First time applicant low hours - Do I have any chance of getting accepted this cycle?

[nicole98]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just graduated this past month and have yet to apply because I switched career tracks kinda late. Long story short, I have a chronic illness that used to be so bad I didn't think it would be possible for me to even consider vet school, but halfway through my junior year I realized that my health had gotten significantly better and more stable and so I decided to follow my childhood dream and become a vet. I made this decision right at the beginning of the pandemic and my family moved cities last summer so I was not able to start getting experience hours until recently. The university I went to is full of professors who "don't give A's" so my GPA isn't great comparably. Also my university is big on getting people into med school but has basically no pre-vet resources so I've been trying to figure all this out on my own.

I also had to withdraw one semester do to depression and wanted to advice on how to approach that topic in my application and interviews if I get any.


Cumulative GPA: 3.38 - currently taking 2 summer courses and plan to take 2 more in the fall
science GPA: 3.43
last 45: 3.69

Any degrees achieved B.S. Health Sciences

GRE results: N/A

Veterinary Experience:
- Veterinary Assistant - accepted job offer but have yet to begin; should get 250-350 by September
- 50 hours shadowing small animal vet last winter break
-

Animal Experience:
- Planned: Horse therapy volunteer - 50-100 expected hours by September
- Humane Society Volunteer 150 hours
- Pet sitting - 200 hours

Research Experience:
- Spring 2020 - Health Science
- Summer 2019 - Psychology

Awards/scholarships:
- Dean's List (5 out of 7 semesters)
- Merit-based Scholarship
- High School Freshman Science Award

Extracurriculars:
- Philanthropy Chair Kappa Kappa Gamma
- Club founder/president DREAM (disability rights, education, activism, mentoring)
- Varsity Swim Team/ Team Manager in high school
- Handmade jewelry business
- Hobbies: playing guitar & ukulele, reading, scrapbooking, hiking, swimming

Employment:
- Swim Instructor/ Lifeguard YMCA 2015-2018
-
-

I plan to apply to Ross, Arizona, and Illinois (my home state is NC but I can't get all the pre-reqs in time). I feel kinda stuck because I don't want to sit around for 2 or more years just waiting to start and I know I will have more than enough experience hours and all of the pre-reqs complete by the next application cycle.

 

[battie]

So overall, you do have things going for you. Your last 45 GPA is nice, and could be even better since you're taking more classes. A couple points:

I plan to apply to Ross, Arizona, and Illinois (my home state is NC but I can't get all the pre-reqs in time).

Why these specific schools? With your application, you could apply to several other schools that favor upward trends and/or can favor OOS students.

I feel kinda stuck because I don't want to sit around for 2 or more years just waiting to start and I know I will have more than enough experience hours and all of the pre-reqs complete by the next application cycle.

As far as NC State, I *heavily* encourage you to consider waiting and applying when you can apply to NC State. This is for a few reasons:

1. Statistically, they are your best shot. You'll be competing with fewer people for either the same amount or more seats. Applying to your in state is absolutely your best chance at an acceptance.

2. Tuition. I just graduated from Illinois as an out of state student. The debt is unreal. Especially with how the housing market and cost of living is going wild, I cannot describe how thankful I am to not have to pay my original projected student loans due to extenuating circumstances. Had I not had life changing events and scholarships, I would owe 282,000 before compounding interest in 6 months.

My life changing events both benefited and hurt my debt. I ended up repeating first year. Then I gained some life insurance money, which has helped. You never know what's going to happen and limiting the debt as much as you can at the front end can definitely save a lot of heart ache on the back end.

I can guarantee you that waiting this cycle out and setting yourself up for success to apply to NC State (and potentially a wider range of OOS schools), will better set you up for a successful first cycle. It's always better to apply right the first time with the best application you can.

 

[nicole98]

So overall, you do have things going for you. Your last 45 GPA is nice, and could be even better since you're taking more classes. A couple points:

Why these specific schools? With your application, you could apply to several other schools that favor upward trends and/or can favor OOS students.


As far as NC State, I *heavily* encourage you to consider waiting and applying when you can apply to NC State. This is for a few reasons:

1. Statistically, they are your best shot. You'll be competing with fewer people for either the same amount or more seats. Applying to your in state is absolutely your best chance at an acceptance.

2. Tuition. I just graduated from Illinois as an out of state student. The debt is unreal. Especially with how the housing market and cost of living is going wild, I cannot describe how thankful I am to not have to pay my original projected student loans due to extenuating circumstances. Had I not had life changing events and scholarships, I would owe 282,000 before compounding interest in 6 months.

My life changing events both benefited and hurt my debt. I ended up repeating first year. Then I gained some life insurance money, which has helped. You never know what's going to happen and limiting the debt as much as you can at the front end can definitely save a lot of heart ache on the back end.

I can guarantee you that waiting this cycle out and setting yourself up for success to apply to NC State (and potentially a wider range of OOS schools), will better set you up for a successful first cycle. It's always better to apply right the first time with the best application you can.

I am applying to those schools based on my GPA and they're applicant to seat ratios. I had a list of about 10 before but with the cost being so high just to apply, I narrowed it down to just three. I also plan to take the CASPer exam because I was going to apply to Michigan and Lincoln Memorial initially, but I don't know how impactful that is for my application. How can I find out what schools favor upward trends and OOS students? Thank you for your advice.

 

[VetGF]

I am applying to those schools based on my GPA and they're applicant to seat ratios. I had a list of about 10 before but with the cost being so high just to apply, I narrowed it down to just three. I also plan to take the CASPer exam because I was going to apply to Michigan and Lincoln Memorial initially, but I don't know how impactful that is for my application. How can I find out what schools favor upward trends and OOS students? Thank you for your advice.

I am replying as a partner of a student. I think you should apply to all of the schools you choose and are comfortable moving to. My partner was denied to our in state school despite having a great GPA, tons of experience, and recommendation letters from Vets who are alumni of the school, one who served on the executive committee of the state Veterinary Medical Association. When she asked for a review of her application to find out what was lacking she was told that she had the highest score for her interview they had ever seen in 5 years. In state school acceptance is not a given. I'm not saying not to wait to apply at your in state school but, if you have other options where you don't have to spend additional money to meet reqs for one school you should take it!