Help Selecting Schools....

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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Robdude

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I'm looking for one more school to add to my list. My stats aren't great (included at the bottom). I've been looking at a bunch of info on the schools and what not, but I figured people here might have some suggestions. This is my fourth year trying to get in, so I'm pretty much looking to add any accredited, US, school that might take me.

I'm applying to:
  • CSU (my in-state school)
  • Ohio State
  • Iowa State
  • Tennessee
  • Washington
  • Mississippi
  • Dublin
  • Saint George

Total GPA - 3.342
Science GPA - 3.114
Last 45 GPA - 3.6

GRE Verbal - 500
GRE Quantitative - 620
GRE Writing - 5.5

I've got a few years of full-time experience in equine repro. and a handful of volunteer type things I've done with small animals.
 
twelvetigers said:
Western?

Are you willing to take the biology GRE?
Click to expand...

Ty - I'll check them out. Living in CA would be nice 🙂

I'd be willing to take it; but I don't know when the deadlines are for getting it done. Thanks though, I'll look into it.
 
Hi Robdude,

It looks like we are both kind of in the same boat...I'm a third time applicant with CSU being my instate as well 🙁
This year I am applying to EVERYWHERE that I have fullfilled the pre-reqs even if they don't take a ton of OOS...with the philosophy "who knows"
Some of the ones I am applying to that aren't on your list are Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon and Wisconsin........

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Western is nice because it doesn't separate in state vs. out of state and has a bit more 'holistic' approach in selecting applicants. However, it's expensive (but not much different from say, Iowa) and it uses PBL... so research PBL heavily before deciding.

Oklahoma State is a good option to go for OOS, but you have to take the biology GRE. It's offered three times a year - October and November are the dates you'll be interested in - and it costs the same as the general GRE pretty much. If you're willing, you might try for OKSU as well (no essays on the supplemental either! 🙂 )
 
You might want to also consider Ross University. My stats are similar to yours, and that's where I'm planning on applying. I know that they have interviews and tend to look more at you as a whole person, rather than just your stats.
Plus, my sister is in the medical school (different island, but still Ross U) and she really likes it. It's a little adjustment getting used to the culture, and it would be more expensive, but I think the different culture would be a plus in my opinion.
 
I don't have any real useful advice, but I am starting to feel like there are enough of us CO state multi-time applicants to form our own support group!

Perhaps to the pleasure of all you Auburn candidates, they have a 6 year limit on science coursework and no mention of petitioning for an exception being allowed. Now I'll give you that I didn't actually call or pursue this further, but this may help limit your competition 😉!
 
twelvetigers said:
Western is nice because it doesn't separate in state vs. out of state and has a bit more 'holistic' approach in selecting applicants. However, it's expensive (but not much different from say, Iowa) and it uses PBL... so research PBL heavily before deciding.

Oklahoma State is a good option to go for OOS, but you have to take the biology GRE. It's offered three times a year - October and November are the dates you'll be interested in - and it costs the same as the general GRE pretty much. If you're willing, you might try for OKSU as well (no essays on the supplemental either! 🙂 )
Click to expand...

TT - I think you are ready for a side-career as a vet school applicant consultant. You have all the knowledge, and what you don't know you can always do a quick search for to provide the answers. Seriously, you should be paid for this.
 
gone2dogs said:
Perhaps to the pleasure of all you Auburn candidates, they have a 6 year limit on science coursework and no mention of petitioning for an exception being allowed. Now I'll give you that I didn't actually call or pursue this further, but this may help limit your competition 😉!
Click to expand...

THAT means I have to get in this try, or *my* coursework will start expiring. Lol. Maybe that would do me some good though - let's go ahead and let those chemistries expire.

StartingoverVet said:
TT - I think you are ready for a side-career as a vet school applicant consultant. You have all the knowledge, and what you don't know you can always do a quick search for to provide the answers. Seriously, you should be paid for this.
Click to expand...

Well, maybe I should take donations... help cover the insane $943 it costs to apply to 10 schools through VMCAS...

No, I enjoy this. I like answering questions and being helpful. I tried to work that into my PS, even, but it came out sounding cheesetastic... 🙄
 
Oh man, every time I see a CSU rejection for someone with a better GPA then mine, I cringe! this is my first year applying, and I am so freaked out by it. I want to apply to some out of state schools too, but I cant find any that I am not missing pre-reqs for 🙁 (dont have Ochem 2 or Physics 2) Does anyone know of other schools that dont require these two and have a more holistic approach to the application. ( ie will not stop at my average GPA).

and those of you that CSU has sent rejections to, would you be willing to share any feedback they gave you, as to why? if so just PM me 🙂

from the people I know that have gotten in or been rejected, I swear they just close their eyes, throw a rock at a pile of papers and see who it lands on:laugh:
 
Maschka1 - The AAVMC has a list of all the different schools' prerequisites in a handy chart, there's a link on this page: http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/vmcas_downloads.htm

I went through and crossed off schools for which I didn't have prerequisites to help me narrow down where to apply. (i.e. never gonna take public speaking!)
 
Thanks! I remembered there was one of those somewhere but Google didnt help. Why must all of these schools want 2 semesters of physics? I took the first one 6 years ago, I think I would be lost jumping into second semester:scared:.
 
