Future DVMs- C/O 2021!

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So I've been going back and forth about whether I should use my explanation statement or not. I originally wasn't going to use it, but after listening in to a webinar with Virginia Maryland's vet school, I'm now second guessing myself. If I was to use it, it would be to write about my last two years in college. I was working close to full time and taking 16-17 hours of classes so my grades suffered. Plus I had a lot of mental personal issues going on. But I'm in grad school now and am working a lot and getting great grades which I feel shows I can handle stress. Don't know if it's worth mentioning my bad grades in undergrad since my current status shows my improvement and how I've learned to cope with stress. Any suggestions?

I went back and listened to that VA-MD webinar yesterday. She said she recommended that applicants don't leave it blank. Problem is, I wonder how other schools will look at it? From what she described, though, it sounds like your situation is exactly what they are looking for in that explanation, assuming you didn't already mention it on your PS!
 
So I'm sure this has been answered before, but its hard to search through this thread to find this:

VMCAS says that they want us to submit the app by august 15th so it can be verified by sept 15th. I will have all my materials ready to submit by august 15th, but I took an animal nutrition course this summer and they said I probably wont be able to get a transcript from them until around sept 1st. It would be nice if I could get that grade on my application because it would kick off a not so great grade for my last 45 GPA.

So If I wait until sept 1st to submit my app and VMCAS finds a problem after the sept 15th deadline will I not get verified and therefore not be able to really apply this year?
 
So I'm sure this has been answered before, but its hard to search through this thread to find this:

VMCAS says that they want us to submit the app by august 15th so it can be verified by sept 15th. I will have all my materials ready to submit by august 15th, but I took an animal nutrition course this summer and they said I probably wont be able to get a transcript from them until around sept 1st. It would be nice if I could get that grade on my application because it would kick off a not so great grade for my last 45 GPA.

So If I wait until sept 1st to submit my app and VMCAS finds a problem after the sept 15th deadline will I not get verified and therefore not be able to really apply this year?

To my understanding...

Yes, if VMCAS were to find a significant problem with your app and you are unable to fix it before the deadline that will essentially screw up your application for the year.

However, that probably is not going to happen. Most of us are going over our applications with a fine tooth comb so the likelihood of an error substantial enough to cause your application to not go through is minimal. I was sweating this majorly last year because I had a problem getting my transcript after summer classes and wasn't able to submit until September 1st. I was beyond nervous but everything worked out just fine.

Ultimately it is up to you to weigh whether the benefit you gain from that grade is worth the negligible risk of your application not being verified.
 
Regarding experiences...

I have a couple of very minor experiences that were basically one time deals and only amount to a couple of hours. Some of them are shadowed surgeries. Others are general animal experience. Last year whenever I asked "should I include this" the general consensus I got was to include everything. However, I received conflicting advice this year during an admissions workshop. So now I'm not sure what to include again...

I was able to absorb one of my short experiences into a broader category.

I'm thinking about cutting on of my experiences because it only amounts to four hours and although it's wildlife experience... I have 50 hours of wildlife experience outside of that so I'm not sure it really does anything for my application other than take up space.

I'm very back and forth on whether to include two surgeries I shadowed at hospitals where that was the only thing I did. One is 2 hours the other is 7. Last year I only had 200 vet hours outside of that and it was all at the same clinic. This year however I have around 800 hours of vet experience and two clinics, one of which was a teaching hospital. These surgeries were my earlier shadowing experiences though so maybe I should keep them. I just don't know.

Ultimately I know I've got to make this decision on what to include and what to cut... but does anybody have opinions to help me make that call?
 
Submitted my application on Friday. Got verified today! Definitely a relief to see how all the GPAs were calculated...
 
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Regarding experiences...

I have a couple of very minor experiences that were basically one time deals and only amount to a couple of hours. Some of them are shadowed surgeries. Others are general animal experience. Last year whenever I asked "should I include this" the general consensus I got was to include everything. However, I received conflicting advice this year during an admissions workshop. So now I'm not sure what to include again...

