Feel so behind!

[jrwinsto]

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I just joined the forums and I have been reading posts a lot and I feel so behind and kind of out of the loop! This fall will be my first time applying so it is all new to me. Also, I graduated in 2004 and I feel like I am at a disadvantage.
I do not have a TON of hours of experience, but I am working on getting more this summer in a variety of areas, so i should be in good shape.
I still need to lock down a few of my LORs, which I hate doing! I also just barely started tossing personal statement ideas around. Almost seems like that will be the most difficult thing to do!
Any advice to help keep me sane?!
Thanks!

 

[jmo1012]

stop and take a deep breath!

i didnt start my PS until after I opened the application in June last year. Also, I'd recommend working on it a bit, letting it go for a few days or so, and revisiting so as not to drive yourself crazy. It will also help you to spot errors or weird wordings.

get the application out of the way early. fill out all those annoying but simple details as soon as possible so it's one less thing on your list. the most obnoxious part of the app in my opinion, is the section that makes you enter in your transcript by hand along with a million questions for each class. not overly difficult, but annoying.

anything you can get done early is one more thing you can cross off your list. get your eLORs on board as soon as possible so that they have a while to think about it all (I've heard that they have a crazy obnoxious form to fill out in addition to writing a letter).

if you can send your transcripts soon, do that. same with GRE scores. that way you know well in advanced that they're there. if you're applying to multiple schools and can work on some supplementals now, do that too. because some schools wont open them for a month or more and you'll have them and the PS to focus on later.

overall, i'd say that applying is not difficult. its just being organized and level-headed about it and being able to stop and take a deep breath when you need it. the VMCAS isn't scary (its a common thing people at my school freak out about because they don't know what to expect).

Good luck!

 

[sunnyshine]

I used Microsoft One-Note to make individual tabs for each school that I was applying to and under each tab I made a to do list for each school and added all the deadlines and stuff - I would definitely recommend it. I would try to relax a little. VMCAS didn't even reopen yet and even when it does you will have three months (a quarter of a year 🙂) to get everything done. As long as you don't lollygag you should be fine.

 

[kanariya]

I graduated in 2005 and am applying for the first time this year. Your boat is my boat too! There is a lot to be said for the mature student, there are things you have to offer that the average applicant does not. I am only applying to one school so I took the opportunity to make an appointment with the dean and find out what my strengths and weaknesses were. The experience was very uplifting and I became much more confident of my chances afterwards. If you have the opportunity to do something like this, do it, you will be glad you did!

I only started getting veterinary experience a year ago with a SA surgeon. I'm starting with exotics June 3 (weee!) and have done a days worth of equine (which I am hoping for a chance to do again). But I do have animal research experience and my job as an MT is working in a hospital doing blood work on the human animal which counts for a lot more than I thought it would. Working full time definitely has it's disadvantages for finding time for supplementing your application, but if you're dedicated, it just comes out of the sleep/social time Talk to every vet you meet and get advice. They all have different experiences that they can help prepare you for because they had to go through the same thing!

Also, I've been TALKING about starting my PS since December, that of course, is not the case. I still haven't started it. I have snip-its from e-mails I've sent to mentors and documents/articles that pertain to my field of interest that I will leaf though for ideas and start jotting down some words, soon. I'm not setting a date, but soon; maybe tomorrow. 😛 There are so few days to sit down and just feel the words flow. I work very well under pressure, so it's not unlike me to wait until the last minute!

I was nervous enough to induce vomiting about this in January. Now that the app becomes available in [less than] a week, I'm feeling pretty Zen. I'm sure that won't last! Just relax and take it one day at a time. And remember, if it doesn't happen the first time, there is always next year! Find a positive in the possibility that it might take one more year (Mine is that I can save more money before school starts if I can work full-time a year longer 😀).

 

[jrwinsto]

stop and take a deep breath!

i didnt start my PS until after I opened the application in June last year. Also, I'd recommend working on it a bit, letting it go for a few days or so, and revisiting so as not to drive yourself crazy. It will also help you to spot errors or weird wordings.

get the application out of the way early. fill out all those annoying but simple details as soon as possible so it's one less thing on your list. the most obnoxious part of the app in my opinion, is the section that makes you enter in your transcript by hand along with a million questions for each class. not overly difficult, but annoying.

anything you can get done early is one more thing you can cross off your list. get your eLORs on board as soon as possible so that they have a while to think about it all (I've heard that they have a crazy obnoxious form to fill out in addition to writing a letter).

if you can send your transcripts soon, do that. same with GRE scores. that way you know well in advanced that they're there. if you're applying to multiple schools and can work on some supplementals now, do that too. because some schools wont open them for a month or more and you'll have them and the PS to focus on later.

overall, i'd say that applying is not difficult. its just being organized and level-headed about it and being able to stop and take a deep breath when you need it. the VMCAS isn't scary (its a common thing people at my school freak out about because they don't know what to expect).

Good luck!

Great advice! Thanks! I guess it just seems overwhelming, but taking it a step at a time makes it much more manageable!

