How can I improve my chances of getting into veterinary school?

[amb130869]

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Hi All,
I am currently a junior undergraduate student studying Biology with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. My first semester of college did not go well, as I had a lot of personal issues going on. I got a D in almost every single class I took. After retaking all of those classes and getting back on my feet academically, I now have a 3.26 GPA. This GPA still isn't great but this is with two C's and the rest A's and B's. My grades continue to improve with each semester and I am confident that I can obtain outstanding grades during my last 45 credits. I will also be spending both semesters of my senior year participating in research. I plan on applying for veterinary school this summer, although I know the chances of me getting accepted my first time around are slim to none. I am aware that some schools allow forgiveness of first semester grades but I do not want to rely on that idea to help me get accepted. I have a little over 700 hours in veterinary experience and I am planning on getting more during the Spring 2020 semester. Because I am not anticipating getting accepted next year, I have come up with a few plans to help me improve my chances for my second application cycle. Instead of graduating in the Spring of 2021, I will take an extra semester and take more science electives to get my GPA up and spend the Spring getting more veterinary experience. Hopefully, I will be able to find a job as a veterinary assistant. Another option I am considering is to take an extra semester and complete a minor in English. I'm not sure which one would look better or be more beneficial. I do not want to just completely give up on getting into veterinary school. I am confident that I am capable of being successful in this field and will do whatever I need in order to get accepted, no matter how long it takes. I would love to hear thoughts from anyone about my current situation along with any advice on how I can improve my chances of getting into veterinary school.
Thanks!

 

[ajs513]

The more distance you can put between your application and that first semester the better. It sounds like you’re on the right track so far. If you really want to give yourself the best shot, why not take a gap year? Applying is expensive and can take your mind away from school. In your case it’s extremely important to do very well these last two semesters (even though it’s always important of course). If it we’re me, and it actually was me because I had a similar story, I’d take a gap year, focus on school, work to get experience and make some money, and try getting involved in research.

However, I wouldn’t just throw more classes at the situation. Typically your experience hours would be plenty. But you want to build up every aspect of your application if you can. Get meaningful experience that you can learn a lot from. If it’s unique, great. If all you can find is a small animal hospital, then that’s great too. As long as you can get a lot out of it and use that in your application then this what you want. Get involved in extracurriculars as well if you aren’t already. Volunteer for something. It doesn’t all have to be animal related. Try to show you’re well rounded. However, I would try to make these last semesters more science-oriented if possible. People get admitted from all walks of life, but I don’t know that an English minor would be helpful on your application, or in showing that you can do well in school under an increased work load. I think that science classes would show that better. And make sure that you have good grades in your prerequisites.

Some schools do grade replacement. Some average the two attempts. Look up schools and see what they do. Also look at schools that focus on last-45 and science GPA more. Michigan State for example uses your last 3 semester and science GPA to form a cutoff (3.0), and then puts you into file review based off of that. Iowa State does grade replacement. Do some research and find schools that will be good for your situation. Check past threads as well in the What Are My Chances section.

TL;DR: Take a gap year if you’re not feeling great about this cycle, get good grades and good experience, diversify your application, and apply to schools that do grade replacement and/or focus on last-45 GPA.

 

[amb130869]

Thank you so much for your feedback! Personally, I hesitate to take a gap year because of the fear of how my family and peers will perceive that decision. Especially after having a rough start that lead to some not having any faith in my capability to succeed. Those who aren’t familiar with this career path may not fully understand why it would be the best decision for me. I definitely think I will end up taking a gap year and do what is best for me.

 

[ajs513]

Thank you so much for your feedback! Personally, I hesitate to take a gap year because of the fear of how my family and peers will perceive that decision. Especially after having a rough start that lead to some not having any faith in my capability to succeed. Those who aren’t familiar with this career path may not fully understand why it would be the best decision for me. I definitely think I will end up taking a gap year and do what is best for me.

Remember that this is your future and your money that you’re talking about. Applying can be incredibly expensive. When I applied I spent around $3,000 all said and done between applications, supplemental applications, flights, and lodging. And I only needed to travel for two interviews. Had I interviewed at more places or not withdrawn my application after getting accepted where I wanted to go, I would’ve spent a good amount more. Then I had to put down I think $500 for a deposit to hold my place in the class.

