How important is diversity of experience?

[Savethewhales]

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I probably should open this new can of worry for myself at this point....

Basically almost all my experience is in small animal.

3200 hours as a vet tech
17000 as a house call vet tech/petsitter
300 wildlife volunteer work
80 hours small animal volunteer work
30 hours zoo animal research

I am coming from a top tier school with a 3.4 and got 1330 on gre. I keep hearing about diversity of animal experience and it's make me nervous. If my goal is to work in a small animal practice, how important is this??

 

[that redhead]

I think diversity of experience is extremely important, actually. Something an adcom might ask is, "Well, how do you know you want to do SA if you've never done anything else?" Which I think, to be honest, is a valid question! I personally want to do equine or lab animal, but I've had a broad range of experiences that I feel help justify my intentions. Like you said, there really isn't much to do about it now, but I do think it's a really important consideration in the application.

(Off-topic: How do you have 17,000hrs of house call tech/pet sitter but only have 3200hrs as a tech? I'm not trying to attack you, just curious!)

 

[Savethewhales]

Lol. Because I left the vet I was working at to start my own business which i have had for awhile. And I end up working more that 40 hours a week. I actually still work closely with the vets treating the patients just not in the actual clinic ( the vet also does house calls only)

 

[StartingoverVet]

Depends on the school. Read VMSAR or the websites to be sure.

Penn, for example, expects experience in your area of interest. Not concerned about diversity.

Look thru accepted applicant thread and you will see plenty of SA only acceptances (myself included in 3 acceptances).

Diversity is generally good, not always required.

 

[CorporateFatCat]

While diversity is important, I think most schools would want to see that the majority of your hours is in your field of interest. I found that to be the case for UC Davis during my file review. I think it's good that you have at least some diversity. Regardless, your experience seems very impressive as well as your stats. Goodluck!!!

 

[JollyBlueJay4]

I agree! 17k hours at ~40 hours a week puts you at ~9 years of vet tech experience! (did I do the math right?) Plus zoo and wildlife experiences, bravo! With your other stats, this is extremely impressive, regardless of diversity! I like your chances =)

 

[Vet Engineer]

When I was applying, I was told over and over again that diversity is the most important thing. I tried and tried to get large animal experience, but failed. I thought for sure that would kill my chances, but I still got in and I have plenty of classmates who only have SA experience. I'm sure it depends somewhat on where you're applying, but when you have that much experience, I don't think they are going to deny you for not having enough diversity.

 

[DVMDream]

Don't feel bad. You are not the only one applying with little diversity.

I have:
5,000 hours SA (including pocket pets) tech experience (this is a very low estimate as I did not want to make it seem like I was beefing up my hours).

30 hours equine animal experience (not veterinary).
60 hours of zoo animal experience. (not veterinary)
710 hours SA shelter experience (again a low estimate since I have been volunteering since I was 12).

So you are not the only person applying with little diversity. I was told last year in file reviews that I needed to try to get some LA/equine experience (I did not have those 30 hours last year) so that is what I did. But, I wouldn't worry too much....many people have gotten in with experience in only one area.

 

[Savethewhales]

Thank you guys for your replies and positive energy. This process is so nerve wrecking. One minute you feel good and the next totally panicked. Just found this board a few weeks ago... Wish I came on here sooner