Maschka1 said:
Thanks! I remembered there was one of those somewhere but Google didnt help. Why must all of these schools want 2 semesters of physics? I took the first one 6 years ago, I think I would be lost jumping into second semester:scared:.
Click to expand...

When I took 2nd semester physics, it had absolutely nothing to do with the 1st semester. I think our professor might have referenced to 1st semester twice the entire semester. I actually thought 2nd semester physics was easier than the 1st semester. My 2nd semester physics covered light, waves, electromagnetic stuff, etc. Had absolutely nothing to do with velocity, speed, etc. that I had learned in 1st semester.
 
hunterjumper12 said:
When I took 2nd semester physics, it had absolutely nothing to do with the 1st semester. I think our professor might have referenced to 1st semester twice the entire semester. I actually thought 2nd semester physics was easier than the 1st semester. My 2nd semester physics covered light, waves, electromagnetic stuff, etc. Had absolutely nothing to do with velocity, speed, etc. that I had learned in 1st semester.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Don't worry about that. It is TOTALLY different than the first semester. If you like math, the first semester is good for you....the second doesn't really have much math in it
 
twelvetigers said:
Oklahoma State is a good option to go for OOS, but you have to take the biology GRE. It's offered three times a year - October and November are the dates you'll be interested in - and it costs the same as the general GRE pretty much. If you're willing, you might try for OKSU as well (no essays on the supplemental either! 🙂 )
Click to expand...

Is the Bio GRE a completely separate test from the regular GRE or is it both tests slapped together in one big scary test? LOL! If it's separate I might take it this fall for the hell of it (so that I can broaden my schools that I can apply to)
 
smilin1590 said:
Is the Bio GRE a completely separate test from the regular GRE or is it both tests slapped together in one big scary test? LOL! If it's separate I might take it this fall for the hell of it (so that I can broaden my schools that I can apply to)
Click to expand...

Its separate. okstate and uga are the only ones that care about it
 
It also irritates me that these schools want two semesters of physics! :annoyed:

I suppose it is to develop critical thinking and quantitative skills, because seriously, I can't see many vet students having plans to drop puppies off the roof of a 25m tall building with a steady wind blowing west at 15mph and

a) calculate the velocity and acceleration of the puppies as they approach the ground, and

b) calculate where the bean bag should be placed for said puppies to land on and avoid splattering said puppies on the ground because the tourists find this very upsetting....

🙄
 
Maddiegirl said:
It also irritates me that these schools want two semesters of physics! :annoyed:

I suppose it is to develop critical thinking and quantitative skills, because seriously, I can't see many vet students having plans to drop puppies off the roof of a 25m tall building with a steady wind blowing west at 15mph and

🙄
Click to expand...

If it makes you feel any better physics 2 is all electric currents and magnetism and not at all like physics 1.

And the topics covered in physics 1 barely scratch the surface of pertinent information when it comes to people doing orthopedic research. Physics 1 is fairly easy compared to a Statics or Dynamics course which are necessary if you want to actually describe how basically any moving structure(eg: leg) in an animal works.
 
While admittedly your GPA is a little lower than average --- I wouldn't freak out about your GRE much. An 1120 is still within a standard deviation below most schools. Great writing section though. Everyone seems to be so score minded but remember we still have to have outside experiences --- you can't undo bad grades. You can have more experiences.

What I would worry more about is having additional work outside of equine. I've already submitted my application but I'm going to get more experiences and submit an addendum. I have mostly rodent, avian, and shelter experience.

Physics 2 is very different than 1. I find Phys 2 is more pertinent to physiology.

I'm only applying to VMRCVM --- so as far as OOS applicants there, I think they take 15 out of 95 total. And then 50 Virginia and 30 MD. They have an average competitive GPA of 3.53 and GRE of 660Q and 560V. So you would be close for the GRE.
 
To be quite honest, I think you need to work on diversifying your experiences, especially if you've already been through four application cycles. I think your numbers are okay but the experience is what seems to be lacking to my outside eye. You don't say how much equine you have, and even if it were a hefty amount, that seems to be all that you have that is of significance.

I'm also curious why you're looking for *one* more school but that really isn't my business. Good luck this cycle!
 
I would add Tuskegee. Yes, their website is a PIA. Yes, they require a completely different application (no VMCAS). Yes, they are a smaller school in Alabama. However, their applicant pool tends to be smaller and chances of OOS acceptance are pretty darn good. Their OOS tuition is much less than many of the other schools. AND they are AVMA accredited on this continent. Why does that matter? Because schools with oceans between the US and them tend to become costly very fast.

Just my 2 cents
 
Have you spoken with representatives from the admin offices? They can be very helpful to pick apart your application and tell you whats good, bad, confusing, etc.
One of the admins spoke with me for about an hour just going over every little thing about my app last yr. And what it really came down to was that my GRE was OK, my GPA was acceptable, but my essay was horrible. the people from admissions thought it was unfocused and they could not tell that I understood the vet med profession from it.
Once they get past the numbers (GPA/GRE) then they want to know about you. Maybe you're not representing yourself well where it really matters.
 
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