Future DVMs- C/O 2021!

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Was it actual research where you collected data and analyzed it or was it more of a literature review where you consolidated a lot of information that you read?

We collected data about longevity and designed a computer program to simulate actual life expediencies then analyzed our results to be ineffective cost-wise.
 
We collected data about longevity and designed a computer program to simulate actual life expediencies then analyzed our results to be ineffective cost-wise.

That sounds so cool. I think that would be considered research. Sounds like original work and everything. What was your major? Just curious, since you say it was an engineering school 🙂
 
We collected data about longevity and designed a computer program to simulate actual life expediencies then analyzed our results to be ineffective cost-wise.
Ok then I can see that possibly being considered research. You could list it as that and if the schools don't think it is, they might reclassify it. You could also contact the schools now and ask. If nothing else, it's definitely an achievement that you can list! How many hours are you planning on listing for it?
 
I grouped all my experience by type (veterinary, animal, research, etc.) and not chronological and I just read that one of the schools I'm applying to prefers chronological. 😡

Not changing it😎
 
I grouped all my experience by type (veterinary, animal, research, etc.) and not chronological and I just read that one of the schools I'm applying to prefers chronological. 😡

Not changing it😎

This is an interesting reaction. You have to think is it worth it for that school to see you don't follow directions and therefore put you in a reject pile just so you don't have to take some time to reorganize. Also, I personally would worry about this attitude as you will be faced with this kind of challenge in school and in the job as you will have spent time on something only to find it needs a different approach. Being lazy on this will have the real possibility of leading to being lazy again in the future.
 
This is an interesting reaction. You have to think is it worth it for that school to see you don't follow directions and therefore put you in a reject pile just so you don't have to take some time to reorganize. Also, I personally would worry about this attitude as you will be faced with this kind of challenge in school and in the job as you will have spent time on something only to find it needs a different approach. Being lazy on this will have the real possibility of leading to being lazy again in the future.

It isn't a requirement or a specific direction in vmcas, just a preference for one of the schools I emailed. They said it made more sense to do chronological order but how I complete the application is a personal choice.

I probably will end up changing it because I'm a paranoid crazy person at heart but I like to have my sense of defiance first 🙂
 
It isn't a requirement or a specific direction in vmcas, just a preference for one of the schools I emailed. They said it made more sense to do chronological order but how I complete the application is a personal choice.

I probably will end up changing it because I'm a paranoid crazy person at heart but I like to have my sense of defiance first 🙂
Ah yes! The internal monologue I have with myself sometimes is quite epic before I bend and redo. I do feel like coming up with epic rants is an excellent exercise in creativity and a good outlet at times. haha
 
Ah yes! The internal monologue I have with myself sometimes is quite epic before I bend and redo. I do feel like coming up with epic rants is an excellent exercise in creativity and a good outlet at times. haha

But I do appreciate the feedback, it makes me check myself! Its frustrating to change things when they don't seem to matter to me but in the grand scheme of things its worth it if it gets me just a little closer to my goal. I find I get frustrated/overwhelmed over a lot over little things and thats definitely something I need to work on now before beginning this journey. Thanks Lupin 🙂
 
But I do appreciate the feedback, it makes me check myself! Its frustrating to change things when they don't seem to matter to me but in the grand scheme of things its worth it if it gets me just a little closer to my goal. I find I get frustrated/overwhelmed over a lot over little things and thats definitely something I need to work on now before beginning this journey. Thanks Lupin 🙂
Yup! It is amazing how many little things add up in school and beyond, so I felt worried for you. I classify lazy as one of the addictive traits that once you let it in, it can grow and before you know it, you've decided not to go back and do something that truly bites the arse. I learned this the hard way in my PhD work. Many regrets. heh
 
Yup! It is amazing how many little things add up in school and beyond, so I felt worried for you. I classify lazy as one of the addictive traits that once you let it in, it can grow and before you know it, you've decided not to go back and do something that truly bites the arse. I learned this the hard way in my PhD work. Many regrets. heh

How did you nip it in the bud? I know what you mean, definitely lol
 
How did you nip it in the bud? I know what you mean, definitely lol
I recognized that the bad that follows is not worth the moment in time saved by not bothering with something. It really is the small things. Like labeling. Even if you think you are going to immediately use something, put a label on it because you could be interrupted. Same goes for practice. Label syringes and such. The fallout from not having taken that moment may not be bad one time, but could be disastrous the next. Being disciplined in the small details makes for the best people.