 

[jrwinsto]

I used Microsoft One-Note to make individual tabs for each school that I was applying to and under each tab I made a to do list for each school and added all the deadlines and stuff - I would definitely recommend it. I would try to relax a little. VMCAS didn't even reopen yet and even when it does you will have three months (a quarter of a year 🙂) to get everything done. As long as you don't lollygag you should be fine.

One-Note is an awesome idea! I will definitely take advantage of that!

 

[jrwinsto]

I graduated in 2005 and am applying for the first time this year. Your boat is my boat too! There is a lot to be said for the mature student, there are things you have to offer that the average applicant does not. I am only applying to one school so I took the opportunity to make an appointment with the dean and find out what my strengths and weaknesses were. The experience was very uplifting and I became much more confident of my chances afterwards. If you have the opportunity to do something like this, do it, you will be glad you did!

I only started getting veterinary experience a year ago with a SA surgeon. I'm starting with exotics June 3 (weee!) and have done a days worth of equine (which I am hoping for a chance to do again). But I do have animal research experience and my job as an MT is working in a hospital doing blood work on the human animal which counts for a lot more than I thought it would. Working full time definitely has it's disadvantages for finding time for supplementing your application, but if you're dedicated, it just comes out of the sleep/social time Talk to every vet you meet and get advice. They all have different experiences that they can help prepare you for because they had to go through the same thing!

Also, I've been TALKING about starting my PS since December, that of course, is not the case. I still haven't started it. I have snip-its from e-mails I've sent to mentors and documents/articles that pertain to my field of interest that I will leaf though for ideas and start jotting down some words, soon. I'm not setting a date, but soon; maybe tomorrow. 😛 There are so few days to sit down and just feel the words flow. I work very well under pressure, so it's not unlike me to wait until the last minute!

I was nervous enough to induce vomiting about this in January. Now that the app becomes available in [less than] a week, I'm feeling pretty Zen. I'm sure that won't last! Just relax and take it one day at a time. And remember, if it doesn't happen the first time, there is always next year! Find a positive in the possibility that it might take one more year (Mine is that I can save more money before school starts if I can work full-time a year longer 😀).

So glad to hear about someone who is in the same position as myself, more or less! Sounds like you are on the right track! Exotic experience is going to be so much fun! I reached the vomit-inducing point this week I think. Lost of stuff going on in my life right now, aside from the vet applications, makes it hard to deal! Thankfully I have a very supportive husband!
I did meet with a vet on the admissions board of NC State back in Dec and he was very helpful.
I am trying to find that balance between optimism and realism about getting in. I am certainly going to keep trying if 2012 does not work out!
One issue I am concerned about is should we know what area we want to go into when applying? I really do not know yet, but I feel that knowing would give me an advantage over others. Especially if it was in an area that most applicants are not interested in.

 

[kanariya]

It's good to keep an open mind. Veterinary medicine is so broad. Even though I'm set on pathology/research as my primary interest, there is always the possibility that I will find something I like more while doing clinical rotations. I don't think it gives any advantage over someone else without a set interest. You have to learn everything anyway, you damn well better find all of it interesting, right!

 

[jrwinsto]

It's good to keep an open mind. Veterinary medicine is so broad. Even though I'm set on pathology/research as my primary interest, there is always the possibility that I will find something I like more while doing clinical rotations. I don't think it gives any advantage over someone else without a set interest. You have to learn everything anyway, you damn well better find all of it interesting, right!

I am interested in pathology/research as well! I have doubts though because I really enjoy working with the public and education. I did some research work with a veterinary pathologist and found myself craving more human interaction! I could only stand so much immunohistochemistry.

 

[kanariya]

Well, since you mention pathology/research and education, you might be happy to know that they are some of the less popular choices of study (although statistics change every year and I find a lot of SDNer seem to been leaning towards pathology). It can't hurt to slide that into your PS! But let them know that you are open to other options.

I almost put this in my previous post, but [at the time] it would have related more to me than to you, and this is your thread!

Wow, work is boring me tonight...I have been switching between this forum and another and having full on conversations

 

[Cautionary Tail]

While I definitely wouldn't recommend using my approach... I wrote my PS the night before the VMCAS deadline and finished it with all of two hours and forty-seven minutes to spare *. 😳

(* This wasn't intentional... while I did start later than I probably should have, I ended up with months of killer writer's block and couldn't manage to get anything on paper until it was basically do or die. Because of the massive timing fail, the only feedback I received was from my mom. And the recently-trapped feral cat I was working with who woke up every so often to offer moral support in the form of yowling, spitting at me, and/or demanding food.)

You still have plenty of time to get things done at this point. 😉

 

[LetItSnow]

the only feedback I received was from my mom. And the recently-trapped feral cat I was working with who woke up every so often to offer moral support in the form of yowling, spitting at me, and/or demanding food.)

Clearly the cat did a good job. You should hire it out.

 

[Cautionary Tail]

Clearly the cat did a good job. You should hire it out.

Don't tempt me! If I had regular internet access (RIP, laptop), the rant thread would be overrun with "Dear Tyler" posts these days. (Including one involving the untimely demise of said laptop.) Bad VMCAS kitteh. Bad, bad.

