Forum-Wide Chat on Where to Apply

[twelvetigers]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey all!

I dunno about anyone else, but I'm having a heck of a time deciding what schools I want to apply to. I mean, we can all decide what we can or can't afford, or whether we meet the pre-req courses, but there are some things that are just easier to hash out!

So, I'd like to see if we can have an all-members chat where everyone can come and talk about where we'd like to apply, and why. Current students can come talk about their schools, and those of us with good knowledge of a specific school can speak about that... I think it would really help some of us iron out our official list before we take GREs and start the application process.

Plus, it'll be fun. 🙂

I fear that this weekend would be a bad choice because of short notice and the holiday (for those of you in the US) so I was thinking next weekend? I've set a poll to see what would work best: Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Probably would run about 6-10pm central time, so 4-8 pacific or 7-11 for the East coast folks.

I would like to find a good chat client that's not as bare-bones as the one provided on SDN, but we can utilize that if all else fails.

Now let's see if I can get the poll option to work!

ETA: Sorry to anyone here not from the US or Canada - I know y'all are on way different schedules. Dang time zones and such.

 

[quantized]

You could set a chat up pretty easily on an irc server like gamesurge, and then as a bonus, people would then understand why this episode of numb3rs is so hilarious.

 

[twelvetigers]

If that's the route we go, I'm placing nyanko in charge.

 

[psilovethomas]

Great idea TT

 

[nyanko]

You could set a chat up pretty easily on an irc server like gamesurge, and then as a bonus, people would then understand why this episode of numb3rs is so hilarious.

I offered this yesterday sort of, as nerd alert I am a server operator on an IRC network (that supports mibbit for webchat for those who don't want to/can't install a client) and can help people out with getting started. But then I felt exceptionally dorky and had to eat some gummi bears to make myself feel better.

edit: ok fine I'm willing to help out with setting up if people are interested - it's really the sort of thing IRC is meant for and it's def the most reliable way for it.

 

[twelvetigers]

If it's prettier than the chat client offered here on SDN, I'm all for it. I have a domain, if that's needed. We can figure out the day and then get something figured out. 🙂

 

[quantized]

Ops high five!

It really is the easiest way to make a giant online chatroom, although knowing what it is outs those of us who are the biggest dorks here >.>

 

[nyanko]

If it's prettier than the chat client offered here on SDN, I'm all for it. I have a domain, if that's needed. We can figure out the day and then get something figured out. 🙂

I don't know about "prettier" but it's faster and more efficient than solely web-based chats in general.

For anyone interested: http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/new2irc.html

You don't need a domain. The point is that there are already servers set up and connected to each other in a network. I'll out myself and say that I am an IRCop on synIRC, a mid-sized network that's pretty stable and well-run with good services. So I'll offer my assistance in setting up a channel on that network and everything, if you guys want.

 

[HopefulAg]

IRC is the antipodal of pretty. Can be a might bit hard to get set up too. Might be easier just to find some interface where it's just plugging in a username and hitting 'enter'. Uh...no suggestions 😀 But surely they're out there.

I consider myself fairly computer literate but still get confused with IRC and finding all the port number, IP, domain name, and whatever else it asks for. Been a while since I've used it (or rather, since I haven't just selected a favorite that was set up already).

Anyways, I think ChatZilla is a decent IRC client without having to download an additional program.




Oh and for those not able to be in attendance: will there be a secretary to take minutes? In other words: anyone feel like copying and pasting the logs?

 

[nyanko]

IRC is the antipodal of pretty. Can be a might bit hard to get set up too. Might be easier just to find some interface where it's just plugging in a username and hitting 'enter'. Uh...no suggestions 😀 But surely they're out there.

There are web based clients for IRC as well, from the basic CGI:IRC client (which is pretty much as you described: username, channel, enter) to Mibbit (which I sometimes use when I'm on campus, since IRC ports are generally blocked here).

If anyone uses Trillian or Pidgin (formerly Gaim) for AIM/Yahoo/ICQ (hahahahhahaha reaaally dating myself)/MSN or other chat protocols, IRC support is built into those too.

 

[twelvetigers]

I ADORE Trillian. Love it. Good to know!

Hopeful, that's a good idea. I'll go ahead and volunteer to record what's said. 🙂

 

[DVMDream]

I am up for a chat. I voted for Sunday because I have to work all day Saturday and I am still trying to come up with a long list of schools that I will narrow down. Hopefully, I will have my long list by that Sunday. I am excited for a chat; it will be lots of fun! 🙂

 

[monkeybsns]

I voted for Sunday...I'll be packing on Friday and traveling from Maine to Alabama on Saturday. Wooo summer has almost arrived.