By making sure you do everything every time, you catch mistakes and prevent them. It becomes second nature just like the habit of being lazy does. Exercise is probably a good analogy. It is hard to make yourself do it for the first few weeks or so, but once you engrain it into your routine, you don't even give it a second thought.
 
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I recognized that the bad that follows is not worth the moment in time saved by not bothering with something. It really is the small things. Like labeling. Even if you think you are going to immediately use something, put a label on it because you could be interrupted. Same goes for practice. Label syringes and such. The fallout from not having taken that moment may not be bad one time, but could be disastrous the next. Being disciplined in the small details makes for the best people.

By making sure you do everything every time, you catch mistakes and prevent them. It becomes second nature just like the habit of being lazy does. Exercise is probably a good analogy. It is hard to make yourself do it for the first few weeks or so, but once you engrain it into your routine, you don't even give it a second though.

Thanks Lupin! 🙂
 
But I do appreciate the feedback, it makes me check myself! Its frustrating to change things when they don't seem to matter to me but in the grand scheme of things its worth it if it gets me just a little closer to my goal. I find I get frustrated/overwhelmed over a lot over little things and thats definitely something I need to work on now before beginning this journey. Thanks Lupin 🙂
When I applied, I always thought about the little things in my application that could mildly annoy adcoms and tried to get rid of them. My philosophy is that someone will bleed out from 1000 small cuts just the same as they would from 1 big wound, so I tried to limit the "cuts" in my application, lol.

I just never like making things harder for people than they have to be when they're evaluating me for something. People can hold on to those irritations, even if subconsciously.
 
Writing the GRE tomorrow, can't seem to get my predicted scores above 153 for Q and V. Very frustrated I have been studying for months, these kinds of standardized questions are not my thing!
 
Writing the GRE tomorrow, can't seem to get my predicted scores above 153 for Q and V. Very frustrated I have been studying for months, these kinds of standardized questions are not my thing!
Good luck! It sounds like you've worked hard and it will pay off. Here's to hoping the actual GRE is at least a little easier than all of those practice tests. 😉
 
I recognized that the bad that follows is not worth the moment in time saved by not bothering with something. It really is the small things. Like labeling. Even if you think you are going to immediately use something, put a label on it because you could be interrupted. Same goes for practice. Label syringes and such. The fallout from not having taken that moment may not be bad one time, but could be disastrous the next. Being disciplined in the small details makes for the best people.

By making sure you do everything every time, you catch mistakes and prevent them. It becomes second nature just like the habit of being lazy does. Exercise is probably a good analogy. It is hard to make yourself do it for the first few weeks or so, but once you engrain it into your routine, you don't even give it a second thought.
Preach. I need to remember this in pretty much every aspect of my procrastination-fueled life.
 
So I asked this question earlier, but I didn't really receive a response so I hope no one minds if I ask again. What should I do about a major project from my school that was entirely research and a paper? Should I count this as research experience? It was only a school project, and it didn't get published or anything, but it was a professional paper that was submitted to the school in order for me to graduate. The abstract is on my transcript. I was wondering if this could be considered research experience or if you have to do research under a PhD for it to count?

Thanks for the advice!

I would contact the school(s) you are applying to and see what they say.
 