I was able to absorb one of my short experiences into a broader category.

I'm thinking about cutting on of my experiences because it only amounts to four hours and although it's wildlife experience... I have 50 hours of wildlife experience outside of that so I'm not sure it really does anything for my application other than take up space.

I'm very back and forth on whether to include two surgeries I shadowed at hospitals where that was the only thing I did. One is 2 hours the other is 7. Last year I only had 200 vet hours outside of that and it was all at the same clinic. This year however I have around 800 hours of vet experience and two clinics, one of which was a teaching hospital. These surgeries were my earlier shadowing experiences though so maybe I should keep them. I just don't know.

Ultimately I know I've got to make this decision on what to include and what to cut... but does anybody have opinions to help me make that call?
What was the reasoning behind NOT including all of your smaller experiences?
 
I'm so behind on VMCAS. 😳 I just remembered that I need to order my transcripts. My summer class ends Friday and then next week my mission in life is to get caught up on applications. I was hoping to submit by the 15th, but we'll see if that happens. 🙄
 
I'm so behind on VMCAS. 😳 I just remembered that I need to order my transcripts. My summer class ends Friday and then next week my mission in life is to get caught up on applications. I was hoping to submit by the 15th, but we'll see if that happens. 🙄

Slacker 😛
 
Slacker 😛
I have literally done nothing so far. I started rewriting my PS, but . . . yeah. I've done nothing.


But hey! I've been working between 40 and 50 hours a week for the last month and a half, and I'm only supposed to have 30. So I've not been slacking, just forced to redirect my energies to other endeavors. 😛
 
I have literally done nothing so far. I started rewriting my PS, but . . . yeah. I've done nothing.


But hey! I've been working between 40 and 50 hours a week for the last month and a half, and I'm only supposed to have 30. So I've not been slacking, just forced to redirect my energies to other endeavors. 😛

I feel you.

I worked on my application in May, mostly just my PS but then I left for 7 weeks, was kept busy for 50 hours a week, and basically didn't have time to touch it.
Now that I'm home and significantly less busy I have a bunch to get done. But hey! At least I don't have to do transcript entry. That part of the roll over worked out nicely.
 
So my husband and I are having a disagreement over the wording of a sentence in my personal statement. "This demonstrated dedication and perseverance can be a benefit to the field of veterinary medicine." Does anyone see anything wrong with this sentence? He is adamant that there is something wrong with the bold section. I don't see it. Am I missing something? I am aware it is passive voice, but beyond that :shrug:. Stupid I know but anyone want to weigh in?
 
So my husband and I are having a disagreement over the wording of a sentence in my personal statement. "This demonstrated dedication and perseverance can be a benefit to the field of veterinary medicine." Does anyone see anything wrong with this sentence? He is adamant that there is something wrong with the bold section. I don't see it. Am I missing something? I am aware it is passive voice, but beyond that :shrug:. Stupid I know but anyone want to weigh in?
I would use is or will be a benefit. Can be leaves it open to interpretation, which can be a negative.
 
I would use is or will be a benefit. Can be leaves it open to interpretation, which can be a negative.

Good thought, he mentioned will be as a replacement but for different reasons (something like it's too disjointed). Clearly I just need to put everything he says on the internet and have other people interpret it for me 😛.
 
Good thought, he mentioned will be as a replacement but for different reasons (something like it's too disjointed). Clearly I just need to put everything he says on the internet and have other people interpret it for me 😛.
haha! You have to remember that you are positive your experiences and self worth are going to be the boost to the profession. The more positive terminology you use, the more the adcoms are to believe it. You believe it, they will. 🙂
 
So my husband and I are having a disagreement over the wording of a sentence in my personal statement. "This demonstrated dedication and perseverance can be a benefit to the field of veterinary medicine." Does anyone see anything wrong with this sentence? He is adamant that there is something wrong with the bold section. I don't see it. Am I missing something? I am aware it is passive voice, but beyond that :shrug:. Stupid I know but anyone want to weigh in?

