, based on the PT course work, the applicant would be great if we had a part time program.' Unfortunatly, part of the reason for considering GPA is to evaluate the applicant's ability to make it through vet school.

This is a good point. To add to it: some schools actually require that your prerequisites be taken while you are carrying a full-time course load. So while summer courses might be helpful for improving your overall GPA, a few places will not consider them as fulfilling prerequisites unless you were taking a certain minimum number of credits at the time. Another thing to check with the schools.

 

[Tobysgirl81]

I agree with the others about raising GPA first. I graduated undergrad with a 2.78, and it took me two years of nearly straight As in a Vet Tech program to raise it to a 2.99 (I got a high B in lab techniques and a high B in pharmacology, everything else was A's). My GRE was a 1250, with a 5.5 on the analytical portion which I still think is the only thing that saved my butt on applications. I also had a CRAP TON of experience, but I had that the first time I applied to any schools and it seemed to make zero difference 🙂

I'm not sure how it is for every school, but at VMRCVM where I DID get accepted they weigh GPA and GRE more heavily than experience. So 50% of your stats are weighed on GPA and GRE, where experience is sort of thrown in with some other stuff that only makes up something like 25% of your statistical weight. By calculating all of that together, they determine whether or not you should get an interview. I'll be honest - April of last year I went in to meet with a person in admissions to see if I would even be a viable candidate. She pretty much told me everything fell on my GRE score since it was very strong, and she felt fairly certain that if I could get an interview I would get in. BUT, if my GRE score had have been lower and my cGPA was worse, I likely wouldn't have been considered at all. I also was able to retake some science classes as it had been over 7 years since I had originally taken them which boosted my sGPA to about a 3.3. Again, without that, I probably wouldn't have gotten in.

 

[DVMDream]

This is a good point. To add to it: some schools actually require that your prerequisites be taken while you are carrying a full-time course load. So while summer courses might be helpful for improving your overall GPA, a few places will not consider them as fulfilling prerequisites unless you were taking a certain minimum number of credits at the time. Another thing to check with the schools.

Which schools do that? Because this is definitely the first time I have ever heard of that. I can see why schools would prefer that you take pre-reqs with a full course load, but I have never actually heard of any requiring that pre-reqs be taken with a full course load.

To the OP: I would have to agree with everyone else about trying to raise your GPA instead of adding more experience. It will show to the adcoms that you are serious about doing well on the academic side and are willing to prove that you can.

 

[Llama Slug]

Im like you, low GPA, lots of experience:

i just wanted to put some emphasis on the GRE: Whereas having ~250 credit hours has made raising my GPA nearly impossible (it will incrementially jump by like .01... uf.) The GRE was a more manigable task.

I met with Kim O'Bryan at Davis over the phone and in person a few times a she told be to score 90th percentile on my GREs to try and make up for the grades (Davis also weighs GPA-25%, GRE-25%, 30 percent other things and interview if asked ~20%).

If there is any way you can either study like hell for the GREs or take a class and get that score up, i'd do it. Its weighted the same as your grades and at least got me to the point of interview at Davis.

For reference i applied to schools with a whopping 3.03 GPA, my primary undergrad is William and Mary but i am a CA resident.

 

[gilch]

Yep, already gone through all of the AVMA accredited schools to find out which I am even eligible for applying to. Because I'm already just over 100 credits I believe the best I can do is a 3.1 overall (although last 45 could be high), so it's going to be rough. Thanks!

I just wanted to add that you might want to consider non AVMA accredited schools if you aren't able to raise your GPA significantly (which gets progressively harder the more credits you have) and ace the GRE. The Caribbean Vet schools do not have the same stigma that the Caribbean Med schools do. If you are really serious about being a vet, this might be your quickest option (instead of getting an MS or PhD, which I hear can be pretty miserable if you don't love your research topic). The Caribbean schools might not have the best prep for some areas, but they (I think?) do clinicals in the US and you need an intership + residency for specialty anyway. They can be a great option for someone who is dedicated to becoming a vet but needs a second chance grades-wise. Just something to think about 🙂.

 

[that redhead]

Something to think about for the OP: getting your GPA up is important, but you may still have to prove your mettle by being able to perform well with a heavy courseload. IE, ad coms may look at it and say 'well, based on the PT course work, the applicant would be great if we had a part time program.' Unfortunatly, part of the reason for considering GPA is to evaluate the applicant's ability to make it through vet school.

I vote w/everyone else, GPA first.

Ah, sorry, I should have been more clear: I will be taking a full course load this coming fall/spring year, as well as squishing in as many classes as I can over the summer (which has two sessions, yay). I think my part-time course load is definitely not a bonus, so that's why I made my intial decision to step up and do full time classes again instead of just getting my requirements completed. Good point, thank you 🙂

 

[that redhead]

Im like you, low GPA, lots of experience:

i just wanted to put some emphasis on the GRE: Whereas having ~250 credit hours has made raising my GPA nearly impossible (it will incrementially jump by like .01... uf.) The GRE was a more manigable task.