 

[HopefulAg]

I
Hopeful, that's a good idea. I'll go ahead and volunteer to record what's said. 🙂

Not sure how much you know of IRC but it's just a simple matter of turning on logging (Nyanko can tell you how I"m sure) and when it's all said and done, opening the log and copying and pasting. You can also copy and paste it straight off the window but I think there's a limit to how far back it'll go.

If anyone uses Trillian or Pidgin (formerly Gaim) for AIM/Yahoo/ICQ (hahahahhahaha reaaally dating myself)/MSN or other chat protocols, IRC support is built into those too.

Man I loved ICQ but those numbers were a bitch to deal with. "Yah I'm 1738264272091. Did you get all that?"

 

[168135]

If there are any AVC wannabes or students, I'll join the chat. Not sure which day would work for me yet... my work schedule comes out tomorrow for next week and I might be stuck cramming for an exam. We'll see.

 

[twelvetigers]

Keep on responding!

 

[gone2dogs]

I wanted to bump this thread up...

And this also seemed like a decent place to post this... (sorry for the moderate hijack, TT!)

In preparation for our discussions.

I really liked that list David had compiled previously, so thought I'd try my hand at an updated file. The info came straight from VMSAR (I listed the year the data was from), but I thought it was handy to have it all together. What that said, I had a few issues with Tufts, Western, and Tuskeegee... so if anybody would like to help me fix those, that would be great! Also, if you see any other issues, let me know and I'll fix them and repost the image (maybe in its own thread next time). I haven't gone to each school website to see if the ones with older data have newer stuff yet, but may as time permits. If you happen to have a direct link, feel free to send it to me!

This is what happens when I have a day off...

 

[StartingoverVet]

I wanted to bump this thread up...

And this also seemed like a decent place to post this... (sorry for the moderate hijack, TT!)

In preparation for our discussions.

I really liked that list David had compiled previously, so thought I'd try my hand at an updated file. The info came straight from VMSAR (I listed the year the data was from), but I thought it was handy to have it all together. What that said, I had a few issues with Tufts, Western, and Tuskeegee... so if anybody would like to help me fix those, that would be great! Also, if you see any other issues, let me know and I'll fix them and repost the image (maybe in its own thread next time). I haven't gone to each school website to see if the ones with older data have newer stuff yet, but may as time permits. If you happen to have a direct link, feel free to send it to me!

This is what happens when I have a day off...

Tufts looks like that is the total class size. Not OOS. They lost state funding but I doubt they would give up completely on Mass residents.

 

[gone2dogs]

Tufts looks like that is the total class size. Not OOS. They lost state funding but I doubt they would give up completely on Mass residents.

Yeah, that's what I couldn't figure out. In the current VMSAR they did not list out resident/nonresident info like they do for every other school. I looked on their website, and all I could find was that they have contracts with Maine, New Hampshire, and New Jersey (a position or 2 each). And that just seemed like a financial agreement, not an application agreement. But I agree, it seems odd that there is no preference for MA students... can somebody clarify this?

 

[Whyevernot55]

Yeah, that's what I couldn't figure out. In the current VMSAR they did not list out resident/nonresident info like they do for every other school. I looked on their website, and all I could find was that they have contracts with Maine, New Hampshire, and New Jersey (a position or 2 each). And that just seemed like a financial agreement, not an application agreement. But I agree, it seems odd that there is no preference for MA students... can somebody clarify this?

There is definitely a preference for in-state students - there just isn't a real financial break for them. That's my understanding from my large amounts of time spent on the phone with the admissions office.

 

[cowgirla]

Yeah, that's what I couldn't figure out. In the current VMSAR they did not list out resident/nonresident info like they do for every other school. I looked on their website, and all I could find was that they have contracts with Maine, New Hampshire, and New Jersey (a position or 2 each). And that just seemed like a financial agreement, not an application agreement. But I agree, it seems odd that there is no preference for MA students... can somebody clarify this?

I thought they canceled their contract with NH ? Thats what I had heard from students I know at the school anyway, although it may have changed in recent months. I know NH's got contracting with Cornell.

And I thought NJ was not currently contracted with any states due to lack of funding....is this new?

 

[gone2dogs]

I thought they canceled their contract with NH ? Thats what I had heard from students I know at the school anyway, although it may have changed in recent months. I know NH's got contracting with Cornell.

And I thought NJ was not currently contracted with any states due to lack of funding....is this new?

I really don't have any answers... but this is what I saw:
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/dvm/financial_aid.html

So in fact, there may really be no funding for NJ, and at best NH funds a student every other year?

 

[Whyevernot55]

NJ used to have contracts with a few vet schools, but over the past few years funding has been getting cut smaller and smaller. Even then, only 3 or 4 students got contract seats.
I don't know what the current funding is like, but it's probably either extremely small or nonexistent.

 

[twelvetigers]

So Sunday is looking like the likely winner!