How about "I intend to bring this same dedication and perseverance to the field of veterinary medicine" or "The field of veterinary medicine will benefit from the same dedication and perseverance". I like the feel of the former better to be honest.
 
So my husband and I are having a disagreement over the wording of a sentence in my personal statement. "This demonstrated dedication and perseverance can be a benefit to the field of veterinary medicine." Does anyone see anything wrong with this sentence? He is adamant that there is something wrong with the bold section. I don't see it. Am I missing something? I am aware it is passive voice, but beyond that :shrug:. Stupid I know but anyone want to weigh in?

I think get what you were trying to do here, but it did sound a little off the first time I read it.

I would change it a little like this (or something similar).

"This demonstrated dedication and perseverance, which will be beneficial to the field of veterinary medicine."
 
I think get what you were trying to do here, but it did sound a little off the first time I read it.

I would change it a little like this (or something similar).

"This demonstrated dedication and perseverance, which will be beneficial to the field of veterinary medicine."

How about "I intend to bring this same dedication and perseverance to the field of veterinary medicine" or "The field of veterinary medicine will benefit from the same dedication and perseverance". I like the feel of the former better to be honest.

You guys are killing me, he's gloating so bad 😉. Thanks for the suggestions, it will really help a lot.
 
Some exciting news for me! A start up company in my home town is breeding mice and harvesting embryos for a biotech company. In the future, they are wanting to become a biotech/pharmaceutical company. They want to invest in me to become their veterinarian and hopefully be able to help pay for my schooling. Right now I will become a technician that harvests the embryos and consult with them on biosecurity/quarantine measures, etc. This is awesome because my current interests lie with pathology and/or lab animal medicine. When adcoms see this on my application, is it something that could help me get in seeing that I already have a job offer and loans being paid?
 
Hi All,

I just found these forums and they are amazing! I'm a nontraditional student, applying for the first time, only to Oregon State, both because I love the school and it's my IS. I'm completely terrified, I left a great tech job to come back to school to finish my prereqs and get some research experience, but I'm also really excited. Is there anyone else who is coming back to school after a long break (I got my bachelors in 2002)?
Also, I've looked around and haven't seen anything about people working at the school they are applying to. I'm currently working as a temporary large animal tech at Oregon State and am wanting to double check that is a good thing to do. I thought it might help me meet people, but I work mostly at night, so I only know the residents really, but I'm hoping it won't hurt as long as I give a good job performance. Any thoughts?
 
Hi All,

I just found these forums and they are amazing! I'm a nontraditional student, applying for the first time, only to Oregon State, both because I love the school and it's my IS. I'm completely terrified, I left a great tech job to come back to school to finish my prereqs and get some research experience, but I'm also really excited. Is there anyone else who is coming back to school after a long break (I got my bachelors in 2002)?
Also, I've looked around and haven't seen anything about people working at the school they are applying to. I'm currently working as a temporary large animal tech at Oregon State and am wanting to double check that is a good thing to do. I thought it might help me meet people, but I work mostly at night, so I only know the residents really, but I'm hoping it won't hurt as long as I give a good job performance. Any thoughts?

I'm also a nontraditional student that is leaving a tech job (I still work full-time while i'm doing my postbac, but obviously would leave if I get into vet school this coming cycle). graduated in 2003. Working at the school you are applying to certainly can't hurt. Good luck!
 
Im so stressed UF told me im not out of the running even with my gpa. I retook 8 classes and got nothing lower than a B. I worked 36-40 hrs a week for two years almost with an equine vet "interning" for her. She's a highly accredited sports med vet and does ultrasound wetlabs at uf. However this put me out on getting my second vet LOR. Im trying to shadow at a clinic that can only give me once a week but the experience is gold. I was told by the vet I could get an LOR but im nervous. I have to make a 70% on the gre.

Ive got everything mostly done but my explaination and diversity statement.

