For those applying a second time...

[rosemma]

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May I ask what your stats were last time you applied and weren't admitted? GPA, GRE, Experience? What do you think it was that kept you from being admitted?

 

[ShelterGirl]

GPA: 3.2 undergrad, 3.7 graduate (MBA), 4.0 post-bacc sciences
GRE: 740 verbal, 770 quant, 4.0 writing
~200 hours veterinary experience
~1500 hours animal experience, including behavior work

Applied to UC Davis (in-state school), got an interview, got rejected due to a lack of veterinary experience. Even though they say the minimum number of veterinary experience hours is 180, the average *admitted* applicant has about 3500 hours if I'm not mistaken. They said my grades and GRE were great, no problems there.

Suggestions as far as learning from my experience:
- Apply to more than one school - different schools are looking for different things and you might get into an OOS school
- If you have a not-so-hot GPA, make sure to nail the GRE; it helps!
- Make sure your personal statement addresses what you want to do once you get the DVM degree - how will you use it?
- Get as much veterinary experience as possible before applying

 

[rexosaurus]

ok, here goes some bravery! just so you know, this is asking a very audacious question, many people (including myself) are going out of their comfort zone to post these personal stats, but here goes!

GPA: 3.52 (BS)
GRE: 520 verbal 540 quant 4.5 analytical (utter crap!)
vet experience: about 3800 hours
animal experience: about 200 hours
applied to: all the WICHE schools, and then some!
interviewed at: MSU
waitlisted at: MSU, CSU, WSU

didn't get in due to low GRE, and as far as UC Davis is concerned my grades weren't competitive enough for OOS (I personally think they're good). 😡 I spoke with the brilliant Dr. Sherry Stewart at CSU and she said to re-write my personal statement to guide more toward the vet aspect, and less about the journey there. Also, re-take the GRE to boost my score (duh!). Other than that, she said my app was competitive, it just happened to be a very talented applicant pool that particular year. I got the impression that much of "getting in" has to do with the poeple your up against that particular year. I know that sounds obvious, but statistics are only guidance and are not indicative of what you will actually compete against in your application year. Hope this helps!

 

[rosemma]

I completely understand you are stepping out of your comfort zone and I fully appreciate it. Thank you so much for sharing with us. It really takes a lot to do that and help us all out! Personally, you both sound like great candidates and I am surprised either had to apply a second time. Thanks again!

 

[philomycus]

GPA: 3.4
GRE 620 Q; 410 V (sucks, I know)
BIO GRE: 770
Vet tech exp: 100 hours
Small Animal exp/ volunteering: 600 hours
Large animal exp: hundreds

Got an interview at UF, waitlisted at OK state. I know the small number of vet tech hours hurt me. UF said my interview "didn't go well..." but didn't mention my crappy GRE general test score. I had a death of an immediate family member 36 hours before the interview, so I'm sure I looked like I was a drug addict with lack of sleep.

Here's to 2008! If I don't get in this year, I'll start my 9th year teaching at both high school and college. And apply one more year....

 

[rexosaurus]

what philomycus failed to mention, is that both of us have new avatars this year, so that makes us both a shoe-in 🙂

 

[philomycus]

what philomycus failed to mention, is that both of us have new avatars this year, so that makes us both a shoe-in 🙂

Absolutley!! 😀