As long as you get good grades in your last year and get meaningful experience and participate in extracurriculars that will enhance your application, you can stand a very good chance of getting in after a gap year. I don’t think you stand no chance of getting in this cycle. However, it’s important to weigh your options. If you apply this cycle and your grades slip because of the stress and time it takes to deal with everything that’s involved in the process, your application will be weaker for the following cycle should you not be accepted. The applicant pool is different every year as well. There have been people who got interviews and on waitlists one cycle, improved their application, and got flat out rejected the following cycle. There’s no telling exactly what will happen. No one can say “if you do these things, you will definitely get in.” I mean if you were to get a position as a researcher for the NIH and get published multiple times and do a masters then maybe that would guarantee that vet schools would want to admit you. But aside from that, we can only say what has worked for a lot of people even if it doesn’t work for everyone.

 

[finnickthedog]

Michigan State for example uses your cumulative to form a cutoff (3.0 I believe), and then just uses your last-45 and science GPA for the rest.

Michigan State does not use cumulative at all. 3.0 is their cut-off for the science and last 36 (they do 36 instead of 45 for some reason). And they don't factor in grades beyond making sure you meet the minimum. It's pretty much all file review and interview after that.

 

[ajs513]

Michigan State does not use cumulative at all. 3.0 is their cut-off for the science and last 36 (they do 36 instead of 45 for some reason). And they don't factor in grades beyond making sure you meet the minimum. It's pretty much all file review and interview after that.

Damn just when I thought I had it down what their admissions process was. I’ll edit my comment. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[DVM-2023]

Thank you so much for your feedback! Personally, I hesitate to take a gap year because of the fear of how my family and peers will perceive that decision. Especially after having a rough start that lead to some not having any faith in my capability to succeed. Those who aren’t familiar with this career path may not fully understand why it would be the best decision for me. I definitely think I will end up taking a gap year and do what is best for me.

Only the smart ones take gap years lol. But seriously it's the truth. There are many many people in my class that took gap years and I think they came in to school in a better head space than I did having just been in school the year before.

 

[biomajor2019]

I graduated last May, and I am applying this cycle, which will equal 2 gap years! I was extremely hesitant, at first, as well. Im a first generation college student, so at first my family didn't understand why I wasn't going right into vet school, but seeing how much I have grown in the past year, not only do I feel I am 10000% more prepared to apply to vet school, but they think so, too. I have matured, I have worked almost 3,000 hours full time as an unlicensed tech (I like to call myself an assistant, but I'm referred to as a tech in the hospital because I do everything from scheduling to placing IV catheters and starting/monitoring fluids), and I have had time to breathe from school work before I throw myself into such a rigorous program for 4 years. I remember being in your shoes and part of me really wanted to just apply even though I knew my chances were slim, but I ended up taking a lot of people's advice to take the gap years, and I am SO glad I did. I have built wonderful mentor-mentee relationships with the doctors I work with (they love explaining diseases processes to me, or after I take a radiograph they will explain to me what they're seeing and what the next steps are-its so awesome!!!) I have fantastic options for LORs, so many experiences to pull from in my essays and interviews, and I feel I really understand the profession to a deeper extent, and I know fully what I am getting myself into. I have also had the chance to do things like live on my own, pay my own rent/utilities, grow in a community outside of college, and be responsible without someone backing me up (like a parent or Res Life!). Lastly, as I'm sure you totally understand, being a pre-vet was hard! I always strived to get the best grades I could, and I'd brew coffee at 9pm just to be able to stay up a little later. I certainly needed the rest from school before diving into this program that I will be spending SO much money on! I want to be fully invested, and not burnt out by week 5.
This is just my experience as a gal that has taken a gap year (and has one more to go 🙂 ). I totally recommend it, and every current vet student I have spoken to has told me the same. I have yet to hear someone say they regret taking a gap year/years. Find some fun places to volunteer at on the weekends, find an internship to apply to that really speaks to you! If I've learned anything from current vet students I have spoken to, its that admissions committees REALLY value experience!
Feel free to reach out if you want to chat or have any questions! 🙂