So stressed 🙁
 
I'm also a nontraditional student that is leaving a tech job (I still work full-time while i'm doing my postbac, but obviously would leave if I get into vet school this coming cycle). graduated in 2003. Working at the school you are applying to certainly can't hurt. Good luck!
Thank you! Good luck to you too!
 
Some exciting news for me! A start up company in my home town is breeding mice and harvesting embryos for a biotech company. In the future, they are wanting to become a biotech/pharmaceutical company. They want to invest in me to become their veterinarian and hopefully be able to help pay for my schooling. Right now I will become a technician that harvests the embryos and consult with them on biosecurity/quarantine measures, etc. This is awesome because my current interests lie with pathology and/or lab animal medicine. When adcoms see this on my application, is it something that could help me get in seeing that I already have a job offer and loans being paid?

I was trying to reply to this.

I don't think the school cares how you pay tuition, just as long as it gets paid. If you're not paying out of pocket then you'll have loan moneys - sure, it would be a huge benefit to you to not take out so many loans, but the school gets their check either way. See what I mean?

And about the job offer . . . I don't know. I have no experience to share. I don't think the school would rate you higher or lower because you say you have potential employment after graduation. That's a nonissue at this point in your career. If you take money from this company, it also means that you'll be obligated to follow that career path, for at least a certain amount of time post school. What if you go to vet school and decide you want to be a radiologist? A CC vet? A large animal vet? Would you feel stuck and begin to resent accepting an offer before you even went to school?

So, maybe don't think about adcoms. If you want to go into business with this company and this is what you want to do with your future, then fine. Don't jump into a contract or obligation because you think adcoms might like it. The tech experience is good, but I'm not sure school will even care about the money/employment side.
 
@PrincessButterCup Thanks for the reply! I wasn't sure if adcoms cared or not about student debt.. etc. About the job offer/helping pay off loans. It is not set in stone yet. I may have to work for them for a certain amount of years. They just liked the fact that I grew up in the community and would like to help bring me back there to work. Another thing they said is that this offer is not banking off the specific type of veterinarian I will become. Sure my interest in pathology/lab animal would work great. But it may change and I expressed this. I just became really interested in this because a) I'm interested in lab animal and the nature of this work and b) the possibility of having loans paid off and not having that burden.
 
Some exciting news for me! A start up company in my home town is breeding mice and harvesting embryos for a biotech company. In the future, they are wanting to become a biotech/pharmaceutical company. They want to invest in me to become their veterinarian and hopefully be able to help pay for my schooling. Right now I will become a technician that harvests the embryos and consult with them on biosecurity/quarantine measures, etc. This is awesome because my current interests lie with pathology and/or lab animal medicine. When adcoms see this on my application, is it something that could help me get in seeing that I already have a job offer and loans being paid?
One thing that makes me nervous about this though is that they are a start up company. These types of companies fail all the time or don't become as big as they dream of being. What if they fail while you're in school? Or a year or two out?
 
Just took my GRE. My first scores were V150 (50%) and Q147(28%). Today I got (unofficially) V161 (87%) and Q150 (40%). Darn math. My powerprep and manhattan prep tests had me at 50-64% for my quant so Im a little disappointed but at least my verbal improved a lot!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
 
@lilylilac That thought also crossed my mind. Whenever it does come down to the paperwork.. that will be addressed. I guess this whole situation is too good to be true. I'll have to go into school with an open mind about what I want to do and realize that I'll more than likely be in debt. Thanks for the realism approach!
 
I feel so far behind on my application stuff. Doesn't help that one of the people I asked to submit an evaluation has yet to respond and submit. He said he would be happy to back in May and it is now August. I have emailed him multiple times. So frustrating.
 
