Hopeful c/o 2030 applicant

[vetschoolhopeful101]

Hello. I am working on my applications now to be submitted in August for the 2026 admission cycle (20y M, first time applicant). Soon to start working on my 17 essays!!!!😯. If anyone has any particular advice on how to strengthen my application or a particular school I should consider, please share.

Currently planning to apply to: NCSU, UT Knoxville (ISS), TAMU, UF, Georgia, and Missouri
I am most interested in good large animal and exotic/wildlife elective rotations, and will likely do mixed animal upon finishing school (so I don't starve doing only large animals lol).
Additional driving factors in school selection: price, location (commute to home - middle TN), amount of clinical/hands-on time

Double major: Animal Science and General Science with Biology and Chemistry concentrations
Minor: Business Entrepreneurship
completing within 3 years of high school graduation

Overall: 3.544
Science/Math: 3.497
Last 45: 3.496 (I'm taking a business course right now and retaking biochem in July.)
Biochem is my only retake course, as I got a C- in the spring and am retaking it in July/August. Prior Cs, besides biochem, are History II and Micro.
Pending pre-requisites: Animal Nutrition (for most colleges above) and Cell/Molecular Bio (for one college above).
CASPer: taking in June

Majority listed...
Animal Experience: ~3,000 hours, about 60% large animals and 40% small animal (~5% of this was cats/dogs)
--Unique experience: Africa trip ~50 hours behavior and habitat observation of wild exotics, avian, and aquatic animals in a few countries

Veterinary Experience: Estimating 450-550 hours (paid) by August submission time, mostly cats and dogs. (This opportunity began this month, as my area has limited job opportunities for those without formal certification and require senior status for interns. There also are not large animal vets within <1 hr of where I live. Even small animal shadowing opportunities are extremely limited and have been full.)

Ag experience: 700+ hours greenhouse and small barn/farm at high school (volunteer), 400+ hours farmhand internship summer 2024 (paid), ~50 hours farmhand husbandry per diem jobs (paid)

Employment: over 5,000 hours at a (non-animal) job working 25-40 hrs/week during high school and undergraduate.

Volunteer and Extracurricular: over 3,000 hours numerous church events, mission trips, math tutor for 3+ years, in 2 weekly worship bands for few years, FFA x4 years in high school (VERY involved, minimal hours included in these hours); bass guitar, ultimate frisbee, hunting, pre-vet med society

Awards: Deans List 3x, FFA American Degree recipient, FFA National Livestock gold emblem individual, multiple scholarships, multiple high school merit awards

Leadership: assistant manager at job for >2 years, FFA chapter officer in high school, math tutor in high school, band leader at church

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[DVM882029]

This will be moved to the WAMC subforum just FYI.

TAMU is very competive OOS, they only take a maximum of 10% of the class so you usually have to be exceptional. Worth applying, but just be aware of that.

NCSU has a hard 3.4 cutoff for OOS students for both cGPA and science/math GPA, so make sure your GPA doesn't drop below that with your remaining prereqs.

Consider adding in Ohio State as it's not terribly far for you (closer than TAMU I imagine). Others to consider are VAMD, Purdue, Auburn, possibly LSU and/or Ms State if you meet the requirements.

 

[vampyrica]

Please do not spam the threads. This was posted five different times.

 

[vetschoolhopeful101]

Please do not spam the threads. This was posted five different times.

Posted under relevant schools that are listed in my message and inquiry, as I'm seeking advice for these particular schools, not spamming.

 

[vetschoolhopeful101]

This will be moved to the WAMC subforum just FYI.

TAMU is very competive OOS, they only take a maximum of 10% of the class so you usually have to be exceptional. Worth applying, but just be aware of that.

NCSU has a hard 3.4 cutoff for OOS students for both cGPA and science/math GPA, so make sure your GPA doesn't drop below that with your remaining prereqs.

Consider adding in Ohio State as it's not terribly far for you (closer than TAMU I imagine). Others to consider are VAMD, Purdue, Auburn, possibly LSU and/or Ms State if you meet the requirements.

