Help Choosing Schools - 4th time applicant

[PlumPoppy]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello again! I'm applying to the most schools I've EVER applied to this cycle as I decided this is my last year applying, so I'm giving it my all. However, I still want to apply smartly and not waste time and money on schools that will outright deny me.

Current list of potential schools: A&M, Iowa, LSU, tOSU, Michigan, Mississippi, LMU, and Virginia-Maryland

I am also debating UMN, but I know their internal cut-offs are considerably high. My current prereq GPA for them is 3.60.

Things against me other than GPA:

• I'm a financially disadvantaged applicant and have paid for all of my classes out of pocket, so it has taken me quite a while to boost my GPA. Over the past 5 years, I have taken no more than 7 credits in a semester while working full-time, and I know some schools will look poorly on my application because of this.
• I am torn on whether or not to apply to Kansas because I was going to attend their One-Year Master's program, but ultimately withdrew when the BBB was announced. I didn't want to tack on $35-45k of federal student loans before even starting veterinary school. I worry the admissions committee may see my withdrawal in a bad light and automatically deny me based on this.
• My academic LOR (required by LMU) would be by my academic advisor for undergrad in 2020. While we have maintained a friendly relationship, obviously he hasn't observed me academically in almost 6 years. I don't really have any better options for an academic LOR since I have taken most classes online since that time.

My last 30-45 GPAs will change as I'm taking classes this semester and next. Possibly in the fall as well since Iowa allows those to be considered.

Texas Resident
Cumulative GPA: 3.33
Graduate GPA: 3.66
Science GPA: 3.19
Last 45 GPA: 3.52
Last 36 GPA: 3.69 (Michigan)
Last 30 GPA: 3.86 (tOSU)

Spoiler: Other stats. Hiding for those who've seen my previous posts as not too much has changed overall.

Degrees:
B.S., Wildlife Ecology; Minor in Sociology (2020)
A.S., General Science (2025)

Veterinary Experience: (9000+ hrs)
- Mixed animal (SA/exotics/avian/aquatic) Vet Asst: 4200 hrs
- Lab Research Associate 3: 1000 hrs
- Lab RA 1/Necropsy Tech: 2400 hrs
- Small animal Vet Tech: 1300 hrs
- Overnight ER tech: 200 hrs
- Wildlife Sanctuary w/ Vet: 5 hrs

Animal Hours: (800-ish hrs)
- Fostering neonate kittens and elderly cats: 70 hrs
- Kennel Tech: 200 hrs
- Cat Rescue: 50 hrs
- Wildlife Sanctuary: 90 hrs
- Raptor Rehab: 8 hrs
- Exotic Pet Rescues: 40 hrs
- Police Horse Clean-up: 5 hrs
- Pet-Setting: 250 hrs
- Pilling Sick Personal Pets: 65 hrs (Separated because I've had ill pocket pets that needed daily medication for months, palliative care)

Non-Animal Volunteer Experience: (200+ hrs)
- Food pantry and making meals for local youths: 10+ hrs
- Planting trees around university campus for Earth Day: 3 hrs
- Hospital shadowing program: 120hrs
- Renovating the local library's YA section Committee member: 40hrs
- Various local marathons for a cause: 18hrs
- Shadowing an OBGYN: 6hrs
- Local "get healthy" fair set-up and face-painting: 5hrs

Honors/Awards:
- Academic Honors (awarded with 2025 A.S.)
- Dean's List (2 semesters)
- HS AP Scholar Award (2 yrs)
- HS First Chair Flute/Piccolo (1 yr)
- HS 3rd Place District English III (1 yr)
- HS Highest Average Award in Honors Biology, Art I, and Talented Art IV

Certifications: Food Safety, Fear Free (expired 2024 but soon renewing), LGBTQ+ Safe Space, Forklift operation (expired 2025), CPR/AED (expired 2017)

Extracurriculars:
- Students over 25 Social Club: Current semester
- LGBTQ+ Faculty Caucus: 1 yr
- Local Cactus & Succulents club: 3 yrs
- Pre-Vet Club member: 2 yrs
- Wildlife Club member: 3 yrs
- Wildlife Club Treasurer: 1 yr
- Exotic Animal Club member: 2 yrs
- LGBTQ+ undergrad club: 4 yrs
- PreMed Honor Society: 1 semester
- HS Key Club Treasurer: 1 yr
- HS Beta Club member: 2 yrs
- HS Student Council Treasurer: 1 yr
- HS Marching and Concert Band: 2 yrs
- HS Anime Club : 2 yrs

Employment: (~2600 hrs)
- Environmental/GIS Analyst Intern: 1 yr
- Ag Chemistry Lab Assistant: 3 years
- Medical Records Student worker: 1 yr
- Barista: 2 yr
- Cashier: 2 yrs

Anticpated eLORs: 2 small animal/exotic vets, current practice manager, professor/academic advisor of my B.S., veterinary pathologist I worked with (5 total)