I'm really wanting to hear more about Louisiana State, Auburn, and Mississippi, so even if you aren't applying.... come tell us about your schools! I'm sure someone will want to hear about YOUR school.

For the Friday, Saturday, and can't come at all people - I do plan to post a copy of the chat log. So don't fret!

 

[Minnerbelle]

There is definitely a preference for in-state students - there just isn't a real financial break for them. That's my understanding from my large amounts of time spent on the phone with the admissions office.

Yes. For tufts it's 90 students total 45 IS, 45 OOS. I believe about 600 OOS people apply whereas only 170 max IS people apply. So yeah, that's where the "preference" comes from. However, there's no funding for IS students so EVERYONE pays the full tuition.

 

[AUillinoisan]

Well I'm not going to Auburn for vet school (Illinois is my in state) but I do go there for undergrad and love the place and the vet school so I would be happy to brag about it! (I got accepted to their vet school, but went for the cheaper option, so maybe I have a tiny bit of authority to talk about it?) I've also done research with professors over there. If you have questions you can pm me, I'll really try to be there for the chat but we'll see if that actually happens...

 

[twelvetigers]

Well, it looks like I need to change my vote to Sunday as well. I can't actually change it now (like, SDN won't let you change poll votes) but I definitely can only do Sunday. The husband's grandpa died and I have to go to a funeral. 🙁

I will be here on Sunday though, come hell or high water, so let's plan for that. 6-10pm central time. No one has to say all four hours, but that gives a good window of time to participate if you want. I'll try and get some questions or topics ready, but it looks like I'll be pretty busy these next few days.

 

[rileyroo]

for Auburn, i can give updated information that we learned from our new student welcome weekend (like new SA facilities being built, increasing class size starting with the c/o 2015, etc). i'm not sure if i'll be able to make it on here Sunday (family will be at my place helping me pack and prepare my house to be sold) but i'll try really hard. and if anyone wants to send me a PM, i can definitely answer that way in case i miss the forum discussion/chat sunday. 🙂

good luck to everyone working on applications this year. it's hard to believe it's that time already!!!

 

[animals2x2]

So Sunday is looking like the likely winner!

I'm really wanting to hear more about Louisiana State, Auburn, and Mississippi, so even if you aren't applying.... come tell us about your schools! I'm sure someone will want to hear about YOUR school.

For the Friday, Saturday, and can't come at all people - I do plan to post a copy of the chat log. So don't fret!

I just found this site last month, and have been checking it quite frequently; maybe I missed something.....where do we go for this chat?

 

[twelvetigers]

I will post a link here at 6pm CST Sunday. 🙂

 

[StartingoverVet]

I will post a link here at 6pm CST Sunday. 🙂

CST? Let me get out my trusty time zone converter.... +1? -2? How bout we use GMT (greenwich mean time) instead?

 

[HopefulAg]

Because then everyone would have to convert.

4 PM PST
6 PM CST
7 PM EST
12 AM GMT

Add in the 'D's where appropriate.

 

[moosenanny]

TT (and others) - I will try to log on tomorrow afternoon/evening to share my insights on LSU specifically (I applied, interviewed, and was accepted there this cycle), as well as UC Davis and/or Mizzou, but if I'm not available, always feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions 🙂

 

[twelvetigers]

synIRC is being a bit strange so hopefully nyanko comes and opens up a room - I think I'm doing something wrong (somehow) or it's being laggy.

 

[twelvetigers]

I've registered a channel but everything is so slow when using the web based client offered by synirc. I'm using Trillian as my interface, because I can, but I know most of you won't have trillian, pidgin, chatzilla, etc.

It's going soooo slow... like a two minute lag. Do we need a better server? Who knows about this stuff?

 

[twelvetigers]

Chat over!

 

[twelvetigers]

So the chat was a lot of fun and very helpful!

If you missed it or had trouble connecting, I have attached a .txt file of the whole thing. It should open in Notepad. 🙂

For those of you that came, tell me what you thought! Should we do it again sometime? Was it worth the time? Was using IRC a huge pain?

 

[StartingoverVet]

So the chat was a lot of fun and very helpful!

If you missed it or had trouble connecting, I have attached a .txt file of the whole thing. It should open in Notepad. 🙂

For those of you that came, tell me what you thought! Should we do it again sometime? Was it worth the time? Was using IRC a huge pain?

Was fine for me. One time I got logged off was internet connection problem on my end. AND no talk about bras this time!

 

[twelvetigers]

Hey, the last chat was very informal. And you might as well get used to it - you'll be way outnumbered at Penn I'm sure.