Thank you for your advice!

What is WAMC?

 

[vampyrica]

Posted under relevant schools that are listed in my message and inquiry.

there is a designated thread for your chances, questions and other inquiries. it is titled the "What are my chances" thread pinned to the top of the site. these individual spaces are for asking questions specifically about the school, and communicating throughout the application process. dropping your stats 5 different times clogs up the threads.

 

[vetschoolhopeful101]

there is a designated thread for your chances, questions and other inquiries. it is titled the "What are my chances" thread pinned to the top of the site. these individual spaces are for asking questions specifically about the school, and communicating throughout the application process. dropping your stats 5 different times clogs up the threads.

Thank you. I am new here and didn't realize what WAMC meant or that I wasn't allowed to post this under one of my specifically considered schools or start my own question thread regarding multiple specific schools. Please kindly educate me on what this thread should be used for so that I comply, as no one is accepted to any school yet and I thought it was for questions about the programs and applications. Thanks again.

 

[vampyrica]

Thank you. I am new here and didn't realize what WAMC meant or that I wasn't allowed to post this under one of my specifically considered schools. Please kindly educate me on what this thread should be used for so that I comply, as no one is accepted to any school yet and I thought it was for questions about the programs and applications. Thanks again.

no worries at all, this site can be difficult to navigate at first. each thread is typically reserved for questions regarding specific schools (ie: when is the supplemental due? has anyone gotten an interview yet? when should we hear back?). the threads from previous years are up if you would like to go through your specific school list and see what people have said in previous years, chances are that your questions might have already been answered!

the WAMC thread is for questions regarding your specific application. current professionals and vet students will be able to answer your questions and give you honest advice!

welcome to the threads! 😉

 

[vetschoolhopeful101]

no worries at all, this site can be difficult to navigate at first. each thread is typically reserved for questions regarding specific schools (ie: when is the supplemental due? has anyone gotten an interview yet? when should we hear back?). the threads from previous years are up if you would like to go through your specific school list and see what people have said in previous years, chances are that your questions might have already been answered!

the WAMC thread is for questions regarding your specific application. current professionals and vet students will be able to answer your questions and give you honest advice!

welcome to the threads! 😉

I've tried searching prior years/threads, and I guess I'm not typing in an exactly matched search word because I haven't been able to find specifics about which schools have the most large animal and wildlife/exotic opportunities, amongst other things.

Thank you for your response.

Lastly, I don't know how to move this to another thread.

 

[SkiOtter]

Lastly, I don't know how to move this to another thread.

A mod of the forums will eventually move it for you, once they are able to get to it

 

[pp9]

Disclaimer since you are new: the feedback you get on SDN is primarily opinion, but most opinions are stemming from many years of paying attention to the schools, helping on SDN and seeing how applicants do, and personal experiences. We can't predict the future and we aren't on admissions committees.

My thoughts: I think you might struggle with those GPAs, especially in light of how little experience you have. They are not 'bad' GPAs, but they are definitely average to below average for vet school based on how the last few years have been. With the biggest stats in consideration (the three GPAs and vet experience), you are probably falling below the admitted student stats at most schools. That's not to be discouraging in any way or suggest that everyone needs to be 'above average', I'm just being realistic. It would be ideal if your last 45 showed an upward trend, which it currently does not. To put it into perspective, you'd have to convince an adcom that you should be given a seat when both your GPAs and experience hours are working against you. The written portions of your applications will need to be exceptional, that can't be emphasized enough.

No harm in applying beyond spending the money, and it's completely true that you could get in despite my initial thoughts here. If you are tight on money though, I would consider waiting a year with the plan to improve your experience hours and GPA.

And just a few questions/thoughts:
1. What are your other grades like? How close are you to graduating credits-wise?
2. I don't recommend using 'I couldn't find opportunities' as a reason to justify low experience hours. The fact of the matter is that you are one of thousands that will be applying to vet school, and a good portion of your peers will do what it takes to get the hours, even if that involves driving pretty far. You have been able to do quite a lot of other things and rack up hours/work full time, so I'm going to hazard a guess and assume you have access to reliable transportation? If so, drive more than an hour. Having to drive that far for experience is far from unusual.