I met with Kim O'Bryan at Davis over the phone and in person a few times a she told be to score 90th percentile on my GREs to try and make up for the grades (Davis also weighs GPA-25%, GRE-25%, 30 percent other things and interview if asked ~20%).

If there is any way you can either study like hell for the GREs or take a class and get that score up, i'd do it. Its weighted the same as your grades and at least got me to the point of interview at Davis.

For reference i applied to schools with a whopping 3.03 GPA, my primary undergrad is William and Mary but i am a CA resident.

This is encouraging, thank you 🙂 I definitely have plans to speak with a lot of admissions people to see if I can get an honest opinion on myself as an applicant. I know that wherever I apply, the GPA is going to be the obvious problem but I'd like to find out which schools might weigh my experience in more heavily. Something to research! 🙂

 

[marycatherine]

Im like you, low GPA, lots of experience:

i just wanted to put some emphasis on the GRE: Whereas having ~250 credit hours has made raising my GPA nearly impossible (it will incrementially jump by like .01... uf.) The GRE was a more manigable task.

I met with Kim O'Bryan at Davis over the phone and in person a few times a she told be to score 90th percentile on my GREs to try and make up for the grades (Davis also weighs GPA-25%, GRE-25%, 30 percent other things and interview if asked ~20%).

If there is any way you can either study like hell for the GREs or take a class and get that score up, i'd do it. Its weighted the same as your grades and at least got me to the point of interview at Davis.

For reference i applied to schools with a whopping 3.03 GPA, my primary undergrad is William and Mary but i am a CA resident.

I'm at W&M with a 3.0, also! weird. I'm graduation this May, though, then have to start taking more pre-reqs.

 

[Willowhand]

Which schools do that? Because this is definitely the first time I have ever heard of that. I can see why schools would prefer that you take pre-reqs with a full course load, but I have never actually heard of any requiring that pre-reqs be taken with a full course load.

Prince Edward Island had that requirement. I don't think any of the other schools I applied to had it, but I'm fairly certain at least one other place I considered before applying did. I don't know where off the top of my head, and I don't think the majority of schools do, but its something the OP might want to keep in mind.

 

[DVMDream]

Prince Edward Island had that requirement. I don't think any of the other schools I applied to had it, but I'm fairly certain at least one other place I considered before applying did. I don't know where off the top of my head, and I don't think the majority of schools do, but its something the OP might want to keep in mind.

Very interesting. I did not apply internationally; I only applied to the schools out here in the western US so maybe that is why I had not heard of it before. But that is quite interesting. I definitely agree that pre-reqs should be taken with a full semester because it is a better indication of how you will perform once in vet school.

 

[Llama Slug]

I'm at W&M with a 3.0, also! weird. I'm graduation this May, though, then have to start taking more pre-reqs.

Go to the cheese shop for me! I live in southern california now but still have their number saved in my cell phone... you know, just in case i happen by and find myself in desperate need of a wonderful sandwich and some bread ends.

 

[Jill418]

Just remember don't give up if it's what you really want! There are a lot of third and fourth timers who will agree. My gpa was def not great and I was told to get a masters b4 vet school to fix it but I stood firm, took a few extra classes and got accepted this year without the masters (lots of experience and good gre). Third timer but I'm going to the school that told me no and to get a masters. Work on that gpa and show u are dedicated and it will pay off! Best of luck!! I hope it works out!! 🙂

 

[that redhead]

Just remember don't give up if it's what you really want! There are a lot of third and fourth timers who will agree. My gpa was def not great and I was told to get a masters b4 vet school to fix it but I stood firm, took a few extra classes and got accepted this year without the masters (lots of experience and good gre). Third timer but I'm going to the school that told me no and to get a masters. Work on that gpa and show u are dedicated and it will pay off! Best of luck!! I hope it works out!! 🙂

I really appreciate the encouragement 🙂 I definitely know that this is what I want, and if it means I have to apply three times or go to the Carribean (and no offense meant to those studying in the Carribean!), that's how it will go. I'm going to work my butt off in these last few classes and see what I can make of it. Always next year (or the year after..etc)

 

[smilin1590]

Keep that attitude cause it's awesome. It also reminds me of myself, nothing will stop us redhead! Just work as hard as possible, even if that means no social life LOL! Sometimes one must sacrifice a little to get a lot! Again good luck!

 

[marycatherine]

Go to the cheese shop for me! I live in southern california now but still have their number saved in my cell phone... you know, just in case i happen by and find myself in desperate need of a wonderful sandwich and some bread ends.

