Graduate program as "plan B"

[ImaJerseyGirl]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I was talking with a vet I work with about my Plan B if I do not get accepted this cycle. I would like to pursue a MS or PhD program at the school I am currently at. I believe it would help my chances next cycle to have some grad classes under my belt and lead to opportunities in the future. The vet suggested taking classes at a University with a vet school instead of applying to my current school, which I understand because I would show my abilities on their ground and get to know people at the school. Always good! But I feel like I'm so short on time now and planning this too late in the game.
Also, she mentioned that if I start a program, no vet school would consider me because they want me to finish the program and not “steal” a student away from another U. So if I am rejected this cycle (I’m 2 out of 7 right now), and I begin a graduate program, am I shooting myself in the foot by not allowing the possibility of entry next cycle? I would be there for another 2-5 years... time that could be spent... living? Going for my DVM?! I want to continue school to keep myself sharp and keep earning grades. I have thousands of hours of diverse experience so far, but grades are killing me! I totally lost sleep over this last night! I swear I'm giving myself a stomach ulcer this year.
I am going to call the schools I’ve been rejected from but I am sure they are busy now; I don’t think I will get to talk to anyone. Any suggestions on this? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[HandD42]

Just to let you know (not sure this helps right now) but I am applying to a PhD program though a vet school as well this year and the application deadline is Jan 1. So you may be running out of time to apply to a program to start in Fall 2010.

But maybe you want to apply next year for Fall 2011 admission?

I do know of one girl who used to work at our lab who went to a PhD program and ended up doing a reverse DVM/PhD program, 2 years of PhD, then got accepted to vet school, did that for 4 years, then finished 2 years of PhD. She had been rejected from vet schools prior to that, so yes, I am sure the PhD program at the vet school and the contacts she made there aided her admission.

For me I doubt there will be another application cycle so if I get into the PhD program that will be that. If not, the future is wide open I guess.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I will probably apply for a masters at VA since it is the closest vet school by me. They have some kind of biological science/vet masters thing (i forgot the exact title) I would probably focus on something in the public health section because i don't want to narrow my options if i still don't get accepted later. If possible, i want to finish it in two years, so i can apply to vet school the fall of my second year and hopefully go right into vet school after that. It sounds so easy, but if i still don't get into vet school i'll be sooo bummed i don't know what i will go into, i really don't see myself being happy with any other career. After working around PhDs for so long, i definitelyyyyyy don't want to go that route.

 

[sumstorm]

So you haven't received rejections from 5 out of 7? I didn't get accepted till my last letter.

There is some thought that failure to complete a program isn't so hot and 'stealing' a PI's researcher in a masters or PhD program is frowned on. However, some schools offer post-bac options to improve your chances to get into vet school, but I dont' know the time lines for those. I am sure someoen with more info, or links to the other discussions about this, will pop in and give you some info.

 

[nyanko]

So you haven't received rejections from 5 out of 7? I didn't get accepted till my last letter.

Yes and up until then you posted neurotic, anxious threads just like this one about what you should do if you had to reapply. 😉

 

[BlacKAT33]

So you haven't received rejections from 5 out of 7? I didn't get accepted till my last letter.

There is some thought that failure to complete a program isn't so hot and 'stealing' a PI's researcher in a masters or PhD program is frowned on. However, some schools offer post-bac options to improve your chances to get into vet school, but I dont' know the time lines for those. I am sure someoen with more info, or links to the other discussions about this, will pop in and give you some info.

unfortunately, i have been doing a post-bac fellowship for almost 2 yrs now. it ends in june. so far it has not helped me with OOS schools. im also waiting for 5 more schools to reply, but right now i think my IS school is my only chance. My gpa isnt HORRIBLE, it was 3.4, so i really thought the post bac would help me... sighhhh, sometimes i feel like my life is wasting away. i hope this pays off in the end.

 

[sumstorm]

Yes and up until then you posted neurotic, anxious threads just like this one about what you should do if you had to reapply. 😉

LOL! 😀 Actually, I never planned to reapply, it was a one shot deal for me because of where I was in life. There wasn't really much I could do to improve my application. But I did post anxious posts about what I should do next! And I am glad I don't have to figure out the 'what else to do.' One thing that really frustrated me was dealing with Purdue's way of rejection; send a list of the average numbers for interviewed applicants. A list in which you are higher than average on everything, and much higher on most things, except you are .01 below the average overall GPA. I think that sent me into the tizzy more than anything else. But, seriously, I didn't get my acceptance till March, and it was a killer waiting that long. And I was absolutly sure I hadn't gotten in, espeically the day we finally got the letter.

And I did add some info! Post bacs, I just don't know much about them. I didn't learn about them till I started asking the same questions (what will I do with my life now?) last year. Actually, by the time I got my letter, we planned on increasing my business (behavior junk) and having a family. We had really figured it out...probably why I got accepted! Murphy doesn't like plans! 😉

 

[HandD42]

Actually, by the time I got my letter, we planned on increasing my business (behavior junk) and having a family. We had really figured it out...probably why I got accepted! Murphy doesn't like plans! 😉

Well, if that is the secret to getting in, then my bf has a business we were already planning to expand and I wasn't planning on having kids, but geez, I'll have a bunch if it helps to get that acceptance.