I've tried searching prior years/threads, and I guess I'm not typing in an exactly matched search word because I haven't been able to find specifics about which schools have the most large animal and wildlife/exotic opportunities, amongst other things.

If this is your interest, go to the cheapest school (usually your IS). Don't worry about which school would get you the most opportunity, as there are countless vets in zoo/exotic/wildlife (ZEW) careers that graduated from schools with no ZEW clinicians. ZEW stuff is one of the lowest paying areas of vet med, unless you happen to see owned exotics in private practice and have a high enough caseload to get you good production (which is not common). Large animal is poorly paid too. You've literally picked two of the lowest paying fields, so you want your debt to be as minimal as possible.

With that said, UT happens to be a good choice for ZEW stuff, as is UF, Georgia, and NCSU. Any vet school with a teaching hospital will have a large animal clinic.

 

[vetschoolhopeful101]

Disclaimer since you are new: the feedback you get on SDN is primarily opinion, but most opinions are stemming from many years of paying attention to the schools, helping on SDN and seeing how applicants do, and personal experiences. We can't predict the future and we aren't on admissions committees.

My thoughts: I think you might struggle with those GPAs, especially in light of how little experience you have. They are not 'bad' GPAs, but they are definitely average to below average for vet school based on how the last few years have been. With the biggest stats in consideration (the three GPAs and vet experience), you are probably falling below the admitted student stats at most schools. That's not to be discouraging in any way or suggest that everyone needs to be 'above average', I'm just being realistic. It would be ideal if your last 45 showed an upward trend, which it currently does not. To put it into perspective, you'd have to convince an adcom that you should be given a seat when both your GPAs and experience hours are working against you. The written portions of your applications will need to be exceptional, that can't be emphasized enough.

No harm in applying beyond spending the money, and it's completely true that you could get in despite my initial thoughts here. If you are tight on money though, I would consider waiting a year with the plan to improve your experience hours and GPA.

And just a few questions/thoughts:
1. What are your other grades like? How close are you to graduating credits-wise?
2. I don't recommend using 'I couldn't find opportunities' as a reason to justify low experience hours. The fact of the matter is that you are one of thousands that will be applying to vet school, and a good portion of your peers will do what it takes to get the hours, even if that involves driving pretty far. You have been able to do quite a lot of other things and rack up hours/work full time, so I'm going to hazard a guess and assume you have access to reliable transportation? If so, drive more than an hour. Having to drive that far for experience is far from unusual.


If this is your interest, go to the cheapest school (usually your IS). Don't worry about which school would get you the most opportunity, as there are countless vets in zoo/exotic/wildlife (ZEW) careers that graduated from schools with no ZEW clinicians. ZEW stuff is one of the lowest paying areas of vet med, unless you happen to see owned exotics in private practice and have a high enough caseload to get you good production (which is not common). Large animal is poorly paid too. You've literally picked two of the lowest paying fields, so you want your debt to be as minimal as possible.

With that said, UT happens to be a good choice for ZEW stuff, as is UF, Georgia, and NCSU. Any vet school with a teaching hospital will have a large animal clinic.

I appreciate your time and inquiry. I have 3 Cs, 2 of which are in sciences (1 biol and 1 chem). Everything else is As and Bs. I graduate in May 2026 with a double major and an unrelated minor. I am taking 2 courses this summer, 1 of which is a business course and 1 is retaking biochem for a higher grade. I will be full-time this fall and in the spring, with only 1-2 prerequisites remaining (depending on the school).