I'll do that if you soak up some sun for me. it's rainy, per usual, down here.

you don't have any sweet vet/experience contacts around w&m, do you? I'm actually from williamsburg, and you'd think that'd help me with contacts, but I'm coming up short in the vets-willing-to-let-me-shadow department. (the one that offered is either ignoring my calls or conveniently absent every day of the week )

 

[Llama Slug]

I'll do that if you soak up some sun for me. it's rainy, per usual, down here.

you don't have any sweet vet/experience contacts around w&m, do you? I'm actually from williamsburg, and you'd think that'd help me with contacts, but I'm coming up short in the vets-willing-to-let-me-shadow department. (the one that offered is either ignoring my calls or conveniently absent every day of the week )

I wish I did.. truth be told I got most of my vet experience in Cali but even that was hard to come by. My absolute best experience is a vet I drive to once a week (at least) that is an hour and a half away. My experience at W&M was more lab oriented: I worked in the biopsych lab with Dr. Barnet (and his rats) for a couple years-- he gave me a rec for my job in cali and for vet school 🙂. I also worked in the population ecology lab with a bunch of evil field mice, awesome finches, starlings, rats and, at one point a memorable flock of very spoiled bluebirds. I always wanted to check out the virgina living museum as a possible experience but never got around to it.

I think I sent letters to something like 20 williamsburg area vets and got zero replies. I hear it helps if you actually show up. Also some prefer "shadowing" to "volunteering" due to liability reasons? --and use SDN, on the whole I found that pre-vet advising at william and mary sucked. I was actually told by my advisor to give up on my friendships and concentrate only on grades and that i should value GPA over personal relationships... instead of new friends i decided to get a new advisor.

 

[ColoradoDVM]

This is a good point. To add to it: some schools actually require that your prerequisites be taken while you are carrying a full-time course load. So while summer courses might be helpful for improving your overall GPA, a few places will not consider them as fulfilling prerequisites unless you were taking a certain minimum number of credits at the time. Another thing to check with the schools.

I would recommend a full courseload in the summer. It would give you another semester of grades that ad coms would see. As a nontrad, I returned for a MS to try and mitigate my horrific undergrad gpa and a final act of desperation, enrolled full time in the summer. I figured it was the last grades the ad coms would see. It worked out.

 

[Okilani]

You're not alone when it comes to feeling discouraged about GPAs and school requirements that is for SURE. It looks like you have plenty of experience (actually quite more than enough) and I have to agree with everyone, do as much as you can to boost the GPA.

I know that applying out of country kind of seems less than idealistic, but try to look into schools who are more forgiving with grades as well like Ross U and St. George. I know that they aren't AVMA accredited, but I have met PLENTY of vets who have gone to schools out of country, loved it and are probably the best vets I have ever come across....

Sometimes its frustrating to think that how "smart" you are is based on a GRE and GPA - just write the essay of your life, maintain focus and again.. NOTHING is impossible! 👍

 

[Minnerbelle]

I would recommend a full courseload in the summer. It would give you another semester of grades that ad coms would see. As a nontrad, I returned for a MS to try and mitigate my horrific undergrad gpa and a final act of desperation, enrolled full time in the summer. I figured it was the last grades the ad coms would see. It worked out.

Wow, I really look up to all of you here who have such gumption! I can't say that I didn't work hard either, but everyone here seems to have so much determination to do whatever it takes. Just the thought of taking more classes after graduating undergrad made me cringe... and when admissions at Cornell told me they wanted me to take another English course I pretty much told them to fudge off. To go through with a masters AND a full courseload in the summer ! Now that's determination!

 

[that redhead]

I would recommend a full courseload in the summer. It would give you another semester of grades that ad coms would see. As a nontrad, I returned for a MS to try and mitigate my horrific undergrad gpa and a final act of desperation, enrolled full time in the summer. I figured it was the last grades the ad coms would see. It worked out.

I'm going to do my best to squish in as many classes as possible. I really don't want to just take a full course-load with like, orgo 2 and pottery, baking, game theory and running, though. I'm going to take as many classes as I can that have some relevance. The other thing is that my university splits summer into two sessions, so although my summer credits in total might equal a full semester's, I'll have to see just how many I can find that are offered.

Glad to hear it worked out - gives me some hope! 🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

I'm going to do my best to squish in as many classes as possible. I really don't want to just take a full course-load with like, orgo 2 and pottery, baking, game theory and running, though. I'm going to take as many classes as I can that have some relevance. The other thing is that my university splits summer into two sessions, so although my summer credits in total might equal a full semester's, I'll have to see just how many I can find that are offered.