That sounds so cool. I think that would be considered research. Sounds like original work and everything. What was your major? Just curious, since you say it was an engineering school 🙂

My major was mathematics and statistics 😉

Ok then I can see that possibly being considered research. You could list it as that and if the schools don't think it is, they might reclassify it. You could also contact the schools now and ask. If nothing else, it's definitely an achievement that you can list! How many hours are you planning on listing for it?

Thanks that's a good idea. It took an entire semester and an average of maybe 5 to 10 hours a week, depending on the week. So definitely over a hundred.
 
Any Ohioans know anything about the "Forever a Buckeye" thing? Apparently you can gain Ohio residence for tuition if you graduated from high school in Ohio and live in Ohio for a year. But I know Ohio lets you gain residence after a year anyway so I don't know if it's just easier/more convenient or what.
 
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I don't need to retake the GRE (but I might anyway), but what I need to do is call the GRE people and get access to my scores again. I used my university email address when I created the account without thinking about the fact that I wouldn't have access to it in a few years. Of all the things I need to do, this one thing I've been putting off for awhile now even though it's always in my brain.
 
Eek, me too! I'm retaking because my old score expired. I was happy with that one, so I just hope the new one isn't any lower!

My score didn't expire. I'm just hoping to improve my score. I've been using Magoosh videos, GRE flashcard app on my phone, and then my boyfriend just recently brought me a 5lb GRE practice problem book!
Here's hoping we both get the scores we are looking for this time!
 
I don't need to retake the GRE (but I might anyway), but what I need to do is call the GRE people and get access to my scores again. I used my university email address when I created the account without thinking about the fact that I wouldn't have access to it in a few years. Of all the things I need to do, this one thing I've been putting off for awhile now even though it's always in my brain.

You should still be able to log into your ETS account using your university email address even if you can't access your inbox anymore.
 
GRE is probably the worst part of my application. 150V 154Q and 3 AW.. 🙁 Really don't want to take it again. If I have a 3.78 GPA and 2000+ hours in veterinary/animal experience should I take it again? Applying to Purdue,OK State, NC State, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa State, and Washington State
 
GRE is probably the worst part of my application. 150V 154Q and 3 AW.. 🙁 Really don't want to take it again. If I have a 3.78 GPA and 2000+ hours in veterinary/animal experience should I take it again? Applying to Purdue,OK State, NC State, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa State, and Washington State

Your stats otherwise look great and none of those schools care too much about the GRE. (Not sure about Purdue or OK State but the others don't- it's 4% of the academics score at Missouri and not terribly important at the rest). Your score also isn't terrible- it's right around average.

As you already know, taking the GRE sucks. Since you only have about a month to retake (NCSU want scores sent by Aug. 15), unless you've already studied a lot you probably won't be able to get your score up considerably. In fact a lot of people who retake end up having scores that go down. If you think that that first score was a fluke or you're super stressed about it, take a practice test or two and try to figure out where your score would be with some preparation. But I think you're fine.
 
All my evaluators officially submitted LORs. They rock for taking it so seriously😍

Now to write thank you cards!
 
@TrashPanda Very good points! Don't really think I can improve a whole lot.. especially since I'm taking a class too. I'm meeting with one of my evaluators (also on Purdue's admissions committee) so I was planing on asking her about it too in regards to Purdue. I knew Missouri didn't count it as much but wasn't sure about NC State, Washington State, or Wisconsin.. I thought maybe they were heavily numbers based.
 
@TrashPanda Very good points! Don't really think I can improve a whole lot.. especially since I'm taking a class too. I'm meeting with one of my evaluators (also on Purdue's admissions committee) so I was planing on asking her about it too in regards to Purdue. I knew Missouri didn't count it as much but wasn't sure about NC State, Washington State, or Wisconsin.. I thought maybe they were heavily numbers based.
The schools that don't interview (i.e. NC State and Wisconsin) might be more numbers heavy. I applied to NC State and didn't get in with pretty decent numbers. Hopefully someone else that applied to and was accepted to those schools can help you more!
 