Very TIC post. 😛

I feel like you and I, sunstorm have a lot in common (apply later in life and only want to do it once). Also hopeful for a late in the game March acceptance.

 

[Ben and Me]

Hey!

I've posted about this before, but I know that NCSU has a non-thesis Masters in Physiology that is pretty much designed for people trying to improve their stats to get into professional school.

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/physiology/intro.htm

Check out the last paragraph re: Masters of Physiology.

In addition, the program offers a Master of Physiology (MOP) non-thesis degree. This ia a terminal degree appropriate for students seeking to improve their academic credentials to become competitive for admission to professional schools or individuals desiring to improve their knowledge of advanced physiology.

From what I can tell from the website, it is a 36 credit program. The admissions deadline for Fall admissions is June 25, and if you wanted to start in the summer, the deadline is March 25 or May 10, which might be doable if you've heard from all your schools. If you started in the summer, it might be possible to complete the program in a year.

Others will chime in and say that such a degree is worthless since it isn't research based, but if you just want to improve your GPA and make yourself a little unique, I don't see how it could hurt. It's an option to discuss w/ admissions committees during your post-mortem interviews, if nothing else.

 

[Wolphcats]

I, as a third timer, have had to deal with your situation. There are post-bac programs that are usually 18 credit hours (thus 1 year). Many of which qualify as the first year of a MS degree at the same institution. So if you do not get in on your second attempt, you can complete your MS.

If you take courses at the vet school, be sure that they are graduate course. Most importantly, make sure whatever program you do enter, it is a field you enjoy. I have been ask during interviews whether I chose to enter graduate school to beef up my application or because it is what I wanted to do, and (follow-up) why the program is important to me. So don't enter a MS program just because it is a MS in biology. Look for a program that you can see affecting your work as a vet, such as a MS program with emphasis on animal behavior, toxicology, neurology, etc, and a field in which you enjoy.

 

[ColoradoDVM]

But I feel like I'm so short on time now and planning this too late in the game.
Also, she mentioned that if I start a program, no vet school would consider me because they want me to finish the program and not "steal" a student away from another U.
CSU has 2 Masters plan B programs, no thesis. They last one year, you can stretch them out if you want. The catch is, you may not be able to submit a competitive application based on your grad program until you have 2 semesters finished, so you would have a year "off" before you matriculated into vet school.
My undergrad GPA was not great but CSU's program worked out well for me, CSU2014! I would recommend giving it further consideration.
Important to note, in CSU's biomedical science masters plan B, average GPA earned in the program is about 3.4 (I've heard). I was told by Sherry Stewart that anything less than a 3.6 in my program (TOX) would keep me out of vet school.
It is not too late to apply for CSU's masters programs for matriculation next fall. You can always withdraw your app when a vet school app comes thru!

 

[Caninerepro]

Thanks CSU for not making me post again on the program everyone here is tired of me pimping. 😎 All I will say from having done it the year before you is that about 2/3 of us (those who applied to >1 schools BTW) got into a program or two. There is a person from the program in each year's class here at MN. The classes are helping with vet school too -- anatomy was about the same level as Mark's class, and Physiology is actually a bit less that Dr. Tamkun's odyssey. Glad I did it, and so are quite a few of my classmates. (yes I did have > than a 3.6 in the program though). Good luck everyone, and hang in there!

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

Yes and up until then you posted neurotic, anxious threads just like this one about what you should do if you had to reapply. 😉

Hahaha the summary of my life the past few months, neurotic and anxious.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate your replies!

Sumstorm- Yes I am still waiting for 5 and I know its early in the game yet. I just thought I had a shot at MizzoU and Miss, so to get those two rejections so early sort of threw me. I know I shouldn't freak out just yet, but I can't help it!

Ben- Thanks for the info on NCSU, I'll definitely check that out! I applied to their vet school too

Wolphcats- Good tips thank you. The program I applied to is in Endocrinology (which I LOVE!) So I'm sure I would enjoy the program.

And thanks for the info on Colorado!

 

[ginger17317]

I also am waiting reply from schools - 3 at this point. I am applying to a year-long masters program in management. I am interested in running my own practice one day and thought it was a program that could help.
If you're interested there are some universities that offer online programs like this, even an MBA online.
I honestly searched Google with the program I was looking for and major universities popped up first.

Good luck! Hope this helps!

 

[Wolphcats]

Wolphcats- Good tips thank you. The program I applied to is in Endocrinology (which I LOVE!) So I'm sure I would enjoy the program.

Awesome! Endocrinology is an amazing subject! I hope you get into vet school first, but if you don't, I hope you get into the Endocrinology program!

 

[Barnsey27]

Hi everyone! I am currently in a 2 year masters program and applied to vet school for the current round. I had to have my masters advisor fill out all sorts of paperwork to the schools explaining when I will be done with my masters work. Most vet schools will NOT take you if you are in the middle of working on a grad degree. The places that I applied wanted me to be completely finished with my masters (and have my advisor confirm it) in the spring before fall admittance. Just wanted to let everyone know, so if you are planning on applying for a 2 year masters program, you WILL have to wait out those two years to apply again. The best route would be a 1 year, non-thesis masters program like some people above had mentioned! Hopefully this helps!