That said, in my panicked, severely sleep-deprived, and energy drink overloaded state, watching him yell at YouTube videos of other people's loud, obnoxious cats (this cat will converse with anything) was kind of a welcome distraction from the whole PS thing.

(Then again, when there are eight hours to go and you're only working with a thousand characters, a root canal would probably be a welcome distraction from the whole PS thing... but I digress. 😉)

 

[that redhead]

You are absolutely not behind. I think the first thing you should do is secure your eLOR writers to give them the maximum time to write their letters and submit on time. Then, fill out all the tedious portions of the VMCAS like classes/grades. THEN start hashing out your PS. And definitely let it sit and come back to it - I ended up with a version of my seventh draft as my final and they were all very different.

And even if you work well under pressure, do not wait until the last minute, if only because you may have problems submitting with all of the other procrastinators! 😉

 

[moosenanny]

I personally work best when I am well in advance of the deadline, but I know people like pushing things to the last minute. If I were you, I would make myself a false VMCAS deadline, meaning that if it is due on October 1st in actuality, tell yourself that it is due on September 15th, or better yet, September 1st. Really convince yourself of that 'false' deadline. That way you can wait up until "the last minute" and still have plenty of time to submit and not have the VMCAS server crash, or other last-minute emergencies come up.

 

[lostbunny]

One issue I am concerned about is should we know what area we want to go into when applying? I really do not know yet, but I feel that knowing would give me an advantage over others. Especially if it was in an area that most applicants are not interested in.

I know what you mean here, I wrote my PS about 11 times (on the 11th draft now), and another one for a different school 5 times- and still going.

I've gotten to the point now where I'm not trying to out-do everyone else and make it seem like I'm the most interesting person in the world with the most drive... obviously you want to sort of have part of that conscience talking when you're doing your PS, but I think its more important to keep it real.

I kept finding myself sounding super corny, or robotic, or just like I was trying way too hard. There are only so many fields of vet med, and more then one person will be interested in each one, so I think its more about showing your drive/passion for vet med, and if you know what field you're interested in thats great, but it can be as plain as general practice (no offense to anyone lol)- no one should be ashamed of what field they want to be in, or fear its not interesting-sounding. More importantly, its how you write then what you write. Know what I mean?

Thats my experience anyway after 15 or so odd- PSs. 🙂

 

[heylodeb]

I personally work best when I am well in advance of the deadline, but I know people like pushing things to the last minute. If I were you, I would make myself a false VMCAS deadline, meaning that if it is due on October 1st in actuality, tell yourself that it is due on September 15th, or better yet, September 1st. Really convince yourself of that 'false' deadline. That way you can wait up until "the last minute" and still have plenty of time to submit and not have the VMCAS server crash, or other last-minute emergencies come up.

I did this. 🙂 I don't remember what date I set but it was 2-3 weeks early. I also had to have almost final drafts of my PS for 2 of my eLOR's so that was close to done (still went through 2-3 more drafts) a couple months in advance to give them time.

 

[jrwinsto]

While I definitely wouldn't recommend using my approach... I wrote my PS the night before the VMCAS deadline and finished it with all of two hours and forty-seven minutes to spare *. 😳

(* This wasn't intentional... while I did start later than I probably should have, I ended up with months of killer writer's block and couldn't manage to get anything on paper until it was basically do or die. Because of the massive timing fail, the only feedback I received was from my mom. And the recently-trapped feral cat I was working with who woke up every so often to offer moral support in the form of yowling, spitting at me, and/or demanding food.)

You still have plenty of time to get things done at this point. 😉

LOL! That must have been super stressful, but makes for a great story!

 

[jmo1012]

I recommend having everything done or as close to done as possible before you start school again in august/september. that was my goal. didn't quite make it but i did a pretty good job. i also had one more big experience i wanted to add in that wasnt until mid-sept so that probably helped my procrastination haha

 

[jrwinsto]

I recommend having everything done or as close to done as possible before you start school again in august/september. that was my goal. didn't quite make it but i did a pretty good job. i also had one more big experience i wanted to add in that wasnt until mid-sept so that probably helped my procrastination haha

That is my goal as well. I have a bunch of experiences lined up this summer, so I am going to have to hold off on some stuff. Let's hope I can stick to it!

 

[lostbunny]

That is my goal as well. I have a bunch of experiences lined up this summer, so I am going to have to hold off on some stuff. Let's hope I can stick to it!

Thats what I'm doing. Well I'm aiming to send my apps in 3 weeks before the actual deadline- so I've been driving myself so crazy that I cancelled my koala volunteering today because I thought my apps were "due" this wednesday but they're actually "due" next wed lol. I'm such a freak!

 

[Cautionary Tail]

LOL! That must have been super stressful, but makes for a great story!

In retrospect, it was probably for the best... I wasn't thrilled with my PS, but I suspect I'd have over-edited and ended up with something really horrible if I'd actually finished when I'd intended to.

It was probably the most stressful moment of my college career, though. I seriously thought I was going to have a coronary! 😳