I feel so far behind on my application stuff. Doesn't help that one of the people I asked to submit an evaluation has yet to respond and submit. He said he would be happy to back in May and it is now August. I have emailed him multiple times. So frustrating.
Definitely my least favorite part of the whole process...I only have a vet's LOR in so far. One who I asked to resubmit the same LOR from last year hasn't done so yet, and the last one from my internship hasn't come in either (but I just asked for it/sent the VMCAS email a couple weeks ago and gave Sept 1 as the deadline, so not too worried about that one).
 
I feel so far behind on my application stuff. Doesn't help that one of the people I asked to submit an evaluation has yet to respond and submit. He said he would be happy to back in May and it is now August. I have emailed him multiple times. So frustrating.

I've been in that boat, it's so dumb. All you can do is find a backup letter in the off-chance your original person drops the ball.
 
Does anyone else want to fast forward to like, February or March so we know where the hell we will be this time next year? I like to mentally plan things like how I'm going to decorate our new house, where the best food is, what are the local breweries, etc for every move. Hell, maybe I won't even be moving if I get into my IS since it's about a mile down the road.
Patience is hard.
 
Does anyone else want to fast forward to like, February or March so we know where the hell we will be this time next year? I like to mentally plan things like how I'm going to decorate our new house, where the best food is, what are the local breweries, etc for every move. Hell, maybe I won't even be moving if I get into my IS since it's about a mile down the road.
Patience is hard.

YES! I am the exact same way. Planning keeps me sane, I am having such a hard time just sitting tight and being all "what will be, will be". I just want to know !!!
 
Does anyone else want to fast forward to like, February or March so we know where the hell we will be this time next year? I like to mentally plan things like how I'm going to decorate our new house, where the best food is, what are the local breweries, etc for every move. Hell, maybe I won't even be moving if I get into my IS since it's about a mile down the road.
Patience is hard.

Fast forward to April if anything. February was the most painful month for me, because you have some school decisions but are still waiting on more. I know everyone says it, but enjoy the ride. Yes patience is hard, but looking back on it, all the traveling and life experiences I gained in the application process, made the year actually pretty fun.
 
Does anyone else want to fast forward to like, February or March so we know where the hell we will be this time next year? I like to mentally plan things like how I'm going to decorate our new house, where the best food is, what are the local breweries, etc for every move. Hell, maybe I won't even be moving if I get into my IS since it's about a mile down the road.
Patience is hard.
It seems silly but when I would get really anxious about decisions or the future I used to write emails to my future self and send them using https://www.futureme.org

It's an interesting web service. You can specify a date in the future and it'll send emails to that address for you on that date. I always send them pretty far out so I know I'll forget about them until I get them. I think I have a few set up to come around October, but I honestly don't remember. They're like nice little time capsules though and I like to write pretty positive things and send them to myself around times when I know I'm usually feeling kind of down or anxious.
 
Does anyone else want to fast forward to like, February or March so we know where the hell we will be this time next year? I like to mentally plan things like how I'm going to decorate our new house, where the best food is, what are the local breweries, etc for every move. Hell, maybe I won't even be moving if I get into my IS since it's about a mile down the road.
Patience is hard.

I totally get this. I keep saying that this is a really strange period in my life where I literally have absolutely no idea where I'll be a year from now. It's the weirdest thing.
 
It seems silly but when I would get really anxious about decisions or the future I used to write emails to my future self and send them using https://www.futureme.org

It's an interesting web service. You can specify a date in the future and it'll send emails to that address for you on that date. I always send them pretty far out so I know I'll forget about them until I get them. I think I have a few set up to come around October, but I honestly don't remember. They're like nice little time capsules though and I like to write pretty positive things and send them to myself around times when I know I'm usually feeling kind of down or anxious.

I didn't know this existed...kinda cool.
 
Does anyone else want to fast forward to like, February or March so we know where the hell we will be this time next year? I like to mentally plan things like how I'm going to decorate our new house, where the best food is, what are the local breweries, etc for every move. Hell, maybe I won't even be moving if I get into my IS since it's about a mile down the road.
Patience is hard.