So VMCAS saved all of my information from last year, but it put all of my experiences and achievements out of order! For those of you who applied last year, are yours like this as well? What are you planning on doing?
 
So VMCAS saved all of my information from last year, but it put all of my experiences and achievements out of order! For those of you who applied last year, are yours like this as well? What are you planning on doing?

Yup. I'm just deleting them all and reentering.
 
How's everyone doing with the application process? I'm starting to really feel the stress of getting it all set and ready to go come deadline. Between working nearly full-time, moving out of one apartment and into another, and scrambling to be ready for the GRE in two weeks I'm struggling to find sufficient time for it all. I keep telling myself one thing at a time, but do I really have that luxury? 🙁
 
How's everyone doing with the application process? I'm starting to really feel the stress of getting it all set and ready to go come deadline. Between working nearly full-time, moving out of one apartment and into another, and scrambling to be ready for the GRE in two weeks I'm struggling to find sufficient time for it all. I keep telling myself one thing at a time, but do I really have that luxury? 🙁

Just breathe. One step at a time, break it into easy sections and take it down piecemeal. Some areas take longer so put those off til after GRE (but when ordering things like transcripts, sooner the better).
 
When I applied, I always thought about the little things in my application that could mildly annoy adcoms and tried to get rid of them. My philosophy is that someone will bleed out from 1000 small cuts just the same as they would from 1 big wound, so I tried to limit the "cuts" in my application, lol.

I just never like making things harder for people than they have to be when they're evaluating me for something. People can hold on to those irritations, even if subconsciously.

A vet student once told me about a situation where one of the professors on adcom had a pet peeve with people calling veterinarians "vets." It's just a tiny detail, but I'm sure it had an impact (however small) on applications which abbreviated "veterinarian" too many times. You want your application to please your reviewers in every way possible! When you're competing with hundreds of other applications, the devil is in the details!
 
How's everyone doing with the application process? I'm starting to really feel the stress of getting it all set and ready to go come deadline. Between working nearly full-time, moving out of one apartment and into another, and scrambling to be ready for the GRE in two weeks I'm struggling to find sufficient time for it all. I keep telling myself one thing at a time, but do I really have that luxury? 🙁

I understand! I'm moving houses and the move in date is August 1st... I take my GRE August 4th. I think I will do okay on the verbal but I am totally riding the struggle bus when it comes to the quant section😉 I also am having a hard time with my personal statement. I think I'm overthinking it. Story of my life. 🙂
 
I understand! I'm moving houses and the move in date is August 1st... I take my GRE August 4th. I think I will do okay on the verbal but I am totally riding the struggle bus when it comes to the quant section😉 I also am having a hard time with my personal statement. I think I'm overthinking it. Story of my life. 🙂

I was struggling to get anything down at all with the personal statement. Finally, I just imagined I was telling the story directly to the folks that do the admissions. Perhaps that might help?
 
I understand! I'm moving houses and the move in date is August 1st... I take my GRE August 4th. I think I will do okay on the verbal but I am totally riding the struggle bus when it comes to the quant section😉 I also am having a hard time with my personal statement. I think I'm overthinking it. Story of my life. 🙂

I was the same, I did well on verbal, and bombed the quant section 🙁 (155V/142M) still trying to decide if I retake it! Standardized tests are not my thing. I also overthink everything, I have been trying to perfect my statement for like 2 months!
 
I keep forgetting how expensive the GRE is. My local test center just added more dates for July (before the only dates scheduled were May). I was just going to live with my score, but now . . . I could take it again. Got through to the final payment page of registration and cried because it's SO MUCH MONEY to spend trying to do well on ONE DUMB TEST.

Ah well. I really, really want to take it again. So :arghh:.
 
I was struggling to get anything down at all with the personal statement. Finally, I just imagined I was telling the story directly to the folks that do the admissions. Perhaps that might help?

That's a good way to put it...kinda how I went about mine too
 
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