Unfortunately, I have to work (paid), and have since I was 16, so I've looked for opportunities within an hour of my college because the schedule of course is hit or miss throughout the day (i.e., if going in at 9am or getting out at 2pm, commuting over an hour doesn't work when most places are open 8a-5p). In my city, the majority of the primary vet offices either 1) don't take students, 2) have a contract with an undergrad or dvm program, and/or 3) require students to be final year pre-vet students. It has created a pickle. This summer I'm working full time in a small animal private practice office, which will hopefully tip me to more so around 600 hours in that category. Many of my animal experience hours are healthcare/vet-like experiences, but quite a few farmers learn skills to do on their own vs hiring a vet, so I can't count them as vet hours of course.

I agree that I've chosen the 2 lowest paying! That certainly wasn't the plan, but is where my heart lies. I expect to need to probably do mixed animal just so I don't starve :/

 

[pp9]

Unfortunately, I have to work (paid), and have since I was 16, so I've looked for opportunities within an hour of my college because the schedule of course is hit or miss throughout the day (i.e., if going in at 9am or getting out at 2pm, commuting over an hour doesn't work when most places are open 8a-5p). In my city, the majority of the primary vet offices either 1) don't take students, 2) have a contract with an undergrad or dvm program, and/or 3) require students to be final year pre-vet students. It has created a pickle. This summer I'm working full time in a small animal private practice office, which will hopefully tip me to more so around 600 hours in that category. Many of my animal experience hours are healthcare/vet-like experiences, but quite a few farmers learn skills to do on their own vs hiring a vet, so I can't count them as vet hours of course.

Yeah so that's what I'm saying. This doesn't really land with anyone on SDN, and probably not with anyone on an adcom. I wouldn't openly say any of this on VMCAS or in an interview is my point.

 

[indysadventures]

Yeah so that's what I'm saying. This doesn't really land with anyone on SDN, and probably not with anyone on an adcom. I wouldn't openly say any of this on VMCAS or in an interview is my point.

I agree - OP, my first set of experiences were 1.5 hours away, and I know pre-vets who’d drive even farther. I scheduled classes to be stacked on MWF or TTHF and spent the other days in the clinic. It sucked, but I also love that clinic and it was worth it. Plus, the experience there got me hired on at a specialty hospital in my interest area that was closer to home. That “close” experience was still about an hour away though.

I appreciate your time and inquiry. I have 3 Cs, 2 of which are in sciences (1 biol and 1 chem). Everything else is As and Bs. I graduate in May 2026 with a double major and an unrelated minor. I am taking 2 courses this summer, 1 of which is a business course and 1 is retaking biochem for a higher grade. I will be full-time this fall and in the spring, with only 1-2 prerequisites remaining (depending on the school).

Unfortunately, I have to work (paid), and have since I was 16, so I've looked for opportunities within an hour of my college because the schedule of course is hit or miss throughout the day (i.e., if going in at 9am or getting out at 2pm, commuting over an hour doesn't work when most places are open 8a-5p). In my city, the majority of the primary vet offices either 1) don't take students, 2) have a contract with an undergrad or dvm program, and/or 3) require students to be final year pre-vet students. It has created a pickle. This summer I'm working full time in a small animal private practice office, which will hopefully tip me to more so around 600 hours in that category. Many of my animal experience hours are healthcare/vet-like experiences, but quite a few farmers learn skills to do on their own vs hiring a vet, so I can't count them as vet hours of course.

I agree that I've chosen the 2 lowest paying! That certainly wasn't the plan, but is where my heart lies. I expect to need to probably do mixed animal just so I don't starve :/

All in all, your reasoning for lower hours reflects real issues that pre-vet students face. But, when you’re applying, there’s going to be people in your same situation who did find ways to still get competitive hours.

For this reason, I’d try my best to get creative in order to achieve higher hours and otherwise not lean into this as your explanation for low experience. Not that it is, but it can read less as an explanation and more of an excuse, at least in this context.

Also, reasonably, a school will consider your hours and interest areas and may question if you really understand what you’re getting into. Now more than ever, an appropriate understanding of the field is crucial before committing to school.

Do you have wildlife experience? I wracked up a ton of vet hours volunteering with a vet who ended up being an LOR for me.