 

[moosenanny]

TT - I couldn't really participate in the chat, but I did just skim it and saw you asked about LSU regarding lower GPA's. What they did this year was only look at GPA and GRE scores first (and ignored letters of rec, experience, PS, etc.). The OOS students were divided into two groups: either people that made the top 150 based on these stats, or people who didn't make the cut. Next, of the top 150, they looked at the whole applicant package, and extended interviews to a specific portion of the top 150 (I can't remember how many they interviewed out of the 150 - they may have never told us the number 😕)

Anyway, I guess I would say that making the first cut to the top 150 may be your biggest hurdle. That was certainly my biggest concern.

If I were you, I'd call Jared Granier and go over your stats with him (of course, first calculate them yourself based on how the website describes). I met with him in person last summer, and he told me where I sized up amongst other applicants based on past cycles. While he actually minimized my odds and made them seem more bleak than they turned out to be in actuality, it was reassuring to get an idea of whether it was worth the money and potential heart-ache to apply.

Edit: They narrowed the top 150 OOS applicants down from the roughly 600 that originally applied.

Also, LSU was by-far the nicest school to interact with of the four to which I applied. Their online status check is phenomenal, and they were the most responsive, friendly, pro-active, and helpful. They'd send us informative emails ahead of schedule letting us know what was going on. If you at all think you have a chance of making the top 150 cut, I'd definitely apply!!!

Hope this helps you or someone else out there

 

[HopefulAg]

Yah but didn't they only do like 20 interviews? So you have roughly a 1/30 chance of getting in OOS?

 

[moosenanny]

I think they did more than 20 -- they accepted 18 OOS students, and their acceptance rate at the interview stage probably wasn't nearly 100% . . . Jared Granier also told me when I was applying last year that they usually delve majorly into their waitlisted students, so the odds of acceptance are much higher than the statistics reflect.

 

[luplodw]

I wasn't able to make it to the chat. I interviewed at 4 schools...do you want to know my impressions I got from the schools? UTK (instate), Mississippi State, Auburn (my undergrad), and Ohio State

 

[crittergal]

Sorry I missed out. I wanted to play too but Fri-Sun = my entire work week. If you decide to do it again, maybe we could have a weekday chat?

 

[NiennaDimple14]

I wasn't able to make the chat either because my parents have....certain rules about chats...whatever, not the point but I read the chat thingie that was posted and I just wanted to say to TT that I think you should really give Mizzou a shot. You might be surprised. I applied to Mizzou last year on a whim even though my GRE scores were absolutely HORRIBLE, my GPA was eeehhhh, my vet experience hours...well I don't even want to discuss them or lack of them (plus my LOR from my vet I had the most hours with got lost for months, the MOST. IMPORTANT. LETTER. GOT. LOST, I don't know how that even happens, anyway it's a long story that doesn't have to do with VMCAS but with Mizzou's supplemental application that ends in near disaster) and my interview was 15 minutes of hell and yet, after the catastrophe that was my Mizzou application, I still managed to get on the waitlist so the moral of the story is that if I can manage to screw everything up and get on the waitlist for Mizzou, then I'm sure you and your awesomeness can get in. Just try. You never know until you try. Plus it's a nice school and if your interview is scheduled for the coldest day of the year, like mine, and 6 inches of snow gets dumped on the ground the night before your interview, then you get to go sledding after your interview like I did, but be careful, because I hit a car on my way down the hill. It hurt.

 

[twelvetigers]

Haha. Honestly, I would like to try everywhere I have some semblance of cance, some tiny sliver of hope... but that's not financially feasible. So I have to carefully select what seem to be my best chances.

That said, I love the idea of Missouri. I haven't been able to cross it off just yet.

On a side note, EVERYONE wants me to apply to their school! I feel like the cool kid or something. You guys are all awesome, and I'd be happy to end up as anyone's classmate. 🙂 I apologize in advance if I don't end up applying to your school.

 

[HopefulAg]

That said, I love the idea of Missouri. I haven't been able to cross it off just yet.

Rumor is that Missouri did a cut off of 3.7 GPA this year.

Though that was started on this board, so it's bound to be out there some where. If anyone can find it, it'd be you lol.

Did MO have its own thread?

 

[NiennaDimple14]

Mizzou had its own thread but I can't remember if anyone said anything about 3.7 being the cutoff. I gotta go back and look.

 

[moosenanny]

I didn't have a 3.7 and was accepted to Mizzou, but I wasn't too far off (I had a 3.64, and then a 3.68 when you add in the Fall 2009 semester) . . . However, my GRE was 1430, I had 1000+ hours of experience, and I went to an undergrad Mizzou really likes (they said so in my interview, and it has a great reputation in general).

Wow, that was just the most open I've been about my stats on this entire forum 😳

 

[breenie]

I'm really interested in Mizzou, but there wasn't TOO much talk about it in the chat when I skimmed.

Someone wanna gimme some deets? What's the deal with their 2:2 thing? Can I really learn everything I need to know in only 2 years of classes?