It is very strange to live in this sort of limbo. My husband is currently hating his job so I tell him to look for a new one. He says that he can't because we don't know where we'll be in a year and he doesn't want to constantly be quitting jobs, and it's probably going to happen at least twice anyways. I understand but I still do get frustrated. What if we actually end up staying in the area? That's a lot of time wasted where he could have been much happier 🙁.
 
It is very strange to live in this sort of limbo. My husband is currently hating his job so I tell him to look for a new one. He says that he can't because we don't know where we'll be in a year and he doesn't want to constantly be quitting jobs, and it's probably going to happen at least twice anyways. I understand but I still do get frustrated. What if we actually end up staying in the area? That's a lot of time wasted where he could have been much happier 🙁.
Yep totally get this! My hubby will be finishing his masters around Feb, right around when we will be finding out about decisions from most schools. He is going to be sending his resume out soon to places in the cities where the vet schools I'm applying to are. It seems silly but he will be bringing in the income while I'm in school so a lot of where I go will depend on where he finds a job. It's extremely frustrating. Literally could be living clear across the country this time next year.
 
Does anyone else want to fast forward to like, February or March so we know where the hell we will be this time next year? I like to mentally plan things like how I'm going to decorate our new house, where the best food is, what are the local breweries, etc for every move. Hell, maybe I won't even be moving if I get into my IS since it's about a mile down the road.
Patience is hard.
This limbo is crazy! I'm with the rest of you and I like to plan it all out and not being able to stresses me out. I don't even have an idea of what I'll do if I don't get accepted and that freaks me out.
 
This limbo is crazy! I'm with the rest of you and I like to plan it all out and not being able to stresses me out. I don't even have an idea of what I'll do if I don't get accepted and that freaks me out.

I'm in the same boat I'm hoping I get in but UF never usually takes first time applicants unless they are stellar. Havent taken my GRE ( doing it on the 22nd..then floating teeth the day after..ugh) my verbal has been pretty high on most tests and I'm hoping to get around a 70% for my Quant. I have over 2,000 hours large animal and around 300 small. My lors are good.

I plan on not doing anything until feb but working and not getting my hopes up.
 
Yep totally get this! My hubby will be finishing his masters around Feb, right around when we will be finding out about decisions from most schools. He is going to be sending his resume out soon to places in the cities where the vet schools I'm applying to are. It seems silly but he will be bringing in the income while I'm in school so a lot of where I go will depend on where he finds a job. It's extremely frustrating. Literally could be living clear across the country this time next year.

This. Exactly This. Do you mind me asking when he's going to start the job hunt? We were thinking he wouldn't start until late February to early March so I would have some decisions (even if they are only rejections). It really weird to think of him as the breadwinner, I'm usually the one who makes more lol. Now I'm just going to be a giant leech sucking all the money out of him while I selfishly pursue my own dreams. I'm really lucky 😍.
 
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This. Exactly This. Do you mind me asking when he's going to start the job hunt? We were thinking he wouldn't start until late February to early March so I would have some decisions (even if they are only rejections). It really weird to think of him as the breadwinner, I'm usually the one who makes more lol. Now I'm just going to be a giant leech sucking all the money out of him while I selfishly pursue my own dreams. I'm really lucky 😍.
Same here! I have been the breadwinner for the past couple years and it's been supplemented w his stipends from grad school luckily. I know he has already started looking, but he probably won't be sending resumes out until like October-ish? Just to at least get the ball rolling. It's very nice to have a significant other who can pay the bills so the only loans you have to worry about are for tuition. Lessens the burden a little bit.
 
This limbo is crazy! I'm with the rest of you and I like to plan it all out and not being able to stresses me out. I don't even have an idea of what I'll do if I don't get accepted and that freaks me out.
I know it. Me too!
 
This limbo is crazy! I'm with the rest of you and I like to plan it all out and not being able to stresses me out. I don't even have an idea of what I'll do if I don't get accepted and that freaks me out.

You feel miserable for awhile. A few stages of grief and some months later you start doing something else or you prepare for the next cycle.
 
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