An admissions officer at a school told me that even small stints of shadowing at different local clinics can look really good. It shows effort and drive and flexibility.

It’s okay that your major experience might be limited to one clinic for financial reasons, but try to find some opportunities to shadow, especially in other areas you’re interested in, like LA and wildlife and/or exotics. Plus, I had two short-term shadowing experiences that ultimately turned into job opportunities at another clinic via networking. You never know what 10 hours shadowing could do, and I think putting in some extra effort here will pay off for you and your application.

 

[mw1356]

An admissions officer at a school told me that even small stints of shadowing at different local clinics can look really good. It shows effort and drive and flexibility.

I applied with low hours for similar reasons - could not for the life of me find clinics in my hometown that would let me shadow. I ended up getting a decent amount of hours by shadowing/assisting while staying with my grandparents and my college roommate, who live in different states than me. I know that’s not realistic for everyone, but if you have people willing to put you up for a bit, it can lead to some very interesting experiences! I also used my travel and time in different clinics as a talking point/theme in several of my supplemental essays.

 

[pp9]

I agree - OP, my first set of experiences were 1.5 hours away, and I know pre-vets who’d drive even farther. I scheduled classes to be stacked on MWF or TTHF and spent the other days in the clinic. It sucked, but I also love that clinic and it was worth it. Plus, the experience there got me hired on at a specialty hospital in my interest area that was closer to home. That “close” experience was still about an hour away though.

All in all, your reasoning for lower hours reflects real issues that pre-vet students face. But, when you’re applying, there’s going to be people in your same situation who did find ways to still get competitive hours.

I applied with low hours for similar reasons - could not for the life of me find clinics in my hometown that would let me shadow. I ended up getting a decent amount of hours by shadowing/assisting while staying with my grandparents and my college roommate, who live in different states than me.

Like I get it's very much 'when I was a prevet, I walked uphill both ways in -25F to get to my experience' (which is actually half true, lol) but if you want it, you will find a way. You are already in a significantly better position than a lot of people because it sounds like you have reliable transportation.

I'd hazard a guess and say most pre-vets are working paid jobs, and only some of those paid jobs are in vet settings. In my prevet circle of friends, most of us worked a paid job and drove to whatever clinic would take us on a Saturday (or if you were lucky, whatever weekday you had no classes/work) for unpaid shadowing. I myself was taking a full time credit load, worked two paid jobs (one was in a clinic, I was lucky) for 10-15 hours a week each and then drove 1.5 hours to a wildlife rehab center every Sunday for an 8 hour unpaid shift, and did that for about 3 years (the clinic job was more like 1.5-2 years). It was brutal, but I wanted/needed the experience hours and couldn't leave the first paid job because it was the majority of my income.

So again, long story short, saying you 'just couldn't find an opportunity' or 'I've had to work since I was 16' doesn't land because a lot of us had to work and bent over backwards to get the hours. I'm not trying to diminish anything you've said necessarily, but just point out that the 'well I just can't get more experience until this summer and it's not my fault ' vibe isn't going to work for you in the admissions realm. If you choose to apply this cycle, start working on a plan to get more hours for the next cycle now. Contingency plans are more important than ever.

 

[vampyrica]

Like I get it's very much 'when I was a prevet, I walked uphill both ways in -25F to get to my experience' (which is actually half true, lol) but if you want it, you will find a way. You are already in a significantly better position than a lot of people because it sounds like you have reliable transportation.

So again, long story short, saying you 'just couldn't find an opportunity' or 'I've had to work since I was 16' doesn't land because a lot of us had to work and bent over backwards to get the hours. I'm not trying to diminish anything you've said necessarily, but just point out that the 'well I just can't get more experience until this summer and it's not my fault ' vibe isn't going to work for you in the admissions realm.

i got into an argument with my parents during a snow blizzard and they told me to call out of work because the roads were frozen over, but it was an overnight shift in the 24/7 ER so...i took the car and didn't tell them and went to work and got stranded lol. so not quite -25F and not quite walking, but yeah, something along those lines.