Glad to hear it worked out - gives me some hope! 🙂

at my university we were only allowed to take 2 summer courses in the sciences per session. ours were also split into 2 summer sessions so each session was around 6 weeks. i think the adcoms would understand that that is considered a "full load" during the summer

 

[deleted266066]

at my university we were only allowed to take 2 summer courses in the sciences per session. ours were also split into 2 summer sessions so each session was around 6 weeks. i think the adcoms would understand that that is considered a "full load" during the summer

Same at my school, and most that I have heard about. And this should definitely count as a full load when adcoms check out your transcript, because squashing not just one but two (likely difficult) courses into just 6 weeks is really tough. You're also in class for just as many hours (if not more) as during the regular semester.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Same at my school, and most that I have heard about. And this should definitely count as a full load when adcoms check out your transcript, because squashing not just one but two (likely difficult) courses into just 6 weeks is really tough. You're also in class for just as many hours (if not more) as during the regular semester.

yea ive never taken 2 sciences at once (i still want a LIL summer for myself lol). i bet its hard just to get a schedule that works! i don't think you could fit two lab courses in, im sure that would clash. good luck though!!

 

[nyanko]

yea ive never taken 2 sciences at once (i still want a LIL summer for myself lol). i bet its hard just to get a schedule that works! i don't think you could fit two lab courses in, im sure that would clash. good luck though!!

My last summer of undergrad, I took Molecular Biology II, Immunology + lab, Physics II (calc based, with lab), was a TA for Quant Bio Methods and wrote my undergraduate honors thesis. Physics went for the whole summer, Immuno was summer session 1 and Molec was summer session 2. THAT was fun....somehow I came out of it with the best semester GPA I ever got as an undergrad. Not sure about that one... 😕

 

[BlacKAT33]

My last summer of undergrad, I took Molecular Biology II, Immunology + lab, Physics II (calc based, with lab), was a TA for Quant Bio Methods and wrote my undergraduate honors thesis. Physics went for the whole summer, Immuno was summer session 1 and Molec was summer session 2. THAT was fun....somehow I came out of it with the best semester GPA I ever got as an undergrad. Not sure about that one... 😕

thats awesome! ya, somehow whenever im more busy i do better. i guess there is just no time to be lazy! that is an amazing accomplishment!

 

[ColoradoDVM]

Just the thought of taking more classes after graduating undergrad made me cringe... and when admissions at Cornell told me they wanted me to take another English course I pretty much told them to fudge off. To go through with a masters AND a full courseload in the summer ! Now that's determination!

I had a little bit of time away from academia between undergrad and grad. My brain was well rested 😀

 

[StartingoverVet]

... and when admissions at Cornell told me they wanted me to take another English course I pretty much told them to fudge off. To

Wow. You are brave. I only had 1 semester of English and it wasn't Eng Comp so I had to take another freshman English class 20+ years after graduating. The first try I had to immediately drop the class as I couldn't sit thru the teacher "lecturing" us on what the books meant as if there were only 1 interpretation allowed. I ended up taking an online class that was actually ok with a prof who REALLY knew writing. I don't know how it made me a better applicant but I didn't have the guts to almost every school that required it to "fudge off!"

 

[argvet]

Aren't there some schools that will "overlook" a lower GPA if you have a great GRE score? I thought I read somewhere that some schools will either consider the GPA OR GRE because of how they weight things on the application, but I could easily be mistaken....Anyone know?

 

[BlacKAT33]

Aren't there some schools that will "overlook" a lower GPA if you have a great GRE score? I thought I read somewhere that some schools will either consider the GPA OR GRE because of how they weight things on the application, but I could easily be mistaken....Anyone know?

Some schools, if they really like you (aka other things in your app like PS, eLORs, experiences) will "overlook" one for the other. However, it depends how bad/outstanding each one is. And keep in mind if the school interviews you will probably have to explain/defend yourself. (I had to do this for my verbal GRE) But it's not like they just throw out the bad GPA/GRE, they will still look at both. I've never heard of a school literally considering only the better of the two stats. Maybe I just didn't apply to a school that does this? But as far as i know, they still consider all things but some schools may choose to interview you (or accept if they dont interview) even with a low stat. But, I think the standard for most places (like the BARE minimum) is about 2.8 GPA and 1000 GRE and it would still be EXTREMELY hard to get in with one of these stats. You'd better hope the rest of your application is amazing.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Aren't there some schools that will "overlook" a lower GPA if you have a great GRE score? I thought I read somewhere that some schools will either consider the GPA OR GRE because of how they weight things on the application, but I could easily be mistaken....Anyone know?

UCDavis averages the 2... from their website:

"Because GPAs and GRE scores are equally weighted in the admissions process, a below-average GPA, may be balanced out by GRE scores that are above the average. Conversely, GRE scores below average, may be balanced out by GPAs higher than the average. "